In this article:
Should I use moisturiser if I have oily skin and blemishes?
How often should I moisturise if I have blemish-prone skin?
Can moisturiser cause blemishes?
What moisturiser ingredients to look for in oily, blemish-prone moisturisers
The best moisturiser textures for oily, blemish-prone skin
When you think of skin care products for oily, blemish-prone skin, a few essentials come to mind: a gentle cleanser, a well-formulated BHA exfoliant, a benzoyl peroxide product to fight blemishes at their source and a spot treatment for when banishing bumps fast is a must.
But should a good routine for oily, blemish-prone skin include moisturiser? Doesn’t moisturising make oily skin worse? Well, you might be surprised to learn that it doesn’t have to and that in fact, it can help oily, blemish-prone skin!
Below we have the answers to all of your questions about moisturisers for oily, blemish-prone skin and guide you through how to best pick one for your skin type and concerns.
Should I use moisturiser if I have oily skin and blemishes?
Yes! It’s a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser. Some might believe that since this skin type is already producing excess oil, additional hydration isn’t necessary.
But the truth is that all skin types need hydration – even skin prone to blemishes (1). The reason is simple: hydration helps strengthen the skin barrier and a strong barrier leads to healthier skin. A weakened barrier can make blemishes and bumps worse and exacerbate other skin concerns you might have. The key, then, is finding the right moisturiser to give your skin type exactly what it needs to help promote skin health.
How often should I moisturise if I have blemish-prone skin?
All skin types – yes, even oily, blemish-prone skin – should moisturise every day. Daily hydration (even up to two times per day!) sets your skin up for success and can help mitigate some of the effects of the more potent ingredients designed to tackle bumps, including dryness and flakiness.
The best moisturiser for oily skin is one that delivers hydrating and soothing ingredients, and since blemishes can upset skin, anything you can do to soothe it, including moisturising, is doing your skin favours (2)!
Can moisturiser cause blemishes?
Moisturiser can’t cause blemishes, since they're is largely tied to internal factors in the body, but the wrong moisturiser can certainly make it worse (3). But, what about the “non-comedogenic moisturiser” claims out there, meaning a moisturiser doesn’t clog pores? Unfortunately, non-comedogenic is a marketing term, nothing more, meaning there is no guarantee whatsoever that the product that bears that label isn’t going to cause your skin any issues.
However, there are some moisturising ingredients that don't suit oily, blemish-prone skin. Though ingredients like petrolatum, shea butter and jojoba oil are fantastic moisturiser ingredients for dry skin, their thicker texture is inappropriate for skin prone to blemishes due to their occlusive nature.
Also important to avoid is any moisturiser containing sensitising fragrances, drying alcohols or irritating essential oils. All can upset skin and its barrier, making it more likely to develop bumps.
What moisturiser ingredients to look for in oily, blemish-prone moisturisers
We know that certain ingredients are not ideal for oily skin prone to blemishes. Which ones are best to use, then?
Thankfully the list is pretty extensive! Look to lightweight moisturising ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and ectoin, which deliver the barrier-repairing hydration skin needs without weighing it down with a heavy texture.
Skin soothing ingredients such as licorice and allantoin are crucial for soothing factors that can make blemishes worse, and pore-normalising niacinamide assists in regulating oil flow and keeping pores from becoming visibly enlarged.
The best moisturiser textures for oily, blemish-prone skin
When you have oily, blemish-prone skin and you’re looking for a moisturiser, texture is incredibly important! Thick creams and butters are out and feather-light formulas are in. Select a gel, liquid or lightweight lotion texture for your moisturiser to make sure skin isn’t getting overwhelmed with heaviness.
Learn more about moisturisers.
Learn more about oily skin.
Learn more about our editorial mission.
References for this information:
- Medicina, July 2022, pages 1-17
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, June 2023, pages 681-694
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, September 2017, pages 8-12
