Moisturizers for oily skin?
You might say, that’s a complete breakdown of intuition.
And I, like Walter Lewin, would say it’s very non-intuitive. It’s also very true.
Dealing with oily skin requires careful handling. You need to reduce excess oil production. You also need to maintain moisture content.
You also need to watch out for breakouts.
Fret not.
I reviewed the 30 hottest products out there and chose the top 10 best moisturizers for oily skin.
Read on, and not only will you know which moisturizers for oily skin are the best; you will also know what factors to watch out for, so you can make an informed choice.
At A Glance: My Choices For The Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin
Christina Moss Naturals’ Facial Moisturizer is based on the popular Aloe Vera-Avocado combination.
Garnier’s SkinActive BB Cream Face Moisturizer has caffeine which is both an antioxidant and a sunscreen.
CONCEPT SKIN’s Oil Free Moisturizer is a sure bet if you want to avoid a shiny feeling on your face.
Era Organics’ 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer can be used with Hyaluronic Acid for extra moisturization.
Olay Complete Lotion All-Day Face Moisturizer has a fragrance-free version which is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
The Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin
01. Christina Moss Naturals’ Facial Moisturizer Review
USP: The Aloe Vera-Avocado combination is very popular. It features in drinks, face masks, moisturizers and what not.
I’m assuming you know Salma Hayek always looks cool, moisturized and refreshed.
What you may not know is that she is a big fan of aloe vera.
This product is just like her. Cool, BRILLIANTLY moisturizing and refreshing.
You wear it under makeup and you are guaranteed a great dewy look.
In fact, you can think of it as a quick DIY Dewy Finish Recipe.
OK, it doesn’t have SPF but it can protect you from minor sun damage. If you plan to stay out long though, use a sunscreen.
The key ingredients are appended below.
| Soothe and Condition Your Skin | Aloe Vera Juice |
| Moisturizer | Aloe Vera Juice, Apricot Kernel Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Stearic Acid |
| Anti-bacterial | Aloe Vera Juice |
| Antioxidant | Apricot Kernel Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Star Anise Seed Oil |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin, Stearic Acid |
| Fragrance | Star Anise Seed (Essential) Oil |
Directions
- Wash your face with water or your favorite face wash.
- Leave your face slightly wet.
- Dab a smidge of the moisturizer to your forehead, nose, cheeks, under eyes and chin. This product is pretty concentrated so do NOT use excessive amounts.
- Massage gently into your skin.
- If you want to apply makeup wait 5 minutes and then apply.
What I Liked
Will protect you from minor sun damage (for extended sun exposure you should use a sunscreen).
Cool feel and light texture.
You can wear this under makeup.
Great dewy look with makeup.
You can apply this near your eyes.
Works for most skin types.
What I Didn’t Like
Stearic Acid, Almond Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil are comedogenic.
Star Anise Seed Oil is volatile and may sensitize your skin.
Does NOT contain SPF.
You may face some problems if you have sensitive skin.
The Best Drugstore Moisturizer For Oily Skin
02. Garnier’s SkinActive BB Cream Face Moisturizer Review
USP: Caffeine is being recognized as both a potent antioxidant and a sunscreen. And a sunscreen that resists cancer, no less.
A ‘BB’ or a ‘Beauty Balm’ cream has the properties of a foundation, a moisturizer AND a sunblock.
If you have puffy eyes, you should try this one out. Dr Amy Wechsler, MD, says caffeine improves the puffy eyes look.
This comes in two shades – Light/Medium and Medium/Deep. Use the shade close to your skin.
You may face some problem with your T-Zone becoming oily too soon. So you may have to reapply it periodically.
Below are the key ingredients.
| Sunscreen | 3% Octinoxate*, Titanium Dioxide, Caffeine |
| Cleansing Agent | Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Caprylyl Glycol |
| Moisturizer | Cetyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol |
| Mattifier | Nylon-12 |
| Antioxidant | Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside**, Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Preservative | Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol |
**Ascorbyl Glucoside is Vitamin C combined with Glucose which makes it stable. Absorbed into your skin it will form Ascorbic Acid (pure Vitamin C).
