DO YOU NEED MOISTURISER FOR OILY SKIN?
Moisturiser plays a key role in maintaining the skin's moisture barrier, but does adding extra moisture to already oily skin exacerbate the problems of clogged pores and a visibly shiny face? Is there a benefit to moisturising oily skin? Can oily skin be dehydrated?
In this article, we give a rundown on how moisturiser and skin hydration plays an important role in managing and controlling overly oily skin.
WHAT CAUSES OILY SKIN?
Oily skin is the result of overactive sebaceous glands producing excess sebum. Sebum is an oily substance made up of squalene, esters of glycerol, wax, and cholesterol, and is vital to forming the skin's protective moisture barrier. With normal skin, this sebum contributes to balancing the skin's pH levels and overall skin condition.
Oily skin, on the other hand, overproduces sebum, leading to an oily sheen on the skin's surface and triggering other skin concerns, like clogged pores and frequent breakouts. The way to combat this is to try to control the excess oil production through certain lifestyle factors and the right skincare routine, which is where moisturiser comes into play.
SHOULD I MOISTURISE OILY SKIN?
The short answer is, yes, you need to moisturise oily skin.
It might seem counterintuitive to add even more moisture to oily skin, but the moisture from sebum and the hydrating properties of moisturiser are very different. Skipping moisturiser can dehydrate the skin, and if oily skin is dehydrated, it may trigger the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil to compensate. Skipping this key step in skincare can actually worsen visibly oily skin.
OILY SKIN AND HYDRATION
Oily skin can dehydrate like any other skin type, but it might not be as obvious. If your skin feels overly tight or looks dull, it’s a good indicator that your skin is dehydrated. Your best ally in combating excess oil is your moisturiser.
KEEPING OILY SKIN HYDRATED
Of course, some moisturisers tend to add even more shine to the skin's surface, which isn't ideal if your skin is already very shiny. This is why it's important to be mindful of what goes into your moisturiser so you can control excess sebum and not exacerbate it.
Let’s take a look at how to choose a moisturiser for oily skin.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOISTURISER FOR OILY SKIN?
Here are a few key factors to look out for when finding the right moisturiser for oily skin.
NON COMEDOGENIC
Non comedogenic means the product won’t clog pores, which is a big plus for people with oily skin. Look for moisturisers labelled as non-comedogenic to prevent clogged pores that can lead to blemishes.
MATTIFYING PRODUCTS
When a moisturiser is labelled as mattifying, it means it contains ingredients that soak up excess oil on the skin's surface to reduce the appearance of shiny, oily skin. Ingredients like sebulyse are great for balancing out oil production without affecting the hydration benefits of moisturiser.
HYDRATING INGREDIENTS
Like we mentioned before, oily skin can be dehydrated, which is why it's important that you include hydrating ingredients into your skincare routine. Hydrating ingredients to look for in your moisturiser include:
- Hyaluronic acid: soaks up and locks in moisture for soft, supple skin. Many moisturisers, cleansers and serums contain hyaluronic acid.
- Glycerin: hydrates by increasing water retention in the skin.
INGREDIENTS THAT COMBAT OIL PRODUCTION
Of course, hydration is not the only thing you should look for in your moisturiser. Many moisturisers are formulated with ingredients that can help manage oil production while maintaining the skin's moisture barrier.
- Niacinamide: A water-soluble form of vitamin B3, niacinamide promotes cell renewal, which in turn supports smoother, clearer skin.
- Salicylic Acid: A beta hydroxy acid found in skincare for blemish prone skin, moisturisers containing small amounts of salicylic acid help to manage sebum production.
- LHA: This lipo hydroxy acid gently exfoliates the skin without drying the skin out.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID FOR OILY SKIN
OIL-BASED MOISTURISERS
Oily skin comes from an excess of oil production, so layering more oil on top of that isn't going to help. Make sure to opt for non-greasy, lightweight, water-based moisturisers, so you aren't adding to the greasy sheen.
FRAGRANCE
Many products are formulated with fragrances, but outside of making a product smell nice, fragrances don't offer much in ways of benefiting your skin. Fragrance can irritate the skin, and skin irritation can trigger excess oil production to help the skin's protective moisture barrier.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol can give a temporary matte finish but they also dehydrate the skin. As we already know, oily skin can be dehydrated, but signs aren’t as obvious as in dry or normal skin types. To prevent dehydration try to avoid harsh, alcohol based products.
OCCLUSIVE EMOLLIENTS
Occlusive emollients help to absorb and lock in moisture, but they are quite heavy in consistency and are better suited for dry to very dry skin types. Occlusive emollients include lanolin, silicon, petroleum jelly and mineral oil.
MOISTURISER SUITED FOR OILY SKIN
EFFACLAR MATTE ANTI-SHINE MOISTURISER
Mattifying cream moisturiser designed to visibly reduce the size of pores and regulate excess oil. Formulated with sebum-regulating ingredients and gentle exfoliants.
EFFACLAR DUO+M ANTI IMPERFECTIONS MOISTURISER
Anti-blemish moisturiser that deeply hydrates the skin while helping to unclog pores and manage oil production and breakouts. Designed for oily and combination skin types.
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EFFACLAR DUO (+) UNIFANT TINTED ANTI-ACNE MOISTURISER
Tinted moisturiser that provides light coverage while helping balance oiliness and the appearance of post-blemish marks.
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EFFACLAR H ISOBIOME MOISTURISER
Hydrates oily skin that has been affected for the over-drying skin effects of skincare targeting blemishes and excess oil production. The non-comedogenic formula hydrates without clogging pores.
TOLERIANE DERMALLERGO FLUID LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURISER
Non-greasy daily moisturiser that hydrates and soothes the skin without adding heaviness to the skin. Formulated for oily skin types prone to allergy and sensitivity.
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