Does moisturiser make acne worse?

Acne is a pesky problem that affects many people, especially those in their teens and twenties. While there are countless solutions out there promising to clear up breakouts, one topic often debated by skincare enthusiasts is the use of moisturizer. Does it help or hurt our acne-prone skin? In this article, we’ll explore the truth behind using moisturizers for acne-prone skin.

An Introduction to Acne

Before we dive into whether or not moisturizers make acne worse, let’s first discuss what exactly acne is. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. When bacteria enters the mix, inflammation occurs in the form of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples.

While factors such as hormones play a role in causing breakouts, other culprits include excessive sweating or touching your face too much (who knew being handsy could be so detrimental?). Unfortunately for some of us ,nature seems determined to bless us with an oily T-zone making things all the more challenging!

A Beginner’s Guide to Skin’s Natural Moisture Barrier

The human body has an intelligent mechanism known as “the moisture barrier,” which helps seal off moisture from evaporating outwards while also keeping irritating substances from permeating through the epidermis layer (aka outermost layer). It is usually made up of fatty acids collected from diet & synthesized within our bodies.

A process called transepidermal water loss – TEL takes place when excess water escapes through small cracks present on thenatural-moisture-barrier/caused primarily due to age/maturation/neglect compromising both protection against environmental irritants(chemicals/germs)and hydration-replenishment mechanisms.

One reason why many people avoid using hydrators/moisturizers is because they fear it will contribute to the moisture loss from their skin BUT. The truth, really, lies in the quality of product and ingredients therein: dermatologists suggest incorporating lightweight but effective humectants/occlusives purely to replenish rather than overly-protection. Remember acne-prone skin requires water AND oil

Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin: Good or Bad?

Now that we understand more about our natural moisture barrier and how it works, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Does moisturizer make acne worse?

Luckily (or unluckily) there’s no straight answer! It depends on a few things; here are some factors you should consider when selecting an appropriate moisturizer for your skincare routine.

Skin Type

Choosing a reliable beauty care brand & finding out what products work best depend entirely on knowing your unique needs/pain points (EXTRA points if you’re able to consult with certified derm!).

If your face is naturally oily (like yours truly), heavier creams/lotions aren’t always advisable since they can compound problems associated with oily accumulations by causing blockages. Thick petroleum jelly or oils may clog pores as well which leads us back to ‘water-based’ formulas containing useful yet gentler components such as glycerin/hyaluronic acid/salicylic acid etc.

On the other hand, dry skin requires assistance here through richer/barrier strengthening products (beyond simple hydration). Pro-tip ? Look out for ceramides/natural aging agents like essential fatty-acids(vit E has become very popular)

Chemical Composition

Humectants: These miracle-workers attract and hold water molecules close thereby reducing Transepidermal Water Loss -TEWL-which helps maintain/build up protection against seasonal fatigue, irritation/damage caused by external triggers alongside fulfilling moisture requirements. Examples of popular humectants include: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), propylene glycol and sodium PCA.

Occlusives: These are ingredients that form a physical layer on the surface of the skin to protect it against losing water inorder to restore balance. Good examples commonly included in well-formulated moisturizers/creams for acne-prone/hyper-sensitive skin like mine are petrolatum, beeswax & dimethicone etc.

It’s always prudent to avoid heavily fragrant products/drying alcohols in your beauty/skincare arsenal when dealing with sensitive problematic skins

Scrounting For The Right Moisturizer And Skincare Routine

So you might be thinking, “This all sounds great, but how do I go about finding the right moisturizer for my acne?”. No worries – we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you find what works best for you!

Patch Testing is Key

Patch testing is essential if its something new & unfamiliar- It simply involves selecting a small discreet partof your neck or behind your ear then applying said-product onto that spot directly after thoroughly cleaning /disinfecting . If any immediate/stinging/uncomfortable feeling/arising bumps/rashes should occur please immediately cease usage.

There’s nothing worse than buying an expensive product only to end up allergic..trust us our wallets mourn each time too so save yourself stress know before splashing out

Choosing Lightweight Formulas

We mentioned this point earlier on – heavier formulas risk clogging pores leading/promoting breakouts/Acne cluster headaches! So opting instead for lightweight gel-consistencies until further notice could make all the difference during humid seasons when it feels like everything under sun won’t sit happily atop our increasingly extra-shiny faces🤨.

You can always blend in Milder oils like rosehip oil/vitamin E/others to enrich whatever you’re using without destroying balance/making pores unhappy. Just tread lightly.

Give Your Skin Time To Get Used To the New Routine

Our skin -like all living things- can be resistant/afraid at first of new changes introduced, so introducing a brand-new moisturizer or employing a fresh addition as part of our skincare routine shouldn’t be rushed i.e STAY CONSISTENT& wait for between two weeks/a-month period minimum until any/all results manifest themselves fully (consistency is key).

The Takeaway

So with all that said, does moisturizer make acne worse? Not necessarily! As long as we are sure not to choose milk/heavy oily formulas , moisturizers in less thirsty ingredients formulations especially those containing humectants & helpful occlusives can really help maintain balance/protection against environmental stressors and keep us looking youthful!!! As ever do your research on brands/beauty care opinion-trusted perceptions before purchasing anything Extra stressful times call for extra self-care routines , so why not indulge in some additional TLC via spas-Facials/Meditation/SkinFacial 🤗