As a skin expert and founder of Mothr Earth Proof®, I get asked almost daily
:"Why does my skin feel so oily but tingly?".
You may have already tried everything - mattifying creams, moisturizing serums, new routines: but still that oily shine as well as the tight feeling remains.
Oily skin but also dry - is that possible?
It sounds confusing, skin that feels oily and dry at the same time: and it is. After all, how can something be too much and too little? Yet this is something many people experience, indeed it is something I myself have experienced for years. Your skin shines, your pores are visible, but at the same time everything feels tight and maybe even sensitive. Well and that is exactly why I am writing this blog: to explain how this comes about and most importantly, what you can do about it.
Research shows that too much sebum production is a major contributing factor to oily skin. Sebum (or sebum), which is oily and produced by the tiny sebaceous glands in your skin, plays the main role in maintaining the skin's hydration and integrity (your skin barrier). However, when its production is excessive, it can lead to a number of skin problems.
What does it mean when your skin is oily and dry at the same time?
Skin that is both oily and dry is often called combination skin. But what we better call it: skin that is out of balance or dehydrated skin. Your skin probably makes too much sebum (making it shiny or oily to the touch), but lacks hydration. And no, this is not necessarily a skin type. It is often a sign that your skin or body is not getting what it needs.
'One of the most visible consequences of increased sebum production is that the skin takes on a shiny and oily appearance. This is because excessive sebum secretion disrupts the skin's natural balance, resulting in an oily skin texture,' (Tangkijngamvong et al., 2020). This oilier skin can also clog pores, contributing to the development of acne. This is often seen in areas with a high density of sebaceous glands, such as the face, back and shoulders (O'Neill & Gallo, 2018; Kumtornrut et al., 2019).
How can my skin be oily and dry at the same time?
Your skin probably makes too much oil, but lacks hydration in the meantime - and that difference is important. Sebum (also called sebum) is oily and is produced by your sebaceous glands. It plays a major role in protecting your skin and retaining moisture.
Oily T-zones and dry cheeks - moisture poor say
But ... and this is an important but: too much sebum production is one of the biggest causes of oily skin. When your sebaceous glands are overactive, your skin may look shiny and oily. Especially in areas where the sebaceous glands are most active, such as your face, back and shoulders.
Treating oily skin without drying it out
And if, meanwhile, you use products that aggressively "degrease" or dry out your skin, the top layer of skin may actually start to pull or flake and produce even more sebum underneath in response to the strong degreasing products.
Do you recognize this?
- Your skin is shiny, especially around your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
- Your cheeks or around your mouth feel dry or flaky
- After cleansing, your skin feels tight or taut
- You get pimples easily, but your skin does not feel supple or hydrated
- You think you have oily skin, but creams make it worse
Your skin is recovering from too many products-use
If this is recognizable, then your skin is probably out of balance. The solution is not in more cleansing or more products, but rather in repairing it.
What can you do with combination skin?
I founded Mothr Earth Proof® for a clear reason. Because I was done with products that say they do something while doing nothing for you. I was done with brands that use harsh ingredients to suppress the skin, so to speak. But honestly? It rarely works in the long run.
And I don't say that lightly. There are multiple studies that show that wanting to "fix" your skin all the time - tackling it more harshly and invasively (you know those specialists who go at it with impressive devices on your skin) - often actually makes the problem worse. More agitation, more sebum, more frustration.
"I see it regularly, the skin problems that arise after treatments at skin therapists for skin improvement. Don't. Rather go to a natural working salon (La Twist for example), where they can do magic with their hands (lifting connective tissue massages)."
-Andrea
That's why I want to explain to you here what you can do in several areas to get rid of combination skin. Not a quick fix, but a deeper picture that I think will help you more. Here's the thing: your skin reacts to what you put on it, yes - but also to what you take in as nutrition from the inside out. So let's start with nutrition.
Nutrition and Skin
What many people don't know is that skin that is out of balance is often a mirror of what is going on inside your body. A diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber can help reduce inflammation in the body - and it shows in your skin. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring or mackerel, can inhibit and soothe subcutaneous inflammation. This makes your skin less likely to tend to go into "protection mode" by producing excessive sebum.
Zinc is crucial for skin repair in oily, dry and acne skin
Also important: zinc. This mineral - found in nuts, seeds and whole grains, fish, seafood (oysters are the best source of zinc), among others - helps reduce inflammatory processes in the body. In addition, it plays a role in the regulation of sebum production.
Dairy and beautiful clear skin do not go together
And yes, we must also talk about dairy for a moment. In many people - especially young people and women in transition - dairy can contribute to more sebum and therefore more blemishes. Of course, this is not the case for everyone, but if you notice that your skin remains restless, it may be worth trying dairy-free for a period of time (6 months) (and....tip: don't replace this with soy or other plant-based alternatives, because that brings hormonal imbalance and, yes, thus the risk of those pesky pimples again).
THE Skin Strategy: balancing - not suppressing
I don't believe in suppressing or hiding. I believe in understanding what your skin needs - on the outside and on the inside. And that is what we try to support with our products and our approach. No quick fixes, but a sustainable approach.
Skincare for oily and dry skin
Well, now we can talk about skincare! Because it certainly also has a big influence and can do a lot for you. Because although at Mothr Earth Proof® we always want to look at the cause first - and not the symptom relief - of course it is also important to take good care of your skin with products that are really absorbed. Especially if you suffer from oily skin that still feels dry. We believe in simplicity. In four steps.
Step 1 - Scrub & Shine - facial wake-up call
Our gentle exfoliator is a real wake-up call for your skin. When you use it: it really feels like your skin is saying: finally, you understand! And you yourself will feel and see this even after the first use. No abrasive granules, but very soft ones that remove dead skin cells without damaging your skin barrier. The result? Your skin becomes brighter, smoother and more active in its own recovery and less oily and less dry.
For oily skin that also feels tight this serum is your best friend, it puts moisture back where it belongs and prevents your skin from overcompensating with sebum. This is hydration, but one step further. Especially with combination skin the most important thing to do! After all, you have a moisture deficit in your skin. This serum is packed with skin restoring ingredients like hyaluronic acid & aloe vera.
Non-oily oils and active plant extracts help to inhibit inflammation, calm redness and refine skin texture. Here's the thing: oil does not have to mean that your skin will become oilier. On the contrary - many people with oily skin find that their skin actually becomes calmer once they apply the right oil. So care for oily skin? It's all about the right fats!
Step 4 - Repair - Timeless Beauty
Last but never least. Our Repair: Rich in omegas, botanicals, antioxidants and one of our favorite ingredients - Ectoin. Ectoin is a natural molecule that protects against external stress: think air pollution, temperature changes and UV damage. It helps restore your skin barrier and retain moisture. And that makes it so valuable for skin that is out of balance - whether that means your skin is tight, oily, sensitive or just... doesn't know what it wants.
For sensitive skin, dry skin, and skin in need of repair and rest.
Feel free to try it out, by ordering a sample set first.
