What causes oily skin?

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much I wash my face, it is still oily by the middle of the day. Actually, I have noticed that if I wash my face less, my skin is sometimes less oily. Why does this happen? I break out when I don’t wash my face so is there a happy medium somewhere? There actually is an explanation for this crazy skin phenomenon. Your skin naturally produces oil to keep itself moisturized. When you wash your face too often, removing all of the oil and leaving your skin dry, the skin actually produces more oil to compensate. The trick is to:

~~Use the correct products

~~Effectively protect skin

~~Properly hydrate

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

We put our skin to the test everyday fighting sun damage, free radicals, extreme cold or heat, wind damage, make-up, swimming pools; the list could go on and on. The biggest defense in skin’s power is to produce sebum (oil) for an extra layer of protection, moisturizing your skin and hair. If the skin is not properly cared for, these environmental factors can have an even greater damaging effect. To some degree, oily skin can be genetic, especially if you come from an acne prone family. However, there are a few things that can increase sebum production according to a Reader’s Digest article.

Hormones: The first time a lot of people notice they have oily skin is during puberty when hormones are going crazy. The body is going through a lot of changes at this time in life, though they are a necessary part of becoming an adult. This is also the case when your body is going through other hormonal changes such as pregnancy.

Wrong Moisturizer: While it is necessary to properly moisturize your skin, using the wrong type of moisturizer for your skin can have the wrong affect. For naturally dry skin, a creamier moisturizer is preferred for all day hydration. If you naturally have oily skin, you want to be using an oil-free moisturizer that is lighter in texture. It is also a good idea to stick with a cleanser and moisturizer that are meant to work together as a set.

Then choose an effective skin care routine that is personalized for your skin type. You may even find that different areas of your skin have different needs. The idea of multi-masking is excellent for targeting different skin types on one face. 

Stress: Yep, that’s right, stress. When we are experiences stressful situations, our bodies react by producing a hormone called cortisol. This can have the same affects as other hormonal changes and increase our skin’s production of sebum. Reducing the stress in your life or the way you respond to stress can prevent increased oil production and lessen the acne it causes, which is one less thing to stress over.

Makeup: Using makeup that is thick or heavy might seem like a good idea when you are trying to cover up oil or acne, but it can make these frustrations worse. Use makeup products which are non-comedogenic, which simply means they do not clog your pores. Because I have oily skin, I prefer to use a powder foundation rather than a liquid; or use a finishing powder on top of a liquid foundation. If you naturally have dry skin, it might be a good idea to also use a liquid moisturizer formulated for dry skin. 

Hydration: Just like failing to properly moisturize can lead to an increase in oil production, failure to properly hydrate your skin from the inside can have the same affect. Drinking the recommended amount of water not only hydrates your skin, but keeps toxins flushed out of your system to reduce irritation. 

Sunscreen: Using sunscreen is imperative in protecting your skin any time of the year, whether it is sunny or cloudy. I would never tell anyone to stop using sunscreen to reduce oil, however I would say to make sure you are using the right sunscreen. I would not recommend using the same sunscreen for your body on your face. Choose a skin care product that has sunscreen in it or a facial sunscreen that is oil-free and non-comedogenic. 

Environment: In addition to damaging sun and weather exposure, toxins and bacteria in the air can affect the integrity of our skin and oil production. One tip is to think of foundation as the final step in a skin care routine as it adds an extra layer of protection. You could also add to your skin care routine and use a purifying charcoal mask to pull toxins and bacteria from deep within pores. In heat or humidity, carry blotting tissues with you or a powder foundation. Finishing sprays can also help reduce oil while keeping your makeup in place.

Keeping one or all of these oil influencing factors in mind throughout your day can help to reduce and control the amount of oil presenting on your skin. Consistency is the key to any good skin care routine so focus on easy steps to integrate hydration, sunscreen, and a proper foundation into your day for starters. If your oil production is still out of control, it may be a good idea to speak with your doctor about controlling hormones and/or reducing stress. Sometimes this can be done easily with birth control. 

Sincerely,  Katie Ann.

#oilfree #skincare #sincerelykatieann