Definition
Oily skin and pimples are an everyday problem for many people. However, it is very difficult to give an exact definition, because everyone has a different feeling for pure and impure skin. Some people find even slightly oily skin disturbing, while others see it as more of an expression of acne.
In technical terminology, oily skin would probably be understood as an overproduction of sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands and serves the skin as a natural protective film. Excessive production is called seborrhea.
Pimples, in turn, are called comedones in technical terminology. These are clogged sebaceous gland follicles which empty a whitish content when pressure is applied. This is not pus, but sebum and horny cells.
Pustules can also be regarded as pimples. These skin symptoms are inflammatory and contain pus. However, the distinction between comedones and pustules is only relevant for the dermatologist. Both look the same to the person affected.
Causes of oily skin and pimples
The cause of an oily skin with pimples is a so-called seborrhea, which is an excessive sebum production of the skin. Sebum contains mainly skin lipids, which is why the skin in these areas usually appears shiny. The sebum is produced by sebaceous glands of the skin.
These are located on the hair follicles and are stimulated to produce sebum by various factors, including hormone levels. High concentrations of the hormones that are mainly responsible for the expression of the male sexual characteristics, namely the androgens, lead to increased sebum production and thus to oily skin. This mechanism is also one of the causes of oily skin in acne.
In women, the skin condition often worsens in the week before menstrual bleeding. This is also due to hormonal causes. In the case of acne, a cornification disorder of the skin also plays a major role in the development of pimples and impure skin.
This disorder causes the sebaceous glands to become clogged and blackheads to develop. The increased content of fats on the skin favors the multiplication of bacteria, which in turn promotes the development of pimples and blackheads. Many other factors are discussed that could be involved in oily skin and pimples.
These include, for example, the climate, diet or the intake of certain medications. Many medications such as glucocorticoids, some psychotropic drugs, androgens and anabolic steroids and some antibiotics can promote oily skin and pimples. The influence of diet is controversial.
It is often difficult to prove a connection. Genetic factors play a role in the development of oily skin and explain why some people are more affected and others less. Impure skin can also be caused by incorrect care or a lack of hygiene.
A common cause of impure skin is make-up residues that are not removed. Removing make-up at the end of the day is very important, as otherwise skin impurities can develop. Regular cleaning of make-up applicators and brushes should also not be neglected.
Nutrition is a very controversial issue when it comes to oily skin and pimples. Small fluctuations in skin appearance are quite normal and everyone experiences them in their lives: Sometimes you just have a few small pimples. These disappear again quickly.
However, some people suffer from regular and more severe skin blemishes. Such skin phenomena are then called acne. Oily skin through diet The influence of diet is highly controversial.
Some sources see a connection between a particularly oily, simply put “unhealthy”, diet. Others, however, do not see this as the cause; because the final scientific evidence is missing. Rather, it is an interplay of a wide variety of factors, including hormonal, climate-related and genetic factors, which lead to an oily skin appearance with pimples.
The consumption of fatty foods, dairy products or chocolate is therefore not the direct cause of oily skin. Ultimately, therefore, no clear recommendation can be made. If you personally notice that the skin condition deteriorates after eating various foods, you can try to avoid them.
Blackheads are unpleasant for many people.In technical terminology they are called comedones and occur especially in acne. But also people without a pronounced acne have small blackheads. They are most frequently found in the so-called T-zone, which consists of forehead, nose and chin.
Blackheads are clogged sebaceous gland follicles. Through excessive keratinization, the follicles become clogged and blackheads develop. A distinction is made between open and closed blackheads.
Closed blackheads empty whitish contents under pressure from the outside. Open blackheads appear as black spots on the face. This is due to the fact that the horn plug in the blackheads oxidizes and appears dark when it comes into contact with oxygen.
Blackheads can also appear on the entire face if the skin is oily and are then perceived as very annoying by most people affected. There are several ways to remove blackheads. Probably the most hygienic option is removal by a dermatologist or trained beautician, which makes sense especially when there are a lot of blackheads.
In domestic use, peelings can help against light blackheads. The skin type and condition of the skin depends to a large extent on the predisposition. Unfortunately, one cannot influence the predisposition or genetic makeup.
Whether or not the skin tends to have an oily complexion and large pores is largely subject to hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, certain fluctuations in the skin’s appearance are quite normal and often evaporate by themselves after a short time. In principle, large pores are caused by the channels of the sebaceous glands in the skin being widened by increased sebum production and excessive hornification.
In some people this is more, in others less the case. With good hygiene, however, you can counteract these skin processes somewhat. Always make sure to remove your make-up before going to bed and to remove any residues from your skin.
Even people who do not use make-up should cleanse their skin of the “day’s residues” in the evening. However, the jungle of products on the market often makes it difficult to find the right one for you. It is best to consult a dermatologist. Products containing fruit acid or sage and witch hazel can help to cleanse the pores. People with sensitive skin should be careful with products containing fruit acid – these can also irritate the skin.
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