Why is the face still oily even when using facial cleanser daily?

Skincare and Makeup Process for Controlling Oil

First of all, let’s correct a misconception.

After washing your face in the morning, you notice oiliness at noon.

This oiliness is normal and does not mean you have oily skin.

So there is no need to be overly anxious about the oiliness.

Different parts of the body have different levels of oil secretion.

The scalp and facial areas, especially the forehead and nose, have the highest levels, known as the “sebum secretion areas.”

It is impossible and unhealthy for the skin to completely stop producing oil.

The healthy skin surface consists of:

1. Stratum corneum + sebum + sweat, etc.
2. A protective barrier that prevents water loss from the skin.
3. Lubricates hair and skin, preventing dryness.
4. Some components in sebum have inhibitory effects on the growth of parasites.

In simple terms, sebum plays a role in moisturizing and protecting the skin. Excessive oil control is incorrect and can damage the skin barrier and have adverse effects on the skin.

The activity of sebaceous glands is related to age, gender, ethnicity, temperature, humidity, nutrition, hormones, etc.

Gender: Male > Female

Temperature: For every 1°C increase in skin temperature, oil production increases by 10%.

Humidity: The diffusion rate of sebum on moist skin is four times faster. (This is why makeup tends to fade faster in summer than in winter)

Even though there is oiliness, it doesn’t mean you should ignore it. You should practice “scientific skincare + moderate oil control.”

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For people with oily skin, controlling oil and moisturizing are crucial in daily skincare routine.

Morning: Use an oil-control toner+/emulsion+oil-control sunscreen.

Evening: Toner++emulsion/cream.

The evening’s essence/emulsion/cream can be chosen according to individual needs like moisturizing, whitening, soothing, and repairing.

In humid and high-temperature regions during summer, you can directly apply a refreshing sunscreen without using other moisturizers.

There is also a group of people who struggle with darkening of foundation due to oiliness, which is combination/oily skin. It can be troublesome. If you follow oil-control methods, your cheeks may become dry, and if you follow moisturizing methods, your forehead may become oily.

Therefore, combination/oily skin needs to focus on zone-specific skincare and makeup.

Morning: Use oil-control toner on the T-zone+oil-control emulsion/cream on the T-zone+oil-control sunscreen on the T-zone+moisturizing sunscreen on the U-zone.

Evening: Toner+essence+emulsion/cream.

The evening’s essence/emulsion/cream can be chosen according to individual needs like moisturizing, whitening, and repairing.

Although it may seem a bit cumbersome, it becomes quick and convenient after a few times of practice. (Because I also have combination/oily skin and have been doing this for years)

Furthermore, everyone’s skin tends to change with the climate, seasons, and age. Skincare and makeup products should not remain the same all year round. Instead, adjust according to the condition of your skin. If the skin barrier is damaged, or if the season/region is too dry, an oilier skin type should prioritize moisturizing instead of excessive oil control.

Let’s move on to the daily routine:

First, apply skincare products based on your skin type. A small amount of skincare products is sufficient during the day. You can increase the amount at night if needed.

After applying skincare products (use this time to dress up, drink water, etc.), you can start applying makeup:

1. Apply sunscreen/foundation in a pressing motion and spread it evenly on the face.

   • For oily skin, choose oil-control foundation.
   • For combination/oily skin, use oil-control foundation on the forehead, nose, and other areas with more oiliness, and use moisturizing foundation on the dry U-zone.
   • As for the application technique: I like using the powder puff (beauty sponge works too, but personally, I find it absorbs too much product).

2. Use oil-control loose powder for setting makeup.

   • Apply all over the face for oily skin, and only on the forehead and nose for combination/oily skin.

3. Apply makeup.

Oil-control loose powder is usually colorless and can be used by men as well. Men tend to have more oiliness, so many of them struggle with greasy skin. For such cases, I recommend (urge) them to use colorless oil-control sunscreen first, and then apply colorless loose powder. Most men resist it at first, but once they get used to it, they can’t help but feel satisfied.

Because male patients with oily skin typically have poor skincare habits, they either don’t use any skincare products or sunscreen, thinking they shouldn’t apply anything on their faces, or they excessively use oil-control skincare products. Oil control and moisturizing must go hand in hand. Excessive oil control can damage the skin barrier and lead to more skin problems. Please be aware of this.

Moving on to the routine of touch-ups and reapplication of sunscreen on a daily basis:

The reason why foundation appears dull is not due to the foundation itself but the excess oil on the facial skin.

Therefore, you need to “absorb oil + control oil.”

1. Use a pressing motion to absorb excess oil from the skin.

2. Reapply foundation/sunscreen in a pressing motion (small amounts multiple times).

3. Sweep on a small amount of loose powder.

The Source and Solutions to Facial Oil Secretion

Of the ten people with oily skin, perhaps nine of them are keen on washing their faces, and yes, that includes me too.

