At my consultations with clients, I often hear oily-skinned women say that they wash their face in the shower and don’t use anything else to keep their oiliness under control. I am here to break that common misconception.
It couldn’t be further from the truth that people with oily skin shouldn’t use or don’t need a moisturizer, because oil and moisture are totally different. I always use the analogy that the difference between a raisin and a grape is water. They’re the same fruit, but the raisin is shriveled up and wrinkly, while the grape is smooth, firm, and plump. The grape didn’t get that way because of oil, it got that way because of the water – and the raisin got that way because the water was removed.
In fact, not moisturizing, will actually cause your skin to over-produce oil because it’s looking for hydration. So if you’re skipping a moisturizer because you don’t want to feel greasy, that could be exactly what’s causing the excessive oiliness.
Additionally, dehydrated skin is the first sign of aging within your complexion. Before you notice fine line and wrinkles, before you notice crepiness, you will notice your skin will feel dehydrated. So, it may be that even though your skin FEELS oily, if you’re not moisturizing, or not moisturizing with the right products, it may actually be dry or even oily but dehydrated. Yes, it can be both oily and dehydrated. So if for nothing else, know that using a moisturizer is one of the best ways to prevent premature aging.
However, all moisturizers are not created equal. There is nothing worse than using a moisturizer that is way too rich for your skin type and feeling heavy and greasy all day. This sensation is exactly why people skip the moisturizer all together. If you have oily skin, you want to look for an oil-free moisturizer, even better if the product says it’s specifically designed for this skin type. You’ll want to steer clear of the ultra-rich creams, and if you’re not concerned with anti-aging, you can even use a moisturizing gel.
Shop moisturizing products here and get more hydration how-tos here.
Moisturized Musings 
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