The 20 Worst Skincare Ingredients for Oily Skin

Knowing which skincare products to select isn't easy when you have oily skin. Here are five of the worst skincare ingredients for people with oily skin, plus what to choose instead.

1. Alcohol

Many cleansing products use different types of alcohol. When your skin feels oily, you may think that the solution is to strip away the oil with an alcohol-based toner. In reality, alcohol can make your skin produce more oil, not less.

It’s easy to confuse oil and moisture. They’re not the same thing. Alcohol-based cleansers mainly remove water from your skin, leaving it feeling fresh, but only for a moment. Afterward, pores shift oil production into high gear to compensate for the moisture removed.

A better solution is to choose a natural cleanser that gets rid of oil, makeup and dirt, not your skin’s moisture. Toners with aloe vera, salicylic acid, rose water, chamomile, witch hazel or alpha-hydroxy acid are excellent for people who are prone to acne.

Alcohols to avoid in skin products: SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and ethanol.

2. Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum)

Petroleum jelly gives moisturizers and creams a thicker, more luxurious feel. Unfortunately, for people with oily skin, these heavy skincare products can cause many problems:

  • Clogging pores
  • Trapping extra oil
  • Contributing to acne breakouts
  • Not allowing the skin to breathe properly

Other occlusives to avoid: Paraffin, beeswax and mineral oil.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains numerous vitamins and antioxidants that are healthy for the skin. Plus, who can resist that tropical smell when you’re pampering yourself?

If you have oily skin, though, heavier oils such as coconut oil tend to clog pores quickly. Avoid using it on your arms or face. Applying a little to elbows or hands may be OK during winter weather, though.

Lightweight oils are a better choice. They can hydrate your skin and add softness without overdoing it. Grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil and rosehip oil are all good choices.

Heavy oils to avoid: Argan, avocado, camellia, soybean, flaxseed and hazelnut oil, plus cocoa butter and shea butter.

4. Lanolin

Many women love moisturizers and hand creams that contain lanolin. It leaves skin feeling exceptionally soft. The downside is that, like petroleum jelly, it can clog pores and cause acne. People who have sensitive skin may want to avoid it as well because of the possibility of allergic reactions.

5. Silicon

Skincare experts are divided about ingredients such as dimethicone. On the one hand, this oil substitute can give lotions a silky texture and help smooth your skin. On the other hand, silicon forms a protective layer that can trap oil. With this ingredient, you may want to test it out and see the results for yourself.

Common Oily Skin Mistakes To Avoid

To look your best, avoid these common mistakes:

  • Being too rough: Oily skin isn’t invulnerable to damage. You still need to use sunscreen, avoid irritating chemicals and take off your makeup at night.
  • Over-exfoliating: Some exfoliation for getting rid of dead skin and oil is good. Doing it too often hurts your skin and triggers heavier oil production later.
  • Not hydrating: Oily skin still needs moisturizing. Just choose lightweight lotions instead of heavy creams.

There’s nothing wrong with having an oily skin type. With a little cleaning and care, you can rock a healthy glow that wows friends, coworkers and romantic interests.