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Home > Skin & Beauty > Skin Conditions > Possible Reasons for Oily Skin and Treatment Options

Possible Reasons for Oily Skin and Treatment Options

August 26, 2020 - Updated on September 25, 2021
8 min read
By Lisa Stirling, MD | Dermatologist

In this article:

  • Causes of Oily Skin
  • Symptoms of Oily Skin
  • Medical Treatment for Oily Skin
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Expert Answers (Q&A)
  • Final Word

Oily skin is a common problem that affects both genders and usually worsens during adolescence. Excessive oil production is generally accompanied by enlarged pores and it makes the skin look greasy and shiny.

oily skin

Skin oiliness often results in the development of acne and makes people conscious of their looks. The presence of excessive oil on the face can also induce a feeling of uncleanliness. (1) The skin contains several tiny bag-like glands known as sebaceous glands. Each of these glands forms around a hair follicle in the epithelial layer of the skin.

The cells of the gland multiply and disintegrate, releasing an oily substance called sebum into the hair follicles. Sebum is protective in nature, but excessive secretion may cause problems.

Causes of Oily Skin

An increase in oil secretion by the sebaceous glands results in oily skin. This may be due to the following causes:

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what causes oily skin?

1. Hormones

Hormonal changes due to any reason, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and the use of birth control pills, may cause an increase in oil production in the skin.

For instance, during the menstrual cycle, around 2 weeks before your period, the sebaceous glands may start secreting excess oil. This is due to the shift of hormones from primarily estrogen to higher levels of progesterone and testosterone.

2. Stress

Under stressful conditions, the body raises the level of cortisol, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil.

3. Weather

Weather conditions can highly influence the amount of oil produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. The humid and hot weather during the summer months stimulates the overproduction of sebum. However, dry weather can also cause oily skin.

4. Dietary choices

An unbalanced diet with high-glycemic foods, such as soda, sugar, refined flour, and processed foods (fast food, packaged foods), leads to insulin resistance. This, in turn, increases oil secretion.

Vitamin deficiency (A, B, D) is also known to cause oily skin and acne breakouts.

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5. Cleaning

Not cleaning your skin properly, and even excessive cleansing can lead to oily skin.

6. Genetic influence

Inheritance of specific genes can predispose you to oily skin.

Symptoms of Oily Skin

Oily skin occurs due to the overproduction of sebum and is prominent around the T-zone of the face (forehead, nose, and chin area). The excess oil makes the skin prone to acne.

Oily skin may have the following symptoms:

  • Greasiness on the face, giving it a shiny appearance
  • Oily hair
  • Acne breakouts
  • Blackheads due to sebum-clogged pores
  • Large skin pores
  • Thick and rough skin

Medical Treatment for Oily Skin

medical treatment options for oily skin

Oily skin is usually treated with a combination of the following interventions: 

1. Topical products

Several medications can be used to treat oily skin. These topical products include cleansers, sunscreens, and moisturizers. They usually have non-comedogenic, oil-free, and non-occlusive compositions.

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For instance, the cleansers for oily skin contain surfactants and are devoid of waxes, oils, or any ingredient derived from fatty acids that may contribute to oil production. Gel creams and powder forms are highly recommended.

2. Oral medications

a. Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that reduces oil production by blocking the androgen receptors. While it is generally used as an antihypertensive agent, dermatologists use it for the management of acne and oily skin as it can reduce sebum production.

b. Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid that is highly efficient in reducing sebum production.

c. Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives help in decreasing ovarian and adrenal androgens that play key roles in the proliferation of sebocytes. This effect, in turn, prevents seborrhea or the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. (2)

3. Other treatments

a. Botulinum toxin

An intradermal botulinum toxin type A injection is used to treat oily skin, acne, enlarged pores, and dynamic wrinkles. (3)

b. Laser

Sebum production can be decreased through acne laser treatment.

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c. Photodynamic therapy

Levulinic acid can be applied to the skin, which upon incubation, will be absorbed into the sebaceous glands. Subsequent exposure to blue light induces a chemical-light reaction that moderates the overactive oil glands.

When to See a Doctor

Seek help from a dermatologist if:

  • The production of excessive oil does not subside even after following proper skin care measures and using home remedies.
  • The excessive oiliness is causing problems, such as repetitive acne or pimples that leave scars or post-inflammatory stains on the skin.

Discuss all the symptoms with your doctor and inquire about the treatment options available for your skin condition.

