OILY SKIN CARE

Women of all ages could suffer from oily skin with the blemishes and shine that go hand-in-hand with excess oil. In many cases oily skin starts at adolescent period and ends after puberty but some women struggle oily skin whole life. Women with face oily skin feel greasy and look shiny.

Generally speaking the skin oil production is the normal process. Oil is produced by sebaceous glands in the skin and it is an essential component of healthy skin. Sebaceous glands are active on the scalp, face, neck, chest and back – making hair look glossy and healthy; protecting facial and neck skin from negative environmental factors (sun exposure, chemical pollutions, etc.); keeping chest and back moisture.

But excessive skin oil production could trigger several skin problems because excess oil traps pore-clogging dirt and attract bacteria. Oily skin looks greasy, shiny, thick and not attractive full of acne, blemishes, spots and bacterial inflammation.

Oily skin has also some benefits – women with oily skin tend to age slower and oily skin tends to wrinkle less than those with dry or normal skin.

OILY SKIN CAUSES

Oily skin causes could be several – some genetically determined, some created by women or doctors and some could be a result of different environment factors (weather, temperatures, sun exposure, etc.).

Genetic factors
In the same family women could suffer from oily skin in generations – mother, daughter, grandmother, grand grandmother. Main reason for inherited oily skin is inherited larger sebaceous glands that produce excess oil. Genetically oily skin is more likely to have clogged pores and breakouts.

Weather
It is well documented that in hot countries the frequency of oily skin is higher. At the same time, it is well known that skin can be changed depending on seasons – rise in heat and humidity during spring and summer can increase skin’s oil production levels and reduced temperature with dry air during winter make skin dehydrated and dry.

Hormones
Many experts link the cause of oily skin to the increased production of hormones. High levels of hormones force sebaceous glands produce more oil. Women usually experience few dramatic hormonal fluctuation periods – puberty, reproductive period, pregnancy and menopause (“critical hormonal periods”). Every time women pass critical hormonal periods, the quality of skin is always changed. Excessive production of hormones (especially androgens) is always triggering oily skin with several problems.

Besides critical period of hormonal fluctuations, some women could have hormonal disturbances (irregular menstrual periods, ovarian dysfunctions, premature menopause, polycystic ovaries, etc.) which also could cause oily skin in women.

Stress
Negative stress is a very common women enemy because stress could trigger several body disturbances including hormonal changes. Usually in response to stress women body produces more male hormones (androgens) which lead to more skin oil production.

Skin products
Market is full of skin products – natural and chemical, good or bad quality, with and without instructions, sometimes full of unhealthy chemical. Generally speaking all cosmetic products could be harmful if wrongly selected, wrongly used or overused.

Millions of women, who are dreaming about younger-looking, smoother and clearer skin, unfortunately are using several cosmetic products which could be a cause of oily skin in women. Overuse use of skin care products (over-cleansing, over-exfoliation, over-scrubbing) with too much pressure could be a cause of oily skin.

Wrong selection of skin care products is well known by dermatologists. If woman uses a cleanser for oily skin when she has combination skin, her skin will become over-stripped of the oil it needs – in these cases the skin will produce even more oil in response to compensate.

Sun exposure
Skin experts recommend avoiding long sun tanning (especially for women with oily skin). Actually sun tanning could make your skin dry temporarily; in long-term, sun tanning triggers an injury response, which causes the sebaceous glands to surge production of oil in order to protect the skin’s surface.

Hormonal medications
Side effects of hormonal drugs are well known. Birth control pills and/or hormone replacement medications can cause an increase of skin oil production.

Mechanical factors
Market is full of skin care tools and some can be not healthy. Every woman should avoid skin scrubbing with a wash cloth, or using a rotating cleansing brush, hand mitts, buff puffs and strips because they can not only irritate the skin, but can also dry out skin, causing it to overproduce oil to compensate.

OILY SKIN CARE TIPS

1.    If you feel your face getting oily during the day, it is recommended to use just blotting papers and medicated pad (if you’re wearing makeup) or cool water (if you are not wearing makeup) – for removing the excess skin oil. Both blotting paper and medicated pad are portable allowing you to freshen up your face no matter where you are (in the office, on date, at friends, etc.)
2.    Wash your face twice a day (not more, not less) – in the morning and before going to bed. Often face washing can strip your skin of all the natural moisturizers and increase skin oil production by sebaceous glands.
3.    Never scrub your face as this can stimulate excessive skin oil production.
4.    Women with oily skin should never escape daily skin care routine and always should choose good quality oily skin care products (gentle cleansers, specifically recommended for acne and oily skin).
5.    Remember that slippery lip glosses can easily slid off your lips to the area around your mouth, causing extra oiliness and blemishes.
6.    Never leave makeup on your face, and try to avoid wearing makeup on a daily basis unless it is specifically designed for oily skin types.
7.    Oily skin moisturizer should be properly selected – it should be water based or oil-free. Concentrated creams and heavy moisturizers are not recommended.
8.    Oily skin needs exfoliation once a week to help loosen and remove dirt and oil in skin pores.
9.    Sunscreen should be applied to protect skin from sun exposure, skin damages and following excessive skin oil production.
10.    Never touch your face unless necessary. Never pop or squeeze pimples.
11.    Pillow case should be changed regularly (every 2-3 days) because during sleep the oil from your face transfers to the pillow case, so you are literally sleeping on tiny oils and dead skin cells.
12.    Skin is a mirror of your inside – eat well balanced healthy food and drink enough water (about 1.5-2 liter) for skin proper hydration.