Oily skin generally appears “shiny” with no dry areas. Also known as seborrhoea, oily skin is caused by overactive oil-producing (sebaceous) glands, which cause the face to appear shiny (especially on the chin, nose, and forehead). People with oily skin often have enlarged pores, making their skin more prone to blackheads, pimples and acne.
There are actually two types of oily skin:

• Oily skin which exudes oil, causing a shiny and wet appearance. This is known as seborrhoea oleosa.
• Oily skin in which a conglomeration of hardened sebum and dead cells remains within the skin’s follicles. As a result, the outer layer of the skin paradoxically has a dry feel and can be mistaken for dry skin. This is known as seborrhea sicca.

People with oily skin are more prone to acne and oily hair.

Caring for Oily Skin
Oily skin requires careful cleansing using hot water to prevent clogging of the pores. Hot water dissolves skin oil better than warm or cold water.
If you have oily skin you should avoid using harsh products that strip your skin of its natural oils and which may cause flakiness. Using harsh products on oily skin can cause the skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands to work overtime to compensate for the stripping of natural oils. This can lead to a problem known as reactive seborrhoe which actually exacerbates skin oilines.
When you cleanse oily skin you should use oil-based products. Although this may sound counter-productive, it should be noted that oil-based products help to dissolve sebum.
Although you should keep your skin as clean as possible, face washing should be limited to two or three times per day as excessive washing can stimulate the production of even more oil.
If you have oily skin that is also scaly, you can correct this by using an exfoliant every second night, followed by a light coating of moisturiser.
Clay or mud masks can be useful. If your oily skin is also sensitive white clay may be your best option.

Dietary changes for Oily Skin
High-protein diets can be useful for treating oily skin. You should reduce your intake of sugar and salt. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins.
Reduce your intake of fats and especially avoid deep-fried foods.