Oily Skin: Signs, Causes, and Treatments

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The sebaceous glands in the skin release too much sebum. The sebum or oil is naturally discharged by your skin to protect and hydrate itself. Oil is essential to keep the skin healthy. But, too much sebum results in an oily skin, acne, blemishes, grease (blackheads) and clogged pores. This happens when sebaceous glands tend to produce oil in excess.  At first, you have to figure out what is the cause of your oily skin, so you can manage a skincare routine on daily basis.

Signs You Have Oily Skin

If your skin shows some or all of the following symptoms, your skin is most likely to have an oily kind:

• Presence of large pores on T-zone, the region of your face chin, nose, and forehead.
• Skin that looks tough and thick.
• Numerous breakouts and blackheads.
• Shiny and greasy appearance even after applying mattifying or setting powders.
• Frequent or infrequent pimples.
• Clogged pores.

These signs and symptoms usually vary between people. If you have oily skin, the T-Zone releases more oils than other regions of your face. You will also find difficulty finding makeup that suits your skin type as oil containing makeup can blend with the sebum on the face. As a result, multiple strains of different consistency appear on your skin.  

Is It Good Or Bad To Have Oily Skin?

Yes or maybe no. Dermatologists explain that extra oil on your face results in excess shine, open comedones, pustules, breakouts, clogged pores, blackheads, and excess shine.

Too little oil can result in red, dry, irritated skin, and shoots up susceptibility to the wrinkles. Then, what is better? The perfect balance of oil in between the two! The natural oils are somehow really important for the skin and keep your skin fresh and glowing. Oily skin gives a much pretty look if managed properly. Yet, that spots vary from person to person and majorly has to do more with hormones and genetics. 

Causes of Oily Skin

The main causes of oily skin can conclude to your local weather, your genetics, and lifestyle choices. Even by updating your skincare routine, you can get rid of oily skin. That’s how; you can enhance the look and feel of your skin. Also, this is recommended to identify the leading causes resulting in your oily skin. Scroll down and get to know what’s causing your skin oily.

Genetics

One of the major causes of oily skin is a genetic component. Skin with oily contents usually run in the families, maybe inherited by one of your parents. Their overactive sebaceous glands will cause excessive oil in your skin too.  

The Climate of Your Area and the Time of Year

Where you live and the time of year can make a big difference to have oilier skin. Most frequently, the chances of getting oily skin increases in hot and humid climates. There’s more humidity in summer seasons than in the fall or winter. You may not be able to change your location, so just upgrade your daily skincare routine.

Washing Your Face Too Often

Oily skin may trouble you and give you the urge to clean your face multiple times a day. At the same time, over washing may have a worse effects on your pores, as they can go into overdrive. While removing excessive oil from your skin, that spots and pores can reach into the crisis mode and tend to discharge more oil to hydrate your skin from dryness.

Try to wash your face only twice a day, a single time in the morning and the same at night. Whenever you feel skin is getting extra oily all the day, prefer using cleansing wraps rather than over washing your skin. 

Certain Medications

A few medications, such as hormone replacement medicines, overdose of sleeping pills, and birth control treatments can affect your skin. Medicines, especially those containing steroids, are the prime sources of oily skin. Always consult your doctor if you are insecure about the side effects of such medicines.

Skipping Moisturizer

Never ever skip moisturizer. This is a myth that moisturizers cause an oily texture on the skin. Without a moisturizer, any kind of skin will dry out. Especially if you are applying creams that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, you must use moisturizer.

Use products with label “non-comedogenic” and “oil-free” so they will help keeping pores much clearer.

Pore Clogging Cosmetics

If you apply makeup frequently, you should go for the products that are oil free. Oil containing makeup deteriorates with the already present oil on the skin.

Oil free makeup prevents clogging of pores and is perfect for oily skin types. For extra precautions, you should not remove your makeup by simply washing face with water; instead use makeup removing wipes for best skincare.

Junk Foods

Are you a junk food lover? This is not as easy to avoid bad foods as we think. But, this is a matter of skin, caution must be exercised.

Junk foods contain a large quantity of sugars, unnecessary oils or lipids, excess carbohydrates, and unhealthy spices. These foods can bring about damage on your skin. Eating too much junk food may cause overactive sebum production and the oily skin that comes along with it. Try having a healthy balance diet so you can consume your favorite foods and keep your skin safe.

Treatment for Oily Skin

While there may not be a simple skincare for preventing skin from producing oil, there are several ways to treat oily skin. Some of these ways (including homemade treatments) are discussed below.

Use a Toner

Read label before shopping a toner. It should not be loaded with alcohol; this can lead to create blisters on your skin. Go with toners rich in organic ingredients like witch hazel. This has the best soothing and inflammatory properties. If you only apply toner containing witch hazel, this is going to be sufficient to treat oily skin.

Always Wear Sunscreen

Use oil free sunblock. At first, you have to choose a right sunscreen for your skin. Make sure to read label of the products before buying. Prefer a product containing organic products like minerals. Plus, zinc oxide, niacinamide, and titanium dioxide must be present in your sunscreen as they limit the production of oil. Sunscreens will not make your face look shinier and greasy but block the sun rays penetrating in your oily skin.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal extracts all the excess oil. It is also the perfect exfoliating agent for your oily skin. When you combine oatmeal with honey, yogurt, or any mashed fruits such as bananas, apples, or papaya, it acts as the finest moisturizer.

To apply oatmeal on your face, take 1/2 cup ground oats along with warm water to form a paste. Mix it in 1 tablespoon of honey. Now massage this mixture onto your face for about three to five minutes. Wash your face with warm water and pat it dry with clean towel. Repeat the same procedure three times a week for better results.

Use Blotting Papers and Medicated Pads

There are certain companies that specialize in making blotting papers for oily skins. These papers draw oil from the skin and keep your skin moist.

You can also try clothing medicated pads containing certain cleansing ingredients, like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. These items assist removing excess oil from your face throughout the day as well as cleansing your pores and skin.

Pat the Face Dry

Always pat your skin with a clean towel after washing your face or using toner. You should do this with gentle care. Do not pull down on the skin with a towel as it can promote the skin to release more oil. Using a rough washcloth is not a good idea too. Prefer clean and soft towel for patting.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a plant that has the best soothing treatment for oily skin. It contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants which can treat acne, breakouts, blackheads, and clogged pores.  Aloe vera also helps treating the blistering skin caused by oily patches and pores. Just apply a thin layer of it to your face (especially T-zone) before sleeping and leave it on until morning. After a few days, you will feel amazing results.

Honey

Honey is the most natural treatment for oily skin. It has antibacterial and antiseptic powers which are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. The component of honey most appropriate for oily skin is humectant. It extracts moisture from the skin without substituting it. That’s why honey prevents hydration and keeps the skin moist but not oily.

Don’t you know how to apply honey on your skin? Spread a thin layer of honey onto your face and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Now wash it thoroughly with warm water.

Stay Hydrated

While dealing with oily skin you may skip water. Dehydrated skin tends to release even more oil. This seems strange, right? But, this is a fact when you minimize water intake, sebaceous glands release more water in compensation. In case you feel more dehydration, you can use face serums containing hyaluronic acid and other water contents.