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What you may ask your doctor
  • What options are available for the treatment of my oily skin?
  • Is the formation of whiteheads and blackheads a result of my oily skin?
  • Is my oily skin causing the acne?
  • Can my oily skin result in other skin conditions?
  • What treatment or cosmetic procedure can reduce my skin oiliness?
What your doctor may ask you
  • Is oily skin prevalent in your family?
  • Are you under any stress?
  • Do you use birth control pills?
  • Have you tried any treatment or cosmetic procedure before?
  • What kind of diet do you follow?
  • Have you struggled with acne in the past?

Expert Answers (Q&A)

Answered by Dr. Michelle Levy, MD (Dermatologist)

experts advice on ways to combat oily skin
Can food items contribute to oily skin?

The relationship between diet and oil production or acne is not entirely clear. Contrary to the popular myth, eating oily foods does not give you oily skin. The largest contributor to oil production is genetics, and unfortunately, that is something we cannot control.

Several studies have shown that high-glycemic diets (diets high in sugars and refined carbohydrates) may increase acne in some people. It is thought that the spikes in blood sugar that happen after eating high-glycemic foods may lead to hormonal effects that increase oil production. (4)

Do people with oily skin get fewer wrinkles?

The natural oils produced by the skin’s oil glands lubricate the skin, keeping it smooth. Oily skin also tends to be thicker with larger pores, and it may develop fewer of the fine lines that happen with age.

In fact, a 2015 study found that skin oiliness was correlated with shallower forehead wrinkles. (5)

Does hormonal fluctuation have any effect on oily skin?

Hormones act on the skin’s sebaceous glands to cause them to secrete sebum, a substance composed of the skin’s natural oils. Sebum production increases at puberty and declines after menopause.

Women produce more sebum in the week before their menstrual period when progesterone levels are higher, and they may experience a cyclical pattern to the oiliness of their skin.

Is it advisable to moisturize every day if one has oily skin?

Dry skin does not necessarily mean a lack of oil; it is mainly caused by a lack of moisture in the skin.

Moisturizers add water to the skin, protect the skin’s barrier, and give the skin a smooth appearance. People of all skin types typically benefit from their daily use.

How often should people with oily skin wash their faces?

Most people with oily skin benefit from washing their face one to two times per day. Overwashing can dry the skin and lead to irritation.

Are clay masks such as red kaolin clay masks or fuller’s earth masks good for reducing greasiness on the skin?

Some people with oily skin anecdotally find that clay and earth masks reduce the oiliness of their skin. At this time, there isn’t any evidence in the scientific literature that tells us how helpful clay and earth masks are for this purpose.

How can one manage oily skin?

Many people with oily skin benefit from using a cleanser or medicated pad that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps remove sebum and unclog skin pores. These effects temporarily reduce skin oiliness and may help prevent acne breakouts.

People of all skin types benefit from using a moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen each day to protect the skin from dryness and sun damage. Those with oily skin should look for products that are labeled as “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic.” Mattifying makeup and blotting papers are popular and can also help to curb shine.

Finally, for those who have both acne and oily skin, certain medications that reduce oil production may be helpful. Work with your dermatologist to find the best options for you.

About Dr. Michelle Levy: Dr. Levy is a board-certified dermatologist with 15 years of experience. She currently practices general and cosmetic dermatology in Toronto, Canada.

Final Word

Having oily skin may cause beauty concerns. Many self-care measures and home remedies are available to manage oily skin. However, it is advised to seek medical help if self-treatment does not work. Oily skin can be treated with medications and cosmetic procedures.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingHome Remedies to Manage Oily Skin
References
  1. Sakuma, Thais H, and Howard I Maibach. “Oily Skin: an Overview.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22722766.
  2. Endly, Dawnielle C, and Richard A Miller. “Oily Skin: A Review of Treatment Options.” The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, Matrix Medical Communications, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/.
  3. Shuo, Liu, et al. “Efficacy and Possible Mechanisms of Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Oily Skin.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30697928.
  4. Romańska-Gocka K, Woźniak M, Kaczmarek-Skamira E, Zegarska B. The possible role of diet in the pathogenesis of adult female acne. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5183780/. Published December 2016.
  5. Tamatsu Y, Tsukahara K, Sugawara Y, Shimada K. New finding that might explain why the skin wrinkles more on various parts of the face. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ca.22571. Published July 1, 2015.
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