Smiling young woman with dark curly hair

Oily skin

Medical skin care for oily skin on face

Oily, shiny skin with enlarged pores – what defines oily skin?

Oily skin results from increased sebum production. It frequently appears in the T-zone of the face, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin. However, the skin on the chest or back can also exhibit oiliness.

 

What are typical symptoms of greasy skin?

  • Oily, shiny skin
  • Enlarged pores, rough texture
  • Thickened stratum corneum, causing the skin to feel thicker
  • Tendency towards blemishes and acne
  • Close-up of oily skin on forehead
    Oily skin on forehead
  • Close-up of oily skin on the cheek and nose area
    Oily skin on the cheek and nose area with enlarged pores
  • Close-up of large pores
    Large pores in the nose and cheek area

Three key facts about greasy skin

Who typically has oily skin?

Oily skin commonly affects men and adolescents of all genders. 

This is due to various hormones that influence sebaceous gland activity. These include, in particular, the so-called androgens (male hormones). Sebum production often returns to normal after adolescence. 

What is sebum made of?

Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands and consists primarily of fatty acids and proteins. 

Upon reaching the skin's surface, it mixes with sweat and dead horny cells (keratinocytes) This forms the hydrolipid film, which performs essential functions for the skin. 

Advantages of oily skin

While many would rather not have oily skin, this skin type does offer a distinct advantage: Oily skin often shows the signs of ageing more slowly than dry skin!

Sebum forms a protective layer on the skin's surface, helping to reduce moisture loss. This delays the visible appearance of wrinkles, sagging skin, and similar signs of ageing. 

Schematic depiction: Composition of oily skin

Development and causes of oily skin

The skin diagram shows that each hair is associated with a sebaceous gland – this applies to all hair, including the very fine hair on the face. The sebum produced travels to the skin’s surface through the pore. This is initially a normal, healthy process. 

However, in oily skin types, the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than necessary. To allow optimal sebum drainage, the pores, which also serve as sebaceous gland outlets, widen. This process results in the formation of visible pores commonly associated with oily skin. The sebum spreads across the skin’s surface and causes the typical shiny skin areas. 

Excessive sebum production is medically termed seborrhoea (Latin sebum “sebum” and Ancient Greek ῥοή “flow”). Seborrhoea can also be a symptom of various (skin) diseases, physical changes, or a result of external factors:

Internal causes: include hormonal disorders (e.g. hyperthyroidism) or pregnancy

External causes include environmental influences, incorrect skin care (e.g. highly greasy creams), or medications (e.g. anabolic steroids).

Blemishes or acne?

If your oily skin is prone to pimples, blackheads, and similar concerns, we recommend our "Blemished Skin & Acne" page.

Read now

Care tips for oily skin

Mild cleansing

Mild cleansing

Many facial cleansers for oily skin disrupt the skin’s acid mantle. Instead, use products that strengthen the acid mantle, for example by optimising the skin’s pH value.

Light moisturising care

Light moisturising care

Avoid creams and other care products with a high lipid content (rich in oils or fats). They unnecessarily intensify the sensation of oily skin or greasy shine. Light moisturising creams are more suitable and can be identified at DERMASENCE by the lipid level indicated on the packaging.

Sebum-reducing active ingredients

Sebum-reducing active ingredients

In addition to moisturising ingredients, oily skin also benefits from active substances that regulate sebum production. These include, for example, niacinamide and zinc PCA. BHA (salicylic acid) dissolves sebum within the pores and refines enlarged pores.

Four test tubes containing plants with active ingredients used in the Seborra series

DERMASENCE Seborra series

The DERMASENCE Seborra series provides appropriate care for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. It features a holistic care concept with products that help mattify the skin and refine its appearance. Anti-inflammatory and keratolytic active ingredients reduce impurities such as pimples (pustules and papules) and blackheads (comedones).

Discover Seborra products for oily, large-pored skin without inflammatory blemishes here.

Product recommendations: Cleansing for oily skin

Pore-deep cleansing foam
DERMASENCE Mousse Cleansing foam, 200 ml
  • Cleansing
  • Vegan

Mousse Cleansing foam

The comfortable smooth cleansing mousse for oily and impure skin refines the skin appearance with glycolic acid and a salicylic acid derivative. It is deep-cleansing and regenerates the skin‘s protective acid mantle. Also ideal for preparing the skin for fruit acid treatments. Vegan.

(20 Reviews)
Soothing tonic for all skin types
DERMASENCE Tonic, 200 ml
  • Cleansing
  • Vegan

Tonic Refreshing facial toner

The moisturising tonic refreshes and soothes the skin after cleansing. It regulates the pH value and is particularly well tolerated with a low alcohol content. Also suitable as a mild aftershave.

(3 Reviews)

Product recommendations: Facial care for oily skin

Clarifying facial care for normal skin and combination skin
DERMASENCE Seborra Light gel cream, 50 ml
  • Daily care
  • Vegan

Seborra Light gel cream

Especially suitable as moisturising care for normal skin and combination skin. Soothes and nourishes the skin with avocado oil, panthenol and vitamin E. The skin‘s appearance is refined and sensations of tautness are reduced. The non-comedogenic formulation is quickly absorbed.

