The most common pore-clogging oil is coconut oil, but the experts also flag palm, soybean, wheat germ, flaxseed, and even some ester oils, like myristyl myristate, as comedogenic.
Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Beeswax, Lanolin, and Paraffin are some occlusive ingredients to watch out for. Olive Oil and Coconut Oil tend to clog pores too, but some people – particularly those with dry skin - love using them anyway. Everyone's skin reacts differently to different ingredients.
Sebum isn't all bad since it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keep your hair shiny and healthy. Too much sebum, however, may lead to oily skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne. Genetics, hormone changes, or even stress may increase sebum production. Oily skin and acne are challenging to manage.
Although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin's natural moisture.
Moisturizers and face oils are not interchangeable. You cannot use oil in place of moisturizer because oils are too heavy for the skin. They will make your face oily and greasy, which is something you definitely want to avoid as it will make your skin look worse than ever.
Marula oil might be described as “non-greasy” but it is comedogenic, so any claims that it doesn't clog pores are false, even though there are different levels to how much an oil can clog your pores. So, it might be better than coconut oil on the clog scale, but it's not better than a heavy oil like argan oil.
“Most oils that are applied to the skin end up forming more of a protective barrier on its surface, rather than actually penetrating the skin,” Dr. Hollmig agrees. So, although oils are moisturizing and may indirectly increase the amount of hydration in the skin, they are not technically hydrating.
Using pore-clogging oil-based make up can worsen or cause acne. This can become worse if make up is not thoroughly removed! If you want to hide your acne with make up, just be sure to use brands that contain good ingredients (I talk a bit more about this below).
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
This is because dehydrated skin tends to over-produce sebum to compensate for the lack of moisture. This excessive oiliness ultimately leads to clogged pores, more frequent breakouts, and shiny-looking skin. In other words, oily skin benefits from the use of face oils—so long as they're the right kind of oils.
Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. Consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people (22). When applied to the skin, coconut oil may clog pores and make acne worse. It is not recommended for those with very oily skin.
Lemon oil is used for a variety of skin conditions , including acne. When diluted and applied topically, lemon essential oil can kill bacteria that may get trapped in pores and cause breakouts.
Vaseline is a moisturizing product that is safe for most people to put on their face. People can apply Vaseline to help with short-term skin concerns, such as temporary skin dryness or irritation. Vaseline is also suitable as a long-term moisturizer.
When it comes to facial oils, they should be applied as the last step in your skin care routine at night, and right before SPF in the morning.
“Instead of being hydrating, oils can have the opposite effect and dry out your skin,” says celebrity aesthetician Dr Barbara Sturm whose clients include Hailey Bieber. It all comes down to the size of the fatty acid molecules that make up the oil.
A cream drives moisture into the skin, while fatty oils and ingredients like vegetable-derived Glycerin prevent the water from evaporating. This hydration boost means that skin cells retain moisture, leaving skin supple, healthy and glowing. Additional actives are also able to target specific skin needs.
One question that always comes up is whether or not face oils actually moisturize. And if they do, are they just for dry skin? The short answer is yes, oils are part of the moisturizing process.
Oily skin tends to be thicker where there are more oil glands, which means forehead lines may be less apparent. However, oily skin may end up with deeper lines in the lower half of the face with more loss of tone. As for the eye area, it really doesn't matter your skin type.
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.