Oil glands in the skin activate during puberty and start secreting sebum through the pores that connect the follicles to the outside. A mixture of dead skin cells, excess oil and hair can clog your pores when you neglect your skincare routine. Eventually, continued oil production leads to acne.
Clogged pores may get infected with bacteria, and this causes swelling and a breakout of numerous pimples. The acne can ruin your skin with whiteheads, cysts and blackheads. This inflammatory condition affects a large portion of the population.
A balanced diet enriched with vitamin E and zinc can help reduce the chances of severe acne. Alternatively, you can try tee-tree oil or green tea extracts to lower oil production in the skin. However, these forms of treatment are not as effective as using a moisturizer.
Choosing the best moisturizer for acne can be challenging because of the number of options available. It helps to find a product that works for you. If you want help buying the products, we have a breakdown of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin, along with the things to consider before making the purchase.
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Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
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5 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin - Reviews
The CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is an oil-free moisturizer designed to handle acne breakouts on the face. The broad-spectrum SPF 30 shields your skin against harmful UV radiation by repairing and restoring the protective barrier. The active ingredients in the oil-free moisturizer include ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
The combined ingredients work to soothe and treat acne-prone skin. The product relies on a patented technology to ensure quick absorption allowing your skin to remain hydrated throughout the day. Plus, the moisturizer is gentle and does not irritate when applied.
The CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion has a lightweight formula with a smooth lotion texture that does not make your skin look greasy.
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If you are looking for a daily moisturizer for nighttime use, the Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 is suitable for you. The face cream absorbs quickly deep into the skin to deliver vitamin B3 and Retinol to keep it hydrated. Plus, the latter ingredient ensures you experience little to no irritation.
People with acne can rely on the daily moisturizer to relieve the effects of a breakout. For instance, it removes wrinkles and dark sports while making your skin firm and smooth. Plus, the hydration effects last for 24 hours.
The Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 is fragrance-free to help you sleep throughout the night. Additionally, the quick absorption and grease-free property ensure it doesn't stain your sheets.
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The Intex PureSpa Plus is among the best inflatable hot tubs you can get. With a push of a button, this six-person model tub offers a soothing and relaxing experience. It features an easy to use control panel that activates 170 bubble jets in the spa to provide a refreshing massage.
You can adjust the temperature to as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit for a personalized hot bath experience.
It is easy to maintain the Intex PureSpa Plus with the two filter cartridges that clean the spa water. In case these filters wear out, you can quickly swap them out for new ones since they are replaceable. The in-built hard water treatment system featuring in this spa keeps the water gentle on the skin.
With durable Fiber-Tech construction and the three-ply laminated material, the spa is puncture-resistant and long-lasting. You will also get a carry bag to facilitate storing and transporting the Intex PureSpa. You can set up this spa in 20 minutes and deflate it after you are done for storage.
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The Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen with SPF 30 has a lightweight formula that does not clog pores. The oil-free gel moisturizer protects you from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB radiation.
This product uses Micropearl technology to give you a matte finish by absorbing the excess oil on your skin. Whether you have oily or combination skin, the moisturizing gel will help with acne without leaving you with a greasy feel.
This Differin product is hypoallergenic to reduce irritation and increases hydration. Plus, it is affordable while managing to give you results that are on par with other luxurious products for acne-prone skin.
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If you are currently experiencing a breakout, Paula's Choice RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defence will help. This moisturizer utilizes bisabolol and willow bark extracts to ease any skin irritation. Plus, it is ideal for reducing redness and other discolorations.
Additionally, the product provides broad-spectrum protection of SPF 30 that shields you from UV radiation. The antioxidants included in the formulation adds a youthful look and feel to your skin.
If you are looking for a moisturizer that will not leave your skin shiny, gel-cream is ideal. Moreover, it has a subtle tint that preserves natural color regardless of your skin tone.
Most sunscreens leave behind a white cast after use. However, the RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense still provides the shielding and rejuvenating qualities customers like.
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Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Moisturizer for Acne
1. Ingredients
A reliable moisturizer for acne-prone skin has numerous active ingredients to help with moisture retention. Salicylic acid, retinol, and alpha-hydroxy acids have additional exfoliating effects that heal acne-ridden skin.
