Oily skin: a complete guide with everything you need to know

Having a dry skin and at the same time hydrated is not always an easy task, especially for those who have oily skin. Excessive shine, which is most noticeable in the T-zone – nose, forehead and chin – can bother and appear in other parts of the face. In addition, blackheads and pimples are more frequent in those who have this characteristic.

This is a problem that can have several causes. With some special care, behavioral changes and the use of specific products for your skin type, it is possible to obtain the desired texture, hydrated and healthy skin at the same time. To understand a little more about it, dermatologists Camila Almeida Saab and Fernanda Caldeira answer some questions.

Causes

• Excess sebum production: the skin becomes oily when there is an excess production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, according to Camila. This can lead to the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
• Genetics: each individual has their sebum production “programmed” by genetics, says Fernanda.
• Environment: countries and environments with high temperatures also contribute to an increase in skin oiliness.
• Behavior: the excessive use of makeup and cosmetics, as well as the practice of physical activities, food and use of some medications can also contribute to the increase in skin oiliness.

Oily skin can be the result of a combination of the factors mentioned above or even be caused by just one of them alone. Regardless of what your case is, it is important to know the characteristics of this skin type.

Oily skin: features

Camila points out that “oily skin is identified by the increased production of sebum by the sebaceous glands, generally showing a thicker surface, excessive shine, especially in the T-zone. Pores are more dilated due to excessive oiliness. You are more likely to have blackheads and whiteheads.”

• Excessive shine: with a thicker surface and greater sebum production, the skin looks shiny.
• Enlarged pores: the pores open so that the oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands is eliminated through the surface of the skin.
• Acne crises: the exaggerated production of sebum also contributes to the appearance of pimples, because in this way, the proliferation of bacteria is facilitated, which causes inflammation of the follicles.

Oily skin care

With some tips and care, even with oily skin, it is possible to avoid excessive shine and even the appearance of pimples. Check it out below:

1. Use proper sunscreen

You must use a sunscreen suitable for your skin type, as the product must adhere well to your skin, in addition to containing substances that help control oiliness.

2. Correct cleaning

Those with oily skin don’t need to wash their face several times a day, but actually use soaps or other products that are specific to their skin type. It is recommended that cleaning be done a maximum of 3 times a day. In addition, the use of common soaps can increase the oiliness of the skin, as friction stimulates the sebaceous glands.

3. Escape from hot water

Washing your face with hot water also helps in the sebum production process, as do hot and long baths. Cold water helps to reduce oiliness.

4. Keep your bangs clean

Oil from hair can be transferred to the skin, so if you have bangs, you should always keep them clean or even avoid them.

5. Be careful with your makeup

Makeup smothers the sebaceous gland, so when you use this type of product on your face, sebum production increases. When putting on makeup, you need to clean your skin well before and after using it.

6. Avoid milk and dairy products

Milk and its derivatives contribute to the production of oil from the sebaceous glands, so it is good that they are avoided by those who have this type of skin. An example is relating the consumption of chocolate with the appearance of pimples, which happens with the milk version and not with those with a high cocoa content.

7. Control oiliness

Discover products that are ideal for your skin type and follow the steps above, so you can have healthier skin with a drier appearance.

Taking care of oily skin doesn’t have to be a very difficult task and, now that you already know the characteristics and how to treat this type of skin, the process is even easier.

home treatments

For those who do not want to spend a lot on treatments done in clinics, it is possible to obtain a good result with some homemade treatments, below you can check some of them:

clay treatment

Green clay is a great ally for oily skin. As it promotes a detoxification, which removes all impurities from the skin. In addition to removing excessive shine, it also helps to reduce pimples.

honey treatment

It is possible to make a homemade peeling with honey, which helps to remove oil from the skin and reduce blackheads and pimples. This treatment is made only with honey and sugar.

Maizena treatment

To do this treatment, just combine water with Maizena until you get the consistency of a very light cream. It should be passed on the skin and removed with water when it is dry. After the process it is important to apply a moisturizer.

As you’ve seen in the videos above, making home treatments for oily skin doesn’t have to be a complicated task. In addition, it is possible to use inexpensive ingredients that generate good results, leaving the skin cleaner and helping to eliminate blackheads and pimples.

Coconut oil treatment

That’s what you read! Coconut oil can be used to treat oily skin. It is a potent moisturizer and can be used for this purpose.

