"With acne, the issue is inflammation in the skin—most acne responds better and improves when you calm it down. Therefore, moisturizing is helpful."

Acne can cause your skin to feel oily and greasy, so a moisturizer may be the last thing you’d think of trying. A moisturizer, however, may be just what you need if you’re using one of the following acne treatments: Benzoyl peroxide Salicylic acid Adapalene, tazarotene, or tretinoin Isotretinoin (prescription treatment for severe acne)

Moisturizing can help improve the appearance of acne both directly and indirectly. For example, in terms of indirect improvements, the use of a moisturizer alongside prescription acne treatments can improve the skin’s tolerance of such treatments and promote treatment compliance.

When you’re dealing with acne, using a moisturizer might feel like adding fuel to the fire. But take it from certified esthetician Sharlena Hassani: “No matter who you are, no matter what your skin type, you need a moisturizer in your routine,” she says. The key, of course, is finding the right moisturizer for acne-prone skin.

As mentioned above, a major benefit of moisturizers for acne-prone skin is that they can help keep your skin feeling hydrated, calm, and comfortable. In other words, the right moisturizer can help reduce acne-related skin issues by keeping your skin in a balanced, happy state.