The skin can be commonly categorised into normal, sensitive, dry, oily and mature skin types. Your skin type will change throughout your life, and the best way to understand changes in your skin is to get to know it. Different skin types have different daily needs. This blog focuses on those with oily skin.
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Oily Skin
Seborrhoea is the name given to excessively oily skin. Having oily skin is not necessarily a bad thing. The natural oils within the skin are essential for keeping it healthy and protected. Oils also keep the skin looking youthful, so those with good levels of oil are even thought to have skin that ages better! However, excess oil production can result in clogged pores, and skin conditions such as acne and sebaceous hyperplasia. But, there are things you can do.
Symptoms
Oily skin can often be identified by looking at it and feeling it, as it is slick to touch, and has a range of visual symptoms, such as:
- Shiny skin
- Clogged pores
- Makeup separating and sliding
- Frequent breakouts
- Thicker dermis
Oily Skin Causes
There are a variety of causes of oily skin, ranging from genetics and hormones to the weather.
- Genetics – overactive sebaceous glands often run in families. If your parents have an oily skin type, the chances are you will too.
- Age – mature skin is commonly dryer, as sebaceous glands slow down and proteins are lost from the skin. So, you may notice much oilier skin in your teens, 20s and 30s.
- Hormones – Sebaceous glands increase in size during puberty and produce the most sebum between the ages of 15 and 35. Hormonal changes during puberty, the menstrual cycle and menopause can affect oil production.
- Environment – Where you live has an impact on your skin. Those in hotter, humid climates tend to have more sebum.
- Skincare – How you look after your skin can have a big impact on oil production. Overdoing it in your routine, e.g. by cleansing too regularly, can trigger excess oil production. As can using the wrong products, or not using any products at all (e.g. skipping the moisturiser).
- Lack of sleep – Inadequate levels of sleep raises your cortisol levels, and high cortisol levels trigger sebum production. So, not getting enough rest can be directly contributing to your oily skin.
- Diet – Certain aspects of our diet are thought to contribute to excess oil production. Processed carbohydrates are quickly broken down by your body and turned into insulin. Insulin affects androgen hormones, leading to increased sebum production.
Oily Skin Conditions
Though oily skin can keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay for longer, it can contribute to other skin concerns.
Acne
Oily skin is also more likely to be acne-prone, due to the increased likelihood of clogged pores. When the body produces excess sebum, the oils mix with dead skin cells on the skin and the mixture plugs the follicle, forming acne whiteheads and blackheads. If bacteria on the skin interacts with the clogged follicles, it can produce more intense acne symptoms, such as papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. Find out more about acne in our Skin Conditions Hub.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Overactive sebaceous glands can result in a harmless skin condition called sebaceous hyperplasia. This occurs when excess sebum is produced and gets stuck under the skin, causing oil-filled bumps to form. Though this can potentially occur anywhere on the skin, it is most common on the face. It also commonly affects adults, particularly those who are middle aged and older, but can potentially affect anyone. Though it does not cause any harm, sebaceous hyperplasia can affect self esteem and confidence, so there are treatment options available.
Top Tip – Don’t Touch Your Face
Don’t excessively touch your face during the day (don’t touch it at all if you can help it!) Often you touch your face without realising, so be extra conscious of this habit and try to avoid touching your face. If you know you touch your face a lot, keep your hands clean to avoid spreading bacteria to your skin.
Treating Oily Skin
When treating oily skin, remember the priority is to minimise oil production to a healthy level without stripping the skin of all oils.
Oily Skin: Can Clay Help?
Clay masks are considered a great way to minimise excess oils on the skin. Clay pulls oils from the skin and unclogs pores to prevent acne and breakouts. For the best results, only use clay masks occasionally (e.g. no more than once a week) and apply the clay only to problem areas of skin to avoid excess drying. (Remember – dry skin is a problem too!)
