If over-the-counter products aren't enough to help you manage oily skin, talk to your dermatologist. Lasers and chemical peels can help reduce oiliness and improve the overall look of your skin.
Washing regularly can reduce the amount of oil on the skin. The following methods are recommended for washing oily skin: Wash with a gentle soap and warm water. Avoid soaps with fragrances, added moisturizers, or harsh chemicals, which can irritate or dry out the skin, making it respond by creating more sebum.
Lightweight, water-based moisturizers are typically the best choice if you have oily skin. You should always apply moisturizer after you're done cleansing and applying a toner to your skin.
Washing Regularly
To care for oily skin, you need to clear it of excess oil. You should wash your face in the morning, at night, and after you exercise. Be careful to avoid overly harsh cleansers, which can irritate skin and trigger oil production. Use a gentle, foaming wash instead.
The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin's natural moisture. To help control oily skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips: DO wash your face every morning, evening, and after exercise. While washing, resist the temptation to scrub your skin, even to remove makeup.
Will Oily Skin Go Away on Its Own? Since two of the main hormonal causes of oily skin are puberty and adolescence, some people see their oily skin fade with time, especially after puberty. Unfortunately, that's not the case for everyone.
Androgens are the hormones mostly responsible for oil production, and sometimes they can fluctuate, stimulating an increase in sebum production. This often happens during puberty, just before menstruation, during pregnancy and during menopause.
Oily skin can be caused by a variety of factors like genetics, hormones, stress, diet, and humidity. While sebum is beneficial for our skin, too much of it can lead to skin problems like acne and irritation.
Oily skin is often viewed as a problem that needs to be solved. But while excess oil production can lead to concerns, like acne or having a difficult time keeping makeup in place, there's nothing inherently "bad" with having this type of complexion. In fact, oil actually helps keep your skin healthy.
Oral medication for oily skin
Oral prescription medications for oily skin include oral retinoids, diuretics like spironolactone, and oral contraceptives. While these have been shown to reduce sebum production, there will always be concerns about the broader effects of these medications throughout the body.
Treating oily skin with isotrentinoin
Another winning treatment can be found in a medication called isotretinoin, also known by its original brand name, Accutane. This effective treatment also gets to the heart of oily skin by deactivating the overactive oil glands.
"Your skin type can change over time due to environmental factors, age, hormones and other health-related issues," Michele Green, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, explains. "Yes, your skin can transform from oily to dry, combination, or sensitive, but it doesn't just happen on its own.
Your face is shiny and usually appears greasy later on in the day. Makeup doesn't stay on and seems to “slide” off. The oilier areas of your face have blackheads, pimples or other types of acne. Pores are visibly enlarged, especially on your nose, chin and forehead.
Drinking ample water balances the oil and water content on the skin of your face. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne. Adult acne is getting more common these days due to busy lifestyles and lack of hydration.
How Accutane Works. Put simply, Accutane permanently shrinks your oil glands. Because people with acne produce more sebum than necessary, the elimination of the excess causes your skin to stay clear because your pores no longer get clogged.
Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. Sebum isn't all bad since it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keep your hair shiny and healthy. Too much sebum, however, may lead to oily skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne. Genetics, hormone changes, or even stress may increase sebum production.
Hormone changes due to PCOS can cause oily skin and pimples. (You can have these skin problems without PCOS, of course). Darkening of skin. You may see thick, dark, velvety patches of skin under your arms or breasts, on the back of your neck, and in your groin area.
If you have oily skin and struggle with acne, Zamani says you should forgo the use of facial wipes altogether. "If you have oily skin or are prone to acne breakouts, I recommend never using a wipe because you just transfer bacteria around the face. But if you must, find one with salicylic acid," she says.
The reality is oily skin ages just the same as other skin types. However, it may have a smoother appearance and natural glow because of the amount of sebum (oil) produced. On the flip side, oilier skin is prone to getting acne (even as an adult) and seborrhea, which is excessively oily skin condition.
Usually the skin oiliness does return, but may not completely return to the degree it was before. Most patients find this is an additional benefit of the treatment.