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Do You Need to Moisturise Acne-Prone Skin?
Moisturising is an essential step in any skincare routine for healthy-looking skin. However, since acne-prone skin can often appear excessively oily, it’s natural to wonder whether moisturiser might clog your pores or make acne-prone condition worse. So, does moisturiser help with acne-prone skin or should you avoid it? Below, we’re sharing the important facts you should know when it comes to moisturising acne-prone skin.
Overview
Breakouts occur when your hair follicles (pores) become congested with dead skin cells or oil, which can lead to multiple types of blemishes.Whether you struggle with blackheads, whiteheads, or another type of acne-prone skin, dermatologists generally agree that a consistent skincare routine is essential for managing breakouts. And one of the core products in any skincare routine for blemishes is a dermatologist-approved, oil-free moisturiser. Keep reading to discover the benefits of moisturiser for acne-prone skin, the reasons why you should moisturise, and which moisturiser myths to avoid.
Common Myths About Moisturiser and Acne
- Myth #1: “I don’t need to moisturise because I have oily, acne-prone skin.” - All types of skin can benefit from using the right moisturiser formula, including oily and acne-prone skin.
- Myth #2: “Moisturiser will leave my skin feeling greasy.” - Lightweight moisturiser formulas can provide hydration without leaving your skin looking shiny or feeling greasy.
- Myth #3: “Moisturisers will clog my pores or trigger more breakouts.” - CeraVe’s facial moisturisers are “non-comedogenic,” which means they’re formulated not to clog your pores.
- Myth #4: “All moisturisers are the same.” - Facial moisturisers come in many varieties, such as daytime formulas with sunscreen and nighttime formulas that help hydrate and soothe acne-prone skin overnight.
Can Moisturiser Cause Acne-Prone Skin?
This depends on a number of factors, like the moisturiser you choose and whether or not you apply it correctly. Be sure to look for moisturisers that are non-comedogenic, as using a heavy, comedogenic (pore-clogging) moisturiser may contribute to congestion in your pores and potentially aggravate your acne-prone skin situation. On the other hand, research shows that some moisturisers can help support a clear, healthy-looking complexion in those with acne-prone skin.
Is it better to skip moisturiser if you’re prone to acne condition?
Some people mistakenly believe that moisturiser will add more oil to the skin’s surface, and therefore, worsen the appearance of breakouts. This same logic also leads many people to believe that drying out their skin is the best way to reduce excess oil. In reality, this approach can actually have the exact opposite effect. Over-drying your skin can actually cause it to produce more oil in an attempt to compensate for moisture loss. This, in turn, has the potential to irritate your skin and trigger even more breakouts, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Does Moisturiser Help With Acne-Prone Skin?
What some people don’t realise is that moisturiser is not meant only for dry, flaky skin. Moisturiser is an essential part of any skincare routine, even if you’re struggling with pimples and blemishes. The primary role of moisturiser is to provide hydrating benefits to your skin’s surface and help seal in much-needed moisture. This is an important part of supporting a healthy-looking complexion in all types of skin, including oily skin and acne-prone skin. When your skin is properly hydrated, it should feel comfortable and appear plump, radiant, and smooth.
In addition to this, some moisturisers also feature acne-fighting ingredients that can help directly address breakouts and improve the appearance of pores, like those formulated with salicylic acid.
What Are the Main Benefits of Moisturiser for Acne-Prone Skin?
As mentioned above, a major benefit of moisturisers for acne-prone skin is that they can help keep your skin feeling hydrated, calm, and comfortable. In other words, the right moisturiser can help reduce acne-prone related skin issues by keeping your skin in a balanced, happy state. This may help you avoid problematic extremes, such as extreme oiliness or extreme dryness. Moisturiser can also be helpful for combatting the drying effects of certain breakout treatments, such as tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.
Are Ceramide-Containing Moisturisers Helpful for Blemish-Prone Skin?
With three essential ceramides, CeraVe’s facial moisturisers can help maintain and restore your skin’s protective barrier. This is an important benefit for anyone with acne-prone skin, as some research suggests that acne-rone skin eruptions, may be associated with a weakened skin barrier.3 And when the skin’s barrier function is disrupted, it can no longer effectively keep moisture in your skin and harmful elements out. To learn more about CeraVe’s three essential ceramides, visit The Ceramides Difference.
Debunking 4 Common Myths About Moisturiser and Acne
When it comes to moisturisers and blemish-prone skin, there are a few myths that tend to pop up quite frequently. Learn more about these common misconceptions and how to separate fact from fiction below.
