Acne is a widespread skin condition. It is usually associated with teens, but many people keep suffering from acne when they reach adulthood. Can moisturizer help with acne? Many believe moisturizers cause breakouts and should not be used on acne-prone skin. Is it true? Are some moisturizers suitable for acne-prone skins? How to choose them?
Calypso Cavallo tells you everything you need to know about moisturizing acne-prone skin! Follow those tips for clear and healthy skin.
Can moisturizer help with acne-prone skin?
A popular belief is that acne is caused by an excess of moisture in the skin, and to get rid of it, we should dry out the skin. This misconception comes from an actual fact about acne: it is caused by sebum, the natural oil the body produces to moisturize the skin. It is usually discharged through the pores, but the pores get clogged, so the sebum accumulates, creating a perfect environment for bacteria development. When bacteria develop, it makes a breakout.
Believing acne is only caused by a moisture excess is inaccurate. The main trigger of acne is thickening skin that clogs pores. Drying out the skin does not improve this condition; it worsens it. Irritation is also a breakout trigger.
Because of this misconception, many people skip moisturizers and apply rub alcohol on their pimples, believing it will help. It does not. The best way to cure a breakout is to be gentle with the skin and use mild products.
Moisturizing acne-prone skin is essential as it helps keep it thin and prevents the dead skin from clogging the pores. However, there are several moisturizers, and the richer ones can clog pores. People with acne-prone skin should pick a lightweight moisturizer containing salicylic acid and avoid any moisturizer containing oil.
How moisturizer help with acne-prone skin?
The more the skin is moisturized, the easier it gets rid of the dead cells, so the less likely it is to clog pores and breakout. Maintaining a good skincare routine is crucial to avoiding acne breakouts.
The first step of the routine should be washing the face. Contrary to popular beliefs, this step’s goal is not to dry the skin but to remove dirt, sweat, and excess oil. Using products containing alcohol is a bad idea because it irritates the skin. The face cleanser should be mild and contain active ingredients such as tea tree to kill bacteria before they develop and cause pimples.
However, many people with acne-prone skin tend to wash their face believing it will help to prevent breakouts. It is the opposite as over washing the face irritates it and causes more skin problems.
Once the face is clean, we can apply a moisturizer. Keeping the skin moisturized prevents irritation and breakouts if it is appropriately chosen. As mentioned before, all moisturizers are not suitable for acne-prone skins. As a general rule, there are two categories of moisturizers: the ones for anti-aging with rich and oil-based formulas and the ones for acne-prone or oily skins, which are lightweight and water-based. Using the wrong type may clog pores and lead to more breakouts. Oils are often comedogenic, so it is better to stay away from them when we suffer from acne. It applies to moisturizers, makeup removers, toners, serum, and any products meant to be on the face.
Does moisturizer help with acne-prone skin? The bottom line
Moisturizing an acne prone skin is essential and helps to prevent breakout. However, it is important to choose an oil-free and lightweight moisturizer as oil and heavy creams clog pores. The best for an healthy skin is to apply a moisturizer after washing the face with a mild face cleanser.