WATER or OIL Based Moisturizer - WHAT’S BETTER?

Like anything in life, the answer is not quite that “cut and dry” (no pun intended) - we wish it was, but it isn’t.

Just as there are many, MANY different types of skin, moisturizers can either help or hurt different skin types. It’s important to understand how a moisturizer is made so that you know which type is best for your skin.

The first thing to know is that flaky skin doesn’t always equal “dry” skin. According to Dr. Kaitlyn Rose in her article on The Derm Review, “dry” and “dehydrated” skin are not the same thing:

“You may think that these two words are synonyms, but they actually indicate two different skin conditions. Dry skin means that your skin produces less sebum than normal. Sebum is the natural oil produced by glands in your skin that functions to lubricate the skin and act as a waterproof barrier. …In contrast, dehydrated skin is caused by a lack of water, not a lack of oil. Specifically, the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) is what becomes depleted…with age, as well as due to factors such as poor diet, excessive sun exposure, makeup, incorrect product use, sensitizing ingredients, and many more.”

She goes on to say that the situation becomes even more confusing, since dehydrated skin actually produces MORE oil in an attempt to help rehydrate the skin, which is actually lacking in water - NOT oil. Ever wondered why your skin feels both dry AND oily simultaneously? Yeah, now you know why!

Ok, so how do I know if I need a water-based or an oil-based moisturizer? Well, let’s break these two down and find out which one will best help your skin type!

What Makes a Moisturizer “WATER-BASED”?

A simple answer to that question is to check the ingredients list. If the first ingredient on the list is “water,” then you have a water based moisturizer!

Keep in mind though that just because a moisturizer says “water-based” does not mean that is has no oil in it. Sometimes, companies will include oil in water-based moisturizers to help lock in moisture, so if you really don’t want any oil, you’ll need to look for an “oil-free” water-based moisturizer.

If you want a lighter moisturizer, water-based is often the route to go. Keep in mind though that most water-based moisturizers do use ingredients such as glycerin, peptides, amino acids, and hyalurnoic acid to help lock moisture into your skin. If you want to avoid any of those ingredients for any reason, look for them in the ingredients list for water-based moisturizers.

What Makes a Moisturizer “OIL-BASED”?

Essentially, if you check the ingredients list and see oil as the first ingredient (like jojoba oil), then you have an oil-based moisturizer. Some are as thick as a “body butter” or a cream, but others can be lighter, more like a “body oil.”

Contrary to popular opinion, just because you struggle with oily skin doesn’t necessarily mean you need an oil-free moisturizer. Not all oils are made equally, so sometimes it’s best to simply find an oil-based

moisturizer that is “lighter” as opposed to a heavy-weight cream. Prioritizing those moisturizers that have essential oils with cleansing, anti-inflammatory properties is also a good idea too.

Which is Best for MY Skin?

Personally, as someone with a mixed skin type (and even someone who struggles with acne on occasion), I STILL prefer oil-based moisturizers, as I find the results tend to be more long-lasting than water-based (and the ingredients, cleaner).

Most of Rooted for Good’s moisturizers are oil-moisturizers (or at least have some oil), but that doesn’t mean it should deter you from assessing your own moisturizing needs and seeing if they might work for you.

Perhaps what you need isn’t necessarily an oil-free moisturizer but a “lighter” oil-based moisturizer. Sometimes, it isn’t that your skin is “too oily” - it’s just that it needs the right oils put on after a proper cleansing to help calm your pores and convince them to not over-produce. Ask me how I know!

Below, I have listed some of my favorite Rooted moisturizers and their best uses:

My Favorite Rooted Moisturizer Options:

HEAVIEST: “Renew Cream” - Beeswax is the first ingredient in the cream moisturizer, followed by Almond and Jojoba oil, so it is definitely on the heavier and oilier side. I like to use it on my hands, arms, legs, and specific areas on my face that are prone to intense drying (and not prone to acne). I also generally use it at night, when my face is not about to face daily dirt and grime.

MID-RANGE: “Rejuvenate” - Rose Hip oil is the main ingredient in this moisturizer. It is not as heavy as a cream, but goes on instead as a light oil, rubbed first into the palms and then applied to the face.

LIGHTEST: “Facial Toner” - This moisturizer does include water but as its second ingredient (so you can be sure of its higher quality, as opposed to a moisturizer with water as the first ingredient). The first is witch hazel, which is known to relieve inflammation, tighten pores, and can reduce acne as well as cleanse your skin of excess oils.

The only other ingredients are anti-inflammatory essential oils. It goes on as a light misty spray, so

definitely an option I reach for on the daily!

That’s all for now! Keep moisturizing!

Living and Learning Together,

Anna Ketterling

¹ https://thedermreview.com/face-moisturizers/water-based-moisturizer-vs-oil-based-moisturizer/

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