Dewy Vs Oily Skin
We’ve seen a significant shift in makeup trends over the last 10 years.
For example, most of us remember the days when matte skin was all the rage.
No matter your skin type, it seemed that everyone was layering powder on top of powder.
Nowadays, it’s all about the glow. Dewy skin is on the rise, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
Dewy skin lets us embrace our natural oils and helps us look natural, healthy, and hydrated.
But what’s the difference between dewy skin and oily skin?
Oily skin will look shiny all over the face, and your sebaceous glands produce the shine. Dewy skin is hydrated and moisturized, creating a glow-from-within look in all the right places, rather than having a shine all over the face.
No matter your skin type, you can find a way to make dewy skin work for you, even if you have naturally oily skin.
While dewy skin may not suit everyone’s taste, it’s a stunning look that makes your skin look healthy and adds dimension. So, how can you make dewy skin work for you?
Dewy Skin Meaning
Dewy skin essentially means your skin is healthy, smooth, and hydrated. It usually reflects light, creating a gentle glow.
Dewy skin can be achieved with or without makeup. You can quickly get your skin to look dewy with lifestyle swaps.
According to Healthline and Dermatologist Annie Gonzalez, MD, “The supple look that many associate with dewy skin is actually, in part, a result of light bouncing off the water your cells are retaining.”
It’s essential to keep your skin nourished and hydrated to achieve a dewy finish. With the proper skincare routine, lifestyle choices, or makeup products, anyone can achieve dewy skin.
Dewey vs. Oily
Dewy skin has a natural shine that creates a healthy-looking skin complexion. The skin feels nourished and moisturized.

Dewy skin is often associated with glass skin. Glass skin is a complexion free of blemishes and offers a little more glow than dewy skin.
However, your face doesn’t need to be free of imperfections; instead, dewy skin helps embrace your skin type.
Oily skin is the result of your sebaceous glands producing an excess amount of oil.
This will result in your skin feeling/looking greasy and having noticeable pores or blemishes.
Your skin may feel congested or clogged.
However, some of the biggest misconceptions are that oily skin shouldn’t be moisturized and that this skin type can’t achieve a dewy complexion.
Overall, dewy skin offers a natural, healthy complexion that all skin types can achieve, while oily skin is more prone to oil production and blemishes.
Dewy Skin For All Skin Types
How can you achieve dewy skin? Of course, like everything related to beauty, you’ll want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This includes eating a well-balanced diet and daily physical activity. However, dewy skin can also be achieved with proper skincare.
Each skin type will have different needs when it comes to skincare.
However, a few things every skin type needs, no matter what, are a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF.
With these products alone, you’ll be on the right track to achieving dewy skin.
SPF will help you turn back the clock, protect your skin from harsh external elements like the sun, and add an extra layer of glow or hydration.
Dry
If you have dry skin, you’ll want to include moisturizing products in your routine.
Opt for products containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to keep your skin barrier healthy and help retain moisture in the face.
Also, don’t forget to moisturize and apply SPF.
Sensitive
People with sensitive skin should keep their routine minimal to avoid irritation.
Sensitive skin can also benefit from incorporating ceramides into its routine to repair the skin barrier or help prevent further irritation. Apply moisturizer and SPF.
Combination/Normal
Combination or Normal skin types can get by with the essential products.
If you’re combo, treat your skin where it’s oily like it’s oily, and where it’s dry, treat it like it’s dry.
It’s that simple. Normal skin can stick to the core skincare products for the best results. Don’t overload your face with product.
Oily
Oily skin needs moisture, too! Skipping moisturizer will only result in your skin producing even more oil.
So, to keep oil at bay, opt for a lightweight or gel moisturizer. Apply SPF and keep an SPF-setting powder on hand to blot the face throughout the day.
Acne-Prone
Acne-prone skin may experience discoloration, irritation, and texture issues.
Incorporate a color-correcting treatment that contains SPF, moisturize the skin, and apply a tinted SPF if you need more coverage but don’t want to overload the skin with makeup.
Don’t forget to moisturize, either. Acne-prone skin can benefit from chemical exfoliants like AHAs/BHAs.
However, always wear sunscreen when using exfoliants or retinol, as they can increase sensitivity to the sun.
Dewy Skin Tips For Oily Skin
Oily skin can still achieve a dewy complexion. Of course, you might need to add a few things to your routine or strategically apply your products, but the result is worth it.
Soon enough, these minor changes will become second nature, and you’ll be able to keep your oil at bay.
1. Layer Matte And Dewy Products
You can layer matte and dewy makeup or skincare products in multiple ways to customize your flawless skin finish.
For example, layer a matte makeup primer, a dewy foundation, and a matte powder.
Or, layer a dewy primer and matte foundation/powder.
For skincare, layer a gel moisturizer under an oil-control SPF. The possibilities are endless, so don’t shy away from mixing matte or dewy products.
If you find that the end product isn’t dewy enough, we suggest setting it with a dewy setting spray.
2. Touch Ups
Always keep an SPF powder on hand. Keep one in your car, purse, home, work, etc.
An SPF powder will not only let you touch up and blot oil away throughout the day, but also help you reapply sunscreen to ensure your skin is protected.

3. Highlight Strategically
If you are going to highlight, use vaseline, or apply dewy products to the skin, you can do so strategically.
For example, apply these products to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones.
Or, you can use them wherever you are the least oily.
Then, set your oiliest parts with powder. Finally, you are left with dimensional skin because you highlight the features you want to be dewy and keep the areas that are too oily matte.
This tip will help you achieve a balance between dew and oil.
4. Don’t Forget To Moisturize
If you have oily skin, never skip moisturizer. Oil doesn’t equal moisture, and the skin needs moisture to regulate oil production.
So, not moisturizing will lead to an overproduction of oil. Moisturizers won’t clog the pores or make you even greasier.
Instead, moisturizers will support the skin barrier and keep oil production in check, resulting in a more balanced complexion.
Opt for a lightweight gel moisturizer that will quickly absorb into the face.
This is the best option for oily skin since it won’t feel heavy or greasy.
You will want to moisturize both in the morning and at night to keep the skin nourished.
5. Experiment To Find Balance
Last but not least, have patience. Maybe you won’t find the perfect product or lifestyle combo overnight.
However, experimenting with new methods, products, and habits can help you determine what strategies work for you.
Other Tips
Cream Products
Working with cream makeup products will help achieve a healthy, natural complexion.
They blend seamlessly into the skin and can be set with translucent powder and a dewy finish setting spray.
Applying a lip balm and gloss to the mouth can also create that dewy skin illusion.
Vaseline And Healing Ointments
All skin types can use Vaseline as a highlighter if you’re not wearing makeup, applying it to the highest points to achieve a seamless-looking glow without glitter or shimmer.
Vaseline, Aquaphor, or healing ointments will add a glow and protect the skin at the same time.
Final Thoughts
When in doubt, always consult a dermatologist and conduct patch tests before incorporating any new products into your routine, no matter your skin type.
Most of us want dewy skin, and every skin type can achieve it.
Dewy skin can be achieved in numerous ways, like perfecting your skincare routine, choosing the right makeup products, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising daily.
However, it’s also crucial to note that not everyone will love dewy skin.
Most importantly, dewy skin teaches us to embrace our natural skin texture because no one is airbrushed in real life.
So, will you be incorporating these dewy skin tips in your daily life? What is your take on the dewy skin movement if you have oily skin?
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