7 replies to this topic

[Lipslikesugar22]

Usually I've been pretty dry lately. And sometimes I can just go from being dry to kinda oily. LIke today. Anyways, how do you determine if "you're oily." I washed my face and moisturized today around 11 am. IT is now 9 pm. And I used a oily sheet (only needed one but the entire thing was covered). I don't think this is oily. We produce natural oil all the time plus me moisturizing.


I think it may have something to do with the peel that I just got. I peeled harcore yesterday. My skin looks fantastic and glowy. I'm also getting my period. I just noticed my skins a bit oily than usual. Just curious. I'm a skin fanatic.

But really. How do we determine if we're oily?

[X3Kell3X]

idk i just notice a sheen over my face that accumulates over the day and i can feel it. its tingly and gross. and plotting sheets of course. but honestly i can just see the oil build up on my face. and i know what it looks like without the oil cuz this is my second round of accutane and that shrinks ur oil glands. so i can see and feel it

[Siava]

Same here. It's a slick sheen. If you put your fingertips against your skin and they come away shiny and greasy, then that's oily.

[Lipslikesugar22]

hmmmm interesting. my skin is so weird.

[Brandy]

Moved to the Oily Skin Forum.

OP, my skin goes through phases each month. As I approach my time of the month, the oil increases. During my period, my skin is hardly oily at all. Then gradually as the month goes on the oil increases day by day. It's cyclical and predictable for me.

Humidity also plays a role in how "shiny" my skin will look. On humid days, my skin appears more oily and shiny.

[bryan]

Humidity also plays a role in how "shiny" my skin will look. On humid days, my skin appears more oily and shiny.

Right you are! Here's an excerpt from that 1958 study by Kligman and Shelley, the one that found that washing the skin has no effect on the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. It has to do with the observation they made that the level of moisture in and around the skin influences how "oily" it looks, and is one reason (among others) why I keep telling people that to test how much oil is on their skin after doing things like washing or using jojoba oil, etc., they need to test it scientifically with something like Sebutape test-strips, not just go by how oily it appears to be. Here's what Kligman and Shelley said, in part (the emphasis in italics is their own):

...While comparing lipoid deliveries in atropinized and non-atropinized sites of sweating subjects, we made an observation of clinical significance. Although visible oil droplets formed in the dry atropinized sites, the skin gave no evidence of being greasy or oily. In fact, it seemed quite dry. In the symmetrical sweating site, "oiliness" was a prominent feature. The clinical impression of oiliness is not an entirely reliable index of surface lipids. It is the presence of sweat which imparts the clinical appearance of oiliness. In fact, a little sweat goes a long way in creating the appearance of oiliness, provided, of course, some oil is present. Skin will look oilier when there is much water and little oil than when there is much oil and little water. How oily a subject will appear at any one time will be importantly influenced by the chance of his having recently sweated or of having been in an environment of high humidity...

Edited by bryan, 16 November 2010 - 04:32 AM.

[Michellica]

Usually I've been pretty dry lately. And sometimes I can just go from being dry to kinda oily. LIke today. Anyways, how do you determine if "you're oily." I washed my face and moisturized today around 11 am. IT is now 9 pm. And I used a oily sheet (only needed one but the entire thing was covered). I don't think this is oily. We produce natural oil all the time plus me moisturizing.


I think it may have something to do with the peel that I just got. I peeled harcore yesterday. My skin looks fantastic and glowy. I'm also getting my period. I just noticed my skins a bit oily than usual. Just curious. I'm a skin fanatic.

But really. How do we determine if we're oily?

This is what I've always been told by estheticians and cosmetic representives to determine what skin type I have and then pick makeup accordingly. I have oily skin unfortunately, which contributes to my breakouts :/.

"There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much -- or how little -- oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication, weather, and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty the New Basics," details the five different skin types. Here's how to tell what skin type you have.

Berg suggests you take the "skin test." Wash your face, pat it dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots and become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin.
Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics.

Type 1: Oily Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might experience some tightness.


Type 2: Combination/normal This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.


Type 3: Sensitive Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.


Type 4: Dry Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.


Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone -- especially around the cheeks and jawline -- with leathery texture and broken capillaries."

[Michellica]

By your description it sounds like you have combination/normal skin type.

Edited by Michellica, 16 November 2010 - 04:51 AM.