If by mid-morning your forehead and nose are already shiny, your makeup doesn't last, and you frequently get pimples and blackheads, you most likely have oily or combination skin. It’s not a lack of hygiene: your sebaceous glands produce more sebum than your skin needs. It is balanced by cleansing gently, moisturizing with lightweight textures, and using sunscreen every day.
What is oily skin and how do you recognize it?
Sebum is the oil produced by sebaceous glands to protect and soften the skin. When there is too much, it shows as shine, and if it mixes with dead cells inside the pore, it forms a plug: a blackhead or a pimple. Frequent signs:
- Shine all over the face or only in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin); in that case, we refer to it as combination skin.
- Visible pores, especially on the nose and cheeks.
- Blackheads and blemishes that appear often.
- A texture that feels thick to the touch.
Among those who have taken our online diagnostic, one in three people says they have skin with blemishes. It is as common as it gets.
Why does skin get oily?
General causes
- Genetics and hormones, which control how much the sebaceous glands work. That is why oily skin is so common in adolescence and at some stages of adulthood.
- Over-cleansing or using harsh products. A strong surfactant leaves the skin feeling tight and the barrier suffers, but the shine does not improve.
- Skipping hydration. Oily skin can also be dehydrated: it has too much sebum and not enough water, and it feels uncomfortable at the same time it shines.
Lifestyle and climate in Colombia
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Humid heat. On the coast, the Llanos, or the Amazon, you sweat more, and the sweat mixes with the sebum, causing the skin to shine sooner. Wash your face after sweating a lot, for example after exercising.
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Temperate climate. In Medellín or the Coffee Axis, shine tends to concentrate in the T-zone.
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Intense sun. Even if it doesn't feel dry, oily skin needs sunscreen every day. A light texture with a matte finish is better tolerated.
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Touching your face and squeezing pimples, which irritates and can leave marks.
Your routine for oily skin, step by step
Morning
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Cleanse with a purifying gel and lukewarm water. Massage with your fingertips, without scrubbing.
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Toner with a cotton pad to remove excess oil.
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Light moisturizer with a gel-cream texture.
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Sunscreen with an anti-shine finish.
Night
- Remove makeup and cleanse.
- Apply toner and then a serum for blemishes to dry, clean skin.
- Finish with your cream.
Once or twice a week
A purifying mask helps clean pores and reduce shine. Do not use it on irritated skin.
Products we recommend
The lotion, serum, and anti-blemish cream may bother some skin types. Do not apply them to irritated skin and discontinue if irritation occurs.
When to consult a dermatologist
Book an appointment if you have large, painful, or deep pimples, if they leave marks or scars, if you don't see improvement after two or three months of a consistent routine, or if pimples suddenly appear in adulthood. A dermatologist assesses this, and a cosmetic product does not replace what they may prescribe.
Frequently asked questions
Does oily skin need moisturizer?
Yes. Sebum is not the same as water, and dehydrated skin can look just as shiny. Choose light, gel-cream textures.
Does washing my face many times remove shine?
No. Twice a day, and after sweating a lot, is enough. Over-washing irritates and does not stop sebum production.
Can I use sunscreen if I have oily skin?
Yes, and it is best to use it every day. Look for one with a light texture and an anti-shine finish.
What is the difference between oily and combination skin?
Oily skin is shiny all over the face. Combination skin is shiny in the T-zone and may feel normal or a bit tight on the cheeks.
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