Why Your Skin Gets Oily — and How to Stop It!

Why Your Skin Gets Oily — and How to Stop It!

Ever wondered why your skin feels greasy no matter how often you wash your face? You’re not alone. Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns worldwide, affecting both men and women of all ages. While it’s often dismissed as a minor cosmetic issue, excess oil production can lead to acne, clogged pores, dullness, and even uneven skin tone.

Understanding why your skin gets oily — and how to bring it back into balance — is key to achieving that healthy, glowing, and oil-free complexion.

What Causes Oily Skin?

1. Overactive Sebaceous Glands

Your skin contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, a natural oil that keeps your skin moisturized and protected. However, when these glands go into overdrive, they produce more oil than your skin needs. This excess oil sits on the surface, giving you that shiny appearance and making your skin prone to clogged pores and acne.

2. Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormones, particularly androgens, play a big role in oil production. During puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or even stress, hormonal changes can cause your sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum.

In Ayurveda, this imbalance is linked to an aggravation of Pitta dosha, which governs heat, metabolism, and hormonal activity.

3. Wrong Skincare Products

Using harsh cleansers or alcohol-based toners can strip your skin of its natural oils. This sends a signal to your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil, worsening the problem. Similarly, heavy creams or pore-clogging makeup can trap oil and debris, leading to breakouts.

4. Environmental Factors

Hot, humid climates stimulate oil production. In India, where temperatures can soar, skin naturally becomes oilier due to increased sweat and humidity levels.

5. Genetics

If your parents had oily skin, chances are you will too. Genetic factors influence how large your sebaceous glands are and how much sebum they produce.

6. Diet

Fried foods, excess dairy, and sugar can worsen oily skin by increasing internal heat and stimulating oil glands. Ayurveda links these foods to Pitta imbalance, which increases inflammation and greasiness.

How Ayurveda Explains Oily Skin

In Ayurveda, your skin health is a mirror of your dosha balance — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Oily skin is usually a result of Pitta-Kapha aggravation.

Pitta Dosha (Fire + Water)

  • Governs metabolism, digestion, and body heat.
  • When aggravated, it increases skin inflammation, acne, and excessive oil secretion.

Kapha Dosha (Earth + Water)

  • Provides moisture and stability to the skin.
  • When imbalanced, it causes clogging, stickiness, dullness, and greasy skin texture.

When both Pitta and Kapha are disturbed, your skin tends to become thick, oily, and acne-prone, especially around the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).

Ayurvedic Symptoms of Oily Skin

  • Greasy texture even after washing
  • Enlarged pores
  • Frequent whiteheads or blackheads
  • Dull complexion
  • Acne or pustules, especially in humid weather

General Medical Tips to Manage Oily Skin

1. Gentle Cleansing

Use a mild, pH-balanced cleanser twice a day. Over-cleansing strips away natural oils, prompting your skin to produce even more sebum.

2. Exfoliate Regularly

Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells that trap oil and bacteria. Choose mild, non-abrasive scrubs.

3. Use Lightweight Moisturizers

Even oily skin needs hydration. Opt for oil-free or gel-based moisturizers to balance the skin barrier.

4. Apply Sunscreen

Excess oil can make sunscreen feel heavy, but skipping it is a mistake. Go for matte-finish, non-comedogenic SPF to protect your skin from UV-induced oiliness and pigmentation.

5. Blotting Papers

Keep blotting papers handy to remove excess oil without disturbing your makeup or skin’s natural moisture balance.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Oily Skin

1. Cleansing with Herbal Powders

Ayurveda discourages the use of chemical-based soaps for oily skin. Instead, use herbal ubtans made from:

  • Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth): Absorbs oil and cleanses pores.
  • Sandalwood (Chandan): Calms Pitta and reduces inflammation.
  • Neem Powder: Purifies and removes acne-causing bacteria.
  • Turmeric (Haldi): Balances sebum and adds glow.

How to use:
Mix equal parts of Multani Mitti and sandalwood powder with rose water. Apply as a paste on your skin for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

2. Ayurvedic Toners

Instead of alcohol-based toners, try:

  • Rose Water (Gulab Jal): Natural astringent that tightens pores.
  • Cucumber Juice: Cools and hydrates Pitta skin types.
  • Tulsi Water: Detoxifies and purifies skin layers.

3. Herbal Steam Therapy (Swedana)

Taking mild facial steam infused with neem leaves or tulsi helps unclog pores and remove deep-seated oil. Do it once a week to allow your skin to breathe.

4. Ayurvedic Internal Cleansing (Detox)

Internal heat buildup aggravates Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma therapy, especially Virechana (therapeutic purgation), to remove excess heat and toxins from the liver and skin.

Home Detox Tip:
Drink warm water infused with triphala powder daily. It supports liver health and balances Pitta for clearer skin.

5. Herbal Oils and Masks

Though it sounds counterintuitive, applying certain light Ayurvedic oils helps balance sebum production.

  • Jojoba Oil: Mimics natural sebum and regulates gland activity.
  • Kumkumadi Tailam: Enhances complexion and balances oiliness.
  • Aloe Vera Gel + Neem: Works as a natural, non-greasy moisturizer.

Diet and Lifestyle Tips (Modern + Ayurvedic Approach)

1. Eat Pitta- and Kapha-Pacifying Foods

  • Include cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, coconut water, bitter gourd, and leafy greens.
  • Avoid spicy, fried, oily, and sugary foods.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of room-temperature water. Ayurveda emphasizes sipping water throughout the day rather than gulping large amounts at once.

3. Follow a Regular Sleep Schedule

Poor sleep increases cortisol, which can trigger excess sebum production. A consistent sleep pattern supports hormonal and skin balance.

4. Manage Stress

Practice yoga, pranayama (breathing techniques), or meditation daily. Stress aggravates Pitta, directly impacting skin oil balance.

5. Regular Detox Routines

Try seasonal detox with herbal teas made from turmeric, tulsi, and licorice. It helps purify blood and control internal heat that leads to oil secretion.

DIY Ayurvedic Face Packs for Oily Skin

1. Neem-Turmeric Pack

  • 1 tsp neem powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp rose water
    Mix into a paste, apply for 15 minutes, and wash off. It removes bacteria and excess oil.

2. Multani Mitti & Lemon Mask

Balances Pitta and cleanses pores for an oil-free glow.

3. Aloe Vera & Tulsi Gel

Soothes inflamed skin, reduces acne, and hydrates without oiliness.

When to Seek Expert Help

If your oily skin is accompanied by persistent acne, large pores, or pigmentation, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner. They may suggest Raktamokshana (blood purification therapy) or customized herbal formulations to detoxify the body from within.

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Blog Author: Dr. Ramchandra Konduskar

Expert Review: Dr Smita Pankaj Naram 

Co-Founder, Ayushakti Ayurved Pvt Ltd

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before trying or consuming any medicines, home remedies or treatments mentioned in this blog. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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