There’s nothing more frustrating than taking a picture during a night out with friends only to see that the camera’s flash has illuminated your face’s greasy shine. Before you stepped out for the night, your complexion looked perfectly glowing and well-hydrated, but now it’s definitely crossed the line into oily skin territory rather than healthy and dewy. So what gives?

Natural oils produced by your body help keep skin healthy, but if you’ve ever struggled with oily skin, you know that there’s such thing as too much of a good thing. Your skin type is largely due to genetics (thanks mom and dad) but there are other factors at play such as hormones, the environment, diet, and your daily skincare regimen. But before you jump up and start making adjustments to your routine in the effort to get rid of oily skin for good, take the time to learn the potential causes so you can understand how to best manage oily skin and fight the occasional accompanying breakouts.

Dermatologist Dr. Robert Miller has created this helpful article on what causes oily skin and what you can do to get rid of it so you can start thriving with a healthy, glowing complexion. Read on to learn more and grab effective tips on combating oily skin. If you’re in the Long Beach, CA area, contact dermatologist Dr. Robert Miller to discuss a plan that’s best for your skin type.

What Causes Oily Skin?

There are many factors at play when it comes to oily skin or a shiny t-zone. Larger sebaceous glands that produce excess oil can be a genetic trait passed down through the family tree. Hormonal changes are a common culprit, too. Stress and illness are also common triggers for the overproduction of androgens, the hormone responsible for oil production, which can then stimulate an increase in sebum production. Even more frustrating however, is that sometimes oily skin is in fact due to the weather. Humid or hot environments tend to stimulate sebum secretion, leading to a shiny t-zone. On the flip side, dry or cold climates can cause skin to dry out, which causes oil production to go into overdrive to compensate. So how do you manage greasy skin when there seems to be so many triggers out there? Try the tips below.

How Do You Prevent Oily Skin?

Use the right cleanser

• With oily skin, especially if it’s greasy to the touch, the impulse is usually to deep clean. But remember that washing with products and cleansers that are too harsh may strip away the good oils that create that coveted healthy glow. Instead, wash morning and night (and no more than twice a day) with a mild cleanser that will clean without over-drying. A face wash containing salicylic acid, which fights breakouts and absorbs oil, may help as well.

Remember to moisturize

• Another misconception when it comes to fighting shiny skin is that adding moisture to your skin will increase the greasiness. False. A daily, lightweight moisturizer is imperative to any healthy skincare routine. If you skip it, you’ll just be creating more issues for your oily complexion. Oil-free moisturizers and hydrating-but-light gel formulas could be comfortable options for managing oily skin.

Examine your skincare products

• If you seem to have recently developed oily skin, you may want to take a good look at your skincare routine. Are you using any new products that may be too astringent or harsh? Peripheral skin products like astringent toners or even that exfoliating buff brush or silicone pad you cleanse with may be to blame. Try limiting your use of these products to once or twice a week and see how your skin responds.

Examine your skincare products

• If you seem to have recently developed oily skin, you may want to take a good look at your skincare routine. Are you using any new products that may be too astringent or harsh? Peripheral skin products like astringent toners or even that exfoliating buff brush or silicone pad you cleanse with may be to blame. Try limiting your use of these products to once or twice a week and see how your skin responds.

Check your diet and your stress levels

• To really combat and prevent skin issues, it may be worth it to examine your day-to-day diet. Dairy, high-sugar foods, and processed carbohydrates have been known to trigger acne and inflammation. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce acne due to anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, make sure to check in with yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed. We all know stress is bad for our health, but stress causes the body’s stress hormone, cortisol, to rise; which in turn triggers an increase in oil production.

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Consult a dermatologist like Dr. Robert Miller of Long Beach, CA for the skincare plan that’s best for you. Dr. Robert Miller has been recognized as a Top Doctor as verified by Findatopdoc.com and has been recognized as a Patient’s Choice award winner and one of the top Long Beach Dermatology practices as verified by Opencare.com. To make an appointment, click here.

If you’re struggling with oily skin, fighting shine can seem like an uphill battle, especially with all the potential causes. Remember that you have a better chance of controlling oil production and minimizing the breakouts and clogged pores that come with it if you consult a dermatologist that can help determine how to best address your skincare needs. If you live in the Long Beach, CA area, schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Miller to discover your exact skin type and learn more about what you can do to achieve glowing skin.