Do you think using a moisturizer can aggravate oily or acne-prone skin? This is a harmful skin care myth because every person, regardless of skin type, needs a moisturizer.
Firstly, it is important to understand what a moisturizer is and how it works. Moisturizers contain humectants that draw moisture from the atmosphere into the skin. The cream also contains emollients that trap moisture so that it remains. A moisturizer is included in every skin care routine, not only to keep the skin soft and supple, but also to help support the skin's natural barrier function. The barrier in turn protects the skin against bacteria and pollution.
It is important to understand that oil and moisture are two different things. An oily skin (lots of oil) can still be dehydrated (little water). In fact, skipping a moisturizer for oily skin can cause the sebaceous glands (which produce oil) to shift into another gear and produce even more oil to overcompensate. This creates an imbalance.
If you have oily skin with high sebum production, your skin thrives best with a water-based moisturizer that contains non-comedogenic ingredients. They do not clog the pores and examples of that are squalane and glycerin .
Similarly, there is a common misconception that oily skin should avoid facial oils at all costs. Certain facial oils can help regulate sebum production, such as jojoba. Jojoba is light, non-comedogenic and similar to the skin's own sebum . It can balance and soothe the skin.
Are you confused and wondering if your skin is dry or dehydrated? Maybe a combination of both?
We are going to share a tip with you. Alarmingly, 90% of you reading this fall into this category: lack of moisture. The common mistake is that it is difficult for you to determine whether your skin is dehydrated or dry. The truth is, it's probably both, which is why it's so important to feed your skin with both oil and hyaluronic acid daily to hydrate your skin.
Dry skin lacks oil (fat/lipids), while dehydrated skin lacks water. Our skin needs a balance of both water and fat to be healthy and delay the signs of aging. Above all, our skin needs the balance between water and oil to prevent inflammation - redness, sensitivity and rashes.
How does dry skin feel and what does it look like?
Dry skin lacks glow and can often feel rough or flaky. Make-up doesn't sit very well and can "cake up" and clog pores. Compare this to oily, balanced skin, there is oil on the top skin layer that traps moisture and prevents dryness.
Really dry skin has the opposite effect. A weakened barrier function without lipids, makes the skin look uneven and rough. In some cases, acne can pop up and turn into cystic acne when left untreated. This is because our body is equipped with its built-in ecosystem. It senses dryness and sends a signal to our cells to produce oil. The pores on a dry skin are not that big and therefore the acne can end up deep down and be difficult to treat.
How does a dehydrated skin feel and what does it look like?
Dehydrated skin feels tight after cleansing. Your skin may have more pronounced fine lines and lose its fullness as a result. Hyaluronic acid is created by our skin cells which attract 1000 times their weight in water. This moisture bomb makes our skin fill up like a water balloon, which gives it fullness and shine.
Just like our body, our skin also needs a healthy balance of water and lipids. Sometimes you can get carried away by tougher peelings and treatments that can upset the moisture balance completely.
What is meant by "upsetting the balance" and how does it happen?
When our skin loses moisture, both oil and water, it is generally due to harsh cleansing, aggressive exfoliation and environments with dry air. The skin may feel tight and lose its volume, which we call fullness.
How to get the balance back?
1. Stop using soap or other harsh cleaners. Start by using an oil cleanser or milk cleanser daily. It really is the kindest way to introduce healthy fats (Omega 3, 6 & 9) to the skin and cleanse without stripping the skin of its own oils.
3. Use a facial oil at night. Apply 4 drops before applying your moisturizer. If you are new to using a facial oil, start by building up your tolerance. Apply 2 drops over your face cream at night for the first 2 weeks. Then the oil directly on the skin before the cream.
5. Remember to drink water!