In the world of beauty and skincare, one piece of advice seems to echo louder than the rest: “Always moisturise.” From glossy magazine pages to influencer reels and skincare advertisements, moisturising has become almost synonymous with good skincare. But is it truly suitable for every skin type? And could it be that for some of us, moisturiser is doing more harm than good?
Let’s dig deeper into the science behind skin types and why this well-meaning advice might not be as universal as it seems.
The Myth of “One-Size-Fits-All” Moisturising
Moisturisers are designed to either hydrate the skin or lock in moisture. But here’s the catch: if your skin doesn't need that extra help, slathering on cream after cream could disrupt your natural skin function. Our skin is an intelligent, self-regulating organ. When healthy, it produces its own protective oils (sebum) and maintains hydration through a balanced lipid barrier.
By constantly applying moisturiser, especially on skin that doesn’t actually need it, you may inadvertently signal your skin to become lazy—reducing its own oil production and weakening the skin’s ability to self-regulate. This can lead to dependency on moisturisers, dull texture, or even breakouts.
Understanding Skin Types and Their Moisturising Needs
Let’s break it down:
Oily Skin
People with oily skin often feel the need to “balance” their oil production with a moisturiser. However, many moisturisers—even those labelled as oil-free—can clog pores and worsen acne or congestion. If your skin is overproducing oil, it might be compensating for harsh cleansers or over-exfoliation. Instead of moisturising, oily skin often benefits more from a hydrating toner or serum with humectants like hyaluronic acid, followed by a light, non-comedogenic SPF.
Combination Skin
This tricky skin type tends to have both dry and oily zones. Applying a moisturiser uniformly across the face can throw off this delicate balance. It’s better to take a targeted approach—perhaps using a lightweight serum all over and applying moisturiser only where it's genuinely needed (e.g. dry patches on the cheeks).
Acne-Prone Skin
Many people with acne are told their skin is “dehydrated” and in need of moisture. But in many cases, acne-prone skin reacts negatively to occlusive moisturisers, which trap sebum and bacteria. The focus here should be on skin barrier repair and gentle hydration, using products with niacinamide, panthenol, or aloe vera, and avoiding heavy creams unless prescribed.
Dry Skin
This is the one skin type that does benefit most consistently from moisturising. However, the key is choosing the right type of moisturiser—preferably one with a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusives. For extremely dry or compromised skin, skipping moisturiser can lead to cracking, flaking, and irritation.
Normal Skin
If you have normal skin with no significant dry or oily patches, your skin may not need a daily moisturiser—especially not in the warmer months. Instead, focus on hydration through serums and maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier with gentle cleansers and sun protection.
What to Do Instead of Moisturising
If you’re questioning your moisturiser (and you should if your skin feels congested, dull, or unbalanced), consider these alternatives:
Hydrate with lightweight serums – Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or polyglutamic acid which draw water into the skin without heavy oils.
Balance with facial mists or toners – Especially after cleansing, this helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Repair the barrier – Use barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, squalane, or niacinamide in lightweight formulations.
Protect, not smother – Use a high-quality sunscreen daily to protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Tailor your routine – Rather than applying the same product every day, assess what your skin actually needs. Some days it might need more hydration, other days it might simply need rest.
Listen to Your Skin, Not the Marketing
The beauty industry thrives on the concept of daily routines and must-have products. But your skin’s needs are far more nuanced. Rather than following blanket rules, it’s essential to observe, experiment, and adjust. If your skin feels smooth, plump, and non-irritated without moisturiser—there’s no need to force it.
Remember: healthy skin doesn’t necessarily mean glazed, ultra-dewy Instagram skin. Sometimes, less truly is more.
Moisturiser is not the villain—but it’s not the universal hero either. Like all things in skincare, it comes down to your unique skin. Understanding your skin type, supporting its natural processes, and avoiding unnecessary products can go a long way in achieving that elusive “glow.”
So next time you’re tempted by a trendy new moisturiser promising miracles, pause and ask yourself: Does my skin actually need this?
