Causes of Oily Skin

Oily skin causes both men and women to suffer embarrassment.  People with oily skin tend to develop lines and wrinkles at a slower pace - so it can be a blessing in disguise.  This is small comfort, however, to someone who is in the midst of dealing with excessively oily skin.  In order to lessen your condition, it is important to be familiar with the different causes of oily skin:

Internal Factors:
Heredity - The main cause of oily skin is inherited.  People with chronic oily skin have high androgen levels, which cause the skin to produce excess sebum. 

Tip #1 - Use a topical oil mattifier - After applying your moisturizer, consider using an oil mattifier.  These products will dry to a natural, matte finish instantly absorbing oil and controlling shine for at least eight hours. Reapply as needed throughout the day.  Be sure to use a product which is suitable for sensitive skin, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic.

Hormone levels - Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age. In general, increased oil production occurs during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands.

Tip #2 - Talk to your physician - There are some medications you can take which can help to regulate your hormone levels.  Some birth control pills (Ortho Tri-Cyclen), hair loss medications for men (Propecia), or a diuretic (Spironolactone) are some possibilities which have side effects including decreased oil production.

External Factors:
Birth control pills - Birth control pills change your hormonal levels.  If you're using birth control pills and you have oily skin, talk with your gynecologist or primary care provider about other kinds of pills or contraceptive options that may have less impact on the oilyness of your skin.

Cosmetics you use - If you have oily skin the last thing you need is to add extra oil to the skin. Some moisturizers and cleansers often have oil in them which is better suited to dryer skin. Also, some cosmetics are oil based and they will only aggravate the skin if used.

Tip #3 - Use oil-free skin care products.  Always read the label and seek professional advice if you are unsure of how much oil a product has in it. 

Tip #4 - Remove your makeup EVERY evening.  This is very important!  When the skin isn't cleaned properly at night, it clogs your pores and cause your body to produce even more oil.

Diet - Eat a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Keep your vitamin and mineral intake up especially with vitamins A, C and B complex.  Instead of that greasy or processed foods, choose the salad.

Tip #5 - Drink Water - It is also important to drink a minimum of recommended 64 ounces of water every day.  Grab a glass of water versus a bottle of pop whenever possible. 

Tip #6 - Avoid Certain Foods - Although no scientific data has ever proven that certain foods cause acne, staying away from too much caffeine and greasy foods does seem to help.

Humidity and hot weather - Hot weather causes increased activity of the sebaceous glands.  In other words, the warmer the weather, the more oil your body will produce.

Tip #7 - Use Oil Blotting Papers - Blotting papers blot excess oil and reduce shine as it occurs. There are a variety of oil blotting papers on the market.  Having blotting papers on hand are a life saver for the very oily.

Tip #8 - Use Sunscreen Formulated for Faces - Most people with oily skin avoid sunscreens like the plague because they say they are too greasy, too sticky, blocks their pores, etc.  It is still important to protect your skin from the sun's UVA/UVB rays.  Use a sunscreen on your face which is specifically formulated for faces, one which is oil-free and is non-comedogenic. 

Lack of exercise - Be sure to get plenty of exercise. One of the benefits of exercise is that it increases circulation. This will help provide oxygen to skin cells. Also the pores of your skin will be cleansed as you perspire.  And exercise is a great stress reliever!

Stress - There is definitely a link between stress and oily skin, so do your best to relax. Androgens produce a lot more oil when the body is stressed which inevitably leads to oily skin! You do not even have to be suffering from mental stress, physical stress such as colds, allergies and menstruation can all be contributing factors to oily skin.

Being born with oily skin doesn't have to be a curse!  If you are familiar with the causes of oily skin and follow these tips, you will be well on your way to controlling the excess oil and having more beautiful skin.