6 Tips to Moisturizing Oily Skin Without Clogging Your Pores

6 Tips to Moisturizing Oily Skin Without Clogging Your Pores

For most people who have oily skin, finding the right product can be a tough battle. Your first instinct is probably to go out and buy products that promise to match your skin type.

While products labeled “oil-free” can help, they aren’t all there is to moisturizing oily skin. You also have to know when and how you should be applying these products. 

These effective yet simple tips and tricks about moisturizing your oily skin can help you start on the right track. 

1. Don’t over-cleanse your face

6 Tips to Moisturizing Oily Skin Without Clogging Your Pores

Peeling doesn’t only happen with people who have excessively dry skin. Even your oily skin can suffer from this, particularly if you’ve been overwashing it.

Cleansing your face more than you should doesn’t only dry your skin but it can also cause a lot of damages. While it’s very tempting to wash your face frequently because of the excess oil, it just isn’t a good idea.

Instead, you should limit washing your face to two to three times a day. You can schedule it once you get up in the morning, after your school or work and right before you sleep.

By washing your face less often, you are allowing time for the natural oils of your skin to help moisturize it. Because there’s moisture and nourishment, you won’t have to stress yourself too much about finding the right moisturizer to use.

You should take note, however, that washing your face is a lot different from exfoliating it. Exfoliation requires a scrubbing agent to remove dead skin cells accumulating on your face while washing simply involves cleaning any product and dirt build-up in your skin.

2. Oil-free isn’t always right for you

Oil-free products are not always good for those with oily skin, particularly if they have sensitivity issues, too. The truth is, people with oily or combination skin often also have sensitive skin.

If you have this skin type, then you may need to be careful when using various products on your skin. If you’re trying a new moisturizer, make sure to test them out first.You can use your forearm, the back of your hand or a small area on your neck in doing the sensitivity test. These areas are usually quite sensitive and are likely to respond to a product in a similar way your face would.

You can test as many products as you choose to assess for skin irritation. However, to get the best result, try to test one product at a time.

If you notice any signs of discomfort, such as bumps and itching, discontinue the product right away. There are tons of popular and expensive products that work well for other people, but that won’t necessarily mean that they’ll be compatible with your skin type.

3. Only exfoliate before you moisturize

Exfoliation is an essential beauty routine that you must do whether you have dry, normal or oily skin. It helps magnify the effects of your moisturizer by allowing the product to penetrate the fresh layers of the skin easily.

You should take note, however, that exfoliation isn’t always required every time you moisturize. You can try exfoliating your skin twice a week to avoid damaging your skin.

4. Dilute your moisturizer

The tricky part when it comes to oily skin is that they aren’t always the same. While a certain product may work well on one person, it doesn’t readily mean that you’d get the same result once you use it.

Sometimes the perfect product for you is what you make of it. Finding, testing and even modifying either the routine or the product might be necessary to meet your skin’s unique needs.

One of the modifications that can work for you involves diluting your moisturizer. It means running some water through your moisturizer to make it less thick.

Often, it isn’t only the ingredients of a product but also its texture that leaves the skin not feeling its best. By diluting your moisturizer, you will not only reduce the chances of clogging your pores, but it can also facilitate better absorption.

Moisturizers are best applied to damp skin. The water makes absorption faster which means there’s less time for it to sit on your skin and clog your pores.

5. Apply your diluted moisturizer often

Diluted moisturizer might not be enough to meet your skin’s needs. Because of this, it’s recommended that you apply your moisturizer frequently.

Diluting your moisturizer and applying it often helps make sure that your skin’s needs are met without risking your pores. We recommend applying around 3 times a day to get the best results.

Generally speaking, you should apply your moisturizer after cleansing your face in the morning. The second application can be after you get home from work, and the third one can be right before you sleep.

During winter, you might want to apply more often than usual. The cold season typically requires extra effort because it makes the skin dry and cracked.

6. Size Matters

The amount of moisturizer you apply definitely matters. For the average person, a little more than a pea size is enough to spread across the face.

However, because you’re using a diluted moisturizer, a small amount can really go a long way. Also, because you’re applying frequently, using too much at once will defeat the purpose of the technique in the first place.

Other than these tips, time is also an essential factor to consider. While your pores may stop clogging, it will still take time before your skin shows visible results.

Being realistic with your expectations is necessary. After all, a healthy, young-looking skin is always worth the wait.

6 Tips to Moisturizing Oily Skin Without Clogging Your Pores

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

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