Have you got a case of too much oil on your face? Or too much oil on your hair? Maybe both? I’ve got quite an overdose of oil on my head and already, I’m frustrated. So I can imagine how much of a bummer it is to deal with having both oily face and oily hair. Not only is it affecting how you look, it can affect how you feel. I mean, shiny skin, smeared makeup, hair that is stuck to your forehead half the time. Definitely. Not. Appealing. In fact, you may also be combating with blackheads, enlarged pores, pimples, sallow skin tone, clogged follicles and not forgetting, hair loss. Too much oil is definitely not a good thing.
The reason why your hair and your face are dripping with oil is because you’re suffering from an overproduction of sebum by the oil glands in the lower layers of your skin. Simply put, it’s a case of having overactive sebaceous glands. Your glands are in an overdrive mode and there are a couple of reasons causing this. Let’s look at 10 of them here:
1. Over enthusiatic cleansing
It’s very tempting to overwash your oily hair and face just to get rid of the oily feeling. However, when you overdo it, you are basically stripping your scalp and skin off their natural oils and causing your oil glands to go into an overdrive mode to produce even more sebum to compensate for the lack of oil. Hence, it’s best to cap washing your hair to once a day at most, and twice a day for your face. Even then, you need to choose a gentle shampoo and facial wash that are free of harsh detergents like SLS or SLES. And if you practice double cleansing, do it just once a day and go easy on massaging your head and your face too k?
2. Hormonal imbalance due to PMS
If you’re a teenager, you’re likely to have oily skin. This is because of androgens in your body stimulates the oil glands to produce extra oil in your skin cells. But if you’re well past your teens, you need to know that spikes in androgens can also happen just before your menstrual period. As a result, this increased sebaceous secretions causes our skin to become more susceptible to spots and breakouts. Yeah, bummer! And there’s not much you can do except to take extra care of your skin during this period.
3. Eating a diet high in insulin
We know it’s no longer true that what you eat does not affect your skin. In fact, what you eat has a GREAT impact on your skin! If you’re consuming lots of dairy, sugar, refined carbs, or hydrogenated oils that contain trans-fats, you’re contributing oil to build up in your hair and skin because these foods can increase the amount of androgens in your body.
4. Not hydrating inside out
Most people seem to think that not drinking enough water causes our skin to become drier. Well, that’s definitely true. But dry also means, your skin may have to go into an overdrive mode to produce more sebum. Hence, drink up! Also, you need to moisturize. Avoid heavy creams and pick a light lotion so that your skin does not suffer from dryness, which in turn will cause it to produce more sebum.
5. Not eating enough essential fatty acids
Strangely, while essential fatty acids that are found in salmon, walnut and flaxseeds come across as oily, they actually help to prevent excessive oiliness in both your hair and face. So do consume sufficient EFAs if you want to have healthy hair and skin!
6. Going through stress and anxiety
Science has it that when you are stressed out, both your hair and face will become shiny for the wrong reasons! This is because when a person becomes stressed, the level of the body’s stress hormone (cortisol) rises and causes an increase in oil production in the scalp and skin.
7. Sleeping too late
I can tell you from experience that my scalp and face oozes more oil whenever I sleep late. Don’t believe me? Try it! But logically, this follows from the previous reason related to a high cortisol level due to stress and anxiety.
8. Having skin or scalp disorders
Overactive sebaceous glands could also stem from having skin or scalp disorders such as dermatitis. Symptoms include oily skin and hair, flaking and itching of the scalp skin, hair loss and redness on extended areas of the skin.
9. Suffering from health disorders
On a more serious level, those with disorders like polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS) can experience more sebum being produced in their skin, leading to oily hair and skin. This is because the ovaries make more androgens than normal and as we’ve seen in reason #2, that stimulates the oil glands to produce extra oil.
10. It’s in your genes
It also seems that if your parents have a case of oily hair and skin, you’re predisposed to show the same oily signs. Unfortunately, there’s not too much you can do here except to take better care of your hair and skin through your lifestyle and the products you use.
