24 May
skincare
/ 5 min
Moisturizing with Acne- Avoiding Breakouts Without Damaging Your Skin
Does moisturizer cause your skin to breakout? Tired of purging, angry whiteheads? It's important to pick your creams with care - find out what's safe for your acne.
As the seasons are changing in Australia, the winter chill from the south brings dry skin, flaky lips and a tendency to stay indoors. It becomes a complicated time, however, for sufferers of acne – who suddenly are in a deep conundrum of ensuring their skin is moisturized and battling breakouts. Majority of the supermarket, oil-heavy moisturizers can clog pores, lead to irritation and suddenly your whole face is at war. So, what are the top tips, if you are an acne-prone type who is also a dry type?
Selecting A Good Moisturizer
Firstly, you want to avoid moisturizers that are oil-based or too heavy (containing ingredients such as shea butter, plant-based oils in large, silicon, preservatives). You still want a good emollient (such as ceramide, aloe vera, jojoba oil, or argan oil)- as these fill the cracks in your skin barrier, without blocking pores and risking acne (non-comedogenic).
Firstly, you want to avoid moisturizers that are oil-based or too heavy (containing ingredients such as shea butter, plant-based oils in large, silicon, preservatives). You still want a good emollient (such as ceramide, aloe vera, jojoba oil, or argan oil)- as these fill the cracks in your skin barrier, without blocking pores and risking acne (non-comedogenic).
Aloe vera is one of the kings of hydration for a reason – it is generally quite cheap and the purer the better. It’s feather light, soothing and has a very low chance of irritating pores. You can purchase products that are majority aloe vera straight from the plant and they deeply hydrate with a wonderful cooling effect. You can purchase a large bottle of Tony Moly Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel (which is essentially 99% aloe vera) and it will last you through the winter – safe for both your face and whole body.
A wonderful, ceramide-based moisturizer is found in Mary&May’s Idebenone Blackberry Intense Cream, which not only contains 5 kinds of ceramides, but is also 63% Blackberry essence to deliver a punch of antioxidants to soften and brighten skin. It has no artificial fragrances or mineral oils, so breakout risk is low (but not completely absent!). It’s luxurious, whilst being reasonably priced for a moisturizer and will have you spending winter nights feeling pampered.
If you’re excited for a serum that exfoliates and hydrates – you can trial out the famous Mixsoon Bean Essence. It is incredibly lightweight, vegan and provides deep hydration. It can be used as either an exfoliant (if you’re looking for a weekly deep-clean of pores) as well as a daily serum for a glow. You can read an in-depth review about it here.
If you are looking for an incredibly deep hydration, whilst actively targeting acne outbreaks – look no further than the rich Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream. This is also a ceramide-based cream (deep hydration without clogged pores), but it also contains a probiotic mixture that is mixed with centella asciatica extract (to soothe redness) and macadamia oil (antioxidant, which reduces fine lines). It is simple in its formulation – but masterful in its effect. It will actively treat acne, whilst providing the long-lasting hydration needed all winter.
How Much To Use?
It’s important to note that every single moisturizer available has the ability to cause breakouts. But don’t give up hope – it’s most important how you use it, rather than the individual differences between brands.
It’s important to note that every single moisturizer available has the ability to cause breakouts. But don’t give up hope – it’s most important how you use it, rather than the individual differences between brands.
Did you know you can over-moisturize? It’s far more common than you might think. Watching people with dry skin carefully baste themselves in moisturizer has lead to the assumption that we should be coating ourselves in the stuff. But if you have more sensitive, acne-prone skin – less is more.
With a new moisturizer, it's best to start small and work your way up to the ideal amount – with only the portion the size of a pea on the tip of your finger. Spread it neatly across your face and wait for it to absorb. If your skin is still feeling tight, you can repeat the amount. Over the next few days, increase the amount slowly to the size of a 20c coin. This is to allow your pores time to adapt. Afterall, they were producing their own stuff and you’ve introduced a new entity, which can lead to skin purging.
Going slow and steady allows your skin to react incrementally and by the end of two weeks or so, your skin should be happily absorbing its moisture and glowing.
Final Tips
Apart from a good moisturizer, it’s important to adapt day-to-day. When the weather is warmer, you likely won’t need as much moisturizer. And conversely, on a dry and very cold day you might need to increase. It’s important to experiment and take cues from your skin – if you are feeling tight during the day, you might need to moisturize more in the morning or if you are finding breakouts, you need to decrease the amount.
Apart from a good moisturizer, it’s important to adapt day-to-day. When the weather is warmer, you likely won’t need as much moisturizer. And conversely, on a dry and very cold day you might need to increase. It’s important to experiment and take cues from your skin – if you are feeling tight during the day, you might need to moisturize more in the morning or if you are finding breakouts, you need to decrease the amount.
Also ensure you are pairing your skin with an acne-friendly cleanser that suits your skin type – because if your moisturizer starts with imbalanced skin, you have a much harder uphill battle.
FAQs – Acne Moisturizers
Why does acne-friendly moisturizer cause breakouts?
Still having breakouts with acne specialized moisturizer? Chances are you are over moisturizing. A common tenant of Korean skincare is layering products heavily- but if you suffocate your skin, it cannot push sebum to the surface. This traps oil, leading to inflammation and ultimately, break outs.
Trial using a tiny bit of moisturizer (pea-sized) and work your way up until you find the right balance for yourself.
Can dry skin use a toner?
If you are smart with your selection – there are a great number of toners available on the market specifically for dry skin to soothe and hydrate. In our article, the mentioned Cosrx Propolis Toner and the Dr Ceuracle Kombucha Essence are both wonderful toners for dry skin to provide a boost of hydration and prepare skin for a deep moisturizer.
I don’t like heavy creams or ointments – how do I moisturize?
If thick creams are too cloying for your face or causing breakouts, remember hydration can come from a variety of places! Trial out some hydrating gel creams or even stick to light serums, such as the Mixsoon Bean Essence or Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Essence. These will hydrate, are lightweight and will get you through winter just fine.
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Written by Admin
24 May 2025