BUT it does damage coral reefs even at that low concentration so if you’re going to the beach this is NOT the moisturizer you should use for your oily skin.
Directions
- Wash your face.
- Allow your face to dry.
- Take a small amount of the moisturizer (use liberally if you plan on using it as a sunscreen) and massage onto your face and neck.
- If you want to use it as a sunscreen, re-apply every 2 hours. Also re-apply if you sweat excessively or if you’ve gotten wet (like leaving a swimming pool).
What I Liked
Broad Spectrum SPF 20.
Caffeine is both an antioxidant and a sunscreen.
Will reduce puffiness in your eyes.
You can wear it under makeup.
Available in two shades – Light/Medium and Mediun/Deep.
What I Didn’t Like
Butylene Glycol and Stearyl Alcohol are mildly comedogenic.
Your T-Zone may regain oiliness too soon.
It contains denatured alcohol (probably as a fast-acting mattifier) pretty high up the list of ingredients. To know why that’s a con, read on.
Contains octinoxate which is a hormone disruptor (though unlikely at 3% dilution).
It contains a number of volatile fragrance components (like Linalool) which may sensitize your skin.
The Best Face Moisturizer For Oily Skin
03. CONCEPT SKIN’s Oil Free Moisturizer Review
USP: Argan-Acai is a popular combination in facemasks, moisturizers and shampoos.
Gingko Biloba contains a chemical called Quercetin which is a powerful antioxidant.
A problem I have noticed with many moisturizers, particularly those for oily skin, is they tend to put a shine on your face.
Much like Ross Geller’s whitened teeth (in Friends, ‘The One With Ross’ Teeth’, Season 6, Episode 8 if you’re interested) a moisturizer shine can make you look hideous.
This moisturizer has no such problem. That is one reason I made it part of my top 10 moisturizers for oily skin.
I’ve appended the main ingredients below.
| Soothe and Condition your skin | 0.8% Salicylic Acid, Aloe Vera, Gingko Biloba Extract, Tea Tree Oil, Alpha Copper Tripeptide-4 |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycine, Sodium PCA |
| Exfoliant | Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid |
| Moisturizer | Aloe Vera, Argan Extract |
| Anti-bacterial | Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, Cinnamon Extract |
| Antioxidant | Argan Extract, White Tea Extract, Chamomile Extract, Copper Gluconate, Acai Extract, Gingko Biloba Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Tea Tree Oil |
| pH adjuster/Buffer | Sodium Hydroxide |
| Preservative | Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate |
| Chelating Agent | Tetrasodium EDTA |
Directions
- Cleanse your face with water or your favourite cleanser. Take 2 pumps of the moisturizer on your fingers and slowly massage it into your face.
- Follow it up with sunscreen for prolonged exposure to sun.
- If you want to apply makeup do so 5 minutes after applying the moisturizer. If you break out, stop applying makeup on the moisturizer.
What I Liked
This product is loaded with antioxidants (I haven’t listed all of them here). This makes it great if you’re exposed significantly to sunlight, environmental damage etc.1
Witch Hazel has astringent properties as well.
No comedogenic ingredients.
Doesn’t make your face ‘shine’.
What I Didn’t Like
1This product is overkill if you don’t need too many antioxidants.
Cinnamon Extract may sensitize your skin.
The Best Tinted Moisturizer For Oily Skin
04. Era Organics’ 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer Review
USP: This may even work on dry heels, correcting cracks, itching and wrinkles.
As a food Manuka Honey is deliciously viscous and sweet.
It’s not too bad as a skin care ingredient either with both anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties.
It’s dense no doubt but it gets absorbed into your skin really fast.
It doesn’t have SPF but you can use an SPF along with it.
Yes, it does contain Titanium Dioxide but at a much lower concentration than SPF standard. So it will offer you limited sun protection.
As a moisturizer it’s pretty amazing but if you still want more, you may add a few drops of Hyaluronic Acid to it before applying.
