Oily skin and large pores often go hand in hand. The oil that we see and feel on our faces is known in the medical community as sebum. It is secreted by the sebaceous glands, through the pores to the skin surface.
While our skin requires some oil for it to be healthy, many of us with oily skin and large pores are very self-conscious of the greasy and shiny appearance of very oily skin. Even worse, oily skin can promote the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. So, what causes oily skin?
Genetics
We are largely a product of our parents’ genes. Genetics plays an important role in height, intelligence, weight, and even our complexion. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to secrete more sebum than others. For better or for worse, we cannot change our genes. So, if your parents struggled with oily skin, chances are high that you too will be prone to oily skin.
Hormones
Have you ever noticed that you rarely see children with oily skin? This is because our bodies do not start producing the sex hormones that spur our sebaceous glands to begin producing a lot of sebum until puberty. After puberty, sebum production is somewhat constant over time for men. However, women often see fluctuations in skin oil throughout the menstrual cycle. Birth control pills or pregnancy may also affect oil production
Diet
The medical community believes that diet has little, if any, effect on sebum production, and therefore, oily skin. However, some people swear that their oily skin is negatively affected by certain kinds of food. Whichever side is correct, it is certain that a healthy, balanced diet will promote overall skin health.
Environment
Hot and humid weather causes more sweating and puts our sebaceous glands into overtime. Further, some environmental pollutants can cause our skin to produce more oil, especially fine particulates, like soot from automobile exhaust. This is why “summer in the city” is so detrimental to our skin.
Cosmetics
It is very unlikely that cosmetics promote the production of sebum. However, some cosmetics can serve to clog the pores, which can cause acne. This can exacerbate the problem of oily skin. Noncomedogenic makeup is often marketed for oily skin. It will not reduce sebum production, but it may prevent acne and mask any unattractive “greasy” looking skin.
Stress
Many people notice that their skin produces more oil when they are stressed. Science backs up this observation. When we are stressed, our endocrine system can pump out a potent cocktail of hormones that has the unfortunate side-effect of causing oily skin.
The below articles and products may help you treat your oily skin and large pores.
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