History is full of inseparable pairs. Peanut Butter & Jelly. Bert & Ernie. Hall & Oates. Thelma & Louise. Chips & Salsa. Without one another, it’s just not quite the same.
For your skin, it’s oil and water. One you make, one you can’t. Getting the balance right is the key to keeping the dry and blotch at bay this season.
All skin needs Oil Moisture and Water Moisture to function properly and do everything from looking and feeling great today to combating premature aging tomorrow. Depleted or imbalanced hydration — lacking either oil or water — is the first thing that causes our skin to go dull and rapidly accelerates aging (those fine lines…).
Skin that’s missing or being robbed of the moisture it needs — whether by environmental factors like pollution, heating systems, frequent travel, or simply the wrong skincare routine for the season — actually weakens and sensitizes the skin. Simply put, it puts the skin in a cranky state that doesn’t react well to much. It becomes defenseless to heal and protect itself from damage, and those common skin concerns like rough texture, redness, overly dry and oily patches, and even acne start to appear. And harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, neglect, or the wrong products don’t help the cause. So here is what you need to know about water vs. oil in your skin.
What is the relationship between water and the skin?
Water. When your skin lacks it, it’s dehydrated. We’re made of roughly 70% water, but our skin does not produce water moisture on its own — it only receives it from internal hydration and water-based moisturizers. Younger skin holds onto water more easily, but winter radiators, dry air, travel, and temperature changes can quickly dehydrate the skin.
What happens when the skin is dehydrated?
It compensates by creating the only moisture it knows how to create — oil. So now we’re dry, but oily. We fight the oil by overcorrecting with the wrong products or habits, but the underlying issue is still dehydration.
What is the relationship between oil and the skin?
When your skin lacks it, it’s dry. Skin produces oil naturally and needs oil moisture for strength, elasticity, and proper function. Dry skin types produce very little oil. Normal skin produces an average amount. Oily skin produces more. As we age, oil production slows down, and in winter, it slows even further. Harsh cleansers, over-exfoliating, or using too many acne-focused products can also strip essential oil.
What happens when the skin lacks oil?
It becomes sensitized — breakouts, irritation, blotchiness, and other concerns become more common. Over time, a lack of natural oil can weaken the skin's barrier, making it harder to retain water. The cycle continues.
Okay, this makes sense. So what can I do to make sure I stay balanced?
The best thing to do is to review your routine and adjust it for winter. Speak with a Skin Therapist to find the ingredients best suited for your skin type.
On the water front, ensure your cleanser is gentle and hydrating. Add a hydrating serum and/or richer moisturizer to your routine. Moisturize morning and night (your combo SPF/moisturizer is great for daytime, but you may need extra hydration). Use a hydrating mask once or twice a week.
On the oil front, just a few drops of a facial oil suited for your skin type can help combat dryness, prevent dehydration, and keep the skin calm. “I’m already oily, how can I use an oil?” Adaptogenic oils can help regulate overproduction of oil. A little goes a long way.
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It may feel like we’re mincing words between "dry" and "dehydrated," since the symptoms can appear similar. But understanding the difference is key to identifying your own ideal balance of water and oil — and keeping your skin happy, healthy, and glowing through the duller months of the year.
