The Biggest Mistake Keeping Your Skin Unbalanced

For years, I thought I had dry skin. My face felt tight and flaky after washing, so I slathered on thick moisturizers, only to end up looking oily by mid-afternoon. When I started wearing makeup, I suddenly experienced breakouts and assumed I had acne—so I stocked up on every "clear skin" product I could find.

Sound familiar? If your skin constantly feels too dry, too oily, or somehow both, you’re not alone. But the real issue probably isn’t your skin type—it’s that your routine is throwing your skin off balance.

What Causes Skin Imbalance?

Healthy skin is all about balance—it produces just enough oil to stay hydrated without looking greasy. But when we use the wrong products, we disrupt that balance, forcing our skin to overcompensate. Here’s how:

Mistake #1: Using Harsh Cleansers

Giving your skin balance will reduce inflammation and brighten complexion.

Many store-bought cleansers contain alcohol, sulfates, and harsh acids that strip the skin of its natural oils. This leads to a tight, dry feeling after washing—which might seem like a good thing if you're oily, but it’s actually your skin crying for help.

When your skin loses too much oil, it goes into overdrive, producing even more oil to make up for what was lost. That’s why so many people feel dry in the morning but oily by the afternoon.

Mistake #2: Over-Moisturizing

On the flip side, if your skin always feels dry, it’s tempting to pile on thick creams. But too much moisture can actually signal your skin to stop producing its own hydration, making it even more dependent on products.

Instead of treating your skin type, you’re creating a cycle—stripping away too much oil, then overloading it with moisture, and wondering why your skin never feels "normal."

How to Restore Balance to Your Skin

So, if harsh cleansers dry you out and heavy moisturizers make you greasy… what’s the solution? The key is to nurture your skin’s natural ability to balance itself by using the right products.

Ditch Harsh Cleansers – Look for alcohol-free, sulfate-free formulas that cleanse without stripping your skin.
Use a Lightweight Moisturizer – Your skin needs hydration, but it shouldn't feel heavy or greasy. Opt for a hydrating, non-comedogenic moisturizer that supports your skin instead of replacing its natural moisture.
Let Your Skin Reset – If you’ve been caught in the dry/oily cycle, it may take a few weeks for your skin to adjust. Be patient and stick to gentle, balanced products.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve spent years switching between products, trying to "fix" your skin, the issue might not be your skin, it might be your routine. The best thing you can do is stop fighting your skin and start supporting it.

Have questions about finding the right skincare balance? Drop them in the comments, I’d love to help!