Facial Oil: What You Need to Know

The natural oil on your face keeps your skin from drying out. But too much oil isn't good for your skin and can easily lead to breakouts. So is there a way to clear excess oil from your face?

Oily skin happens when the oil glands beneath the skin become overactive and produce a thin layer of oil, leaving the skin shiny and causing pores to become clogged. In normal skin, the sebaceous glands beneath the pores secrete sebum to keep the skin hydrated and healthy.

1. WHY DOES SKIN PRODUCE TOO MUCH OIL?

Understanding what makes your skin overproduce oil is the first step. From there, you can find the right solution to address it.

1.1 Genetics

The first cause, and perhaps the least talked about, is genetics. Oily skin with overactive sebaceous glands can be inherited. Take a look at your parents or siblings and notice whether their skin tends to be shiny.

1.2 Age

As skin ages, it loses collagen and the sebaceous glands gradually become less active. So as we get older, collagen and protein levels drop. Your oily skin will ease somewhat, while wrinkles and crow's feet gradually appear. That's why oily skin often shows signs of aging later than dry skin.

Hormonal imbalance in the body also plays a role. When hormone levels are too high, the skin can produce a great deal of oil that's hard to control. This often happens during puberty, pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, as well as perimenopause and menopause.

1.3 Where you live and the time of year

Each region has its own climate, and it directly affects how your sebaceous glands work. This is one of the reasons skin produces a lot of oil. In cool or cold climates, the sebaceous glands are less active. In hot, humid climates, the skin produces more oil than usual.

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, and the central and southern regions in particular are hot and humid all year round. So it's no surprise that most Vietnamese people have skin that produces a lot of oil.

1.4 Enlarged pores

Environmental and weather factors such as harsh sunlight or dusty surroundings play a part. If you're regularly exposed to conditions like these, whether by choice or not, your skin will produce more oil and your pores will become clogged.

We all know pores expand in hot weather. They can also enlarge with age, weight changes and past breakouts. Enlarged pores that overproduce oil are one reason your face gets so oily.

1.5 Using the wrong products for oily skin

Finding the right skincare products for oily skin can be genuinely difficult. Creams that are too heavy or cleansers with a high pH make the skin feel congested and produce even more oil.

Some products suited to oily skin:

A cleansing solution for oily skin: Special Cleansing Gel – a soap-free foaming cleanser that cleans deeply

Active Moist moisturizer from Dermalogica. Its light, easy-to-apply formula contains a Prebiotic hydrating complex and a unique blend of plant extracts that help improve surface texture and fight surface dehydration.

1.6 Overdoing your skincare routine

Excess oil can also come from our daily habits. Exfoliating removes dead skin, refreshes your complexion and helps it absorb nutrients better. However, you should exfoliate no more than twice a week. Don't overdo it: too much exfoliation strips the skin of its natural moisture and makes it produce more oil.

Recommended product: Daily Superfoliant – a deep-cleansing activated charcoal exfoliating powder

Washing your face too many times a day can also cause excess oil. Over-washing breaks down the protective sebum "barrier" on the skin and strips away the natural oil layer that protects it. This weakens the skin and leaves it more vulnerable to damage from external aggressors.

Also, don't skip sunscreen: it protects your skin from UV rays while keeping it balanced and protected, which helps reduce oil production.

1.7 Skipping moisturizer

Many people mistakenly believe oily skin shouldn't be moisturized. That's not true. The right cleanser for oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin and the right moisturizer for acne-prone skin help restore the skin's natural moisture balance so it produces less oil. Water-based products free of mineral oil and parabens are good for oily skin.

Improving oily skin is never easy. You need to research the products that suit you, and also seek advice from doctors and specialists to build the best skincare routine.

1.8 Lifestyle:

An unbalanced diet, such as not drinking enough water or eating lots of sweets or snacks, can make your skin produce far too much oil.

In addition, long-term stress affects the body's hormones. Prolonged stress throws your internal hormones out of balance. When you're stressed, hormone levels rise abnormally, which in turn makes the sebaceous glands more active.

Certain medications such as antibiotics, birth control pills or diuretics can also change how much oil your skin produces.

2. EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE OIL ON YOUR FACE

You can quickly tackle oily skin with fast-acting methods. However, these are only temporary fixes and won't treat oily skin for good. If you want a lasting solution, look into longer-term ways to keep facial oil under control.

