Treating oily skin can be a nightmare. All you want is the perfectly clear skin that so many people take for granted, but for some reason your skin is always oily. You may even have tried products that others have used and had disappointing results. Your skin may have special needs, and you will have to cater to these needs to get the results you want.

What Causes Oily Skin?

Some people are just born with oily skin. Others experience an increase in the oiliness of their skin when they reach adolescence. This period of life is known for its predisposition to acne, but some get it worse than others. Some individuals may have had oily skin before adolescence made their skin condition worse but, either way, you have probably figured out by now that if you have oily skin then you are more likely to have problems related to acne.

The ‘oil’ on the skin is produced by the sebaceous glands, and this oil is referred to as sebum. It is important to note, as some of you will already know, that you do not just have these glands in your face. They are also present in your neck, chest, back, legs, arms, and other bodily regions, but the glands in some areas of skin are more active than others.

One of the body parts that is most affected by this oil production is the nose. The pores that exist on the nose are larger and they help to disperse the sebum to the nose and the rest of the face. The nose is the place where an excess of oil can easily be produced, and then that oil can build up. A build up of oil can easily cause problems with acne, in addition to the more common ‘blackheads’.

Adolescence

During adolescence this problem can get worse. Adolescence is the period when the number of androgens, or sex hormones, increase in the body. This increase then triggers the sebaceous glands to increase oil production, which, in turn, leads to the well-known prevalence of acne and other inflammations.

Caring For Oily Skin

In truth, dirt and oil do not directly cause acne. They can, however, block pores and allow for the build up of bacteria, which can adversely affect the skin. Ideally, you should wash your skin twice daily to clear away excess oil. A simple cream wash can do this for you, but you need to find one that will not dry out your skin too much, and if you can find a good scrub or exfoliator then you can wash the dead skin cells away at the same time.

You also want to avoid oil based cosmetic products. They can make a bad situation worse. Similarly, you must be careful with any lotions or moisturizers. They too may add to the problems associated with oily skin.

Acne treatment for oily skin is not a simple matter. You need to find the right method to remove enough of the oil in your skin without over drying the area. Too much oil can block pores and worsen acne, but not enough can create problems of its own. Finding the right balance will help you to enjoy clear skin, even if it is somewhat oily.