Should I Moisturize at Night if I Have Acne? Fail Proof Tips for Acne Treatment

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Do you find yourself having frequent acne flare-ups even in adulthood? Acne can be a huge blow to one’s self-esteem, especially in adulthood. The worst part is treatments that you once used during your teens do not work anymore.

Fortunately, you will find some treatments that work. Yes, I’m talking about moisturizing skin at night to treat acne. But Should I moisturize at night if I have acne?

Yes, people suffering from acne should moisturize their skin at night. Anti-acne products often cause the skin to dry, and the use of moisturizers can help combat the adverse effects of dry skin, including inflammation. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of moisturizing at night for those suffering from acne. This article will even cover how you can choose the best moisturizer for your skin type. Stay tuned! 

What Causes Adult Acne? 

Adults often face acne breakouts during their 30s, 40s, and even as late as their 50’s. Research has shown that women are more prone to acne than men ~American Academy of Dermatology. 

If you are suffering from adult acne, it could be because of the following reasons:

1. Hormone Imbalance

Fluctuating hormone levels are a common cause of acne. Women can experience hormonal imbalances during pregnancy, around their menstruation cycle, and before or during menopause. Hormone imbalances can also be a side effect of starting or tapering off birth control pills. 

2. Stress

Research has proven that acne flare-ups are related to stress. As a response to stress, the body increases the production of androgens. Because the hormone triggers hair follicles and oil glands, it worsens acne. 

3. Family History

Can’t figure out what may have triggered your acne? Genetics can play a role in causing acne. The likelihood of an acne breakout increases if a blood relative (e.g., your parent, grand-parent, brother, or sister) suffers from acne. 

People who have a genetic predisposition to acne are more likely to suffer from a flare-up as an adult. 

4. Haircare/ Skincare Products 

Unexplained acne could be a consequence of haircare or skincare products containing oil. That is why dermatologists emphasize the importance of reading labels! 

Check your product labels for the following terms: 

• Non-comedogenic
• Oil-free
• Non-acnegenic

Make sure your product labels contain one of these terms. If they do, you are on the safe side. 

Should I Moisturize at Night if I Have Acne? Let’s Reveal the Science Behind it

You must moisturize at night even if you have active acne. Applying moisturizer over acne-prone skin sounds fishy. Some people believe it makes acne worse especially if they have oily skin. But that is far from the truth! 

Acne-sufferers use cleansers to combat acne, especially the ones that penetrate deep into their skin. 

They can cause dryness, which makes moisturizing an essential step in your skincare routine. Moisturizers hydrate the skin and help soothe acne-prone skin.

Do you use the following anti-acne treatments? If yes, then moisturizing is the key to healthy, glowing skin. 

• Salicylic acid
• Adapalene
• Isotretinoin
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Azone
• Tretinoin 

These ingredients cause dryness. The body reacts by increasing oil production, which may further congest pores, worsening acne. 

After acne treatments, moisturizing is a healthy practice that rehydrates your skin and prevents acne from worsening. 

If your skin dries out in specific areas, choose a moisturizer that is oil and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. 

Why is it Necessary to Moisturize the Skin at Night?

People tend to skip moisturizers because they want to allow their skin “to breathe.” The truth is your skin does not respire, which means you don’t need to give it a break and avoid moisturizers. 

When people refer to “breathing” literally, they mean they don’t want excessive products blocking their pores. They are unaware of the benefits of moisturizing the face at night. Hydration is the key to achieving healthier, younger-looking skin. 

Let’s delve deeper into the benefits of applying moisturizer at night:

Benefits of Applying Moisturizer at Night

1. Prevents Irritation, Redness, Sensitivity 

Skin cells cannot survive without water, just like fish. Without moisturizers, the cells lose moisture and become dehydrated, which has severe adverse effects on overall skin health. The result is redness, itching, irritation, and flaking.

Because oil (sebum) production is the lowest at night, a lack of water can damage the moisture barrier. This further irritates the skin. 

At this point, moisturizing can be your weapon to fight against dry skin. It boosts water levels in skin cells, resulting in a healthier, glowing appearance. 

2. Nighttime Is the Best Time for Active Products

Your body repairs itself at night. You can aid the repair process by using products containing active ingredients, for example, exfoliators, antioxidants, retinol, and moisturizers. 

To maximize the benefits of these products, get as much sleep as you can (at least the recommended 8 hours). This will give the products plenty of time to absorb into your skin.  

3. The Skin is Most Permeable at Night

You probably didn’t know this before but even your skin has a circadian rhythm. Skin permeability varies as your circadian rhythm changes. Permeability is at its peak at night and evening times. 

This means you will benefit more from night-time skincare than in the morning. If you’d prefer to let your skin breathe, we suggest using a light moisturizer before you go to bed. 

4. Youthful Skin

With age, the skin loses its self-healing abilities. Hence, bacteria, hormonal changes, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies can toll our skin health. This explains why we experience more skin problems during adulthood than in youth. 

Although moisturizers don’t heal all skin problems, the practice works like a charm in improving overall skin health. It gives skin a more vibrant and healthier appearance. 

