Men with Oily Skin: Here's the Complete Guide to Skin Care
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Does your face still feel oily an hour after cleansing? This is a clear sign that you have oily skin! While oily skin gives your face a natural glow, excess sebum can often clog pores and lead to acne. That's why we're here to help.
You just need to develop a skin care routine that helps your skin regulate its own sebum production. So let's take a look at what causes oily skin in men and how you can take care of it in a simple way.
What is oily skin?
Your skin needs a certain amount of natural oils to stay supple and hydrated. Your skin type—whether it's oily, combination, or dry—depends on how much oil the skin on your face produces.
Oily skin means that your face has an excessive amount of oil, which results in a persistently greasy appearance. Oily skin most often occurs when the oversized sebaceous glands in your skin produce excess sebum (an oily substance made up of fats). This makes your face look shiny and greasy.
Sebaceous glands are found all over your skin, except on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. These glands start producing sebum after you are born, and the amount of sebum increases as you age. Sebum primarily protects your skin and hair from moisture loss. However, too much sebum leads to oily skin and can clog pores, leading to acne.
What causes oily skin in men?
Oily skin can be caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Read on to identify the causes behind oily skin:
- DHT
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is considered one of the main factors contributing to oily skin in men. This is because when your testosterone (a sex hormone) converts to the potent hormone DHT, it forces your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum (oil).
- Genetics
If you have oily skin, you probably inherited it from one of your parents. Excessive sebum production could mean you have overactive sebaceous glands, which is one of the causes of oily skin and hair.
- Exposure to UV radiation
Not only can UV rays cause premature aging of your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer, they can also increase your skin's oil production. While sunlight can be drying to your skin in the short term, in the long term it activates your skin's damage response. This stimulates your sebaceous glands to produce more oil to help hydrate your skin.
- Weather changes
Changes in the weather can have a direct impact on your skin type. If you live in a place with high humidity, you probably have oily skin. Hot and humid weather increases the amount of oil your skin produces.
How does male and female skin differ?
Men's and women's skin are significantly different. The hormone testosterone determines the masculine characteristics of male skin and gives it a different texture than female skin. While every man's skin is unique, it can generally be said that male skin is thicker, oilier, and ages differently.
Men have larger sebaceous glands and enlarged pores. Therefore, sebum production is twice as high in men as in women. Therefore, men are more prone to oily skin.
5 ways to control oily skin in men
- Wash your face twice a day
Cleansing your face is one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. For healthy and glowing skin, wash your face with a facial cleanser twice a day. This not only helps remove dirt, dust, and excess oil from your skin, but it also prevents your pores from clogging.
Make sure you use a cleanser that is right for your skin type. You can choose an oil-controlling cleanser to remove excess sebum and prevent acne and breakouts. Oil-controlling cleansers also help maintain the pH balance of your skin. Lather the cleanser with wet hands, gently massage into your face, and rinse thoroughly.
Use lukewarm water to wash your face. This will ensure that your face wash lathers properly, removes dirt from the skin's surface, and properly balances your skin's natural oils.
Cleansers containing antibacterial properties like tea tree oil or peppermint oil can help soothe oily skin. Try them if they are right for your skin.
Depending on your skin type, you can use a gentle, chemical-free soap and lukewarm water to wash your face.
- Hydrate every day
No matter your skin type, hydration is a must! Moisturizers draw moisture from the environment and lock it in, keeping your skin hydrated and soft. They stimulate your body's production of ceramides, preventing water loss from the top layer of your skin.
If you have oily skin, you can opt for oil-free, lightweight, water-based moisturizers. Choose a moisturizer that contains non-comedogenic ingredients (will not clog pores) such as shea butter, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, or grapeseed oil, etc. Choose a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer to balance your skin's natural oil production.
Here's what to look for in moisturizers:
- Ceramides:
Ceramides are lipids that help form your skin's protective barrier and help your skin retain moisture. They play an important role in strengthening your skin's structure and maintaining its health.
When your skin doesn't have the right amount of ceramides, your skin's barrier function can be compromised. This can lead to dryness, itching, irritation, and redness. You can use ceramide moisturizers to maintain your skin's barrier function and protect it from irritants, microbes, and more.
You can find ceramides on skincare labels as ceramide AP, NP, EOP, NG, and NS.
- Moisturizers
Humectants are ingredients that attract moisture from the environment to your skin. They are commonly used in leave-in moisturizing products, such as serums, creams, and lotions.
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, and propylene glycol are some common types of skin care ingredients that have moisturizing properties. Choose one that best suits your skin type. You can also use natural ingredients with moisturizing properties, such as aloe vera and honey.
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer:
People with oily skin may experience excessive sebum production, which can lead to clogged pores. Clogged pores often lead to skin problems like acne and inflammation. So look for a non-comedogenic moisturizer that is formulated to help reduce the risk of visible pore blockage.
- Lotion-based moisturizer:
Your skin pores may not be able to absorb oily creams or lotions, which can eventually clog your pores and cause breakouts. Get yourself a lightweight, lotion-based moisturizer. It absorbs easily into your skin, allowing for oil control and nourishing your skin with nutrients.
- Exfoliate once a week
Exfoliation breathes new life into your skin. It removes dead skin cells and reveals healthy skin, giving it a fresh and youthful appearance. Regular exfoliation prevents the buildup of bacteria and unclogs pores.
You can exfoliate once or twice a week. Don't overexfoliate, as dryness and inflammation can increase sebum production. Be gentle with your skin when using an exfoliating cleanser.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can use salicylic acid, which is a beta-hydroxy acid. It helps to unclog your pores and reduce the appearance of acne.
If you use an exfoliant, make sure it is made with natural ingredients.
Use once a week.
- Use a toner
If you have oily skin, use a toner to remove clogged pores, maintain your skin's pH balance, and prevent excess oil production. You can also use a toner after shaving or washing your face to soothe your skin.
Try to get a salicylic acid-based toner. Salicylic acid is an effective anti-inflammatory agent that prevents various skin blemishes from forming.
- Use a face mask
A face mask is a great way to infuse your skin with antioxidants, combat excess oil production, and nourish your skin.
You can use a face mask once or twice a week to deeply cleanse your skin. Choose clay masks to keep excess oil out of your pores. Green clay is the best for controlling your oil production.
Tips for treating oily skin
Avoid bathing in hot water.
Use a light, non-greasy body lotion.
Use non-comedogenic products to avoid acne.
Eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as green vegetables and citrus fruits.
Use toners regularly after washing your face.
You can apply a clay mask once a week.
When you are outdoors for a longer period of time, you can use blotting paper to wipe away excess oil.
Oily skin can be difficult to manage. But with the right skincare routine, you can easily control your skin's excess oil production. Develop a light facial routine to control clogged pores and acne. You can also use tricks like blotting papers and toners to cleanse your face of oil. Consult your dermatologist and always do a skin test before using any new products.