32 products to fight oily skin

Camila says that to keep the skin beautiful and healthy, it almost always requires daily care. Fernanda adds that it is necessary to clean with suitable products, followed by toning. In addition, hydration can’t be left out either.

Make ups

1. La Base Pro Pore Eraser Facial Primer Lancôme, at The Beauty Box
2. Nars Concealer at Sephora
3. BB Cream L’Oréal, at Beauty on the Web
4. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation at Dafiti
5. Translucent Matte Powder Who Said Berenice?
6. MAC eyeliner at Sephora
7. Eyebrow Mask Who said, Berenice?
8. Blush Naked at Sephora

solar filters

9. Oil Control Minesol Sunscreen, at Panvel
10. Anthelios Airlicium La Roche Posay Anti-Oily Sunscreen
11. Touch Dry Nivea Sunscreen, at Drogaria São Paulo
12. Bioderma Photoderm Sunscreen, at Época Cosméticos
13. L’Oréal Expertise Touch Dry Sunscreen, at Época Cosméticos
14. Adcos Toning Solar Filter
15. Capital Soleil Vichy, at Época Cosmeticos

moisturizers

16. Granado Moisturizing Facial Gel, at Beauty on the Web
17. Mattifying Moisturizer with SPF Natura
18. Oily Solution Moisturizing Adcos
19. Effaclar Mat Anti-Oil Moisturizer La Roche Posay
20. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Clinique
21. Cleanace Expert Avene, at Cosmetis
22. O Boticário Multiprotector Moisturizer
23. Mineral 89 Vichy, at Época Cosmetics

Products to reduce oiliness

24. Efflaclar La Roche Posay Concentrated Soap
25. Normaderm Vichy Deep Cleansing Gel, at Panvel
26. La Roche Posay Descaling Concentrated Gel, at Época Cosmetics
27. Skinceuticals Facial Tonic, at Época Cosmetics
28. Bioderma Sébium Gel, at Carethy
29. Avène Mattifying Lotion, at Cosmetis
30. Benefit Cosmetics Mattifying Gel at Sephora
31. Vichy Thermal Water, at the Cosmetics Season

There are many options and you can choose the one that best suits your case and, of course, your pocket!

Common questions

When you discover that your skin is oily, several doubts may arise. In order for you to remedy some of them, the interviewed dermatologists answered the most frequent ones.

1. Does washing your face in excess cause a rebound effect?

The short answer is yes! Camila says that “when we remove the sebum from the face during washing, the skin replaces it, as this fat exists to protect our skin, as if it were a protective barrier. Therefore, it is no use washing your face several times a day to reduce oiliness.

Cleaning should be done, yes, with soap, twice a day (morning and night), always using products suitable for the skin type. The water should be lukewarm, never hot, as it will remove excess natural oils from the skin, encouraging the glands to produce more sebum.”

2. Oily skin needs hydration?

Even having a natural glow, oily skin needs hydration, says Camila, since “this is a way to improve texture and tolerance to other medications, such as acids. In the case of moisturizers, it is important to choose those with a light and non-greasy texture”.

3. Who has oily skin also has oily hair?

There is not always a relationship between the two situations, there is a possibility, but it is not a rule. Saab says that “they can occur simultaneously or in isolation, they do not necessarily have to be related. Excessive oiliness can occur due to a hormonal imbalance or genetic characteristics of the patient.”

4. Does oily skin have fewer wrinkles?

According to Caldeira, sebum forms a protective barrier over the skin, so it loses less water. In addition, fat refracts UV rays. These factors contribute to a less aged appearance.

5. Does sun exposure cause oiliness?

Both heat and radiation can make oiliness worse, says Saab. “The heat causes the glands responsible for producing sweat to go into overproduction, to keep the body at a lower temperature. At the same time, the glands that produce oil and sebum are also more active in the heat, leaving the skin looking brighter. Sweat and sebum clog pores with residue, leading to blackheads and whiteheads.

In the case of ultraviolet radiation, it causes the cells that make up the skin tissue to stop working properly, unbalancing the production of proteins and fats in the dermis. In this way, at first the skin is very dry and then oily. Therefore, it is essential to increase the protection factor of your filter in the summer, in addition to always reapplying throughout the day.”

Daily care is very important for anyone who wants to have beautiful and healthy skin, especially when it comes to oily skin. But don’t forget that even with all the above tips, you need to consult a dermatologist who will indicate the best treatment and care options that fit perfectly with you and your skin type. In addition, you can also check out tips and suggestions on how to take care of oily hair.