Anyone having a problem? Oily face You probably know how frustrating it is: makeup melts away almost immediately, and after wiping it off, it's oily again. Some people wash their face as often as they can, and it doesn't go away, plus it increases the risk of acne. This problem can stem from more causes than you might think, including genetics, hormones, and even your daily skincare habits. This article aims to help you understand why. What can cause oily skin? Along with practical solutions and prevention methods that can be implemented in daily life.
Main Idea
- Oily skin means the skin produces excessive amounts of oil, or sebum, through the pores on the face. This oil is produced by the sebaceous glands located beneath the skin. Oily skin can be caused by age, genetics, hormones, weather conditions, or dehydration, among others.
- Oily skin can lead to various problems, such as acne and skin inflammation, enlarged pores, dull complexion, a constantly shiny face, and makeup creasing or flaking throughout the day.
- Oily skin can be managed with Botox injections to reduce oiliness, drinking enough water, choosing products suitable for your skin type, avoiding sun exposure, using blotting sheets, exfoliating, using masks to help absorb excess oil, and applying topical medications.
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin refers to a skin condition that produces excessive oil or sebum.SebumExcess oil is released through the pores on the skin's surface. This oil is produced by the sebaceous glands located beneath the skin.
Sebum is beneficial in helping to coat the skin to retain moisture and protect it from external environmental factors. However, when the sebaceous glands are overactive, excess oil accumulates on the skin's surface, resulting in an oily, sticky, and shiny complexion, especially in the T-zone. Oily skin can be caused by several factors, including:
- age Teenagers and young adults tend to have the oiliest skin, but as we age, the body produces less collagen and sebum, resulting in drier skin.
- Heredity: It's a process of passing down certain traits from one generation to another. Therefore, if parents or family members have oily skin or large pores, there's a high chance their children will also have oily skin.
- Hormones: Hormonal acne is caused by high levels of the male hormone androgen (testosterone), present in both men and women. This hormone directly stimulates the sebaceous glands, resulting in oily skin and acne. It often occurs during adolescence, before or during menstruation, and during periods of high stress.
- Weather and environment Hot and humid weather stimulates the sebaceous glands to work harder, and pollution and dust also contribute to a sticky and greasy feeling on the face.
- Dehydrated skin Normally, the body produces oil to coat the skin and prevent it from losing moisture. However, if the skin is very dehydrated, the body will produce even more oil, resulting in oily skin.
- Insufficient sleep When we stay up late, get insufficient sleep, or don't sleep soundly, our bodies experience stress, causing them to release more cortisol, or the stress hormone, than usual. This hormone directly signals the sebaceous glands under the skin to work harder, resulting in oily skin upon waking up.
- Choosing products that are unsuitable for your skin. Using face creams that are too heavy or contain oil that clogs pores, as well as not using moisturizer at all, will dehydrate the skin, causing the body to produce more oil than usual to compensate.
- Washing your face too harshly. For example, washing your face more than twice a day, using facial cleansers with high surfactants, and using very hot water can disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier, causing the skin to produce more oil to coat the surface.
- Exfoliating or scrubbing the skin too frequently. Using AHA or BHA acids, including daily facial scrubs, can cause skin inflammation and strip away beneficial oils, leading to overactive sebaceous glands.
- Eating Foods like fried foods, greasy foods, sweets, and dairy products or cheese stimulate insulin and certain hormones, leading to oily skin and acne.
What are some of the negative effects of having oily skin?
Oily skin is caused by the sebaceous glands producing excessive oil. This results in acne and skin inflammation because excess oil accumulates dust and bacteria, leading to clogged pores and the easy formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and pustules. Furthermore, it can enlarge pores; when the sebaceous glands have to produce so much oil, the pores expand to accommodate it. It also contributes to dull skin; when facial oil reacts with sunlight, pollution, and dead skin cells, oxidation occurs, making the skin look dull, uneven, and tired. Constantly oily skin also feels sticky, uncomfortable, and can negatively impact self-confidence. Finally, excess oil causes makeup to crease, flake, and not last throughout the day, requiring frequent blotting or reapplying.
What's a good way to control oily skin?
Botox for reducing oily skin.
This procedure involves injecting Botulinum Toxin Type A, or Botox, directly into the muscles and sebaceous glands in areas with enlarged pores. After injection, the substance inhibits the function of the sebaceous glands, reducing oil production. Additionally, it helps relax and shrink the small muscles attached to the pores, resulting in smoother and more refined skin. The reduction in oil production is noticeable within 3-7 days, with significant results visible within 14 days, and the effects last approximately 3-6 months.
Drinking enough water
Water is an essential component of the body. It helps reduce facial oiliness, keeps the skin hydrated, and helps flush out waste from the body. Therefore, we should drink at least 7-8 glasses of water a day.
Choosing the right facial cleanser.
Cleansing products should contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which helps dissolve excess oil that can clog pores and prevent acne.
Choosing products that are suitable for your skin type.
Choose oil-free products or oils that won't clog pores to prevent acne and excess oil on your face.
Avoiding sunlight
Sunlight is a major culprit in damaging the skin. Regular sun exposure dries out the skin and disrupts its balance, leading to excessive oil production. Therefore, always apply sunscreen with an SPF 30++ and an oil-free formula before sun exposure to prevent oily skin and other skin problems.
Using oil blotting sheets.
Using blotting sheets when your face feels oily will help absorb excess oil without irritating your skin. However, you shouldn't use them too often, as this can dry out your skin and cause acne.
Skin scrubbing
Facial scrubbing should only be done 1-2 times a week. This helps remove dead skin cells and accumulated dirt from pores, but you shouldn't scrub your skin too often.
Using a mask to help absorb excess oil.
For example, a clay mask. The clay helps absorb excess oil from the face, cleanses pores, and leaves the face looking fresh and less oily.
Topical medications
Retinoid medications can help reduce oil production and decrease blockages, but you should consult your doctor.
How to prevent oily skin during the day.
- How to wash your face correctly To reduce oily skin throughout the day, the correct approach starts with cleansing to remove makeup and dirt. Next, use an oil-controlling and gentle facial wash to avoid drying out the skin. After washing, immediately apply toner to a cotton pad and wipe it all over your face to add moisture and restore skin balance.
- Using a gentle cleanser. Using a facial cleanser that leaves your skin feeling dry and tight will dehydrate your skin, causing your body to produce more oil to compensate for the lost moisture.
- Applying moisturizer daily. Moisturizers suitable for people with oily skin should be gel-based or lightweight lotions that are oil-free, to hydrate the skin without adding oiliness.
- Choose skincare products that contain Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Salicylic Acid (BHA), or Zinc PCA. It has properties that help reduce oil production and tighten pores.
- Applying an oil-control primer. Apply primer specifically to the T-zone before foundation or powder. The primer will help control oil and make makeup last longer.
- Setting the face with translucent powder. After applying sunscreen or foundation, lightly dust with loose powder to help absorb excess oil.
- The correct way to use blotting paper. Use blotting paper or facial tissue to gently pat your face; do not rub or wipe vigorously, as rubbing will disrupt makeup and irritate the skin, causing it to produce more oil.
- Oil-control mineral water spray. For example, formulas containing zinc or those with a mattifying effect can help hydrate, cool the skin, and give the powder a natural look without leaving a cakey finish.
- Drinking enough water Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day helps maintain hydration balance in the body, preventing the skin from producing excessive oil.
- Avoid touching your face frequently. The hands that touch our faces may harbor dirt and oil. Frequently touching our face unknowingly adds oil and bacteria to our skin.
