Always thought using a moisturizer on oily skin was counter-intuitive? You’re in for a surprise! The truth is, oily skin can feel as dehydrated as any other skin type, more so during summer. It’s natural to think that skipping a moisturizer during the hot season is a good idea, but don’t let the superficial image of oily skin dupe you. The hydration that your skin needs, regardless of the season, is not limited to just the uppermost layer of the skin. It’s the deeper layers underneath that, if not regularly moisturized, can lead to a number of problems like acne, premature skin aging, and dullness.
Let’s look at the relationship between oily skin and moisturizer in more detail:
Why You Need to Moisturise Oily Skin
Slathering moisturizer onto the skin that’s already battling grease and excess shine may put you off, but the right moisturizer can be more beneficial to your skin than you thought. Individuals with oily skin tend to cleanse a lot in summer – they exfoliate more regularly but end up stripping their skin of its natural oils. Add to that external factors such as sweat, UVA and UVB rays, pollution, dirt, and grime, all of which are the biggest enemies of your skin. With time, no matter how oily your skin might be, you will start experiencing a loss of moisture and an increase in oil production.
To counter that, you need a “non-comedogenic” moisturizer that restores the skin’s natural oils, undoes the damage that has been caused to your skin’s moisture barrier, and reduces oil/sebum production naturally. Moreover, the right moisturiser for oily skin can also help reduce shine and make your skin look youthful and supple.
How to Choose the Right Moisturiser for Oily Skin
Simply put, you need a moisturizer that’s light-weight, hydrates the deeper layers of your skin, reduces shine, and leaves a nice, matte finish. Follow these steps to pick the best moisturizer that suits your skin type:
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- Look for hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic lotions
Hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic moisturizers are made with natural products, which won’t aggravate your situation or cause extra sensitivity. This way, you reduce any chance of bacteria developing and growing due to excess oil and prevent acne – the most common occurrence for individuals with oily skin.
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- Choose gels over creams
Gels are much more soothing to an oily skin texture, and contain lightweight formulas, as opposed to thick creams. Choose a product that contains natural extracts like aloe vera, hibiscus, and AHAs like hyaluronic acid that go deeper into the skin to hydrate it, and tame excess oil build-up.
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- Check labels for irritants
On your next beauty haul, check out if the moisturizer you have in mind has one or more of the following ingredients:
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- Alcohol
- Acetone
- Propylene glycol
- Fragrances
- Formaldehyde (or its releasers)
If yes, skip the product completely, as these are irritants that not just reduce the natural oiliness of your skin, but strip it of oil completely. You need a product that balances your natural oils, not something that contains irritants to dry your skin out completely.
All set to embrace the right way to skincare for oily skin this summer? Follow these skincare tips, and pave your way to a healthier, youthful, and suppler skin texture.
