When it comes to skincare, what’s inside the product matters. But, it’s not only the external environment that can cause skin issues! The genetic makeup of your skin, or skin type, also plays a big role. And if you’re suffering with oily skin it can be hard to find what’s good for you, luckily we’re here to help!
What can cause oily skin:
1. Genetics
It runs in the family. Yes, it’s more likely you’ll have oily skin with more active sebum glands if your parents also have an oilier skin type.
2. Hormones
Everyone has them, but there are certain hormones in our body that can boost the activity of our sebum glands. Also, during the production of sex hormones, most commonly experienced by teenagers, the sebum activity can increase.
3. The Weather
Is the weather getting you hot and bothered? Makes sense, since when the heat and humidity go up, our sebaceous gland activity tends to increase as well.
4. The Products You’re Using
Using products that don’t fit your skin type, especially for oily skin, may end up making your skin even greasier! This is because using the wrong products can add more oil to the natural sebum your skin already produces.
5. Skipping Moisturizer
You might think ditching the moisturizer is a good idea, but that’s the most common skincare myth for oily skin!
Even if we have more active sebum glands, our natural sebum isn’t enough to trap the water and moisture that our skin so desperately needs. We still need a light amount of moisturizer to help reduce the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in our skin. When your skin is dehydrated, it will compensate by producing more sebum, resulting in oilier skin! So, to stay out of this vicious cycle, always keep your skin well-moisturized!
What problems come with oily skin:
– Clogged Pores
Clogged pores are a combination of sebum trapped under a pile of dead skin cells. When you have more active sebum glands, it’s more likely your skin will form these small little bumps called comedones.
– Prone to Acne
Soon after the comedone is formed it becomes a hotbed for acne-causing bacteria to grow, and then boom! You have acne popping up everywhere.
– Enlarged Pores
One of the major factors that determines the size of your pores is the sebum. The more sebum you produce, the larger your pores will look.
Ingredients to look for:
Many of those with oily skin feel overwhelmed trying to tackle their oiliness and have difficulty finding a product that feels comfortable on their skin. But don’t worry, we have some ingredients that can help relieve the stress and work great with your oily skin!
– Clay
Clay is a hero ingredient for oily skin. Whenever you need a quick pick-me up before any big event to minimize the size of your pores, clay is there to save the day! Clay can help absorb and soak up any impurities or excess sebum on your skin.
Some examples of clay ingredients include bentonite, kaolin, and volcanic ash clay. These are common ingredients that you can easily find in a wash-off mask. The effects are quite instant, but also temporary. Remember not to use them for too long because it can dry out your skin and disrupt your skin barrier! Finish it off by applying a moisturizer to lock in all the remaining moisture.
– Niacinamide
Niacinamide is an ingredient that has been scientifically proven to reduce sebum production. Moreover, it has many other skin-loving benefits so it’s always good to add niacinamide in your skincare routine.
– Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract
Chock-full of amazing benefits, like antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, green tea and its compound (EGCG) have also been shown to suppress sebum production. Making green tea an excellent ingredient for acne prevention and treatment.
Ready to say goodbye to sebum and upgrade your skincare? Log into Picky and use our mega ingredient filter to get started. Don’t forget to also follow us on Instagram for more skincare science content!