5. Protects Against UV and Toxins

The lipid barrier on the skin offers protection against pollutants, toxins, and other harsh environmental influences that can be disastrous for the skin cells hiding underneath. 

Want to retain this barrier on your skin? Use occlusive moisturizers, including glycerin, mineral oil, and hyaluronic acid. 

These products prevent your skin cells from losing moisture and protect against harmful environmental effects. 

What Type of Moisturizer Should You Use with Acne-Prone Skin? 

The best moisturizer for acne-prone skin is one with retinoids. Acne is a consequence of inflammation in the skin. Moisturizing acne-prone skin helps calm it down and equips it to endure the acne regimen. 

Retinoid moisturizers are an excellent choice for acne sufferers of all ages. They heal acne problems by preventing its growth and hydrating the skin. 

Avoid using moisturizers that contain sunscreen, especially at night. The skin requires different ingredients at night and during the day and sunscreen is a requirement during the day. You need active ingredients that support the skin’s self-repair process at nighttime. 

Tip: If you have sensitive skin and acne, my suggestion is to use the bio Identical Hyaluronic acid serum because it can draw moisture from the air and keep your skin moist~Anais Morea, Licensed Esthetician, Skin Care brand Founder. 

When Should Someone with Acne Use Moisturizer? 

It is ideal for applying moisturizer for someone fighting acne the instant your skin feels dry. As an acne sufferer, the last thing you would want to add to your skincare routine is probably a moisturizer. But it might be just the thing your stressed skin needs.

Acne treatments cause skin cells to lose moisture which leads to irritation. This dryness causes your body to produce more oil.

A moisturizer can help maintain optimal moisture levels for your skin, preventing itching and dryness. After you cleanse your face, an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer can rehydrate your skin. 

Should You Moisturize After Washing Your Face at Night?

Yes, you should moisturize after washing your face at night, especially if you use a cleanser. Cleansing helps unclog pores and removes bacteria from your skin. 

It is an essential step in most people’s skincare routine. However, cleansers can reduce the moisture content in skin cells, causing irritation 

Tip: If you are suffering from acne, a water-based moisturizer should be your best friend. Watch out for moisturizers that contain sunscreen because these are formulated for use during the day. 

Should I Moisturize at Night if I Have Oily Skin?    

Yes, you should moisturize at night even if you have oily skin. It is a myth that oily skin types should avoid oil-based moisturizers. Because sebum production is the lowest at night, you need a moisturizer to maintain an optimal water level in your skin cells.  

Note: Don’t forget to look out for moisturizers containing salicylic acid and LHA because they exfoliate the skin and help keep skin clear.

Tip: Want to prevent daytime acne breakouts? Retinol is an active ingredient that lifts dead skin cells off the skin’s surface and exfoliates pores, preventing daytime breakouts. 

Should I Moisturize My Face at Night or In the Morning?

You should moisturize both at night and in the morning. However, you cannot use your daytime moisturizers at night. This is because the skin has different requirements at night and during the day. 

During the day, however, your skin fights pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and other harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, a sunscreen moisturizer is an excellent addition to your morning skincare routine. 

FAQs 

How Can I Moisturize My Face Without Increasing Acne?

If you want to moisturize your face without increasing acne, try using a moisturizer that is oil and fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic. A water-based moisturizer is also good for inhibiting acne growth. 

Will putting moisturizer on acne make it worse?

Yes, overusing moisturizer or over-hydrating your skin can backfire. Also, putting the wrong moisturizing agent at the wrong time can worsen your acne. 

Does Moisturizer give you pimples?

Over moisturizing can give you pimples. The excessive moisture sits on your skin and forms a layer of bacteria and excess oil that can cause pimples. 

How do I know if my moisturizer is breaking me out?

If you are suffering from acne breakouts, experiencing congested pores, or notice small bumps on your face, these are all signs of your moisturizer breaking you out ~Dr. Suozzi. It can cause oiliness and, in some cases, even redness. 

What does over moisturized skin look like?

Signs of over moisturized skin include oiliness, acne, bumps, blemishes, and blackheads. Over moisturization may also lead to congested pores. 

Should I wash my face after moisturizing?

No, washing your face after moisturizing removes the product off your face, which dries out your skin cells. Moisturizing after washing your face helps retain water in your cells, preventing dehydration which keeps your skin healthy. 

Can you double moisturize at night?

Instead of double moisturizing at night, dermatologists recommend moisturizing twice a day, ideally once in the morning and at night. This helps maintain healthier and younger-looking skin. 

What is the difference between day moisturizer and night moisturizer?

Nighttime moisturizers are formulated to aid the skin’s self-repair process. Thus, they contain active ingredients. On the other hand, daytime moisturizers contain sunscreen or SPF that helps tolerate pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and other harsh environmental conditions. 

Final Verdict

I hope all the dilemmas are solved related to the query, “Should I moisturize at night if I have acne”? Honestly speaking, when you’re inquiring about the best acne treatments, you should work with your own skin and do what it demands. Experiment and find out the results.Regarding moisturizing, I’m happy listening to my skin and providing it with what it demands when it requires it. If I have acne, then I’ll help my skin out and moisturize at night; if it doesn’t, I won’t.