Hormonal medications such as antiandrogens could be effective in reducing sebum production. In one study , dermatologists used spironolactone to treat oily skin in females. They found that their skin produced less sebum. Other research also found that cyproterone acetate reduced sebum production in females.
Isotretinoin (also known as Accutane) is an oral form of a retinoid drug, derived from vitamin A. It's very successful at reducing levels of sebum within the skin. It does this by tightening the pores which in turn reduces the amount of sebum they can produce.
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.
Breakouts are also more likely because the sebum mixes with dead skin cells and gets stuck in your pores. The causes of oily skin include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While you can't necessarily get rid of oily skin, you can take steps to make your skin less oily.
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.
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.
Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes but is also responsible for oily skin. Many of us in the UK are thought to be deficient in vitamin D, especially during the winter when sunlight levels are low.
Sudden Onset of Oily Skin
Oily skin can abruptly appear at any time or age. Potential causes may be stress, insufficient hydration, an overly sweet diet or an intense skin cleaning routine. Other potential causes for sudden onsets of oily skin may also be hormonal disorders, such as acromegaly.
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.
Vitamin B5
According to Dr. Dach, “Vitamin B5 works by reducing the oil production of the sebaceous glands.” Dach also recommends using L-Carnitine in conjunction with pantothenic acid, which can boost its effects.
Accutane is a drug used in acne treatment in order to reduce the production of oil over a period of months, which reduces overall acne and ailments caused by it. While called Accutane widely, Isotretinoin is the name of this drug. This is an untraditional, yet viable route to combat oily skin.
This off-label use of Accutane provides great control of oiliness, as well as eliminating many, if not all of the common side effects. We call it “off-label” because the original FDA approval tests did not use this dosage or this frequency when the medication was approved.
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.
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.
Zinc has been found to decrease the production of oil in the skin. Decreasing the production of oil helps reduce the chance of bacterial growth and blocked pores. The body only needs low amounts, approximately 8-11 milligrams, to meet daily allowances. Zinc can be taken as an oral supplement or topical treatment.
What vitamin C is best for oily skin? Vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid may be the best option for oily skin, because it's both lightweight and water-soluble.
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.
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menstruation, pregnancy, and with disorders of the ovaries, testicles, and adrenal glands, can also trigger sebum production. Stress can increase cortisol levels, which in turn can also increase sebum production.
The oil production is reduced while the patient is on the Isotretinoin, but returns to normal after the Isotretinoin is stopped. Surprisingly, the improvement in the acne persists even after oil production returns to normal and the Isotretinoin is stopped.
Isotretinoin is a pill you take for four to five months. Your acne will start to improve in one to two months, and the vast majority of people are clear at the end of treatment. It is the only acne medication that permanently reduces acne an average of 80 percent—some people a little more and some a little less.
"Prescription Accutane [which targets severe acne] shrinks pores during the time you are on the medication, as it shrinks the oil gland and dries the skin out," says Dr. Jaliman. "When you stop taking Accutane, often the pore goes back to the original size.
People sometimes mention weight gain or weight loss when talking about Accutane. However, the FDA do not currently list weight change as a side effect of this drug.