Oily skin has a bit of a reputation. It’s blamed for midday shine, makeup that won’t stay put, enlarged pores, and breakouts that seem to appear out of nowhere. But here’s the thing: oil isn’t your enemy!
Your skin actually needs sebum to stay healthy, hydrated, and protected. The problem actually starts when your sebaceous glands produce more oil than your skin knows how to handle.
But despite common social media buzz, scrubbing your face raw or layering on harsh, drying products isn’t the solution. Stripping your skin can throw your barrier out of balance, potentially encouraging even more oil production.
The good news? Oily skin is INCREDIBLY manageable once you understand what’s driving it.
Below, we’re discussing why your face may be so oily and what you can do about it. Whether it’s hormones, genetics, climate, or an overzealous skincare routine, identifying the root cause makes it much easier to build a routine that works.
Here’s to a healthier, more balanced complexion:
Why Is My Face So Oily? Here's What's Really Causing It
The greasy texture on your face is actually a substance called sebum. Basically, it's your skin's natural oil. It's there to hydrate your skin, support your skin barrier, nourish your complexion, and help defend against harmful bacteria.
So yes, it's there for a reason! However, too much of anything isn't a good thing. (Well, except maybe books, compliments, fresh flowers, and Bravo shows.)
When your skin produces more sebum than it needs, that excess oil can mix with dead skin cells, makeup, sunscreen, and everyday debris to clog your pores. The result? Blackheads, whiteheads, acne, enlarged-looking pores, and a face that feels greasy just a few hours after washing your face.
So, the goal isn't to get rid of oil altogether. It's to keep it in balance so you can ditch the greasy shine while holding onto that fresh, healthy glow. That's exactly what we'll show you how to do in this post.
What Does Oily Skin on Face Look Like?
Oily skin is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a fresh, healthy glow, your face takes on a greasy shine—especially through the forehead, nose, and chin. These are the areas of your face called the T-zone.
You may also notice blackheads, a bumpy texture from clogged pores, or frequent breakouts. And if your makeup seems to disappear by lunchtime, excess oil is probably to blame. It doesn't have much to grip onto, so it slides around throughout the day.
Note: You may have combination skin, where some areas are oily, and others are dry. That may seem like two different problems to tackle, but it’s actually not! It's all about balancing oil production, and this guide is here to help you level everything out.
Is an Oily Face Bad?
An oily face isn't the end of the world, but it is a sign that your skin is producing more oil than it needs. When sebum production gets out of balance, it can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, breakouts, and that greasy shine that seems to come back no matter how often you wash your face.
Thankfully, this is usually something you can improve. With the right skincare routine, you can help regulate oil production, support your skin barrier, and bring your complexion back into balance.
How to Know If You Have Oily Face
Your skin gets shiny fast.
If you wash your face and it's greasy again just a few hours later, you're likely dealing with excess oil production. Some shine toward the end of the day is completely normal, but you shouldn't be battling an oil slick all morning.
You blot your face all day.
Another sign of oily skin? You notice grease on your face every time you look in the mirror, even when you haven't been sweating or sitting in the humidity. Constantly blotting your face all day definitely isn’t normal.
Your makeup doesn't stay put.
Your makeup needs your skin to have a balanced texture, so it has something to grip onto. But when your face is overly oily, it acts like cooking spray, letting your foundation slide right off like a nonstick pan.
Your pores look HUGE.
Did you read that in Regina George's voice? Us too. Anyway, excess oil often gets trapped in your pores along with dead skin cells, makeup, and other gunk from the day. Over time, this can make your pores look larger and more noticeable, especially around your nose and forehead. For targeted tips, read our guide, "How to Diminish Pores on Your Nose."
You get blackheads all the time.
Blackheads are one of the biggest giveaways that your skin is producing too much oil. When excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells inside your pores, it forms a clog. If that clog stays open to the air, it oxidizes and turns black, creating a blackhead.
You struggle with breakouts.
Oily skin and acne often go hand in hand. Extra oil creates the perfect environment for clogged pores and acne-causing bacteria to thrive, making pimples and blemishes much more likely. If you're breaking out regularly, excess sebum may be contributing.
Here’s our acne-prone skincare routine for adults if you’re struggling to keep breakouts under control!
What Causes Oily Face?
Wrong Skincare Practices
All skin types can get an oily, greasy complexion with the wrong skincare habits. However… Some common triggers of oiliness include overwashing, over-exfoliating, pore-clogging ingredients, and skipping moisturizer.
Hormonal Fluctuations
There’s a reason we struggle with greasy skin during puberty. Hormonal shifts can stimulate the sebaceous glands, leading to lots of excess oil. Your period, pregnancy, perimenopause, medication changes, and certain health conditions can all lead to oily skin.
