What causes oily skin

Oily skin is caused by excessive sebum production. When overproducing, the sebaceous glands can become blocked and offer bacteria an ideal breeding ground, which quickly leads to blemished skin with blackheads and spots.

Oily skin can be genetic. Hormonal changes during puberty or later on (coming off the pill, pregnancy, perimenopause) can also cause an oily complexion.

The skin can also respond with increased sebum production to environmental influences (weather), an unhealthy diet and too much stress.

How to recognise oily skin

• Complexion: pale
• Very shiny skin.
• Make-up does not hold well.
• Larger, clearly visible pores are typical.
• The skin becomes oily again quickly after cleansing.
• Increased sebum production makes it prone to blemishes or acne, which can affect the whole face, décolleté and back.
• If oily skin appears suddenly, it can indicate a compromised skin barrier. The skin tries to protect itself with increased sebum production. In that case the skin may also be dehydrated.

Care tips for oily skin   

1. Use a gentle but thorough cleanser (without foaming surfactants and alcohol) that does not dry the skin out but brings sebum production back into balance. Avoid over-cleansing and mechanical scrubs. An occasional fruit acid peel removes dead skin cells, is gentler on the skin and gives a fresh complexion. Brushes can stimulate sebum production even more.

2. Change your towel, flannel and pillowcase regularly.

3. A facial steam bath with chamomile opens and cleanses the pores and helps prevent blemishes.

4. Oily skin also needs enough moisturising care.

5. Mix yourself a clarifying clay mask 1-2x per week to remove excess oil, clarify the pores and support healing (with spots and inflammation).