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The Impact of Hormones
on Oil Production
on Oil Production
and What It Means for Your Skin
You're not alone if you've ever questioned why your chin breaks out during stressful weeks or why your skin feels suddenly oilier just before your period. We may not realise how much our skin responds to our bodies. Additionally, our pores are frequently the first to react when hormones change.
The body uses hormones as messengers. They subtly control our mood, appetite, sleep patterns, and yes, even the quantity of oil our skin produces. Although we may not consider it often, hormones and skin are closely related. The first step to managing your skin instead of continuously trying to fix it is to realise this connection.
Why Your Skin Produces Oil in the First Place
Sebum, a type of oil, is produced by your skin naturally. Its primary function is to hydrate and protect, and it is produced in microscopic glands beneath the skin. Sebum improves the skin barrier, keeps your skin supple, and even aids in the fight against bacteria. This oil is beneficial when balanced.
The problem starts when your skin produces more oil than it needs. Excess oil can become trapped in your pores when it combines with dead skin cells. Breakouts occur when bacteria are involved. Skin can become more reactive, feel greasy, or appear shiny even in the absence of breakouts.
However, what causes your skin to produce more oil? Your hormones are often in charge.
The problem starts when your skin produces more oil than it needs. Excess oil can become trapped in your pores when it combines with dead skin cells. Breakouts occur when bacteria are involved. Skin can become more reactive, feel greasy, or appear shiny even in the absence of breakouts.
However, what causes your skin to produce more oil? Your hormones are often in charge.
Pay attention to how your skin changes throughout the month—understanding your hormonal patterns can help you care for your skin more gently and effectively.
The Relationship Between Hormones
Androgens, such as testosterone, have the strongest effect on oil production among the numerous hormones that affect your skin. These hormones instruct your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum by working harder.
Although androgens are present in both men and women, women typically experience more pronounced fluctuations, particularly during periods, pregnancy, or significant life transitions like the perimenopause. This phenomenon implies that our skin may seem to be changing all the time, which is frequently the case.
Oil production tends to be balanced when oestrogen levels are high. However, the oil-regulating effect diminishes when oestrogen levels drop, such as just before your period or during perimenopause. The extra shine and breakouts appear when androgens take over.
Androgens, such as testosterone, have the strongest effect on oil production among the numerous hormones that affect your skin. These hormones instruct your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum by working harder.
Although androgens are present in both men and women, women typically experience more pronounced fluctuations, particularly during periods, pregnancy, or significant life transitions like the perimenopause. This phenomenon implies that our skin may seem to be changing all the time, which is frequently the case.
Oil production tends to be balanced when oestrogen levels are high. However, the oil-regulating effect diminishes when oestrogen levels drop, such as just before your period or during perimenopause. The extra shine and breakouts appear when androgens take over.
When (and Why) It Occurs
You might notice a pattern to your skin’s oiliness. The days before menstruation cause the skin to become noticeably greasier and more prone to breakouts for many women. Some people discover that their skin changes during stressful emotional periods or in the early stages of pregnancy.
The perimenopause comes next. Hormone levels start to change more significantly in your 40s. That means drier skin for some women. For others, it signifies the abrupt resurgence of acne and oily skin that they believed they had shed during their adolescence. It's normal, but confusing.
Stress even has an impact. Your body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that can also indirectly increase oil production, when you're under pressure. Prolonged stress can upset the balance of the entire hormonal system, causing the skin to feel erratic.
How Does Hormonal Oiliness Appear?
Hormonal oiliness does not always affect the entire face. The traditional hormonal breakout area—the chin, jawline, and lower cheeks—is frequently where it is most noticeable. You might feel like your skin is producing more oil even though you haven’t changed your routine. Unlike surface-level whiteheads, pimples are typically deeper and more sensitive.
Hormones are probably a major factor if your skin feels comparatively calm at some times of the month and flares up like clockwork at others.
How You Can Handle It
Eliminating all oil is not the aim. Oil is necessary for healthy skin. What you want is balance—enough oil to protect your skin, but not so much that your pores start to rebel.
Begin by using a gentle skincare regimen. When the skin feels oily, it may be tempting to scrub, strip, or dry it out, but doing so frequently backfires. Your skin believes it must produce even more oil to make up for the loss of oil. Use a mild cleanser instead, and don't forget to use moisturisers. Please ensure it is non-comedogenic and lightweight.
Products containing salicylic acid or niacinamide can help control oil and maintain clear pores. You can use them two or three times a week to see results without irritating your skin, so you don't have to use them daily.
