Ten Signs of Oily Skin

People who have an oily skin type may have several or all of the following
skin characteristics.
See how many you have to determine whether you have oily skin.

1. Pores of the skin are larger in size than normal skin and clearly visible.

2. The skin appears to be thicker and firmer than normal skin.

3. Skin, especially on the forehead, nose and chin has a shiny, oily sheen to it.

4. Blemishes including blackheads, whiteheads and acne occur frequently.

5. If you cleanse the skin and leave it bare for an hour then blot the skin with a tissue you will seee an oily residue left on the tissue.

6. Skin becomes oily only hours after it has been thoroughly cleansed.

7. Oil on the face after waking in the morning.

8. Can be olive in colour rather than fair and tan easily.

9. Makeup tends to ‘slide’  hours after it has been applied.

10. Fine lines and wrinkles are slow to show on the face.

Oily Skin and Hormones

Oily skin is often associated with the teenage years and dry skin with older skin, but for some oily skin is a lifelong issue to deal with.  While you may have inherited your oily skin in part from your parents, oily skin has also to do with our hormone production. When our hormones are stimulated into action their levels can fluctuate and cause more oil to be produced. This is why oily skin becomes worse in teenage years and for some during pregnancy and during their menstrual cycle as hormone production surges.

Stress can cause oil production to be increased as hormones are also produced when we experience strong emotion. Although stress does not cause pimple outbreaks, people often find it makes existing outbreaks of pimples or acne worse. When we become extremely stressed or have high stress for long periods of time the adrenal glands produce a substance called cortisol which is released into the bloodstream. Part of this chemical chain reaction that is caused by the initial stress is an increase in sebum production.

Male hormones are responsible for the start of sebum production and are found in both males and females at puberty, but in differing quantities.

What we can do

• Oil production is one of nature’s responses to irritation – gentle cleansing will reduce irritation and therefore oil production.
• Avoid soap – squeaky clean is not what we want for oily skin.
• Stripping away natural oils will cause more to be produced.
• Don’t over wash – Morning and night is sufficient for even the oiliest skin.
• Clay masks may help soaking up excess oil. It can leave the skin looking fresher and less oily for some hours after.
• Use a moisturiser that is non-comodegenic.
• Reducing stress will reduce the production of hormones that signal oil production.

Oily Skin – Acne or Rosacea?

What is rosacea?

Rosacea (which can be pronounced as ro-zay-sha)  is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Rosacea can come and go with people suffering from flare-ups. Tiny red veins can form on the face that look like a cobweb of red veins – these are permanent. People sometimes call rosacea “adult acne” because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne and often happens to us as we get older. Sometimes there can be an associated soreness of the eyes and the eyelids. Although rosacea should not affect your vision, it can cause eye problems and a doctor should be consulted if you experience any symptoms. Rosacea can cause a lot of embarrassment and discomfort for sufferers but there are things we can do to minimise flare-ups.

What causes rosacea?

There is some evidence that people with fair skin and who have a tendency to blush are more prone and that a family history can also predispose you to developing rosacea. In an attack of rosacea the blood vessels in the face expand, filling with blood and causing the face to redden. While there is no one cause for all people there are certain common triggers it would be best to avoid.  Some attacks may last minutes or in severe cases can last for days. If you can work out your own personal triggers it will help you manage your rosacea and some people find keeping a trigger diary helpful.

Some triggers include:

Exercise or heavy exertion
Exposure to the sun and wind
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Hot food and drink
Stress or anxiety
Emotional changes such as embarrassment or laughing
Hot baths and showers
Menopause
Some medications – ask your doctor

Medical help should be sought and exposure to triggers reduced as rosacea can worsen and turn into advanced rosacea where bumps on the nose and cheek area can form, giving the area a swollen, lumpy look. While there is no cure medical treatment includes antibiotic creams and drugs. Laser treatment can also help to reduce the size and number of the veins.

Prevention by avoiding triggers is an important part of learning to manage and lessen rosacea attacks.

• Cut down on food and drink that causes symptoms
• Try shorter work outs more frequently when exercising
• Have lukewarm showers and baths and keep them short
• Drink plenty of water in hot conditions
• Cool the face with a damp, cold washcloth if you become overheated.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum – it doesn’t cause rosacea but it can make it worse.
• Always hear sunscreen and a hat when outdoors
• Use a skin care regime that has products with no perfumes, colourings or fragrances that will help soothe and not irritate the skin such as skinsaviour cleanser and moisturiser.
• Skinsaviour Cream and Cleanser are specially formulated for skin that is sensitive and easily irritated.