The Right Moisturizer for Oily Skin Will Make You Forget About Blotting Papers

Gone are the days of ultra-matte looks. Thankfully, we now live in a time where skin doesn’t have to be hidden with heavy powders, and dewy radiance is a desirable skin trait. Oily skin? Blotting papers are no longer the solution — hydration and moisturization are. If that sounds counterintuitive, don’t worry, we’ll sort it out below. Here’s why you need a moisturizer for oily skin and the different products that will do the trick.

Those with oily skin may feel the need to over-wash their faces and apply drying astringents. While this may feel refreshing and temporarily curb shine, the effects are usually short-lived and merely superficial. Beneath the surface, it’s doing more harm than good.

According to the Journal of Lipid Research, evidence suggests that the sebum produced by sebaceous glands has numerous functions. It lubricates the skin and hair, aids in the skin’s barrier function, and provides antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Without these natural oils, your skin would feel very dry and brittle. What happens when you over wash it? Your oil glands produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness.

People with oily skin are more likely to have clogged pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), moisturizing oily skin is essential because acne treatments can be very drying, which can lead to more oil that can cause more breakouts. A moisturizer's job is locking in moisture and trapping much-needed water in the skin after washing. The best face moisturizer for oily skin is one that hydrates without clogging your pores. 

Oily skin needs moisturizer that’s not too heavy and non-comedogenic. The AAD recommends giving it four to eight weeks to see an improvement on your skin. Here are some invaluable tips for oily skin management:

When you have acne-prone skin, you don’t want to be layering too much product that may end up clogging your pores. Choose a product that does double duty, such as POND’S Skin Perfecting Cream for Oily Skin. It contains pro-vitamin B3 that works deep within the skin to remove dark spots for more spot-less, dewy skin. You can use this product as the last step of your morning skincare routine right after cleansing and toning, as it also contains sun protection.

Eskinol Naturals Micellar Water Clear with Natural Lemon Extracts is specifically for oily skin. The formula nourishes your skin while removing excess oil. It does this without over-drying, all while cleansing away dirt, makeup, and sunscreen. You can use this product twice a day and as the first step in your skin cleansing routine. Just take a cotton ball or pad, pour out the product, and sweep gently across your face and neck.

Skin that’s undergoing treatment needs sun protection. POND’S Age Miracle Day Cream not only penetrates the skin to help counter the signs of aging, it also has SPF 18 PA++. Be sure to apply this all over your face and neck during the day right before heading out.

Forget the myths you’ve heard about oily skin — you definitely still need to moisturize it, especially if you’re using acne treatments. Using moisturizers for oily skin can help it achieve radiance — not from sebum, but from a healthy glow.