Confused by oily yet dehydrated skin? This blog explains causes and shares 10 practical skincare tips to restore hydration, reduce Oily Skin, and prevent irritation.
Learn how to fix seasonal skin imbalance and achieve healthy, glowing, and well-balanced skin easily.
It’s winter again, and it comes with comforting warm meals, along with the onset of the festive season. But, it is no good news for your skin. It means chapped lips, flaky face and breakouts out of nowhere. The dry weather as well as the smog and pollution that winter brings with it makes it more difficult for the skin to retain any moisture.
So, you might relate to that feeling of dryness in the colder months, even if you have oily skin, and must have wondered ‘why is my skin dehydrated but oily?’
Let’s discuss more on that, and find out how to fix dehydrated oily skin:
Key takeaways
- Even oily skin can become dehydrated in winter due to cold winds, and low environmental moisture.
- Over-cleansing strips natural oils and worsens dehydration, gentle cleansing twice a day is enough.
- Toners, serums, and moisturisers help restore and lock in lost hydration.
- Sunscreen is essential even in winter, for UV protection and moisture retention.
- Consistency in skincare, hydration and maintaining healthy habits are key to managing dehydrated oily skin.
Table of Contents
Why does your skin become so dry?
You must have wondered ‘why does everyone begin to have tight and dry skin as soon as the winds turn cold?’ Well, the answer lies in the winter environment having low moisture. And consequently, it also makes your skin’s moisture and glow say goodbye.
And any skin type may be dehydrated – one can even have dehydrated and oily skin. Thus, this notion of your skin being oily as if it has been deep fried in summer and suddenly developing a crust in the cold, might be confusing. So, what is the solution to this dilemma of yours?
Well, let’s find out more about the best skincare for dehydrated oily skin:
How to fix dehydrated oily skin?
You might have tried to protect your face from pollution but how many times was it actually helpful? Your skin is frequently exposed to outer environments and factors beyond your control. So, caring for it the right way isn’t the easiest of tasks.
So, here are 10 tips for silky smooth skin that you can use this winter:
Cleanse regularly but not too much
Yes, cleansing is important. You might be doing it too much, especially if you have naturally oily skin. Too much of the cleanser might be stealing your natural sheen (your skin oils) and making your skin dehydrated and tight. Thus, limit the use to twice a day and use a gentle cleanser devoid of harsh chemicals.
Incorporate toner in your skin care routine
After your skin is cleansed well, the next step is the time to provide it with the lost moisture again. And this is where toners come in. Use products with humectants (agents that attract moisture to the skin and retain it) like aloevera, glycerine, and hyaluronic acid. Apply the toner by gently patting it onto the skin for effective hydration.
Serum for targeted hydration
Now that your skin is toned, the next step would be serum. Serums are concentrated formulations designed to be absorbed quickly and address the roots of your skin problems. Use serums with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for dehydrated skin. Also, remember to only use it in between toning and moisturising to make the most of it.
Never skip moisturiser
Moisturisation is the final layer of protection in the battle against dryness, and is a must-do in a dehydrated oily skin routine. It locks the hydration received from toners and serums. However, you don’t want your pores getting all clogged up, right? So, using a light cream is the way to go. You might also be hesitant to use a moisturiser because of oily skin, but believe us, skipping it would be worse.
Use a sunscreen
Well, it might be tempting to skip applying sunscreen because it’s winter and the sun is not there. Wrong! The sun is always there. So, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect yourself against UV rays. Furthermore, the sunscreen also adds an extra layer of hydration so that your skin retains moisture for long.
Hydration and diet habits
Altering your habits a little can go a long way and make your skin healthier. Eating healthy (especially leafy greens and foods high in omega 3) and drinking more water have been associated with increased collagen production and your skin retaining more moisture. But don’t expect magic repair of your skin after two days of a kale smoothie, it’s a long-term process.
Limit hot showers
As comforting as hot showers are in this freezing cold, they might just be the reason your skin is peeling off your face. The hot water robs you of the oils that your skin produces to fight against dehydration, and ends up drying your skin. Well, that doesn’t mean you have to take an ice bath, just shower with lukewarm water, and cut down on the frequency of hot showers.
Keep your dehydrated skin care products at hand
Always keep your lotion and sunscreen with you. Be prepared for any dryness you feel. That’s because whenever you are outside for long, the cold winds make your skin dehydrated again. Also, don’t laze away from applying your sunscreen every 2 hours since experts recommend reapplication, especially after sweating or swimming.
Be consistent with the process
Lastly, the one advice you should bookmark is ‘consistency is key’, in life and in skincare alike. You might do everything perfectly, yet the dryness will always seem to come back, thanks to the weather and pollution. It is a loop. But remember, it’s not a quick fix, but a routine. So the best you can do everyday is stick to it.
Conclusion
Having dehydrated oily skin can be pretty confusing. But with the right steps in skincare and slight tweaks in your lifestyle, you can have glowing smooth skin everyday.
Continuing simple habits consistently will go a long way – your skin will retain more moisture, which means less dry patches and no longer that tight sensation on your face!
The tips in this blog are easy to follow, but if you want something even more personalised, chat with Dewi, your very own skincare advisor!
FAQs
1. What is dehydrated oily skin?
Dehydrated oily skin is a skin type which produces sebum (natural oils) in excess, but has a low water content. Such skin types stay oily in summers but become dry in winters due to environmental triggers.
2. Can oily skin really become dehydrated in winter?
Yes. Dehydration is about lack of moisture, not oil. Cold weather and dry air can reduce skin hydration even if your skin produces excess oil.
3. How often should I cleanse dehydrated oily skin?
Limit cleansing to twice a day using a gentle cleanser. Over-cleansing strips natural oils and increases dryness.
4. Is sunscreen necessary during winter skincare for oily skin?
Yes, sunscreen is non-negotiable all year round. That’s because UV rays are present in winter too. Furthermore, sunscreen also helps lock in moisture.
