Acne affects most of us at some point in our lives. Some get it during puberty and others later on, and it’s a condition that doesn’t seem to discriminate. Whether you have a darker complexion or a lighter skin tone, you can be affected by persistent breakouts and while applying moisturizer might seem like the last thing you might want to apply with acne-prone skin, many do. So, the question is – how exactly does moisturizer help with acne?
Does Moisturizer Help With Acne?
There’s something of a misconception held by many that applying moisturizer worsens acne and in some cases, that’s true. So, in what cases does moisturizer help with acne? Well, some of the heavier, greasier moisturizers on the market are likely to lead to blocked pores – especially if you have a greasy or oily complexion. However, some are formulated differently.
Non-comedogenic moisturizers are created specifically to provide the skin with hydration without clogging your hair follicles. They’re manufactured to be much lighter and also contain ingredients that soothe your skin, allowing it to create an effective barrier.
What Happens When Acne-Sufferers Skip Moisturizing?
It’s easy to see why some people are wary about using moisturizer on top of oily, acne-prone skin, but there’s a very good reason why you should – so long as you use a non-comedogenic product. You see, the reason why your skin becomes oily in the first place is because it’s lacking in hydration.
It’s actually your skin trying to address the issue, but as we’ve covered, it’s not a good replacement for real hydration, as it can lead to blocked pores. The drier your skin becomes, the more oil it produces and the whole cycle just gets worse and worse.
However, the daily use of an acne-friendly moisturizer can deliver the necessary hydration, meaning the skin stops overproducing oil. The result is a healthy complexion without that telltale shiny look.
What to Look For in Acne-Friendly Moisturizer
When choosing what we’ve described here as an ‘acne-friendly’ moisturizer, there are certain qualities that you should be looking for. They include:
- Lightweight and Non-Comedogenic: Look for a formula that won’t clog pores or feel heavy on the skin. If it is non-comedogenic, it will usually say so on the bottle.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This is an ingredient that offers deep hydration without adding oil, keeping your skin moisturized and balanced.
- Ceramides: These strengthen and repair the skin’s natural barrier to reduce irritation and prevent it from losing moisture unnecessarily.
- Niacinamide: This helps to bring down inflammation in all its forms while balancing oil production and promoting an even tone and texture.
- Oil-Free Formula: Again, this should be stated on the bottle and it means it’s a product able to control shine and maintain a matte finish.
- Free from Irritants: You should also avoid synthetic fragrances (used simply to make the product more attractive) or heavy oils that can trigger breakouts.
Does Moisturizer Help With Acne? Yes, But With One Caveat
In answer to the question in the title of this article, yes, using moisturizer will help you control your acne breakouts. It delivers the hydration that all skin needs, meaning that yours will no longer try to deal with the problem itself by producing extra oil. There is just one caveat!
That moisturizer has to be acne-friendly, or otherwise it might cause more issues than it solves. As such, you should be sure to look out for the properties we’ve covered. Do that and it won’t be long until you’ve got control of your skin’s health once again.