Skip to content

Main Content
Footer
Search
  • Contact Us
  • Sign up to our Newsletter
  •  
Vaseline logo
      • Explore All Products
    • CATEGORIES
      • Petroleum jelly
      • Body Lotions & Creams
      • Lip care
      • Hand and Footcare
    • BY SKIN CONCERN
      • Oily skin
      • Dry Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Baby Skincare
      • Other...
    • BY RANGE
      • Intensive Care
      • Vaseline® MEN
      • Clinical Care
        • CATEGORIES
        • Petroleum Jelly
        • Lotions and Creams
        • Lip Care
        • Hand and Footcare
        • BY SKIN CONCERN
        • Oily Skin
        • Dry Skin
        • Sensitive Skin
        • Baby Skin Care
        • BY RANGE
        • Intensive Care
        • Vaseline Men
        • Clinical Care
      • All Products
    Vaseline® Nourishing Argan Oil body lotion

    Vaseline® Nourishing Argan Oil

    People are Loving
      • Explore All Articles
    • SKIN TYPES
      • Dry Skin
      • Oily Skin
      • Sensitive Skin
      • Other…
    • SKIN ISSUES
      • Sunburn
      • Scarring
      • Itching
      • Pimples
      • Diaper Rash
    • SKIN CARE FUNDAMENTALS
      • Skincare Basics
      • Tips Tricks & Beauty Hacks
      • Seasonal Skin Issues
      • Mature & Aging Skin
      • Men Grooming Tips
    • PRODUCTS & INGREDIENTS TIPS
      • Petroleum Jelly
      • Shea Butter
      • Cocoa Butter
      • Argan Oil
      • Aloe
      • Other...
        • Dry Skin
        • Oily Skin
        • Sensitive Skin
        • SKIN TYPES
        • Sunburn
        • Scarring
        • Itching
        • Pimples
        • Diaper Rash
        • SKIN ISSUES
        • Skincare Basics
        • Tips Tricks & Beauty Hacks
        • Seasonal Skin Issues
        • Mature & Aging Skin
        • Men Grooming Tips
        • SKIN CARE FUNDAMENTALS
        • Petroleum Jelly
        • Shea Butter
        • Cocoa Butter
        • Argan Oil
        • Aloe
        • PRODUCTS & INGREDIENTS TIPS
      • All Articles
      • Mission
      • History
      • Ingredients
    • person jumping under a blue sunny sky
      Mission
    • Vaseline's early advertisments
      History
    • lab glass with liquid dripping
      Ingredients
  • Skin Health for All
  • Dry Skin
    • Contact Us
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    •  

  1. Home
  2. All Articles
  3. Difference Between Dry Skin Vs Oily Skin
Woman touching her shoulder with blue background

Difference Between Dry Skin Vs Oily Skin

Dry Skin Vs Oily Skin

 

Just like the uniqueness of everything else about you, your skin-type will be specific. Some have dry skin, some have oily, and further to that, some have a combination of both, or a combination that’s slightly oilier, or slightly drier. The spectrum from very dry to very oily is quite a large one, and dependent on your skin behaviour and the delicate make-up of its cells and glands.

 

At Vaseline we can help you with a top-level comparison that you can use to answer the question, ‘what is the difference between dry skin and oily skin, and which one do I have?’ Here’s a quick guide:

 

Difference Between Dry Skin and Oily Skin?

 

Dry Skin

 

Dry skin is skin that has less moisture than skin would usually require. If we take a look into the microscopic build of your skin, you’ll see a combination of proteins and lipids that form a moisture-retaining latticework – if that structure is damaged, the skin struggles to retain water and becomes dehydrated. Drier skin can then crack and flake and may need a little more care than other skin types.

 

Oily Skin

 

The oil glands – the skin’s oil producing workshops – are in place to lend the skin much needed moisture for elasticity and plumpness. However, sometimes these glands can overproduce, resulting in an oily sheen about the skin. There are a few reasons for this, genetics is one, but more commonly, oily skin occurs when the body undergoes a massive hormonal event, such as puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause.

