Does Oily Skin Need A Moisturizer? YES, And Here's Why!

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Are you having trouble keeping your oily skin in check? You might think that moisturizer is off the table, but hold up!

Are you one of the lucky ones who are afflicted with oily skin? If you are, then chances are that the mere thought of putting on a moisturizer makes your already shiny face even shiner.

While it may be tempting to take the easy way out and just skip applying any type of moisture protectant, I’m here today to encourage and inform you that adding a moisturizer into your skincare regimen is actually beneficial for those with oily complexions!

So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn why your previously supple-resistant epidermis needs some extra TLC.

Does oily skin need a moisturizer?

Yes, oily skin needs a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated, regulate sebum production and not force skin cells to produce oil just because your skin feels a lack of hydration. In short, reduce shininess and acne!

Oily skin has a bad rap, but it’s not all negative! When it comes to moisturizing, it’s important to remember that just because our skin is on the oilier side, it still needs hydration.

If you’re worried about your pores getting clogged from the excess product, you could always look for a lightweight moisturizer with non-comedogenic ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

It won’t break you out and will help your skin stay healthy. So go ahead and slather up – even oily skin gals need some TLC (Tender Loving Care).

Is moisturizer good for oily skin?

When you’ve got oil raining down your cheeks, it is just easy to not use another layer of greasy substance and wonder what does moisturizer do for oily skin. BUT WAIT!

Believe it or not, hydrating your face with a lightweight or oil-free moisturizer can be exactly what you need to help regulate the overproduction of sebum and hydrate your skin. Not only that, the right kind of moisturizer can help make sure that the damage done by hot showers and air cons doesn’t dry out our skin.

And only if hot baths were the sole damage, we are making our skin go through…

Talk about the harmful UV rays from the sun, free radicals, and active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs that can actually dry out your skin, forcing your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil. Here’s a study to prove what exactly moisturizers do to your skin.

So, if you’ve got oily skin but don’t want to take any chances – hit that beauty counter for something tailored to your complexion and watch as your oily foe dissipates!

Are there any risks associated with using a moisturizer on oily skin?

Now that you know that moisturizing is an essential part of maintaining healthy, balanced skin—including oily skin, there sure are some risks you need to consider before slathering on that cream or lotion.

The wrong type of moisturizer could clog your pores and lead to more acne breakouts, especially if it’s too heavy or has added fragrances.
Stick with non-comedogenic formulas that are specifically created for oily or acne-prone skin to prevent any unwanted side effects.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, adding hydration can actually help preserve the perfect equilibrium your complexion craves—so keep on moisturizing!

What if you skip moisturizer for oily skin?

You may be tempted to skip moisturizer if you have oily skin, but trust me – it’s not the smartest move! Not only is moisturizing essential to keeping your face soft and smooth, but it can also help reduce some oiliness and delay the aging process. That classic saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” definitely applies here.

Figure out the right type of moisturizer for your skin type, be sure to always use it before makeup or sunscreen in the morning, and voilà! You’ll have softer skin that isn’t overly slick.

How can you find the best moisturizer for oily skin types?

If you have oily skin, finding the best moisturizer can be almost like finding a needle in a haystack—a whole lot of trial and error before finally hitting the jackpot. Lucky for you, I’m here to take the guesswork out of it!

Go for an oil-free formula that will still provide all-day hydration without leaving the skin feeling greasy or weighed down.
Always, always pick non-comedogenic products. This means that the likelihood of these products clogging your pores and causing acne is almost negligible as compared to others.
Look labels for ingredients like clay and kaolin that can help absorb excess sebum.
Strictly avoid heavy creams with mineral oil, petrolatum, or petroleum, as they would be your worst enemies.
Lightweight moisturizers are a big yes for oily skin types. Go for either gel or water cream formulas that do feel heavy on your skin and make it excessively oily.
Turn your bottles and check the ingredient list. It should not contain alcohol, silicone, or any kind of occlusives.
And let’s not forget sunscreen because, yes, not wearing it can lead to oily skin! Just make sure the one you choose doesn’t aggravate breakouts, cause shine or clog pores.
If a moisturizer has a mattifying effect, well and good, but I won’t ditch a pretty good moisturizer just for this feature.
Finally, don’t skimp on price—less expensive formulas may contain heavy fragrances and ingredients that aren’t exactly beneficial to your skin type!

