I grew up with oily skin at a time when the matte look was all the rage. Despite people telling me my skin was “shiny”, I spent my teenage years furiously powdering my t-zone to reduce the shine. (There was no such thing glass skin or polished donut skin, I can tell you that much.) Fast forward a few decades and dewy skin is all the rage. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely come to appreciate my natural skin type more and have been able to see it for its benefits.
No matter where oily skin is in the trend cycle, one thing has remained constant. Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that people tend to think that oily skin helps prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. But is it true?
I’ll say upfront, I don’t believe one skin type ages “better” than another. When it comes to aging, each skin type has its own advantages (and disadvantages). Skin fads may come and go, but at the end of the day, your skin type is not a trend. It’s something that dictates how you should care for your skin and what its unique needs are.
Understanding your skin’s strengths and weaknesses is the best way to create a game plan that allows it to age in a healthy, graceful way. If you have oily skin, this post will teach you how to do just that.
The benefits of oily skin and how it can help prevent wrinkles
What does it really mean to have “oily” skin? People with oily skin types (eg Skin types 1-4) have a higher density of sebaceous glands. These are the oil producing glands and this oil is responsible for providing moisture and protecting our skin from environmental aggressors, bacteria and more.
Those of us with oily skin are quick to see the downsides, but let’s take a step back and look at some benefits you might not have thought of!
Higher concentrations of oil glands can mean thicker skin
A potential advantage of oily skin is that a high density of sebaceous glands means you have thicker skin overall. This provides a natural cushion that makes the skin less prone to wrinkling or wrinkling, which can help slow or prevent the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
Dr. Sam Lama board certified plastic surgeon who sees a wide range of skin types in his daily practice, echoes this belief: “The best way to understand the supposed bias towards oily skin is to understand how the skin repairs damage, with the sebaceous (or oil) gland as the main source of regeneration. People with oily skin may have more active oil glands and therefore have more protection. “There could be an association of oil glands with thicker skin, which is less prone to collagen breakdown.”
He notes that this is not something that has been scientifically proven, it is more of a theory based on a combination of existing research and his own observations. After 30 years of working with leather, I tend to agree with these observations.
While oily skin types may have a leg up when it comes to preventing wrinkles, it’s important to remember that lines and wrinkles aren’t the only components of facial aging. Facial relaxation and skin relaxation they are a natural part of the aging process and oily skin does not prevent it.
Sebum provides natural moisture and protection
Having dry or dehydrated skin it can contribute to the development of fine lines, so this is another case where oily skin can pay off. Our skin struggles to retain moisture as we age, and having your own built-in moisture from oil production can definitely be beneficial.
Sebum also acts as a shield for our skin, so oilier skin types may have a little more natural protection against aging factors like pollution, free radicals and UV damage (but not enough to skip the sunscreen , of course!). This added bit of protection means it can be easier to maintain glowing, even skin, another hallmark of youthful-looking skin.
All great news for oily skin types, right? However, before you get too carried away, remember that being less prone to wrinkles is not the same as being immune. The best way to take advantage of your natural advantages is to take good care of your skin with a consistent routine (and yes, oily skin still needs moisturizer).
Common Concerns About Aging Oily Skin (And What To Do About Them)
Regardless of skin type, we are all more prone to some aspects of skin aging than others. The key is understanding which aspects we are prone to and deal with early. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Below, the most common aging concerns for oily skin types and how to overcome them.
Resource size
Speaking from experience, those of us with oilier skin can struggle with pore size as we age. When you have excess sebum flowing through your pores, it can stretch them, making them appear larger over time. This may not be particularly noticeable when you’re younger, but as we age we begin to lose cushion and volume in our skin. This cushion helps to “plump” enlarged pores, but as the skin becomes looser, large pores become more apparent.
Smooth, even skin texture is a key feature of youthful-looking skin, and it can be difficult to make pores look smaller once this starts to happen, so this is definitely a great thing to start treating early!
How to prevent enlarged resources
- Manage oil production using it right ingredients for oily skin
- Keep pores clear by doing regular extractions and exfoliation at home
- Use retinol to maintain your skin’s natural “cushion”.
Learn all about the best strategy for minimizing large resources.
Acne scars
While not everyone with oily skin gets acne, many do—especially in their younger years (I know this was true for me). Breakouts can vary in severity, but if you’re someone who deals with deep nodular or cystic acne, you know all too well that it can leave behind scars. This is by far the most difficult form of acne scarring to treat, and just like enlarged pores, it can become more apparent as we age.
You can manage the effects of acne scarring over time by following a diligent skin care routine that includes collagen-stimulating ingredients. Use one vitamin C serum in the morning to help build collagen and prevent further damage. Use retinol at night and consider consulting a dermatologist to achieve the prescribed strength, as this will produce the most dramatic results. Most importantly, wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine (this sunscreen is perfect for oily skin). While both vitamin C and retinol can help build collagen, protecting yourself from sun damage is key to preventing collagen from breaking down in the first place.
If your scar is severe, professional treatments such as radio frequency microneedling it can be a game changer.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Last (but not least), oily skin makes you more prone to sebaceous hyperplasia as you age. Sebaceous hyperplasias are benign skin growths that appear as flat, slightly raised bumps. As I said, they are completely harmless, but they can be annoying. I go to my dermatologist once a year to have these types of growths removed via electrical cautery.
The Takeaway—Does Oily Skin Age Better?
As you can see, there are many benefits to having an oily skin type. If you’re someone who hasn’t always felt comfortable with oily skin, I hope learning about these benefits can help you embrace it! To recap, a higher concentration of oil glands leads to thicker skin, which is more resistant to fine lines and wrinkles. Higher sebum production also means more natural moisture and built-in protection from the elements, which can be helpful in maintaining bright, even skin.
That said, having oily skin doesn’t make you completely immune to wrinkles, especially deep expression lines. It also does not protect against facial sagging, which includes deeper components of our anatomy such as fat and muscle. Oily skin types may also struggle with skin texture and large pores as they age, more so than dry skin types.
At the end of the day, the best way to maintain healthy skin and prevent the signs of aging is with a comprehensive skin care routine designed for your unique skin type. A skincare routine should address ALL of your skin concerns—not just a few (and oily or dry is only part of the equation). Not sure what your routine should look like? Take this quiz to get started!
Finally, remember that aging is a multifaceted process influenced by so many factors such as lifestyle, environment and genetics. The way I see it, do what you can to take care of your skin, your health and your happiness, then enjoy the ride 🙂 I believe balance is key and try to incorporate it into my daily routine.
Then find out why you should consider yourself lucky if you have acne!
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real solution — products designed to nine different skin types so your face will have exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research is why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin professional we know.”
