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Knowing your skin’s texture and specific needs is one of the best ways to tend to your complexion so you can look flawless at any age. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or a combination of both, every skin type requires special attention in order to enhance your appearance and treat any specific issues you may be struggling with for a more even skin tone. However, depending on the needs of your skin, you may be making certain alterations to your routine which could be causing more harm than good for the texture and quality of your complexion.
Oily skin comes with a whole slew of struggles especially in the summer months when you may be more prone to sweating on top of it all. But while you may be tempted to ditch your skincare routine entirely to limit oil production, skipping out on certain ingredients can actually make your oily skin worse over time. If you’ve been struggling to manage an oily complexion and need a little guidance, there’s one mistake you could be making that’s worsening the condition of your skin, and changing it may be the solution to getting oil production under control.
A common misconception about oily skin is that it does not require moisturizer as it already creates enough oil as it is. In reality, skipping out on moisturizer can actually increase oil production, making the issue so much worse. “Often people think that moisturizing oily skin will make their skin appear greasy which simply isn’t true. In fact, if you try to dry out oily skin by avoiding moisturizing, the body will naturally produce even more sebum which will cause the skin to become even oilier,” explains consultant dermatologist Rachael Burns. When your skin is deprived of moisturizer, it will overcompensate by producing more oil, further exacerbating the problem.
Sebum is the substance that your skin produces which creates the greasy appearance we all dread. It’s primary function is to hydrate your skin, but research is still being conducted as to the outstanding causes for sebum. One thing that’s certain though is when your skin senses it may be dry, it produces more sebum to counteract the dehydration. Skipping out on moisturizer will not stop your body from producing sebum, but rather trick it into thinking it needs to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration. Instead, Burns recommends using a lightweight cream to gently moisturize the skin without going overboard. This will help to create a fresh and glowing appearance without withholding an important product from your complexion.
That being said, there are certain times of the day which don’t require a heavy layer of hydration, and if you have oily skin you can skip the moisturizer at night if you feel so inclined. New York City dermatologist and founder of Beauty Rx, Neal Schultz, M.D., tells Women’s Health, “You should only use products that serve a purpose,” so instead of moisturizing at night, try exfoliating and then using an antioxidant serum to give your skin a boost while you sleep. You can resume your moisturizer in the morning, and if at all possible try to use a product that contains SPF in order to protect your complexion against premature aging and sun damage.
It can be difficult learning how to manage your complexion in order to neutralize oil and reduce the risk of breakouts and other frustrating skin imperfections, but cutting moisturizer out of your routine is not the solution for clearer skin. Instead, finding a skincare regimen which supports the unique needs of your skin’s texture and complexities can help to limit sebum production and promote an overall glowing appearance regardless of your skin’s oily tendencies. This spring and summer, make sure not to skimp on hydration for both your body and your skin’s sake and achieve a more balanced and even complexion while getting your oily skin under control.