Lifestyle is just as important as skincare. Stress, poor sleep, or poor eating habits can regularly trigger your hormones. Small adjustments, like prioritising sleep, taking breaks during the day, or just getting outside for a walk, can help balance more than just your mood.
It might be worthwhile to consult a dermatologist or physician if you are experiencing recurring hormonal breakouts. When topical solutions are insufficient, treatments such as specific birth control pills or drugs that block androgen receptors can provide relief.
It's not forever, and you're not alone.
The unpredictability of hormonal skin changes is one of their most challenging aspects. You may feel as though you're doing something incorrectly or that your skin is against you. In actuality, your skin is merely attempting to keep up with the changes that your body is making internally.
You're not the only one in your 30s who notices new oiliness after years of dryness or in your 40s who is taken aback by an unexpected surge in breakouts. These changes are common, and you can support your skin at every stage.
You don't have broken skin. Like you, it is dynamic, responsive, and constantly evolving.
Concluding remarks
Your skin's behaviour is always influenced by hormones. They affect your skin's healing, pore response, and oil production. However, you can begin to take better care of your skin with greater patience and clarity once you know how your hormones affect it.
Therefore, consider carefully before applying harsh treatments the next time your skin appears oilier than usual. It may not even be a skincare problem. It could simply be your body requesting a little more support, consistency, and kindness.
And we all deserve that.
You might notice a pattern to your skin’s oiliness. The days before menstruation cause the skin to become noticeably greasier and more prone to breakouts for many women. Some people discover that their skin changes during stressful emotional periods or in the early stages of pregnancy.
The perimenopause comes next. Hormone levels start to change more significantly in your 40s. That means drier skin for some women. For others, it signifies the abrupt resurgence of acne and oily skin that they believed they had shed during their adolescence. It's normal, but confusing.
Stress even has an impact. Your body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that can also indirectly increase oil production, when you're under pressure. Prolonged stress can upset the balance of the entire hormonal system, causing the skin to feel erratic.
How Does Hormonal Oiliness Appear?
Hormonal oiliness does not always affect the entire face. The traditional hormonal breakout area—the chin, jawline, and lower cheeks—is frequently where it is most noticeable. You might feel like your skin is producing more oil even though you haven’t changed your routine. Unlike surface-level whiteheads, pimples are typically deeper and more sensitive.
Hormones are probably a major factor if your skin feels comparatively calm at some times of the month and flares up like clockwork at others.
How You Can Handle It
Eliminating all oil is not the aim. Oil is necessary for healthy skin. What you want is balance—enough oil to protect your skin, but not so much that your pores start to rebel.
Begin by using a gentle skincare regimen. When the skin feels oily, it may be tempting to scrub, strip, or dry it out, but doing so frequently backfires. Your skin believes it must produce even more oil to make up for the loss of oil. Use a mild cleanser instead, and don't forget to use moisturisers. Please ensure it is non-comedogenic and lightweight.
Products containing salicylic acid or niacinamide can help control oil and maintain clear pores. You can use them two or three times a week to see results without irritating your skin, so you don't have to use them daily.
Lifestyle is just as important as skincare. Stress, poor sleep, or poor eating habits can regularly trigger your hormones. Small adjustments, like prioritising sleep, taking breaks during the day, or just getting outside for a walk, can help balance more than just your mood.
It might be worthwhile to consult a dermatologist or physician if you are experiencing recurring hormonal breakouts. When topical solutions are insufficient, treatments such as specific birth control pills or drugs that block androgen receptors can provide relief.
It's not forever, and you're not alone.
The unpredictability of hormonal skin changes is one of their most challenging aspects. You may feel as though you're doing something incorrectly or that your skin is against you. In actuality, your skin is merely attempting to keep up with the changes that your body is making internally.
You're not the only one in your 30s who notices new oiliness after years of dryness or in your 40s who is taken aback by an unexpected surge in breakouts. These changes are common, and you can support your skin at every stage.
You don't have broken skin. Like you, it is dynamic, responsive, and constantly evolving.
Concluding remarks
Your skin's behaviour is always influenced by hormones. They affect your skin's healing, pore response, and oil production. However, you can begin to take better care of your skin with greater patience and clarity once you know how your hormones affect it.
Therefore, consider carefully before applying harsh treatments the next time your skin appears oilier than usual. It may not even be a skincare problem. It could simply be your body requesting a little more support, consistency, and kindness.
And we all deserve that.