There ya go girl, your perfect moisturizer awaits you!

A few of my favorite and best lightweight moisturizer

[ 8 Insanely Good Tatcha Water cream dupes to give a shot ]

What causes oily skin?

Now I have a full post on why your skin could be so oily, but I’ll let you know of the few major causes of oily skin here as well.

Oily skin sure can feel like a nuisance! But rather than wishing it away, let’s take a look at what might be causing our faces to glisten.

Your skin basically becomes oily when your body overproduces sebum in your skin. Now that can be due to various reasons. Genetics, hormonal imbalance, hot climates, stress, poor diet, and overuse of lotions, cosmetics, and some skincare products are a few among many factors that can contribute towards oilier skin

The best Daily Skin Care Routine for oily skin

Due to the hustle and bustle of daily life, most often, we end up postponing our skincare regime. But this needs to go on your essentials list, especially if you have oily skin. Besides dust and dirt accumulating on the skin surface, the oil secretion, too, if not cleansed and moisturized, will clog the pores eventually.

So if you want to look young and enjoy smooth, hydrated, and shiny skin, here is a 5-step daily skin-care routine I follow to keep my oily skin moisturized.

Step 1: Use a cleanser

Does oily skin need a moisturizer? YES, and here's why!

For people with oily skin, a gentle exfoliating cleanser will be a godsend. Replace your harsh face wash with the right ingredients, AHAs and BHAs like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and zinc oxide, which is perfect for removing the natural oil and dirt without stripping it off. Also, go for a gel or foaming cleanser anytime over cream ones.

My personal favorite is CeraVe SA cleanser. It has salicylic acid and ceramides, so I know my skin won’t be stripped of its natural oil.

[ What Are The Best CeraVe Cleansers For Acne? ]

Step 2: Apply a good toner

Toners may not be the absolute necessity in a regime, but one with antioxidants like vitamin C, green tea, glycolic acid, or something like that would be awesome. I cannot go without my favorite glycolic acid toner – it’s a great way to add extra exfoliation, but in the most gentle way.

Btw, here’s how to use glycolic acid for an oil-free, glowing skin complexion!

Step 3: Opt for any oil-free moisturizer with a lightweight consistency

As we all know now how crucial moisturizer is for oily skin, we can agree choosing the right one could be tricky. If you go by my recommendations, I am an avid fan of Neutrogena hydro boost gel, Cetaphil oil-free lotion, and The Ordinary natural moisturizing factors. All drugstore but insanely good products!

And if you want to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your oily skin routine, here’s a perfect guide for ya!

Step 4: Keep the eye cream handy

The skin underneath your eyes is slightly different than the rest of your face. It’s slightly thin and soft and also prone to stress. Also, if you wear glasses, you might find oil secretion in the nose pad and sometimes on the rims. Undoubtedly, your eye area deserves a little bit of extra pampering!

So keep your eye cream handy and apply it evenly around your eyes to ensure optimum hydration.

If that’s not available, I quickly go in with my moisturizers only since they are super lightweight. But remember that you may not get any other benefits than just a pinch of hydration.

Step 5: Never forget the sunscreen

I cannot stress it enough, but your skin can be even oilier if you skip sunscreen. YES! So go choose a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic, possibly gel formulation, a broad spectrum, of course, and with SPF 30 or higher. That’ll save your day!

My absolute savior is the one from CeraVe. It’s awesome!!

Last words on Does Oily Skin Need A Moisturizer?

In conclusion, we can see that those with oily skin do indeed need some form of moisturizer. Not only is hydration important, but using a moisturizer can also help improve the appearance of your skin and reduce oiliness.

Depending on what kind of skin you have, you may even opt for an oil-free moisturizer. Just don’t forget that no matter what kind of skin you have, it’s always important to make sure to properly care for it!

Whether that be through drinking enough water or getting enough sleep—it all matters for keeping balanced, healthy-looking skin.

Until next time, stay glowing!

Does oily skin need a moisturizer? YES, and here’s why!