As a skin care professional, I’ve been witnessing an epidemic lately--an epidemic of oily skin. Have you seen it, too? Clients are experiencing breakthrough shine, excess oil and midday makeup meltdown in increasing numbers. And it’s not just those with true oily skin types. So what’s the cause for this upswing in oil production? Now more than ever, clients are searching for the solutions to turn back the clock; and, in the process, they may be indirectly causing their own surge in oil production as their skin tries to protect itself. Let’s take a closer look at some of the oily skin causes. 1. Genetics. When oily skin runs in the family, chances are that every member will have larger sebaceous glands that produce excess oil. Any skin that’s genetically oily is more likely to include clogged pores and breakouts. 2. Overuse use of skin care products. In the quest for younger-looking, smoother, clearer skin, clients may overcleanse, overexfoliate, scrub with too much pressure or apply too much product. 3. Seasonal changes. A rise in heat and humidity during spring and summer can cause skin’s oil production levels to increase. In contrast, when the air becomes dry in winter, skin can get dehydrated, and excess oil may occur when it overcompensates for what’s missing. 4. Medications. Hormonal birth control and hormone replacement medications can cause an increase of oil production. Likewise, virtually any medication can cause dehydration and lead to a production of excess oil when skin overcompensates for the lack of oil. 5. Use of incorrect products. For example, if a client uses a cleanser for oily skin when she has combination skin, her skin will become over-stripped of the oil it needs. It will then produce even more oil in response to compensate. 6. Hormonal changes. In women, fluctuations of hormone androgens throughout life (i.e., pregnancy, peri- and pre-menopause) can kick sebaceous glands into high gear. 7. Stress. In response to stress, the body produces more androgen hormones, which leads to more oil production. 8. Use of unnecessary skin care tools. Scrubbing with a wash cloth, or using a rotating cleansing brush, hand mitts, buff puffs and strips can not only irritate skin, but can dry out skin, causing it to overproduce oil to compensate. 9. Sun tanning. Tanning is BAD for reducing oil. In fact, although it may temporarily dry out the skin, it actually triggers an injury response, which causes the sebaceous glands to surge production of oil in order to protect the skin’s surface. Source
