If you are below thirty years of age, then you probably know what it’s like to have oily skin or have experienced it in the past. Your skin may be fully oily, or you may have combination skin. Either way, you may feel embarrassed about the way you look and have tried many remedies to get rid of it to varying degrees of success. Before we explore the causes of oily skin, let us first define what oily skin is. It is skin that produces excessive sebum, or oil that makes the face look greasy and shiny. Next, we’ll give you a few reasons why this happens and some tips to help you manage your skin.
Genetics
Oil production is usually dependent on the size of your pores which in turn, is determined by your genes. This varies by family and ethnicity so don’t be too harsh on yourself. A chat with your parents can reveal what their skin was like when they were younger
Hormones
We all have varying amounts of hormones in our bodies, and this fluctuates depending on how old we are and various other lifestyle factors. Some studies suggest that increased testosterone increases oil production while increased estrogen produces the opposite effect. Finally, growth hormones are also related to oil production, and they usually cause acne. They are most active during adolescence when one first experiences oily skin.
High-Glycemic Diet
A high-glycemic diet includes foods that are high in simple sugars and carbohydrates. This includes many processed foods like fast food, white bread, and white rice. It may be a good idea to replace these with foods like oat and brown rice. Antioxidant-rich foods are also good for skin health.
Stress
Stress is also a hormone so when your exams are nearing or you have an important deadline for work, the flood of stress hormones in your bloodstream can bind to the oil-producing glands of the skin and trigger acne. Those with acne-prone skin should be especially wary of stress as it can aggravate their condition.
Cleansing The Face
The best thing that you can do for your skin is to remove the oil present by thoroughly cleansing the face. Use a mild cleanser that is fragrance-free. Don’t wash your face more than twice a day as this can have the unintended effect of drying out your face and triggering even more oil production.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing might seem counterintuitive, but moisturizing is necessary for all skin types. The only difference is that you should veer towards water-based or gel-based treatments instead of oil-based ones that are suitable for dry skin. If you have combination skin, you should moisturize accordingly too.
Using Blotting Paper
Blotting paper is good for removing the midday grease that tends to accumulate on the face, making it look shiny. If you don’t have blotting paper, you can splash some water on your face instead.
Face Masks
You can even try homemade masks made of clay that can soak up the excess moisture. Multani mitti is excellent for this.