If you’ve ever looked in the mirror at 2 p.m. and thought, “Why is my face so oily again? I literally just washed it,” then rest assured that you’re not alone. Yes, oily skin is confusing, frustrating and unfair. However, it’s extremely common and there are ways to handle it.
In this article, we’ll explore what’s going on, why your skin appears extra shiny, and how to build a skincare routine to overcome the situation. Eight Saints offers an array of products that are designed to help your skin look balanced without drying out.
What Is Oily Skin, Really?
Oily skin isn’t just “dirty” skin or skin that needs to be scrubbed more with harsher products. It’s simply skin that produces more sebum than average which can leave you with an oily sheen.
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance made by your sebaceous glands. It’s not the enemy. In fact, it is actually beneficial.
-
Keeps your skin from drying out
-
Helps protect your skin barrier
-
Gives your skin that natural, healthy glow
However, an oily skin problem happens when your glands go into overdrive. Too much sebum can lead to:
-
A constantly shiny T-zone
-
Makeup sliding off by midday
-
Clogged pores and breakouts
-
Enlarged-looking pores around the nose and cheeks
So if you’re wondering, “Why is my face so oily?” the short answer is: your sebaceous glands are working overtime. The real question is why they’re doing that so let’s take a deep look at why your skin becomes oily.
What Causes Oily Skin?
There isn’t just one thing to blame. Oily skin is usually a mix of factors teaming up against your peace of mind and giving you an unsightly sheen.
1. Genetics
If one (or both) of your parents have oily skin, there’s a good chance you inherited it. Your genetics partly determine:
-
How active your sebaceous glands are
-
How big your pores are
-
How much oil your skin tends to produce in general
You can’t rewrite your DNA, but you can work with it.
2. Hormones
Hormones play a huge role in what causes oily skin. Androgens (a group of hormones that includes testosterone) are what signal your skin to make more sebum which leads to oily skin. Fluctuations can happen when you:
-
Hit puberty
-
Go through your monthly cycle
-
Start or stop birth control
-
Experience pregnancy or postpartum changes
-
Deal with stress (which bumps up cortisol and can impact oil production)
This is a big reason why you might suddenly think, “Why is my skin so oily all of a sudden?” even if you never had oily skin before.
3. Over-Cleansing and Harsh Products
Here’s the twist a lot of people miss: sometimes the more you try to dry your skin out, the more oily it becomes. It becomes a vicious cycle. Kind of a classic catch 22.
Harsh cleansers, stripping toners, and constant exfoliating can damage your skin barrier and leave your skin dehydrated underneath. It feels tight and, maybe even itchy. Your skin then tries to “fix” it by pumping out even more sebum.
So your attempt at how to stop oily skin actually does the opposite. You might end up with more oil.
4. Climate and Environment
Humidity and heat can make oily skin feel ten times worse. In warmer months or in more humid climates, your skin naturally produces more sweat and often more oil as well.
If you’ve ever noticed, “Why is my face so oily in the summer but not in winter?” that’s your environment at work.
5. Heavy or Comedogenic Products
Rich, heavy creams and certain oils can sit on top of oily skin like a suffocating blanket. If a product is too occlusive or comedogenic, it can trap sebum and debris inside your pores, leading to more shine and more breakouts.
Why Is My Skin So Oily All of a Sudden?
When your skin suddenly changes, it can feel extra alarming. If you’re used to “normal” or even dry skin and suddenly you’re asking, “Why is my skin so oily all of a sudden?” here are a few common reasons why you might be facing the change:
-
New skincare or makeup products: Especially anything super occlusive, heavily fragranced, or not meant for your skin type.
-
Hormonal shifts: New birth control, stopping birth control, pregnancy, perimenopause, or major stress.
-
Weather changes: Moving to a more humid place or entering summer can wake up your oil glands.
-
Over-exfoliation: Too many acids or scrubs can trigger more oil as your skin tries to protect itself.
-
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water or using very drying products can leave your skin parched, which can quickly kick sebum production into gear.
