What Causes Oily Skin in Men?
Oily skin in men is surprisingly common, but what causes it? Find out the causes and how to combat it here.
Have you ever woken up and discovered your face is covered with oil? If you have, you're not alone. Oily skin in men is very common. For some, skin oiliness is an occasional nuisance that happens seemingly at random. For others, it's a constant irritation.
Oily skin exacerbates problems like clogged pores, dry skin, and acne. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent it. By learning about the causes of oily skin in men, you can design skin care routines that work for you. You can also learn about companies like Tiege Hanley that provide great skin care products at affordable prices. Start by checking out Tiege Hanley's FAQ or read on to discover the best types of oily skin care for men.
Common Causes of Clogged Pores and Oily Skin in Men
The scientific name for the oily substance your skin produces is sebum. Sebum forms a protective coating on your skin that prevents water loss. Think of it as a built-in moisturizer. Sebaceous glands are all over your body, but most are concentrated on your face. When your skin secretes too much sebum, the oily substance traps dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants. Your pores get clogged by these substances, become inflamed, and turn into acne.
Production of sebum is necessary for healthy skin. However, many factors can cause an abnormal increase in sebum production. Some people are genetically predisposed to oilier skin, while others experience oily skin as a side effect of hormonal changes. Environment also plays a big role in sebum production.
So, what is the best kind of oily skin care for men? That depends on what what caused the increase in sebum production and what symptoms you're most concerned about.
Dead Skin Cells, Dry Skin, or Dehydrated Skin
At first glance, flaky skin and oily skin seem like unrelated problems. If sebum is a natural moisturizer, then men with oily skin shouldn't have to worry about dry skin. However, the truth is that flaky skin and oily skin are fundamentally intertwined.
Your skin constantly sheds dead skin cells as a normal part of its regeneration. When too much dead skin accumulates, your skin appears dry and dehydrated. Your body compensates by producing more sebum. As a result, your skin can rapidly switch from being unusually dry to unusually oily.
Men with oily skin types can get trapped in a vicious cycle. They wash with a harsh facial cleanser to remove their excess oil, but the cleanser dries out their skin. Their body responds by making even more oil, so they use an even harsher cleanser, and the whole process repeats. If you have dry skin, don't aggressively scrub your face with hot water and strong chemicals. Instead, use warm water and a gentle face wash with natural ingredients to keep your skin clean.
Hormone Levels Can Cause Overactive Sebaceous Glands
Changes in your hormone levels also cause oilier skin. High testosterone is good news for your muscles and energy but bad news for your skin — high testosterone causes overactive sebaceous glands.
Men with oily skin types and high testosterone should follow a skin care routine specially designed for men. If your oily skin is worsening your acne, use a facial cleanser that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a common acne medication that removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores. It can dry out your skin, so it's recommended to pair it with a natural moisturizer like hyaluronic acid.
Overly Dry or Humid Climates
Sometimes, oily skin in men is caused by environmental factors. If you live in an overly dry climate, your skin will dry out, and as we've already established, flaky skin increases sebum production. On the flip side, humidity causes you to heavily sweat. To prevent excessive water loss through your sweat, your skin will make more oil.
If you suddenly develop oilier skin after moving somewhere new, the climate may be to blame. Try washing your face once or twice a day with lukewarm water and a mild face wash. If your skin seems dry, use a body lotion for men. Lotion will moisturize your skin and prevent your body from making too much oil.
Start a Skin Care RoutineStart an Oily Skin Care Routine with Affordable Skin Care Products
Men of all skin types can benefit from oily skin treatment for men. Whether your oily skin is caused by dead skin cells, high testosterone, or environment, you can fix it with the right products. Remember, the best skin care routine is the one that works for you. Check out Tiege Hanley's complete line of skin care products for men and start your journey to healthy, oil-free skin.