Skip to main content

What Causes Oily Skin?

Young black woman with curly hair looking away and smiling
pull oil

Dealing with oily skin is a slippery slope. Here’s how to handle oily skin flawlessly.

Why is my face so oily?

Gorgeous in the morning, and greasy in the afternoon – sounds familiar? You’re not alone! Tons of people share the oily skin type – which means the oil-producing glands of your skin are overactive. Our skin needs a small amount of oil to stay soft and moisturised. But when the oil producing glands produce more oil than required, the end result is shiny, greasy skin.

Usually, your hormones decide how much oil these glands will produce (which is why most people have to deal with oily skin in their teenage years)!

Other than that, your skin may also get oily because of:

  • Your menstrual cycle – also related to hormones

  • Genetic factors

  • Physical or emotional stress

  • Warm or humid weather

  • Using too much makeup or harsh products

  • Touching your face a lot

  • Eating too many sugary foods

But don’t worry! Managing oily skin is pretty easy. Here are a few life hacks for dealing with oily skin.

How can I prevent oily skin?

Be Gentle

You may be tempted to wash off all that excess oil repeatedly. But over-washing strips your face of the oils it needs, and only triggers more oil production! Stick to washing your face twice a day and make sure you use lukewarm water because hot water can irritate your skin.

Exfoliating too much will also push your skin to produce more oil so only exfoliate once or twice a week.

Befriend Moisturisers

People with oily skin often shy away from moisturisers, fearing that their skin will become greasier. Bad idea! Moisturising your skin is essential if you want it to look healthy. Choose an oil-free moisturiser to keep your skin non-greasy and hydrated. This ultra-lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer is formulated with water, not oil, so it won’t clog pores.

Use Makeup in Moderation

Using long-wear foundations, concealers, or heavy makeup can do more harm than good by clogging your pores. Try to find more lightweight formulas that are labelled non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores) and always remember to remove your makeup before you sleep!

Control Oil throughout the Day

If you start to get oily later in the day, try using the CLEAN & CLEAR® Oil Absorbing Sheets to absorb oil. They work like a charm to instantly soak up excess oil without smudging your makeup so that you can stay shine free all day! Trust us, these are life changing.

Related Products

Related Articles

Girl against a wall looking up and smiling

Oily Skin Care Routine

If your skin looks really shiny throughout the day, check out this routine that has products perfectly formulated to control shine.

Woman looking at her skin in a mirror

What Causes Acne & Pimples

Find helpful pimples and acne facts, including causes, ways to prevent breakouts, and the difference between acne and pimples.

Woman applying corrective treatment to her face

What Causes Acne

Pimples appear when pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, but what exactly makes oil go into overdrive?

Illustration of blackheads

What are Blackheads

Avoiding close-ups because of those pesky blackheads? Find out what’s going on so you can take the spotlight back.