Myth #1: “I don’t need to moisturise because I have oily, acne-prone skin.”
Regardless of your skin type or skin concerns, there are a few core products that form the foundation of any good skincare routine. Your daily skincare regimen should include a gentle face cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser, and sunscreen (for daytime). This means everyone should use moisturiser, even if you have acne-prone skin.
In addition to these skincare basics, your dermatologist may prescribe additional products for acne-prone concern, based on your individual skin’s needs and the severity of your acne-prone skin condition. In this case, your moisturiser should come after any topical acne-prone skin product .
Myth #2: “Moisturiser will leave my skin feeling greasy.”
Moisturisers are not a “one-size-fits-all” skincare product. And this can cause some confusion when it comes to choosing a moisturiser for acne-prone skin. Moisturisers are available in a wide variety of formulas, and some oil-based moisturisers may be too heavy for your skin’s needs. We recommend looking for moisturiser options that are lightweight, oil-free, and non-greasy.
Myth #3: “Moisturiser will clog my pores or trigger new breakouts.
Face moisturisers for acne-prone skin are typically formulated without ingredients that are known to clog pores, such as cocoa butter, lanolin, and corn oil. To find moisturisers that won’t cause clogs, look for the term “non-comedogenic” on the product label. These formulas are designed to help hydrate your skin without clogging pores, which makes them an ideal choice for acne-prone skin.
Myth #4: “All moisturisers are the same.”
There are different types of moisturisers you can consider for acne-prone skin, and one formula can differ greatly from another. Some moisturisers are designed specifically for daytime or nighttime use, for example. Others may include ingredients that can help target different acne-prone skin condition, such as post-acne marks, rough skin texture, or redness.
Tips for Moisturising Acne-Prone Skin
Now that we’ve debunked some of the most common moisturiser myths, let’s dive into how to choose the right product for your acne-prone skin. Ahead, we’ve compiled our top tips to help you find a moisturiser that supports clear, hydrated skin, without clogging your pores or triggering breakouts.
Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas
As mentioned above, certain oil-based moisturisers may contain ingredients that can clog your pores or contribute to eruption of blemishes. When choosing a moisturiser for blemish-prone skin, look for the terms “non-comedogenic” and “oil-free” on the label. This generally means that the product was formulated with the needs of acne-prone skin in mind.
Look for moisturisers that are developed with dermatologists
When choosing a moisturiser for your acne-prone skin, look for products that are developed with dermatologists, such as CeraVe. This will help ensure you’re picking a well-formulated product, specific to your skin type, that’s been approved by experts in skincare. We also recommend sticking with moisturisers that are fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and include beneficial ingredients for healthy-looking skin (like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide), all of which applies to CeraVe products.
Use different moisturisers for daytime and nighttime
Using an oil-free daytime and nighttime moisturiser duo, like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion and PM Facial Moisturising Lotion, can help to support skin that looks and feels its best. Our AM Moisturiser moisturises your skin throughout the day and includes broad-spectrum SPF 30 to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. In the evening, our PM Moisturiser makes an ideal night cream option. It can help hydrate, calm, and soothe your skin while delivering a steady stream of much-needed moisture throughout the night.
Pay attention to your skin’s needs
It’s important to remember that your acne-prone skin is unique. So, whenever you use a new moisturiser or skincare product, pay close attention to how your skin reacts. If you notice additional oiliness, redness, or irritation, it may be a sign that the product is not the right fit for you. If you’re concerned that your moisturiser may be contributing to your acne-prone skin condition, schedule a visit to your dermatologist’s office. They can assess your skin and offer guidance on the best acne-prone skin regimen for your individual needs.
Identify the right acne-prone skin fighting ingredients for your routine
It’s possible to help target different blemish-prone skin oncerns with specific active ingredients. A board-certified dermatologist can help you identify which blemish-prone tackling ingredients may be right for your acne-prone skin type. Salicylic acid, for example, is one ingredient that controls breakouts and that has been shown to be especially helpful for minimising the appearance of blackheads.
References
- Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. “Moisturisers for Acne: What are their Constituents?” J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408; PMCID: PMC4025519.
- “10 Skin Care Habits That Can Worsen Acne.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2023.
- Lynde, Chuck W et al. “Moisturisers and Ceramide-containing Moisturisers May Offer Concomitant Therapy with Benefits.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology vol. 7,3 (2014): 18-26