Although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin's natural moisture.
Acne is often associated with oily skin. Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. Sebum is a natural skin oil that lubricates and protects the skin. Too much can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
"If you notice big, cystic bumps every so often, you can be considered acne prone," says Katie Rodan, M.D., dermatologist and Proactiv co-founder. Another giveaway that you are acne prone is if you've got an oily scalp or dandruff, she says.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
Although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin's natural moisture.
Everybody's skin produces oil. Your sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily or waxy substance that moisturizes and protects your skin and hair. Oily skin happens when your glands produce too much sebum, which can lead to a greasy surface, clogged pores, and acne.
For people with oily skin, breakouts may never stop as they age. But oily skin does have a plus: It wards off wrinkles better than dry skin because the oils keep skin moister and smoother. Using moisturizer is one way to lessen the impact of wrinkles before they appear.
While oily skin is slower to show signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, it is not exempt from other features associated with premature aging, such as uneven texture and hyperpigmentation. Many people with oily skin also tend to produce more melanin.
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
Genetically, dry skin tends to be thinner, pores are smaller, and skin appears to be smoother. But fine lines and wrinkles do appear more exaggerated. Oily skin, on the other hand, has much larger pores and is thicker. This provides extra padding or cushion to the skin.
When you have oily skin, you may think that using a moisturizer is the last thing you should do. But, as the body's largest organ—and the one that is arguably most influenced environmental conditions—the skin often needs a moisturizer to mitigate the loss of hydration even with it is oily or pimply.
Aloe vera gel absorbs easily, making it ideal for oily skin. However, it can help treat dry skin, too. Consider swapping out your regular moisturizer for aloe after bathing to help seal moisture into your skin.
When your skin produces excess sebum (or oil), your forehead and other parts of your face can appear shiny or oily. While this may happen for a variety of reasons, stress, fluctuating hormones, genetics, and humidity are common factors.
Why Is My Nose Oily? Your nose is likely oily because your sebaceous glands are producing more oil than necessary to keep your skin hydrated. The sebaceous glands beneath the pores in your skin are responsible for producing the natural oils, also known as sebum, that keep your skin healthy.
The answer: Moisturizer is the culprit. Dr. Neal Schultz, NYC-based dermatologist and creator of Beauty RX, explains that if you have oily skin, you can actually stop using moisturizer at night. "You should only use products that serve a purpose," says Schultz.
No wonder then that including a night cream for oily skin in your skincare routine is important. A good night cream will not only hydrate your skin but also boost blood circulation. Apart from aiding the repair of your skin, it makes your skin look and feel younger.
"Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, or for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products such as sunscreen," she said. If you're wondering what else face toner does for your skin, King outlined some additional benefits: It shrinks pores.
Combination skin is the most common skin type, says Hale. And it looks different from person to person: you might have an oily T-zone (nose, forehead, and/or chin) but dry skin everywhere else, or you might be dry and sensitive only in certain concentrated spots—say, around the eyes or mouth.