What Causes Oily Skin?

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WHAT CAUSES OILY SKIN

Do you struggle with shiny, greasy looking skin and regular breakouts? In this blog, we discuss what causes oily skin and how you can combat it with the right skincare products.

Do I have oily skin?

Oily skin usually manifests as shiny or greasy-looking skin. In terms of its effect on the skin, oily skin commonly causes blemish-prone skin and visibly enlarged pores. Another indicator is the way your skin responds to makeup. For many oily skin types, makeup may not always stay; it may even appear to slide off.

THE KEY CONTRIBUTORS TO OILY SKIN

There are 6 main causes of oily skin. In some cases, it can suggest the condition of your skin is compromised, in other cases it can lead to unwanted breakouts and cause the skin to look greasy.

Oily skin comes from overactive sebaceous glands. Sebum essentially functions as your skin's natural moisture, but excess sebum production can cause oily, greasy-looking skin. Visible oiliness can be a nuisance, but not only that, it also increases the chances of breakouts and blemishes.

To learn how to manage oily skin, it’s useful to know what causes oily skin. The main culprits of excess sebum production are:

Hormones
Environment
Genetics
Diet
Medication
Stress

Let’s delve into these causes a little more.

THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN SEBUM PRODUCTION

Can hormones affect my skin's oil production?

Hormones absolutely affect skin’s oil production, that ramp up sebum production. Dramatic shifts in hormones can cause a noticeable spike in sebum output which can irritate an already oily complexion.

Puberty

Puberty is the first major hormonal change we all face. As our body sets off new hormonal changes, the skin responds with increased activity in the sebaceous glands, causing oily, shiny skin. The excess oil can also block pores, leading to breakouts and blemishes that many of us experience during our teenage years.

Menstrual cycle

Ovulation and menstruation cause regularly fluctuating hormones. These hormones spike, and then drop just before menstruation, triggering more sebaceous gland activity, which leads to oily skin. This is why women are prone to breakouts just before their period.

Pregnancy

Progesterone and oestrogen production is also the culprit of oily skin during pregnancy. These hormones are elevated as the body creates the right environment for your baby to grow, triggering the same increased sebum production and oilier skin.

ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF OILY SKIN

How does the environment impact my oily skin?

The skin has its own strategies to protect itself from environmental aggressors every day. One way the skin protects itself is through producing more oil. With pollutants, environmental aggressors and fluctuating climate, the skin is more likely to produce oil as a way to protect itself.

Humidity
Humid climates can cause an increased activity in the sebaceous glands, and high levels of moisture can cause pore blockages and overcrowding skin cells that cause oily skin.

Air pollution
Living in a metropolitan area means higher exposure to pollutants and free radicals that can upset the skin and trigger oily skin.

LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND GENES

Does stress and diet affect oily skin?

Stress affects all parts of our bodies, including our skin. Elevated levels of stress leads to increase in cortisol production. Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, has a number of functions in the body to help your body respond to what’s considered a threat or danger. The more stressed you are, the more cortisol attempts to help you by increasing oil production.

Does diet affect oily skin?

A poor diet is very often a causes of oily skin. Wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats can help combat this.

Can medications cause oily skin?

Some medication that impacts your hormones can cause changes in your skin, including excessive oil production and breakouts. If you’re concerned about medication causing oily skin, speak to your health practitioner for personalised recommendations.

Can I inherit oily skin from my parents?

Genetics can definitely have an impact on your skin type. Even if you’re meticulous with your skincare, you may have a genetic predisposition to excessive oiliness. But there are still ways to manage oily skin, even when it’s in your genes!

SKINCARE MISTAKES FOR OILY SKIN

In addition to lifestyle and environment, your skincare can actual be one of the causes of oily skin. Here are a few common skincare mistakes that may trigger too much sebum production.

Cleansing too much

Excessive cleansing your face might seem like a good way to control oily skin, but by stripping the skin of natural oils of the skin you can actually trigger the skin to ramp up oil production to compensate.

Not moisturising enough

You might also think that limiting the amount of moisturiser you use could also combat the excess oil, but insufficient moisturising can lead to dry skin, prompting glands to produce additional oil.

Using products that clog pores

Certain ingredients may be contributing to clogged pores which can lead to breakouts and extra grease. Ingredients like lanolin, lauroyl lysine, lauric acid and isopropyl palmitate, that are commonly found in cosmetics can lead to clogged pores that worsen the appearance of greasy, shiny skin.

Over-exfoliating

Just like over-washing, stripping away natural oils on your skin excessively by exfoliating too much does more harm than good. It's important to regularly exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, but too much exfoliation will dry out your skin, triggering the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. It's best to limit exfoliation to twice a week.

SKINCARE TIPS FOR MANAGING OILY SKIN

Sometimes the triggers to oily skin are unavoidable. You may not be able to alter your genes or control the climate, but you can help ease the strain on oily skin through your skincare regime.
On that note, let’s talk about how you can utilise your skincare routine to combat oily skin.

CLEANSER

Maintain a regular cleansing regime (without overdoing it, two times a day is enough!) with a gentle cleanser free of harsh ingredients. A great cleanser for oily skin is the The Effaclar + M Foaming Gel Cleanser, great for removing impurities that can lead to breakouts and rebalancing the skin’s microbiome.

INCORPORATE A MATTIFYING TONER

One good thing to keep an eye out for is products labeled as “mattifying”. These toners are designed to reduce shine caused by excessive oil production. We recommend you add the Serozonic Matte Toning Mist to your routine. Again, it’s important not to overdo it on the “mattifying” products, as too much can dehydrate your skin and trigger more oil production.

HYDRATE AND MOISTURISE

It may seem counterintuitive to add extra moisture to already oily skin, but the skin produces oil to provide moisture to the skin, and by using moisturiser, you’re communicating to the skin that it doesn’t need to work overtime to keep the skin hydrated. The Effaclar Anti Shine Moisturiser is a great mattifying and hydrating moisturiser for oily skin types.

SUN PROTECTION

A broad-spectrum sunscreen is critical for all skin types. By protecting your skin against harmful UV rays, you also prevent the skin from overproducing oil. A sunscreen like the Anthelios XL Anti-Shine Dry Touch Facial Sunscreen provides suitable sun protection without adding extra shine to your skin.*

*ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

FACIAL MASKS

Clay facial mask formulas help to purify skin as well as eliminate any excess sebum to control shine. We recommend adding the Effaclar Anti-Acne Purifying Clay Mask to your weekly regime.

BLOTTING PAPERS

Blotting papers absorb excess oil on the skin's surface, reducing the appearance of shiny, greasy skin. You can use blotting papers throughout the day to remove any oil at the skin's surface, without having to wash your face.

FINAL WORDS ON OILY SKIN

Oily skin can result from a number of factors, and you may not always find a one-stop solution. It’s important to listen to your skin and observe how it reacts to any changes you make in your lifestyle or skincare regime. Try making one change at a time to more accurately determine what is causing your oily skin.

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