Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin and oil. Because acne can cause skin to feel oily or greasy, many people may not want to risk adding moisturizers to their routine. However, dermatologists say that moisturizing is crucial for acne-prone skin because overly dry skin can also lead to acne.
Why is moisturizer important for acne-prone skin?
According to dermatologists, many acne treatments can dry out and irritate the skin. Common irritating acne treatments include:
Benzoyl peroxide
Salicylic acid
Adapalene, tazarotene, or retinoids
Isotretinoin (prescription)
But in addition to counteracting the drying effects of many acne treatment plans, experts say moisturizers can help some skin care products work better.
What moisturizer is best for acne-prone skin?
Since products that add too much oil to the skin can also trigger acne, dermatologists recommend looking for products that describe themselves as:
Oil-free
Non-comedogenic (i.e. won’t cause blackheads)
Doesn’t clog pores
Where to start.
Because everyone’s skin is different, you may need to try more than one moisturizer to find the right one.
