Can You Get Rid of Oily Skin?
You may find yourself constantly reapplying powder and blotting the oil from your face when you notice how oily your skin is. Sebum is meant to protect the skin, create a water-oil barrier that prevents surface dehydration, lubricates against friction, is responsible for some enzymatic actions within the skin, and provides some UV protection. However, overproduction of sebum causes the skin to appear oily and may lead to clogged pores and blemishes. This can lead you to wonder about the causes and solutions for oily skin.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Genetics, stress, hormones, diet, environment, medications, skin care products, and poor hygiene can cause oily skin.
Genetics
If your family members have oily skin, it is often hereditary. Genetics affect your oil production, causing your skin to produce oil.
Stress
Stress induces the body's natural fight or flight response, boosting the production of cortisol hormones that trigger the oil production in your pores.
Hormones
Hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can stimulate oil production. The body produces more androgenic hormones during puberty, causing more oily skin.
Diet
Eating unhealthy and greasy foods can cause increased oil production by the sebaceous glands. Increased oil consumption can cause increased oil to be released.
Environment
The changing seasons, temperature, and humidity can affect the amount of oil your body produces and how quickly the oil is absorbed into your pores.
Medications
Medications that affect your hormones can cause increased oil production. Birth control pills, steroids, and hormone replacement medication can affect this.
Skin Care Products
Some oil-containing products can intensify your oily skin problems by adding more oil to the skin's surface. If you have oily skin, try to avoid oils that are known to have occlusive properties which may contribute to clogged pores. Some oils are beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin and can help with alleviating the feeling of dehydrated tight skin.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Oily Skin
Advantages
Oily skin has a glowing sheen, making the skin appear more luminous and youthful. Since oily skin is more hydrated, signs of aging appear later than others.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages to oily skin include pores that are more visible, makeup application is more complex, skin requires additional cleansing, and you are more likely to experience blackheads, breakouts, and inflammation.
How to Help Oily Skin:
Wash Regularly
Washing oily skin every morning, evening, and after exercise is crucial. This can ensure that your pores do not become clogged with excess oil and dirt. Do not scrub your skin too hard; this can irritate and dry out the skin, causing increased oil production.
Moisturize Daily
After washing your skin, apply your moisturizer immediately after towel drying the skin. Using a moisturizer with antioxidants can nourish the skin and help to minimize harmful stressors. Choose a Foaming Cleanser
A foaming face wash with mild cleansing agents is gentle to the skin. Foaming cleansers have a light feeling on oily skin and lift dirt and debris away from the surface which reduces excess oil.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin helps unclog your pores and remove surface dead skin cells, diminishing the appearance of breakouts you experience.
Use a Toner
Toners can add nutrients or active ingredients to your skincare routine with a light mist that is not heavy on oily skin.
Tips:
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated with water, fruits, and vegetables can keep your skin nice and hydrated. The sebaceous glands may produce more oil when skin lacks water.
Wear Sunscreen Outdoors
Sun-damaged skin can cause a boatload of skin issues. Be sure to wear sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Choose a Water-Based Makeup
Avoid oily skin care and makeup products. Products that contain comedogenic oils can maximize the adverse effects of oily skin. Water-based makeup products lack oil and may be better for those with oily skin.
Do Not Touch Your Face
Touching your face can spread oil, bacteria, and dirt from your hands to your face. Ensure you have clean hands before washing your face or applying products by hand.
Do Not Sleep in Your Makeup
Always follow a nightly skincare routine and remove makeup from your skin. Removing makeup prevents unneeded breakouts from occurring while you sleep.
Clean your Phone
Pressing your dirty phone to your cheek can cause bacteria, dirt, and oils to transfer to your face. Be sure to clean your phone regularly or talk on speaker phone.
Change Pillowcases Every Night
Changing pillowcases regularly can ensure your pillowcase from the night before does not transfer oil, bacteria, and dirt back onto your skin.
Daily Skincare Routine for Oily Skin:
Creating the proper skincare routine for you can be difficult. We have curated the perfect skin regimen for individuals with oily skin. Your daily routine should include a cleanser, exfoliant, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Recommended Products:
Our recommended cleanser is the Citrus Herbal Cleanser. This product is a sulfate-free foaming cleanser that is great at dissolving excess oil. Our recommended toner is the Brazilian Propolis Mist. This product conditions the skin, providing the ideal environment for healthy skin to flourish. Our recommended moisturizers include the Nourish Daily Antioxidant Moisturizer, which is natural and organic. We also recommend the face and body Brazilian Propolis Lotion, which is rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals, micronutrients, and bioflavonoids. If you are looking for a gentle moisturizer, Acidophilus Probiotic Facial Cream is a great option that includes Lactobacilli Acidophilus and Micronized Silver.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does oily skin go away?
Oily skin can be minimized with diet, lifestyle, and skin regimen changes.
Is water good for oily skin?
Water is good for oily skin. This ensures that the skin is hydrated and diminishes overactive oil production.
Is oily skin just dehydrated skin?
Yes. When the skin is dehydrated, it can overcompensate by producing more oil.
Should I shower if my face is oily?
You should wash your face twice a day or after you exercise. Over-showering can cause the sebaceous glands to produce more oil.
Sources
https://www.hiltonheadplasticsurgery.com/how-to-treat-and-prevent-oily-skin
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-oily-skin/