If you have oily, acne-prone skin, using a moisturizer may be the last thing on your mind. But moisturizing is essential no matter your skin type. More than 70% of the skin is made of water. Your skin needs water to perform its essential functions. Without sufficient hydration, the skin renewal process slows down. Dead skin cells then pile up, clog your pores, and cause acne.
Keeping your skin hydrated is key to reducing breakouts. Hydrating your skin is even more crucial when you’re on acne medication. You need a hydrating, oil-free moisturizer to combat the side effects of acne treatments and help your skin stay healthy. With so many oil-free moisturizers out there, which one should you use while taking acne medication?
Below, we’ll give you six tips for choosing an acne-safe moisturizer for your skin problem:
Why You Need a Moisturizer When on Acne Medication
Before we give you tips for picking the best hydrating, oil-free moisturizer, let’s discuss why you need a skin hydrator while using acne medication. Acne treatments, like adapalene (Differin), tretinoin (Retin-A), and isotretinoin (Accutane), work by decreasing oil production in your skin. This reduces the likelihood of pore-clogging, resulting in a clearer complexion.
Oil, however, is not always a bad thing. Your skin produces oil to seal in water and maintain optimal moisture levels. When acne medication decreases oil production, your skin can get dehydrated. Dehydration impairs skin functions and reduces its elasticity. This makes your skin less supple and more likely to crack, leading to the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that you know the importance of keeping your skin hydrated, let’s go over how to find the right hydrating, oil-free moisturizer for your acne-prone skin.
Opt for a Lightweight Formulation
If you have acne-prone skin, you should stay away from rich moisturizers. These products have thick formulations which sit on top of your skin. This occlusive film can clog your pores and contribute to acne breakouts. When looking for an acne-safe moisturizer, always go for a water-based or gel-cream formulation.
Because they have a lightweight formulation, water-based moisturizers, like the Senté Dermal Repair Cream, quickly absorb into your skin. With no greasy film left behind, these products deeply hydrate the skin while allowing your pores to breathe. Hydrating, oil-free moisturizers also replenish the skin’s water content to help it stay in optimal health.
Make Sure It’s Non-Comedogenic
Although water-based moisturizers are lighter on your skin, some oil-free formulations can have occlusive ingredients. There are over 100 skincare ingredients that are known to clog pores. Does this mean you have to browse every moisturizer’s ingredients list to look for these substances? No! There is a much easier way to make sure a product is non-pore-clogging.
So, how can you tell if a hydrating, oil-free moisturizer is acne-friendly? Look for the term “non-comedogenic” on the product’s label. Non-comedogenic means the product is formulated with ingredients that don’t block pores. When used with acne medication, these products keep breakouts at bay and help you get clear skin faster.
Avoid Irritating Ingredients
When talking about acne-safe moisturizers, most people automatically think of oil-free formulations. But oils are not the only ingredients that cause you to break out. If you have rosacea or other sensitive skin condition, irritating ingredients can inflame your pores and make you develop red bumps and pustules that look like acne.
To prevent aggravating your skin, buy a hydrating, oil-free moisturizer marked “hypoallergenic.” Hypoallergenic skincare products are free from ingredients considered irritants, making them less likely to produce an allergic reaction. If you can’t find the hypoallergenic label, search for and avoid these ingredients to ward off irritation-induced acne:
- DMDM hydantoin
- Fragrance
- Parabens
- Quaternium 15
- Lanolin alcohol
Look for Heparan Sulfate Analog Technology (HSA)
You may have heard of our patented, superstar skincare ingredient. Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) is a modified form of Heparan Sulfate, a natural molecule in our skin that is key for helping to renew inflammation and damage in the skin. This ingredient works to improve the skin’s complexion by promoting hydration and helping to reduce the appearance of redness.
Don’t Forget Niacinamide
Acne treatments can be harsh on your skin. Topical acne medications, like benzoyl peroxide, are known to damage the skin barrier. The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin that locks moisture in and keeps environmental irritants out. When the barrier gets compromised, moisture easily escapes from the skin. This leaves your skin parched and irritated.
If you’re using topical acne medications, look for a hydrating, oil free moisturizer that contains niacinamide. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that builds up the skin barrier. A reinforced dermal barrier reduces moisture loss from the skin. Using niacinamide containing moisturizers can help you counter the drying effects of acne medications.
Seek Antioxidants
Have you ever wondered why face oils make some people glow but cause others to break out? Acne is more complicated than excessive oil. Recent evidence reveals that inflammation plays a crucial role at all stages of acne development. Acne is an inflammatory skin disease. Lowering inflammation can help improve your skin condition.
To reduce skin inflammation, find an acne-safe moisturizer with antioxidants. Antioxidants are natural or manufactured substances that neutralize free radical damage. This helps decrease damage-induced inflammation. By targeting the root causes of acne, a hydrating, oil free moisturizer with antioxidants like vitamin E can help your medication work better.
Complement Your Acne Treatment With Senté Moisturizers
Acne is not just a cosmetic issue. For many people, this skin disorder can be emotionally devastating. Acne medication can help you control the condition, but they produce side effects like itching, peeling, and dry skin.
Formulated with HSA, our proprietary ingredient, niacinamide, and antioxidants, Senté hydrating, oil-free moisturizer can help you offset the adverse effects of acne medications. Shop our medical-grade skincare products to get the best out of your acne treatment.