However, washing one’s face only provides temporary relief.

As the original poster mentioned, the face becomes oily again by noon after washing it in the morning. I believe this is too conservative; as someone with oily skin, I can attest to it.

Approximately one hour after washing my face, it starts to secrete oil.

To solve the problem of oil on the face, we must first understand where it comes from.

Where does the oil on our face originate?

There are two types of lipids on the surface of our skin: sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands and epidermal lipids produced by corneocytes.

Before puberty, the lipids on the surface of our skin are mainly composed of epidermal lipids.

However, during puberty, sebum secretion increases, peaking at ages 16-20, and remains at this level for a considerable period of time. At this stage, the lipids on the surface of the skin are mainly sebum[1].

Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands and is excreted onto the skin surface through the hair follicle canal. It is an important component of the sebum film, which helps maintain the skin’s suppleness and prevent loss of skin moisture.

Source: ShutterStock

Just from this perspective, do you feel that it’s not actually so bad?

Sebum does have its uses; it’s just that we can’t have too much of it. Once we have an excess, our face becomes “oily”!

Cleansers can temporarily wash away sebum, but while doing so, they also indiscriminately clean away a portion of the epidermal lipids and natural moisturizing factors (NMF) in our skin.

Whether it’s a lack of epidermal lipids or NMF, both can lead to dry, taut skin.

Especially with a lack of epidermal lipids, as they are an important component of the skin barrier. Once they are reduced, the barrier collapses, and without their “guardrail,” the skin’s moisture will wash away rapidly, allowing external irritants to invade.

Washing the face too frequently can also cause the skin to compensate by producing excess oil due to dryness, leading to increased sebum secretion from the sebaceous glands.

Therefore, it is not enough to rely solely on facial cleansers when dealing with excessive oil.

What factors contribute to oiliness on the face?

⭕ Androgens

The secretion function of sebaceous glands is mainly influenced by androgens.

Process:

Testosterone enters the sebaceous gland cells → Converted by 5α-reductase → 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT, with higher activity than testosterone) → Increases sebaceous gland volume and secretion.

✔ Solution: Oil control + unclogging + cleansing adsorption

• Oil Control

Since there is excessive oil, let’s focus on oil control without worrying about other things.

Ingredients that inhibit sebum secretion include:

• Soy isoflavones, Salvia miltiorrhiza extract - Can counteract androgens and inhibit sebum secretion.
• Catechins, zinc preparations (zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate) - Reduce sebum secretion by inhibiting 5α-reductase.
• Vitamin C, niacinamide - Belong to main business of whitening and secondary business of reducing sebum secretion.
• Vitamin A and its derivatives - The king of oil control, inhibits sebum secretion and unclogs follicle keratinization, incidentally solving pore blockage. However, it is irritating, so beginners should start with low concentrations and gradually build up tolerance. Sensitive skin should first abandon it and focus on improving the skin barrier.

When choosing skincare products, you can focus on products containing these ingredients.

• Unclogging

Excessive sebum can easily clog pores and cause red and swollen pimples.

Therefore, oil control alone is not enough. It is also necessary to unclog the pores and remove the sebum trapped inside, allowing sebum to be expelled smoothly.

The preferred ingredients for unclogging pores are acids, such as salicylic acid and fruit acids.

Left: Stridex salicylic acid pads, Middle: La Roche-Posay Effaclar K, loved by oily and acne-prone skin, Right: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

These two are absolute favorites for oily or acne-prone skin, as they can soften and exfoliate the epidermis, reducing pore blockage.

However, acids can be irritating, so sensitive skin should be cautious.

• Cleansing Adsorption

Cleansing: Facial cleanser with salicylic acid can be chosen. It cleanses and gently exfoliates the keratin to prevent pore clogging.

Adsorption: Commonly used ingredients include kaolin, talcum powder, silica, titanium dioxide, etc. Oil-absorbing sheets can also be used temporarily to improve the oily appearance of the skin.

⭕ High-Sugar Foods and Milk

Research has shown that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) also plays a strong role in promoting sebum secretion. The higher the serum concentration of IGF-1, the more sebum is secreted.

Process:

A large amount of milk and dairy products, high-sugar foods → intake or stimulation of more IGF-1 production in the body → stimulate the secretion of androgens → promote sebum secretion.

So, do you choose to have a greasy face or indulge in delicious food?

Image source: ShutterStock

⭕Temperature

For every 1°C increase in skin temperature, sebum secretion can increase by 10%.

So, have you noticed that oily skin may become combination skin in winter, normal skin may become dry skin, and dry skin may become very dry skin in winter.

However, we cannot control the seasons, so we still have to go through all four seasons every year.

Only in summer, try to keep your face cool.

