Table of contents:
- Definition of oily skin
- What is oily skin?
- Oily skin signs & symptoms
- When to see a doctor for oily skin?
- Causes oily skin
- 1. Genetic factors
- 2. Age
- 3. Changes in the weather
- 4. Has large pores
- 5. Does not match the product skin care
- 6. Excessive skin care
- 7. Do not use a moisturizer
- 8. Hormones are not balanced
- 9. Too focused on drying the face
- 10. Consuming too much sugar
- Risk factors for this skin condition
- 1. Frequent consumption of dairy products
- 2. Stress
- 3. Using thick makeup
- 4. Lack of drinking water
- Treatment for oily skin
- 1. Wash your face diligently
- 2. Use astringent or toner after washing your face
- 3. Use a moisturizer
- 4. Avoid touching the face with hands
- 5. Using wax paper
- 6. Choose oil-free care products
- 7. Be diligent in shampooing
- 8. Choosing the right foods
- Prevention of oily skin
- 1. Do not wash your face too often
- 2. Wash your oily skin with warm water
- 3. Avoid heavy textured moisturizers
- 4. Using makeup the light one
- 5. Routinely wear a face mask
x
Definition of oily skin
What is oily skin?
Oily skin is a condition when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce too much sebum. Sebum is a natural oil that coats the skin and hair. The excess sebum production makes the skin look shiny and shiny.
Sebum actually helps keep skin moisturized. However, too much oil can actually trigger new problems, especially acne. This is because dirt is easier to stick to the skin and eventually clogs the pores.
Also, the dead skin cells in people with this skin condition are usually difficult to shed and come off. As a result, dead skin cells that should fall out on their own clog the pores of facial skin.
The problem of excess oil, especially is often seen on the face. However, other parts of the body are not free from this problem. The back and scalp are some examples of the oiliest parts of the body.
Oily skin signs & symptoms
The oil usually appears most often on the face, back, and scalp. People who have this type of skin generally have the following characteristics and symptoms:
- Facial skin looks sticky, shiny, wet, and shiny.
- Pores appear large and clear on facial skin.
- The face is prone to acne.
- Many blackheads grow.
- Hair limps easily due to oily scalp.
Everyone can experience symptoms of varying degrees and forms. There are owners of oily skin with large skin pores, but there are also owners of oily skin who have no problems with pores.
When to see a doctor for oily skin?
If your skin just looks oily without other problems, you are not obliged to see a doctor. Oily skin is a common problem that can be resolved with lifestyle changes, although the results are not always permanent.
However, you should visit a doctor if this condition causes the skin to grow pimples that don't go away even after treatment. Consultation is also needed if the scalp produces too much oil and appears to be covered in dandruff.
Visit a dermatologist and genitalia specialist to get the right treatment for your condition. Do not delay the checkup if the problem of acne or dandruff is getting worse from day to day.
Causes oily skin
There are many factors that cause oily skin. Therefore, oily skin owners must understand these various factors to find the right solution.
Here are some of the factors that often cause it.
1. Genetic factors
Oily skin problems tend to run in families. If one parent has this condition, the child is likely to experience the same problem. The chances are increased if both parents have the same skin condition.
2. Age
Teenagers and people who are young adults are more prone to experience oily skin problems. This is because the older a person is, the less sebum production from the oil glands will be.
As we age, the skin loses a supporting protein called collagen. Reduced collagen makes the oil glands work more slowly. This is why most parents have dry skin that is full of fine lines and wrinkles.
People with oily skin often have problems with blackheads and pimples. However, they actually also have one advantage: the signs of aging appear more slowly because the skin is more moisturized.
3. Changes in the weather
Sebaceous glands tend to produce more sebum in hot, dry weather. This is so that the skin does not become dehydrated due to losing a lot of fluids. However, excess sebum production can actually make your skin very oily.
4. Has large pores
Facial pores can get bigger and wider with age, weight gain, and the appearance of pimples. People who have large pores usually produce more oil than people with normal pores.
Large facial pores cannot be minimized. Even so, you can prevent the buildup of dirt and sebum in your pores by regularly exfoliating. Exfoliating will remove the layers of dead skin.
5. Does not match the product skin care
Oily skin is also often caused by choosing the wrong skin care product. For example, the use of creams for combination skin against oily skin or the use of shampoos that are not suitable for the scalp type.
This is why you should understand your skin type and read the packaging label before buying any particular skin care product. Using the right care products can make a drastic difference to the face and scalp.
Use based products salicylic acid (salicylic acid) and avoid products that contain glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is oil-binding and absorbs into where the oil glands are located to get rid of excess oil.
6. Excessive skin care
A grooming routine is important for skin health, but make sure you don't overdo it. In fact, simple treatments like using a face wash or exfoliating with scrub also can have a big impact.
Washing the face and exfoliating aims to remove accumulated oil and dead skin cells. However, this series of treatments can also remove the skin's natural oils if you do it too often.
The oil glands eventually produce more sebum to restore lost moisture to the skin. Therefore, you should wash your face twice a day to prevent excess oil production on the face.
7. Do not use a moisturizer
Even though it sticks directly to your pores, it doesn't actually make your skin oilier. Moisturizing actually helps to keep the skin well moisturised and hydrated.
Therefore, don't skip using moisturizer just because your skin has excess oil. Instead, what you need to do is choose the right moisturizer for oily skin.
Choose products with a description of "oil free" and "non-comedogenic" that do not clog pores. Water-based moisturizers are also suitable and can work effectively for people with oily skin.
8. Hormones are not balanced
Hormonal imbalance can actually make the oil glands become overactive. Usually this is caused by various factors such as diet, exercise, use of contraceptives, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
9. Too focused on drying the face
People with oily skin are often bothered by the oil that comes back shortly after washing their face. Without realizing it, this might cause you to accumulate a line of face drying products, such as alcoholic toner products or facial washes scrub.
