Excessive moisturizer use can cause pimples or breakouts on the skin. Your skin absorbs what it needs and the extra product just sits on top of your face. This greasy layer attracts dirt and bacteria, which then gets accumulated in the pores and causes acne.
“It's hydrating, but it doesn't have the greasier, heavier feel and also doesn't clog your pores as much because it's so quickly absorbed.” For the same reasons, gel moisturizers are also great during the warmer months or for people who live in hot climates year-round, Saedi says.
Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) do a great job of clearing up clogged pores. According to Libby, "AHA/BHAs like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids will all help exfoliate and dissolve away dead skin cells and debris, minimizing the appearance of pores and preventing them from enlarging."
Dehydrated skin lacks water. It may feel dry - but it's not dry skin, which lacks oil - itchy, even tight, and have large pores. It often causes a dull complexion and the appearance of fine lines.
Unfortunately, neglecting to treat dehydrated skin can lead to acne breakouts, irritation, dry patches, dullness, and more. The first step to rehydrating your skin is knowing what leads to skin dehydration in the first place and how to spot it.
Secondly, keeping the skin moisturised allows the skin to maintain healthy skin cell rejuvenation and collagen production. This helps with acne healing and the reduction of inflammation from acne pimples and acne scarring on the skin. Finally, increasing your water intake helps reduce blood sugar levels.
“Many oil-free moisturizers are non-comedogenic, meaning that they are less likely to cause acne breakouts, and patients with oily skin don't often need the extra hydration provided from thicker moisturizers containing oils.”
As such, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warn that people who are prone to acne may experience breakouts after applying Vaseline to the face. However, according to Vaseline's company website, Vaseline is noncomedogenic, meaning that it will not clog or block pores.
Moisturizing daily
That allows the oil from the sebaceous glands to penetrate more deeply into the skin, rather than staying in the pores on the surface. In this way, moisturizing prevents pores from becoming clogged with oil, reducing their appearance.
Some laser treatments such as Fraxel laser skin resurfacing can shrink pores permanently while also increasing collagen production. Fraxel uses fractional laser technology to penetrate beneath the skin's surface to eliminate damaged skin cells.
For those battling with open pores, Aloe vera is your go-to skincare treatment. Apply the fresh aloe vera gel on your face and leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also massage the gel on your face in circular motion. After you wash it off, all the oil and dirt from your pores will be eliminated.
Baking soda can help minimise this issue by closing your skin's pores and also shrinking them slightly in appearance. This ingredient has astringent-like properties that help close the pores and prevent them from clogging with dirt that gives rise to blackheads and acne.
Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. Consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people (22). When applied to the skin, coconut oil may clog pores and make acne worse. It is not recommended for those with very oily skin.
“The best ingredient for dry or dehydrated skin is hyaluronic acid, due to its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in hydration,” she says. Lekus also suggests trying sheet masks as a quick, easy way to infuse a mega dose of moisture.
According to researchers , petroleum jelly is one of the most effective moisturizers on the market. It works by sitting on top of the skin, where it forms a barrier and prevents water from leaving your skin. Vaseline can be used as an everyday moisturizer for very dry skin.