Managing Oily Skin: How To Know, What To Do, and Why Drying It Out Doesn’t Work

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2 minute read

In this post, we’re going to break down:

• What oily skin actually is (and how to tell if you have it)

• Why your skin might be oily and dehydrated at the same time

• The real connection between stress, oil production, and breakouts

• Common mistakes that make oily skin worse

• What to do instead

• When to book a consultation and what we’ll cover

Let’s get into it.

THE BASICS;

Oily skin means your skin produces more oil (called sebum) than necessary. Sebum is a natural, protective oil—similar to the jojoba oil in our ;REFLECT body butter. Some oil is good. It comes from little openings in your skin called pores. Sebum helps protect your skin and keep it soft. But too much can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and that midday shine that no powder seems to fix.

Here are some signs your skin might be oily:

• You feel greasy or shiny by early afternoon

• Makeup or sunscreen slide off easily

• You get frequent blackheads or breakouts

• Pores look large, especially around your nose and forehead

• You’ve been told to “just wash your face more” (sigh)

Here’s the thing: oily skin often gets misdiagnosed or mistreated. Most people try to dry it out with harsh products—and their skin just responds by producing more oil to compensate.

But here's the good news: oily skin tends to age more slowly than dry or even “normal” skin types. That natural oil acts like a built-in moisturizer, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and keeping the skin looking plump over time.

THE STRESS FACTOR;

Stress and oily skin go hand in hand. When you feel worried or overwhelmed, your body makes something called cortisol(say: core-tuh-saul). Cortisol is a stress hormone, and it tells your skin to make more oil.

That’s why you might get a breakout before something important, or notice your skin feels extra greasy when life feels heavy.

Your skin isn’t acting out—it’s reacting. Just like your mind gets tired or tense, your skin does too. It needs care, not harsh treatment.

Stress doesn’t only live in your head. It can show up on your face. And no cleanser can fix that all by itself.

THE MISTAKES;

Let’s talk about what not to do:

❌ Skipping moisturizer
❌ Using foaming or alcohol-heavy cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight
❌Using toners or face pads with strong acids too often

🔍 Acids in skincare can be helpful. They’re ingredients that exfoliate your skin—meaning they help remove dead skin cells and clear out your pores. But when they’re too strong, or used too often, they can strip your skin. That leaves your face dry, tight, or red—and makes your skin push out even more oil to protect itself

❌ Thinking oily = dirty

These approaches just throw your skin further off balance. When you strip it, it panics. And panicked skin is reactive skin.

THE SHIFT;

The goal is not to get rid of all your oil. You need some.

Here’s what to do to manage your oil:

✔️ Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser (this cleanser is a great start!)
✔️ Moisturize—yes, really. Light gels or hydrating serums work well.
✔️ Add calming steps: think niacinamide, green tea, or panthenol
✔️ Pay attention to your stress levels and sleep habits
✔️ Stop guessing—book a consultation with me and let’s figure it out

Managing your stress helps more than you think. If your skin flares up every time life gets heavy, your nervous system might need care too.

👉🏾 A personalized skincare consultation can help you know your skin type for sure, build a routine that works with your skin, and avoid wasting money on products that only make things worse.

FINAL THOUGHTS;

Oily skin isn’t a flaw. It’s just a skin type—and one that can absolutely be managed when you stop treating it like the enemy.

Understanding your skin is the first step. Supporting it is the second. And both get easier when you have help.

Your skin is communicating. It’s not always loud, but it is consistent.
Let’s learn to listen.

Coming Up Next: What is Sugaring?