Skincare for Oily Skin:
Causes, Tips and Routine
7 Causes of
Oily Skin
- Genetics:
Oily skin often runs in families. If your parents or siblings have greasy skin, there’s a good chance you might have it too. Your genes play a big role in how much oil your skin produces.
- Hormones:Hormonal changes can cause your skin to produce more oil. This is especially common during puberty, menstruation and pregnancy. Hormones called androgens increase oil production, which can lead to oily skin.
- Age:Younger people, especially teenagers, tend to have oilier skin because of higher hormone levels. As you get older, your skin naturally produces less oil, which is why older adults often have drier skin.
- Climate:Hot and humid climates can cause your skin to produce more oil. Even in cooler weather, indoor heating can dry out your skin, and your skin may overproduce oil to make up for it.
- Diet:Diets that are high in sugar, dairy, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates could increase oil production.
- Skincare Habits:Using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your face too hard can strip your skin of its natural oils, and your skin may then produce even more to compensate. It’s important to use gentle, non-oily products that are designed for oily skin.
- Stress:Stress can trigger your body to produce more hormones like cortisol, which can increase oil production.
5 Ways to Recognise
Oily Skin
- Midday Shine:If your face tends to become shiny and greasy by midday, especially in the T-zone, you most likely have oily skin.
- Frequent Breakouts:Regular blemishes, blackheads or whiteheads may suggest that your skin is prone to oiliness.
- Visible Pores:Large, noticeable pores, particularly around your nose and cheeks, often go hand in hand with oilier skin types.
- Blotting Paper Test:Press a blotting paper against different areas of your face. If it picks up a lot of oil from most areas, your skin is most likely oily.
- Skin Texture:A thicker, coarser texture, rather than a smooth feel, is often associated with oily skin.
6 Tips to Reduce
Oily Skin
- Use Non-Oily and Light Products:Go for oil-free, mattifying products, and choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers to help control oil and maintain hydration.
- Blot Excess Oil:Keep blotting papers handy to absorb excess oil throughout the day.
- Diet:Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit, veg and whole grains can help keep your skin in check.
- Stress management:Managing stress through things like exercise, meditation or hobbies can help reduce oily skin.
- Stay Hydrated:Drink enough water throughout the day to help maintain skin hydration and balance.
- Avoid Touching Your Face:If you have a greasy face, touching it a lot can transfer oils and bacteria, which can clog pores and encourage infections and pimple outbreaks.
Oily Skin
Causes: Genetics, hormones, age, climate, diet, stress and skincare habits.
Recognition: Shiny T-zone by midday, frequent breakouts, visible pores and a greasy feel.
Skincare Routine: Cleanse gently twice daily, moisturise with lightweight, non-comedogenic products, exfoliate regularly and always use SPF 30+ sunscreen.
5 Skincare Ingredients for
Greasy Skin:
- Hyaluronic Acid:
Can boost hydration without making your skin oily.
- Glycolic Acid:
Helps exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells and excess oil, promoting a clearer, smoother complexion.
- Niacinamide:May help control oil production and reduce inflammation.
- Salicylic Acid:Can help keep pores clear and prevent blemishes.
- Aloe Vera:Soothes and hydrates the skin naturally.
Bringing ingredients such as Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide into your skincare routine can really help if you’ve got oily, blemish-prone skin. They complement each other: Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into your pores to clear excess oil and dead skin cells, while Niacinamide helps soothe skin and make it look more radiant. Used together, these two ingredients can make your skin clearer and more radiant.
Skincare Routine for
Oily Skin
Choose a gentle cleanser to wash your face twice daily, so you can effectively remove excess oil and impurities. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel deeply cleanses and helps clear out pores while also removing excess grease.
The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti Blemish Scrub is ideal to use straight after your cleanser to get a deeper cleanse and get rid of dead skin cells. Formulated with Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide, it helps unclog pores and refine skin texture. Add it to your evening routine 2–3 times a week for best results.
Finish cleansing by adding a gentle, hydrating toner to your routine. It helps maintain your skin’s pH balance and removes any leftover dirt, oil and makeup.
Your skin’s reaction to being dried out by the sun is to produce more sebum, which can lead to clogged pores. On top of that, the alpha-hydroxy acids in exfoliating skincare products can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. So it’s essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher every morning and reapply regularly during the day.
Is there a difference between
oily skin in men and women?
When shaving, it’s also important to use a sharp razor and choose a shaving cream and after-shave care that suit your skin type, and to keep beards clean with regular washing and conditioning.
