Does Oily Skin Age Better Than Dry Skin? Here's What We Know

No matter a person's age, skin health tends to be up there in terms of importance. Whether you're a teen battling acne or a new mom warding off fine lines, a healthy skincare routine should be at the top of your priority list.

Pretty skin is much more than looking good without any makeup, it also has a direct correlation to your overall health and wellbeing. Skin holds fluids that work to combat dehydration and ward off toxic microbes, helping the body fight off potential infections, according to the National Institute of Health. Basically, the skin is an armor against all of the germs and toxins you come in contact with daily, deciding which ones are allowed through and which ones are denied entry into your body. Of course, many people don't dive deep into the health benefits of smooth skin, but rather strive for skin that makes them feel attractive and youthful. (Seriously, who doesn't want to stay cute forever?)

Regardless of the motivation behind good skin, it's an important quality to strive for. However, getting there looks different for everyone depending on skin type. So what's the best skin type to have? Does oily skin age better than dry skin? Well, like most things, the answers are complicated.

It would be nice to think you broke your unjust skin curse by going through pubescent acne, and that your same oily skin would actually benefit you later in life. Unfortunately, that's not exactly the case. Speculation insists that oily skin has a better chance of warding off acne because it keeps skin moisturized and smooth, better than dry skin, but the science is deeper than that.

In truth, the look of pre-mature aging may be accelerated in people with oily skin because the over-production of oil can lead to larger pores which leads to acne which leads to scarring and textural changes of the skin, per Healthline. So even if oily skin is not directly impacted by wrinkles, having oily skin can still result in the appearance of aging. Additionally, having oily skin doesn't mean wrinkles are completely out of the question. According to Healthline, while those with oily skin might avoid fine lines in the forehead area, they tend to be more susceptible to more pronounced lines in the lower part of their face.

In the case of dry skin, wrinkles may be your cross to bear. Dry skin is biologically thinner with smaller pores, which allows for more exaggerated wrinkles and fine lines, especially on the forehead region. Sadly, crow's feet are a wild card that no one is safe from.

Certain factors out of your control — such as genetics, metabolism, and environmental pollution — have a direct effect on how skin ages. But, don't worry, that doesn't mean you should give up on preserving your youth. There are a variety of factors in your control to help protect your skin's elasticity. You've heard it before, but diet and exercise are key in preventing most health issues, your skin included. Eating a balanced diet full of clean fats, protein, antioxidants, and leafy greens will provide your body with the nutrients that'll keep your skin looking fresh and bright. Likewise, a regular exercise routine boosts the delivery of nutrients to cells and enhances collagen production.

Other lifestyle changes like not smoking and eliminating alcohol, which dries the skin, can also prevent drastic aging. Plus, make sure to get your beauty rest and always remember to slather on some SPF, even if it's the wintertime. Sun exposure in the winter is still powerful enough to cause harm to your skin. If your skin is naturally oily, consider using hypoallergenic moisturizers to help combat the loss of collagen production and avoid washing your face too often as it can radically strip the moisture from your skin. If you have dry skin, use a moisturizing cream every day and opt for warm water instead of hot to avoid drying out your skin even more.

Unfortunately, no one can escape aging, but you can do things to improve how you age and feel beautiful at every stage.