Skin Type: Oily Skin

Oily skin produces too much sebum, which can leave it feeling greasy and shiny. Oily skin is often associated with blemishes such as pimples and blackheads.

Oily skin is a common skin type. Oily skin is a direct result of increased sebum production. The skin produces sebum every day. Sebum keeps your skin supple and protects it from drying out. Oily skin produces too much sebum, which can make it feel greasy and shiny. Oily skin is often accompanied by blemishes, such as pimples and blackheads. These blemishes develop because the skin can't process the excess sebum. Blemishes often appear on the face, but also on the neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Because the skin can't process the sebum, the pores on the surface of the skin become clogged. This skin type is often called impure skin.

Oily skin can be recognized by the following characteristics:

• Shiny skin: Skin shines because sebum is visible as an oily layer on the skin. This is especially true in the T-zone: the nose, chin, and forehead. Skin feels oily here as well.
• Enlarged pores: Skin that produces too much sebum is recognizable by enlarged pores. The pore walls expand permanently.
• Makeup: With oily skin, makeup often has a harder time staying put. The sebum layer doesn't adhere well to your skin.
• Impurities: Oily skin is often characterised by many impurities such as pimples and blackheads on the nose, chin and forehead.
• Pale skin tone: Oily skin often has a pale complexion because the skin does not have good blood circulation.

Sebum is an oil naturally produced by the body. It's a fatty substance produced by sebaceous glands located beneath the pores. Every body produces sebum to protect the skin from external influences. Sebum also helps keep skin hydrated and healthy. Oily skin indicates that the sebaceous glands are overactive, causing them to produce more sebum than necessary. This is often hormonal. However, other factors can also cause oily skin. Read on to learn more about the causes of oily skin.

Oily skin has many causes. Read below for a list of factors that affect your radiant glow.

Hormones also influence the skin, especially oily skin. Male hormones like androgens, in particular, stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Androgens are present in both men and women. Female hormones like estrogen and progestogen, on the other hand, counteract the sebaceous glands' sebum production. That's why men suffer more from skin blemishes than women. During periods of hormonal fluctuations, the risk of excessive sebum production is greater, such as during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. That's why people are more likely to experience skin blemishes during these periods. It's not the amount of hormones that determines whether the skin becomes oily, but the imbalance between hormones and the increased sensitivity of the sebaceous glands.

Your skin type is largely determined by heredity . Your skin's sebum production also often correlates with age. Especially during puberty, the sebaceous glands begin to grow and produce more sebum. There's not much you can do about this. You can, however, ensure you optimally care for your skin type with, for example, the right skincare for oily skin.

Sunlight affects oily skin. It can trigger a reaction in the sebaceous glands. Sunlight hydrates the skin, causing the sebaceous glands to work extra hard to produce sebum. This leads to oily, shiny skin. Sunlight can also burn the skin, resulting in flaking. This releases more dead skin cells. More dead skin cells combined with excessive sebum production can contribute to blemishes on the skin, as it clogs the pores. Therefore, use a day cream with SPF for oily skin, which will reduce shine due to its mattifying effect. Find your day cream here at Olivida .

The environment you live in affects your skin. In a humid environment, the skin can produce more sebum than in a colder environment. Research also shows that people living in areas with air pollution have higher sebum production than those in less polluted areas. Free radicals, such as air pollution, can weaken the skin's barrier function. Free radicals (pollution) are unstable molecules that lack an electron and can therefore damage cells and tissues in the body. This makes the oily layer and impurities more visible on the skin. Furthermore, polluted air causes dehydration, which in turn leads to excessive sebum production in the skin, making the skin even oilier.

Using the wrong skincare products can make your skin even oilier. Using skincare formulated for a different skin type can be counterproductive. Your skin will react by producing more sebum. Using a day cream, serum, or night cream that's too oily for your skin can clog your pores. Cleaning your skin too thoroughly with a cleanser can make it feel tight. Your skin then thinks it's dry, causing it to produce more sebum. In these cases, your skin becomes irritated, disrupting sebum production. This leads to oilier skin and more blemishes. Makeup can also cause oily skin and blemishes . Makeup can clog pores, especially if you forget to remove it in the evening. It's also important to pay attention to the makeup products you use. Makeup containing comedogenic ingredients can dry out your skin, which negatively impacts its health. These substances are often used in makeup and skincare products. It is recommended to avoid products containing these substances. Skin reactions to these products can be recognized by small bumps and blackheads on the face. You naturally want to avoid this, so always choose products that are formulated

Besides sunlight and air pollution, several factors contribute to skin dehydration. Dehydration is also caused by how someone cares for their skin. Exfoliating too often or taking frequent hot showers can damage the skin's natural barrier. This causes the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum, resulting in oilier skin.

