Oily skin in men: why your forehead shines and which moisturiser to use
THE QUICK ANSWER
Oily skin is skin that makes more sebum than it needs, mostly in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin). It's more common in men because testosterone fires up the sebaceous glands, and heat, humidity and stress make it worse.
Yes, oily skin still needs moisturising. Sebum is oil and hydration is water: your face can be shiny and dehydrated at the same time. What changes is the cream: a light texture (gel or water-cream) with humectants like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and powders that help soak up shine, such as silica or nylon-12.
The routine fits in three steps: gentle cleanser morning and night, a salicylic acid exfoliator 2-3 times a week and a light moisturiser during the day. At Siwon, that's Splash Foam Party to cleanse and Dragon Shot to moisturise without the shine.
If there's one men's skin drama that has us sweating every single year… it's oily skin. Feeling greasier than the deep fryer at a kebab shop at 2am, shinier than the napkins at a beach bar after a plate of calamari, more reflective than the stickers on the bumper cars at the funfair or your mum's phone screen in the cinema…
And shine never travels alone: blackheads, enlarged pores (the famous orange-peel texture), that feeling of going through life with a lubricated face…
So today we're putting on the lab coat ⚗️ to explain why you have oily skin, which cream to use and how to look after it so you're not walking around with a sign on your forehead that reads "Caution: wet floor". Let's get into it.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- My skin is really oily: is that normal?
- Why me? What causes oily skin
- Oily, combination or dehydrated skin?
- Does oily skin need moisturiser?
- Which moisturiser to use if you have oily skin
- The 3-step routine for oily skin
- Mistakes that make you shine even more
- When it's a job for a dermatologist
- FAQs
My skin is really oily: is that normal or should I be worried?
Oily… as in… could-fry-an-egg-on-your-forehead oily? Let's start by getting our facts straight… Science mode in 3, 2, 1… 🔬
FACT: generally speaking (this is statistics, not sociology), men have oilier skin, more prone to seborrhoea, than women.
Seborrhoea comes from sebum: a mix of waxes, triglycerides, fatty acids and squalene made by your sebaceous glands that, like engine oil, keeps us running without seizing up. Basically, it makes everything slide off us (environmental aggressors, comments from haters…).
Oily skin in two lines
Your skin produces sebum 24/7 to keep its defences up. When it overdoes it, that's what we call excess sebum, or oily skin. It shows most in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), because that's where we have the most sebaceous glands.
And why more in men? Sebaceous glands respond to androgens, and the main one is testosterone. Studies that measure facial oil with instruments find, on average, more sebum in men than in women, larger pores and an output that slowly drops with age.
The upside: your defences are fully loaded, and one study suggests forehead wrinkles are shallower where there are more sebaceous glands (not exactly a life insurance policy, mind you).
The downside: we don't love the look, and it usually comes with visible pores, blackheads and spots… in short, skin shinier than the door handle of a butcher's shop.
Why me? 😭 What causes oily skin
Mate, you shine… because you're a being of pure light. That, and because there's a handful of culprits you can blame for your oily skin:
- Genetics: just like in therapy, it's usually Dad and Mum's fault. The size and activity of your glands come largely factory-set.
- Hormones: puberty, sure, but everyday life too. Androgens keep the glands busy in adulthood, which is why oily skin doesn't disappear at 20 for a lot of men.
- Environment: city life, humid climate, hot season and outdoor activities that make you sweat = more concentrated essence than a Tour de France saddle. Skin makes more sebum in summer than in winter.
- The almighty stress: here we go again… Stress hormones also wind up your sebaceous glands.
- Diet: sugar, fat and alcohol… it shows on your face eventually. The strongest evidence links diets high in fast-release sugar to spots; between the fat on your plate and the oil on your forehead, the link is much less clear.
Sure, you can't swap out your family, your city or your habits overnight… but skincare has come up with a few fixes that really help with shine.
Oily, combination or dehydrated skin?
