Yes, Your Acne-Prone Skin Still Needs A Moisturizer Every. Single. Day.

There are plenty of skincare myths going around, but acne-prone skin, in particular, bears the brunt of it. See: The idea that moisturizer can worsen breakouts. Contrary to popular belief, moisturizer is a necessity for people that fall on this side of the skin spectrum.

"With oily and acne prone skin, moisturizing is just as important as it is for other skin types. Over-cleansing and under-moisturizing oily skin causes the skin to compensate by producing more sebum and oil," says Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology in Chicago. " With time, this can lead to larger-appearing pores and more breakouts, which is exactly what you are trying to avoid. Regular use of a moisturizer can help the skin achieve a hydration balance that is preventative of these things."

New York dermatologist Elyse Love, MD adds that treatments used to control oil production and acne can be drying and irritating, so it's important to replenish the skin's moisture barrier. Acne-prone types should look for a moisturizer that is oil-free and non-comedogenic (you should be able to spot these terms on the label) to ensure that it doesn't clog your pores and make your acne worse. And keep in mind that "natural" isn't always better—coconut oil and cocoa butter are two of the biggest offenders on the comedogenic (aka pore-clogging) scale.

In addition to ingredients, you need to keep formulation in mind as well. "In general, people with acne prone skin tend to prefer gel based formulations because they feel lighter on the skin," explains Dr. Love. "However, sometimes creams are necessary to compensate for the dryness in the air and the dryness created by acne products."

And, just because you have acne doesn't always mean you have dry skin—try to assess your skin sans any products to determine what it really needs. "There is a misconception that those that are acne-prone have oily skin, but as a dermatologist, I look at both acne and skin type to figure out what will work best for my patients," says Dr. Robinson. "I tend to recommend lighter formulas like gels and lotions for my oilier acne patients and heavier creams for my drier acne patients."

As for application techniques, it's important to ask your dermatologist first but Dr. Robinson has a method for sensitive types. "In my practice, I tend to recommend that a moisturizer or hydrating product be applied prior to use of acne medications or treatments to avoid overly irritating the skin with direct use of these products," says Dr. Robinson. "I will often recommend that a second layer of moisturizer then be applied on top, sandwiching the acne treatment between two hydrating layers on your skin."

Now that you have the facts, here are some of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin to keep acne at bay while also keeping hydrated.