 

How Do I Know if I Have Dry Skin or Oily Skin?

 

So, dry and oily skin types each have their own telling characteristics – let’s run through what you should look out for when endeavouring to figure out your type:

 

Dry Skin vs Oily Skin Difference: Skin Feel

 

Dry

 

Look out for a feel that’s tight, and for cracks or flakes when humidity is low – in winter, specifically.

 

Oily

 

Look for a greasy or shiny look, that’s a big indicator of oily skin.

 

Dry Skin vs Oily Skin Difference: Your Pores

 

Dry

 

If you have dry skin, your pores may appear small and tight.

 

Oily

 

If you have oily skin, your pores may be easily visible and often clogged by the oil and sweat that the body exudes.

 

Dry Skin vs Oily Skin Difference: After the Shower

 

Dry

 

After a cleansing, dry skin may feel even tighter and dehydrated.

 

Oily

 

After cleansing, oily skin will feel refreshed and clean because the build up of surface secretions have been washed away. That greasy look and shine will reappear though.

 

The Vaseline Solution

 

Dry

 

If you've identified your skin as more dry, you'll need to moisturise often.

 

Vaseline has a range of moisture restoring products that will do the trick in getting your skin back to healthy looking – and what’s more, each is dermatologically approved.

 

Try Vaseline Clinical Care Extremely Dry Skin Rescue Moisturising Body Cream.

 

Oily

 

If you have oilier skin, you'll most likely find yourself not needing to moisturise as much. However, because of the overproduction of sebum oil, you may experience breakouts. Use a gentle soap (you don't want to wash all the oil away, as it is still beneficial to the skin in moderation), and then moisturise your skin. Whatever your skin-type, though, Vaseline has the solution for you, to bring it back to harmony and comfort. We have the product for every skin need, so click to see our full range of pioneering skin technologies, and reach for amazing every day.

 

Expert Advice
The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes. Learn more about skin type issues and dry skin tips to help treat any causes you may have.

Related Articles

  • How to Help Heal Dry Lips
    Dry Lip Causes | Dry Skin on Lips
    Dry Lip Causes | Dry Skin on Lips Read More
  • Dry Itchy Skin Relief
    Dry Itchy Skin Relief
    Dry Itchy Skin Relief Read More
  • Tips to Help Treat Dry Skin on Elbows
    Tips to Help Treat Dry Skin on Elbows
    Tips to Help Treat Dry Skin on Elbows Read More

RELATED PRODUCTS

Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Original Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly 50ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Aloe Fresh Petroleum Jelly 50ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Aloe Fresh Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream 150ml packshot

Vaseline® Clinical Care Cracked Heel Rescue Moisturising Foot Cream

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Firming Body Lotion 400ml packshot

Vaseline® Intensive Care™ Firming Body Lotion

		
		
		
			
                   
Vaseline® Blue Seal Baby Soft Petroleum Jelly 250ml packshot

Vaseline® Blue Seal Baby Soft Petroleum Jelly

		
		
		
			
                   
  1. slide 1
  2. slide 2
  3. slide 3
  4. slide 4
  5. slide 5
  6. slide 6
Doctor applying Vaseline Healing Jelly on patient
Skin Health For All

Every body, Everywhere Deserves Healthy Skin

All over the world, treatable skin conditions go undiagnosed and untreated due to lack of access or knowledge, affecting the quality of life of millions. We want to change that.

Learn More Every body, Everywhere Deserves Healthy Skin
  • Explore

  • All Products
  • All Articles
  • Skin Health for All
  • Help

  • Get in Touch
  • Your Questions Answered
  • Legal

  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Notice

Sign up for healthy looking skin! Receive the latest updates, inspiration, skin health tips, and more from Vaseline®.

Sign Up

Call Us

0860-572-861

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
South Africa (EN)
Unilever logo

© 2025 Unilever South Africa Proprietary Limited. All rights reserved.
This web site is directed only to South African consumers for products and services of Unilever South Africa Proprietary Limited.
This web site is not directed to consumers outside of South Africa.