Hot and Humid Weather
Environmental factors can influence oil production, too! Heat and humidity encourage your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which is why your face may feel greasier during the summer or in tropical climates.
Chronic Stress
When we’re stressed out, it actually messes with our hormones. As we already went over, hormonal changes are one of the main causes of greasy skin. At the same time, stress triggers inflammation, which can disrupt your skin barrier and overall skin health.
Age and Genetics
If you've been shiny since middle school, your genes might have something to do with it. Genetics can determine how much oil your skin naturally produces, and younger skin tends to be oilier than mature skin. The good news? Even if you can't change your DNA, you can absolutely change how you manage it.
How to Get Rid of Oily Face
Opt for a gentler cleanser and don’t overwash your skin.
Believe it or not, washing your face too much or too harshly could be causing your oily skin. When we dehydrate our skin, our bodies panic and produce more oil to compensate.
That said, if you have dry skin that feels tight after cleansing but then turns oily hours later, you’re probably overdoing it with your cleanser. Swap to a gentler product, don’t aggressively scrub your skin, and cleanse only twice a day.
Moisturize every day—even if it’s oily.
We know it can feel a little scary to apply moisturizer to an already greasy face. But skipping this step can actually make the problem worse. If your skin doesn't get enough hydration, it may compensate by producing even more oil.
Basically, hydrate your skin, or your body will do it for you. Always use a lightweight moisturizer every morning and night to help keep your skin balanced.
If you want more info on frequency, read this post: “How Often Should You Moisturize Your Face?”
Ditch any potentially comedogenic products.
You may have heard the term "comedogenic" while shopping for skincare. It's just a fancy way of saying a product is more likely to clog your pores because of its ingredients or heavier texture.
Some common potentially comedogenic ingredients include coconut oil, cocoa butter, and lanolin. These ingredients can absolutely work for some people! But if your skin already produces a lot of oil, they can trap excess sebum in your pores. Enter: congestion, blackheads, and breakouts.
If you're not sure where to start, check out a comedogenic scale. It rates ingredients on a scale of 0 to 5 based on how likely they are to clog pores. Then, take a quick look through your skincare products and swap out anything that might be causing problems.
Add niacinamide or other oil-balancing ingredients to your routine.
If there's one ingredient oily skin loves, it's niacinamide. This multitasking skincare powerhouse helps regulate sebum production, minimize the appearance of pores, support your skin barrier, and calm redness—all without drying out your skin.
Niacinamide isn't your only option, though. Salicylic acid, zinc PCA, retinol, and azelaic acid can also help keep excess oil under control. Start with one active ingredient at a time, use it consistently, and give your skin a few weeks to adjust before deciding whether it's working.
Commit to daily sunscreen (and reapply every two hours).
Sun damage can weaken your skin barrier and trigger inflammation, making it even harder for your skin to stay balanced. That's just one reason why sunscreen is non-negotiable!
Use a high-quality SPF like The Skinny Confidential Caffeinated Sunscreen. It’s a lightweight, tinted, mineral sunscreen that gives you protection, a gorgeous glow, and none of that thick, greasy feeling.
But remember, SPF doesn’t just go on in the morning. To keep your skin balanced and healthy, reapply sunscreen every two hours. And if you’re still not convinced? Read our founder, Lauryn Bossticks book, Get the F*ck Out of the Sun. You’ll never skip an application again.
Blot excess oil with face towels instead of scrubbing.
If your face gets greasy throughout the day, don't run back to the sink. Washing your face over and over can strip your skin and encourage it to produce even more oil.
Instead, gently press a TSC Disposable Face Towel onto your face to remove excess oil. It's the perfect midday refresh while your skincare routine works behind the scenes to balance oil production and keep that greasy shine from coming back.
Exfoliate and use clay masks once a week.
Think of these as your weekly reset. A gentle chemical exfoliant, like salicylic acid, helps dissolve the buildup of oil and dead skin cells that can clog your pores.
Then, follow it up with a clay mask to absorb excess oil and leave your skin feeling fresh without stripping away all of its natural moisture. Just don't overdo it—once or twice a week is plenty.
Manage stress, eat well, and stay hydrated.
Skincare doesn't stop at the bathroom sink. Chronic stress, dehydration, and a nutrient-poor diet can all throw your skin out of balance and contribute to excess oil production.
While no single lifestyle change is a magic fix, healthy habits add up. Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and find ways to manage stress to support more balanced skin from the inside out.
Need ideas? Here are some of the best foods for amazing hair, skin, and nails.
Balance oil production for a fresh, radiant complexion.
Oily skin can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to be your forever. Once you understand what's actually driving all that excess oil, you can stop guessing and start making changes that work.
Your goal isn't to eliminate every drop of natural moisture. It's to create a complexion that feels balanced, comfortable, and confident.