Before you buy anything, it's worth knowing what you've got, because the three get mixed up a lot and they don't need the same thing.
| How it looks | How it feels | What it needs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oily skin | Shine all over by mid-morning, visible pores, blackheads | Comfortable, sometimes sticky | Gentle cleanser and a light moisturiser with a matte finish |
| Combination skin | Shiny T-zone; normal or dry cheeks | Oily forehead, tight cheeks | Matte on the T-zone, a bit more hydration on the cheeks |
| Oily and dehydrated | Shiny, but looks dull or flaky | Tight after washing | Humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) and a cleanser that doesn't dry you out |
If you want the quick test (check your forehead in natural light mid-afternoon), you'll find it in matte or glow finish.
Does oily skin need moisturiser?
Yes, oily skin ALWAYS needs moisturising. Sebum is oil and hydration is water: they're two separate things, so your forehead can be shiny while your skin is dehydrated and tight.
The classic mistake is skipping the cream "because I'm shiny enough already" or stripping your face with harsh soaps. The result: tight, irritated skin, with the oil back within a few hours and the feeling that things are worse than before.
Heads up, there's a myth here: washing harder doesn't switch off the gland. Sebum production is mainly driven by hormones, not by soap. What you can control is not irritating your skin and giving it water in a texture that doesn't feel heavy.
You just need to MATCH with the right moisturiser, one that doesn't leave a sticky feel.
Which moisturiser to use if you have oily skin
This is where the marketing stops and the formula starts. Here's what we look for (and what we don't) in a cream for oily skin:
| Look for | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Light texture: gel, fluid or water-cream | Thick, buttery creams made for dry skin |
| Humectants that draw in water: hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Heavy oils and butters as the base of the formula |
| Niacinamide (vitamin B3), an ingredient studied for its effect on sebum | Loads of drying alcohol to "mattify" the brute-force way |
| Mattifying powders like silica or nylon-12, which help soak up surface shine | Thinking "oil free" on the label guarantees anything on its own |
| "Non-comedogenic" as a hint it's not designed to clog | Using your dad's cream "because it's really good" |
About niacinamide: in a 2006 study, a moisturiser with 2% niacinamide reduced facial sebum production at 2 and 4 weeks compared with placebo in Japanese volunteers, and surface oil at 6 weeks in Caucasian volunteers. That's evidence about the ingredient, not about any specific product.
And if you'll allow us an EPIC recommendation (hugely biased, it's ours after all)… our Dragon Shot moisturiser is the day cream made for exactly this: a water-cream texture that doesn't feel sticky, Silica Nylon-12 for shine, hyaluronic acid for water, plus niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E and dragon's blood in the background. It helps keep your face matte, so you're not catching your reflection in every shop window on your way out to conquer the world.
One detail: Dragon Shot has no SPF. If you'll be out in the sun, the one in the range with a matte finish and UV filters is Handsomefyer Sun.
Oily skin routine: 1, 2, 3 little steps
-
Cleanse without drying out (morning and night)
Your mum always said it: a clean face is worth more than 1,000 nudes… okay, maybe not in those exact words, but the moral's the same.
That said, don't trust washing-up liquid or harsh soaps that leave you looking like a lizard. Better to use something made for your face that sends the shine, sweat, dirt and all your worries down the drain without leaving your skin tight, like our pore-unclogging hero Splash Foam Party (you use it in the shower, zero excuses).
-
Exfoliate your pores 2-3 times a week
A good exfoliation helps your pores look less visible and brings back that smooth-as-a-peach effect you love so much. Exfoliating removes the layer of dead cells that builds up on the surface and sends your skin a clear message: get to work, and make it snappy.
For oily skin, the star ingredient is salicylic acid: it dissolves in oil, so it gets inside the pore and clears it from within. You'll find it in our Coffee Crush exfoliator, which smells like morning coffee (currently sold out). Start with 2-3 times a week and see how your skin reacts.
-
Finish with a shine-free shot of hydration
Then, a shot of moisturiser. Yes, even with oily skin. A water-cream texture like Dragon Shot hydrates without leaving a film and helps keep your face matte through the day.
Out in the sun? Then there's a fourth step in the morning: sun protection with a matte finish, because oily skin burns too.