Sebum production in the skin can be stimulated by stress hormones like testosterone and cortisol. During stressful periods, you're therefore more likely to have oily and blemish-prone skin.

Medicines prescribed for epilepsy, tranquilizers and cortisone creams can cause or worsen oily/impure skin.

A skin therapist or skin specialist can identify oily skin by looking and feeling carefully. In most cases, no further testing is necessary. Not sure if you have this skin type? Ask our skin specialist. Open the chat; our skin specialist Lisa is happy to help. Or take the SkinQuiz and find the skincare that suits your skin type and needs in just a few minutes.

A skin therapist or skin specialist can identify oily skin by looking and feeling carefully. In most cases, no further testing is necessary. Not sure if you have this skin type? Ask our skin specialist. Open the chat; our skin specialist Lisa is happy to help. Or take the SkinQuiz and find the skincare that suits your skin type and needs in just a few minutes.

A skin therapist or skin specialist can identify oily skin by looking and feeling carefully. In most cases, no further testing is necessary. Not sure if you have this skin type? Ask our skin specialist. Open the chat; our skin specialist Lisa is happy to help. Or take the SkinQuiz and find the skincare that suits your skin type and needs in just a few minutes.

Proper cleansing is crucial if you have oily skin. Oily skin, like other skin types, should be cleansed no more than twice a day. Cleanse your skin morning and night with a mild cleanser, for example. Cleansing too often can have a negative effect.

It's not recommended to cleanse your skin with a traditional bar of soap. This dries out the skin more and stimulates excessive sebum production. Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser or a (daily) cleansing scrub. This will thoroughly cleanse your skin, reduce shine, and open your pores. This will control bacteria on your skin, and you'll notice your skin looking better. You can choose to treat your skin with a toner after cleansing. Use a toner with a low alcohol content, as this has a disinfecting effect and is suitable for oily skin. It's also recommended to exfoliate your skin weekly to remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores.

Read more about why an exfoliant is important for your daily skin care here ->

It's important to avoid using harsh products when caring for oily skin. These products only make the skin drier. Harsh products sometimes seem to have a short-lasting effect, but they ultimately stimulate the skin to produce more sebum. Therefore, choose gentle, natural products for oily skin. Light skincare ensures that the skin isn't overly irritated, nourished, or clogged. Light liquid cleansers, day creams, or serums are ideal for sufficiently hydrating oily skin. You will still need to use a moisturizer.

Oily skin needs daily protection from external influences like cold and heat. It's therefore recommended to always use a day cream with SPF. Make sure the moisturizer contains antibacterial and soothing ingredients.

In addition to proper cleansing and care for oily skin, the following tips can help you:

Try to avoid irritants such as heat, cold, and harsh skincare products as much as possible. Oily skin is sensitive to these factors.

Once or twice a week, you can remove dead skin cells and dirt with a gentle scrub. Follow with a toner and a hydrating mask specifically formulated for oily skin. This will revitalize your skin.

Oily skin often goes hand in hand with blemishes like pimples and blackheads. It can be tempting to squeeze them. Don't! This can cause inflammation, scarring, and more blemishes.

Skin specialists often say that everyone should wear sunscreen daily, regardless of the weather. This is especially true for oily skin. Sunlight can stimulate sebum production, so it's advisable to use a cream with a sun protection factor. This reduces the risk of oily skin becoming even more shiny and protects your skin daily from sunlight.

Learn more about why a day cream with SPF is important ->

People with oily, blemish-prone skin often wear a thick layer of makeup to conceal their condition. This is also not recommended. This clogs the pores even more, leading to more pimples and blackheads. This creates a vicious cycle. Try not to wear too much makeup, especially oil-based products. Use oil-free makeup and look for non-comedogenic products. Also, always try to remove your makeup before bed, preferably as soon as you get home. This will minimize blocked pores.

Try to avoid irritants such as heat, cold, and harsh skincare products as much as possible. Oily skin is sensitive to these factors.

Try to avoid irritants such as heat, cold, and harsh skincare products as much as possible. Oily skin is sensitive to these factors.

Try to avoid irritants such as heat, cold, and harsh skincare products as much as possible. Oily skin is sensitive to these factors.