In addition to the above three points, age also has a significant impact on sebum secretion.

Generally speaking, the secretion of sebum glands begins to decrease for women around the age of 40 and men around the age of 50.

How to deal with the problem of oily skin even when using facial cleanser every day

Facial cleanser is a common skincare product in our daily lives, used to clean facial oils, dirt, and dead skin cells. However, some people still have oily skin even if they use facial cleanser every day. This confuses them and they do not know how to improve this condition. Below, we will discuss why the skin is still oily even when using facial cleanser every day, and how to deal with this problem.

1. Oily skin type

First, we need to understand the characteristics of oily skin. Oily skin is caused by excessive sebum secretion from sebaceous glands, resulting in more oil on the surface of the skin. Even with daily use of facial cleansers, people with oily skin may not be able to completely remove the excess oil. The composition of oily skin is related to factors such as genetics, lifestyle habits, and diet. In addition, fluctuations in hormone levels can also increase the secretion of oil, making the face even more greasy.

2. Improper choice of facial cleanser

There are many types of facial cleansers on the market, and different brands and types of facial cleansers target different skin types. If the facial cleanser used is not suitable for oily skin, then even with daily use, it will not achieve the desired cleansing effect. To choose a facial cleanser suitable for oily skin, the criteria should be oil control, strong cleansing power, and gentle ingredients.

3. Excessive frequency of washing

Some people think that if their skin is greasy, they will wash their face frequently, thinking that this will remove excess oil. However, excessive cleansing can damage the skin’s natural barrier, making the skin even oilier. Under normal circumstances, washing the face twice a day, in the morning and evening, is sufficient. Washing the face too much can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, exacerbating the problem of oily skin.

4. Lack of internal adjustment

Excessive sebum production is also related to the internal condition of the body. If the body’s metabolism is not smooth and there is an imbalance in hormones, it can increase the secretion of oil. Therefore, in addition to external cleansing, it is necessary to pay attention to internal adjustments to improve oily skin. Maintaining a good daily routine, dietary habits, and exercise can help balance hormone levels in the body and improve the secretion of oil in the skin.

5. Improper use of skincare products

Using skincare products that are not suitable for one’s own skin type can also cause oily skin. For people with oily skin, when choosing skincare products, the criteria should be freshness, oil control, and moisturizing. Avoid using heavy creams, lotions and other products that may clog pores and worsen the feeling of oiliness on the skin.

6. Lifestyle factors

Some daily habits may also contribute to oily skin. For example, prolonged exposure to electronic products such as computers and cellphones can increase sebum production. In addition, a diet that is too greasy or spicy can also lead to excessive sebum production in the skin. To improve this problem, it is necessary to adjust lifestyle habits and maintain a good daily routine and balanced diet.

In conclusion, to deal with the problem of oily skin even when using facial cleanser every day, you can start from the following aspects:

1. Understand your own skin type and choose suitable facial cleansers and skincare products.

2. Control the frequency of washing, twice a day, morning and evening, is sufficient.

3. Pay attention to internal adjustments, maintain a good daily routine, dietary habits, and exercise.

4. Adjust lifestyle habits, reduce prolonged exposure to electronic products, and avoid a greasy diet.

5. Understand the ingredients of skincare products and avoid using products that are not suitable for your skin type.

6. If necessary, seek advice and guidance from a professional dermatologist.

By following the above methods, we believe that your oily skin problem will be improved. Of course, skincare is a long-term process that requires persistence. As long as you take care of it with care, your skin will definitely bring you surprises.

Controlling Oil and Improving Oily Skin

How can oily skin be improved? First, you need to learn how to “control oil”!

Why does your face get oilier the more you wash it? It’s like cooking over high heat - facial cleanser acts like the range hood, removing the surface oil but leaving the underlying fire burning. It doesn’t solve the root problem.

First step: Wash your face with warm water

If you wash your face with cold water, it will cause your pores to shrink, preventing the timely removal of dirt from within the pores. This can lead to enlarged pores and acne. Proper use of warm water for washing, along with a face towel, ensures cleanliness, reduces bacteria, and promotes inflammation reduction.

Second step: Change your facial cleanser

The cleansing power of a facial cleanser is not the more powerful the better. Many people with oily skin prefer to use alkaline cleansers, which can cause great harm to the skin. It is better to switch to a mild, mildly acidic facial cleanser.

Third step: Use a deep cleansing mask

Use a deep cleansing mud mask once a week to remove old skin cells and clean the oil and dirt from your pores. This helps unclog your pores and prepares your skin for subsequent hydration and moisturization.

Fourth step: Moisturize diligently

You can keep a hydrating spray handy and use mild toners and sleeping masks in your skincare routine. Timely hydration and moisturization are vital for your skin.

By following the above steps and maintaining a regular sleep schedule, not staying up late, your skin will definitely improve.