Mistakes that make you shine even more
- Washing your face five times a day. Twice is plenty (morning and night, plus once more if you've had a proper sweat). More washing = tighter skin, not less oil.
- Using shower gel or hand soap on your face. They're made for different skin and tend to dry it out.
- Skipping moisturiser because you're shiny enough already.
- Squeezing blackheads. The pore gets inflamed and the mark lasts longer than the spot.
- Borrowing your dad's cream, made for dry skin.
- Scrubbing your face with toilet paper mid-afternoon. To get rid of shine, blotting paper and a few light dabs work better.
When oily skin is a job for a dermatologist
Skincare helps with shine, pores and blackheads. If you also notice any of the following, book an appointment with a dermatologist:
- Redness and flaking on your eyebrows, around the sides of your nose or in the beard area.
- Painful, deep spots, or ones that leave marks.
- A sudden change in your skin with no explanation, or one that starts when you begin taking a medication.
Don't let oily skin dim your bling-bling
There's nothing more everyday than a bit of shine, oil, imperfections… on your face.
But no amount of shine in the world can outshine how much you want to look after yourself, feel good in your own skin and head out turning heads with that face ❤️🔥
Let the plans shine, and the laughter too,
the forehead stays matte, the rest is up to you.
€25.99
Splash Foam Party
Foaming face cleanser. Removes dirt and helps unclog pores without leaving your skin tight.
- Foam you can use in the shower
- Helps unclog pores
- Cleanses gently
- For oily or combination skin
SOLD OUT
Coffee Crush
Face exfoliator with salicylic acid that helps unclog pores. €27.99. Currently sold out.
- Salicylic acid
- For blackheads and spots
- Smells like morning coffee
- For oily or combination skin
€27.99
Dragon Shot
The day moisturiser for guys who shine and want zero colour on their face.
- Shine-control silica and nylon-12
- Light water-cream, 75 ml
- Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- No SPF
P.S. This post is brought to you by Dragon Shot: a water-cream day moisturiser with silica and nylon-12 for shine, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Moisturise, mattify, out the door.
FAQs
Why is my skin so oily?
Because your sebaceous glands produce more sebum than your skin needs. Genetics, hormones (especially testosterone), heat and humidity, stress and, to a lesser extent, diet all play a part. It shows more in the T-zone because that's where most of the glands are.
Do men have oilier skin than women?
Generally, yes. Sebaceous glands respond to androgens, and studies that measure facial sebum find more oil on average in men than in women, along with larger pores.
Should you moisturise oily skin?
Yes. Sebum is oil and hydration is water: skin can be shiny and dehydrated at the same time. The key is texture: a gel or light water-cream, with humectants like hyaluronic acid and no heavy oils.
What's a good moisturiser for oily skin?
One with a light texture (gel or water-cream), non-comedogenic, with humectants such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, niacinamide and, if you want a matte finish, powders like silica or nylon-12. At Siwon, that's Dragon Shot.
Does washing your face a lot make it oilier?
Washing more doesn't switch off your glands: sebum production depends mainly on hormones. What it does do is leave your skin tight and irritated, and the oil comes back within a few hours. Twice a day with a gentle cleanser is enough.
How do I get rid of shine on my face during the day?
Use a mattifying moisturiser in the morning and, if you're shiny again by mid-afternoon, dab with blotting paper instead of rubbing. Washing your face with soap again in the office toilets won't help.
Does oily skin go away with age?
It usually improves, because sebum production slowly drops over the years. In men it drops more slowly, so plenty still have a shiny T-zone past 40.
Keep reading
- Matte finish or glow finish: which finish suits your face and how to work out your skin type.
- Cleansers: wax on, wax off: how to choose what you wash your face with.
- Exfoliation basics: how to exfoliate without overdoing it.
- Why isn't this cream working for me?: how long a cream takes to actually do something.
Where do I start?
If you only change one thing, make it this: soap out, gentle cleanser in, and moisturiser is non-negotiable. With Splash Foam Party and Dragon Shot you've got steps 1 and 3 covered; step 2 is Coffee Crush, as soon as it's back.
Siwon
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