The Skin Nerd: Should you hydrate oily skin?

Summer is a tricky time for oily skin, it might produce excess sebum, but it can still lack moisture

It might seem counterintuitive but oily skin can experience dehydration.

Sunshine is good for the soul, but humidity can spell an increase in sebum production – a summertime nuisance for oily-skinned folk. Our skin can naturally feel a little greasier in the warmer months but that’s not an invitation to skip the skincare steps that hydrate your skin.

First off, it’s important to understand sebum’s role in maintaining healthy skin. Sebum, aka oil, is the waxy substance that’s produced by our sebaceous glands. In essence, sebum sits on the surface and “waterproofs” the skin to prevent moisture loss through the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.