(2 Reviews)
Sebum reducing facial care with niacinamide
DERMASENCE Seborra Soothing gel cream, 50 ml
  • Daily care
  • Vegan

Seborra Soothing gel cream

This pore-refining gel cream with anti-inflammatory Inflacura® effect is ideal for oily, acne-prone skin. The gel cream has an immediate skin-soothing and mattifying effect. In the long term, the pores appear finer and the skin clearer. Sebum production is regulated and impurities are prevented. Counteracts the formation of pimple marks with niacinamide. The light gel formulation is quickly absorbed and is ideal as a make-up base.

(8 Reviews)
UV protective moisture gel for normal and combination skin
DERMASENCE Seborra Light day cream with SPF 30, 50 ml
  • Sun protection / day creams
  • Vegan

Seborra Light day cream with SPF 30

The light gel cream with a high level of UV protection is ideal for sensitive and oily skin and for (combination) skin with a tendency towards impurities. Innovative UVA/UVB filter system protects against UV-induced skin damage. The unperfumed sun protection is ideal for skin with a tendency to Mallorca acne.

Concealing day care with high sun protection factor
DERMASENCE Seborra Tinted day cream with SPF 50, 50 ml
  • Sun protection / day creams
  • Vegan

Seborra Tinted day cream with SPF 50

Impurities and reddened skin are balanced with green pigments, giving the skin a fresh complexion. The tinted day cream with a high sun protection factor provides an instant matt finish and a long-lasting anti-shine effect, ideal for oily, impure skin.

(14 Reviews)
Skin-clarifying night-care serum
DERMASENCE Seborra Skin clarifying serum, 30 ml
  • AHA
  • BHA
  • Night cream
  • Vegan

Seborra Skin clarifying serum

The cooling, skin-clarifying serum is ideal for oily, impure and acne-prone skin. Reduces inflammation and unclogs pores with a mild fruit acid complex. The Exfoliclar® effect actively combats pimples and unclogs clogged pores. With woad, it possesses an anti-inflammatory effect and diminishes redness. The excessive production of sebum is regulated and the formation of pimple marks is prevented. For healthy and clear skin.

(16 Reviews)
Vitalizing body lotion with fruit acid
DERMASENCE Seborra Skin clarifying body lotion, 200 ml
  • AHA
  • Night cream

Seborra Skin clarifying body lotion

Face and body lotion with 10% glycolic acid and urea. Ideal for impure and acne-prone skin. The Exfoliclar® effect ensures a consistently clear complexion of the entire body in the long term.  Ideal as preparation for and care after chemical peels. Non-comedogenic.

(14 Reviews)

Combination Skin – where oily and dry skin areas are located in close proximity.

Combination skin is classified as a distinct skin type. This skin type features both oily and dry areas on the face. Typically, the T-zone (green) is oily, while the cheek area (red) is dry. The degree of dryness or oiliness in each zone varies from person to person and is also influenced by factors such as season and age. Dry skin areas also tend to develop wrinkles and show signs of ageing earlier.

Due to its varying needs, combination skin presents specific challenges for skin care: Oily areas of the skin require moisture and sebum-regulating active ingredients. Dry areas of the skin, on the other hand, need lipids (fats and oils) in addition to moisture. 

 

Medical skin care for combination skin

At DERMASENCE, you will find skin care products that provide optimal care for combination skin. As basic facial care, we recommend a light moisturiser, such as DERMASENCE Seborra Light gel cream or DERMASENCE Seborra
Light day cream with SPF 30. 

In addition, products from other DERMASENCE care ranges are particularly suitable for dry skin areas. 

Diagram showing combination skin: Face with green T-zone and red cheeks

Sources

  • Kirsten N, Mohr N, Alhumam A, Augustin M. Prevalence and associated diseases of seborrheic skin in adults. Clin Epidemiol. Published online 2021:845-851.
  • Köhn FM, Ring J, Worret WI. Kosmetische Dermatologie. Fallstricke Fehlerquellen Dermatol. Published online 2004:265-274.
  • Bährle-Rapp M, Bährle-Rapp M. Mischhaut. Springer Lex Kosmet Körperpflege. Published online 2020:357-357.
  • Ellsässer SK. Kosmetik: Ein Lehrbuch für die PTA-Ausbildung und die Beratung in der Apothekenpraxis. Published online 2008.
  • Tilles G. Acne Pathogenesis: History of Concepts. Dermatology. 2014;229(1):1-46. doi:10.1159/000364860
  • Dall’oglio F, Tedeschi A, Fabbrocini G, Veraldi S, Picardo M, Micali G. Cosmetics for acne: indications and recommendations for an evidence-based approach. G Ital Dermatol E Venereol Organo Uff Soc Ital Dermatol E Sifilogr. 2015;150(1):1-11.
  • Nast A, Bayerl C, Borelli C, et al. S2k - Leitlinie zur Therapie Akne.