Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizer? A Guide for All Oily Skin Types

Share this:

Oily skin needs moisturizer too. That’s right, and it turns out that your skin type doesn’t matter much when it comes to moisturizing.

But what is important is what you should look for in a moisturizer. If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking a moisturizer is only for dry skin; but the truth is that everyone can use a good moisturizer.

So whether you have oily skin or not, this article will teach you everything you need to know about oily skin and moisturizers and how using one can benefit your skin.

Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizer?

The short answer is yes. Even oily skin needs a moisturizer to keep it soft, improve skin tone, and, most importantly, balance oil production.

The main reason why your skin gets oily is that it produces an excessive amount of sebum. Sebum acts as a natural moisturizer for your skin. It keeps moisture locked between your skin cells so that your skin does not dry out.

When you have oily skin, you tend to produce more sebum than normal. If your skin does not get enough moisture, it will get dehydrated and start producing another batch of excess oil in an attempt to regain the lost moisture.

The best way to deal with this problem is by using a moisturizing lotion or gel specially designed for people with oily skin. These products will penetrate your pores without clogging them and help lock in moisture so that your skin stays supple all day long.

Benefits of Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Moisturizers come in many different forms, but they all have the same purpose: to keep your skin hydrated, which helps it function at its best.

Here are some moisturizer benefits for oily skin:

1. Hydrates skin

Moisturizer helps your skin stay hydrated and healthy. As you age, your skin becomes less capable of holding moisture on its own and begins to dry out. Moisturizer can help add the necessary moisture your skin needs to stay healthy.

2. Controls oil production

Moisturizers help to control oil production and build-up, which can lead to increased shine and blemishes. Applying a moisturizer also helps reduce the chances of developing clogged pores and blackheads over time.

3. Anti-aging properties

By applying a moisturizer regularly, you will help to prevent further deterioration of your skin’s collagen and elasticity. This can help keep your skin looking youthful and healthy, leading to an improved appearance.

4. Reduces acne

Acne is caused by excess sebum production and clogged pores. If you have acne, moisturizers can be especially beneficial as they can help prevent clear pores that may have been clogged with excess oil.

5. Lighten dark spots

If you want a quick fix for dark spots, moisturizers can deliver. Many contain ingredients like niacinamide and Vitamin C, which work together to fade dark spots without a lot of effort on your part.

How Do You Choose a Moisturizer for Oily Skin?

Moisturizers are essential for oily skin. However, you need to choose the right type of lotion or cream that is suitable for oily skin.

Here are a few things to look for when choosing a moisturizer for oily skin:

  • Oil-free formula: Since one of the major functions of a moisturizer is to control excess oil production, make sure that your chosen product has an oil-free formula. This way, it won’t make your skin problem worse.
  • Matte finish: Although some people like the shiny look of oily skin, it’s not for everyone. Using a moisturizer that gives you a matte finish helps to control excess oil production and gives you a smoother appearance without the shine.
  • Light-weight formula: Look for a lightweight moisturizer that contains natural ingredients like aloe vera or jojoba oil. These ingredients are less greasy than others and don’t feel as heavy on the skin.
  • SPF protection: Many people with oily skin forget about protecting their skin from the sun when they’re using products on it. But it is just as important to protect your skin from sun damage as it is to keep it moisturized.

Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin

Cleanse

Cleansing is the first step in clearing up your complexion as it removes excess oil and surface bacteria. Use a gentle cleanser with oil-absorbing ingredients like salicylic acid that won’t irritate your skin and wash twice daily.

Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation helps remove dirt, dead cells, and other impurities from the surface of the skin. It also softens the outer layer of the skin, making it smooth and supple.

Use products specifically meant for oily skin as they are gentler on your skin and contain less soap that can further dry out your skin. Also consider adding vitamin E, jojoba oil, or honey to any exfoliating product as these ingredients help control sebum production.

Tone

Toners help remove excess oil and grime that you might leave behind after washing your face. They also help balance pH levels and smooth the surface of your skin, making it perfect for applying your moisturizer.

Moisturize

When applying moisturizer, always start from your face and work your way to the other parts of your body. This ensures that there aren’t any areas that are missing out on moisturizing, which can lead to dull skin.

Sunscreen

Protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen if you are going outdoors. UV exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other damage to the skin.

A good sunscreen will contain an SPF of at least 15 or higher, along with ingredients like vitamin C that can help protect your skin from free radicals present in UV rays.

Foods That Cause Oily Skin

Many factors affect your skin. Some of these things are genetic, and some are lifestyle choices that you can actively change.

Here’s a list of some foods to avoid if you want clear skin:

  • Dairy products: These kinds of foods are high in fat content, which will clog your pores and cause acne. Dairy products can also cause inflammation, resulting in acne breakouts.
  • Fried foods: Fried foods absorb a lot of oil during the cooking process. If you eat too many fried foods, your body will not be able to rid itself of excess oil and it will result in acne breakouts.
  • Acidic foods: Excess consumption of foods like oranges and lemons that contain high amounts of acid can damage your skin and your overall health, resulting in acne breakouts.
  • Sugar: Sugar can affect the pH level of your body; it affects the way your body functions. Sugar makes it harder for your body to absorb vitamins and minerals, which can lead to acne breakouts.

FAQs

When should you moisturize?

After cleansing and toning. These are the first two steps in your basic skincare routine, so you should only apply a moisturizer after you cleanse and tone.

However, if you need extra moisture due to drier climates, activities like swimming, or using a product that removes moisture from your face (like an acne treatment), then you might want to apply moisturizer more frequently.

Is moisturizer good for acne-prone skin?

Yes, it is. Moisturizer can help to prevent pimples and blackheads from forming on your face by blocking out dirt and oil that can clog up your pores.

Some moisturizers also contain ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid which helps to treat acne by dissolving dead cells on the surface of your skin.

What kind of moisturizer should you use during summer?

Oil-free moisturizers. These moisturizers help keep your skin stay hydrated without trapping oil in your pores and worsening acne breakouts during summer.

For best results, look for oil-free moisturizers with SPF as well, since they keep harmful rays away from your face while also keeping your face soft and supple.

Conclusion

As you can see, oily skin needs moisturizer because it already has quite a lot of oil and less moisture. In fact, some of the most popular moisturizers are formulated with oil-free and non-oily ingredients to suit your skin type.

Treating your oily skin with the right moisturizer will help it to feel less greasy and better able to absorb any other products you pair with it. It will also help to combat any dryness that could potentially lead to your skin producing more oil.

Thanks for reading.

Visit Serum101 to learn more about the different kinds of moisturizers and how to use them.