Oily Skin Skincare: Non-comedogenic
All skin types will benefit from a simple routine involving cleanser, toner, moisturiser, exfoliation and SPF. Products that are non-comedogenic are best for oily skin (and other skin types!) as they do not clog pores.
Cleanser & Oily Skin
Though oily skin may feel ‘unclean’, you must avoid over-cleansing or scrubbing the skin, as this may make it worse. Cleanse your skin in the morning and evening, and after exercising. Use warm water (not hot!) as temperature extremes can irritate the skin further, triggering oil production.
Importance of Toner for Oily Skin
Toner is an excellent addition to an oily skin routine. Add toner as an extra step after double cleansing to ensure all traces of makeup and debris are off the skin. It is also a great opportunity to add beneficial active ingredients into your routine, without washing them off, as with cleansers. The SkinBase Soothing toner contains Vitamin B5 and Aloe Vera to help with hydration and soften the skin.
FAQ: Do I Need Moisturiser If I Have Oily Skin
Those with oily skin often wish to avoid adding more moisture to their complexion – wishing instead for products that dry out their skin, such as blotting pads. However, though skipping the moisturiser may make you feel better in the moment, in the long term you are not doing yourself any favours. It is a myth that oily skin does not need moisturiser – it needs just as much nourishment as other skin types, and not applying moisturiser can make your skin oilier.
Exfoliating Oily Skin
Exfoliation can be scary, especially when getting it wrong can cause the skin to produce even more oils! So, you have a few exfoliation options to achieve healthy skin. The SkinBase Exfoliating Cleanser with AHA is a great choice for those with oily skin. The foam does not require any harsh scrubbing to cleanse the skin, as the micro bubbles draw out any dirt, impurities and excess oils with only a gentle rinse necessary. The SkinBase Exfoliating Cleanser also contains vitamin B5, which is deeply hydrating, to keep oily skin soft, smooth and healthy. The SkinBase Microdermabrasion and Hydro treatments are also excellent exfoliation options if you prefer to leave it to the professionals.
Keeping Oily Skin Protected: SPF
All skin types must apply SPF regularly to keep their skin healthy and protected from the sun. If you find yourself skipping the SPF to avoid another layer of moisture going onto your oily skin, you can use a combined moisturiser and SPF product. The SkinBase Daily Repair and Protect cream is an excellent choice.
Astringent Products
Astringent products draw water out of tissues, causing them to shrink. Using astringent products after cleansing oily skin can cause a temporary tightening effect, removing oil and visibly shrinking pores. Witch hazel is a popular astringent for oily skin. Some products may blend witch hazel with other ingredients for added benefits.
Ingredients for Oily Skin
Research has suggested alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid are incredibly beneficial for oily skin. Luckily for you, we’ve got a new treatment that is all about the ingredients…
SkinBase Hydro
SkinBase Hydro is a non-invasive treatment that incorporates a natural blend of AHAs and BHAs to rid the skin of dead skin cells and debris. Once the pores are unclogged and the skin is prepped, an infusion of powerful ingredients are targeted into the skin with the use of a personalised serum. The Clarifying Serum is perfect for treating oily skin.
Clarifying Serum
The clarifying serum has a variety of effective, calming ingredients that work to fight breakouts, reduce inflammation and minimise excess oil productions.
- Niacinamide – With anti-inflammatory properties, it renews and restores your oily skin by minimising sebum production and improving your skin barrier.
- Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract – A natural ingredient that regulates excess oils, refines pores and mattifies shine to improve the appearance of your skin.
- Arnica Montana Flower Extract – With anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it naturally accelerates tissue healing to quickly clear any breakout symptoms you may have.
- Arctium Majus Root Extract – Acts as a sebum regulator and skin purifier, while improving the quality and texture of your skin with its skin soothing, astringent properties.
- Citric Acid – Promotes exfoliation and cell turnover, while restoring moisture to your skin to treat breakouts.
