How to moisturise acne-prone skin

Is moisturising acne-prone skin a good idea? Yes, it is, but you need to know how to do it, and with what products.

Here are some excellent tips thanks to the people at How Stuff Works who gave us the lowdown on the best way to nourish inflamed skin.

Look for Non-Comedogenic or Non-Acnegenic Moisturizers
Finding a moisturizer that won’t cause breakouts isn’t hard, but you have to be careful.
The terms non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic mean pretty much the same thing: These products won’t cause blackheads, whiteheads or acne. These moisturizers will almost always be oil-free, and they can be found easily and inexpensively. Even drugstore brand-moisturizers have been scientifically proven to benefit inflamed skin.

These terms, while helpful when looking at labels and selecting a moisturizer, aren’t actually regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So, be careful at the drug store: There may be some trial and error involved in finding the moisturizer that works with your skin type, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Once you’ve found the moisturizer that keeps your acne in check, stick with it.

Moisturise after Applying Acne Treatments

Your first order of business in treating your acne inflammation should be using an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide cream, a natural product like tea tree oil or a prescription treatment like retinol. These products should be applied first, after washing your face, to allow the ingredients to penetrate the skin and do their work. Following acne treatments with moisturizer helps restore the skin’s balance and soothes the dryness or flakiness that can sometimes result from the use of topical medications. Using moisturiser before acne treatments can prevent the active ingredients in the medication from being absorbed into the skin.

Remember to layer on products in order of weight. Test acne medications, lotions and creams with your fingers to find which feels the lightest and which feels the heaviest. Usually, serums and acne treatments will have a weightless feel to them. Moisturizing lotions and creams will feel heavier and richer. The heavier formulas can create a barrier that the lighter formulas can’t penetrate, so apply the lighter ones first.

Use Moisturisers that Treat Acne

Moisturizers can contain ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinol that treat and soothe acne-ridden skin at the same time. Dr. Leslie Bauman, Professor of Dermatology at University of Miami, recommends a moisturizing treatment gel, especially for adult acne. In fact, she says, “one study showed that moisturizing alone (without using acne medications) can help acne.”

Be aware that using exfoliating acids in moisturizers — like retinol, salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid — along with topical acne creams can cause flaking and peeling of the skin. On the other hand, too much of a good thing can throw your skin out of whack in the opposite direction and make it itchy and irritated. Talk with a dermatologist before layering on powerful and potentially drying ingredients, particularly if you’re using over-the-counter products along with prescription treatments.

Babor Skinovage PX Pure Intense Purifying Cream reduces skin impurities such as acne and blemishes while maintaining skins moisture levels. It also has a medium consistency and can be used as a 24hr cream or as a night cream in combination with Daily Purifying Cream. Your complexion becomes spot-free with a more attractive appearance.

Features/Benefits:

• Lightly hydrates.
• Reduces blemishes and excess oil.
• Complexion is flawless, clarified, calmed and even.
• Encourages reddening and irritations to subside faster.

How to use:
Apply to face, neck and décolleté, morning and/or evening, after cleansing.

Active ingredients:

• Osmo-Tec – Restores skin’s osmotic balance to improve cells’ ability to receive and process active ingredients.
• Alpine Stem Cells – Stimulate and accelerate production of optimally healthy cells.
• Horsetail Extract, Farnesol – Calm and clarify.
• Vitamin E – Antioxidant; Heals and prevents free radical damage.
• Macadamia Nut Oil, Jojoba Oil – Nourish and condition.