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YOU'RE NOT OILY,

You’re dehydrated. Here’s the difference.

By Gloria, skincare label decoder and accidental oil slick

For years, I was convinced I had oily skin. Like, midday shine, foundation sliding off, constant blotting kind of oily. So I did what we’ve all done: foaming cleansers, weekly clay masks, gel moisturizers so light they basically evaporated. But no matter what I used, my skin never looked calm. It looked… shiny and tight. Sometimes flaky. Sometimes breakout-y. Always confused. Then someone said the sentence that changed my routine forever: “You’re not oily. You’re dehydrated.” And just like that, it all clicked.

YOU'RE NOT OILY,You’re dehydrated. Here’s the difference.

Oil ≠ Hydration (And your skin knows the difference)

Let’s clear something up: Oil and water are not the same thing. Your skin can be swimming in oil and still be thirsty.

  • Oily skin = your skin produces more sebum (oil). That’s genetic.
  • Dehydrated skin = your skin is lacking water. That’s temporary, and often caused by stripping products, climate, or overwashing.

So when your barrier is compromised or thirsty, it freaks out — and compensates by producing more oil. You think “I’m oily,” but really? Your skin is begging you to hydrate.

What dehydrated skin looks like (Even if you shine)

Dehydrated skin can wear a hundred disguises:

  • Tightness after cleansing, even if you look glowy
  • Redness or irritation around your nose and cheeks
  • Texture that feels bumpy or rough under makeup
  • Shiny forehead + dry patches elsewhere
  • Breakouts that show up even when you’re doing “everything right”

I had all of this, and I blamed my products, my hormones, my stress. But really, I was just drying my face out while thinking I was helping it.

How I rebalanced my skin (without going full moisture queen)

Once I understood what was actually happening, I flipped my routine:

  • I ditched my foaming cleanser and switched to a jelly one that cleanses without stripping.
  • I added a jelly cream with glycerin, panthenol, and trehalose (hydrating queens).
  • I gave exfoliants a break and focused on calming and rebuilding.
  • I started misting when I felt tight, not reapplying powder.

Within a week, my skin stopped panicking. The breakouts slowed. My face felt juicy, not greasy. I still got a little glow by 3 p.m., but it was the good kind. You know?

You might just need water

If your skin feels shiny and sensitive, oily and tight, you’re probably not oily. You’re just over it and under-hydrated.

And that’s okay. Your skin doesn’t need to be controlled. It needs to be listened to.

So here’s your sign to stop mattifying and start moisturizing.

Hydrate first, glow naturally, and remember: shine is not the enemy, dehydration is.

Final thought: Jelly textures forever. Barrier first, always.

And maybe… throw out that clay mask you’ve had since 2020.