Education

What to know about oily skin

WRITTEN BY TEAM: January 4, 2024

What is Oily Skin?

Sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that lubricate the skin, is overproduced in those with oily skin. This overproduction of sebum, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), can give the skin a glossy or greasy appearance. Other common characteristics of oily skin include larger pores, a propensity for breakouts such as blackheads or whiteheads, and a thick or gritty skin texture.
It is crucial to stress that having oily skin is not always a bad thing. In actuality, the natural oils in our skin—which are made of fats—are essential to preserving and safeguarding the health of the skin. Sebum production helps keep the skin looking young because it declines with age and can cause more dry skin and wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive sebum production can cause a number of problems, including breakouts, plugged pores, and a rough, bumpy texture.

It is strongly advised that you see a dermatologist if you discover that your skin problems are caused by overproduction of sebum. To address your particular difficulties and assist you in achieving a balanced complexion, they can provide you with personalised recommendations and treatment alternatives. Recall that preserving your skin’s general health and look can be greatly impacted by being aware of and attentive to its specific needs.

How To Know If You Have Oily Skin

In the T-zone, oily skin usually looks shiny or greasy. Additionally, you might observe larger pores on your forehead, chin, and nose as well as a propensity for breakouts, especially when they manifest as blackheads or whiteheads.
Conversely, tight or dry skin, as well as dull or lacklustre skin, are features that do not usually suggest oily skin. Alternatively, these traits can point to a dry skin type. If you have dry skin in other areas of your body and oily skin in the T-zone, you probably have combination skin.
Sometimes excessive sebum production is transient, in which case it is not considered oily skin. Skin can overcompensate by producing more sebum if natural skin lipids are removed from the skin. You should exercise caution to avoid over-exfoliating your skin or utilising treatments that can irritate and weaken your skin’s protective layer.

What Does Oily Skin Look Like?

In addition to seeming shiny or greasy, oily skin, particularly on the nose, chin, and forehead, frequently features enlarged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. Excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris accumulating on the skin’s surface are frequently the causes of these traits. There are certain advantages to having oily skin, despite the difficulties caused by clogged pores and imperfections. In fact, excessive sebum production can function as a natural defence, delaying the onset of wrinkles and fine lines. Fortunately, people with oily skin can successfully control the amount of sebum produced and reduce the symptoms of this skin type, which include clogged pores, imperfections, and an oily appearance.

What Texture Does Oily Skin Have?

Compared to those with other skin types, those with oily skin typically have more sebaceous glands, which leads to a thicker and more strong dermis layer. As was previously noted, excessive sebum production can result in a greasy or oily-feeling skin surface, while imperfections and blocked pores can also cause changes in the texture of the skin. Additionally, this skin type is prone to the formation of tiny bumps and rough areas. Using products made especially for oily skin can help people control their oil production and smooth out any rough or bumpy areas on their skin.

Potential Causes of Oily Skin:

There are various major causes of oily skin, including genetics, hormone swings, and environmental influences. An oily skin type may result from a hereditary predisposition in some persons to produce more oil than others. Due to their higher testosterone levels, males tend to have more oily skin than women.

Hormonal changes, such as those that frequently occur during adolescence, menstruation, or pregnancy, can have an impact on oily skin. More oil production by the sebaceous glands is specifically stimulated by androgens (male hormones), which may result in an increase in oiliness.

Another element that may contribute to oily skin is the environment. Overproduction of oil can be caused by exposure to heat and humidity, as well as by using specific kinds of skincare and makeup products. Furthermore, the skin can lose its natural oils due to overcleaning or the use of harsh skincare products. This can cause the skin to create extra oil in an attempt to make up for the lost oil.

In addition, a bad diet, stress, sleep deprivation, and dehydration can all lead to oily skin. It’s crucial to remember that each person has a distinct type of skin and that oiliness might have a variety of causes.

How To Care for Oily Skin:

Making the best product selections is essential to taking care of oily skin. You can maintain clean, healthy, and balanced skin by creating a comprehensive skincare regimen that controls oil production and targets the underlying causes of frequent problems with oily skin. As a helpful hint, several makeup and skincare products are tested and designated as “non-comedogenic,” meaning that their purpose is to prevent clogging of pores and aggravating oiliness. Your oily skin can benefit greatly from careful product selection, which will improve both the way it looks and feels.

What is the Appropriate Skin Care Routine for an Oily Skin Type?

Cleanse: To get rid of extra oil, debris, and pollutants from the skin, use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water twice a day. Refrain from over-cleansing since this can deplete the skin’s natural oils and increase sebum production.

Tone: Using a toner can regulate the pH balance and oil production of the skin. Seek for a toner made specifically for oily skin that includes witch hazel, salicylic acid, or other oil-controlling, balancing components.

Moisturise: Although it can seem counterintuitive, moisturisers aid in controlling the production of sebum. To keep the skin hydrated, use an oil-free moisturiser for the face and body, such as Prequel’s urea lotion. We suggest using gel formulas that are based on water and contain humectants, such as glycerin, urea, and hyaluronic acid, which suck water into the skin to keep it hydrated. Gel compositions without oil are lightweight, absorbent, and the ideal option for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

Exfoliate: Use a chemical exfoliator made for oily skin to dissolve debris that clogs pores and dead skin cells. We advise selecting an exfoliant containing salicylic acid, a naturally occurring beta hydroxy acid that breaks down oil, controls excessive sebum production, and reduces the likelihood of clogged pores.

Think about applying a clay mask: it can help absorb extra oil, cleanse the skin, and control the production of sebum. Use twice a week or once for optimal effects.

Protect: During the day, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield your skin from damaging UV radiation. When selecting a sunscreen, look for one with an oil-free, lightweight SPF of at least 30 that offers UVA and UVB protection. By shielding your skin from UV damage and early ageing, sunscreen application on a regular basis will preserve the general health of your skin.

DISCLAIMER: All articles about skin care are meant to provide information on particular ingredients and skin care subjects. We aim to provide interesting and educational content with our posts. Any allusion to a particular patient’s experience does not constitute a recommendation for medical care. Kindly take note that Prequel products containing mentioned substances are designed exclusively for cosmetic purposes and should not be used in place of medical advice or suggestions for pharmaceutical goods.