Are you curious about why your skin gets so oily sometimes? It all comes down to a little substance called sebum. While sebum keeps your skin healthy, producing too much causes excessive shine and breakouts. Let's explore what sebum is, why it matters, and how you can reduce overproduction for flawless skin.
What Is Sebum?
Sebum is a natural oil produced by your skin's sebaceous glands. Think of it as your skin’s built-in moisturizing system. It keeps the skin hydrated and soft to establish a protective barrier against external factors, such as bacteria and pollutants.
Causes of Sebum Overproduction
Active Androgens
Androgens are hormones that stimulate sebum production. During puberty, for instance, increased androgen levels can lead to oily skin and acne. Hormonal changes due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or medications can also boost androgen levels, causing your skin to produce more sebum than usual.
Monitor hormonal changes and seek medical advice if you suspect they are affecting your skin. Sometimes, a simple hormonal imbalance can wreak havoc on your complexion.
Over-Exfoliating
While exfoliating removes dead skin cells, overdoing it causes more harm than good. Excessive exfoliation strips away the natural oils your skin needs and prompts overactive sebaceous glands.
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydration may seem counterintuitive when discussing oil production, but it plays a major role. When your skin lacks moisture, it tries to compensate by producing more sebum. This results in a greasy complexion even though your skin is technically dry.
Ways To Resolve Sebum Production
Use Oil-Free Skincare and Makeup Products
Your skin needs hydration without adding extra oil. That's why you need to incorporate an acne kit for oily skin as well as oil-free makeup products. These non-comedogenic or oil-free items won’t clog your pores or add unnecessary oil. Over time, your skin will feel balanced and look shine-free.
Exfoliate Using Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that dissolves excess sebum and dead skin cells. Using a toner that contains salicylic acid can help keep your pores clear. You'll have less oil production, smoother skin texture, and a brighter complexion without the glow of grease.
Incorporate a Hydrating Serum
Hydrating serums can work wonders for balancing sebum production. Look for serums that contain hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin without adding oil. These serums provide the hydration your skin needs, helping to regulate oil production naturally.
Learning about sebum and how to reduce overproduction will bring balance to your skin. Let Jil Goorman Beauty refine your skincare routine. We have oil-free cleansers, salicylic acid toners, and hydrating serums and moisturizers to transform your skin.