The main ingredients are listed below.
| Sunscreen | Titanium Dioxide |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Aloe Vera, Vit. C* |
| Aloe Vera, Vit. C* | Aloe Vera, Manuka Honey |
| Moisturizer | Aloe Vera, Coconut oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Shea Butter, Cehami, Hemp Seed Oil, Olive Oil, pro-Vit. B5** |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin, Olive Oil, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate |
| Antioxidant | Vit. E***, Algae Extract******, Olive Oil, Vit. A****, Sodium Hyaluronate, Manuka Honey |
| pH adjuster/Buffer | Sodium Hydroxide |
| Preservative | Sodium Benzoate |
**As Panthenol.
***As Retinyl Palmitate.
****As Tocobiol.
*****Spirulina maxima, Blue-Green Algae.
Directions
- Moisten your face but don’t make it too wet. Take a dime size amount of the moisturizer on your fingertips and massage it onto your face.
- If you want to use makeup, wait 5 minutes after applying this moisturizer.
- If you’ll experience prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen. For best results use the sunscreen before the moisturizer.
What I Liked
Some sun protection.
Can be used with a sunscreen.
Can be used with added Hyaluronic Acid for extra moisturization.
It may be used as an eye cream as well.
What I Didn’t Like
Shea butter, Olive Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Coconut Seed Butter and some other ingredients are comedogenic.
Does not include SPF.
Use carefully if you’re allergic to bees (Anaphylactic Shock).
The Best Moisturizer With SPF For Oily Skin
05. Olay Complete Lotion All-Day Face Moisturizer Review
USP: A combination of Stearic Acid, Niacinamide and Panthenol has been seen to be instrumental in repairing the Epidermis and containing Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
The product is lightweight and thin. However it is not runny.
It has a slight fragrance which is quite refreshing.
However if you have sensitive skin, fret not, there is a sensitive skin version which is fragrance-free.
It will moisturize you well. It may also give you a foundation effect.
Some SPF moisturizers sting your eyes when you sweat. This is not one of them.
The key ingredients follow.
| Moisturizer | Polyethylene, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, pro-Vit. B5*, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin, Vit. B3****, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Niacinamide, Caprylyl Glycol |
| Antioxidant | Niacinamide, Vit. E**, Vit. C*** |
| Preservative | Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate |
| Chelating Agent | Disodium EDTA |
**As Tocopheryl Acetate.
***As Ascorbic Acid.
****As Niacinamide.
Directions
- Wash your face.
- Take one or two squeezes (this has a hole at the top so you have to squeeze the bottle) in your hand. If you’re going to use this as sunscreen, take a liberal amount.
- Massage it into your face and neck.
- If you want to apply makeup wait 5 minutes before doing so.
- If you want to use it as a sunscreen re-apply every 2 hours.
What I Liked
Broad Spectrum SPF 15.
Provides a foundation effect.
Refreshing fragrance.
Fragrance-free version for users with sensitive skin.
Does not sting your eyes.
What I Didn’t Like
Cetyl, Stearyl and Cetearyl Alcohols, Dimethicone and Palmitic and Stearic Acids are the main comedogenic ingredients.
For prolonged sun exposure you should use a sunscreen along with this.
It contains a large number of moisturizers. May be overkill for some users.
The Best Gel Moisturizer For Oily Skin
06. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Moisturizer Review
USP: Hyaluronic acid is said to be an ultimate solution for moisture retention of the skin
One thing I really liked about Paula’s Choice Moisturizer for oily skin is that it can act as a primer for your makeup.
It’s a very good mattifier. It imparts such a fresh look to your face you may not need that much makeup.
However if you have combination skin your skin may start to dry a little at the end of the day. I would suggest you add a drop or two of Hyaluronic Acid to the moisturizer if you face this problem.
I really liked the light gel texture.
It gets absorbed into your skin quickly and gives your skin a refreshing cool feel.
The chief ingredients are listed below.
| Moisturizer | Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Algae Extract**, Wheat Germ Oil, Dimethicone, Phospholipids, pro Vit. B5******, |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Vit. B3*, Oat Kernel Extract, Green Tea Extract |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Vit. B3*, Hyaluronic Acid*****, Phospholipids |
| Antioxidant | Vit. B3*, Algae Extract**, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Vit. E***, Vit. C****, Hyaluronic Acid***** |
| Preservative | Phenoxyethanol |
***Laminaria Saccharina.
***As Tocopheryl Acetate.
****As Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.
*****As Sodium Hyaluronate (which is a ‘skin identical ingredient’).
******As Pathenol.
Directions
- Take a small amount and massage into the face, neck and around the eyes.
