Oily Skin: Causes, and Treatment

Oily skin is very common problem in Indian people. Sometimes the shine only affects the T zone of the face: it is combination skin. Sometimes, it spreads all over the face: this is called oily skin. The combo with oily hair is common: normal since the cause is the same.

Get to know on all about the causes of oily skin and their treatment in this article.

In This Article

• How is oily skin determined?
• 5 internal factors responsible for (hyper seborrhea), Oily skin Causes
• Hormonal influence
• Localization on the body
• Gender
• Age
• Chronobiological rhythms & the environment
• What are the consequences of oily skin?
• Oily Skin Treatment and Prevention
• How to treat oily skin?
• What are the best products for oily skin?

How is oily skin determined?

Oily skin is skin with a shiny, oily appearance, mainly visible on the face and scalp.

The skin naturally secretes an oily substance, called sebum, which helps it protect itself against external aggressions and fight against dryness.

Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands, which are particularly numerous in the forehead, the wings of the nose, and the chin.

In some cases, the production of sebum is excessive: this is what gives the skin a "greasy" appearance. This is called hyper seborrhea, a condition that can promote the appearance of acne.

5 internal factors responsible for (hyper seborrhea), Oily skin CausesHormonal influence

The production of sebum is regulated by female hormones (estrogen) which slow it down and male hormones (androgens) which stimulate it. So there is never a problem with oily skin before puberty!

Different mechanisms can lead to an increase in sebum secretion, in women as in men. When estrogen levels drop

For example, in women, there is often a surge in sebum production just before the period, when estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise. On the contrary, during the period, the skin is drier.

Recommended to read: Why to Use Gel Sunscreen for Oily Skin?

Localization on the body

The sebaceous glands are distributed unevenly on the body, which explains why there are very oily areas and others less. Generally, the areas richest in sebum are:

• Scalp,
• The face,
• Upper back
• The abdomen

The same thing on the face: the distribution of the sebaceous glands, therefore, varies the production of sebum as well. The maximum rate of Oily skin causes for the T zone (forehead, nose, chin) and cheeks, less on the eyelids and neck.

In the case of oily skin causes, there is excess sebum all over the face. Only the T zone is concerned in the case of combination skin, which has normal or dry skin on the rest of the face.

Gender

Oil production begins earlier in girls, due to earlier puberty than in boys. In contrast, men naturally produce more sebum than women in adulthood. They are therefore very frequently faced with the problem of oily skin causes.

Age

Hormone activity starts at puberty when hormone secretion peaks. Then things are regulated in adulthood before a gradual decline from the age of 45 for men and a sharp drop at menopause for women.

Chronobiological rhythms & the environment

Sebum production varies throughout the day, peaking between noon and 2 p.m. and a minimum between 4 and 7 a.m.

It also changes according to the seasons and the temperature, especially heat. A 1 °C increase in skin temperature increases sebum production by 10%. Normal to have skin that shines more in spring and summer.

What are the consequences of oily skin?

Besides the unsightly appearance (shiny skin), oily skin is a condition that can promote the appearance of acne, pimples, and blackheads. However, not all people with oily skin have acne.

On the scalp side, excess sebum can lead to oily, weighed down, and "dirty" looking hair.

Oily Skin Treatment and Prevention

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin is fragile skin.

It is, therefore, necessary to start by limiting astringent or "stripper" cosmetic products, which eliminate excess sebum but have the side effect of increasing its secretion.

It is necessary to favor cosmetic products designed for combination to oily, non-comedogenic skin, which sometimes also have a mattifying effect.

Once a week or once every 2 weeks, it is possible to perform a mask (with clay, for example) or a gentle scrub.

If the hyper seborrhea is due to hormonal problem, hormonal drugs, such as anti androgens, may be prescribed. The dermatologist or endocrinologist must be consulted to make a precise diagnosis and to propose an appropriate treatment.

Finally, in the case of very unsightly oily skin, which is accompanied by acne, laser treatments can sometimes be performed by dermatologists.

How to treat oily skin?

These simple actions are used to treat oily skin:

• Daily cleansing of the skin
• Hydration of the face
• Choosing a good exfoliant
• The use of a product that conceals imperfections
• Adopting a balanced diet
• Abandonment of compact foundation
• Sun protection
• Regular visits to the dermatologist

What are the best products for oily skin?

To help people with oily skin, here is a list of essential products:

• Gel Based Sunscreen SPF 50
• Best Face Wash For Oily Skin
• Oil Free Moisturizer For Oily Skin
• Best Gentle Skin Cleanser