Oily skin is primarily caused by the hyperactivity of sebaceous glands located in the dermis layer of the skin. These glands produce sebum, an oily substance that helps protect and moisturise the skin. The mechanism behind oily skin involves the stimulation of these sebaceous glands by androgens, which are hormones present in both males and females.

When androgens bind to receptors on the sebaceous glands, they trigger an increase in sebum production. This overproduction leads to an accumulation of oil on the skin’s surface, which can mix with dead skin cells and other debris, potentially clogging pores and resulting in acne. The regulation of sebum production is a complex process influenced by hormonal signals and cellular activity within the sebaceous glands.

It is quite easy to identify oily skin, and this includes:

• Appearance: the skin appears shiny throughout, particularly the t-zone area, and often has a greasy film.
• Breakouts: the skin is prone to breakouts, and acne blemishes.
• Feel: the skin feels greasy to the touch.
• Pores: the skin has enlarged pores that are clearly visible.
• Wrinkles: the skin has fewer visible wrinkles.

In Singapore, there are certain factors that make one more susceptible to oily skin, such as:

• Diet: people who consume a lot of sugar, and simple carbohydrates are prone to oily skin, as a high-glycemic diet stimulates sebum production.
• Genetics: individuals with a family history of oily skin are more likely to inherit overactive sebaceous glands.
• Hormonal imbalance: people with high levels of androgens (estrogens for women, and testosterone for men) often have overactive sebum production, which causes the skin to appear oilier, and feel greasier.
• Humid climate: people who reside in humid climates are at a higher risk of developing oily skin and flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema.
• Ethnicity: people with Indian, or African ancestry are more prone to having enlarged pores, which often appear larger with age.
• Puberty: adolescents who are going through puberty are more likely to have oily skin, as growth hormones are at their peak during adolescence.
• Stress: people who experience high levels of stress often have oily skin because stress releases a wave of hormones into the bloodstream, thereby exacerbating acne.

At Harmony Therapeutics, our aesthetic doctors often diagnose oily skin through a combination of visual examination, medical and lifestyle assessments, and a thorough consultation with the client. Generally, the process entails:

• Initial consultation: the process starts with our doctor having an in-depth conversation with you to learn about your skin concerns, environment, family history, medical history, and lifestyle habits. This way, our doctors will be able to determine the root cause of your oily skin.
• Visual examination: our doctor will then perform a visual examination to identify visible signs of oily skin, distinguish it from a combination skin type, and confirm a diagnosis. This will include a shiny, or greasy appearance and enlarged pores.
• Blotting test: in some cases, our doctor may use blotting sheets to determine the severity of your oily skin.
• Customised treatment plan: once all the information has been gathered, our doctor will then formulate a customised skincare plan to help improve your skin health, by reducing and controlling sebum production, which can improve oily skin types. These treatments can include medical facials, and skincare products.

It is possible to self-diagnose oily skin; however, it can easily be mistaken for a combination skin type. Obtaining the right diagnosis is essential, as a misdiagnosis can lead to using incorrect skincare products, which could further aggravate oily skin, leading to more breakouts, and acne blemishes.

While it is impossible (and discouraged) to eliminate oil from the skin, the key focus in treating oily skin is to control and manage sebum production. Since overproduction of sebum can lead to skin issues such as acne breakouts, blemishes, and clogged pores, it is important to get it under control.

At Harmony Therapeutics, we offer the following medical facial treatments for oily skin:

• Purity facial: our purity facial is tailored to cater to clients with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types. The treatment incorporates the use of AQUASURE deep cleansing programme, which has the benefits of healing, and antibacterial light therapy. Our customised medical grade facial treatment consists of a unique extraction process that uses natural anti-inflammatory, and oil-control ingredients to unclog pores and reduce blemishes without exacerbating further breakouts.
• Vitality facial: our vitality facial is the perfect pick-me-up for clients who are looking for an instant boost. The treatment is a one-size-fits-all facial treatment that incorporates the AQUAPURE facial process, which consists of deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and intensive nourishment that leaves the skin feeling hydrated, refreshed, and clean. As the treatment can effectively clean the skin of impurities, the use of AQUAPURE’s Uniform Spray Control Technology ensures the skincare ingredients are evenly distributed into the multiple layers of the skin.

We understand that oily skin can affect one’s emotional, and mental health, even more so when it carries the risk of acne breakouts and potentially causes rough skin texture. With our result-oriented medical facials, we can help control your sebum production to lessen the possibility of acne breakouts, and blemishes.

Contact us today to discover which treatment best addresses your skin concerns.