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A lot of people today complain about oily skin. They wonder why each time they are out, their faces become shiny. People with oily skin will always be prone to breakouts. It is even difficult to have makeup on the face because eventually, you would have to wipe off the oil on your face which feels greasy constantly.
Oily skin tends to happen when your sebaceous glands produce excess sebum. Sebum keeps your skin hydrated, however, in large quantities, it becomes a problem. In this article, we will show you what causes oily skin, and how you can manage it.
How Do You Know You Have An Oily Skin?
People with oily skin can tell that their skin is oily from touch it. You will notice your face shines, then you will also experience clogged pores which is the reason pimples will always appear on your face. If you notice more of the symptoms listed below, then you should know you have an oily skin
- Grease on your skin, especially your face.
- Presence of large pores on your skin
- Blackheads and clogged pores.
- Coarse skin, especially when it feels thick.
- Difficult finding the right makeup because sebum can mix the makeup.
People with oily skin experience different symptoms, and that is because of the role of genetics involved.
Now that you know you have oily skin. You may be wondering what might be causing it. Here are some of the reasons why people develop oily skin.
What Are the Likely Cause of Oily Skin?
There are many reasons why people have oily skin. It is not only a genetic problem but even some lifestyle habits could cause excess oil on your skin. Here are the major causes of skin oil:
1. Excess Washing Of the Face
It is usually recommended that people wash their faces twice daily to get rid of dust and debris. However, it is a problem when you wash your face more than two times. Even though you might be tempted to do so when you notice sweat building up on your forehead.
Washing your face repeatedly only solves part of the problem but then adds to it. Even though you may think you’re doing the right thing by washing your face to remove the oil on your face, what you don’t realize is that taking away the oil sends a message to your skin that the oil has been removed. It will then need to produce more oil to replace it, and eventually you will develop irritation because of the excess production of oil.
2. You Don’t Use Moisturizers
Another reason why people suddenly develop oily skin is when they fail to moisturize. Most times people with oily skin think they don’t need to use moisturizers. They think it would add to their already excess oil production. This notion is wrong but instead, they are depriving their body of oil and will only end up making their skin produce more oil than is necessary.
3. Using Wrong Skin Care Products
This is a common mistake most people make. It is always good to know and understand the type of skin you have before investing in any skincare products. Some skincare contains pore-clogging components that cause your skin to become oily. It is advisable to stay clear of products that will likely cause your hair follicle, oil glands, and pores to get clogged. You can start by avoiding products that are labeled as comedogenic because they will likely cause you to develop oily skin.
4. Scrubbing Skin Hard
Sometimes the idea of face and body scrubs seems like a good idea. However, when you do this aggressively, you would be ridding your skin of its important oils. The body’s response automatically kicks in and would end up producing even more oil to replace the one scrubbed off. Dermatologists have continued to advise against scrubbing the skin but instead recommend that people use a salicylic acid treatment. The salicylic acid can dissolve oils and will penetrate the pores to dissolve the oils.
5. Using Excess Salicylic Acid
It is said that too much of everything is bad. Salicylic acid treatment has been known to help dry out oils in the pores however when people use this treatment all the time, it would cause your skin to produce more oil. Salicylic acid is a good exfoliation solution, and when you use it all the time, it can cause excessive dryness of the skin which will, in turn, lead to oily skin.
6. Using Excess Toner or Cleanser
Your skin will likely become even oilier when you use toners. Toners are great and will help in getting rid of grease and dirt on the skin. It leaves it feeling squeaky clean, and comfortable. However, many people think that the more astringent it contains or the harsher it feels means the toner will completely solve any oily skin problems. This idea is wrong because if the astringent is too harsh it will irritate your skin making it itch and even turn pink. The oil it removes is only a temporary solution and will instead cause your skin to produce more oil.
7. Overusing Cleansing Brush
Another reason why you may develop oily skin especially is from overusing cleansing brushes. Although, the cleansing brushes are meant to help get rid of grease, oil, and dirt in the skin, using them more than once a day will cause a paradoxical effect. Using it excessively will end up causing more oil production for your skin.
8. Using Wrong Makeup Products
You will likely develop more oil on your skin when using the wrong type of makeup. It is safer to use makeup labeled as oil-free especially, for your foundations, primers, and concealers. Several good products won’t aid excess oil production on your skin. However, you must clean off your makeup before going to bed to avoid your pores being clogged.
9. Going Through Stress
Stress is the reason why many people develop oily skin. This isn’t surprising because we know how stress affects us mentally and physically. When you don’t get enough rest and are constantly stressed, it will tell on your skin. This is because the body produces a large amount of cortisol when it is stressed. It is this hormonal imbalance, which causes people to have breakouts. Some people think they can use makeup to cover up stress, but instead, it only worsens it. It is better to take a deep breath and relax now and then to keep yourself from getting stressed out.
10. Not Hydrating Enough
Water plays a major role in our general well-being. It is also known to help boost the skin’s appearance. When you fail to drink enough water, it would cause your skin to look dry. This in turn will cause your skin to produce more oil or sebum to make up for the lack of hydration. If you want to avoid oily skin, it is good to drink plenty of water every day.
11. Consuming Excess Sugar
If you have a sweet tooth, it can become a problem for your skin. A poor diet will only increase your body’s oil production. If you eat a lot of cakes, candy, ice cream, and soda, you should consider cutting down on these sugary treats. The presence of sugar increases the number of androgens in the body and will lead to excess oil production. If you still want to enjoy sweet things, it is best to go for natural sweets like fruits.
How Do You Control Oily Skin?
If you have oily skin, you may be thinking of getting rid of the oil. However, that is not the solution, the body needs the oil to stay hydrated. There should be a balance, and that is why you need to control your body’s oil by managing your oily skin.
Here are some safe practices to adopt to keep your skin from getting too oily.
- Wash your face only two times a day, in the morning and evening.
- Use only oil-free skin care products and the ones labeled non-comedogenic.
- Gently wash your face and avoid scrubbing your skin too hard.
- Avoid using any harsh astringent toners or oil-based cleansers that cause skin irritation.
- Use a moisturizer every day, especially one with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Use only oil-free and water-based makeup.
- Do not go to bed with makeup on your face.
- Always have blotting papers to dab your face and to help absorb the oil.
- Avoid touching your face with your hands to prevent the spread of dirt and bacteria.
Conclusion
Many people have different skin types, whether you have oily skin or not, you can still control the amount of oil your skin produces. It is good to have a good health care regimen to avoid breakouts. Sebum is good for your skin but only in a moderate amount. If you have excess oil, you will need to have a regular skincare habit to control it. Hopefully, you have learned just how to do that in this article.
