How to Properly Moisturize Oily Skin

Find out how to use the right products for balanced, acne-free skin.
by Eden Univer,

Teen Vogue

Get a flawless face like this model backstage at the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2013 runway show.
Get a flawless face like this model backstage at the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2013 runway show.

Do you scour the shelves for only oil-free products, avoiding even a drop of the slick stuff? Is leaving the house without your blotting papers just not an option? Oily skin can seem hard to take care of, but us greasy girls may be overcorrecting (or over-thinking!) the problem. It all comes down to choosing the right products for your skin type and knowing how much to apply.

Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center, is here to help. He's breaking down what to look for on an ingredients list, how to moisturize properly, and when to know if a little oil in your routine is a-okay.

See more:4 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Facial

You don't always have to go oil-free, but if it feels right for your skin, it probably is.
"The choice in moisturizer really depends on skin type and personal preference," explains Dr. Zeichner. "The overwhelming majority of people with acne have oily skin, so using a traditional moisturizer may feel heavy. For that reason, an oil-free product that uses an ingredient called dimethicone rather than petrolatum (which is the oil in traditional moisturizers) would be preferred. Plus, the dimethicone and other mattifying ingredients contained in certain oil-free moisturizers can help absorb oil and make your face appear less shiny."

If you choose a product that contains oil, make sure it's the right kind.
"Cosmetic grade petrolatum should be non-comedogenic, meaning that it shouldn't cause pimples. Many traditional moisturizers will be labeled as non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic if they've been tested."

See more:5 Skin Habits to Break Now

Less is more when it comes to applying products.
"Acne patients have a tendency to over-wash, over-scrub, and over-exfoliate. They also often over-treat with acne medications, both over-the-counter and prescription. Start with about two pumps from the average pump dispensed bottle of facial moisturizer or about a chick pea sized amount. As for medications, use a little less-a green pea amount. Dot the moisturizer on the face, on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. Then, rub in or connect-the-dots. By applying this way, you can spread the moisturizer further while using less."

More fromTeen Vogue:
Top 5 Makeup Mistakes and How to Fix Them
10 Quick Ways to Pump Up Your Ponytail
100 Festival Nail Polish Hues for Winter
9 Blunt Bangs Ideas for Your Next Haircut Inspired the Stars