Oily skin is often thick, shiny, and dull colored and has pimples, coarse pores, and many other embarrassing blemishes. You have oily skin because the sebaceous glands that produce oil to moisturize your skin are overactive and produce more oil than normal. That excess oil gives your skin a greasy shine and often blocks your pores, which in turn leads to blackheads, pimples, and other issues. But why do you have oily skin and what can you do to deal with the condition? 

What Causes Oily Skin?

There may be different reasons why you have oily skin. It could be as simple as washing your face too frequently. This makes your skin dry and then your sebaceous glands start producing even more oil to compensate for that dryness.

1. Genetics

Yes, it may run in your family. You have oily skin because your parents have that as well. It means that there is nothing much you can do to resolve this issue, but you can take some steps that help to make your skin look less oily.

2. Seasonal Changes

You may develop oily skin because of seasonal changes. A change in temperature may dry out your skin and this makes your pores produce more oil. This is quite like washing your face too frequently with harsh soap.

3. Stress and Unstable Hormonal Shifts

Stress and change in hormones may also be the answer to your question of what causes oily skin. Hormonal changes often make your body react in a weird way and oily skin can be one of body's responses to unstable hormonal shifts.

4. Use of Harsh Soaps and Astringents

Alcohols, harsh soaps, and astringents can leave your skin dry and irritated. Your skin compensates for this by producing more oil and make things difficult for you. This often leads to acne breakouts as well.

5. Use of Anabolic Steroids

It is a good idea to avoid anabolic steroids as much as possible because they increase the levels of androgens, which in turn make your glands to pump out more oil. You may even have to deal with stubborn and hard to treat acne.

6. Excessive Sun Exposure

If you spend a lot of time out in the sun, you have higher chances of developing oily skin. Your skin will first become dry due to UV rays and that will make your sebaceous glands to secrete more oil in an effort to lubricate and hydrate your skin.

In addition, birth control pills, diet, hot weather, and humidity may well be on the list of what causes oily skin.

How to Deal with Oily Skin

You now have a clear idea of all the possible causes of your oily skin, but what can you do to deal with the issue. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Make Diet and Lifestyle Changes

• You need to keep yourself from washing your face too often and avoid using hot water all the time. Try a gentle cleanser for a more sensitive cleaning – you can even use a gel cleanser for this purpose.
• Also, cut back on processed food because they lead to hormonal imbalance. Add more vegetables and fruits such as cucumber, avocado, grapefruit, etc. to your diet and limit your intake of milk products and dairy.
• Exercise more, get some sunshine, lower your stress levels, and sleep better to keep your skin healthy.
• In addition, you need to take steps to relieve stress. You will not be able to get rid of that excess oil if you continue to be under stress. Try breathing techniques, walking meditations, or speak with a specialist about how to address your stress.

2. Try Witch Hazel

It has been in use for ages to treat skin tumors and burns. It is an astringent and helps clear bruises, prevents razor burn, shrinks swollen bruises, and cool sunburns.

Make a mixture by combining 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/3 cup of witch hazel, and 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol. Now, add half cup of water to this mixture and use it to prevent blackheads and shrink nose pores.

3. Use Sage

It works as a skin equalizer and is a great treatment option if some parts of your face are oilier as compared to others. You can also use it to eliminate body odor, slow heavy menstrual bleeding, and darken graying hair.

4. Try Peppermint

This anti-inflammatory herb works great to reduce face oil by relaxing the pores that produce oil. It is also a great treatment option for herpes, congestion, headaches, and bad breath.

5. Apply Lavender Oil

An important ingredient in acne creams, lavender oil works great when used directly on skin. It limits the production of sebum and helps make your skin less oily.

6. Apply Ground Dry Oats

You can use oats to make an exfoliating scrub. Simply grind them and sift through them to make the powder. Rub it into your pores to get rid of dead cells. Adding a tablespoon of witch hazel and water will make that paste even more effective against oily skin. Apply it on your skin and wash it off after ten minutes.

7. Wear an Egg White Mask

Egg white mask works great to help you have healthy skin. It works irrespective of what causes oily skin in your case. Simply mix egg whites and a tablespoon of honey together and apply it on your skin. Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it off thoroughly.

8. Try a Clay Mask

A clay mask is quite effective, but as it can be a little too drying for the skin, you should apply it on especially oily areas, such as your nose, forehead, or chin. Do not use it more than twice a month.

9. Pick Products with Specific Ingredients

Whether you are going to use moisturizers or buying cleansers and medicated cleansing pads, you need to ensure that they all contain certain ingredients. Make sure they have glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and beta-hydroxy acid. These ingredients help remove excess oil and do not leave your skin overly dry.