Why Is My Skin So Oily? (And why stripping it makes it worse)
By La Reina Aesthetics
The Frustration
If your skin feels:
shiny by midday
greasy even after cleansing
clogged but tight
oily and sensitive
This is more common than you think — and it doesn’t mean your skin is unhealthy.
The Truth About Oily Skin
Oil is not the enemy.
Your skin produces sebum to:
protect itself
prevent moisture loss
support the skin barrier
Oily skin becomes a problem only when oil production is out of balance.
Why Your Skin Is Overproducing Oil
Common triggers include:
over-cleansing
drying or alcohol-based products
skipping moisturizer
aggressive exfoliation
hormonal fluctuations
a weakened skin barrier
Your skin isn’t being difficult — it’s compensating.
Stripping Creates More Oil
When too much oil is removed:
the barrier becomes compromised
water escapes the skin
inflammation increases
To protect itself, your skin responds by producing even more oil.
This is why harsh routines often make oily skin worse.
Oily Does Not Mean Hydrated
Many oily skin types are actually dehydrated.
Dehydrated skin:
lacks water, not oil
feels tight under surface shine
produces excess sebum to compensate
Hydration and oil are two different things.
What Oily Skin Actually Needs
Balanced oily skin benefits from:
gentle cleansing
lightweight hydration
barrier-supporting ingredients
controlled, not aggressive, exfoliation
Healthy skin responds best to support — not stripping.
When Balance Is Restored
When your skin feels safe and supported:
oil production normalizes
shine reduces naturally
breakouts calm
texture improves
Balanced skin doesn’t need to overreact.
Final Thought
Oily skin isn’t something to fight.
It’s something to understand.
When you stop trying to control your skin and start supporting it,
your skin begins to cooperate.
