Your skin can feel oily and dehydrated at the same time because oil and water are two different things in your skin. Oil, called sebum, comes from glands under the skin to protect the surface. Water, or moisture, is what keeps the deeper skin cells plump and healthy. When your skin lacks water, it can still pump out extra oil to try to fix the problem, leaving you with a greasy top layer but a tight, uncomfortable feeling underneath.[1][2][4]
This happens often because your skin’s outer barrier gets weak. That barrier is like a wall made of skin cells and fats that holds water in. Things like cold air, low humidity, heaters, or air conditioning pull water out through a process called transepidermal water loss.[3][4] Your skin notices the water leaving and tells the oil glands to make more sebum to seal it back up. But that extra oil sits on top and does not soak in to hydrate the deeper layers.[1][4]
Hot showers or harsh soaps make it worse by stripping away natural oils that help the barrier work. Inside your body, not drinking enough water, too much caffeine or alcohol, stress, hormones, or even aging can dry out your skin cells while oil keeps coming.[1][3] In winter, low humidity and indoor heat team up to cause shine on the face with tight patches or flakes around the nose or eyes.[3][4]
You might notice it right after washing your face: the skin feels stretched or tight, then gets shiny fast. Makeup might cake up, or you see dull spots and small lines even though your T-zone looks greasy.[1][3] This mix can lead to more breakouts because the extra oil clogs pores while the skin begs for water.[3]
Sources
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/dehydrated-skin/how-to-identify-and-treat-dehydrated-oily-skin
https://www.meadowandbark.com/blogs/skincare/is-hyaluronic-acid-good-for-oily-skin-the-expert-answer
https://mamaearth.in/blog/dehydrated-oily-skin-winter/
https://thedermaco.com/blog/dehydrated-oily-skin-winter/
https://www.marykay.com/en/what-skin-type-am-i.html
