2 weeks Ago By Hannah Coates
One of the biggest misconceptions about oily skin ? That it doesn’t need as much hydration as other skin types. While, yes, those with oilier skin naturally produce more sebum, experts stress the importance of keeping it hydrated to ensure optimal health and resilience. “Keeping oily skin hydrated with products such as hyaluronic acid serums and gel creams is essential for skin health,” says Rhian Truman , facialist and expert consultant for Soho Skin.
But while those with this skin type often think they need to eliminate and strip it of all signs of oil, actually this is an incorrect approach. “Stripping the skin barrier compromises the pH levels and results in sebaceous glands overcompensating to protect the skin, and therefore you end up with even more unwanted oil.” Put simply: if you starve oily skin of hydration, chances are you’re going to end up with even more sebum, and so begins a vicious cycle.
That’s why it’s key to find both the right formulas and comfortable textures for oilier skin – you don’t need to be using thick, heavy creams to adequately hydrate. “Gel creams are brilliant because they are lighter in texture and trap less heat into the skin, which allows the sebaceous glands to naturally secrete regulated oil. This means the skin feels like it can breathe,” says Truman.
There are plenty of these cooling, gloopy formulas that are perfect for the job. A few new launches include 111Skin’s Revitalising Cryo Moisturiser, which blends ginseng complex with polyglutamic acid and eight types of hyaluronic acid to plump, hydrate and restore the skin. It also cools upon application, which is incredibly invigorating.
Then there is Soho Skin’s Hydrating Gel-Cream, a red seaweed, hyaluronic acid and vitamin D-packed moisturiser that promises deep hydration “without that greasy feeling”. Particularly sensitive skin types will love Avène’s Hydrance Aqua-Gel Hydrating Cream-in-Gel for its antioxidant power, not to mention it is ultra soothing and helps mattify the skin. And another refreshing wonder is Laneige’s Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Gel Moisturizer, that – alongside the usual suspects – contains deep sea algae to quench skin’s thirst while delivering a luminous finish.
Oily skins will love these formulas, but if you’re someone with dryer skin, they also work well layered underneath thicker formulas for a double hit of hydration. Here are some of our favourites. The best gel moisturisers for oily skin.
