Skincare tips & advice
Why is My Skin So Oily? Understanding Your Skin
Oily skin can be caused by genetics, weather, stress, hormones and washing too often or washing with a harsh cleanser that strips the skin of oils—causing the sebaceous glands to increase oil production. Regardless of why your skin is oily, with a skincare routine designed specifically for oily skin, you can achieve fresh, healthy, balanced skin.
What You Need to Know
Oily skin is characterized by shine, enlarged pores and blackheads, and it may feel slick even after cleansing. It is also often prone to breakouts. If you're not sure if you have oily skin, you can use blotting sheets to test it. To do so, dab one blotting sheet on your cheeks, another on your forehead and another on your nose, then hold them up to the light. If all three of the sheets are saturated in oil, it's reasonable to believe that you have oily skin. (Note: Normal skin will show only light oil stains from all areas of the face, while oily skin will show an abundance of oil from all areas.)
Creating a Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
- Look for a gentle, non-comedogenic face wash
- If acne-prone, choose a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide to help clear breakouts and prevent new ones
- Choose non-comedogenic moisturizers, including a daytime formula with a broad-spectrum SPF and a lightweight nighttime formula
- A damaged skin barrier can trigger an increase in sebum production, causing oily skin. However, skin care products formulated with ceramides can help restore the skin's barrier, while those that also include hyaluronic acid can help retain skin’s natural moisture and niacinamide can help calm the skin.
Why is My Skin Oily?
Genetics can, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), cause your sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum, which causes oily skin. But that's just one possible reason for why you may have oily skin. Others may include the weather, hormones and stress—which can, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), cause your skin to produce more oil than usual.
Additionally, washing your face too often or with the wrong cleanser can strip the skin of its natural oils and damage the skin's barrier, which can trigger an increase in oil production. Likewise, when the skin isn't properly hydrated, it will work to create its own moisture by producing more sebum. However, washing with a cleanser and using a moisturizer designed for your skin type, and choosing products containing ceramides to help restore the skin's barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid to help retain skin’s moisture, and calming niacinamide, can help keep your skin feeling clean, hydrated and balanced.
Skincare Routine for Oily Skin
Proper skin care for oily skin can help keep the skin feeling fresh and looking healthy—while reducing shine. And it should begin with a gentle, non-comedogenic face wash that won't strip the skin of its natural oils and won't clog pores. To help maintain your skin’s moisture balance, we recommend choosing a facial cleanser formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain skin’s natural moisture, as well as calming niacinamide, and three essential ceramides to help restore the skin's barrier. If your skin is prone to breakouts, choosing a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide can clear acne breakouts and help prevent new blemishes from forming.
Any skincare routine for oily skin should also include a daytime moisturizer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays, as well as a lightweight evening moisturizer that can help keep your skin hydrated while you sleep. Moisturizers like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion are non-comedogenic and include hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide. In addition, they are formulated with MVE Technology—a patented delivery system that continually releases moisturizing ingredients.
More Skincare Tips & Advice
-
Skincare tips & adviceHow to Choose a Facial Cleanser for Dry Skin
-
Skincare tips & adviceFacial Cleanser for Men: Choose the Cleanser for Your Skin Type
-
Skincare tips & adviceSelecting the Best Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
-
Skincare tips & adviceWhat’s the Ideal Cleanser for Your Skin Type?
-
Skincare tips & adviceThe Essential Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
-
Skincare tips & adviceCeraVe Dry Skin Tips: Is My Skin Dry or Dehydrated?
-
Skincare tips & adviceDry Skin Remedies for Your Face, Hands, Feet & Body
-
Skincare tips & adviceWhat Type of Skin Do I Have?
Stay Informed On All Things Skincare
Sign up to receive information about new products, skincare routines, tips, and special offers.*
*Yes, I want to receive promotional emails from CeraVe and other L'Oréal brands. By clicking Subscribe, I confirm I am a US resident, 16+, agree to CeraVe’s Terms of Use. I have read and acknowledge CeraVe’s Privacy Policy and Notice of Financial Incentives. I understand I may unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time.