Summer-Proof Your Way to Clearer Skin

Summer months translate into short sleeves, sandals, and a less-is-more approach to skincare. If you’re prone to oiliness and breakouts, it could be easy to assume you don’t need any additional ‘moisture’ due to the temperature rising and increased humidity. But, Dr. Murad says moisturisers are musts regardless of skin type and season. “I tell my patients to think of them as hydrators that keep skin and the microbiome healthy and in balance, which can help decrease oiliness and prevent breakouts.” Why? Because skin might be over-producing oil to compensate for a lack of hydration, especially if you’re treating with intense oil-controlling or breakout-clearing ingredients. To find the best face moisturiser for oily skin that hydrates without feeling greasy or amplifying shine (and summer-proof!), follow these tips.

Don’t skip moisturiser
Every skin type needs hydration from moisturisers—even oily and blemish-prone skin types. Why? Hydration is the amount of water in your skin, and it can be low no matter how much oil you have on the surface. Moisturising skin helps it retain this water, keeping it balanced, protected, smooth and luminous.

Keep it Light
With higher temperatures, skin has less of a need for winter’s thick, heavy creams. Switch them out for a lightweight moisturiser or gel hydrator containing ultra-lightweight hyaluronic acid.

Look for key words
Oil-free, non-comedogenic, water-light, ultra-light, and gel indicate a texture that’s suited to oily skin.

Avoid these words
Rich, creamy, and heavyweight are not for oily and breakout-prone skin types. (They’re more for supremely dry and dehydrated skin types who need the extra oil.)

Know your ingredients
Ingredient all-star salicylic acid (a Beta Hydroxy Acid) has long been a dermatologist favourite for oily skin types. At certain percentages, salicylic acid helps gently exfoliate the upper layer of the skin to help keep pores clear and unblocked. It also helps refine and smooth. Hyaluronic acid is a must in moisturisers for oily skin because it hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy, and it won’t clog pores.

Enter: Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel by Murad contains innovative Korean red pine extract that helps prevent our skin’s bacteria from causing an imbalance (which can lead to irritation that triggers breakouts). This light-weight moisturiser checks all the boxes for blemish-prone skin: it hydrates with weightless, non-greasy hyaluronic acid, it balances your skin’s microbiome to minimize impurities that lead to breakouts, and it calms to deliver soothing relief to red, irritated skin.