It is a commonly held belief that those with oily, acne-prone skin should steer clear of any type of moisturizer. Men with acne tend to try to solve the problem like we solve many of our problems — with brute force. Unfortunately, washing your face 10 times a day is not only not going to help your acne, overwashing might actually be worsening the problem. We believe that virtually all men should use moisturizer. This includes men with mild to moderate acne. Instead of viewing acne as a singular problem, it is more beneficial to view acne as a symptom of a skin imbalance which can be corrected through healthy habits and in some cases, acute treatments.
Today, we will be reviewing some common mistakes that men make which can worsen acne, discuss the surprising relationship between acne and dry skin, explain why moisturization won’t worsen your acne in most cases, and finally how to find the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin.
Common Skincare Mistakes that can Worsen Acne
While we are on the topic of common misconceptions and acne, here are several skincare mistakes many of us make when dealing with acne according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association:
- Use too many treatments: this can refer both to overdoing individual treatments including astringents, ointments, etc. or to jumping from treatment to treatment. Both of these mistakes can lead to reduced effectiveness and even worsened acne symptoms.
- Overwashing your skin: it can feel great to scrub acne affected skin until the cows come home. After all, clearing skin of oil and other debris can’t hurt, right? Wrong. Overwashing is never a good idea and can often lead to skin which is now dealing with both acne and dry skin.
- Avoiding moisturizer altogether: as mentioned in the previous bullet point, dry skin remains a concern even when dealing with acne. Using water-based moisturizers can keep skin healthy and hydrated without clogging pores.
- Pop pimples and generally pick at your skin: acne can leave your skin raw and irritated. Picking at acne will not only irritate skin further, but popping blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, etc. may cause your skin to become even more oily.
Can Dry Skin Cause Acne Breakouts?
Most people associate acne with oily skin, and for good reason. The majority of acne cases comes from excess sebum production which is certainly related to oily skin. Yet many of us do not understand that excessively dry skin can actually cause or exacerbate acne symptoms as well. There are two key ways in which dry skin is linked to worsened acne.
The first reason is when dry skin causes the skin to become backed up with dead skin. Acne is not strictly caused by oily skin, instead it is more directly linked to clogged hair follicles. Hair follicles generally become clogged by sebum (skin oil), dead skin cells, and other debris. Dry skin can absolutely lead to clogged hair follicles because the natural cycle of skin regeneration is impacted and the skin is not renewing itself.
The second key reason is due to the fact that dry skin is damaged skin. When skin becomes dry, it may also develop deep cracks and even cause bleeding. When this takes place, your skin is susceptible to acne caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other irritants.
How to Moisturize Acne-Prone Skin
Before we go further, it should be noted that severe cases of acne may be negatively impacted by using moisturizing products. If you believe that your acne and/or oily skin is severe enough that moisturizing is not a good option, consulting a physician is always a smart choice. That being said, the proper moisturizer applied in the proper way is a great tool to overcome symptoms of acne. Here are our top tips for moisturizing with acne:
- Choose the best moisturizer for your skin. There are two primary types of moisturizers on the market: oil-based and water-based. While some oil-based moisturizers boast a low comedogenic rating (not likely to clog pores), water-based moisturizers are a better fit for those with acne. They are less likely to clog pores/hair follicles and will offer hydration without any heavy residue.
- Apply moisturizer consistently without overdoing it. As will cleansing and treatments, using the correct amounts is a key component. We recommend using moisturizer once or twice daily for most individuals with acne.
- Incorporate moisturization into your shower/cleansing routine. Many of us, men in particular, can just flat out forget to moisturize. By incorporating moisturization into your daily shower routine, you not only increase your chances of following through with the moisturization, but you also get the added benefit of trapping some moisture naturally.
HEFF is a Water-Based Moisturizer Specifically Formulated for Men
HEFF moisturizing cream for hands, elbows and feet has been specifically formulated for working men. Harnessing the power of amino acids, our lotion is ideal for even the most dry, cracked skin. Think of once-daily HEFF as routine maintenance for your body. Shower, shave, apply daily moisturizing cream, and you are all set for a day of hard work or hard play. For every tube of HEFF sold, we are proud to donate a tube to Operation Gratitude. This is a small way of giving back to the men and women who keep our country safe.To find HEFF, shop on Amazon, find us at any of these national retailers, or contact us directly for more information today!