You’ll probably do anything to keep your skin clear and free of breakouts, which makes it hard to find the right moisturiser for your skin. Blackheads, whiteheads, and acne can happen if you take the wrong turn. Regularly exfoliating and using products that speed up cell turnover such as retinol, can help keep skin clearer. You should also stay away from any products that could make your pores even more clogged over time. And yes, some helpful skin care products, especially moisturisers can make the pore problem worse than before.
That’s true. Some moisturisers that are supposed to keep your skin smooth and hydrated can actually block your pores. If you have problems with breakouts and congestion, you should be careful about which moisturisers you choose. That’s where non-comedogenic moisturisers come in, which is an important product.
What does it mean for a moisturiser to not cause acne?
You may have heard the word before and thought it sounded good for the most part but you didn’t know much about it before. Dr. Ife Rodney, a board-certified dermatologist at Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics says, “Simply put, a non-comedogenic product has been tested to not clog pores.” “That means it’s less likely to cause acne, but this isn’t a guarantee. Pores can get clogged with dirt, dead skin cells or sebum, which can lead to acne. Heavy or greasy comedogenic products can also clog your pores easily too. It’s important to remember that non-comedogenic products won’t necessarily clear up your breakouts; they just won’t make them worse.”
Non-comedogenic products are good for almost everyone, but they are especially good for people with oily sensitive or acne-prone skin because these types of skin can easily get clogged which can cause breakouts. But of course if you need a special moisturiser for skin that is prone to acne, you can find those too.
So what is it about a product that makes it comedogenic exactly? Board-certified dermatologist Jeremy Brauer says many skin care and makeup products contain ingredients that are pore clogging or comedogenic. There are a lot of pore-blocking ingredients, like oils alcohols acids butters, propylene glycol, and lanolins too. Non-comedogenic products often have salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulphur in them, but they can also have other oils like grape seed as well. Other non-comedogenic ingredients are glycerin hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, and ceramides also.
What to Look for in a Moisturiser That Doesn’t Clog Pores
Most moisturisers will say that they are non-comedogenic, but you should also read the label. Do your research first. Before anything else you want to narrow your search down to moisturisers that work with your skin type,” Rodney says. Next look at the label to see if it says the product is non-comedogenic too. To be safe, look for products that are oil-free and non-comedogenic together. Then, look at the ingredient list. The ingredients are usually listed in order of concentration, so if the product has some comedogenic qualities at the end of the list it should be safe.” Most non-comedogenic products don’t have thick oils or emulsifiers.
Depending on your skin type some ingredients will work better than others. Rodney says that if you have dry skin, you should look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane. You can also check out our list of the best moisturisers for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid vitamin C, niacinamide, and/or retinol are good for people with oily skin types too. In general, serums and gel-based moisturisers are better than thick creams.
Are There Any Bad Things About Using a Moisturiser That Doesn’t Clog Pores?
Non-comedogenic moisturisers are great for skin that tends to get clogged pores, but they do have a few problems. Brauer says that products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulphur can be drying or irritating, so you should be careful with them.
Another problem is that some people will think that using a non-comedogenic product will fix their breakout problems. They can keep pores from getting clogged, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get rid of acne or blemishes. Rodney says, “Just because it’s non-comedogenic doesn’t mean you won’t get breakouts.” “If you notice blackheads or whiteheads that you don’t want stop using the moisturiser. Then, look for signs of improvement. Some products can also cause side effects like dryness redness or irritation. In either case make sure to test the product on a small area of your skin first before using it regularly later.”
How We Picked the Best Moisturisers That Don’t Clog Pores
We asked the experts we talked to for this story to give us their top picks for the best non-comedogenic moisturisers. We also used the experience of the rest of the Who What Wear UK team to find their tried-and-true favourites too. We picked the best products at different prices, from cheap high-street brands to high-end ones, and thought about whether they would work for different skin types and needs as well.
If you’re ready to switch to a non-comedogenic moisturiser, check out these dermatologist- and editor-recommended picks below now.
The Best Moisturisers That Don’t Clog Pores
- CeraVe Moisturising Lotion (£18) is the best non-comedogenic moisturiser overall.
- Medik8 Balance Moisturiser with Glycollic Acid Activator £52 is the best for skin that gets spots.
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Gel Moisturiser £21 is the best light moisturiser.
- The Water Cream by Tatcha is the best formula for boosting glow.
- Skin Rocks The Moisturiser (£58) is the best firming moisturiser.
1. CeraVe Lotion for Moisturising
CeraVe + Moisturising Lotion is the best non-comedogenic moisturiser overall choice today.
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid are two important ingredients.
Beauty editors and dermatologists love this CeraVe moisturiser because it hydrates all skin types without any fuss at all. Rodney says, This lightweight moisturiser is great for skin that is prone to acne and sensitive skin. It absorbs quickly and has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and essential ceramides in it.
- Hydration that lasts a long time
- Big bottle size
- It has no extras.
