Whether the skin appears oily and shiny, the pores are enlarged, the complexion is dull, or blemishes form... these are daily occurrences for people with oily skin. Let's explore together where this skin imbalance comes from.
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Why do we have oily skin?
Summary
- What are the signs of oily skin?
- The internal causes of oily skin
- Environmental factors responsible for oily skin
- Sources
Published September 7, 2022,
updated on February 16, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
5 min read
What are the signs of oily skin?
An oily skin is considered a skin type characterised by a shiny and glossy appearance that extends across the entire face, unlike combination skin which is confined to the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). This is due to an imbalance in the quantity of sebum, meaning that this skin type naturally secretes an excess of sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands located in the dermis. However, this sebum is a component of the hydrolipidic film of the epidermis, and therefore contributes to the protection of the skin against external aggressions and fights against dryness, by covering it with a light oily layer.
Indeed, this condition promotes the accumulation of impurities (pollutants, dust, etc...), which can in turn clog the skin pores and thus lead to the emergence ofblemishes such as comedones, spots... Furthermore, this significant sebum production in the sebaceous glands enlarges the pores (opening of the pilosebaceous follicle on the skin surface) to facilitate its evacuation: they then appear more visible.
But what explains this excessive sebum production? This hypersecretion of sebum depends on internal causes, but can also be influenced by external factors.
Note : Oily skin does not only have disadvantages. This hypersecretion of sebum provides it with better protection against external aggressions. Another advantage, this type of skin resists ageing better, with signs of age appearing a bit later. It is therefore better to try to regulate the production of sebum with suitable products, instead of trying to eliminate it.
The internal causes of oily skin.
The root cause of oily skin is an overproduction of sebum (hyperseborrhea). Various internal factors can be responsible for this imbalance:
Hormonal disturbances:
The production of sebum is regulated by oestrogens and androgens. Female hormones inhibit its production, unlike male hormones. When the balance between these hormones is disrupted, sebum production is affected. A decrease in oestrogen production or an increase in androgen production can lead to oily skin. Hormonal imbalances occur during puberty, which is why teenagers often have oily skin. Another example is in women, before the menstrual period, the level of oestrogen drops sharply accompanied by an increase in progesterone levels. At this stage of the menstrual cycle, the skin becomes oilier.
The distribution of sebaceous glands across the body:
The sebaceous glands are responsible for the secretion of sebum. However, they are unevenly distributed across the body's surface. Certain areas are thus rich in sebum compared to others: the face, the upper back, the scalp, and the abdomen. On the face, the distribution of sebaceous glands is also irregular, which is why the T-zone and cheeks become oily quickly compared to the rest of the face (eyelids, temples...).
The gender:
Hormonal imbalances are responsible for oily skin. Girls are the first to experience oily skin, as their puberty begins before boys. Once reaching adulthood, men's skin secretes sebum excessively, which means they are more likely to face oily skin compared to women.
Environmental factors responsible for oily skin.
Apart from internal causes, oily skin can also be triggered by external factors:
Thediet :
The consumption of foods high in quick sugars and dairy products promotes the production of lipids by the sebaceous glands. A healthy diet can thus balance the skin's sebum production. Alcohol consumption stimulates sebum synthesis.
Stress:
Emotions that can induce stress and anxiety can disrupt hormone functions. They also increase body temperature, thereby stimulating sebum production. It has been observed that skin tends to become oily quickly in summer due to the increase in skin temperature.
External aggressions:
Sebum production can increase when the skin undergoes intense stripping or regular aggressions. These include UV rays, harsh treatments, care unsuitable for the skin type, pollution, etc...
Sources:
THIBOUTOT D. Regulation of human sebaceous glands. Dermatology Foundation (2003).
MAIBACH H. I. & al. Oily skin: an overview. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2012).
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