5 Myths About Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you know all about T-zone troubles, shiny spots and an automatic aversion to any product that isn't matte. It's a common battle, but one that most people tackle incorrectly.

Myth 1: If you over cleanse, you can cut back on oil...Truth: Your skin is most likely oily because it is dehydrated. Skin overcompensates for dehydration by producing more oil. The increase in oil production can lead to even more shine, not to mention clogged pores and breakouts...

Myth 2: If you have oily skin, you don't have to worry about dehydration...Truth: The fact that you have oily skin does not mean you can't experience dehydration or even surface dryness. One issue has nothing to do with the other. People wrongly assume that oiliness only happens when you're younger or experiencing acne. You can actually get oilier as you age because your skin is dehydrated. Having dehydrated skin is an instant way to look older because it almost always accentuates the look of lines and wrinkles

Myth 3: Oily skin should skip moisturizer...Truth: Every skin type can benefit from a moisturizer in their daily routine. It may seen counter-intuitive, but oily skin types need moisturizer both day and night in order for their complexions to stay healthy and balanced. Any type of moisturizer (gel, cream, etc) as long as it's water-based and oil-free.

Myth 4: The sun can help...Truth: The sun has the ability to dry things out, so by default it should do the same for oily skin, right? Not only is that completely false, but it's also dangerous. No amount of sun exposure is good for skin. The sun may give your skin a drier feel temporarily, but your skin will, again, see this as dehydration and produce more oil pretty quickly to make up for it.

Myth 5: And so skipping sunscreen...Truth: Many with oily-skin sufferers believe sunscreen is too heavy for their skin. However, with new advancements in skin-care formulas, there really is a sunscreen for every skin type. Everyone should be applying one every single day, rain or shine. Those with oily skin should look for sunscreen that is lightweight and oil-free with mattifying properties, so there's no excess shine. The best sunscreen for your skin type is the one you'll actually wear every day.