Do you think you have oily skin because you notice a shine throughout the day? I’ve been there, and it’s caused me to avoid any product that I thought would increase my oil production. Little did I know that these products were the answers to my skincare concerns.
The truth is, your skin could be dehydrated, causing it to over-produce oil to make up for the lack of water or moisture being retained. This is why it’s common for people to mistake their dehydrated skin for oily skin.
Because people think their skin is oily, they fail to address their skin’s real concern—dehydration. Because I thought my skin was oily, I over-cleansed, over-exfoliated, and used little to no moisturizing products. Typically, you are only supposed to wash your face two times a day: in the morning and before going to bed. Washing your face more than twice a day can dry out your skin. However, if you exercise, you have to wash your face post-workout. Another mistake I made was over-exfoliating. I used a facial scrub, which is a physical exfoliant, followed by toner, which also aids in exfoliation. Because I was so scared that my skin would produce more oil, I skipped moisturizer completely. Committing all these mistakes makes your skin produce more sebum leading to more oil and more acne.
Signs of dehydrated skin include dullness, tightness, increased sensitivity, rough texture, dark undereye circles, and fine lines. Besides committing the three skincare mistakes that I mentioned, air-conditioning is a big factor in causing dehydrated skin. Not drinking enough water is also a culprit.
Here are some tips that I learned while continuously switching up my skincare routine:
Cleanse better
First things first, don’t use makeup wipes! Makeup wipes tug at your skin and have harmful ingredients like alcohol, and natural or synthetic fragrances. Practice double cleansing with micellar water or a cleansing balm as a pre-cleanse, and use a gentle face wash after. I like to use the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
Use chemical exfoliants instead of physical exfoliants
Using physical exfoliants causes micro tears on your skin, which can lead to irritation and sensitivity. Chemical exfoliants are milder on the skin. I like to use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and Isntree Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence.
Hyaluronic acid is your best friend
HA is a humectant that holds onto moisture in our skin cells. My favorite is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5.
Don’t skip moisturizer
Instead, use a light moisturizer. I like The Inkey List Q10, and Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream.
Always wear sunscreen
Use a product that is oil-free, water or gel-based, and non-comedogenic. Don’t forget to re-apply.
Take care of your skin all throughout the day
If you stay in air-conditioned spaces for prolonged amounts of time, bring around a facial mist that you can whip out in the day.
Drink your water
Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.
Knowledge is power when it comes to skincare. Maybe the answer to managing your oily skin and acne is by recognizing that it’s dehydrated. It’s always best to do your research and try out different products to see what works for your skin.
One thought on “Your Battle Against Oily Skin Might be Making Things Worse”