It isn’t any wonder why oil free moisturizer products are so popular: many of us have experienced using a moisturizing lotion or cream that leaves our skin feeling greasy even just a few minutes after application. That’s why we tend to choose a beauty product that doesn’t contain any oil. But are we really doing ourselves favor by using an oil free body lotion or face cream?

Oil Free Does Not Necessarily Mean Skin-Friendly

Go to a beauty store and read the product labels of the oil-free moisturizing creams and lotions available there. You’ll find that most of them, especially those from the high-profile cosmetics companies, contain one or more of the following ingredients that can harm your skin and your overall health:

Benzyl alcohol and several other types of alcohols dry out the skin, this takes away the point of using a moisturizer in the first place! Not only that, they also expose the skin to infection from harmful microorganisms by stripping away its protective natural acids.

Triethanolamine or TEA is a pH balancer that has quite a few potentially disastrous health effects. It can combine with amines in your beauty product to form nitrosamines, can cause cancer. And while scientific literature doesn’t have conclusive evidence that TEA by itself is carcinogenic, animal tests have shown that it can cause skin erosion, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation (unusual darkening of the skin) even when only small amounts were applied.

Parabens are preservative chemicals used to extend the shelf life of skin care and anti aging products: you’ll find them listed on oil free moisturizer labels as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and several other variations. While approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics and other consumer products, there is nevertheless widespread concern over their potential to disrupt the endocrine system and their possible role in diseases like cancer. One study published in The Journal of Applied Toxicology shows the presence of parabens in tumors taken from breast cancer patients.

Oil-free moisturizers don’t sound too good now, do they?

Certain Oils in Some Facial Moisturizer and Moisturizer Cream Products Are Good for Your Skin

Not all oils cause clogging of the skin’s pores and lead to acne outbreaks. Of course, there are oils that do this, such as mineral oil. However, consider the moisturizing benefits of the following natural oils that are safe for your skin, and which don’t leave you feeling greasy or unpleasantly slick:

Jojoba oil. This is a vegetable oil whose chemical makeup is very similar to sebum, the oil that our skin produces. Hence, there is little threat of skin breakouts or other allergic reactions. What’s more, it’s suitable even for those with oily skin because it helps regulate the body’s sebum production.

Avocado oil. This natural oil has healing properties and contains many nutrients essential for healthy skin. In addition, it has been shown to reduce age spots, as well as increase the amount of skin collagen in the body.

Macadamia oil. Like jojoba oil, it is very similar to human sebum. It is rich in palmitoleic acid, which tones, conditions, and moisturizes the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, and its high absorption rate means it moisturizes the skin very rapidly.

Now that you have become more aware of how an oil free moisturizer might not be the best thing for you, I hope you do some more research so you can find the best skincare product with which you can moisturize your skin safely and effectively.