Shine and sparkle are something most of us like, it reminds us of glamour. However, this is something we only appreciate in our clothes and accessories – certainly not on our faces!
Unfortunately, a shiny, greasy look is what people with oily skin suffer from the most, along with the ensuing breakouts. And when your skin seems to produce enough oil to rival the Arab nations, a moisturizer can seem like the worst idea. After all, who wants more shine on their face?
Moisturizers are considered an integral part of any skincare routine, following cleansing and toning. However, is it really that important for oily skin? Let’s find out!
Do You Need a Moisturizer for Oily Skin?
First, find out if your skin is indeed oily. Wash and dry your face. After an hour, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. If you find oil patches on the tissue, you have oily skin.
Oily skin can be due to a variety of reasons, but whatever the reason is, the answer to the question above is – yes, you need a moisturizer for oily skin.
You see, the oil on your skin is not the same as moisture. This oil is sebum and is secreted by the sebaceous glands. An oil free moisturizer provides moisture that is absorbed into the skin’s layers. Sebum acts as a protective barrier for the skin, while moisture maintains the skin’s health and youthful appearance. This shows that oily skin is not the same as hydrated skin. Here are some more reasons you need a moisturizer for oily skin.
It Controls Oiliness
How can a moisturizer control oiliness in oily skin? A moisturizer’s function isn’t just to hydrate your skin, it also locks the moisture in the outer layer of the skin to prevent skin dryness. Those with oily skin have a tendency to wash it excessively and avoid moisturizers in an attempt to keep it dry and shine-free. Unfortunately, this backfires, since the now-extremely dry skin ends up giving the sebaceous glands the wrong signal and they end up producing more oil to compensate. Using a moisturizer prevents such faulty messaging and maintains the skin at a proper level.
It Prevents Breakouts
When skin is overly dehydrated, it can lead to flaking of the skin. In those with oily skin, it can also lead to the sebaceous glands overcompensating by producing more oil. All this ends up clogging the pores, which can lead to breakouts. Skin that is not moisturized may also suffer from a disturbed pH balance, which may encourage the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Moisturizers prevent flaking, overproduction of oil, and hence the clogging of pores.
It Slows the Aging Process
One of the main causes of aging is a lack of moisture. If you’ve ever felt that tight feeling in your skin, you may have also noticed that the fine lines and wrinkles are a little more obvious. Over time, dehydrated skin gets prone to inflammation and other skin issues that make it look aged. A good moisturizer with the right ingredients improves the elasticity of the skin and keeps it looking smooth, plump, and youthful.
It Replaces Lost Moisture
People with oily skin often have breakouts and use acne creams. Most of these products contain ingredients like topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide which can be very drying on the skin. Similarly, some face wash and astringents like face toner can dry out skin, leaving it feeling tight and parched, even if you have oily skin. A moisturizer acts as a protective layer and also replaces the moisture lost through the use of these products.
It Ensures Sun Protection
In this age of multi-tasking devices, we tend to opt for skincare products that perform more than one function. A popular choice in this area is a moisturizer with sunscreen built into it. When people with oily skin skip moisturizer, they are more often than not skipping SPF as well. Oily skin is just as prone to sun damage as any other skin type. Since those with oily skin prefer going light on products they apply to their face, it’s recommended to opt for a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
It’s also a good idea to consult with a doctor to find out any medical issues which may be causing oily skin. Remember that excessive stress can also cause oiliness, so find ways to stay calm. While moisturizing oily skin is important, overdoing it can also be harmful. If you suffer from too many frequent breakouts, extreme oiliness, or blackheads, you may be applying too much moisturizer.
As with all our products, we highly recommend that you try a patch test o eliminate any allergies before you start using any of our products in our skincare regime.
