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How Do I Choose the Best Night Cream for Oily Skin?

Andrea Cross
Andrea Cross

Many people with oily skin find that their skin can still be dry. Night creams are subsequently recommended even to people with oily skin in order to keep it properly moisturized. If you have oily skin, you want a night cream that hydrates your skin without making it even oilier. When choosing the best night cream for oily skin, there are ingredients that you should look for and some that you should avoid.

You want to choose a night cream that is less of a cream and more of a gel or a lotion. These formulas tend to be much lighter than creams and are less likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts. You should choose a cream that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids and retinol. These ingredients help to remove dead skin cells, keeping your pores clear and reducing excess oil. They have good antiaging properties and help to reduce any fine lines or wrinkles.

Night creams may be used to keep skin moisturized.
Night creams may be used to keep skin moisturized.

Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide are also ingredients to look for in a night cream for oily skin. These help to keep your skin moisturized without encouraging it to produce excess sebum. If you find that your skin is prone to breakouts, then choose a lotion that also contains calcium, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, and manganese, which has a cooling effect on inflamed skin. Maracuja, the extract of passion fruit, which contains linoleic acid, reduces your skin's production of oil while moisturizing it. Wax from the babassu palm is also a helpful ingredient, working as both an anti-inflammatory and a moisturizer.

People who experience frequent breakouts should obtain night creams with oil-free formulas.
People who experience frequent breakouts should obtain night creams with oil-free formulas.

When choosing a night cream for oily skin, look for oil-free formulas, and check the ingredients listed on the back label. Products with oil usually make your skin even oilier and can clog pores. You should also choose lotions that do not contain parabens or petrolatum because these can irritate and inflame the skin. This is especially true if you have skin that breaks out easily. Also, avoid products with alcohol because, although it can act as an astringent and help remove oil from your skin, it can also be highly irritating and inflammatory.

The extract from golden passion fruit is sometimes included in night creams.
The extract from golden passion fruit is sometimes included in night creams.

Look for creams that advertise themselves specifically as being night creams for oily skin. Many popular brands produce specially designed versions providing you with a good amount of choice. You may have to try several before you find the one that works the best for you, but many companies offer free sample sizes for you to try.

Discussion Comments

SarahGen

I just started using a gel cream at night with burdock extract in it. It's great, light but hydrating. And burdock extract is supposed to balance sebum production.

fify

@anamur-- I had the same problem and then I started using a night and day cream line for oily skin from the same brand. Both of the creams are oil-free and don't break me out. But the night cream is more moisturizing, so it works perfect.

Oily skin is problematic and unless you use products especially formulated for this skin type, it will have adverse effects. Look at brands that offer both day and night cream for different skin types. It might cost you a little more than usual, but it's worth it.

serenesurface

I have combination to oily skin and I'm using an oil-free lotion for day and night. It's fine during the day, but it doesn't seem to be enough for night. When I wake up at night, my skin feels very tight and dry.

I've tried using a night cream but it was too heavy and it made me break out. I'm very confused about what I'm supposed to do.

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    • Night creams may be used to keep skin moisturized.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Night creams may be used to keep skin moisturized.
    • People who experience frequent breakouts should obtain night creams with oil-free formulas.
      By: Cheryl Casey
      People who experience frequent breakouts should obtain night creams with oil-free formulas.
    • The extract from golden passion fruit is sometimes included in night creams.
      The extract from golden passion fruit is sometimes included in night creams.
    • Night cream.
      By: picsfive
      Night cream.