This is a common question from those with Oily or combination Skin. Many feel that adding more moisturizer to the oily skin will cause their skin to look enough more greasy than it should
be.

To determine if your skin is oily, you can do a tissue test. Wash your face with your regular cleanser and keep your face bare. Wait for one hour and then blot your face with a clean tissue. Start with your T zone first, and then followed by your cheeks. If you see grease spots on the tissue, you probably have oily skin. If the grease spots only appear on your T zone and not your cheeks, you probably have combination skin type.

A lot of people do not understand that sebum is not equivalent to moisturizer. Moisturizers contain ingredients to hydrate the skin whereas the sebum is produced by our oil glands to lubricate our skin and to seal in the moisture. After we have washed our faces, our skin will be invariably dry. If you skip the moisturizer, the oil glands will compensate to produce more sebum to reduce moisture loss from the skin. As a result, you realise that your skin will be even more oily after 1-2 hours of washing your face and skipping the moisturizer.

Moisturizer is particular important for those with acne/pimple problems, a common occurrence among people with oily skin. This is because the products used to control acne are usually harsh and dry up the skin. If you skip the moisturizer in such circumstances, you may end up with red, itchy and flaking skin.

Skin hydration is a balancing act. While you want to keep your oily skin at bay, you need to moisturize your skin as well. For patients with oily skin, a lotion or gel moisturizer should suffice.

Our skin is a living organ. It is subjected to ageing, hormonal and climacteric changes. What works for you three years ago may not work for you now. If in doubt, consult a professional who will be able to give your advice.