- If you want to use makeup, wait 5 minutes after applying the moisturizer.
- If you expect to face sunlight, apply a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 25 or higher.
What I Liked
Good mattifier.
Nice light gel texture. Gives your skin a cool feel.
Acts as a primer for makeup.
Good moisturizing and hydrating power.
What I Didn’t Like
Butylene Glycol, Algae Extract, Wheat Germ Oil and Dimethicone are comedogenic.
Does not have SPF.
If you have combination skin it may be a little drying after long hours. If so, pair this product with a drop of Hyaluronic Acid.
The Best Korean Moisturizer For Oily Skin
07. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer Review
USP: A glycerine-dimethicone moisturizer is remarkably powerful at increasing epidermis thickness and rejuvenating photoaged skin.
This has been recommended by Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle.
Don’t worry, I didn’t blindly pick it out of there. I reviewed independently in deciding to rank it among the 10 best moisturizers for oily skin.
It’s especially good for keeping your T-Zone moisturized.
It’s also a good primer.
Be careful while applying it around your eyes.
This doesn’t have SPF so you have to pair it with a sunscreen. If your skin is really oily that may be a bit of a problem.
The key ingredients follow.
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin |
| Moisturizer | Dimethicone, Isocetyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Sarcosine, Salicylic Acid* |
| Surfactant | Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 80 |
| Exfoliant | Salicylic Acid* |
| pH adjuster/Buffer | Triethanolamine |
Directions
- Wash your face.
- Take a small amount of the moisturizer in your hand.
- Massage it into your face and neck.
- Wait 5 minutes before applying makeup.
What I Liked
Denatured Alcohol will give you a quick degreased matte look.
Good for your T-Zone.
Nice light texture.
Good primer as well.
What I Didn’t Like
Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Isocetyl Stearate and Triethanolamine are mildly comedogenic.
Denatured Alcohol which may stop your skin from repleshing itself.
Be careful while applying it around your eyes.
No SPF.
If your skin is very oily be careful when using this with a sunscreen.
08. The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Face Lotion Review
USP: Good primer for your foundation or makeup. It is especially good at clearing oil from your T-Zone and keeping it moisturized.
There have been over 300 modern medicinal studies carried out showing the anti-bacterial properties of tea tree oil.
It’s a pretty good mattifier.
It has a light texture but not runny. It gives you a super cool feeling on application.
It does not have SPF but it will control oil and keep you well-moisturized under the sun for several hours.
It’s going to feel great along your scalp line if you have dandruff.
The key ingredients are listed below.
| Moisturizer | Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane |
| Anti-bacterial | Tea Tree Oil |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Tea Tree Oil, Salix Alba Extract, Caprylyl Glycol |
| Antioxidant | Tea Tree Oil, Vit. E* |
| Surfactant | Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Laureth-4 |
| pH adjuster/Buffer | Sodium Hydroxide |
| Preservative | Caprylyl Glycol |
Directions
- Wash your face.
- Take a small amount of the moisturizer in your palm.
- Gently massage into your face and neck in circular motions.
- Wait 5 minutes before applying makeup.
What I Liked
Good mattifier
Feels good along your scalp line if you have dandruff
Light texture but not runny
Great cool feeling on application.
What I Didn’t Like
Laureth-4, Sorbitan Isostearate and Tocopherol are the main comedogenic ingredients.
No SPF.
09. Acure’s Oil Mattifying Facial Moisturizer Review
USP: The Glycerin-Aloe Vera is yet another combination that finds widespread application in skincare – from manufactured moisturizers to DIY face serums.
This is a good candidate for day/night use.
It’s a good base to apply your primer or makeup on.
It does not have SPF. However you can apply a SPF sunscreen of your choice on it.
It’s especially for keeping your T-Zone clean and fresh. It works well even in humid climates.
It has a light creamy texture. It absorbs quickly into your skin. You will get a cool silky feeling on applying this.
