Oily Skin and What It Means

Whether you are a man or a woman, did you know that a male hormone called androgen is present in your body? The hormone is responsible for signaling the maturation of the skin’s sebaceous glands, and as these glands mature — oil production increases particularly in the face.

The areas of the face that are more susceptible to getting oily are the forehead, nose, and chin known as the T-Zone. These areas are more oily than the rest of the face because of the higher amount of sebaceous glands commonly known as pores.

Several factors heighten the reasoning behind very oily skin. For people living in high-climate areas, oily skin is relatively common. However, if you are wondering why your skin is too greasy despite living in a reasonably cool location, it could be one or more of the following reasons:   

1. You are using the wrong facial cleanser

If you feel like you produce enough oils to fry an egg towards the end of the day, you need to exert more effort in selecting the right facial wash. You should avoid cleansers with strong anti-acne ingredients, as those can actually hinder your skin from producing the right amount of oil.

Women with oily skin should reach for cleansers with a gel formula. The more shine and grease you see on your face, the lighter the foam you should be using. It should also be sulfate-free, paraben-free, oil-free, and perfume-free washes, which does not clog pores and trigger greasy, acne-prone skin.

2. You are overly stressed

Stress can aggravate the skin. If you are anxious about a significant life change, or if you are swamped at work, you may see increased production of oil on your face. Pressure causes your body to produce extra amounts of the stress hormone called cortisol, and one of its most common side effects is oily skin.

3. You eat cheese and drink milk too often

Although we grew up drinking a glass of milk every night, it can actually wreak havoc on the skin as an adult. Dairy can impact the delicate balance of hormones in your body. The levels of testosterone, progesterone, and nearly 60 other hormones rise in the body when you consume dairy, causing excess oil to build up beneath the surface of your skin, later causing acne.

If you love dairy, there are several kinds of plant-based cheese and vegan milk on the market.

4. You drink too much alcohol

If you love booze a bit too much, you better expect clogged pores and oil, oil, oil. Alcohol causes dehydration, which means the skin produces more oil to compensate, leading to breakouts. Cutting back on your drinking should cure your oily skin blues.

5. You like to cake on the makeup

Makeup is great for accentuating your facial features and covering pimples and scars. However, too much makeup can clog your pores. If you need to wear makeup on a regular basis, do not add thick layers of product on top of each other. Keep it light, natural, and opt for varieties that are oil-free and non-comedogenic.

No one likes an excessively oily face. It is not only shiny and greasy, but also unhygienic since dirt and bacteria cling to moist surfaces. If you have oily skin, the goal is to find the right balance in practicing healthy skincare and makeup regimes, controlling stress levels, and limiting consumption of dairy and alcohol.