2.1 Cleansing with cotton pads

If your skin regularly produces a lot of oil and shine, the quickest fix is to wash your face. Cleanse thoroughly, then use a cotton pad to wipe away the oil. Avoid spray-on cosmetics, as they won't remove the oil and may even increase it.

2.2 Blotting papers

Blotting papers are a must-have for anyone with oily skin. However, you need to use them correctly to get the results you want.

When your skin feels oily or shiny, use your fingertips to gently press the blotting paper onto your skin to absorb the oil. For best results, don't blot quickly or swipe it across your face.

2.3 Using talcum powder to absorb oil

Talcum powder is widely used and has many effective uses, not least its ability to absorb oil. It helps reduce shine effectively and is very gentle on the skin. Simply take a small amount of powder and gently smooth it over your face for instant results.

2.4 Using salt

Salt is a natural ingredient that helps remove oil safely and effectively. Mix a little salt with purified water and pour it into a small spray bottle. After washing your face thoroughly, spray a moderate amount of the salt solution onto a cotton pad and wipe it over your face like a toner. This helps your skin feel softer and less shiny. Do this every day for the best results.

2.5 Using a cucumber and passion fruit mixture

A mask made from cucumber and passion fruit effectively clears oil and shine from the skin, leaving it smooth, firm and bright. Wash the cucumber and blend it into juice, then mix it with the fruit juice in suitable proportions. Next, use a cotton pad to apply the mixture to your skin. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with clean water. These two ingredients give your skin plenty of vitamins and minerals, which help exfoliate the skin effectively. As a result, oily areas are greatly reduced.

2.6 Tomato and honey mask

Combining tomato and honey in a mask not only noticeably reduces oil and shine but also leaves the skin smoother, brighter and rosier.

Here's how to do it: juice 2 tomatoes, then mix with 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply the mixture to your face and gently massage with your fingers for 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Tomatoes contain natural antioxidants that help slow the aging process. They're also rich in potassium and vitamin C, which help reduce oil and tighten pores.

2.7 Ice

One extremely simple yet quite effective method is using ice. After washing your face, wrap crushed ice in a clean towel and press it gently onto your skin to help tighten pores. This may help reduce oil production and leave your skin cleaner and smoother.

2.8 Choosing the right sunscreen for oily skin

In fact, using the wrong sunscreen can make your skin produce more oil. That's why you need to choose your sunscreen carefully. For oily skin, avoid sunscreens with a very high SPF. Also, choose oil-free sunscreens that provide plenty of hydration, to keep your skin from producing even more oil.

Recommended product: Oil Free Matte SPF30 – a sunscreen for oily, acne-prone skin

Alongside a skincare routine using cosmetics or natural ingredients, you should also adjust your diet and avoid spicy, heating foods such as chili, pepper or seafood. Cut back on fatty and fried foods to reduce sebum production, and eat more vegetables and fruit for healthier-looking skin.

3. DOS AND DON'TS FOR REDUCING OILY SKIN

3.1 – What to do for oily skin

• Wash with a gentle cleanser: oily skin is very prone to breakouts, so wash your face regularly twice a day to keep it clean. Use cleansers with gentle, non-irritating ingredients such as oil-free formulas, AHA, BHA or Hyaluronic acid to reduce oil and keep skin cleaner. A pH of 5 to 6.5 is best.
• Wear a mask when you go out: dirt that settles on your face can easily cause breakouts if it isn't cleaned off promptly. So don't forget to wear a mask whenever you head out.
• Choose the right cosmetics: using suitable cosmetics not only keeps your skin healthier but also keeps oil production to a minimum.
• Manage stress: stress is one of the causes of hormonal imbalance and increases oil production. So find ways to keep stress in check if you want to avoid breakouts.
• Diet: drink plenty of water every day and eat lots of green vegetables and fresh fruit to keep your skin looking good and to limit oil and acne.

3.2 – What not to do with oily skin

• Wearing lots of makeup when your skin is oily: too much makeup can irritate the skin, clog pores and make breakouts more likely.
• Don't pick your spots: never squeeze your own pimples. If you have a lot of acne, see a dermatologist for proper treatment.
• Avoid harsh oil-stripping products: remember that while sebum can make your skin prone to acne, it also helps moisturize and lubricate the skin. If you strip away all the oil, your skin will become dry, rough and dehydrated, and end up producing even more oil.

These are some simple, effective ways to clear oil from your face that anyone can try. Use them as a guide to achieve your healthiest skin. Do you know of any other reasons skin produces oil out of control ? Share them with us and let's talk!

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