There are few skincare woes as tiresome or triggering as a sudden bout of oiliness, turning what was once a well executed glow into an excessively shiny forehead, smudged, patchy cheeks and for a light-reflecting sheen to monopolise your entire t-zone.
Trust me, I've been there. And, despite testing myriad formulas to combat oily skin, stocking up on shine-minimising powder foundations and packing mini setting sprays into my handbag, my skin is somehow resolute in rendering itself shiny no matter what.
There are of course a slew of mattifying moisturisers claiming to rid me of my oil-prone complexion, but the majority are brimming with drying, irritating ingredients that only strip the skin barrier, with none that can truly mitigate the sheen in the first place nor regulate the oil production throughout the day; until now, that is.
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First, what causes oily skin?
'Oily skin is primarily caused by excess oil production by the sebaceous glands. This is mostly under the influence of genetics, however, it can be aggravated by hormonal fluctuations (such as during puberty and the menstrual cycle), environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, diets rich in processed foods, dairy, and skincare that is overly drying,' shares CeraVe Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Derrick Phillips.
The problem with oily skin is that it's a topic that's still shrouded with mystery and misconceptions. For instance, you might have heard that if you have oily skin applying another layer oil is a no-no, or that moisturising might aggravate your dermis; perhaps that double (or triple) cleansing is a must, and that your shiny skin is a mere byproduct of dehydration. None of these are factually correct. As Dr Phillips explains, oily skin is a result of overproduction of sebum due to genetics and lifestyle factors; using harsh, overly drying cleansers and skincare products will cause dehydration and further oil production as the skin attempts to compensate for the lack of moisture, but they're not the root cause.
Another major misconception about oily skin is that it doesn't actually need to be moisturised. 'Skipping this important step can lead to dehydration and more oil production as the skin tries to compensate,' says Dr Phillips. Then there's the one about extra cleansing, when actually, over-washing your face can strip the skin of its natural oils and damage your skin barrier over time.
What is the CeraVe Oil-Control Moisturising Gel?
This is of course where CeraVe's latest innovation comes in –an easy-to-use oil-control moisturiser that's pioneering a new approach to tackling the shiny stuff. How does it work? 'It targets and absorbs oil production through the inclusion of oil-absorbing ingredients like silica, which helps to mattify the skin and reduce shine,' notes Dr Phillips. 'Additionally, it contains niacinamide to regulate sebum production and ceramides to repair and restore the skin barrier function.'
How does it differ from other oil-control creams?
There are a number of things that instantly set this high-tech, fuss-free moisturiser apart from its counterparts. For starters, there's the ingredients list. 'The formula incorporates a unique combination of ceramides, niacinamide, and MVE Technology for sustained hydration and skin barrier restoration while controlling oil production. The formulation also includes silica for immediate mattifying effects, which is not always present in other oil-control products,' shares Dr Phillips.
An unsung skincare hero, silica acts like a sponge to soak up any excess oil on the skin's surface which, for us oily skin types, means keeping your make-up in tact and looking glowy not shiny throughout the day.
In addition to reducing shine and oil production, the gel-like cream also hydrates and nourishes your skin helping to maintain and restore the skin's natural barrier, while soothing niacinamide helps reduce inflammation.
My verdict: Is the CeraVe Oil-Control Moisturising Gel worth the hype?
It's no secret that CeraVe has a loyal fan base. In fact, it's not unusual for the fuss-free, yet efficacious formulas to go viral on TikTok only to subsequently sell out everywhere, so it's no wonder that the latest innovation has arrived to great fanfare.
But does it live up to the hype? I've been secretly trialling this moisturiser and using it every day prior to its launch, rigorous in my testing to see if it can truly deliver results; particularly during office days when my skin is up against a hot commute, bouts of air con, and running between meetings. Over a couple of months, I've definitely seen an improvement in shine and oiliness, and the days where my make-up slips and slides around my T-zone post-lunch are now few and far between.
As for the texture, a drying, overly matte finish it is not. It's lightweight and gel-like and sits happily under a full face of make-up. My skin feels nourished and hydrated without any of the dryness or irritation usually synonymous with oil-control creams.
Though I know I can't necessarily 'get rid' of my oily skin (it's down to genetics and lifestyle factors, after all), this moisturiser certainly works hard to minimise oil production and reduce shine. I'm not looking for a perfect, filter-inspired finish; more for my make-up and skin to look radiant rather than oily – and this is certainly the cream for the job.
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Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.