Do You Need to Moisturise Blemish-Prone Skin?

Blemishes can occur when your hair follicles (pores) become congested with dead skin cells, oil, or bacteria, which can lead to multiple types of blemishes. Whether you struggle with blackheads, or another type of blemishes, dermatologists generally agree that a consistent skincare routine is essential for managing these blemishes. One of the core products in any skincare routine for blemishes is a dermatologist-recommended moisturiser. Keep reading to discover the benefits of moisturiser for blemish-prone skin, the reasons why you should moisturise, and which moisturiser myths to ignore.

Can Moisturiser Cause Blemishes?

This depends on a number of factors, like the moisturiser you choose and whether or not you apply it correctly. Be sure to look for moisturisers that are non-comedogenic, as using a heavy, comedogenic (pore-clogging) moisturiser may contribute to congestion in your pores and potentially aggravate the skin, which could result in blemishes forming. On the other hand, research shows that some moisturisers can help support a clear, healthy-looking complexion in those with blemish-prone skin.¹

Is it better to skip moisturiser if you’re prone to blemishes?

Some people mistakenly believe that moisturiser will add more oil to the skin’s surface, and therefore, worsen the appearance of blemishes. This same logic also leads many people to believe that drying out their skin is the best way to reduce excess oil. In reality, this approach can actually have the exact opposite effect. Over-drying your skin can actually cause it to produce more oil in an attempt to compensate for moisture loss. This, in turn, has the potential to irritate your skin and trigger even more blemishes.

Does Moisturiser Help With Blemishes?

What some people don’t realise is that moisturiser is not meant only for dry skin. Moisturiser is an essential part of any skincare routine, even if you’re struggling with blemishes. The primary role of moisturiser is to provide hydrating benefits to your skin’s natural barrier and help seal in much-needed moisture. This is an important part of supporting a healthy-looking complexion in all types of skin, including oily skin and blemish-prone skin. When your skin is properly hydrated, it should feel comfortable and appear plump, radiant, and smooth.

In addition to this, some moisturisers also feature blemish-fighting ingredients that can help directly address blemishes and improve the appearance of pores, like those formulated with salicylic acid – such as our Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser.

What Are the Main Benefits of Moisturiser for Blemish-Prone Skin?

As mentioned above, a major benefit of moisturisers for blemish-prone skin is that they can help keep your skin feeling hydrated, calm, and comfortable. In other words, the right moisturiser can help reduce blemish-related skin issues by keeping your skin in a balanced, calm state. This may help you avoid problematic extremes, such as extreme oiliness or extreme dryness.

Are Ceramide-Containing Moisturisers Helpful for Blemish-Prone Skin?

Formulated with 3 Essential Ceramides, CeraVe’s facial moisturisers help to maintain and protect your skin’s natural barrier. This is an important benefit for anyone with blemish-prone skin, as some research suggests that blemishes may be associated with a compromised or weakened skin barrier.3 When the skin’s natural barrier has been disrupted, it can no longer effectively keep moisture in your skin and harmful impurities out. To learn more about CeraVe’s 3 Essential Ceramides, visit The Ceramides Difference.

Debunking 4 Common Myths About Moisturiser and Blemishes

When it comes to moisturisers and blemishes, there are a few myths that tend to pop up quite frequently. Learn more about these common misconceptions and how to separate fact from fiction below.

Myth #1: “I don’t need to moisturise because I have oily, blemish-prone skin.”

Regardless of your skin type or skin concerns, there are a few core products that form the foundation of any good skincare routine. Your daily skincare regimen should include a gentle face cleanser, a non-comedogenic SPF moisturiser and a nighttime targeted moisturiser. We recommend CeraVe’s Blemish Control Cleanser for blemish-prone skin, CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturiser with SPF50 and Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser. This means everyone should use moisturiser, even if you have blemish-prone skin.

Myth #2: “Moisturiser will leave my skin feeling greasy.”

Moisturisers are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ skincare product, which means this can cause some confusion when it comes to choosing a moisturiser for blemish-prone skin. Moisturisers are available in a wide variety of formulas, and some oil-based moisturisers may be too heavy for your skin’s needs. We recommend looking for moisturiser options that are lightweight, non-comedogenic, and non-greasy, such as CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotions or Blemish Control Gel.

Myth #3: “Moisturiser will clog my pores or trigger new blemishes.”

Face moisturisers for blemish-prone skin are typically formulated without ingredients that are known to clog pores, such as cocoa butter, lanolin, and corn oil. To find moisturisers that won’t cause clogs, look for the term ‘non-comedogenic’ on the product label. These formulas are designed to help hydrate your skin without clogging pores, which makes them an ideal choice for blemish-prone skin. Most of CeraVe’s moisturisers are formulated to be non-comedogenic, so they shouldn’t clog your pores, but always check product details to be sure.

Myth #4: “All moisturisers are the same.”

There are different types of moisturisers you can consider for blemish-prone skin, and one formula can differ greatly from another. For example, some moisturisers are designed specifically for daytime or nighttime use. Others may include ingredients that can help target different blemish concerns, such as post-acne marks or rough skin textures.

Tips for Moisturising Blemish-Prone Skin

Now that we’ve debunked some of the most common moisturiser myths, let’s dive into how to choose the right product for your blemish-prone skin. Below, we’ve compiled our top tips to help you find a moisturiser that supports clear, hydrated skin, without clogging your pores or triggering blemishes.

Look for moisturisers that are developed with dermatologists

When choosing a moisturiser for your blemish-prone skin, look for products that are developed with dermatologists, such as CeraVe’s moisturising range. This will help ensure you’re picking a well-formulated product, specific to your skin type, that’s been built by skincare experts.

Use different moisturisers for daytime and nighttime

Skin demands different care throughout the day, so we recommend finding solutions targeting each of those needs. Using a non-comedogenic daytime and nighttime moisturiser duo, such as CeraVe AM SPF50 Facial Moisturising Lotion and PM Facial Moisturising Lotion, can help to support skin that looks and feels its best. Our AM Moisturiser is clinically proven to hydrate for up to 24 hours, while protecting with broad-spectrum SPF50 to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. In the evening, our PM Moisturiser makes an ideal night cream option. It can help hydrate, calm, and leave your skin feeling soothed, while delivering a steady stream of much-needed moisture throughout the night.

Pay attention to your skin’s needs

It’s important to remember that your blemish-prone skin is unique. So, whenever you use a new moisturiser or skincare product, pay close attention to how your skin reacts. A common side effect of using strong actives such as 2% Salicylic Acid is purging - be patient and stick with it, you will likely see results eventually. However if you notice additional oiliness, redness, or irritation in the long-term, it may be a sign that that product is not the right fit for you.

Identify the right blemish-fighting ingredients for your routine

It’s possible to help target different blemish concerns with specific active ingredients.Salicylic acid, for example, is one blemish-fighting ingredient that has been shown to be especially helpful for gently exfoliating to help prevent new spots from occurring.

For help choosing the right moisturiser for your skin type, use our routine finder.