Oily skin happens when your glands produce too much sebum, which can lead to a greasy surface, clogged pores, and acne. Oily skin is perfectly normal. There are several things to keep in mind when caring for oily skin, but most cases can be managed at home with over-the-counter remedies and proper skincare.
Stress, changes in the weather, and hormone imbalances can all affect the way your skin expresses oil. If your forehead has become more oily than usual, try to be more diligent with cleansing and moisturizing that area in particular.
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.
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.
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.
In fact, oily skin is often a symptom of dehydration. Your skin could very well be over-producing oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Drinking coconut water helps reduce oiliness and prevent acne. Coconut water contains many electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, which help reduce oil and prevent acne very effectively.
This is a misconception based on faulty logic rather than facts. Skin doesn't ramp up oil production to compensate for dryness. It only feels that way. Regardless of how much you dry your skin with cleansers, acids, and other products, your skin will continue produce oil at its normal, genetic rate.
Signs Oily Skin Is Dehydrated
You'll notice your overall complexion becoming dull and lacklustre when hydration levels are depleted. Shadowy circles under your eyes may become more obvious too. Without enough moisture in the outer layer of your skin, it can feel tight and itchy.
Vitamin B. Most B vitamins are beneficial for oily skin; however, some specific examples are: B5 (pantothenic acid) partners with CoEnzyme A to help remove excess sebum, unclog your pores and prevent acne.
Stress and the Skin
When a person becomes stressed, the level of the body's stress hormone (cortisol) rises. This in turn causes an increase in oil production, which can lead to oily skin, acne and other related skin problems.
Overproduction of testosterone may lead to excessive sebum production, which, in turn, may increase the risk of inflamed sebaceous glands. This can trigger an acne outbreak. Many people experience frequent acne breakouts during puberty when testosterone levels start to rise.
There are numerous topical medications that can address this problem and decrease some of the oils. These include topical antibiotics, retinols, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and many other prescription medications available by prescription by your dermatologist.
Some foods rich in good fats, or polyunsaturated fats, include fatty fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. Most people think of salmon when they think of fatty fish; however, coldwater fish like sardines and mackerel can also be a great source of omega-3 fats, and thus can help increase sebum production.
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.
Dry skin lacks the ability to produce oil so if your skin feels dry but looks oily, your skin is actually dehydrated. When our skin is dehydrated it can feel tight and itchy but will appear oily.
Hyaluronic acid is great for all skin types, including oily skin. It helps to regulate sebum production and keep the skin hydrated. When oily skin is deprived of moisture, it responds by producing even more oil in order to hydrate the skin.
Instead of roughhousing your skin, let proper products for oily skin do the hard work. Salicylic acid breaks up sebum without being harsh and even temporarily slows down production. Up to 2% or so is the recommended threshold. Gently cleanse and moisturize every day at least once.