Does oily skin need moisturizer?

Dear Rissa,

Do I still need to moisturize oily skin? I also noticed that my skin has gotten oilier ever since I started using a toner.

Tina

Oily skin is characterized by an increased amount of surface oil caused by an overproduction of sebum. Oily skin tends to be slick and shiny to the touch. Your face is shiny with visible oil, especially at the end of the day. Pores also appear enlarged in some areas and a person with oily skin experiences frequent acne breakouts or blackheads.

Those with oily skin are usually tempted to over-cleanse with harsh, drying ingredients, and even avoid moisturizer altogether. This may seem to help in the short term, but in the long term, this can cause oiliness to worsen. Stripping your skin of natural oils makes you more susceptible to a damaged moisture barrier, which would cause even more surface oil to emerge, and presents the risk of becoming a vicious cycle.

When it comes to toners, keep in mind that Western toners are different from most Asian and Korean toners. The conventional Western toner tends to strip skin from oils and can be very drying. Skin will feel tight after, but because your skin has lost so much moisture, it will try to compensate and produce more oil to combat the dryness. Korean toners are gentler on the skin and have the goal of hydrating the skin without making it oily. It also sets the skin to the right pH level so your skin can better absorb active ingredients in your skincare routine. 

Keep on moisturizing because even oily skin still needs hydration. Avoid heavier creams and instead stick with lighter formulas and watery, gel-based creams. Oily skin needs more humectant moisturizers (the kind that attracts moisture) and less occlusive moisturizers (the kind that prevents moisture from escaping from your skin). 

Rissa

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Skincare Device For Home Use

Dear Lucy,

My skin is better now; I only have dark spots left from where I used to have cystic acne. My dermatologist put me on a skin-clearing regimen that has worked wonderfully. Lasers are next. The problem is, I live in the province and can only fly to Manila every two months to get the required laser treatment. What are my options? There are no skin clinics where I reside.

Doris

Aside from asking your dermatologist for a bleaching cream that will take care of the dark spots you are worried about, I wonder if you can ask her about Talika Light Duo. It is a revolutionary skincare program using light, an anti-aging multi-program in one single device. Depending on the option you choose, it can address redness, wrinkles and dark spots. It is very easy to use because it starts automatically on contact with skin and is fitted with a timer, which means the device automatically stops when the selected treatment is done. The device is designed to boost collagen, lighten and soothe skin as well. I got mine from the in-flight shopping service of an airline, although I am sure you can check online to see where else it is available. No one recommended it to me but I tried it out of curiosity and was happily surprised to find that I actually like how it works.

Lucy

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.