Oil or Oil-Free? Which is best?

[LabGuy]

So, let me first admit to being a skin care noob. But while reading many of these threads on B&B and elsewhere, there seems to be some conflict between those that like oil-free products like moisturisers and those that are adding oils to various products.

I find myself in the latter camp. I have used a pre-shave OIL since I started DE shaving. Recently I have added handmade soap so I won't strip away my natural oils, began using the OCM (oil cleansing method) and even a shampoo bar from Sterling (contains lots of oil).

My face seems to like the oil treatment.

So is oil good or is it bad? If it is good, why do some manufacturers advertise their product as "Oil Free"? Like it is a sulfate or parabens?

 

[eyebright]

Well, soaps like Sterling (or mine, or Mike's or Matthew's) contain "lots of oils" but those oils are saponified so they're not longer oil, they're soap. But good, simple, soap is, imho, better for your skin than some of the chemical cocktails that are sold as cleansers. People with oily skin don't have to be afraid of using oils on their skin, as long as they are non-comedogenic and used with proper attention to hygiene. "Oil free" products are generally formulated using silicones, propylene glycol, glycerine, etc. People should try different products to see what works for their own skin, but for me, simple was better. Wash with good soap, use a few drops of an oil-based serum, and save money. But that is my personal experience, others might really like oil free products.