If you have oily skin, you may have been told that you do not need to moisturize your skin. However, moisturizing is extremely important for all skin types, including oily skin. Some may even argue it is especially important to moisturize with oily skin.

As someone with oily skin, you may be concerned that moisturizer will make your skin more oily. On the contrary, moisturizer helps hydrate skin and help it retain its own moisture more effectively, so it may not need to produce as much oil to stay supple. Because having dry skin forces skin to produce more oil, using a moisturizer may actually allow skin to produce less oil.

However, there is a limit to how much moisture needs to be added to oily skin. For example, you may find that applying moisturizer in the morning makes skin become shinier and more slick throughout the day. Most people with oily skin find their skin produces oil throughout the day, leaving it shiny and greasy by early afternoon or evening. If this is the case for you, it may be best to moisturize at night, after washing your face, so your moisturizer can nourish your skin throughout the night, then get washed off in the morning. This way your skin is only getting “shiny” and “greasy” during the hours when you are not in public, but your skin is still reaping the rewards of a good moisturizer.

Others may find that applying a light moisturizer in the morning actually halts the excess production of oil throughout the day. This is a worthy experiment for anyone with oily skin: On a day when you have little to do and few people to see, apply a moisturizer in the morning after washing your face, then see how oil production progresses throughout the day. If you find the same amount of oil or less than usual by the afternoon or evening, you have successfully added a moisturizer into your morning routine. If not, try the nighttime technique outlined above.

It is also important to choose the correct moisturizer for your oily skin type. Most people with oily skin do not need a thick or oil-based moisturizer. Look for one that contains no oils and has a light consistency. You may also consider a serum, which is considerably lighter than most moisturizers, and absorbs more fully into the skin without leaving a film, or a slick or greasy finish. Apply a small amount at first to see how your skin’s oil production responds, then increase the amount used until you are using the recommended amount on the packaging.

Most importantly, it is essential to do what works for your unique skin. A moisturizer that works for one person may not work as well for someone else, even if both have an oily skin type. Applying moisturizer in the morning may work better for some, while applying moisturizer at night will work better for others. Experiment with your routine until you find the moisturizer and time of day that works best for you, and gives you the best results.

Do you have oily skin? If so, do you use a moisturizer? Comment below to share your experiences with our other readers!