So you have oily skin, what now?

The causes of oily skin

When it comes to common skin issues, there’s very rarely a single answer to the question of what causes it. On a superficial level it’s easy to pin down what’s going on- the oil-producing glands in your skin are producing more oil than your skin needs to stay hydrated and healthy. But the question is, why?

If you’re in your teens or early 20s, it can simply be a matter of age-related changes occurring in your body. This isn’t the time or the place for the kind of talk most people’s dads have with them in their teens, but it’s enough to know that your hormones can ramp up the production of oil, and that for many people it will level out over time.

The weather and seasons can also cause temporary skin oiliness for some people, which is of course also something temporary and resolves itself in many cases. When you sweat more your skin also produces more oil, and you may therefore need to adapt your skincare routine at different times of the year.

Even if age and weather aren’t factors, there can be other causes of oily skin in some cases. Using the wrong products on your skin (such as facewashes and moisturisers) can sometimes make oiliness worse rather than better, not because it’s a bad product necessarily, but it just might not be right for your skin. Try changing products and see if you notice any improvement.

It might also be the case that the products that you’re using are perfectly fine, it might just be the frequency of washing that’s at fault. When your skin feels oily it can be tempting to wash it frequently, but overdoing it can have the opposite of the sides effect. Your skin will ramp up the oil production to replace the oil you’re washing away, and you end up fighting your skin rather than working with it.

For most people however, oily skin isn’t caused by any external factor, and it’s a simple matter of biology and genetics. Overwhelmingly your biology determines your skin type, so if you naturally have an oily skin type, it isn’t possible to change it, and frankly there’s no need to change it either. Your skin is producing oil to hydrate and protect itself, and while you might want to remove excess oil build-up, having an oily skin type isn’t something that anybody should worry about.

Living with your oily skin

When it comes to getting the best out of your skin type, washing your face and neck twice a day is a great place to start. You should consider investing in a facewash developed specifically for oily skin, or many anti-acne washes also contain ingredients designed to prevent oiliness. Gently wash your face with warm (but not hot) water in the morning to remove any build-up that has occurred overnight, and then again in the evening to clean off any excess oil that has accumulated during the day. The “T zone” along the top of your brow and the bridge of your nose, and the “U zone” around your eyes may be particularly prone to oiliness, so be sure to cleanse those areas thoroughly.

While it can be tempting to wash more frequently to try to remove shininess from the skin, keep in mind that natural oil on your skin is normal and healthy, and your skin will produce more to compensate for any over-washing.

It’s also important to remember that having oily skin doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use moisturiser. You will likely want to avoid thick creams in favour water-based moisturising creams and balms, but in general regularly applying a light moisturiser after washing can help to keep your skin healthy and balanced. Skin that’s healthy and moisturised is less likely to suffer from blemishes, breakouts and other common skin issues, so don’t be afraid to try it!

Remember, every skin type has its pros and cons, and there’s no such thing as perfect skin. Each of us has a skin type that’s determined by our genes and biology, and there’s no cream or scrub that’s going to change your skin type. Treat your skin well, keep it healthy, and your skin will look and feel great, no matter what your skin type is.