Why is facial skin oily and what to do?

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It has numerous and very important functions. Among them are protective (barrier to external influences in the form of ultraviolet, chemical, microbial, physical), thermoregulation (maintaining a constant and optimal temperature for life), gas exchange (2% of the total in the body). It consists of the epidermis - the outer, dermis - the main layers and subcutaneous fat. The latter is a connective tissue in the form of lobules filled with fat, nerve endings, blood and lymphatic vessels, hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands. Oily facial skin is precisely due to the increased function of the sebaceous glands. For those with dry skin, it seems like a real bonus, because it does not peel, and looks young without wrinkles until old age. But there is also a downside to oily facial skin, which causes its owners many unpleasant moments.

Statistics

According to statistics, in the age range between 20 and 30 years, about 70% of young people suffer from various skin problems associated with increased oiliness. Gradually, with age, their percentage decreases and up to 45 years, only every fourth person remains with this problem. This is explained by the connection between the activity of the sebaceous glands and the intensity of the production of sex hormones.

Causes of oily facial skin

The causes of oily facial skin are:

• hypersynthesis of sebaceous glands;
• increased keratinization of the epidermis - follicular hyperkeratosis;
• metabolic disorders;
• frequent stress;
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalance;
• unfavorable environment.

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Risk factors

The person's own actions can provoke changes in the skin condition towards oilier skin. Risk factors include:

• a diet that includes a large amount of fatty, spicy, and sweet foods;
• frequent facial peeling;
• incorrect selection of cosmetics and facial care;
• gastrointestinal diseases (colitis, cholecystitis).

First signs of oily skin

The first signs of oily skin are a greasy shine on the face, enlarged pores, the presence of pustules and comedones. Sometimes oily skin is given away by its sallow color and rough skin, since the epidermis of people with such skin is thicker. Hair is also oily, requiring daily washing, otherwise it looks untidy and unkempt.

Oily facial skin in men due to physiology occurs more often than in women, although a different impression is created due to the greater fixation of the weaker sex on their appearance and the publicity of this problem. Men's skin has more sebaceous glands, it is thicker by nature, in addition, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, stress, lack of sleep, ignoring the rules of nutrition and proper self-care aggravate the problem. Often the skin becomes inflamed, abscesses and seborrhea appear. For men, their own cosmetic complexes for facial care have been developed, including cleansing, moisturizing, shaving products and after-shaving, and other procedures. In addition, washing only with cool water, establishing a healthy lifestyle will give a good result.

Oily skin of the face in winter is slightly dried out by frost, cold wind, dry air indoors. These circumstances sometimes lead to the conclusion that its owner's skin type has changed, but in fact this is not the case. Dry skin in winter and oily skin in summer - this is most often the case, external influences only temporarily change its condition and require more thorough care for protection and moisturizing in winter.

Dehydrated oily facial skin

It would seem that oily skin and dehydration are incompatible, however, such a concept exists, only it is not as noticeable as on dry skin. It is indicated by peeling skin, its dull color, a feeling of tightness, oily inflamed skin of the face, loss of elasticity. Other symptoms of dehydration not related to the condition of the skin are chapped lips, dry mouth, dark urine, rare urination, fatigue. This problem is solved not only by using facial care products, but also by restoring the water balance in the entire body.

Types of oily facial skin

There are several types of oily facial skin. Most often, the area with increased oiliness is localized in the so-called T-zone, which covers the forehead, nose, and chin. This type of skin is called combination or mixed. It combines both oily and dry facial skin. Another type is oiliness all over the face. Oily areas have an oily appearance, sometimes porous, and resemble an orange peel, and the pores are funnels. Blackheads - comedones or whiteheads - milia often form in these holes. The vascular network can be clearly visible on oily skin.

Consequences and complications

Despite the fact that people with oily skin look younger than their peers with dry skin, it is still considered problematic. Such skin is constantly shiny, women have trouble applying makeup on it, it "slides" off the face along with the fat. But most of all, it bothers with enlarged pores and the formation of acne. Porous skin looks uneven and unaesthetic, in addition, various toxins easily get into it. Sebum - the result of the activity of the sebaceous glands clogs pores, blocks the release of fat and other waste products to the outside, leading to such consequences and complications as acne. When the qualitative composition of subcutaneous fat changes, seborrhea of the skin of the face occurs.

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How to identify oily facial skin?

Determining the skin type is very important for further selection of the skin care algorithm, because the techniques used for dry skin are fundamentally different from those suitable for oily skin. In the case of combination skin, both will be needed. How to determine oily facial skin? It is easy to do: after applying a napkin, five greasy spots remain on it from contact with the convex parts of the face: forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.

What to do if your facial skin is oily?

The answer to this question is: "Act!" A person with oily skin who cares about their appearance faces three tasks:

• remove excess fat;
• promote the opening of pores;
• reduce the synthesis of sebum.

To these rules it is necessary to add proper nutrition, adequate sleep, refusal of alcohol-containing cosmetics, and use of those intended only for oily skin.

Read also:

• Oily Skin Care: Professional and Home Care
• Folk remedies for oily skin

Prevention

Everything written above can be repeated as preventive measures. A healthy lifestyle, careful daily care, properly selected cosmetics are the key to success. Taken together, these are great daily efforts that will not be wasted and will make it possible to avoid larger problems with facial skin.

Forecast

The prognosis for oily skin is favorable with such a wide range of products. With age, changes in hormonal levels, all the unpleasant processes occurring with the skin become less active. Using the described best products and masks for oily skin, you can curb the excessive secretion of subcutaneous fat. Not only expensive and world-famous cosmetic brands will contribute to this, but also inexpensive pharmacy products.

"Remember, the skin has a memory, and if you treat it well, it will repay you with a great appearance for a long time. And if not, then exactly the opposite," pharmacist Michel Evrard.