If you have oily skin, you’re probably wondering why you’ve been gifted with an extra dose of shine and whether there are ways to tame the glow. At SculptMD Aesthetic Medical Spa in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, our team of skin experts is here to help.

We’ve created this informative guide to help you better understand why you have oily skin, and we’ve explained how our cutting-edge services and procedures can give you the healthy, shine-free skin you want.

Why is my skin so oily, and how can I get it under control?

You have tiny glands called sebaceous glands, which produce skin oils called sebum. Sebum is an essential part of your skin health and works to keep your skin hydrated and protected.

Sometimes our sebaceous glands produce more oil than we need, causing us to have oily skin that always looks shiny — even after washing our face. Oily skin isn’t just about the shine, however. It can also increase your chances of breakouts as it causes debris to get stuck in your pores.

If you have oily skin, know that a combination of causes is usually to blame, from genetics to the environment. The key to calming oily skin is understanding the causes that are most likely affecting you.

Here’s a closer look at the most common causes of oily skin what you can do to get it under control:

1. It’s in your genes

Your oily skin may be a factor of your genetics. If one of your parents or another close blood relative has oily skin, it’s more likely that you’ll have active sebaceous glands as well.

Your oil glands produce less as you age, but that means your skin type might change, too. Be sure to have your skin evaluated by a professional, like the team at SculptMD, every few years to ensure you’re using the right products for your new skin type.

In addition, your skin expert can recommend specific skin treatments designed to help you manage oily skin at every age, like HydraFacials or chemical peels.

2. Ignoring the weather

The weather and the time of year can also affect your skin and how oily it is at any given time. If you notice your skin seems oilier during certain seasons, talk to your SculptMD provider about switching up the products you use at certain times of the year.

3. Having large pores

Some people have large pores because of genetics, but your pores can also get bigger as you age, experience fluctuations in your weight, or if you’ve had skin breakouts in the past. Unfortunately, larger pores generally produce more oil.

Naturally based astringent toners, like witch hazel, can have skin-soothing properties and create an anti-inflammatory response, making big pores tighter and removing debris and skin detritus that can clog your pores.

4. Using the wrong products

If you’re not using the right skincare products for your skin type, you could be making your skin more oily. It’s especially easy to do if you have combination skin, which can look dry and lead you to use creams and lotions that are too heavy for your skin.

If you’re not sure about your skin type, talk to your skin expert at SkinMD. Our team can help you find the right products to use for your skin type. This change may be just what you need to even out oily skin. And don’t forget to have your skin re-evaluated as you get older.

5. Not caring for your skin the right way

While washing your face is a good thing, washing or exfoliating too often can increase your skin’s oil production because it strips away your skin’s natural oils, making your sebaceous glands go into overdrive.

Be sure to limit washing to twice a day to help manage oily skin. Talk to your aesthetician about adding a clay mask to your beauty routine as well. And keep in mind that not wearing moisturizer can also trigger oily skin as skipping it dries out your skin.

To combat oily skin, look for lightweight, water-based moisturizers labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic for the best protection.

Can professional skin treatments help tame oily skin?

At SculptMD, we offer medical-grade services to safely and effectively treat oily skin. Our team makes personalized treatment recommendations based on your unique needs to help tame the sheen and give you radiant skin.

Some of our favorite recommendations for oily skin include:

• Chemical exfoliation to clear your pores
• Hydrafacials to add moisture to your skin
• Chemical peels to rejuvenate and restore your skin
• Microneedling to improve your skin’s tone and texture

If you’re ready to get oily skin under control, contact SculptMD in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, or book an appointment online today.