Dermatologists Reveal Why Your Moisturizer Could Be Causing Acne — And What You Should Use Instead

Unhealthy diet. A dirty pillowcase. Hormonal fluctuations. While all of these factors can contribute to pimples, the root cause of your acne may be more simple than that. If your daily moisturizer is made with comedogenic ingredients, they’re more likely to clog your pores and lead to pesky breakouts.

“Certain moisturizers, particularly those containing heavier oils like coconut oil, argan oil and cocoa butter, can contribute to acne due to their potential to clog pores,” Dr. Anetta Reszko, a board-certified dermatologist, told HuffPost. “As the pores become blocked with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, they may lead to the formation of comedones (blackheads or whiteheads), and if the blockage becomes inflamed, it can develop into pustules, cysts or other types of acne.”

Below, we’ve rounded up dermatologist-backed moisturizers that’ll hydrate your skin without clogging your pores in the process.

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.