If the change is extreme, long-lasting, or comes with other symptoms (like hair changes or sudden acne all over your body), it’s always a good idea to check in with a dermatologist or healthcare provider to rule out other causes of oily skin.
Can You Actually “Stop” Oily Skin?
Let’s be honest about oily skin, you’re not going to shut off sebum production entirely. Also, you don’t want to stop your skin’s oil production either. Oil is part of your skin’s natural protection system.
The real goal isn’t to completely stop oily skin, it’s to balance it. You want to keep your oil production in a more manageable range. Your goal is to reduce clogged pores and breakout.
If your skin is less oily then your makeup will stay on longer which is a perk.
So when you search for how to stop oily skin, what you’re really looking for is the right skincare routine and habits to calm things down your skin’s sebum production and keep the shine under control.
The Core Routine for Oily Skin: What Actually Helps
The right routine can completely change the way your oily skin behaves. You don’t need 15 steps. You just need smart ones to get ahead of the oil.
Let’s walk through a simple routine built around some Eight Saints products that play really well with oily, easily congested skin so you can find balance and peace.
1. Gentle Gel Cleanser (Morning & Night)
For oily skin, you want a cleanser for oily skin that completely removes excess sebum, sunscreen, and makeup without damaging your skin’s often fragile barrier.
That’s where Down to Earth Gel Cleanser comes in.
Why it works for oily skin:
-
It’s a face wash for oily skin that actually feels refreshing instead of harsh.
-
Gel textures are usually a sweet spot for oily or combination skin, they cleanse thoroughly without leaving that squeaky, tight, over-stripped feeling.
-
When your skin isn’t being stripped, it’s less likely to over-produce oil later in the day.
Use it morning and night for best results. Massage into damp skin for about 30 seconds, then rinse and pat dry.
2. Clarifying Toner to Keep Pores Happy
A lot of toners are just scented water or straight-up alcohol, which oily skin does not need and which can actually damage your skin.
Coast Is Clear Face Toner is designed to gently refine and clarify without turning your face into the Sahara desert.
Why it’s great in an oily skin routine:
-
Helps sweep away leftover residue after cleansing
-
Can help minimize the look of pores over time by keeping them clean
-
Preps your skin to better absorb the next steps
Apply it with a cotton pad or press it in with your hands after cleansing. Always avoid your immediate eye area.
3. Lightweight Serum for Bright, Balanced Skin
Oily skin loves a good serum, especially something that’s hydrating and brightening without being greasy.
Enter Seeking C Vitamin C Serum.
Why it fits perfectly into a skincare routine for oily skin:
-
Vitamin C helps brighten dullness and support collagen
-
A well-formulated serum absorbs quickly instead of sitting on top like a film
-
It works underneath your moisturizer and sunscreen without making you look shiny
A few drops pressed into your skin after toner in the morning can help your complexion look more even and less “tired greasy,” more “healthy glow.”
4. Yes, You Still Need Moisturizer (Seriously)
One of the biggest myths about oily skin is that you shouldn’t use moisturizer.
Skipping moisturizer is actually one of the fastest paths to your skin overcompensating with more oil. If the surface is dehydrated, your skin just keeps sending out sebum as backup.
The trick is choosing the best moisturizer for oily skin: something lightweight, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic.
Daydreamer Face Moisturizer checks that box.
Why it works for oily skin:
-
Lightweight hydration that doesn’t feel heavy or waxy
-
Helps keep your skin barrier happy, so your sebum doesn’t have to fight so hard
-
Layers well under sunscreen and makeup
Apply a small amount morning and night after your serum. If you’re extra oily in the T-zone, you can use a little less there and a touch more on any areas that feel dehydrated.
The key is understanding what causes oily skin for you. Whether it’s your hormones, your products, or your environment. Then you can start building a routine that respects your skin instead of battling it.
Use a gentle cleanser for oily skin like Down to Earth Gel Cleanser, a refining step with Coast Is Clear Face Toner, a brightening serum like Seeking C Vitamin C Serum, and a lightweight, barrier-supportive hydrator like Daydreamer Face Moisturizer can make a huge difference in how your oily skin looks and feels day to day.