How to tell if you have oily skin

How to tell if you have oily skin

Knowing your skin type is essential for building an effective skincare routine. Oily skin is common and often misunderstood, especially when excess oil is mistaken for good hydration.

Understanding how and why your skin produces oil helps you care for it more effectively and avoid routines that make oiliness worse.

The most common signs of oily skin

persistent shine and greasiness

One of the clearest signs of oily skin is ongoing shine, even shortly after cleansing. Oily skin produces excess sebum, the skin's natural oil, which often shows up most visibly across the T-zone.

This can leave skin looking shiny or greasy throughout the day.

enlarged or visible pores

Excess oil can collect inside pores, making them appear larger and more noticeable.

When oil mixes with dead skin cells, pores can become congested, leading to:
• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Breakouts

Gentle cleansing and regular exfoliation help keep pores clear and reduce their appearance.

frequent breakouts

Oily skin is more prone to breakouts because excess oil creates an environment where bacteria can thrive.

Breakouts often appear:
• Across the T-zone
• Around the nose and chin
• In areas where oil builds up most

Supporting oil balance and barrier health helps reduce congestion over time.

makeup does not last

If makeup breaks down or slides off quickly, oil production may be the cause. Excess sebum can interfere with makeup staying in place throughout the day.

Choosing lightweight skincare and oil-balanced formulas helps improve wear time.

The surprising caveat - oily skin vs dehydrated skin

when oiliness is actually dehydration

Not all oily skin is truly oily. In some cases, skin produces excess oil because it lacks water. This is known as dehydrated oily skin.

Dehydrated skin is low in water, not oil. To compensate, the skin increases sebum production in an attempt to protect itself.

How to identify dehydrated oily skin

signs to look out for

You may be dealing with dehydration rather than true oiliness if you notice:

• Tightness or dryness after cleansing
• Oiliness that does not improve with oil-control products
• Flakiness alongside shine
• Breakouts despite using mattifying products

In these cases, adding hydration rather than stripping oil often improves skin balance.

Supporting oily or dehydrated oily skin

focus on balance, not stripping

Aggressive routines often worsen oil production. Supporting hydration and the skin barrier helps oil production regulate naturally.

Recommended products:
• Lemon Myrtle Cleanser for gentle daily cleansing
• Light Balancing Creme for lightweight hydration
• Protective Day Serum to support barrier health
• Gentle Exfoliant used once or twice per week

Balanced skin produces oil more evenly and feels calmer overall.

Understanding your skin leads to better results

Oily skin has distinct characteristics, but excess oil does not always mean your skin is well hydrated. Understanding whether your skin is oily, dehydrated or both allows you to tailor your routine more effectively.

Supporting hydration, barrier function and consistency leads to clearer, more balanced skin over time.