The oil imbalance in dry skin is actually often a mix of dryness and oiliness. This happens when your skin's barrier is compromised, making it overproduce oil to compensate for a lack of moisture. This causes a cycle of dryness and excess oil and is caused by a number of factors:

• Dehydration: Not enough water in the skin triggers more oil production for protection.
• Incorrect Skincare: Using drying products (like alcohol-based ones) or heavy moisturizers that clog pores can worsen the cycle.
• Hormonal Shifts: Puberty, menstruation, stress (cortisol) can disrupt oil regulation.
• Environmental Factors: Cold, windy, or dry climates strip moisture.
• Diet & Nutrition: Sugary/refined foods can increase oil; lack of essential fatty acids can hinder skin health.
• Medications: Some drugs can interfere with oil production, causing dryness. 

Plant compounds such as certain polyphenols (flavonoids, resveratrol, curcumin) found in grape and berry extracts, sugars/polysaccharides found in Aloe vera, antioxidants such as vitamins E found in high amounts in sunflower, avocado and almond oils, carotenoids found in extracts like sea buckthorn, carrots and sweet potato, and triterpenoids in gotu kola which boost skin barrier function, retaining moisture, reducing water loss, and promoting cell repair.

 Certain oils and extracts help restore the oil balance in dry skin:

• Jojoba Oil: This oil is structurally similar to the skin's natural oil and helps restore the skin's normal oil balance without causing greasiness.
• Oils with High Linoleic Acid to Oleic Acid Ratio - Grapeseed oil, Hemp oil, Sunflower seed oil: A higher linoleic acid content helps repair the skin's barrier function and increases elasticity, preventing moisture loss that contributes to dryness. Grape Seed and Hazelnut oils are non-comedogenic and rich in linoleic acid, providing moisture to dry areas while being light enough for oily zones.
• Coconut Oil: By locking in moisture, coconut oil can prevent the skin from getting too dry. When skin gets dry, it sometimes overcompensates by producing more oil.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a natural astringent, which helps tighten and shrink pores reducing the appearance of oily skin and may slow the flow of oil to the skin's surface. Aloe vera is rich in hygroscopic mono- and polysaccharides and amino acids that moisturize the skin by increasing its water content without adding oil making it effective for combination skin.
• Prickly pear extract is very effective for dry skin. It is rich in linoleic acid, antioxidants (Vitamin E), and mucilage, all helping to strengthen the skin barrier, boost hydration, and reduce water loss. It replenishes natural skin oils and helps soothe irritation or damage.

Skincare that contains these ingredients help to balance oil production in your skin, keeping skin moisturized but not oily.  Bel Essence formulates products that help both dry skin and oily skin.