What Is Oily Skin?

The overproduction of sebum or oil by the sebaceous glands causes oily skin. These glands are found beneath the surface of the skin. Sebum is a fat-based greasy material. Sebum isn't all terrible; it protects and moisturizes your skin, as well as keeps your hair lustrous and healthy. However, too much sebum can cause oily skin, which can lead to closed pores and acne. Sebum production can be boosted by genetics, hormonal changes, or even stress, apart from poor oil skin care.

How to Tell If You Have Oily Skin?

If your skin has any of the following characteristics, you have oily skin:

  • Your skin seems lustrous, and later in the day, it appears oily.
  • Makeup doesn't appear to stay on and "slides" off.
  • Blackheads, pimples, and other kinds of acne may be found in the oilier parts of your face.
  • Pores on your nose, chin, and forehead are noticeably expanded.

Note: Keep a close eye on your T-Zone. The T-Zone is the area of the face that includes the forehead, nose, and chin and is known for having highly active oil glands that create extra sebum. You have mixed skin if your T-Zone is oily but the rest of your face seems normal or dry. Hormones, environment, and stress can cause these kinds to shift.

What causes oily skin?

The skin produces excess oil/sebum through the pores/ hair follicles. This can be hereditary, hormonal, and caused due to external factors.

How does oily skin look/feel like?

  • Acne/pimples on the skin
  • Whiteheads and blackheads
  • Open looking pores
  • Roughness on the skin in patches
  • Greasy appearance

Dos for Preventing Oily Skin

  • Wash your face in the morning, evening, and after physical activity. Do look for skincare products that are "oil-free" and "non-comedogenic." This indicates that goods with these labels won't clog your pores or cause acne, including cleansers, moisturizers, and cosmetics.
  • Wash your face with a skin hydrating face wash.
  • Use a moisturizer on a daily basis. Even if you have oily skin, you should still use a gel based moisturizer to keep your skin moisturized.
  • Wear sunscreen when you're outside. Sunscreen protects the skin from UV exposure, which can cause wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. Look for sunscreens that include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and avoid sunscreens that contain scents or oils to avoid acne outbreaks.
  • Use makeup that is oil-free and water-based.
  • Use blotting paper. To absorb the oil, gently press the paper against your face and keep it on for a few seconds. Avoid rubbing the paper against your face, since this can transfer the oil to other parts of your body.

Don’ts for Preventing Oily Skin:

  • Avoid using oil-based or alcohol-based cleansers. Your skin may become irritated as a result of using these products.
  • Don’t sleep with makeup on! Remove your makeup before sleeping.
  • Touching your face may be enticing, but it may carry dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your face. Make sure your hands are clean before touching your face to cleanse, moisturize, or apply sunscreen or makeup.
  • Don’t physically scrub your face. Resist the urge to scrape your skin, even to remove makeup, when washing. Scrubbing hurts your skin, making it appear worse.
  • Avoid using harsh, drying chemicals on your skin. Many individuals assume that in order to dry up their oily skin, they need to use a powerful face cleanser. Using a strong face cleanser, on the other hand, might irritate your skin and cause it to produce more oil. Instead, go for a soft, mild face cleanser.

Ingredients for Treating Oily Skin:

Salicylic acid:
Of all the acids in the skin-care industry, salicylic acid is one of the best face serum for oily skin. Salicylic acid is an excellent chemical exfoliant for oily and acne-prone skin because it removes dead skin cells. Salicylic acid can get rid of dirt and debris from deep inside your pores. Using Salicylic acid serum for blackheads and whiteheads, which are frequent in acne-prone skin and oily skin, could be a good solution.

Glycolic acid:

Glycolic acid, like Salicylic acid, may exfoliate your skin and clear up your pores. It can also assist with excess oil production by slightly hydrating your skin.


Niacinamide:

Topical niacinamide medication decreases sebum excretion rates in addition to promoting collagen formation and relaxing inflammation. Niacinamide serum for oily skin will hydrate your skin while also preventing it from overcompensating with its oils.


Hyaluronic acid:

Typical hydrating chemicals may feel too heavy on greasy skin. They have the potential to block pores and trigger acne outbreaks. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores while still hydrating your skin and minimizing oil production.

Ingredients to Avoid for Oily Skin:

  • Sulfates
  • Ammonia
  • Alcohol-based makeup and skincare products
  • Cream based skincare products and makeup products
  • Comedogenic skin care products
  • Petroleum jelly like Vaseline
  • Silicone-based products
  • Harsh physical scrubs
  • Harsh chemical exfoliants
  • Mineral oils or mineral oil products

Conclusion

Oil is produced by everyone's skin. Sebum is an oily or waxy material produced by your sebaceous glands that moisturize and protect your skin and hair. When your glands create too much sebum, your skin becomes oily, resulting in a greasy surface, blocked pores, and acne.

It's absolutely natural to have oily skin. When it comes to caring for oily skin, there are a few things to keep in mind, but most cases can be handled at home with over-the-counter medicines and good oil skin care.

FAQs

1.Why is my skin so oily?

Some people produce more oil than others due to genetics or clogged pores. It’s natural to have oily skin and it can be managed by proper skincare.

2.How to take care of oily skin?

Following a proper skincare routine and washing your face with gentle cleansers followed by moisturizing your skin with non comedogenic moisturizers for oily skin can be helpful.

3.Can Salicylic acid help with oily skin?

Yes! Salicylic acid is the most popular BHA when it comes to oily skin! But initially use it twice or thrice a week and then slowly increase its usage.

A quick trivia: Oily skin, if not hereditary, is not a constant and usually comes and goes by taking proper care & using the right ingredients!

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