If you have oily hair and/or face, can you identify with this list? And do you have something you do that can help someone else banish oily hair and skin for good? If so, please share!
liz
27 May 2013 at 11:16 pmI hate it when I eat too much diary!
Sesame
28 May 2013 at 8:31 pmIt’s not my favorite too…I try to avoid as much as possible.
Kelly
28 May 2013 at 9:27 amThis is a problem I have suffered with since I had children. I always seem to have that oil slick right across my face. However they do say that those with oily skin age later than those without. I am hoping this is true!
Sesame
28 May 2013 at 8:33 pmOh yes, I’ve read that too. Well, that’s a plus point and I think it makes sense!
Soos
28 May 2013 at 5:30 pmOily face, dry hair here!
Soos last post is: Changes at The Whole Ox Deli & Butcher
Sesame
28 May 2013 at 8:37 pmAh…I have oily hair, oily t-zone. I think diet affects me more than the others.
Reader
3 Jun 2013 at 1:49 amI have noticed spelling “dairy” as “diary”. And yeah, I have also oily skin 🙁
Sesame
3 Jun 2013 at 7:05 amThanks! I definitely need a spell checker. I always have this problem with words like that. Like I just spelled Daiso as Diaso. >.<
Annie
4 Jun 2013 at 8:03 amI think I just experienced my first account of oily skin due to dehydration. I usually have dry to normal skin in the winter, but becoming more normal now that summer is almost here. I’ve been breaking badly for a while, and instinctively, I also use a bunch of product trying to keep it at bay. Well, i finally fed up with it and decided NOT to put anything on my skin, and only wash my face with water for 2 days. Guess what, I wake up with oilier face than I ever seen. Whereas in the past, (last week), i would wake up with glowy and supple skin (albeit acne-ic) skin if I applied moisturizer or oil blend the night before. That took me by surprise because I never get oily skin before
Sesame
4 Jun 2013 at 8:36 pmIt’s probably too drying due to the weather? Are you sleeping in an aircon room? Try to use a moisturizing lotion if you can.
Swati
4 Jun 2013 at 3:16 pmyou should also write a post on how to make hair oily or mositurized all time!!! useful
Swati last post is: How long and how often should henna be for? {Hair Care}
Sesame
4 Jun 2013 at 8:39 pmHaha…might be difficult cos my issue is the opposite.
Swati
5 Jun 2013 at 12:12 pmhehe 🙂
Swati last post is: My Hair Diary – May 2013
chenyze
5 Jun 2013 at 10:29 pmveering off topic a little but i realised recently that i sleep better (and fall back to sleep more easily when i wake up in the middle of the night) if i drink enough water!
Sesame
6 Jun 2013 at 11:02 pmThat’s awesome! I hadn’t realized that sleep has a link to drinking enough water.
Lisa
7 Jun 2013 at 12:55 amI’ve read that drinking water helps balance out your hormones and of course the extra water helps regulate your body temperature, both of which should help your sleep.
I think my biggest problem is with stress and anxiety. I get all oily and greasy due to work stress, then I tend to over cleanse. It’s a vicious cycle!
Sesame
7 Jun 2013 at 6:35 amThanks Lisa for explaining. Very interesting to know. I’ve not come across info that drinking water helps balance out hormones. Very very interesting!
Hope you can find some time to relax and not be overly stress and anxious. Well, I know it’s not something you can easily control but what I usually tell people is, look away from the issues and focus on something that is more positive. Also, being stressed is probably due to worrying and worrying will not get you anywhere.
JesseJames
8 Aug 2014 at 7:05 pmMy hair and mug are oily enough to change the grease on a ten ton truck. Always has been. I hate it. Best I can do is keep it very short and wash with hot hot water and soap . 🙁
Sesame Chew
8 Aug 2014 at 11:05 pmI’m not sure if washing with hot hot water is such a good idea.
Christina
26 Aug 2014 at 11:46 amNot only does my scalp and face produce so much oil, but it burns, stings, itches and turns my face bright red, especially my nose! The only time I experience these symptoms is when I’m so oily. I’m thinking demodex or skin mites??!! I’m not grossed out, but I’m so depressed about the sensitivity and the level of oiliness on my face and scalp.