Ceramides work to maintain the natural protective barrier of your skin. Hyaluronic acid retains and attracts moisture on your skin's surface. Lastly, niacinamide excels at repairing areas where your skin's barrier has been breached.
If you use any medication for acne, it would be best to avoid moisturizers that also exfoliate. The combination of the two will cause skin irritation, flaking and peeling because of the drying effects.
Moreover, checking the ingredients will help you avoid substances that cause your allergies to flare up. If you are still unsure about your reaction to salicylic acid or aloe vera, you can seek medical advice from a dermatologist.
2. Skin types
Your skin type determines the best moisturizer for acne you should use. For example, people with dry or combination skin should only go for moisturizing cream. On the other hand, those with oily skin are better off with a lightweight oil-free lotion or gel.
In some instances, an oil-free formula may be detrimental to people with dry skin as it might leave them more dehydrated. Skin types determine whether you will require hydro-boost or an oil-absorbing moisturizer.
3. Moisturizer SPF
If you go out often, ensure the moisturizer you buy has sunscreen. The sun protection factor, SPF, is a standard measure of a product's strength at blocking harmful UVB rays from damaging the skin. Some moisturizers indicate a high SPF number to suggests that they are better equipped to stop significant amounts of UVB radiation from reaching the skin.
Nevertheless, there is little difference in effectiveness between two moisturizers that have close SPF numbers. The gains you get from a product with SPF 50 are negligible when compared to SPF 44. Hence, you can go for a cheaper facial moisturizer if the numbers are close to each other.
4. Check the label
Always check the moisturizer label before you buy it. It helps to keep an eye out for specific features that help with acne-prone skin.
Oil-free and non-comedogenic are some of the properties you should look out for on the labels. Otherwise, you may buy a moisturizer that clogs pores and exacerbates your acne.
Moreover, it would be best to find fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products to avoid skin irritation. After all, the moisturizer should serve to nourish and protect.
5. Ask a dermatologist
If you have severe acne breakouts and take medication, it helps to talk to a dermatologist before buying a moisturizer. Their advice will help you save your skin and money by avoiding products that may interact negatively with your medication and harm your skin.
Some people are allergic to some of the ingredients commonly used in moisturizers for acne-prone skin. In such cases, the advice of a board-certified dermatologist is the first step to a great purchasing decision.
6. Do not fixate on prices
When it comes to making a purchasing decision, most of us focus on the prices of competing products. Of course, this helps you to keep your spending within your budget.
Checking the price when it comes to moisturizers may be distracting. Instead, focus on the results you see from using the product. Cutting corners when it comes to the price of moisturizers could have terrible effects.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on the Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
1. What is the best face moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin?
The best face moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin is the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. The oil-free product offers a combination of affordability and acne-fighting properties that are unsurpassed.
Its lightweight, non-comedogenic formulation keeps your pores free from any clogging while also rejuvenating the skin. Plus, it is fragrance-free and gives your skin a matte finish to maintain a natural glow and stop it from becoming greasy.
2. Should you moisturize oily skin?
Regardless of your skincare routine, moisturizers for acne-prone skin are essential. The creams and lotions help keep your skin barrier healthy by ensuring your pores are free of congestion. Additionally, such products keep excess oil at bay and reduce acne symptoms.
3. Can moisturizers cause acne?
The form of moisturizer you use may either increase or decrease the effects of acne on your skin. Creams and heavy lotions are notorious for compounding the congestion of pores. A lightweight formula can have anti-inflammatory effects.
Check the label of moisturizers to ensure you get one that boasts of non-comedogenic and oil-free properties.
4. Can moisturizer make acne worse?
Moisturizers can keep dead cells on the skin's surface, increasing the clogging of your pores. Rosacea and acne increase when the sebum produced remains under the skin.
Nevertheless, understanding how your skin type interacts with different types of moisturizers can help you make an informed decision. You should avoid heavy moisturizers if you have oily skin and seek a lightweight oil-free formulation instead. Conversely, heavier creams are better for dry skin.
