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.
Genetically, dry skin tends to be thinner, pores are smaller, and skin appears to be smoother. But fine lines and wrinkles do appear more exaggerated. Oily skin, on the other hand, has much larger pores and is thicker. This provides extra padding or cushion to the skin.
Your sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily or waxy substance that moisturizes and protects your skin and hair. Oily skin happens when your glands produce too much sebum, which can lead to a greasy surface, clogged pores, and acne.
While oily skin is slower to show signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, it is not exempt from other features associated with premature aging, such as uneven texture and hyperpigmentation. Many people with oily skin also tend to produce more melanin.
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
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.
Use face oil twice daily, or as needed
Facial oils can take pride of place in your skincare routine in the morning or the evening (or both!), but they can also be used as and when they're needed.
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.
But oily skin does have a plus: It wards off wrinkles better than dry skin because the oils keep skin moister and smoother. Using moisturizer is one way to lessen the impact of wrinkles before they appear.
The four most common skin types are normal, dry, oily, and combination: Normal.
Combination skin is the most common skin type, says Hale. And it looks different from person to person: you might have an oily T-zone (nose, forehead, and/or chin) but dry skin everywhere else, or you might be dry and sensitive only in certain concentrated spots—say, around the eyes or mouth.
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.
Oily skin tends to look darker. Wash your face twice daily with a face wash meant for oily skin, depending on the oiliness of the skin. Use a water-based sunscreen (SPF 30) regularly after baths; re-apply every 2 hrs.
Aloe vera gel absorbs easily, making it ideal for oily skin. However, it can help treat dry skin, too. Consider swapping out your regular moisturizer for aloe after bathing to help seal moisture into your skin.
Ideally you can begin around age 12 with just the basics, using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. During puberty, you may have to switch your cleanser to an oil control one if you suffer from acne and pimples.
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).
The ideal age to start using face serums would be late 20s and early 30s. This is the age at which the first signs of aging appears.
For most people, Vaseline is a safe and cost-effective way to lock moisture into skin. Even if you have skin conditions such as rosacea or psoriasis, it's likely safe for you to use Vaseline. Vaseline easily removes makeup, protects sensitive skin, and can even be used to help small cuts and bruises heal.
Can you use baby oil as a face moisturizer? Baby oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your skin's pores. So if you have a dry-to-normal skin type, you can use baby oil to moisturize your face.
No wonder then that including a night cream for oily skin in your skincare routine is important. A good night cream will not only hydrate your skin but also boost blood circulation. Apart from aiding the repair of your skin, it makes your skin look and feel younger.
The answer: Moisturizer is the culprit. Dr. Neal Schultz, NYC-based dermatologist and creator of Beauty RX, explains that if you have oily skin, you can actually stop using moisturizer at night. "You should only use products that serve a purpose," says Schultz.