Why is my face so oily?

Excess facial oil—clinically termed seborrhea—is primarily driven by overactivity of the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, an oily, waxy substance that lubricates skin and hair. This condition is most common during adolescence and early adulthood due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased androgen levels (e.g., testosterone and dihydrotestosterone), which directly stimulate sebaceous gland activity. Other contributing factors include genetic predisposition (e.g., familial tendency toward oily skin or acne), environmental influences such as high humidity or heat, use of comedogenic or occlusive skincare or cosmetic products, chronic stress (which elevates cortisol and can indirectly boost sebum production), and certain medications like corticosteroids or hormonal therapies. While oily skin itself is not pathological, it can predispose individuals to acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, or fungal overgrowth (e.g., Malassezia). A thorough evaluation—including assessment of onset, distribution, associated symptoms (e.g., flaking, redness, papules), and systemic review—is essential to distinguish primary seborrhea from secondary causes such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or Cushing’s syndrome—especially if accompanied by hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, or central obesity.