If you have acne-prone or oily skin, using the wrong skin care products can trigger a breakout or worsen blemishes. Squalane, however, is safe for all skin types. It's an excellent alternative if other oils are too heavy or greasy for your skin.
We do know that squalane is often found as a moisturizing (or emollient) agent within anti-acne creams and lotions. We also know that it is noncomedonal, which means it doesn't cause acne.
squalane may be effective for hormonal acne, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
“Squalane is really important because it can greatly help reduce spots and acne scars, since it's essentially a composite of your own skin,” says Lee. Our bodies naturally produce squalane into our twenties, explains Lee, but once that production slows, fine lines start appearing.
Squalene would be found in fresh extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil which is rancid or has unacceptable flavors is deodorized using distillation. The resultant oil is called "Pure" or "Refined" olive oil. Squalene is removed during the refining process and is concentrated in the distillate.
Occasionally, though, serums can actually cause acne—so proceed with caution. "They can lead to breakouts—especially if you're using the wrong one for your skin type," says Green.
The rest of the product then sits atop your face and forms a thin layer of oil, bacteria, and other ingredients. This layer will then clog the pores and whenever cores get clogged, pimples and zits form. So, yes, moisturizer can cause acne but it only typically happens whenever you over-moisturize your skin.
Which Oils Cause Acne? Heavy oils such as coconut, olive, and mineral oils can clog pores and cause acne. Coconut oil clogs pores and is often found in hair products which is one reason people develop acne on their forehead.
"If squalene was not hydrogenated, it would oxidize when exposed to air and no longer have its benefits," Dr. Garshick explains. In other words, squalane is a more shelf-stable and effective version of squalene, which is why the former is the version that makes it into our skin-care creams, face serums and oils.
The antibacterial properties of carrot oil can help fight acne. It's one of the best plant-based facial oils for preventing acne without causing additional breakouts.
If you're dealing with acne, the right moisturizer serves 2 roles. First, it can help regulate oil production, which may help decrease breakouts. Second, it can help combat some of the negative side effects of the active ingredients in your acne-fighting products, like cleansers or spot treatments.
You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand for acne*, and our new Acne Control Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid is formulated to clear acne, reduce blackheads and improve the appearance of pores, while purifying clay helps absorb excess oil.
What to do instead: Use acne treatments as directed. If your skin feels dry, apply a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin. You'll want to apply the moisturizer twice a day, after washing your face. You also want to avoid using astringents, rubbing alcohol, and anything else that can dry out your skin.
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.
Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
The combination of ingredients like polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and cetyl alcohol both can contribute to some pretty serious breakouts.
Although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin's natural moisture.
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
Plus, marula oil is high on oleic acid, which is a layer that clogs skin. That said, the quality of the marula oil you're using matters, because it is often irritating additives which cause breakouts.
Carrots. Loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene (a carotenoid that gives them their well-known orange glow), eating these veggies can help reduce acne and prevent blemishes by reducing inflammation and encouraging cell turnover (natural exfoliation).