What’s The Deal With Oily, Greasy Skin By Midday?

By Team Speak 
January 5, 2022

Do you find yourself waking up in the morning with fresh, radiant skin?

But by noon your skin is all greasy and shiny. Boo.

If this sounds like you, it might be time to figure out what's going on. 

Sebum: The skin's natural moisturizing barrier

When people think of greasy skin, they think of the oil that accumulates on your face. This 'oil' is called sebum.

Sebum comprises triglycerides, wax esters, squalene and free fatty acids. It is a special type of substance made by our bodies to help protect and moisturize the skin while keeping it clear of germs.

Sebum is released in small amounts by our bodies, but there are internal and external factors that can cause the skin to over-produce oil.

What causes oily skin?

1. Hormones

In women, higher levels of androgens can cause oily skin. This is because the production of sebum is linked to testosterone levels.

During puberty, hormones are to blame for many things. It's common to find that the skin becomes much oilier around the time of ovulation. This is because estrogen and progesterone fluctuations lead to an increase in testosterone production.

2. Genetics

If your parents have oily skin, there's an increased chance you will too. Bigger sebaceous glands that produce excess oil is a hereditary attribute that can be passed down.

3. Changing temperatures

When the temperature drops, your sebaceous glands produce less oil leading to drier, tighter skin. When the temperature rises, it causes your sebaceous glands to produce more oil which is why you may notice that your skin becomes much shinier during summer months.

4. Stress

Stress can trigger oily skin. This is because our adrenal glands produce more hormones when we are stressed which can result in an increased production of sebum.

5. Medical conditions

In some cases, a disease or illness can affect the body’s production of sebum. In particular, conditions such as diabetes and PCOS can cause hormonal changes that lead to oily skin. Certain medications can also be a problem for changing how your skin produces sebum.

6. Harsh skincare routines

Harsh skincare routines can cause increased dryness, which will trigger the body to produce more sebum as a defense. In some cases, over-cleansing can even lead to excessively oily skin as a result of removing too much natural oil from your skin.

How to reduce oily, greasy skin

Easy does it

Daily face-washing is the best way to get rid of excess oil. But doing this too often can lead to more oil production as the skin will begin to compensate for all of the oil you’ve stripped away with cleansing!

Limit washing your face once or twice a day using a gentle cleanser that is designed for sensitive skin.

This will allow you to maintain your skin’s natural barrier and reduce the risk of over-drying and overproduction.

Hydrate with care

It can be tempting to use alcohol-based or astringent toners to dry out the oil. But doing so will cause the skin to compensate by going into overdrive.

Instead, use a water-based hydrating mist to help maintain the skin's natural moisture levels.

Finish your routine using a moisturizer and sunscreen that is oil-free and noncomedogenic to reduce the amount of oil your skin produces.

Exfoliate gently

Exfoliation is useful to help combat oily skin and clogged pores to prevent breakouts. But using harsh exfoliators too frequently can do more harm than good, as they can damage the skin's protective barrier.

Opt for chemical exfoliants like retinol or salicylic acid to help reduce oily skin and improve skin turnover. Or a natural, gentle physical exfoliant once or twice a week.

Blotting papers or makeup products

Using blotting paper is a great way to quickly get rid of excess oil throughout the day. Dab gently around the nose or other shiny areas.

Try a mattifying primer or oil-free foundation to make sure your makeup is kept in check throughout the day.

Surprising benefits of oily skin

While oily skin is often associated with breakouts and blackheads, there are some surprising benefits.

Oily skin is usually thicker, smoother and more resistant to wrinkles!

But if you're negatively impacted by oily skin daily, check with a dermatologist to rule out any other conditions or medical issues.

References:

Oily Skin: A review of Treatment Options