You wash your face regularly, avoid stress, and try your best not to touch your face. You’re basically doing all you can to fight breakouts.
But could a bit of cream ruin it all? Does moisturizer cause acne, or is that just a myth?
In short, it depends on the formula. Some oil-based moisturizers can be bad for your acne, but others can actually help reduce the symptoms and side effects.
Read on to learn why that is and how to choose the right moisturizer for your acne-prone skin.
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Moisturizing Acne-Prone Skin: Yay or Nay?
Breakouts happen when your pores get clogged. And there’s a lot that can get into those tiny pores – dead skin cells, makeup, bacteria, and oil.
So, it’s possible that using a heavy, oily moisturizer will cause acne flare-ups. However, that’s not to say that all moisturizers are bad.
For one, not all oils are highly comedogenic (a fancy word for “likely to clog pores”). Plus, some companies make completely oil-free products.
I’ll go over how you can identify suitable products in a minute.
But now, you might be wondering why you should even bother with a moisturizer if your skin is acne-prone and doesn’t feel tight or flaky.
Well, it turns out that moisturizer can help with acne in more than one way.
How Moisturizing Can Help With Acne
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but even people with oily, acne-prone skin could use some moisturizing.
Here’s why:
- It works as an adjuvant treatment.
- It can independently improve the symptoms.
Let’s start with the first point. Some topical acne treatments can really dry your skin. (Looking at you, retinoid and benzoyl peroxide).
So, your dermatologist might recommend using a moisturizer daily to prevent uncomfortable dryness from the get-go.
As for the second point, moisturizers are emollient (softens the skin), humectant (draws moisture to the skin), and occlusive (locks moisture in).
Why do these properties help? Our sebaceous glands are more likely to overproduce oil if our skin is dry, and you don’t want that if you’re acne-prone.
Some formulations even have anti-inflammatory effects, which can calm down flare-ups.
How to Use Your Moisturizer Properly
The general advice is to use your moisturizer 2–3 times daily. You also want to apply the moisturizer immediately after washing your face.
It’s okay to leave a bit of water on your skin. When the skin is damp, trapping moisture can be easier, so you won’t have to use as much product.
That said, there’s such a thing as over-moisturizing (more on that later!).
Ingredients to Avoid in Your Moisturizer
Here are some ingredients to watch out for when you’re picking a moisturizer:
- Fragrances
- Alcohol
- Heavy oils (olive oil, linseed oil, etc.)
- Waxes and petroleum products
What to Look for in a Moisturizer
The easiest approach here is to look for a moisturizer with a “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free” label.
Going for a product that’s made specifically for your skin type (oily, sensitive, etc.) will go a long way as well.
There are tons of options out there, but I’d recommend products like:
3 Key Tips to Help You Avoid Over-Moisturizing
The trick with moisturizing your acne-prone skin is moderation.
Here are three tips to show what “moderation” means in this context:
1. Pick Something Light
For oily skin, lighter is often better.
When we’re talking about moisturizers, lightweight means more water and less oil. So, try using a gel or any moisturizer formula that’s mostly water-based.
2. Use a Tiny Bit
Picking the right moisture alone won’t cut it. You want to make sure you’re not using too much product.
The rule of thumb is to apply 1–2 milligrams of product for each square centimeter of skin. Of course, it can be hard to do the math here.
So, instead, I find it easier to visualize a dime or a nickel on your palm (or a 10p coin for my fellow Brits). You need that much moisturizer for your whole face.
3. Listen to Your Skin
No matter which moisturizer you use, you’ll still need to listen to your skin.
Does your skin feel oilier at certain times of the day? Does it dry faster in the winter? Did you flare up shortly after using a new moisturizer?
Note these changes and discuss them with your dermatologist so they can recommend different skincare products for your routine.
Final Thoughts
So, does moisturizer cause acne? In short, the right moisturizer (used properly) won’t cause acne.
On the contrary, it can make sticking to your acne treatment easier, all while helping reduce sebum production.
If you have oily skin and you love K-Beauty, have a read of my guide to the best Korean skincare products for oily skin.