Oh, oily skin, you sure can be confusing to care for, especially when it comes to moisturizing. But have no fear, MOZ is here! Today, we’re not only providing some tips for choosing the best daytime moisturizer for oily skin, but also chatting about what this skin type is all about, what causes it, and more! To familiarize yourself with this skin type and learn more about the hydrating ingredients and types of moisturizing products that’re best suited for it, keep scrolling!
What is Oily Skin + What Causes It?
Those with oily skin will have shiny complexions accompanied by enlarged pores, and may have blackheads and blemishes, too. And although dewy skin is all the rage right now, it’s not so fun when an overproduction of sebum is what causes it. But the answer is not to remove all your skin’s oil, as doing so can strip your skin of its natural moisture. Not only can this lead to dryness but also more oil production! The solution?
The most effective way of caring for this skin type is by incorporating products that contain low concentrations of oil and acne-fighting ingredients such as tea tree and salicylic acid into your routine. Also ensuring that your skincare and even cosmetics are non-comedogenic is key as this’ll help reduce the chances of creating clogged pores and developing blemishes. Now you may be thinking… If this skin type is a result of too much oil, should moisturizing be limited? Should it even be incorporated at all? Keep reading to find out!
Do You Need to Moisturize Oily Skin?
The answer to that question is simple…
And yes, this applies to those who have both oily and acne-prone skin, too. The reason many question whether moisturizing oily skin is necessary comes from the misconception many have about moisturizers and what they do for skin. To clarify any misunderstandings, moisturizers don’t add any moisture to the skin. Instead, they work to lock in the natural moisture from the outer layer of your skin. If you didn’t already know, moisturizers contain humectants and emollients. The former are hydrating agents that attract moisture to the skin while the latter works to soothe and soften the skin. When moisturizers are applied, the humectants and emollients they contain form a protective layer and essentially trap moisture into the epidermis.
With saying that, it’s important to remember that moisturizers come in a variety of forms and what may have worked for your aunt’s next-door neighbor may not work for you. Do, however, keep in mind that whichever moisturizer you choose for your oily skin is meant to help lock in moisture, not add any extra oil. Our skin, regardless of its type, needs a certain level of both water and oil. When one is more abundant than the other or both are lacking, our skin can begin to act out and retaliate in the form of breakouts, inflammation, dryness, and more. So, how does one choose the right moisturizer?
Tips for Choosing the Best Daytime Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Below are four tips to keep in mind when choosing the best daytime moisturizer for oily skin!
Look for SPF
Remember folks, any and every skin type can benefit from SPF.
If you choose not to incorporate SPF into your routine, and your skin becomes severely sunburnt, dryness, irritation, and flakiness is highly possible. And we can’t forget to mention that when the sun sucks all the life out of your skin, its natural response is to produce more oil, which can send your sebaceous glands into oil production overdrive. This, of course, is not ideal for those who already have oily skin. However, just like moisturizing, many with this skin type believe that slathering on SPF will contribute to their overproduction of sebum and avoid using any form of it. But SPF doesn’t have to equate to the feeling of a heavy, greasy, pore-clogging product.
The key for those with oily skin is to look for a moisturizer that not only contains a minimum of SPF 30, but is oil-free, lightweight, fragrance-free, and of course, geared towards this skin type. Remember, a product for this skin type must state that it’s either suitable specifically for oily skin or all skin types. And if you can’t seem to find a moisturizer that contains enough SPF or one that doesn’t appeal to you, not to worry! Simply follow up with sunscreen once you’ve moisturized. Looking for a sunscreen that’s kind to oily skin? Click here!
When looking for a daytime moisturizer, you want one that’s…
And one that’s preferably in gel form, too. Gel moisturizers are effective and suitable for most skin types and are particularly kind to those with oily skin. For this skin type, you want a formula that’s lightweight but still hydrating and gels are just that. Gel moisturizers are water-based and don’t contain any heavy ingredients or oils. Unlike those that’re oil-based, gel moisturizers boost internal hydration within the skin instead of capturing the moisture within the skin’s oil barrier. So, if you’ve been searching for a daytime moisturizer that’ll leave behind an airy, fresh feel while keeping oil production at bay, a gel moisturizer is worth looking into!
Pull out those binoculars, oily skin pals! There are a few key ingredients you’ll want to keep an eye out for when browsing moisturizers!
Glycolic Acid
If you have oily skin, chances are you have pesky clogged pores, too. But glycolic acid can help! This ingredient works to reduce excess oil, shed dead skin cells, and ignite collagen production. Glycolic acid is also small in molecular size, making it easy to penetrate skin and get the job done effectively. Oily complexion, begone!
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a superstar ingredient for oily skin and for good reason, too! Not only does it calm inflammation and support collagen synthesis, but niacinamide also helps to lower sebum excretion without drying out skin. Oh, and it can reduce the appearance of large pores and hyperpigmentation as well. Pretty amazing, we know!
Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant that works to restore and retain moisture, making it a go-to ingredient for not only those with oily skin, but all skin types! It also provides skin with all the necessary hydration it needs while remaining lightweight. Ultimate hydration without the heaviness? Yes, please!
When browsing moisturizers, avoid ones that contain aggravating alcohols and heavy, comedogenic oils.
When it comes to alcohols and oily skin, it’s best to avoid both fatty (good) and simple (bad) alcohols. Fatty alcohols, which include alcohols such as cetearyl, iostearyl, and cetyl, rarely cause irritation to skin, but they’re often used as emollients and thickeners in skincare products. And we’ve already spoken about how unkind rich ingredients can be to oily skin. Simple alcohols, on the other hand, are harmful to all skin types as they can strip your skin of its natural oils, drawing out your skin’s natural moisture.
Oils, however, can be incorporated into a moisturizer for oily skin if they’re small in molecular size, making them easier to penetrate the top layer of skin. This includes oils such as jojoba, squalene, and argan. But heavier oils like coconut, avocado, and palm are an absolute oily skin no-no and should be avoided at all costs as they’re notorious for clogging pores and exacerbating oil production.
The Bottom Line
Choosing which products will compliment oily skin may seem daunting, but it’s certainly not as difficult as it seems. And when it comes to purchasing the best daytime moisturizer for oily skin, keep all we’ve discussed and provided in mind. Think of it almost as a cheat sheet! With that said, we hope you found today’s post helpful and that the next time you’re browsing in store or online, you’ll feel confident in deciding what type of moisturizer to include into your skincare routine. Chat again soon!