The key ingredients are appended below.
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Aloe Vera, Evening Primrose Oil, Lilac Extract |
| Moisturizer | Aloe Vera, Rose Hip Fruit Extract, Glycerl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Safflower Seed Oil, Cocoglycerides, Sunflower Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Algae** Extract, Argan Kernel Oil |
| Anti-bacterial | Aloe Vera |
| Antioxidant | Acai Fruit Extract, Blackberry Fruit Extract, Rose Hip Fruit Extract, Pomegranate Fruit Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Vit. E*, Algae2 Extract, Argan Kernel Oil |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin |
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Rooibos Leaf Extract |
| Surfactant | Glyceryl Caprylate |
**Chlorella vulgaris.
Directions
- Wash and tone your face.
- Take one or two pumps in your hand.
- Massage it gently into your face and neck.
- You should be careful around your eyes because the spearmint content may sting them.
What I Liked
Good for humid climates.
You can apply makeup and sunscreen on it.
Good for day/night use.
Light Creamy Texture. It feels cool and silky on the skin.
What I Didn’t Like
Cetearyl Alcohol, Algae Extract are comedogenic.
Common Sage Leaf Extract (probably used as a cleanser) and Lavender Flower Oil (used for fragrance) may sensitize your skin.
No SPF.
Spearmint may sting your eyes.
10. Alba Botanica’s Acnedote Oil Control Lotion Review
USP: The Olivate twins – Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate – feature in a patent for their use as a cosmetic moisturizer.
Not only are they excellent moisturizers; they can mimic our skin excellently as well. Why is that important? Because it means minimal disruption to our skin.
Salicylic Acid is a well-known exfoliant.
If you have breakouts, add some tea-tree to the moisturizer and use a Q-Tip to apply.
It has a smooth light texture and feels cool on your skin.
It is a good mattifier and will give your skin a fresh natural look.
I’ve listed out the key ingredients below.
| Soothe and Condition your skin | Salicylic Acid, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Nettle Extract |
| Antioxidant | Green Tea Leaf Extract |
| Exfoliant | Salicylic Acid |
| Moisturizer | Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate |
| Replenish and Restore your skin | Glycerin |
| Surfactant | Polysorbate 60 |
| pH adjuster/Buffer | Potassium Hydroxide |
| Preservative | Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol |
Directions
- Wash your face.
- Take a small amount in your hand.
- Massage gently into your face and neck.
- Wait 5 minutes before applying makeup.
- For breakouts mix it with tea tree oil. Then apply to the breakout areas with a Q Tip.
What I Liked
Absorbs rapidly into your skin.
Fresh matte look.
Can be worn under makeup.
Use it with tea tree oil to deal with breakouts.
What I Didn’t Like
Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol and Dimethicone are comedogenic.
Lemon Balm Extract, Limonene and Linalool may sensitize your skin.
No SPF.
What did I look for selecting moisturizers for oily skin?
The problem is three-fold.
Oily skin itself, medically called Seborrhea, is caused by excess oil production in our pores. This happens due to a variety of causes.
Oily skin can give rise to acne. Excess oil clogs your pores leading to acne breakouts.
You would apply moisturizers when going out. Do you need a separate sunscreen as well?
You will remember how I kept talking about the ingredients having properties like anti-bacterial, Antioxidant and so on.
Well, this is the 411 of why those properties are so crucial.
Oily skin can lead to acne. An Anti-bacterial property will kill off acne-causing bacteria directly.
Antioxidants firm up your skin, reduce inflammation and scars.
If you’re experienced you will know there are various types of moisturizers like humectants and exfoliants. I’ve clubbed them together under the umbrella term Moisturizers.
Skin restoring and Replenishing ingredients protect your skin from moisture loss and other damage.
Skin conditioning and Soothing agents will relieve any discomfort you are experiencing from your drying skin.
A pH imbalance will irritate your skin. pH adjusters/Buffers stop that.
Astringent ingredients (sometimes clean and) shrink your pores.
A SURFace ACTive AgeNT/SURFACTANT draws oil out of skin (by emulsification) so it can be washed off with water. So you want
You will want Preservative(s) to maintain product quality if you want to keep the product for a while.