Christina
26 Aug 2014 at 11:48 amThe oil of my skin does not allow my make up or moisturizer to stay on.
Christina
26 Aug 2014 at 11:51 amI do not have acne except for the occasional blemish around the time of menstruation and some blackheads here and there. The stinging, redness and hair loss is depressing.
Sesame Chew
30 Aug 2014 at 8:45 pmHave you seen a dermatologist for your skin issues?
Christina
18 Sep 2014 at 5:09 amYes I have seen two different dermatologists and my doctor. They all say rosacea. I have no acne, and no dry skin at all. But a scalp and face that are oozing with oil and causing the itch, sting, burn, and redness.
Lindsay
2 Oct 2014 at 5:33 amI too suffer from oily hair and face. I believe it has a lot to do with diet. I started the Whole30 last month,only lasted 2 weeks, but i noticed a difference in my skin blemishes within that small amount of time. I plan to start again seeing it through the 30 days. Hopefully i will see improvements. Does anyone have recommendations on good face wash and shampoo for oiliness?
ingemar
24 Jan 2015 at 6:07 pmI noticed more lately it the lack of sleept late but the same what consider sleeping late cause i work graveyard shift and most of the time when i wake up my head is full of oil and sumtime so is my glasses
Melissa
29 Jun 2015 at 7:32 pmUnfortunately for me I have many of the 10 commen reasons for having oily skin and hair including genetics. My Mom has large pores, but she doesn’t really have oily skin, or hair. My Dad however, from what I hear had very oily skin and hair. I also tend to eat a lot of dairy and sugary foods. I have tons of stress and anxiety.
Can you please elaborate more on number 7, sleeping too late. How late is too late? What is the best time for bed and waking up?
Sesame
30 Jun 2015 at 10:23 pmBest time to sleep is by 11pm and wake up about 6am or 7am for an 8-hour rest.
Matthew
24 Jul 2015 at 3:14 amI all so have oily skin on my face and scalp. I have seborrheic dermatitis mild. I have to use oil pads all the time through out the day. I just want it to stop I hate it. Any one know anything that can help stop it.
ankita agrawal
26 Aug 2015 at 6:59 pmhii. i am 21 year graduate student from India.
I have highly oily hair and pimpled skin. i am most stressed about this. my t-zone is excess oily and also have dark patches around my nose. i have been through various medical treatments, parlour treatments but nothing effected much. it looks well untill a month or two and is again the same after that. also i am confused about which beauty product to use and which not. please help me. i need your guidance much.
Emy
7 Oct 2015 at 11:19 amHi I don’t know if I’m too late for this answer .
I have very oily skin and I’ve found the “cure” for it
I use clerasil facial scub (I know is not good to scrub every day )
But with my T zone that is always oily and get lots of pimples I have to.
I use it in the morning and at night and it works super it helps keep my face oil free smooth and is also withering .
My favoure one is the clearasil daily facial scrub green one and second favourite the pink one
DO NOT BUY THE BLUE ONE BECAUSE I TOO HARSH ON SKIN AND IT ACTUALLY GAVE ME A SKIN RASH .
But the other ones work great.
If I don’t use clearasil for a few days my skin gets super oily and I start to get very big pimples and spots .
Hope it help bye
Emy
7 Oct 2015 at 11:25 amHi I don’t know if I’m too late for this answer .
I have very oily skin and I’ve found the “cure†for it.
I use clerasil facial scrub (I know is not good to scrub every day )
But my T zone is always oily and get lots of pimples And blackheads so I have to .
I use it in the morning and at night and it works great, it helps keep my face oil free smooth and is also whitening .
My favourite one is the clearasil daily facial scrub the green one and second favourite the pink one.
DO NOT BUY THE BLUE ONE BECAUSE IS TOO HARSH ON SKIN AND IT ACTUALLY GAVE ME A SKIN RASH .
But the other ones work great.
If I don’t use clearasil for few days my skin gets super oily and I start to get very big pimples spots and blackheads
.
Hope it helps bye
RISHi
16 Nov 2015 at 8:09 pmI have Oily skin and my hair become oily if I don’t wash it everyday. It seems to have dandruff also if I don’t wash hair everyday. And its creates hair falling.Is there any remedy?Medicine?
