Why Is My Face So Oily? How to Treat Oily Skin?
por Dr. Jonathan Doyle - Updated June 19, 2024
Oil on human skin is not a strange concept. Instead, it is an indication that such
skin is healthy. The skin has pores. Each of these pores has a sebaceous gland right under it, which produces
sebum. As a natural oil, sebum performs two major roles—maintaining the skin’s protective barrier and keeping it hydrated. But things can get overwhelming for the sebaceous
glands. When this happens, they become overactive, thereby secreting sebum in excess. Excess sebum ultimately
causes oily skin.
The physical indications of excess sebum production include enlarged pores and a
shiny appearance of the skin. It also raises the risk of skin issues like acne . Fortunately, anyone can manage their oily skin. In most cases, the
proper skincare routine can keep sebum production in check and the skin healthy. Oil-free and non-comedogenic
products have proven effective in dealing with oily skin alongside certain medical treatments.
How Do You Check If Your Skin Is Oily?
To determine whether your face is oily, check how smooth it feels. If it feels
greasy, you likely have oily skin. You can even use blotting papers to confirm. Just dab them on your cheeks,
forehead, and nose and hold them up to the light. If they’re all shiny, that’s a sign of oily skin.
If all the three sheets show saturation, you most likely have an oily skin.
Alternatively, if only your forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone) are oily while your cheeks are dry, you most
likely have combination skin .
Why Is My Skin So Oily All of a Sudden?
What causes oily skin? Oily skin, also known as seborrheic dermatitis , occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands produce sebum
in excess. Sebum is a natural essential oil that helps protect and hydrate the skin. However, when it is
available in excess, it harms the skin, causing issues like blackheads, acne, and a shiny appearance.
The Role of Genetics
We cannot entirely remove the role of genetics in how oily the skin gets.
Considering that genetics contribute to skin type, it is safe to say that we can inherit oily skin via genetic
predisposition. In other words, your oily skin may be caused by your parents or close relatives having similar
skin. The sebaceous glands in such skins may be more active, leading to the over-secretion of sebum and,
ultimately, oiliness on the skin.
The Role of Hormones
Hormones may affect the balance of sebum production in your skin. Due to hormonal
changes associated with adolescence, the sebaceous gland becomes active, producing more oil. This, in turn,
leads to oily skin and possible acne breakouts. Likewise, natural processes like pregnancy, menstruation, and
menopause can affect the body’s hormonal balance, leading to excessive sebum production and oily skin woes.
The Role of Skincare Products and Habits
Managing oily skin depends on your skincare routine and products. Avoid overwashing
the face or using harsh cleansers to protect your skin’s natural oil. Otherwise, doing so will reduce the
natural oil content on the skin, forcing the sebaceous gland to secrete more sebum in replacement. Adopting
non-comedogenic, oil-free skin care products, including moisturizers, is also advisable. These can reduce
pore-clogging due to excess oil on the skin. It also helps to exfoliate your skin regularly to get dead skin
cells off. This ensures that sebum and debris do not accumulate within the pores.
The Role of the Environment
Environmental factors like pollution and climate also affect the rate of sebum
secretion in the skin. The sebaceous glands produce more oil when the weather is hot and humid. Likewise,
exposing the skin to cigarette smoke, radiation, and other forms of pollution can trigger oxidative stress. This
forces the skin to secrete more sebum to protect itself. Indoor air conditioning and central heating can also
reduce moisture levels, resulting in skin oiliness.
The Role of Diet
What you eat also affects the amount of oil on your skin. Research has established
that some foods increase sebum production in the skin, causing acne flare-ups. For example, refined
carbohydrates, sugary snacks, and other high-glycemic foods raise insulin levels and sebum production rates in the
body. The same goes for dairy products with high hormonal content—they cause oily skin and acne. Therefore, it
is best to adopt a balanced diet. The skin can significantly benefit from vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 fatty
acids.
The Role of Stress and Lifestyle Choices
Stress is known to distort your skin’s sebum production balance. When stressed, the
body produces more cortisol, which conditions the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Also, you can add
bacteria to your face through activities like touching and picking at blemishes. Over time, these bacteria
worsen your skin’s oiliness. The best way to avoid these is to adopt stress-reducing practices like exercise,
meditation, and proper sleeping habits.
How Do You Manage an Oily Skin?
How to get rid of oily skin? To effectively manage oily skin, you must adopt an
approach that focuses on external and internal factors. We have some recommendations below;
Clean Your Skin Properly
Water is a crucial element in skincare. It’s not just about what you apply to your
skin but also what you rinse it with. Tap water often contains chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants
that can irritate your skin, leading to dryness, acne, and other skin problems. By using a faucet-mounted water
filter, you can ensure that your skin is exposed to the cleanest and safest water possible.
The newly released Waterdrop Skincare Face Washer can protect your skin from irritation caused
by impurities present in your tap water. This bathroom sink faucet water filter can reduce 97% of chlorine,
99.9% of bacteria, and other impurities in your water source, ensuring pure, clean water for your facial washing
routine.
Moisturize Correctly
Moisturize your face regularly with oil-free, lightweight moisturizers to keep it
hydrated. It is best to go for products specially created for oily or acne-prone skin.
Remove Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliate your skin with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These
products can help you remove dead skin cells, prevent clogging of the pores, and reduce oiliness.
Adopt Oil-absorbing Products
Introduce blotting papers, clay masks, and other oil-absorbing products into your
skincare routine to reduce the amount of oil on your face.
Drink More Water
Hydration plays a crucial role in regulating sebum production and maintaining skin
elasticity. Therefore, drinking plenty of safe and clean water all day is advisable. Waterdrop reverse osmosis water filtration system can provide healthy water
at home so you can always stay hydrated.
Read more about Best Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems of 2024 .
Consult the Experts
If your skin remains oily despite all your efforts, you should seek professional
help. Set up an appointment with a dermatologist. They can provide you with a personalized skincare routine to
help your situation. They may also prescribe medications or professional procedures like laser therapy or
chemical peels.
Take Away
Understanding oily skin and its possible causes is key to having smooth and clear
skin. Oily skin often develops due to hormonal fluctuations, genetic predispositions, diets, environmental
factors, and lifestyle choices. Depending on your situation, you can adjust your lifestyle to achieve healthier
skin. Remember that your transformative skincare journey won’t happen overnight—it takes consistency and
patience.
Contaminants Detected in Fruitland Water
Special
Service District
30
Contaminants
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES
30 Total Contaminants in Your Water
Water Provider
Fruitland Water Special Service DistrictPopulation Affected
120,000Water Source
Ground waterExceeds Guidelines
Others Detected