Chelating agents help your product avoid contamination. This is a little different to preserving your product.
Exfoliants clear away dead skin cells stopping them from clogging your pores.
NMF’s (Natural Moisturizing Factors). These are natural substances on your skin that keep your skin hydrated and soft. Lactic acid and Sodium PCA are two popular NMF’s.
It will be good if your moisturizer itself contains Water because that would reduce the chances of it drying your skin ‘inside out’.
Well that was a looong list…
Yeah, it was, and you know I won’t leave you hanging.
Of course, you’re free to choose any cleanser you want but I think there’s a clear best moisturizer for oily skin you should check out.
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Moisturizer
It contains Hyaluronic Acid which is itself a pretty good moisturizer. You can also pair it with some Hyaluronic Acid if you need extra moisturization.
Its other ingredients are pretty well balanced out and most of the properties I looked out for are present in this.
Paula’s Choice Moisturizer for oily skin can act as a primer for your makeup.
It’s a very good mattifier. It imparts such a fresh look to your face you may not need that much makeup.
I really liked the light gel texture.
It gets absorbed into your skin quickly and gives your skin a refreshing cool feel.
What’s the deal with denatured alcohol?
Denatured Alcohol is a volatile alcohol that does give your skin a quick matte (de-greased) look.
However that comes at a cost. Denatured Alcohol may dry your skin and reduce its ability to replenish itself.
In short be careful while using products with denatured alcohol high up on the list of ingredients (indicating higher percentage).
OK, what’s the deal with SPF?
You hear ‘sun damage’ and you think sunblock or sunscreen right?
In an interview with Allure Dr Mona Gohara, professor of dermatology at Yale, says that a moisturizer with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) can protect you from suburn.
Dr Gohara suggests a minimum SPF of 30 but if your sun exposure is limited, say a quick walk or a shopping trip, SPF 15 should suffice.
While we’re at it, a bit about ‘broad spectrum’
Broad spectrum SPF will protect you from both UVA and UVB sunlight.
SPF that isn’t broad spectrum will protect you from UVB sunlight only.
In terms of your skin, you are guaranteed protection from skin cancer and premature aging only with broad spectrum SPF.
These standards are set by the FDA.
If you want to use a SPF moisturizer as a sunscreen please remember the sunscreen S.O.P.
- Apply liberally at least 15 minutes before you go out into the sun.
- Reapply every 2 hours.
- Reapply if you sweat excessively.
- If you get wet (like going swimming) reapply after drying yourself.
I have seen terms like Emollient, Humectant and so on. What do they mean and why don’t they appear here?
These terms make succint differences between substances that help your skin maintain water content.
For example, strictly speaking, a humectant is a hygroscopic substance which means that it can draw water to itself (and thereby to the surface it is placed on). In most cases this is done by hydrophilic (hydro=water, philic=loving) groups in the substance.
An emollient on the other hand is in most cases an occlusive agent that forms a thin protective layer (mostly of oil) on a surface to prevent loss of water.
Some sources even differentiate between a ‘dry skin’ and a ‘dehydrated skin’.
A ‘dry skin’ merely feels dry due to a lack of oils on the skin surface while a ‘dehydrated skin’ is really parched of water.
From that view, a moisturizer helps ‘dry skin’ by maintaining oil content and giving your skin a smooth feel while a hydrator actually adds water to your skin.
Not exactly a valuable contribution to the party if just want to pick a moisturizer for your skin.
So I would advise you to pick your moisturizer for oily skin…and use it.
If your problems persist, consult a licensed esthetician.
That’s about it. If you feel I’ve missed something…or you just wanna talk about moisturizers for oily skin, feel free to leave a comment below!
Recommended Reading
- How To Have Clear Skin – Ultimate Blemish Battle Plan
- How To Get Smooth Skin – Clear Skin Guide
- A Swimmer’s Guide To Skin Care And Hair Care
- The Best Foundation For Oily Skin – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
- The Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
- The Best Face Wash For Sensitive Skin – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
- The Best Cleanser For Oily Skin – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
- The Best Moisturizer – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
