Combination to oily skin: Why and how should you moisturize it properly?

Moisturizing plays a key role inregulating sebum and preventing acne breakouts and other blemishes. But it’s important to choose the right moisturizers —ones that respect the skin’s natural balance without smothering it or clogging pores. Follow our guide, where we explain why and how to naturally moisturize oily, combination, or acne-prone skin.

Why is my facial skin oily and dehydrated?

Oily skin is the result of excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands. It is generally influenced by genetics, hormonal fluctuations (during adolescence or menstruation, for example), or lifestyle factors (stress, lack of sleep, an unbalanced diet, etc.). Using products that are unsuitable or too harsh also tends to cause the skin to produce more sebum as a protective measure.

But did you know that excess sebum production can also be caused by a lack of hydration? That’s right—even though it may seem counterintuitive, it’s possible for your face to be both oily and dehydrated. The problem is that dehydration makes oily skin worse, because the skin naturally tries to compensate for the lack of water by boosting sebum production even more. That’s why you shouldn’t neglect to moisturize your oily or combination skin with anti-blemish products can lead to more acne and an even oilier, shinier, and rougher complexion.

Why is it necessary to moisturize oily, combination, or acne-prone skin?

1. For clear, matte skin

Dehydrated skin compensates by producing more sebum… and that’s how unwanted shine, breakouts, and other blemishes appear. By properly moisturizing your oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, you help it regulate itself naturally.

2. To reduce redness and irritation

The best moisturizers for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin are formulated with soothing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory active ingredients (such as zinc PCA,salicylic acid,pure silver, oravocado extract) that help calm redness, reduce acne-related irritation, and prevent new breakouts.

3. To strengthen the skin barrier

Pollution, UV rays, bacteria… Our skin faces many daily challenges. Well-hydrated skin is healthier and more resilient, and it heals better—especially after an acne breakout.

4. For a radiant complexion

Combination to oily skin can sometimes look dull or have unexpected dry patches. Maintaining proper hydration naturally helps give the complexion a healthy glow.

How can you naturally moisturize oily skin?

✔️ Go for lightweight textures

Thick or overly rich creams can clog pores and lead to breakouts. To moisturize oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, choose products with a light texture (gel, emulsion, or fluid) that preferably contain a high percentage of natural ingredients: they provide just the right amount of moisture without feeling heavy or leaving an oily residue.

❌ Avoid skincare products that are too drying or harsh

Avoid alcohol-based products, which weaken the skin barrier, dry out the skin, and cause it to produce more sebum. Don’t wash your face too often (more than twice a day), and use a gentle, soap-free facial cleanser to cleanse the skin without drying it out. Also, don’t overdo facial exfoliation (twice a week at most). You should never exfoliate if you have acne: in that case, opt instead for a purifying and mattifying mask. It will help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores without risking aggravating or irritating the inflammation of your pimples.

✔️ Choose moisturizers that are suitable for oily skin

Use non-comedogenic, anti-blemish, and mattifying moisturizers. Specially formulated to thoroughly hydrate oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, they combine emollient and humectant ingredients (squalane, glycerin, etc.) with active ingredients that have purifying, soothing, and sebum-regulating properties, such as:

• Zinc PCA (reduces excess sebum, has an antibacterial effect, and refines skin texture).
• Salicylic acid (clears pores without irritating the skin).
• Oleanolic acid and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (provide instant and long-lasting mattifying effects).
• Pure silver (stabilizes the skin's microflora).
• Avocado extract (regulates sebum production and soothes inflammation).

✔️ Moisturize daily, morning and night

Like all skin types, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin needs to be moisturized every day, morning and night. Our tip? Apply your moisturizer to slightly damp skin after cleansing or after using a targeted treatment or the Anti-Imperfection Serum you use one) to better lock in moisture.

❌ Never skip sunscreen

Frequent exposure to the sun without protection weakens the skin’s barrier. As a result, the water in the skin can evaporate quickly, leading to dehydration and, over the long term, excessive sebum production. That’s why moisturizing combination-to-oily skin also involves applying sunscreen to protect it from the harmful effects of UV rays and limit water loss.

✔️ Drink enough water

Drink enough water (at least 1.5 to 2 liters a day) and eat as balanced a diet as possible, because natural hydration also comes from within.

Which NUHANCIAM products should you choose to moisturize oily, combination, or acne-prone skin?

Anti-Blemish Emulsion – 95% naturally derived ingredients
A non-comedogenic moisturizer with a light, non-sticky texture that is applied in small dabs to quench the skin’s thirst while treating blemishes. Keeps skin hydrated for 8 hours.

The Matifying and Unifying Fluid – 92% naturally derived ingredients
A sebum-balancing, non-comedogenic treatment with a lightweight texture that minimizes the appearance of pores and makes it easier to apply makeup. Perfect for mattifying combination to oily skin while providing just the right amount of hydration.

💡 Complementary products for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin:

The Dermo-Purifying Gel Cleanser : Formulated without soap, it cleanses and removes impurities without irritating the skin, and prepares it for moisturizing.

The Purifying Radiance Mask : a face mask that gently purifies and mattifies without drying out the skin.

The Blemish Eraser : This targeted concealer quickly and effectively reduces blemishes like small, isolated pimples (the kind that pop up on the tip of your nose the night before an important date) or ingrown hairs—always right where they hurt the most…

The Anti-Imperfection Serum : a lightweight formula enriched with anti-blemish active ingredients to effectively regulate sebum production while visibly improving the skin’s condition.

The Invisible Cream : a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and doesn't leave white streaks.