Oily Skin

Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce excess sebum — an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect the skin. While sebum is essential, too much can create a shiny appearance, clogged pores, and a higher risk for acne or bacterial overgrowth. Oily skin may show up in specific zones (like the T-zone) or be generalized across the face and body. It’s not inherently “bad,” but often reflects internal imbalances — especially hormonal, digestive, or detox-related. Oily skin increases the likelihood of clogged pores, which, when combined with bacteria and inflammation, can lead to acne. But not all people with oily skin get acne, especially if their detox pathways and skin microbiome are balanced.

• Location of Symptom

  Primarily affects the skin — especially on the face (forehead, nose, chin), scalp, chest, and upper back.

• Physiological Breakdown

  Think of your sebaceous glands like little oil dispensers under the skin. Their job is to release sebum — a protective, moisturizing oil — kind of like a built-in lotion that keeps your skin soft and waterproof. When the body is in balance, they know just how much to release.

  But when things go off — like hormones rising, blood sugar spiking, or your skin being over-stripped by products — it's like the thermostat gets broken. Now these oil dispensers start flooding the surface, even if the skin doesn’t need it.

  Here’s how different root causes affect this “oil factory”:

  Hormonal Imbalances (e.g. high androgens or PMS): signal sebaceous glands to go into overdrive. This can show up gradually (weeks) or cycle-based (days before a period).

  Poor Liver Detoxification: If the liver is sluggish, it can’t clear excess hormones or toxins properly. These get recycled and stimulate the skin. This is more gradual — often taking weeks to months to show up, especially with buildup.

  Overuse of Harsh Skincare: When you strip your skin too much, it panics and rebounds by producing more oil. This can happen within days.

  Blood Sugar & Insulin Surges: Spikes in sugar can increase inflammatory messengers that also increase sebum. This can affect the skin within hours to a few days.

  Chronic Stress: When stress hormones are elevated, they trigger oil glands as part of the “fight or flight” cascade. This effect may be immediate or chronic depending on stress load.

  So while oily skin may feel like “just a skin issue,” it’s actually your body trying to cool, protect, or purge through the surface — a process shaped by deeper metabolic patterns.

• Common Signs

  Your face feels greasy or shiny shortly after washing

  Makeup or sunscreen slides off easily

  Pores look enlarged or are prone to congestion

  You experience more acne or blackheads in oily areas

  Your scalp gets greasy within a day or two

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  Hormonal shifts (e.g., puberty, cycle imbalance, PCOS)

  Insulin resistance or high sugar intake

  High androgen levels or estrogen clearance issues

  Liver sluggishness or poor detox pathways

  Overuse of drying or stripping skincare

  Poor lymphatic flow or digestive stagnation

  Diet rich in inflammatory or poor-quality fats

  Imbalanced microbiome (skin or gut)

  Synthetic supplements or drug side effects (e.g., steroids, hormone treatments)

  Excessive stress → adrenal overstimulation → oil production

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Heat/Excitation — excess stimulation of glandular and metabolic processes leads to increased oil production, often paired with inflammation.

• Organ Systems Affected

  Integumentary System:

  Directly responsible for sebum production via sebaceous glands in the skin.

  Endocrine System:

  Hormones — especially androgens, estrogen, and insulin — regulate oil production. Imbalances here (like PCOS or insulin resistance) often contribute to excess sebum.

  Digestive System:

  Liver and gallbladder play major roles in hormone clearance and fat metabolism. Poor digestion can alter the quality of skin oils and increase overall skin burden.

  Lymphatic System:

  When the lymph is congested, skin may attempt to detox through the sebaceous glands, leading to oilier skin as a secondary route of elimination.

  Nervous System:

  Chronic stress (via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) increases cortisol and sympathetic activation, which can stimulate sebaceous gland activity.

  Immune System:

  If the skin is inflamed or the microbiome is imbalanced, immune cells may react excessively, contributing to flare-ups associated with oily skin (e.g., acne, seborrheic dermatitis).

Do you eat a lot of sugar, dairy, or processed fats that might be overactivating oil production? How is your hormonal rhythm (menstrual cycle, testosterone, insulin)? Have you been using overly harsh or drying skincare that could be backfiring? Is your liver, lymph, or bowel elimination sluggish or congested? Do you experience signs of inflammation or detox stress alongside oily skin? Oily skin is a messenger — not a flaw. It may be your body's way of showing that something inside is overheating, congested, or trying to self-regulate. If your skin is consistently oily and you’re unsure why, I invite you to book a personalized session with me. Together, we’ll explore your terrain and bring clarity to what your skin is trying to tell you.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance.