Everyone has some oil on their skin. Under each of your pores is a sebaceous gland that produces a natural oil called sebum, keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. However, the glands can produce too much oil, which makes oily skin. You know you have oily skin if your skin constantly looks shiny, and you go through several blotting sheets a day. Oily skin can even feel greasy within hours of cleansing. Breakouts are also more likely because the sebum mixes with dead skin cells and gets stuck in your pores.
The causes of oily skin include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While you can’t necessarily get rid of oily skin, you can take steps to make your skin less oily. The key is to identify one or more of these seven underlying causes. Oily skin tends to run in families. If one of your parents has oily skin, you’re likely to have overactive sebaceous glands, too.
While you don’t necessarily grow out of oily skin, your skin will indeed produce less sebum as you age. Aging skin loses protein, such as collagen, and the sebaceous glands slow down. This is why many people who have aging skin also have dry skin. This is also the time when fine lines and wrinkles are more noticeable because of the lack of collagen and sebum. One benefit of oily skin is that you may not show signs of aging as quickly as your drier counterparts. You may have oily skin now, but you’ll need to evaluate your skin as you get older. Even people in their 30s may not have the same skin composition as they did in their teens and 20s. An aesthetician can help evaluate your skin type every few years to see if you need to make any changes to your skincare routine.
While genetics and age drive the underlying causes of oily skin, where you live and the time of year can also make a difference. People tend to have oilier skin in hot, humid climates. You’re also more likely to have more oil on your skin during the summer than you would in the fall or winter. While you may not be able to pick up and move away because of your oily skin, you can adjust your daily routine during days of high heat and humidity. Keep blotting sheets on hand to touch up excess oil throughout the day. A matte moisturizer or foundation can also help soak up extra oil.
Oily skin can also be brought on by using the wrong skin care products for your skin type. Some people mistake combination skin for oily skin, and they might use too heavy creams, for example. If you have drier skin during the winter months, you may need to change your skincare plan for the spring and summer with lightweight moisturizers and gel-based cleansers. Using the correct skin care products can make a huge difference in the amount of oil that’s left on your face.
