OILY SKIN

Oily skin occurs when sebaceous glands in your skin produce too much of a waxy, oily substance known as sebum. Sebum keeps your skin lubricated and protects it against excess moisture, but if there's too much of it, it can leave you with a greasy complexion and increase your risk of pimples and acne breakouts.

Stress, humidity, genetics, and fluctuations in hormones are just a few of the reasons why your face may be oily. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce oily skin and the risk of breakouts, including following a regular face-washing routine, using natural remedies, and applying over the counter or prescription topical medication.

Skin oil is produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands are located all over the skin. The ones most likely to produce too much oil are in the scalp, face, and upper body.

Sebum has many benefits, including lubrication for the skin, antibacterial properties, sun protection, inflammation regulation, and wound healing. An oversupply of sebum, however, can lead to a shiny, greasy complexion, acne, and skin irritation. 

Oily skin can be caused by any combination of these factors:

• Genetics may play a role in sebum production. Larger pores tend to be associated with higher oil production. The size of pores can vary by family and ethnicity. 
• Androgens like testosterone are hormones present in both males and females. Higher levels of testosterone, which is produced in the sebaceous glands, have been linked to an increase in oil production. Female hormones like estrogen are associated with lower oil production.
• Growth hormones are linked to sebum production and acne. These hormones are at a lifetime high during adolescence, which is usually marked by oilier skin. 
• Stress releases a flood of hormones into the bloodstream. Corticotropin is a stress-releasing hormone that binds to the skin’s sebaceous glands, increasing the production of oil. This may be one reason stress exacerbates acne. 
• High-glycemic diets rich in sugar and simple carbohydrates may increase sebum production. Simple carbs may increase growth hormones and oil production. More research is needed, but recent studies show a link between low-glycemic diets and a oil reduction.
• Humidity can cause increased sweating and oil production. Humid climates may put you at higher risk of developing oily skin, especially during humid summer months. High humidity may also lead to eczema.

Signs of Oily Skin

Oily skin is easy to identify. It may look shiny and be prone to pimples and blackheads. People with oily skin often have visibly large pores.

If you wear makeup, you may also notice that the makeup wears off easily or develops a different consistency when it's applied to the oily parts of your skin.

• Wash Your Face Twice Daily: One of the most effective ways to manage oily skin is by washing your face twice daily. Use a gentle cleanser with water every morning and night; wash again after a vigorous workout. There is no need to wash more frequently since that could irritate the skin and produce more oil. When washing your skin, use gentle circular motions instead of scrubbing.
• Moisturize: It may feel counterintuitive, but using a daily moisturizer is an important way to manage oily skin. When your skin is overly dry, it stimulates your body to produce more oil to moisturize it. Look for a gentle, oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen and apply it every morning.
• Use a Facial Toner: A toner is a water-based product designed to help cleanse your face, tighten your pores, and even your skin tones. Different toners have different benefits, so choose one based on your specific skin type and skin care goals. Some examples of facial toner types include:
• Exfoliating: These toners contain ingredients such as glycolic acid to help eliminate the dead skin cells that can block your pores.
• Astringent: Astringents are good for removing excess oil and reducing the appearance of your pores. Astringents can be drying, so if your skin is sensitive look for an astringent that is not alcohol-based.
• Humectant: These toners contain hydrating ingredients such as glycerin to help keep your skin from drying.
• Remove Makeup Before Bed: If you wear makeup, it is especially important to remove it before you go to bed. Use an oil-free makeup wipe or makeup remover and be sure to wash your face afterwards with a gentle cleanser to remove excess dirt and dead skin cells. This will help keep your pores from clogging overnight and contributing to breakouts.
• Avoid Touching Your Face: If your skin is oily, try to avoid touching it as much as possible. Your hands can transfer dirt, oil, and bacteria to your face, leading to an oil buildup. This tip can be hard to stick to because most of us frequently touch our faces without realizing it. One study found that people touch their faces around 23 times per hour on average.