Shivina
29 Mar 2016 at 5:14 pmHello,
My skin is very oily and open pores,because of that too much acne and small pimple, i am also suffering from bones problem like rheumatoid arthritis when i was only 8 year old and presently suffering from osteoporisis, i am taking homeopathic medicine from last year april but still my skin is oily and now some red reashes on my face, i am too much stressed out nothing is working on me,.
And yes my skin is sensitive also and littke hairs on my face, what can i do for it.
Holly Watkins
31 Mar 2016 at 8:13 amMy daughter (10) has super oily hair, and is getting pretty decent break-outs on her forehead already, does anyone have any suggestions on what we could do, besides the Dr. office?
Cadence
18 Jun 2016 at 8:44 pmmy hair is very oily at the roots and extremely perfect at the tip maybe ill try to sleep early.
Sesame
18 Jun 2016 at 10:08 pmIt could be due to sleep or diet. Try and adjust your lifestyle and see if it makes a difference.
Ilja Y.
19 Aug 2016 at 8:43 amI’ve come to accept my oily hair and skin. In fact, it’s even healthy! It moisturizes you thoroughly.
Sesame
20 Aug 2016 at 1:16 pmThat’s good. 🙂
Elaine Schumacher
27 Aug 2016 at 9:58 pmMy dermatologist told me to get OC8. I ordered it from walmart. No postage either as it came from the vendor. It’s very good, it is a small tube, but it doesn’t take much at all. Hope it helps someone! My beautician said my hair is falling out because I don’t eat enough protein. Since I have less hair my body is still producing the natural oils but it is clinging to less hair. I have upped my protein to stimulate more healthy and more hair. Just started
jami r
2 Sep 2016 at 12:46 pmI used to have to blot my forehead and nose every hour. The Citrus Clear Grapefruit Spot Treatment is the only toner/spot treatment that takes away the oil and shine from my nose and forehead. No more blotting all the time!
Laura
9 Sep 2016 at 11:25 pmI have noticed over the past year or so that i have really oily skin and greasy hair. I am turning 30 and thought it was to do with age. I also have hair loss at the front of my hair line and i have lots of dandruff (sound very attractive dont I). I also have 3 children and dont get a lot of sleep. I think all my issues are a mixture of everything you have mentioned in your blog. 🙂
Neha
1 Oct 2016 at 1:27 amHye I am having a problem ricently…Basically my skin is a normal skin type but ricently I can see too much oil in my face specially around the nose…what can I do ?? please help me
Sesame
2 Oct 2016 at 4:36 pmTry to up your hydration…apply a hydrating lotion.
Shubham Jain
8 Dec 2016 at 12:05 amHi,
have a oily scalp hence oily hair which creates dandruff… I have to wash them daily. Still cant control oil and dandruff. Please suggest. Also any shampoo and oil u would like to suggest.
Lisa
27 Jan 2017 at 8:32 pmGreat article! Just being picky here, but you can’t eat a diet high in insulin. You can eat a high sugar (high in refined sugar, carbohydrates(simple and complex)) diet which spikes your blood sugar and in turn spikes your insulin. But you do not eat insulin.
Sesame
30 Jan 2017 at 10:02 pmAh…you’re right. Thanks!
Zhana
21 Mar 2018 at 9:48 amI’m young so I can’t really do much or by stuff or use stuff and my parents won’t buy stuff because I don’t feel decent. Also if I don’t wash my hair the night before it’s oily when I wake up.
Cinna
27 May 2018 at 9:16 pmWell this was extremely informative!
I have always had really oily skin and hair, to the point that a day without a shower looks like i’ve been swimming. I had just found out recently that I’ve had PCOS since around 9 years old. I never knew it could cause oily skin and hair on top of everything else but low and behold, it does! Tha k you a lot for the information!
Martin
6 Aug 2018 at 6:50 pmHey Sesame, Thank you for sharing this guide about oily scalp. I am currently facing oily scalp problems. But the tips and remedies that you mentioned it are quite helpful to me. Thanks for sharing keep updating.