Skincare routine is an essential part of most of our beauty regimes. And, it’s difficult to find the perfect set of products that work for your skin. One such product that most people have in their routines is a moisturizer.
Of late, water-based moisturizers have gotten extremely popular and are recommended for people with oily skin. But, before we go on to discuss why they’re recommended, it’s important to look into what they are.
What Are Water-Based Moisturizers?
Water-based moisturizers list water as the first ingredient in the ingredients list. These moisturizers are light and don’t have any greasy ingredients.1
Like other moisturizers, water-based moisturizers work by repairing the skin barrier, increasing the skin’s water content, reducing transepidermal water loss, and restoring the lipid barriers’ ability to attract, hold, and redistribute water.2
However, unlike other moisturizers, they aren’t thick and greasy. Of late, most skin care experts have been recommending water-based moisturizers for oily skin.3
Why Use Water-Based Moisturizer On Oily Skin?
Most people believe that oily skin doesn’t require any moisturization. However, experts state that lack of moisturization might dry out the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands and aggravate excessive oil production.
Additionally, sticking to traditional formulations might worsen oily skin.4 This is why it is recommended that people with oily skin try light, water-based moisturizers.5
People with oily skin also tend to be prone to acne. And, acne might cause the skin to peel. Water-based moisturizers tend to provide just enough hydration and don’t clog your pores. Additionally, they evaporate quickly and don’t leave you with greasy skin like most other formulations.6
Certain studies indicate that these moisturizers leave your skin with a cooling effect since they evaporate quickly. They are also believed to have an antipruritic (anti-itching) effect, which makes them a good option if you have sensitive skin that is prone to sunburns and allergic reactions.7
So, whether you have oily skin throughout the year, or have skin that gets oily towards the more humid months of the year, you should consider trying a water-based moisturizer. And, if you tend to make skincare products at home, there’s an easy way to make a water-based moisturizer as well.8
Make A Water-Based Moisturizer At Home
Although the term makes it seem complicated, simple ingredients can double up as a good moisturizer. Here’s how you can go about making it.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
- 1/2 tablespoon green tea essential oil
- 4 drops tea tree oil
- 4 drops lavender oil
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Adjust the measurements according to desired consistency.
- Store in a glass jar away from sunlight.
If you’d like a thinner, more toner-like consistency, then substitute aloe vera gel with 4 tablespoons of aloe vera juice. Aloe vera is light and has several skin benefits. It reduces inflammation, prevents bacterial flare-ups, softens skin, protects against UV damage, prevents skin infections, and heals allergic reactions. Additionally, it enhances the penetration of ingredients in the skin, so it’s a good base for this moisturizer.9
Green tea and tea tree oil in this recipe prevent acne breakouts and excessive sebum production.10 11 Glycerin is believed to improve skin barrier function and rejuvenate skin.12 And, lavender oil heals wounds and keeps skin healthy.13 However, these ingredients might lead to an allergic reaction so be sure to do a patch test before you apply this moisturizer on your skin.
If you decide to shop for a water-based moisturizer online, you could try looking for options that include a sunscreen as well. If your skin tends to break out easily, look for noncomedogenic and hypoallergic options.
References
