Why Is My Skin So Oily?

Oily skin isn’t a bad thing. Sure, it can be annoying to have makeup that doesn’t sit perfectly, break-outs that just don’t want to go away, and a shiny forehead; but let’s remember... skin that isn’t at least a little oily, is dry. Dry skin can flake, peel, or itch. The key is to find a solution that gives your skin the oil it needs to remain healthy, but also removes excess oil that can cause problems.

What Causes Oily Skin?

Your skin isn’t just a bag for all of your organs. In fact, the skin is an organ in itself! It works closely with the rest of your body to ensure that everything works properly. While it might look like a smooth surface, your skin actually has millions of tiny pores in it that allow it to maintain various vital processes. For example, your skin contains hair follicles that supply nutrients, and in fact foster the growth of, every hair on your body. Imagine having no hair. Then, be sure to thank your skin.

Your skin also contains sweat glands. Sweat allows your body to cool off when it gets overworked - without it, you could die of heatstroke after a quick summer jog. And yes, your skin is responsible for producing the oil that you would like to be rid of.

The oil on your skin comes from your sebaceous glands. The primary function of skin oil is to keep the skin moisturized so that it doesn’t dry out or crack. Without it, our skin would either be splitting open constantly or would have to be continually re-moistened by hand.

Of course, sometimes your skin can get a little overzealous with the production of skin oil. The most common cause of oily skin is an excess of androgen. Androgen is a hormone that signals to your body that your sebaceous glands are primed and ready to go. Of course, your body doesn’t always get your androgen level right, which can lead to excess oil production. This imbalance is most common during (surprise!) puberty.

While there is a distinct chemical cause for oily skin, there’s also a number of other factors at play as well.

For example, eating a lot of greasy, oily, sugary junk food, as well as not maintaining your hygiene, can add to your skin oil.

Washing your face too little, obviously, can cause your skin to get oily too. What’s interesting is that washing your face TOO much, or with the wrong solutions, can also make your skin more oily.

This process seems counterintuitive, but when you look at the physiology, it makes perfect sense. Your body creates oil in order to keep your skin moist. If you wash your face too often, or you wash it with alcohol-based scrubs, your body can detect that your skin is now not oily enough, and overcorrects by producing a ton of oil all at once, leaving your face shiny and slippery, even though you just washed it.

Genetics also play into the oiliness of your skin. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about this, but with the right products and treatments, you can help mitigate your oil levels to give your skin the warm, pleasant look you want.

How Can I Fix My Oily Skin?

When trying to keep your skin from becoming oily, it’s typically better to engage in the philosophy of minimalism. You don’t need tubs of different lotions, salves, wipes, and ointments. You really only need three things to help keep your skin’s oil level under control:

First, cool water is a great way to reduce the amount of oil your face produces without drying it out and causing more oil problems later on. So be sure to wash regularly, though not too often, with cool water.

Second, an oil absorber like Sebasorb can help sop up the extra oil on your face. Sebasorb’s active ingredient, attapulgite, is a naturally occurring mineral that binds with oils to clear your skin and keep it clear and dry for hours on end.

Lastly, to help keep your skin oil-free, after you’ve used an oil absorber like Sebasorb is applying a light liquid acne medication, like Liquimat Medium Acne Fighting Foundation. Liquimat works two ways to keep your skin oil-free! On the one hand, it’s water-based, so it doesn’t add oil to your face like some makeups do. One the other hand, it contains salicylic acid and 4% sulfur for gentle, yet effective acne-fighting.

Here’s your new oil-eliminating routine:

1. Rinse your face with cool water, and pat it gently dry.

2. Shake your bottle of Sebasorb vigorously, put a few drops on your palms, rub it between your hands and apply it to your face.

3. Then, if you’re going to use makeup or liquid acne-fighting medication, use Liquimat Medium.

The result of this new process is a clean, dry, oil-free face and fewer break-outs. Sounds great, right? Try them out today!

Summers Laboratories specializes in providing great skincare products for your whole family. Everything from oily skin treatments to psoriasis ointments is available for immediate shipment at our online store, sumlab.com. Let us help you feel comfortable and confident in your skin!

Click here to learn more about oily skin

When to See a Healthcare Professional

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional when:

• Symptoms are severe or worsening
• The skin is bleeding or very painful
• There are signs of infection
• The problem keeps returning
• Home care is not helping
• You are unsure what is causing the symptoms
• You have diabetes, poor circulation, or another condition that may affect healing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my skin so dry and cracked?

Dry, cracked skin often results from a combination of low humidity, harsh cleansers, friction, aging skin, or an underlying skin condition. Consistent moisturization with an appropriate emollient, avoiding harsh soaps, and protecting the skin from further irritation may help mild cases. Persistent, painful, or bleeding cracks are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

What can I put on very dry, cracked skin?

A concentrated emollient or occlusive moisturizer is often more helpful than a light lotion for very dry, rough, or fissured areas. Apply after gentle cleansing and reapply throughout the day. If the skin is broken, bleeding, or showing signs of infection, speak with a healthcare professional before applying anything.

How long does it take for cracked skin to heal?

Healing time depends on the cause, the depth of the cracks, and how consistent your care is. Mild cases may improve within a few days to a week of gentle, consistent moisturization. Deep, painful, or recurring cracks may take longer or need professional treatment.

Related Reading

• Why Are My Fingers Peeling? Identifying the Root Causes
• Why Are My Hands So Dry?
• Skin Fissure: Causes & Home Treatments
• Cracked Fingertips: Causes, Symptoms & Medical Conditions
• Cutemol Now Available on Amazon Canada: A Trusted Solution for Moderate-Severe Dry Skin,Cracked Fingers, Palms, Soles