I have oily skin and never thought that I needed to use a moisturizer.
I later learned from my dermatologist that it’s really the best way to keep your skin looking and feeling its very best.
There are many reasons for this, including the fact that oily skin is more prone to dryness and flakiness. The best way to keep your skin soft and supple is by using a good moisturizer.
Moisturizers are essential for all skin types, whether they’re dry or oily. However, not all moisturizers are created equal, so make sure to look for one that can work well for your skin type.
Many people think that they do not need to use a moisturizer because they have oily skin, but this is not the case. Oily skin is prone to dryness, which can be exacerbated by the presence of sebum.
In this post, I explain why oily skin needs a moisturizer – and what type of moisturizer is best for oily skin.
Let’s begin by understanding the difference between hydration and oil.
Why Oily Skin Can Be Dehydrated
Contrary to popular opinion, oily skin can be dehydrated.
Dehydration is the loss of water in the skin. It can affect all skin types.
Oily skin can be dehydrated if it lacks water. Dehydration can make oily skin even more prone to irritation.
When the skin is dehydrated, it produces more oil than when it is hydrated.
There are many factors that can lead to skin becoming dehydrated. These include the use of the wrong type of skincare products, lifestyle choices (excessive drinking or smoking), and the weather.
These all contribute to the drying out of the skin on a cellular level, leaving it parched and dry.
Understanding How A Moisturizer Works
As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and becomes more prone to dryness and cracking. Dry skin is one of the most common complaints among women over the age of 50.
A good moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated all day long. The best moisturizers contain humectants, which draw moisture from the air to keep your skin soft and supple. Your skin will feel smoother and more supple when you use a moisturizer that has natural fruit acids in it.
If your skin is prone to acne, make sure to use a good moisturizer to keep your skin healthy. Also, sebum is the food source of acne bacteria, so keep it to a minimum.
When you have oily skin, the sebum produced by your sebaceous glands is responsible for keeping your skin moisturized. However, excessive sebum production can lead to breakouts. The best way to keep your skin soft and supple is to use a non-comedogenic, non-irritating moisturizer on a regular basis.
Why Oily Skin Needs A Moisturizer
You should always use a good quality moisturizer on your face after you have washed your face. If you do not use a good quality moisturizer, your skin will become dry and flaky.
Moisturizers that are lightweight and non-comedogenic can be a great help to those with oily skin.
A moisturizer for oily skin containing oils like tea tree oil can mimic the sebum production of our glands, which leads to the skin producing less oil. You have to understand that the oil produced by our skin is a sign of dehydrated skin, and the oils try to replenish that hydration.
Moisturizers with specific oils are helpful for oily skin types because they balance the overproduction of oils and maintain moisture levels over time.
This can help to keep your skin soft and supple, which can make it less likely to break out. If your skin is dry, it’s going to be more prone to breakouts.
The hyper-oiliness of the skin caused by the sebaceous glands is usually the result of genes and hormonal changes during puberty. The only way to get rid of oily skin is to use a good quality skincare regime for oily skin.
So, in the end, you have to take care of your skin as well as take care of your body. If you are looking for a quick fix, you will probably be disappointed. You need to find the perfect balance between dryness and moisture.
The L’Oreal Paris Skincare Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Oil-Free Face Moisturizer is a great daily moisturizer for normal and oily skin. The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which is known for its ability to retain moisture, and aloe vera, which is known for its ability to control shine. The formula also has a matte finish, which helps to keep the skin matte throughout the day.
- Lightweight facial moisturizer: This water based moisturizer delivers all the hydration of a face lotion, but in a water-like, quickly absorbing, gel face moisturizer; Leaves skin feeling hydrated, softer, more supple, excess shine is reduced
- Lotion for oily skin: Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Water, this moisturizer for face is lightweight and provides hydration that absorbs quickly and keeps skin hydrated for up to 72 hrs
- Hydra Genius: A unique line of daily liquid care moisturizers, formulated with aloe water and 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid for quick absorption and 72H moisture-lock power
- Replenish skin with a facial moisturizer: gift your skin a daily dose of hydration from L'Oreal Paris skin care, whether day creams, night creams, or moisturizers with SPF, they provide your skin essential moisture to keep skin healthy
- Pair it with: Try using after L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid facial serum, a fragrance-free, lightweight serum that plumps and hydrates your skin while visibly reducing wrinkles
Here is a detailed post on tips to moisturize oily skin.
What Moisturizers Are Good For Oily Skin?
There are a lot of moisturizers that are made for oily skin, but they’re not all the same. They’re light, fast-absorbing, and won’t leave your skin looking shiny or greasy.
A good moisturizer should have all three of these properties.
- Occlusive agents such as petrolatum, lanolin, and paraffin seal in the moisture of the skin to keep it dry. The greasier the skin, the greasier the occlusive will be. Silicone derivatives such as dimethicone and Cyclomethicone can be used alone or in combination with other occlusive agents.
- Humectants draw water to the surface of the skin, keeping it hydrated. They include glycerin and sodium lactate.
- Emollients smooth the skin by filling the spaces between the flakes of skin in the stratum corneum. There are emollients that are less greasy and others that are more greasy.
Look for moisturizers that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores.
On the other hand, avoid products containing mineral oil, cocoa butter, petrolatum, or petroleum.
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is specially formulated to absorb excess oil and provide the right amount of hydration. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is a gentle, non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturizer that is great for all skin types. It is clinically proven to be non-comedogenic, meaning that it does not clog pores.
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is ideal for all skin types, as it’s lightweight and hydrating, yet still helps replenish the skin’s natural moisture balance. It’s also great for those with sensitive skin, as it won’t irritate or dry out. Two pumps are all that is needed for my whole face and neck. It is made with sunflower seed, cucumber, and barley extract to strengthen skin against dirt, pollution, and sweat.
How Can You Moisturize Oily Skin Without Making It Greasy?
Dr. Allen says that if you have oily skin, you may want to try using a lighter lotion. She also suggests looking for products that don’t contain fragrances or dyes,
Dr. Chang also says that ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and glycerin can draw moisture into the skin without clogging pores.
If your skin is oily, avoid using a surfactant that can dry out your skin. Drying agents can change the acid mantle which protects the skin, making it more vulnerable to dirt and bacteria.
Why Using a Moisturiser With the Right Oils Can Help Balance An Oily Skin Type
Moisturizers help to keep your skin hydrated, but they can also help to balance your skin’s sebum production.
Dermatologists have been studying the composition of the skin’s natural oil for years, and in 1986 they published their findings in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. They found that people with oily or acne-prone skin had a higher percentage of oleic acid in their sebum.
Similar findings have come from a study conducted in 1992. The study concluded that high levels of linoleic acid, a type of fatty acid, might actually protect against the development of oily, acne-prone skin.
If you have oily skin, you may want to try a facial oil that is high in linoleic acid and low in oleic acid. This may help to reduce the amount of oil on your skin.
Some of the Oils high in linoleic acid and low in oleic acid are borage oil, rosehip oil, evening primrose oil, hemp seed oil grapeseed oil, and safflower oil.
When choosing a moisturizer for your oily skin, make sure that it contains an oil rich in vitamin E.
You should avoid the use of moisturizers that contain large amounts of these oils, which are known to be bad for your skin – like olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, hazelnut oil, and avocado oil.
Final Thoughts
Many individuals with oily skin wonder whether or not they should use a moisturizer. The answer is that oily skin needs to be moisturized.
Moisturizers that are rich in certain oils may help to reduce the amount of sebum that is produced by your skin. Oily skin has larger pores, and the use of a moisturizer can help give it a texture.
