Why does skin get oily?

What is the oil actually doing?

Sebum is a natural mixture of fats that helps limit water loss and protects skin against friction and some infections. Your skin makes its own protective coating, without giving it a product name or a launch campaign. The face and scalp have particularly high numbers of oil glands. Glands on the forehead and chin are larger and more numerous than in many other areas, which helps explain why oiliness is not evenly distributed.45

What makes oil production increase?

• Genes: Overactive oil glands can run in families.
• Hormones: Androgens, a group of sex hormones that includes testosterone, stimulate sebum production. Oil production rises at puberty and generally declines with age, particularly after menopause.
• Your menstrual cycle: Sebum production can be higher in the week before your period. The precise role of progesterone is unclear.
• Weather: Warm weather encourages oil production, and oily skin is more common in humid climates.
• Stress: Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol can signal oil glands to produce more sebum.
• Dryness and irritation: Harsh washing, scrubbing and drying products can trigger increased oil production.
• Medicines: Some medicines, including testosterone and certain hormonal medicines, can increase sebum production.

Why does my skin get oily so fast?

Cleansing removes surface oil, but your glands continue making sebum, so shine can return after washing. A clean face is not an off switch for oil glands, despite the ambitions of some cleanser names. If your face gets shiny quickly, consider both your natural oil production and your routine: frequent washing or a harsh cleanser can irritate skin and increase oil production. Washing again each time shine appears can therefore work against you.14

Is greasy food the cause?

Diet probably has little effect on whether you have oily skin, and there is little proof that eating greasy food causes it. Grease on a menu is not a forecast for your forehead. Genes and hormones are more useful explanations than blaming an individual meal.12

How to manage oil without drying out your skin

1. 1Wash gently in the morning and evening, up to twice daily, and after sweating. Use a mild, foaming cleanser rather than scrubbing or trying to leave skin completely dry.
2. 2Apply moisturizer after cleansing. If your skin feels dry, leave a little water on the surface before applying moisturizer to help trap moisture.
3. 3Wear sunscreen outdoors. A moisturizer containing broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher can combine moisturizing and sun protection.
4. 4Between washes, press blotting paper against oily areas for a few seconds. Lift it away rather than rubbing, which spreads oil.

Look for products labeled oil free or noncomedogenic, meaning unlikely to clog pores. Choose water based makeup, and remove makeup before bed. Salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid can help reduce oiliness, but stop the product or use it less often if irritation develops.36

Moisturizer is especially useful if you use drying acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene or prescription isotretinoin. Daily moisturizing helps skin tolerate these medicines. Skin can feel oily and still become dry or irritated, so shine alone is not a reason to skip moisturizer.6

When should you get help?

Blotting tackles surface shine immediately; routine changes take longer. If oiliness still bothers you after a month or two, or you are struggling with blackheads or acne, see a dermatologist. Oily skin alone is a cosmetic concern, but excess oil can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts. A clinician can recommend suitable products or medicines that absorb oil or limit its production.123