Scrolling through social media, there’s no shortage of skincare trends. From slugging to skin cycling, there’s always something new to try. That said, I’ve noticed many of these trends aren’t exactly acne-friendly. Slathering my face with Vaseline? Hard pass. My sensitive, breakout-prone skin erupts if a product so much as looks at it wrong. The thought of covering it with any petrolatum-based product gives me a minor heart attack. If you have acne-prone skin, I’m sure you can relate. After sifting through what felt like hundreds of trends a day, I started to think my skin just wasn’t a trend kind of girlie (yes, in my mind, she’s her own entity).
Lately, though, I’ve been loving the internet’s take on “butter skin.” The trend is all about looking fresh, hydrated, dewy, and glowy. It’s right up my alley—I live for a creamy, melt-in-your-hand texture and a radiant finish. I was initially worried my attempt at recreating the look wouldn’t hit the same, but the products below completely proved me wrong.
If you’re acne-prone but still want that dewy glow, look no further. I found 13 products that practically make you sparkle—without clogging your pores. I’m sharing them all ahead.
SOFIE PAVITT FACE
Omega Rich Moisturizer
This glow-inducing moisturizer was made with acne-prone skin in mind. It’s rich and dewy enough to leave skin looking plump and hydrated, without triggering breakouts. I like that it’s packed with omega fatty acids to support the skin barrier, plus squalane, jojoba, and argan oil. It’s quickly become one of my most-reached-for moisturizers. I love wearing it under makeup when I want that extra-dewy, buttery finish.
iS Clinical
Active Peel Treatment System
I’m a huge fan of all IS Clinical products, but the Active Peel System is definitely in my top three. It gently clears breakouts without causing inflammation or redness, and it gives skin an immediate glow. I’m not sure what the secret sauce is, but after just one treatment, my skin looks brighter and feels noticeably firmer.
At $96, it’s an investment, but if you have acne-prone skin, it’s absolutely worth it. You can use it several times a week (if your skin tolerates it), making it a great addition to any acne-clearing routine—especially if you’re also dealing with dark spots.
Emma Lewisham
Skin Reset Serum
Emma Lewisham is one of my favorite skincare brands, and this serum is my number one pick for an insane summer glow. It brightens the skin and delivers that dewy, buttery finish without feeling heavy. With a powerhouse combo of vitamin C, licorice root extract, and niacinamide, it offers megawatt radiance—perfect for fading post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and helping to keep breakouts in check.
La Mer
The Moisturizing Fresh Cream Moisturizer
La Mer is one of those cult-loved brands I never thought I could use. The iconic Crème de la Mer always seemed too heavy for my acne-prone skin, but this lighter version delivers the same luxe effect without causing breakouts. It leaves your skin looking healthy and luminous, making it perfect for achieving that butter skin vibe.
Pro tip: Finish with a few drops of the brand’s facial oil to give your skin an extra buttery glow. The ingredient list is pretty long, but luckily, it didn’t trigger any new breakouts for me.
Saie
Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation
This foundation is my ride or die. It’s a bit runny when you first pump it out, but the finish is gorgeous. My skin gets dehydrated easily, and this is one of the few formulas that keeps it dewy and hydrated for hours. It feels more like a serum—lightweight, breathable, and nourishing. I also love that it’s silicone-free. Silicone-based foundations can sometimes smother my skin and cause breakouts, but this one never does.
Mixing Saie’s Glowy Super Gel with the brand’s foundation is the secret to achieving the perfect butter skin look. It adds a subtle, lit-from-within glow without looking glittery. I wear it all summer long—starting with a layer as a base, and then mixing a bit into my foundation before applying.
Le Prunier
Plum Beauty Oil
This organic face oil from Le Prunier is one of my longtime favorites because it brightens just as well as vitamin C—and fast. I deal with a lot of dark spots, and this helps fade them quickly while delivering a ton of hydration. Sometimes I don’t even need a moisturizer with it—it’s that good.
PAI SKINCARE
The Impossible Glow Drops
These bronzing drops are perfect on their own or mixed with foundation. They hydrate while giving your skin that glassy glow the butter skin trend is all about. I also love wearing them solo for a beach day.
Glossier
Futuredew Facial Oil-Serum Hybrid
Charlotte Tilbury
Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Cream Bronzer
This is my all-time favorite bronzer. It, quite literally, glides onto your skin like butter, and the pigment payoff is insane. It’s one of the few bronzers that actually work for Brown skin tones. So many of them just don’t show up, but this one is perfect and adds just the right amount of warmth to the skin.
VIEVE
The Muse Eyeshadow Palette
Not only is the texture of these shadows creamy and buttery, but they also complement a dewy foundation perfectly. I’m in love with the soft matte shades and ethereal shimmers. They blend beautifully and work for both everyday summer looks and evening events.
Another favorite of mine from Vieve is this creamy blush—it just melts into the skin. It has a natural finish and gives you a subtle, sun-kissed glow that fits perfectly with the butter skin trend.
