True to their easy-breezy reputation, gel moisturizers are effective for most skin types. They're particularly helpful for people with acne-prone skin or oily skin since they don't add oil to the skin's already-oily surface, Dr. Saedi says.
Water molecules and capsules of hyaluronic acid in gel moisturizers allow hydration without leaving greasy residues on the surface of the skin. This is the reason why gel moisturizers go best with acne-prone, oily skin.
Gels tend to be the thinnest and absorb most quickly into the skin. Oftentimes, gels contain alcohol, which can contribute to some drying of the skin, also making them unlikely to clog the pores. Lotions contain a higher percentage of water than creams do, which tend to be thicker than lotions.
We'll jump straight to the answer—no, gel moisturizer isn't better than cream. As with any skin care product, it all comes down to your skin type, preferences, and the concern you're looking to tackle. Technically, cream and hydrating gel are the same thing, as they're both moisturizers—just different types.
The main difference between gel and cream moisturizer is their texture; a gel moisturizer lighter and more watery than a cream moisturizer. More importantly, gel moisturizers are suitable for oily skin, while cream moisturizers are suitable for dry skin.
Gel moisturizers have a more watery and lighter structure than creams do. They contain humectant ingredients which are capable of capturing water molecules in the epidermis, such as hyaluronic acid, natural moisturizing factors or even polysaccharides. This is why gels provide hydration without a greasy finish.
If you have oily skin you would have known how tough it is to find a perfect sunscreen for you. Even matte sunscreens can make skin oily after sometime. For oily and combination, skin gel based sunscreen is best option. Gel sunscreens are usually light and oil free compared to those cream based sunscreens.
When you have oily skin, you may think that using a moisturizer is the last thing you should do. But, as the body's largest organ—and the one that is arguably most influenced environmental conditions—the skin often needs a moisturizer to mitigate the loss of hydration even with it is oily or pimply.
So should you moisturize oily skin? YES, you need to moisturize your skin, even if it is oily and acne-prone. To understand why, let's take a closer look at what a moisturizer really does. Moisturizers don't add water to your skin, but rather help hold the water in the outer layer of your skin to keep it hydrated.
So, anything that is water- or alcohol-based should come first, followed by your gels, then your light lotions, then heavier creams, thick serums, and, finally, anything ointment-based (i.e. water-free). One way to tell how heavy the product is? Dr. Schultz says to read the ingredient list.
So a thin, lightweight, water-based gel moisturizer will provide enough hydration for most skin types, but if you're experiencing dry skin or have a skin condition like eczema, you may find it doesn't moisturize as well as a cream, Saedi says.
The difference between a Gel and Cream:
A gel is transparent, and a cream is not. Gels are mostly colourless and disappear when applied. Despite having a colour base, creams are also not visible once applied, although gels are absorbed faster. Gels are usually oil free.
If you over-moisturize, the leftover moisturizer just sits on your face. With nowhere to go, this extra moisturizer will eventually fill up the pores on your skin and clog them, resulting in the production of acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.
CeraVe's face washes for oily skin and moisturizers for oily skin are formulated with essential ceramides to help restore your skin's protective barrier, which helps your skin hold on to hydration and keep irritants out.
Why should you moisturize active acne? You should absolutely moisturize your skin even if you have active acne. It's an absolute myth that moisturizing your face will worsen your acne. In fact, moisturizers are necessary to keep acne-prone skin as relaxed as possible.
Unlike heavier creams and lotions, which often rely on emollient or occlusive moisturizers to trap moisture, gel formulas are almost exclusively water-based. This gives them an ultra-light feel and allows them to absorb quickly without a sticky or greasy residue.
It's a myth that moisturizer causes oily skin. In fact, if you're using acne treatments such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, you definitely need a good moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out. Without moisturizer, any skin type will dry out.
Why Is My Nose Oily? Your nose is likely oily because your sebaceous glands are producing more oil than necessary to keep your skin hydrated. The sebaceous glands beneath the pores in your skin are responsible for producing the natural oils, also known as sebum, that keep your skin healthy.
When your skin produces excess sebum (or oil), your forehead and other parts of your face can appear shiny or oily. While this may happen for a variety of reasons, stress, fluctuating hormones, genetics, and humidity are common factors.
Suncote gel is a water-based sunscreen, formulated with Hydrotechnology that forms a protective shield between the skin and the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. This lightweight sunscreen is non-comedogenic, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin.