Problem And Cause

Problem
Oily skin feels greasy and look shiny. It isn't, however, the opposite of dry skin, which lacks moisture, not oil. Oily skin is a result of excess sebum production. Sebum is an oily substance that coats the outer layer of our skin.

Sebum provides a barrier for the skin. It slides across the body to create a thin layer of oil that prevents dirt from getting inside. But people with oily skin have overactive sebaceous glands.

Your skin is a little more resilient and protected against harsh things when it's thicker and oilier. On the other hand, it's more prone to breakouts because the oil is more likely to trap bacteria and become infected.

This excess oil creates a shiny look. Worse, though, is that when the excess bacteria mixes with the oil, the skin becomes inflamed with pimples or just clogged with blackheads and whiteheads.

Cause
Some people, such as brunettes and other dark-haired people, just naturally produce too much oil. Their skin type is thicker than blond-haired people, and they actually have more sebaceous glands throughout their bodies than thin-skinned blonds.

Some people think that people with oily skin have larger pores, but that isn't the case. If you have oily skin and your skin becomes inflamed, it will swell up around the pore; and when the light hits the skin, it creates a shadow. If you remove the swelling, the look of enlarged pores will also go away.