Should oily skin use moisturizer?

This is an automatically translated article.

1. Characteristics of oily skin

First, we need to understand that oily skin is essentially a dehydrated skin. The characteristic of these skin types is the amount of oil secreted more than usual, mostly located in the T-zone or on the cheeks. The mechanism leading to this condition is the overactive sebaceous glands under the skin, especially when the skin lacks water and needs to be moisturized.
There are many different causes of moisture imbalance on the skin such as when we enter puberty, due to stress or unscientific nutrition and lifestyle.
Oily skin is not only unsightly because the skin is always greasy, but the pores are still large and there is a high risk of acne attack. In addition, some advantages of people with oily skin are slow aging, less wrinkles and limited skin dryness in winter.
Like any other skin type, skin care needs are essential for oily skin. So the question is, should oily skin use moisturizer? According to studies and actual use, moisturizing for oily skin is really necessary.
MORE: How to choose a moisturizer for oily skin

2. What causes oily skin?

Sometimes we think of oily skin as a problem caused by a specific cause (like eating a lot of fat). However, the reality is not so, the main cause of oily skin is mainly genetic, inherited from parents.
Skin can also be affected by hormonal changes and other changes in the body. It's for this reason that oily skin is seen in many teenagers going through puberty, or skin problems often appear when menstrual cycles change or after starting birth control pills. Another very clear evidence is that the skin of menopausal women often suddenly increases oil secretion and is prone to acne.
People with oily skin have very different skin characteristics than people with dry skin. The sebaceous glands are overactive, causing the skin to always have a thick layer of oil. This leads to greasy, acne-prone facial skin due to excess oil being accumulated along with dead cells in the pores.
People with oily skin often face problems due to excessively oily skin, acne, but rarely dry skin. Therefore, they are often more interested in using blotting papers and acne creams than moisturizing oily skin.
Although the sebum (oil layer) on the surface of the skin has an important moisturizing effect and acts as an outer layer to prevent water loss of the underlying skin, increasing water retention remains in the skin and the skin always has the necessary moisture. Especially in the cold winter, people with oily skin rarely crack their facial skin, in stark contrast to dry, cracked, flaky, and scaly skin that must be moisturized in dry skin.
However, in some cases, oily skin can turn into temporary dry skin and this is the time to use moisturizing products for oily skin. Causes can include prolonged exposure to extreme cold, dry weather, being on treatment for acne (reduced oil secretion due to acne medications). The best moisturizer for oily skin is one that won't clog the sebaceous glands so as not to cause breakouts.
SEE ALSO: How to choose a moisturizer for oily skin

3. Why does oily skin need moisturizing?

3.1. Limit excessive oil secretion

Choosing the right moisturizer for oily skin is effective in maintaining the balance, limiting the excessive oil secretion of the sebaceous glands on the skin. Oily skin people should prefer to use milk or gel moisturizers that are much lighter than cream moisturizers, thereby helping the skin not to be secreted and can limit the amount of oil secreted.

3.2. Prevent aging

Wrinkles, crow's feet are manifestations of the skin aging process. The aging process in oily skin takes place more slowly than other skin types, but it is not completely absent.
Should oily skin use moisturizer, the answer is definitely yes because this will help the skin become more vibrant and slow down the aging process.

3.3. Soothes and relieves itchy skin

Many users do not pay attention when using products to control oil secretion, regulate sebum to try to absorb as much oil as possible, quickly return a clean face, but it causes other problems. dry, itchy, rough skin.
Instead, using a moisturizer for oily skin both helps to balance the oil on the face and helps limit dry, itchy skin.

3.4. Protect the skin

For people with oily skin with lots of acne, using acne treatment products like retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide (those that dry the skin) without using moisturizer will easily lead to skin conditions. redness, itching, and even peeling and peeling of the skin.
In this situation, the use of moisturizers for oily acne-prone skin acts as a shield to protect the skin from the above ingredients.

4. Ingredients should be in moisturizers for oily skin

For optimal effectiveness when moisturizing for oily skin, the first thing to consider is choosing a product with the right ingredients. Here are some ingredients that should be included in moisturizing products for oily skin:
Clay: When it comes to controlling oil secretion on the skin, it is impossible not to mention clay. Kaolin and Bentonite are 2 types of clay when used in combination to bring smooth skin, control sebum and fade dark spots; Dimethicone: This compound helps keep skin healthy but still dry, not overly oily after use; Glycolic acid: We often see this compound in oil-free moisturizers, with the effect of reducing oil secretion, limiting clogging of pores; Hyaluronic acid: This is the optimal choice for oily skin when it has both extremely strong moisturizing ability and feels light; Niacinamide: This active ingredient enhances sebum absorption, creates a skin barrier, enhances collagen production to regenerate damaged skin; Retinol: A vitamin A derivative too familiar with skin care and beauty enthusiasts. Besides the effect of anti-aging skin, preventing the formation of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Retinol can also help increase collagen production to help firm skin, tighten pores and reduce acne; Salicylic Acid: An oil-loving lipophilic that will go deep into pores, sucking up excess oil and sebum. From there, it will return beautiful skin, open pores and smaller. Some substances to avoid in moisturizers for oily skin:
Oil-based moisturizers: Oily skin people should stay away from moisturizers that contain lanolin, mineral oil or Vitamin E. The reason is because all of them. will provide extra oil to already oily skin; Moisturizing products that use heavy occlusives: Buttons are ingredients that hold moisture in the skin, so they are great for people with dry skin, but a bad choice for oily skin. Therefore, moisturizers for oily skin should avoid ingredients like petrolatum, paraffin or collagen. Instead, use emollients with the advantage of being lighter and locking in moisture similar to buttons.

5. Some notes when moisturizing oily skin

Use moisturizer immediately after bathing or washing your face because moisturizer is best absorbed when the skin is in a moist state; Apply moisturizer thoroughly, especially on the forehead area near the hairline and around the ears. As a habit, we often spread from the middle of the face to the two sides, but this causes the cream to stagnate, causing clogged pores and acne formation; Massage with moisturizer to help brighten skin; In addition, you should pay attention not to use too much moisturizer at the same time, just take a slightly larger amount than a corn kernel and dot it on 5 important points on the face including: forehead, chin, nose, 2 cheeks. Then proceed to gently apply to the skin.
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