Causes of Oily Skin

Does your skin look greasy from time to time? Do your hands and face feel oily all the time?

Oily skin usually appears during puberty, which is why most teenagers tend to have oily skin. Oily skin is caused when the sebaceous glands have an overproduction of sebum or oil. Genetics can also play a role in causing oily skin. Having oily skin doesn't necessarily mean that you are not clean; this is a common misconception. It simply means that your skin secretes too much oil to deal with it.

Sometimes, exposure to UV rays can also boost skin oil production. While exposure to sun rays for a short time can make your skin dry, it activates an injury response in your skin by triggering the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil to help your skin in staying hydrated.

DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is considered to be a major factor that induces oily skin in men. This is because DHT forces the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. To combat this problem, you can use DHT blocker shampoo on your beard.

How to Identify Oily Skin?

Oily skin can be hard to manage as it tends to get an instant shine, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight that make the skin appear greasy.

Follow these simple steps to determine your skin type:

Take tissue paper and gently pat on different areas of your face.
If the tissue paper has no oil, then you have a dry skin type.
If the tissue paper has oil, then you most likely have an oily skin type.
If you get oil from your T-zone only, then you probably have a combination skin type.

Oily skin is different and unique in its own way. It has its own pros and cons. Let us take a look at what could be the disadvantages of having oily skin.

Oily Skin Problems

If you face a constant struggle to get rid of oily skin, then you're not alone. Many other men are facing similar problems.

Well, first of all, oily skin makes you more prone to acne. This could be one of the biggest disadvantages of having oily skin. Acne is not only painful but also makes you feel bad about yourself. Pimples can appear anywhere on your face and even on your back if you are not careful enough. Some other problems that people with oily skin face are blackheads, whiteheads, and enlarged pores.

We recommend you avoid high-glycemic-index foods and refined carbs like pretzels, white bread, white pasta, etc if you have oily skin.

Avoid touching your face frequently because our hands can transfer dirt, oil and bacteria to our faces, leading to excess oil buildup.

Coconut, broccoli, banana, lemon, cucumber, pulses, etc are good for people with oily skin and these foods can help in preventing pimples as well.

For men with oily skin especially, the key is to find a good skincare routine that will keep skin looking radiant and clear without drying it out, which can lead to dead or flaky skin – the opposite of what we want.

Skincare is one of the most important aspects of grooming and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is one of the most neglected areas for men. Let us look at some tips for men with oily skin.

5 Tips for Men with Oily Skin

Exfoliate your Face: Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells that build up causing clogged pores. Dead skin cells can also block hair follicles, which can eventually cause hair loss.
Drink Plenty of Water: Since drinking water is very important for healthy hair, it is even more important when you have oily skin. Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated and keeps all the organs and body parts healthy.
Use a Gentle Cleanser: Men with oily skin should avoid aggressive cleansers as they might further irritate the skin. Instead, a gentle cleanser is recommended for such skins.
Use Toner: Toners and face masks can replenish your skin with antioxidants by keeping a check on excess oil. Apply a clay mask once a week to control oil production.
Wash your Face: Wash your face twice a day to get rid of impurities, dirt and excess oil. This will also prevent your pores from clogging.

There are many home remedies that you can try out to treat problems with oily skin but these will not address the underlying cause of overproduction of sebum. If your skin is oily because of hormonal changes, it cannot be managed or cured at home. Talk with your doctor to get prescription treatments.

Take Away

Oily skin is one of the most common skin types. It's caused by overactive sebaceous glands, which produce too much oil. Oily skin can quickly become clogged with impurities, leading to breakouts, blackheads, and premature aging.

Men with oily skin should avoid pores clogging skin products, as they can aggravate the problem. They should choose oil-free cosmetics and wash their face twice or thrice a day.