Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
Sebaceous glands are present throughout the skin on our body with the exception of our palms and the bottoms of our feet. These glands produce skin oil known as sebum which keeps our skin, soft, protected, and elastic. Without sebum, our skin would look like alligator skin...scaly and overly dry. But sometimes these glands produce too much skin oil and our skin becomes too oily. Our face, and sometimes our body, shines in all the wrong places leading to melting make-up and an unhealthy appearance. But very often, too much oil also leads to dreaded breakouts and unsightly pimples.
Indeed oily skin is known to be a precursor to acne and even though some individuals with dry skin also get acne, the majority of acne sufferers have oily skin. So, if you want to prevent an acne breakout and get rid of your oily complexion, you need to control the excess oil being produced by your sebaceous glands. But, how? Read on.
1. Genetics. When oily skin runs in the family, chances are that every member will have sebaceous glands that produce excess oil. Any skin that's genetically oily is more likely to lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
2. Over use of skin care products. We all want to look young forever. In the quest for the "fountain of youth," people often over cleanse, over exfoliate, over scrub and use too many oil based products. All of the above will only increase the symptoms of oily skin.
3. Using the wrong products. Have you read your product labels recently? Using oil-based products will only add to the problem. Instead, choose non-comedogenic products, which are designed to not clog pores.
4. Seasonal changes. A rise in heat and humidity during spring and summer can cause skin's oil production levels to increase. In contrast, when the air becomes dry in the winter, skin can get dehydrated, and excess oil may occur when it overcompensates for what's missing.
5. Medications. Hormonal birth control and hormone replacement medications can cause an increase of sebum production. In addition, many medications can cause dehydration and lead to a production of excess oil when skin overcompensates for the lack of oil.
6. Hormonal changes. In women, fluctuations of hormones (androgens) throughout life (i.e., pregnancy, peri- and pre-menopause) can kick sebaceous glands into high gear. In addition, pregnancy and stopping or starting oral contraceptives also changes hormonal status quo and may lead to excess oil production by the skin glands.
7. Stress. In response to stress, the body produces more androgen hormones, which may over stimulate the sebaceous glands and lead to more skin oil production.
8. Sun tanning. Tanning is BAD for reducing oil. In fact, this is one of the most prevailing myths that sun helps to fight oily skin. Although sun exposure may temporarily dry out the skin, it actually triggers an injury response (inflammation), which causes the sebaceous glands to surge production of oil in order to protect the skin's surface. So, in addition to premature wrinkles and the possibility of skin cancer, you may also get more oily skin.
When in the sun, chose oil-free sunscreens. Traditional sunscreens tend to be quite thick and may block pores. Sunscreen gels may be better for oily skin. Some of the newest products, including facial powders, and very light mousses or thin lotions, offer good protection against sun damage without clogging the pores.
The most effective way to manage oily skin is to cleanse your face both morning and night using a mild, non-alcohol or non-salicylic acid based cleanser. Harsh soaps and cleansers can trigger the skin to increase oil production. The same applies to a facial brush or buff. Use mild, non-comedogenic facial care products. Watch for products containing glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid that may in small doses help to cut oil but may also irritate the skin. Use warm water, not hot, because temperature extremes can irritate skin and over stimulate the skin.
If you really like using toners, stay with moisturizing, not drying products. Please beware of harsh toners - upon application, stinging on the face is NOT a good sign. If you insist on using astringents, apply them only on oily areas of the skin, such as the forehead, nose, and chin. Avoid using them on areas that tend to be dry, or you're likely to create dry patches on your skin.
One of the most prevailing myths about the skin is the belief that each person has a specific type of skin, whether that is dry, oily or combination. The reality is that most people have combination skin (oily in some places, dry in others) and your skincare must recognize this duality.
Applying masks and clays to the skin helps draw out oils and cleanses pores, but there is also concern for over drying. Limit masks and clays, and don't do one of each more than once per week. If you notice continual oil or dryness, you may want to consider limiting further.
People with oily skin often think that moisturizers are not for them since they believe their skin will look even shinier after applying a moisturizer. This is not true. Oily skin needs to be moisturized to stay healthy and look its best. Choose an oil-free moisturizer. Water base products will serve you the best. Applying the moisturizer after each cleansing should become a routine.
Now you're on your way to cleaning your skin the proper way, and you may be thinking, Wow, this is great, all I have to do is follow this skincare regimen and my oily skin will be gone! Right? WRONG! The only real way to control oily skin is to return your sebaceous glands to their "normal" state and to stop the over production of sebum. This is what AcnEase users get to enjoy. AcnEase works as a buffer against substances in our bodies that make sebaceous glands over stimulate sebum production. It is important to understand that these botanical ingredients will not directly affect hormones levels, so the product can be used by both women and men of all ages. This action allows oil production to return to healthy levels and consequently not only improves the appearance of your skin but also PREVENTS breakouts and acne.
Let us know what has or has not worked for you. We're here to help you see the best skin you've ever had.
PS - We've only helped hundreds of thousands before to do the same!