Choosing The Best Moisturizer For Acne Prone Skin: Not An Easy Task

For many lucky people, acne is the bane of their middle school years and nothing more. During these awkward years, moisturizing is rarely a priority, as some schools don’t allow makeup and the task of preventing wrinkles seems a lifetime away. However, for those with adult acne, the task of keeping the pimples at bay never truly ends, and finding the best moisturizer for acne prone skin may seem like an impossible task. 

 

Moisturizing For Adult Acne: A Hard Balance

As we move from adolescence into adulthood, the problem only grows deeper, as it is now necessary to balance anti-acne treatments with anti-aging care. And of course, the cornerstone of delaying aging is to moisturize and protect from the sun – but adding yet another layer of cream on the face can quickly bring a full-on breakout.

 

This doesn’t mean that we should just expose ourselves to growing old prematurely. After all, the effect beauty creams have on our skin is all in the ingredients, so with the help of a magnifying glass, you can locate the best moisturizer for your acne prone skin. All it takes is some patience and a willingness to do your homework. 

Before Heading For The Drugstore, Clear Your Cabinet First

If you find you have a problem with moisturizers triggering acne breakouts, then before you run to try a new product, it’s important to check what’s already on your bathroom cabinet that is best discarded (or given away). After all, no matter what new treatment you start or what new fancy products you buy, improvements will still be scarce if you keep re-applying the same old pore-clogging agents every day.

The most obvious products to get rid of are any with a creamy or thick texture. This not only applies to moisturizer creams, but also to foundations and primers which advertise a moisturizing action – many of these simply have some sort of oil added, which may be great for those with dry or flaky skin, but not for yours.

Anything scented should also be discarded, as should any soaps or facial cleansers with micro-beads or other exfoliating action. These can be very irritating, and while they promise to leave your skin squeaky clean, may actually increase sebum production. For the same reason, anything containing alcohol should be avoided. 

Finding The Perfect Moisturizer For You

Now that you know there’s nothing left in your cabinet that will continue worsening the problem, it’s time to find the best moisturizer for acne prone skin. There is no universal answer here, as each skin is unique. Furthermore, rarely is acne a skin’s only problem: a predisposition towards oiliness, rosacea, hives, and personal allergies will all play a role here, as will your budget. The best way is to test and see, as long as you keep to these basic rules: 

1. Always go for the lightest possible texture: gels, serums, and light lotions are what you seek out.
2. Look out for these two key ingredients: salicylic acid and benzoil peroxide. Both will actively help you heal any existing breakouts.
3. When in doubt, look for something with “anti-redness” action: it is likely to be the least irritating one.
4. If your moisturizer has SPF, that’s one less layer of product for your skin.

If you need help going the extra mile to properly care for your skin, at LaLa Daisy you will find a large selection of top brands and medicated products alike, in our Skin Care Collection.

 For more tips and products on combating acne make sure to read:
5 Essential Things to Do if You Have Acne
How to Combat Adult Acne