Not if you know how to take proper care of it

Did you know that oily skin can be classified into two subcategories: oily (without water deficiency) and oily dehydrated (with water deficiency). In the first case, the skin has proper hydration; while it feels and looks oily, it does not have the sensation of “dryness”. In the second subcategory, the skin lacks moisture yet the skin has all the characteristics of oily skin present but the individual tends to complain of “dry skin”.

People with oily skin tend go two ways in their skincare routines. One is to use drying, dehydrating ingredients in an effort to feel “less oily”. The end result is skin that feels flaky, rough, and scaly. Then we self-diagnose ourselves as a dry skin type and purchase products rich in oils. As the skin already has enough oil, these products only aggravate the oily condition and result in blemishes, blackheads, etc.

The second routine is to conclude that they do not need a moisturizer because they have oily skin. However, it is important to remember that oiliness comes from the oil glands, and moisture from the intercellular channels.

Don’t know if you have oily skin?

Try doing the “skin test”. To perform the skin test use a few pieces of tissue paper and pressed them on different spots on the face. The skin was determined as “oily” if the paper picked up oily spots and became translucent, and the skin looked shiny with enlarged pores. If the paper did not pick up any oily spots, and the skin showed signs of dehydration and dryness, the skin would be determined as “dry”. If the paper was only stuck in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and the skin had medium-sized pores and even texture on the cheeks, then the skin was defined as combinative or normal skin

How to care of oily skin?

We suggest taking care of oily skin by gently cleansing morning and evening, and using oil-free moisturizing gels or lotions to help the skin maintain its suppleness and moisture. It is essential to keep oily skin clean and hydrated with appropriate cleansing and moisturizing. Using exfoliators that also provide moisture to the skin, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or the weekly use of enzyme peels designed for oily skin are highly recommended. These products help improve the look and texture of oily skin by reducing oiliness, and pore size, and by normalizing exfoliation rates. When properly cared for, this is the preferred skin type since the wrinkle process  appears to be delayed.