Oiliness

Ever wondered why a skin care product can work fantastically for a friend but not for you, or vice versa? That’s because every person’s skin is unique, with its own strengths and weaknesses and its own features. One way your skin might differ from others is if it’s especially oily.

Why is My Skin Oily?

Oily skin is one of four basic skin types: oily, dry, balanced, and combination (some areas of your face are oily while others are dry). Skin type is usually something we can’t control. It can come from genetics, hormones, and other factors. It can even change at different times in your life. For example, most people have oilier skin during their teen years thanks to the hormone storm of puberty.

How Do I Know If I Have Oily Skin?

For some people with oily skin, it’s obvious to them – they can’t touch their face for a second without feeling a greasy film. But sometimes it’s more subtle, so how do you know if your skin type is oily?

There’s a trusty test you can do. Head to your local drug store and pick up a pack of blotting papers from the skin care section. Wash your face and then wait 30 minutes. After those 30 minutes, take a blotting paper and pat your skin with it throughout your face. Take a look at the blotting paper and see how much oil it picked up. If there’s more than just a minimal amount of oil, you’re officially in the oily skin club.

What Are the Issues with Oily Skin?

Oily skin isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just one of the natural skin types you might have. It does have its disadvantages, though.

Oily skin is usually more prone to acne and pimples. Pimples form when oil gets trapped in your pores, so naturally, if your pores are producing more oil, there’s a higher risk of some oil getting stuck in the pores.

A lot of people with oily skin also try to reduce the oiliness because of aesthetics alone. It creates a shiny look that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

What’s the Best Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin?

If you have oily skin, there are a few things to consider when you’re putting together your skin care routine. Namely, acne prevention should be a priority so you can keep your pores clear before breakouts happen. You also want to look for oil-free skin care products, especially when you’re choosing a type of product that often has oil in it like moisturizer, because you don’t want to add more oil to already oily skin.

Here's an example of what a healthy skin care routine for oily skin may look like:

1. Gentle cleanser (pro tip: an overly harsh cleanser that strips away too much of your natural oil can actually trigger your oil glands to become more active)
2. Acne control serum
3. Oil-free moisturizer

Use this routine twice a day to keep your oily skin under control.