Need recommendations for a moisturizer for dehydrated but acne-prone skin!

Hi everyone! I’m struggling to find a good moisturizer for my skin and could use your advice. My skin is super dehydrated, especially on my forehead, which has led to some fine lines and slight flaking. However, I’m also very acne-prone, particularly around my period.

Here’s a breakdown of my current skincare routine in case it helps:

Morning:

  • Vanicream or Naturium Niacinamide face wash
  • Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide booster
  • Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
  • Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
  • Elta MD Clear Sunscreen

Night:

  • Vanicream or Naturium Niacinamide face wash
  • The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide
  • Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
  • Skinfix Barrier+ Moisturizer
  • Rotating between Tretinoin, Paula’s Choice 2% BHA, Drunk Elephant Powerpeptide Resurf Serum (Lactic Acid), and a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment. I also sometimes add in a peptide serum.

Here are the moisturizers I’ve tried so far:

  • Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer – Doesn’t break me out but isn’t quite hydrating or moisturizing enough.
  • Skinfix Barrier+ – Moisturizing but not very hydrating, and it sometimes breaks me out.
  • Cerave Moisturizing Cream – Broke me out badly.
  • The Inkey List Omega Water Cream – No breakouts, but it wasn’t nearly moisturizing or hydrating enough.
  • Rhode Barrier Restore Cream – Broke me out badly.
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost – Didn’t break me out but made my skin feel even drier once it dried down.

I’m trying to drink more water too, but I’m still struggling with the right moisturizer. If it could be something else in my routine causing this I’m also open to other recommendations! Any recommendations for something that can help hydrate without triggering breakouts would be super helpful! Thank you so much in advance! :blush:

Honestly, I think you’re using some very good products for your skin type. The only thing that would concern me is it seems like you’re way overdoing the niacinamide. Clinical studies show that people benefit from products containing between 3% and 5%, more than that does not show improvement but can cause irritation. So I would cut back to just one niacinamide serum per day and because you’re using formulas with 10% strength, instead of applying directly to skin, mix 2 drops into your moisturizer, then apply to face. That way you’re avoiding overdosing on the niacinamide.

One moisturizer I don’t see on your list is the Cetaphil Deep Hydration Daily Glow Cream. It’s really good for acne-prone skin, but is thicker than, for example, Vanicream (which I’m a fan of as well). However, I don’t know that it’s any better than what you’ve been using. The Cetaphil one has a little niacinamide in it though, so again don’t overdose on that because the ingredient is in a lot of products.

Other things to try:

  • Sleep with a cold-mist humidifier at night. Just beware to keep the device clean because if you don’t they can grow mold or mildew and that’s not good to breathe in.
  • Take an Omega-3 or fish oil supplement (they do make plant-based Omega-3 supplements if you’re vegan). If you do this consistently, it can improve skin hydration. Just give it 4+ weeks before you notice any difference.
  • Make sure to apply moisturizers to your face when it’s still damp, which helps lock the water into your skin.
  • Avoid taking hot showers, go for a milder temperature.

I agree, there are SO many niacinamide products only one is necessary. The Elta MD clear sunscreen has niacinamide too. I think there are also a lot of actives for the PM routine

Per dermatologist Shereene Idriss, this is a good routine for someone in their 30’s:

Morning-

  1. Antioxidants in the form of niacinamide or vitamin C
  2. Moisturizer (w/ ceramides)
  3. Sunscreen

Evening-

  1. Cleanser
  2. Option exfoliate
  3. Option focus on cell turnover : peptides give cells nutrients, retinol promotes cell turnover
  4. Option focus on problems : I.e. retinol
  5. Moisturizer

Thank you! I do switch between the actives in my nighttime routine to be clear! I never use more than one at once. As for the routine rec, I am 24- would this change anything?

I’ve been doing a similar routine to this since I was in my 20’s (I’m 31 now) and the only things I’ve changed are brands of products to find what I like and works for me! I get my info from Dr. Shereene Idriss and I’m no expert, but you should check her out on Instagram or YouTube! She has a lot of good videos explaining things in depth and I’m pretty sure she has a video on skincare you can focus on in your 20’s

Also for flaky skin, I recommended Cure Aqua Gel (a gentle exfoliator) to my friend who’s had dry and sensitive skin her whole life and she liked it. I also tend to break out more during my period, so I religiously use Paula’s Choice BHA the week before and during my period and I swear it keeps my pimples at bay

This is so extensive and helpful! Thank you so much. I will definitely try all of these things out- including using niacinamide less often or finding a lower percentage product!

Idk if I can recommend a specific one but check out Sabbatical Beauty. It’s a minority woman owned Philly based small batch skin care company that I could not recommend enough. I feel like the founder has talked about similar skin issues so maybe you’ll see something you could try!

They are rather expensive but you need such a tiny amount of anything that even a travel size will last you awhile. I’ve been using their products almost exclusively for two or so years and my skin is the best it’s ever been.

If your skin is dehydrated, you may want a serum or toner, not a moisturizer. None of these moisturizers are enough for dehydrated skin imo. The exception would be a moisturizer with urea in it. Urea just slices through dehydration. I’d recommend zeroid 5% urea cream. Other than that, I’d say bring in a hydrating serum or some humectants to deal with the dehydration.

Thank you so much!! Any specific serums or toners that you would recommend?

Sure, iniuk beta glucan serum is great, and be plain mung bean toner is as well.

Would the iunik’s beta glucan serum be heavy for oily skin?

Nope! It’s just a humectant. Very good for any skin type:)

I love the tower 28 moisturizer. It’s the only one that doesn’t burn the skin around my eyes that’s super sensitive

I tried the vanicream daily moisturizer and thought it was not hydrating enough for me too. The tub size cream version worked for me and didnt break me out. But now im using the illyoon tub size cream and it’s been amazing.

Ahhh perfect! Thank you so much- I’ll def look into them both.