Acne affects millions of people in North America and around the world. This chronic condition can be particularly elusive to manage and may sometimes require long-term treatment.
Something that makes treating acne difficult is the myths and misinformation surrounding this skin condition.
A common myth is that oil causes acne and therefore a person with acne should not moisturize to avoid worsening their breakout.
On the contrary, failing to moisturize can make your skin drier and cause an increase in the production of sebum to compensate for an overly dry skin. This, in turn, increases the risk of acne.
If you are struggling with acne, you should definitely have a good moisturizing routine in place. The trick is to find a moisturizer that will balance the oils in your skin to prevent breakouts.
Moisturizing your skin also boosts dehydration and makes your skin look and feel supple and healthy.
Natural moisturizers can deliver these benefits without clogging your skin or increasing the risk of acne breakouts.
Tips For Selecting Moisturizers For Acne Prone Skin
As you shop for moisturizers for your acne prone skin, you will come across numerous options.
What should you look for when selecting a suitable moisturizer?
Non-comedogenic
Select moisturizers that do not contain harmful substances such as parabens as these will clog your skin and increase breakouts.
Oil-free non-comedogenic products will not leave an oily residue on your skin, which can attract dirt that can end up clogging your pores.
Oil-free moisturizers are also good for keeping your skin hydrated and minimize the need for your skin to produce excessive sebum, which as we have seen, can trigger breakouts.
Soothing
Always look at the list of ingredients in a moisturizer. Opt for products with natural compounds that will soothe your breakouts.
In particular, look for products containing ingredients such as arginine, aloe vera, tea tree, neem, and green tea. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and help to minimize the production of sebum.
Moisture Sealing
This may come as a surprise but dry skin is also prone to acne breakouts. If your skin is largely the dry type, avoid harsh products that will further strip away the remaining moisture in your skin.
Instead, opt for products that will seal the moisture without clogging your skin. Consider moisturizers containing vitamin E, which works to soothe and dehydrate the skin.
Organic toners containing nourishing compounds such as rose water can help to keep your skin dehydrated. Aloe vera gel can also help with dry skin that is prone to acne.
Whether you have oily, dry or combination skin, avoid moisturizers containing alcohol. Alcohol can strip the moisture on your skin dramatically, triggering excessive production of sebum, which increases your risk of an acne breakout.
Natural Moisturizers For Acne Prone Skin
While numerous moisturizers claim to be natural and suitable for acne prone skin, few live up to their promises.
After extensive research, we found three moisturizers we can wholly recommend for acne prone skin.
The three include:
- Burt Bees Natural Acne Solutions
- Era Organics Tea Tree Face Cream
- Alba Botanica Hawaiian Oil-Free Moisturizer
Here are our recommendations in detail:
If you are suffering from extra sensitive, damaged, and dry skin that is prone to acne breakouts, consider the Burt Bees’ Natural Acne Solutions.
This oil-free moisturizer contains all the right ingredients for problem skins including cehami, hemp seed oil, aloe vera, olive oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter.
These amazing ingredients work to infuse moisture into your skin and to alleviate the risk of acne breakouts.
Packed in a mess-free bottle, use the Burt Bees’ Natural moisturizer daily to minimize the appearance of acne and skin blemishes.
Pros
- Dermatologically tested
- Oil-free
- No parabens and harmful substances
- Minimizes skin blemishes
- Contains salicylic acid to fight acne bacteria
- Minimizes white and blackheads
Cons
- Undesirable smell
- Thick consistency
The Tea Tree Face Cream by Era Organics is specifically formulated for oily acne prone skin.
This moisturizer contains tea tree oil that works to minimize the appearance of blackheads, cystic acne, and blemishes.
It contains powerful yet soothing ingredients including salicylic acid, burdock root, pomegranate seed oil, and John’s Wort.
These organic and natural ingredients nourish, soothe, and hydrate the skin and are especially beneficial for people with dry, reddening skin.
Pros
- Contains powerful and soothing organic ingredients
- Tea tree detoxifies and cleanses the pores
- Contains natural antiseptic ingredients
- Minimize excessive sebum production
- Soothes inflammation
Cons
- Does not contain SPF
Last but not least, we have the oil-free moisturizer by Alba Botanica. This highly rated moisturizer contains excellent ingredients including antioxidants and aloe vera, which help to heal and soothe the skin while giving your skin a healthy appearance.
The Alba Botanica Oil-Free Moisturizer is especially popular because it does not contain oils that can clog your pores. Try this moisturizer whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin.
Pros
- Thoroughly moisturizes the skin
- Can be used with makeup
- Thin consistency makes it easy to apply
Cons
- May irritate eczema infested skin
Summary
A common misconception is that moisturizers cause acne breakouts. While it is true some moisturizers containing harmful, pore-blocking ingredients can increase the risk of acne, this does not mean you should skip moisturizing your skin altogether.
The right moisturizer used alongside proper acne treatments can, in fact, help you to manage this skin condition.
In this case, the right moisturizer is one that is non-comedogenic, oil-free, alcohol-free, and natural.
Consider your skin type when selecting a moisturizer for acne-prone skin. Go for oil-free types for oily and combination skins and moisturizers with antioxidants and vitamin E to seal moisture if you have dry skin.
No one single moisturizer will work for everyone. Your best bet is to keep trying until you find a natural moisturizer for acne prone skin. Be sure to do a patch test every time you buy a new skin product.
Lastly, if you have acne-prone skin, keep your skin care routine as simple as possible. Avoid using different makeup products and be very careful with any products you put on your face.