What causes excess sebum production?
Sebum is a word that many people with oily skin often hear. Some people consider it troublesome and the cause of annoying breakouts, while others, like those with dry skin, dream of having enough sebum on their face to make it more manageable and comfortable.
However, do you know what shea butter is exactly? What does it do for the skin? Why is excess sebum production a problem? Let’s find out more…
What is shea butter and what is it made of?
Sebum is a mixture of fatty acids, sugars, waxes and other chemicals that occurs naturally on the skin and is essential for skin health. The sebaceous glands control the amount of sebum released onto the skin. Sebum then performs the job of moisturizing the skin and binding the skin’s moisture, keeping the skin waterproof and maintaining a healthy skin flora. By flora we mean the skin’s microbiome, which plays an important role in the health of the skin. You can find out more about the skin flora in our blog post What is the skin microbiome and why is it important?
What causes increased sebum production?
If you notice your skin becoming too oily, it could be due to an imbalance in your skin for several reasons:
Excessive sebum production can be a result of pregnancy
Excessive sebum production can occur throughout adolescence
Excessive sebum production can be a result of hormonal changes
Excessive sebum production can be a sign of misusing skin care products such as scrubs
Excessive sebum production can be caused by irritated skin
Excessive sebum production is caused by dehydration
Excessive sebum production is a genetic predisposition
There are several reasons why you may notice your skin producing too much sebum. You may notice that your skin’s oiliness changes during your menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes. It can also be caused by heat exposure and exercise.
If your skin is prone to breakouts and rashes, you probably know that sebum can affect the severity of your breakouts. While it may be tempting to opt for a strong exfoliant and ruthlessly penetrate your skin to achieve a “squeaky clean” feeling, you may find that these harsh chemicals and skin-damaging ingredients actually strip your skin of every last drop of sebum. As a result, you’ll notice that your skin’s defenses are compromised and your skin’s imbalance can accelerate sebum production. This can cause your face to feel and look oilier than before, and your acne and blemishes to become worse.
One thing to always keep in mind is that you need sebum for your skin to function optimally. Yes, it can be discouraging to think of sebum as a primary skin benefit (especially if you have a blemish-prone skin type). There are ways to control sebum production and reduce excess oil. We’ll tell you about those right now.
How to Get Rid of Excess Sebum?
Here are some simple ways to reduce the amount of excess sebum on your skin:
Use the Right Cleansing Products
If you’re looking for a cleanser to help control your sebum levels, there are a few skin-health-boosting ingredients to look out for. First, salicylic acid is the only kind available that can penetrate deep into the lower layers of the skin to clear out clogged pores that can cause blackheads and acne. Regular use of a cleanser containing salicylic acid can keep your skin clear without losing important sebum. You can read our blog post on the skin care benefits of salicylic acid to learn more about this effective BHA.
Other key ingredients to look out for include glycolic acid and lactic acid, as these fruit acids do a great job of chemically exfoliating the skin without causing dryness. When you find the skincare products and ingredients that work best for your skin, you’ll find that the health of your complexion and overall appearance remain healthy and balanced. If you find that a product you’ve tried irritates your skin, you must stop using it immediately.
Tailor your skincare routine to your skin type
Sebum production varies with the seasons and hormonal changes. If you find that your skin and body have become oilier than usual, it might be a good idea to adjust your routine. In this case, opt for an oil-free cleanser, chemical toner, and a lightweight gel moisturizer with active ingredients to nourish your skin. Adding a clay mask to your routine every two weeks can also help restore skin balance and clarity.
Avoid harsh scrubs and tools
As we’ve already mentioned, we know how difficult it is to not reach for abrasive peels filled with nut and fruit seed particles that dig deep into the skin. Your skin might feel fine for five minutes, but what you can’t imagine is that your skin will panic and try to compensate for the skin trauma by producing too much sebum, leaving you all over again.
Consult your doctor
If you ask your GP for advice, there are some other options you can try. There are various oral medications that can help reduce excess sebum, such as: B. Retinoids, which can be taken orally or topically. These medications are very effective and should not be attempted without the advice of a doctor or dermatologist.
Now you know a little more about Tarlo, and why he isn’t the big bad we’ve been led to believe for so long. Without sebum, our skin wouldn’t be able to function, and its key role in maintaining a healthy skin flora should actually earn our respect. At the very least, don’t use harsh chemicals to cleanse your skin, or overreact when that time of the month happens to affect our mood and skin. Just remember to practice good skin care habits and use products that are appropriate for your skin type, and you won’t have anything to worry about!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
