Oily skin can be a struggle. There is no greater (beauty) disappointment than starting the day with fresh skin that turns into oil slicks by noon. Luckily, there are some skin care tips and tricks to keep your oily skin under control and your skin looking fresh all day long. Here’s our complete guide to caring for oily skin, including a curated skincare routine for oily skin.
The causes of oily skin
From the climate to your genetics, there’s a wide range of factors to blame if you’re wondering why you have oily skin.
Oily skin is hereditary
Oily skin is linked to an inherited disposition to overproduce the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes excess sebum production in the skin. We need sebum — the oily, waxy substance that lubricates the skin — to keep our moisture barrier intact, but overproduction can become problematic. Too much oil it enlarges the pores (as they stretch to contain the amount of oil produced) and when trapped, the oil can combine with dead skin cells and bacteria on the surface of the skin to cause pimples. To combat this, regular cleaning and gentle exfoliation are key steps in preventing pore congestion and managing large pores. These actions help remove excess sebum and remove trapped impurities, allowing pores to shrink back to their normal size. Clay and charcoal masks are also effective, offering a gentle astringent action that tightens and minimizes pore openings while controlling oil production.
The Climate
Another common trigger is the hot summer months. Heat and humidity can lead to increased oil production. You may overcorrect and try to eliminate oily skin by cleansing four times a day or exfoliating too often. But these methods strip your skin of its natural oils and interfere with its barrier function.
Hormonal fluctuations: Excessive sebum production
You can’t imagine it — Even after puberty comes and goes, hormones can still mess with your skin. During pregnancy, menopause, or during our period, hormonal fluctuations can encourage excess oil and breakouts. According to Foreo.com: “Androgens are the hormones that are primarily responsible for oil production and can sometimes fluctuate, stimulating an increase in sebum production. This often happens during adolescence, just before menstruation, during pregnancy and during menopause.’
Harsh skin care products
Sometimes oily skin can be caused by using the wrong skin care products. When choosing products for oily skin, Dr. Hooman Khorasani, Dermatologist and Plastic Surgeon suggests looking for those in gel or lotion formulations. “Choosing moisturizers can be a challenge for oily skin as well,” Dr. Khorasani explains. “Opting for lightweight moisturizers or matte moisturizers can be a solution. Oil absorbent sheets are always good to have on hand during the day.”
The benefits of oily skin that may surprise you
While oily skin may seem difficult to take care of at first, you may be surprised to learn that there are benefits to having oily skin.
More resistance to the appearance of wrinkles
Thanks to antioxidants produced by overactive sebaceous glands, oily skin types will suffer less wrinkles and fine lines compared to dry skin types. You won’t completely avoid wrinkles, but your lines and folds may not appear as early as other skin types. Talk about being lucky.
A stronger skin defense system
With oily skin, you produce more sebum, part of our skin’s defense system against threats such as infection or the environment. Sebum is made up of vitamin E, an antioxidant that acts as a defense mechanism for your skin’s surface.
Makeup sits well on oily skin
When it comes to makeup, application on dry skin can be flaky and temperamental. Makeup on oily skin, however, is much more pleasant. While you may need to use a lot of setting spray to keep your makeup from sliding off, it’s easier to reapply on oily skin than it is to struggle with patchy makeup on dry skin (although that depends on who you ask! ).
Skin type test: How to tell if you have oily skin
There are some giveaways that you have oily skin. It often exhibits the following characteristics:
- Shiny appearance
- Oily to the touch
- Texture like an orange peel with visible, enlarged pores
- The skin is prone to tearing
- The makeup feels like it glides on as soon as it’s applied
Still not sure if you have oily skin? Try this three-step test to reveal your skin type:
1. Clean and wait
Wash your face with your favorite Eminence Organics Cleanser and do not apply additional products for at least one hour.
2. Stain
Take a clean piece of tissue and gently dab the T-zone to check for oil residue.
3. Examine your skin
If your skin feels comfortable (not tight), but there is residue in the tissue, your skin is probably oily.
Watch this In The Mix as Eminence Organics Lead Skincare Educator Natalie Pergar presents three easy steps to categorize your skin.
How to deal with oily skin
Oily skin can be genetic, but oil production can also be affected by hormones, stress, environment and seasonal changes. Here are some tips to keep oily skin under control.
1. Skip the hard, dry skin ingredients
Many of the products that claim to correct oily skin can actually make it worse. Most contain harsh ingredients that strip the skin’s moisture barrier. While they may make your skin feel less oily, they often cause even more oil production to compensate for dry skin. Salicylic acid and clay are two of the best ingredients for treating acne-prone skin and preventing future breakouts. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that penetrates deep into pores to clear blockages and neutralize acne-causing bacteria. Clay works like a magnet, using its negatively charged particles to draw positively charged impurities from the pores and surface of the skin. To ensure you’re using effective ingredients like these, it’s important to choose a cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils while still targeting excess oil and impurities.
When choosing a cleaner, Really Simple she advises following this rule of thumb: “You should avoid cleansers that contain harsh surfactants, which strip the skin of excess oil and leave it so dry that it feels stretched—and may just crack if you drag it with a finger.” Some common surfactants include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). Instead, choose natural and organic products that are formulated without harmful additives that strip your skin of needed moisture.
2. Adjust your diet
Avoid alcohol and spicy foods that raise your heat index. These dilate blood vessels and cause sweating, adding sweat to your already smooth skin. Instead, stock up on foods like carrots, grapefruit and cabbage which are high in vitamin A and help slow oil production. Don’t be afraid of fatty foods. In fact, foods like salmon, tuna, walnuts and pumpkin seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fats, regulate the hormone that controls oil production and help keep your skin in balance.
3. Keep your skin care cool
Eminence Organics Chairman Boldijarre Koronczay recommends keeping masks and moisturizers in the fridge to keep your skin cool and oil-free. She says: “Applying products straight from the fridge will keep your skin temperature cooler, reducing excess oil production.”
4. Embrace Minimalism
If you have oily skin, it might be time to rethink your makeup routine. Primer and liquid foundations they often contain silicones, which clog and enlarge pores, exacerbating oily skin problems. We suggest swapping out your silicone primer for a natural alternative.
5. Consider professional spa treatments
For moderate to severe acne sufferers, professional spa treatments can be extremely beneficial. Facial acne products clean deeply. They use professional grade peels with a high concentration of active ingredients to remove build-up as well as licensed esthetician extracts to clear blackheads and whiteheads.
Struggling with oily skin? Check out this step-by-step skincare routine designed for your skin type. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks for keeping it under control. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.
