How to choose the best Moisturizer for Acne-prone skin?

Moisturization is important for almost every skin disease and in many of the diseases caused by an inability to seal moisture in the skin or losing moisture. Poor moisturization can influence a host of skin issues, ranging from eczema, psoriasis, acne, Rosacea, and itchiness.

Whatever your skin type, it is very important to moisturize your skin. In a skincare routine, moisturizing is a significant step. However, does acne-prone skin also need a moisturizer? If yes, which moisturizer is ideal for acne-prone skin? Today, we’ll discuss exactly this.

Purpose of using Moisturizer for Acne-prone skin

Moisturizer is very advantageous for your skin. It secures the dampness of your skin and prevents skin from drying. Particularly during winters, when your skin begins getting very dry.

It gets very cold outside and warmer at home. As a result, the moisture in your skin starts evaporating. So then it becomes essential to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.

It can make your skin feel soft and smooth. It can even help reduce signs of aging which then helps the skin look young and healthy. However, a lot of people think that oily or skin inflammation-inclined skin doesn’t require lotion.

It’s obvious, all our skin has sebaceous glands. Yet these glands are more active in oily skin. This excess sebum, along with dirt and dead skin cells, clogs the skin pores promoting acne breakouts.

Now, for this situation, it is important to control the skin’s excess oil. But oily or acne-prone skin also needs fundamental moisturizing lotion or hydration.

If natural oils or sebum becomes a bit too less in oily skin, then it starts becoming dry. Then, our skin sends a signal to the oil glands to prepare extra oil, which makes the skin even oilier. Then because of this, your pores get clogged and acne breakouts increase.

This is the body’s natural biofeedback mechanism. To prevent this, it is important to apply on oily and acne-prone skin the perfect moisturizer that suits the skin.

Oily skin is glossy and greasy in appearance. Large pores are noticeable in oily skin. This is the reason, if your skin is oily and sensitive, then use such a moisturizing cream that makes your skin smooth, maintains moisture and keeps your skin healthy and hydrated, and also doesn’t make it look oily.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

On the other hand, in case you’re taking OTC or Acne treatment for Inflammatory Acne or pimples, or using topical Acne medication, then your skin becomes dry. As a result, there can also be irritation or aggravation of the skin. This is why acne-prone skin needs moisturizer.

But while picking a face moisturizer for acne-prone skin, it is important to consider certain variables. You ought to understand your skin type and skin tendencies and choose the right skincare products accordingly.

Now you must be wondering, how to choose a moisturizer for acne-prone skin. And which ingredients are to be seen while purchasing moisturizer?

Things to remember while buying a moisturizer

While purchasing a moisturizer, see its Ingredients list. Firstly check texture and formulation. There are a lot of moisturizers available in the market which is of different forms.

From the lightest to the heaviest forms of moisturizers available, like gels, creams, lotions, or ointments can be found. This is why, while buying it, you have to keep in mind its properties.

Always use an oil-free moisturizer for your acne-prone skin. You can also use light lotion. If your skin is oily, then do not use cream, heavy lotion, or ointment.

Because your skin pores can get clogged and your acne might increase. This is why you should just use non-comedogenic oil-free products for your skin.

While picking facial moisturizer, check for the labels non-comedogenic or oil-free. The lotions containing hyaluronic acid can keep your skin barrier well moisturized.

Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Actually, even Dimethicone can be a light moisturizer for oily skin. Not only does Dimethicone moisturize the skin, yet additionally gives a matte finish to the skin controlling greasiness and shine of the skin.

And also, you can use creams that contain exfoliating agents like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, which improve cell turnover and control sebum and oil discharge.

If your skin is acne-prone, then maintain a distance from ingredients like paraffin and cocoa butter.

Other than this, you can use humectants like glycerine, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). These absorb and lock moisture in your skin.

Truth be told, heavy oils are absent in humectants. This is why these can be used for all skin types. For oily skin, combination, and acne-prone skin, these prove to be very valuable.

You can also use ceramides for skin pimples. These ceramides prove to be very effective for combination and normal skin types. Also, it is important to use a hydro-boost or water-based moisturizer. In fact, for such skin, you can use lotions.

Also, Essential Fatty acids are most often used in cosmetics as an emollient. Fatty acids help to enhance skin hydration and make up an essential part of your skin barrier. It helps nourish the skin.

