Should Oily Skin Be Moisturized Regularly?

If you struggle with shiny, oily skin you may think it’s best to skip the moisturizer. Why would you add more moisture to a face that’s already greasy? Isn’t better to seek a little relief from the shiny skin by washing and scrubbing? After all, we all know that oily skin can cause acne breakouts, so why would we add more oil instead of removing it?

According to dermatologists, yes, you should still use a daily moisturizer even if you have oily skin. However, it’s important to look for the best moisturizer for oily skin.

Why Does Oily Skin Need Need Moisturizing?

It’s important to understand that having oily skin doesn’t mean that your skin is well-hydrated. In fact, it often means the opposite. Skin produces sebum in order to create the critical barrier on the surface of the skin to keep water locked into our skin cells and bacteria and environmental pollutants out. If your cells are lacking water, your skin may go into overdrive producing oils to lock in what moisture you have.

This often happens during hormonal changes, when the changing body chemistry demands more hydration for skin cells. Others may simply be genetically predisposed toward an oily skin type because their skin is almost too efficient at retaining hydration. (The bonus for this skin-type is you will look younger for more years than those with normal or dry skin!)

Though it may seem counterproductive, adding a moisturizer can actually help to reduce the skin’s production of oily sebum. Adding one of the best moisturizers for oily skin available on today’s market can work wonders, not only on conditioning your skin, but also to signal to your skin that it’s well-hydrated and doesn’t need to keep producing copious amounts of oil to retain hydration.

Choosing a moisturizer for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, it’s best to look for oil-free, noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) moisturizers. The best moisturizer choices for oily skin types will not clog pores. There are many oil-free options, but if you like natural plant oils, some moisturizers use oils that are light and, while not entirely noncomedogenic, are skin-friendly and unlikely to clog pores. Some of these found in the best moisturizers for oily skin are jojoba, aloe vera, tea tree, ylang-ylang, and chamomile oils.

Otherwise, moisturizers containing dimethicone are highly beneficial for oily skin. Dimethicone is a skin-safe silicone that is highly beneficial for skincare. It generally takes the place of oil ingredients in moisturizers such as plant oils, or petrolatum and mineral oils. Dimethicone has a light, smooth, spreadable texture and effectively seals in moisture without clogging pores.

The best moisturizers for oily skin are lightweight lotions. Heavier creams may sit on top of the skin’s surface for long periods of time and end up clogging pores.

The Best Moisturizers For Oily Skin Also Correct Pore-Stripping

According to dermatologists, many people who struggle with oily skin—or oily skin with acne—use face-washes, soaps, and other products and medications that are intended to alleviate oily skin by stripping the pores of sebum, lessening sebum production, and drying out the skin. If you use any of these product types, it’s especially important that you follow up with one of the best moisturizers for oily skin available today.

Many are made with beneficial ingredients to help your skin contain essential water, such as hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps to pull moisture from the air and lock it into your skin, leaving your skin hydrated with water rather than oil. There are also great moisturizers for oily skin with antioxidants, which help to combat the damage of free radical cells that form during sun exposure and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Moisturizing should never be a skincare step that is skipped, no matter what skin type you have. Whether your skin is dry, oily, normal, or combination skin, you can find your ideal moisturizer, and take care of the skin you’re in.

Resources— LorealParis, VeryWellHealth, LivingNature.com, NYMag.com

Coleen Figner (1302 Articles Published)

I am a mother of four and a freelance writer. I'm also the author of the novel, "The Harbinger," by Coleen Figner, now available on Kindle eBook. I have spent most of my life in the historical town of Micanopy, Florida. I spend quality time engaged in social media and I've used online research platforms extensively both for writing and for shopping research. Unlike most women, I hate malls and department stores. I do the bulk of my shopping online. I love the idea of a platform doing the research and comparison work to make online shopping easier for consumers. ReviewThis has given me the opportunity to engage in online shopping research even when I'm not doing the buying! (Though I've been known to splurge on some of the top-rated products for myself.)

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