How to Get Dewy Skin Even If You Have Acne

May 28, 2020

By: Alanna Martine Kilkeary | skincare.com by L'Oréal

Pretty much every skin-care obsessee wants to nail the look of dewy skin. From glassy highlighting serums to creamy color correctors, the products to help you achieve the look are endless. But for those of us with acne-prone complexions, getting the silky smooth look of a dewy finish can be challenging, especially if we’re in the midst of a major breakout. Armed with the right products, however, getting dewy-looking skin even if you have acne is possible. Ahead, we break down how to do it.

STEP 1: Use a Hydrating Cleanser Made for Acne-Prone Skin

Using an acne cleanser may make all the difference in achieving a dewy complexion. Look for ones that not only contain pimple-fighting ingredients, but also include hydrating ones as well. We love the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser for this specifically because its formulated with benzoyl peroxide to target pimples and blackheads and three essential ceramides to help maintain your skin’s barrier. Another wash to try is the Starface Space Wash, with white willow bark extract, calendula and lactic acid. The combination of these ingredients deeply cleanses without stripping the skin.

STEP 2: Tone Imperfections

Some toners that help minimize the look of pores can also improve the appearance of skin. For this, we recommend the Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner, which helps soothe and improve the texture of the skin, or the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tightening Toner, which works to reduce the appearance of large pores.

STEP 3: Incorporate an Oil Into Your Routine

Oils can bebeneficial for those with oily, acne-prone skin because they help maintain your skin’s balance and moisture levels so it doesn’t try to overcompensate by producing more oil of its own. Try an oil designed for problematic skin like the Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Concentrate, which is non-comedogenic and helps to re-balance the skin. We also like the Biossance Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil that helps calm and hydrate skin.

STEP 4: Stick With Lightweight Moisturizers

A glassy, dewy complexion probably won’t happen without moisturizer, but for acne-prone skin, we suggest going with something lightweight like a gel-cream formula. Two we like? The Garnier Water Rose 24H Moisture Gel or the Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream.

STEP 5: Fake It With Makeup

Last but never least, dewy skin can be faked with a little makeup like the NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow! Concealer or the YSL Touche Éclat Face Highlighter Pen. These formulas have a reflective, pearly finish that can cover your breakouts with ease and make your skin shine (in a good, dewy kind of way).