This hobby of draining oil in advance will gradually become a "weapon, sir". The skin that is too often exposed to alcohol will actually produce more oil, because alcohol has the property of drying out the skin.
10. Consuming too much sugar
Fatty eating is often seen as the cause of oily and acne-prone skin. In fact, fat is not always associated with this condition. Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids actually provide benefits for the skin.
The food that makes this condition worse is sugar. Excess sugar can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. The skin also becomes oilier and prone to breakouts.
Risk factors for this skin condition
The various factors below increase a person's risk for this skin condition.
1. Frequent consumption of dairy products
Many previous studies have shown that various milk and its derivative products cause oil production to become imbalanced. Dairy products can actually stimulate the oil glands in the skin and even cause acne.
2. Stress
Stress does not only have an impact on the emotional side, but can also affect the skin. When a person is stressed, the production of the hormone cortisol will increase. This then triggers an increase in oil production, acne, and other skin problems.
3. Using thick makeup
Heavy makeup can clog pores and eventually increase oil production. Owners of oily skin should use products as light as possible with the label "oil free"Or"oil control“.
4. Lack of drinking water
Dr. Anna Avaliani, MD, a skin laser specialist in New York, USA, states that drinking enough water helps reduce blockages in skin glands. Therefore, the oil glands are not triggered to produce excess oil.
Treatment for oily skin
Having oily skin certainly needs special care. The goal is that the oil on the face does not increase, causing acne and other problems. Here are various treatments you can try:
1. Wash your face diligently
Washing your face twice a day is a mandatory routine that oily skin owners should not miss. Clean your face in the morning after waking up and at night before falling asleep again.
Use a facial cleanser that suits your skin type. Try to buy soap products with mild ingredients without fragrances or harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin.
2. Use astringent or toner after washing your face
A published study The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that astringent naturally like witch hazel can soothe the skin. Astringent is a product that functions to clean the skin, shrink pores, and control oil.
However, not everyone with oily skin is suitable for use astringent naturally. Sometimes the skin feels itchy or feels like tingling. Therefore, always test the product before applying it all over your face.
3. Use a moisturizer
Many people with oily skin avoid moisturizers simply because they are considered to increase oil refinement on the face. In fact, people with this skin type can also experience dry and dehydrated skin.
Choose a moisturizer for oily skin that contains hyaluronic acid or lemon which has anti-inflammatory properties astringent and anti-bacterial. Also, look for products labeled non-comedogenic as water-based so they don't clog pores.
4. Avoid touching the face with hands
Having oily skin makes you much more prone to breakouts than people with dry skin. The reason is, excess sebum will clog the pores which is the forerunner of acne.
To prevent the appearance of pimples on the skin, you should avoid the habit of touching your face with your hands. Even though it looks clean, there are tons of invisible germs lodged on the hands.
5. Using wax paper
Blotting paper or wax paper helps remove excess oil on the face by absorbing it. You just need to press the paper gently against your face and leave it for a few seconds. Don't rub the paper over your face, as this will spread the oil to other areas.
6. Choose oil-free care products
When you have oily skin, avoid oil-based care products. You are better advised to choose a water based product in the form of a gel that does not leave a heavy impression on the skin.
Don't forget to check the product label to make sure you have the right product. If possible, choose a non-comedogenic label that doesn't clog your pores, which can lead to breakouts.
7. Be diligent in shampooing
Having an oily scalp makes hair limp. Therefore, you need to be more diligent in shampooing to remove excess oil from your hair. In fact, for some people whose hair is very oily, shampooing every day is the solution.
The shampoo you use will help remove excess oil. In addition, shampoo also helps clean the scalp from all the dirt that sticks to it.
Choose a shampoo product that suits your hair problem. As much as possible, avoid harsh products, especially if you wash your hair every day.
8. Choosing the right foods
Not all oily foods have a bad effect on the skin. In fact, fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids help treat oily skin to prevent acne breakouts.
This is because the anti-inflammatory content in fish oil is quite high. On the other hand, reduce the consumption of various dairy products, sweet foods, and refined carbohydrates such as bread or cakes.
In addition to choosing the right foods and drinks, try to eat small, frequent meals. The goal is to keep blood sugar stable, thereby reducing oil production that clogs pores.
Prevention of oily skin
Oily skin cannot always be prevented, especially if the cause is genetic or hormonal. Even so, you can try to reduce excess oil production in the following ways.
1. Do not wash your face too often
Washing your face is important for oily skin. However, washing your face too often can actually reduce natural oils. If facial skin lacks natural lubricants, this can actually trigger more oil production.
2. Wash your oily skin with warm water
Water that is too hot or cold can dry out facial skin, so that the production of oil actually increases. So, just use warm or lukewarm water when cleaning your face so that your skin is healthy and relaxed.
3. Avoid heavy textured moisturizers
Heavy moisturizers like creams can clog pores and stimulate more oil formation. Therefore, choose a thin, textured moisturizer that doesn't leave a sticky impression or clogs pores.
4. Using makeup the light one
Try to avoid use makeup which is too thick so that the face does not look wetter. We recommend that you reduce the use of foundation because this product usually clogs pores.
5. Routinely wear a face mask
You can also regularly use a face mask to help control oil production in the skin. Face mask clay or clay is the right choice.
This mask contains minerals such as smectite or bentonite that can absorb oil and reduce the shine on the skin without irritating it.
Oily skin is a very common health problem. The factors that cause it are very diverse, so the solution also needs to be adjusted according to the condition of each person.
Overcoming oily skin problems is not easy. Even so, lifestyle adjustments such as the use of special care products and consumption of healthy foods will help control the amount of oil on the skin.