If your skin is oily, or acne-prone, then do not use cream-based, thick moisturizers. See the ingredients of the products, which skin type they are made for, are they dermatologically tested or not, you need to read all this important information.

If your skin is oily, then stay far away from petroleum products. These seal the moisture but also clog pores. Besides, they are not good for sensitive skin. So if you suffer from oily and sensitive skin, then it’s better to avoid them.

Vitamin A, also known as Retinol, is a highly effective skincare ingredient, you can add to your beauty routine. However, Sometimes Vitamin A can be harsh on the skin and causes side effects.

What is needed to keep the skin hydrated from the inside?

Skin requirements for keeping that hydration inside are preventing water loss, and also maintaining healthy skin barrier functions.

To achieve these two goals, Moisturizers should come with some sort of occlusive agent. The “Occlusive Agent” is something that separates moisturizer from every other skincare product that you applied before because it has the ability to lock, retaining hydration.

However, a lot of acne-prone skin people associate those occlusive ingredients with pore-clogging or something that will compound their acne scars.

Of course, there are active ingredients, like petrolatum or mineral oil which are known to be the best occlusive ingredient for dry skin type. So, it doesn’t give any space for your skin to connect to the outside world because it’s such a thick, filmy barrier.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

For acne-prone skin and sensitive skin types, Dimethicone is another occlusive agent that is highly recommended because it’s non-comedogenic, It’s hypoallergenic as well. It’s quite a lightweight ingredient and your skin is well prevented from water loss.

Scented Moisturizer can irritate people with sensitive skin, and gives you that greasy feel.

So “Occlusiveness” signifies the longevity of the hydration as well. So if your current daily moisturizer is somewhat drying you out for the duration of the day, you might want to level up your occlusive in the moisturizer.

The right way to apply moisturizer

Along with this, you need to follow a healthy skincare routine and some tips. During the day, you have to wash your skin with an oil-free cleanser or face wash at least two times. Just after cleansing the skin, apply an oil-free moisturizer.

If possible, use it after bathing when the body is still damp. Moisturiser spreads nicely on damp skin and gets absorbed.

While applying moisturizer, massage your skin lightly, apply tenderly, and let it absorb well.

During the day, apply moisturizer at least two times. Even before sleeping in the night, apply moisturizer. Our skin starts renewing during the night. Applying moisturizer at the night keeps your skin hydrated and makes it soft, smooth, and healthy the next day.

For nourishing skin naturally, you can use Aloe Vera. It absorbs easily and helps seal moisture into your skin.

NOTE: The most important thing is that before using any moisturizer, take a patch test on the skin, i.e. behind the ear or on the wrist. If you see any allergic reaction within 24 hours, then don’t use that moisturizer. If you do not see any reaction, then you can use that moisturizer.

Quick recap:

1) Always use an oil-free moisturizer for acne-prone skin. You can also use gel lotion.

 2) Do not use cream, heavy lotion, or ointment for oily skin. Because your skin pores can get clogged and your acne might increase.

3) Non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic. So these are the label that kind of assures you that it’s not going to clog your pores, or it’s going to worsen your acne.

4) Antioxidants. So the most commonly used Antioxidant is probably green tea and vitamin E. I truly cannot address the importance enough. Your acne starts with your sebum oxidizing, So to prevent that and protect your skin Antioxidants play a big role.

5) Containing hyaluronic acid can keep your skin well moisturized.

6) Dimethicone also gives a matte finish to the skin controlling oiliness and shine of the skin for oily skin.

7) You can use moisturizers that contain exfoliating agents like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, which improve cell turnover and control sebum and oil emissions.

8) Avoid ingredients like paraffin and cocoa butter for acne-prone skin. You can use humectants like glycerine, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).

9) Ceramides. These ceramides prove to be very effective for normal and combination skin types.

10) For Oily or acne-prone skin, always use a water-based moisturizer. Do not use thick, creamy moisturizer.

11) Hypoallergenic. Face lotion with fragrance causes skin irritation for sensitive skin and occurs rashes and redness.

Every Acne-prone skin needs moisturizing and hydration. If your skin is acne-prone, then use products according to skin type. Exfoliate the skin once a week. Along with moisturizer, also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30. Follow a healthy skincare routine.

Hope you found this article helpful. Kindly comment about your experience and any suggestions.

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API