Do you finally want to do something about your oily skin, but don’t know how or what’s causing it? We have the answers to your questions!
Oily skin is a problem that we can help you with. Find out what could be the cause of your increased sebum production and let us show you the best cleansing and care for your skin.
Oily skin: causes and symptoms
causes
- Predisposition: It’s simply in our genes what kind of skin we have. Some are prone to dry skin, others struggle with oily skin – but all of them only want one thing: normal skin. The trick is to figure out what’s happening in your body that’s causing it to produce more sebum, which ultimately means oily skin. However, genetics doesn’t play such a large part in what our skin actually is like. Rather, it has to do with our way of life.
- Wrong care products: If we take care of our skin incorrectly, it will show us right away. Be it in the form of a rash, pimples, itchy skin or oily skin. There are certain ingredients that promote sebum production. More on that later.
- Nutrition: What enters our body has an impact on our organs. The skin is also an organ, even our largest. If we eat something high in sugar or fat, this can stimulate the sebaceous glands, which then produce more sebum.
- Hormones: They are not visible, but they are very powerful. Hormones have a major influence on our body. They can also cause oily skin because they stimulate sebum production.
- Stress: When we are stressed, it tends to be reflected on our skin. While others get pimples or rashes, are you more prone to oily skin? This can happen because stress and the associated changes in our adrenaline and cortisol levels also have an impact on your sebaceous glands. When you’re stressed, they produce more sebum, which makes your skin shine more.
- Medication: Certain medications can change our skin texture and stimulate sebum production.
Symptoms
You can easily tell whether you have oily skin by the following symptoms:
- shiny skin
- large pores
- Pimples, acne, blackheads
- pale complexion
What can I do against oily skin?
First, become aware of what the trigger your oily skin. Sometimes it’s enough to have your hormones tested, try to reduce or balance stress or change your diet. To do this, pay attention to a low-sugar diet and concentrate on whole grain products, vegetables, nuts and legumes.
The cause can also be incorrect care products. Then it’s worth adapting your skincare routine – using the right ingredients.
Oily skin? These ingredients help against this
With the right ingredients you can easily get your oily skin under control:
- Aloe vera (moisturizing)
- Glycolic acid (peeling, AHA)
- Hyaluronic acid (moisturizing)
- Kaolin (fat-absorbing)
- Niacinamide (reduces sebum production, strengthens skin barrier, vitamin B3)
- Retinol (stimulates collagen production, shrinks pores, vitamin A)
- Salicylic acid (peeling, BHA)
- Clay (clarifying)
These ingredients should be avoided
However, there are also ingredients that have the opposite effects. These include, among others Siliconesbut also vaselinenatural oils like coconut oil or alcohol-based products. In the latter case, a distinction must be made between good and bad alcohols. Bad alcohols Examples include the following: Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol, Isopropanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Methanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Propanol, Propyl Alcohol, SD Alcohol.
You can use the contents list on the product packaging to see how high a dose of a substance it contains. The further forward it is, the higher the share. Alcohol Denat. or ethanol are often found in third or seventh place, i.e. also in high doses. This is particularly disadvantageous for oily skin because Alcohol deprives the skin of its natural moisture. This causes more sebum to be produced, which ultimately leads to shine.
Good alcohols However, they actually serve a purpose because they have a moisturizing effect. You can recognize them, for example, by the INCI names Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol or Stearyl Alcohol. If you find terms like propanediol or propylene glycol on your ingredients list, these are alcohol imitations. They fulfill a similar function to real alcohols in cosmetics, but actually have a moisturizing effect. Accordingly, they are also good for oily skin.
The right care for oily skin
cleaning
When it comes to facial cleansing, it’s best to choose a product that removes excess oil. But that doesn’t mean it has to be aggressive. Choose something with one slightly acidic pH value, which is similar to that of your facial skin. The pH value here is usually between 4.5 and 5.7. You can also moisturizing washing lotions that also have a skin-neutral pH value.
Once or twice a week A peeling is recommended to remove sebum etc. from your pores. Use one for this chemical peeling, not a mechanical one that works with small particles. This only leads to the smallest injuries, which then end in inflammation and pimples. They are well suited for this AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). AHA peels work deepest in the skin and should be used no more than twice a week. BHA peels are milder and easily remove dirt from the pores. This makes it suitable for more frequent use, for example every two or three days. You can find out more about fruit acid peeling here.
Care
Once the skin has been cleansed, it still needs to be cared for. This way you keep the sebum under control and can even visually shrink your pores. Greasy care creams are not beneficial, they are better for you instead moisturizing creams or serums. Hyaluronic acid or aloe vera are very suitable for this, but so is squalane.
The right make-up for oily skin
Light textures is the appropriate keyword for oily skin that tends to produce increased sebum. They don’t clog pores and are easy to spread. Ideally, there are no silicones included, as these can potentially clog the pores and then lead to pimples. To cover larger bumps, simply use a spot of concealer in the color of your foundation.
Home remedies for oily skin
Apple Cider Vinegar: No matter whether it is about oily hair or oily skin – apple cider vinegar always helps because it moisturizing and antibacterial works. To make the facial toner, mix a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with three quarters of a cup of distilled water. Apply the tincture using a pad and wash your face with lukewarm water after ten minutes. Then use your care products.
Cucumbers: They are not only delicious, but also a really great care product for your skin. Gently rub your face with a few in the evening Organic cucumber slices and only cleanse your face in the morning. Cucumbers work antioxidant and can help the skin regulate sebum and fat.
Yogurt: Lactic acid is good for cleansing the skin. After all, glycolic acid is nothing else. The acid removes excess oil from the skin and soothes it at the same time. For the yogurt mask, apply a light veil to your skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash your face thoroughly with lukewarm water and use your face cream.
Lemon juice: Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with half a teaspoon of distilled water. Dip a pad in it and apply the lemon water to your face. After a maximum of ten minutes of exposure time, wash your face with lukewarm water and use your care cream.
Are you interested in other skin care topics? Here we will show you everything about neurodermatitis on the face, how moisturizing cream will help you and how to use a healing clay mask correctly.
Sources used: beyer-soehne-de, utopia.de