With summer almost here, it might be time to rethink your skincare routine to embrace the heat. For those of us with acne-prone skin, finding the right moisturizer can be a game-changer, and as the temperature begins to rise we often look for something lightweight and water-based.
Fortunately gel moisturizers provide the perfect balance of hydration for the summer without a heavy greasy feel or dreaded pore-clogging ingredients that can trigger breakouts. Perfect for hot weather, gel moisturizers keep your skin cool, refreshed, and can be layered with sunscreen, making them a top choice for summer skincare.
What Are Gel Moisturizers?
Gel moisturizers are specifically designed to hydrate without weighing you down. They are clear with a light texture that absorbs quickly, and they often contain humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that draw moisture into your skin. This makes gel moisturizers particularly suitable for people with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, as they provide the necessary hydration without clogging pores or making oiliness worse.
Many acne treatments can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated, but a good gel moisturizer can help soothe these side effects and restore your skin’s natural barrier. Plus, their refreshing, fast-absorbing formulas make them perfect for keeping your skin comfortable and shine-free in warmer weather.
Best Gel Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin
Ready to find a moisturizer you gel with? Here are our favorite gel moisturizers for acne-prone skin that will keep you hydrated and glowing this summer:
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly Facial Moisturizer
Clinique's Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly is a summer must-have for anyone with acne-prone skin. This innovative gel moisturizer delivers hydration without clogging pores, thanks to its water-jelly texture that absorbs quickly and feels incredibly lightweight on the skin. It claims to strengthen your skin's barrier in one week and protect your skin from pollution with Clean Shield Technology made with a botanical blend of sunflower seed cake, barley extract, and cucumber fruit extract.
Dermalogica Clear Start Cooling Aqua Jelly Moisturizer For Oily Skin
The Cooling Aqua Jelly by Dermalogica's Clear Start line is a gel moisturizer designed for all of us with oily or acne-prone skin. This ultra-lightweight, water-based formula provides an instant cooling sensation that is perfect for hot and humid summer months. Infused with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it delivers deep hydration while reducing shine, keeping your skin moisturized and fresh for long summer days. Blue tansy flower oil helps to calm and soothe irritated skin, while the green tea extract offers antioxidant protection against environmental stressors.
PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel Cream with Oat Seed Water and Panthenol
This PURITO Oat-in Calming Gel Cream is a lightweight gel moisturizer from Korea that is infused with 77% Oat Seed Water, renowned for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for reducing redness and irritation. Its gentle formula also includes panthenol, beta glucan, and squalane, which soothe, hydrate, and help strengthen your skin barrier without clogging pores. The non-sticky, fast-absorbing texture ensures your skin feels fresh and comfortable, even in hot and humid conditions.
Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel with Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid
Sebamed's Clear Face Care Gel is a simple lightweight formula that will hydrate your skin without weighing it down making it a great choice for oily skin. It's packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to help pull in moisture, while panthenol and allantoin soothe and calm irritated skin. Free from oils and emulsifiers and designed to balance your skin's pH levels, this gel absorbs quickly, leaving your face feeling fresh and hydrated.
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel Hydrating Peptide Hydro Boost Moisturizer
The Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel is another great Korean gel moisturizer for those with acne-prone skin, especially during the hot summer months. This lightweight gel is enriched with 44% red bean extract, known for its ability to control excess sebum which helps to keep pores clear and prevent breakouts. The addition of peptides further supports your skin's structure and hydration levels. Its refreshing, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly with a burst of hydration making it perfect for those looking for a balance of oil control and moisture.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water-Gel Oil-Free Moisturizer
The Peach & Lily Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer will help you achieve the dewy, luminous complexion popularized by the 'glass skin' trend, even in the summer heat. This gel moisturizer is formulated with three weights of hyaluronic acid, kiwi and peach extracts, chamomile, and beta glucan to deliver hydration while soothing skin and maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy feel. Its unique water-gel texture absorbs quickly, leaving your skin perfectly hydrated without clogging pores. Infused with niacinamide and licorice, this moisturizer can help to even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation, however if you know that you are sensitive to niacinamide it might be best to skip this one.
facetheory Supergel Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, and Niacinamide
The Facetheory Supergel Moisturiser M3 is a gel moisturizer designed for those with oily, acne-prone skin. This lightweight gel combines niacinamide and salicylic acid to help control oil production, reduce inflammation, and clear clogged pores, making it an excellent option for managing breakouts. Its formula also includes aloe vera, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, and stabilized vitamin C to hydrate and calm irritated skin and protect against environmental stressors. Its fast-absorbing formula makes it a great choice for hot and humid summer days. Avoid if your skin is sensitive to niacinamide or vitamin C.
COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream with Green Tea Leaf Extract
The COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream is a great option if you have oily or acne-prone skin and are seeking lightweight hydration and soothing relief. This gel is infused with green tea extract, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help to calm irritated skin and reduce redness. Its refreshing gel texture absorbs quickly, delivering moisture without leaving a greasy residue. The formula also includes aloe vera, panthenol, and allantoin which work together to deeply hydrate and soothe. Perfect to keep your skin comfortably balanced and hydrated all summer long.
