Tips and tricks for oily facial skin

Do you think you have oily skin on your face? Then skincare might raise some questions. Do you think you don't need to use creams or other moisturizing products? That's not always the case. We'll clarify why your skin looks the way it does and how best to deal with it. We'll also give you tips on how to counteract it. Read on now!

How does oily skin manifest itself on the face?

Are you unsure what skin type you actually have? Then it's best to read our article on the topic first. Oily skin on the face specifically usually manifests itself through enlarged pores and blemished skin. The sebaceous glands clog faster, and your face appears shiny. Sometimes it can even shimmer oily. Less often, your complexion looks poorly circulated and pale.

These characteristics do not necessarily appear all over the body. As a rule, they are limited to the T-zone. Specifically, this means that the forehead, nose, and chin are affected. However, it can also happen that the scalp, chest, or back are oily.

Photo: © Angela Roma, License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Source: pexels

Causes and triggers for oily skin

The reasons for oily facial skin are numerous and not always immediately apparent. It primarily depends on how much sebum the responsible glands produce. This varies individually from person to person and changes throughout life.

For example, you might have this skin type during puberty, but tend to have drier facial skin as you get older. Feel free to read more in these articles:

But what specifically influences oiliness? In general, men tend to have oilier facial skin. This is due to their higher testosterone levels compared to women. In females, various hormonal influences throughout your cycle are usually involved. Your testosterone level rises on the first day of your period, which is why your complexion can appear particularly oily during this time.

Nevertheless, other, more external factors can promote oily facial skin. First and foremost is genetic predisposition. Certain medications, such as hormone preparations, are also sometimes a cause. Alcohol and an unbalanced diet with a lot of fat and sugar also affect us. In some cases, a disorder of the adrenal cortex or ovarian function can be behind it. However, you should definitely clarify this with your doctor.

Low pH Good Morning Cleanser by Cosrx — Provided by cosrx

How oily skin develops: focusing on the causes

Generally, oily facial skin results from excessive sebum production. Sebum is normally very important for our body because it supports our acid mantle and thus protects the skin from drying out.

However, if too much is produced, it can lead to the pores becoming clogged along with dead skin cells. This prevents the subsequent sebum from draining and causes it to build up. This, in turn, is a breeding ground for bacteria, which multiply very quickly. The risk of blackheads, pimples, and the like increases. Do you want to know more about the topic? Then read our articles!

In addition, this amount of sebum production causes the outermost layer of skin, also known as the stratum corneum, to thicken. This process is called hyperkeratosis by medical professionals. The pores open even more, and your epidermis often appears poorly circulated. Thus, you tend to have a pale complexion.

If you're wondering what you can do about oily skin on your face, we have some tips below.

Person covering lower half of face with arm — Photo: © minh đô, License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Source: unsplash

What to do about oily skin on the face

Are you familiar with the world of cosmetic products? Then you've probably heard of the Korean Skincare Routine. This is divided into 10 steps, in which you free your skin from all possible environmental influences, make-up, and the like, and prepare it perfectly for the next day. Based on this, we would like to give you some concrete tips for oily skin on the face.

Cleansing

Of course, cleansing is key. It allows your skin to breathe freely again and washes away any dry skin flakes that could further clog your pores. It's best to perform your routine both morning and evening. Here you can use products that gently degrease. For example, look for a pH value of 5.5. This is similar to the skin's own pH and is not re-greasing.

Pink cleanser next to a grey washcloth — Provided by by wishtrend

When you have oily skin on your face, it is essential to avoid alcohol-based products. This is often an ingredient found in toners. However, it would dry out the epidermis too much, causing it to compensate and produce even more sebum.

Instead, look for a toner that contains antibacterial ingredients, such as salicylic acid. In general, opt for products with lighter textures to prevent further clogging of your pores.

Peelings, both chemical and mechanical, can also help to gently remove dead skin cells. Just remember to do this only once a week. More frequent use would only irritate your skin and promote inflammation. Are you still looking for the right products? Then take a look at our LoveMyCosmetic Online Shop:

Skincare

An understandable first reaction for some is: I already have oily skin, so I don't need to moisturize, the moisture is already there. But that's only partially true. Because sebum doesn't mean that your oily facial skin is hydrated. Therefore, it's also important here that you support your epidermis accordingly – among other things, with eye care.

What you should focus on is that the care is fat and oil-free. For example, emulsions from our shop are suitable, as they both moisturize and have mattifying properties.

Here's another tip: When you're looking for creams and the like, pay attention to the term "non-comedogenic". This indicates that no ingredients are included that can cause or promote acne. Feel free to browse our shop for products for oily skin on your face!

Here are our most important tips again at a glance:

Gently cleanse morning and evening, paying attention to a pH value of 5.5.
Avoid alcohol-containing products, especially in toners.
Exfoliate once a week to gently remove dead skin cells.
Use fat- and oil-free products, preferably non-comedogenic.

Oily skin needs moisture; look for mattifying skincare products.

Jar of Vitamin Tree Water Gel next to berries — Provided by I'm From

How you can counteract oily skin in everyday life

Not always are hormones, illness, or hereditary predisposition the sole reasons for oily facial skin. Therefore, we would like to conclude by giving you a few tips on how to organize your daily life to counteract this skin type somewhat.

Avoid stress as much as possible and don't drink too much alcohol. You should also keep smoking to a minimum. A balanced diet is also particularly important when it comes to limiting sebum production.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, in particular, form a good foundation. Red meat and dairy products should only be consumed in moderation. Vitamin A, found in spinach, peppers, or carrots, on the other hand, has a positive effect on the skin's appearance.

Zinc-containing foods like oatmeal, cashews, or pumpkin seeds can also be on your menu more often. And last but not least, drinking water is also an important factor. Because here, blood circulation, metabolism, and oxygen supply are promoted. Combined with the right care, you will certainly soon notice an improvement.

You now know: Oily facial skin can be caused by various factors such as genetic predisposition, hormones, or external influences. Choose your skincare carefully and opt for oil- and alcohol-free products. In the long term, stress reduction and, as always, a healthy diet can help you reduce sebum production. But ultimately, every person is different – experiment and find the solution that suits you!