What Causes Excessively Oily Face? (Men & Women)
Excessive facial oil is considered one of the causes of acne. But, what causes oiliness? There are several possible causes of skin oiliness Here’s a look at the subject and then see how to remove excessive facial oil. This applies to men and women.
Facial Oil Source
The oils on the skin are produced by the sebaceous glands, located inside of the hair-producing follicles deep within the skin’s layers. The oils are called sebum.
Human sebum is composed primarily of fat. It has several functions. It protects hair and skin from becoming dry, cracked or brittle and has some anti-bacterial activity.
Antibiotics?
Although broad spectrum antibiotics are effective at killing many different kinds of bacteria, naturally occurring antibacterial agents are only effective against certain kinds. The antibacterial activity of sebum appears to be ineffective at controlling the P acnes bacteria, another of the causes of acne.
Sebum actually mixes with the P acnes bacteria within the pores. Infection and inflammation are the results. We call those inflammatory infections pimples. They are typically isolated within a single hair-producing follicle or pore, although the swelling involved can make it seem much larger.
So, now you know a lot of facts about sebum. If sebum production is balanced, your skin will not be too oily or too dry. There are things that can cause an imbalance. Too much sebum is the cause of excessive facial oil. Too little causes dryness.
Causes to Consider
What causes the sebaceous glands to produce too much sebum? Some studies indicate that eating red meats or fried foods can cause the problem. Since sebum is composed of fat, it would stand to reason that eating too many fatty foods could be a contributing factor.
The problem is most often present during puberty. The activity of the sebaceous glands increased during that period due to higher levels of hormones, particularly male hormones called androgens.
The use of anabolic steroids has the same effect on the sebaceous gland. In rare cases, the glands can become enlarged due to a condition known as hyperplasia. This would also result in excessive facial oil.
Genetics is sometimes involved. Acne seems to run in families. Darker skin seems to be oilier, which is likely a protective mechanism. But, no exact genetic link has been established.
Working in an oily environment is an easily identifiable cause. From cooks to mechanics, any type of oily substance can be the culprit.
Cosmetics Cause
Several different kinds of cosmetics and skincare products can be the cause of excessive facial oil. Toners and astringents are examples. By drying out what is presently on the skin’s surface, the sebaceous glands kick into overdrive in order to correct the dryness. Excessive cleansing can be the problem for the same reason.
Any product containing petrolatum or mineral oil will cause a greasy feeling. Although eventually those products can lead to dryness, the first noticeable change is oiliness.
Personal Grooming Cause
Irregular bathing can cause oily hair and skin. Irregular bathing is relatively uncommon in most industrialized societies. Most people shower too often. It would take several weeks of not bathing for excessive facial oil to become noticeable. That covers all of the causes. My next article will cover the solutions.
Now, all you need to know is how to correct the problem and prevent it from returning. The next article will deal with How to Remove Excessive Facial Oil for Men and Women. See link for article in the author-resource box below. The solution is simple to do.