Why Does Oily Skin Age Better?

August 8, 2024 by Mani Pandey

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When it comes to aging, we all want to keep our skin looking fresh and young for longer. The first sign of aging is the appearance of fine lines. Gradually, they start turning to wrinkles and the skin starts to become lose and sag. There are multiple reasons for aging, among which the most prominent is the loss of collagen and elastin- the two components that contribute to skin elasticity.

Besides, how well you protect your skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution and sunrays also determine when your skin will age. Even though there are many factors and certain age after which skin starts to mature, it has been seen that some skin types age early. It makes us question, does oily skin age better?

Article Contains

What Makes Skin Oily?
Skin Aging Factors
Oily Skin and Aging

In this article, we will learn about oily skin and if, despite all the skin concerns that people with oily skin face, aging late is its benefit.

What Makes Skin Oily?

For years now, we have all been dealing with beauty standards that admire the dignity of a perfect oil-free and luminous complexion. Generally, oily skin (1) is linked with youth, acne, pores, and a constant chasing of matte skin. But apparently, it has been evident that oily skin looks fresh and young with increasing age.

On the downside, if oily skin is not properly cared for, it is more prone to acne.

Oily skin has a high concentration of sebaceous glands that produce natural oil, also known as sebum (2). The solidity of these glands leads to a thick middle layer of skin that gives support and formation to the outermost layer of the skin. The thicker the skin, the lesser the chances of developing wrinkles and fine lines.

Skin Aging Factors

Often, it is not just the skin type or sebaceous glands that contribute to aging but a number of varying factors, such as-

Genes: People with a family history of having oily skin end up with the same skin type that looks younger and age slower.
Food: Our food choices also determine how healthy the skin will stay and how easily it will age.
Stress: Stress affects the skin adversely and may make you look older than your age.
Metabolism: It is essential that your body metabolizes the food you eat to keep your skin healthy and supple.
Pollution: It is one of the environmental aggressors that disrupt skin’s natural barrier, making it susceptible to damage and age early.

How you treat and take care of your skin and body today shapes the future of your aging skin tomorrow. While your genetics play a vital role in how the skin transforms during aging, this does not entirely depend on genes alone but how you take care of your skin all through your life.

The efforts of practicing self-care, like applying SPF to your skin, keeping your body hydrated, working out regularly, consuming a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking, also make a massive difference in our skin while aging.

Regardless of your skin type, if your body is not healthy from the inside, it is going to show the impact outside on your skin. This might also affect your skin with signs of early aging, like blemishes, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Oily Skin and Aging

It is not necessarily true that oily skin ages better. Even though you can experience fewer wrinkles in oily skin, but that does not assure about all the other aging signs. Oily skin definitely has some pros; however, you cannot rely on your sebaceous glands entirely to look younger forever.

If well taken care of, oily skin has its advantages that can turn aging into a graceful experience. The benefits of oily skin while aging is:

It is said that oily skin tends to make more melanin (3). Melanin protects the skin from sun damage and its impact on the skin against premature aging and skin cancer.
The natural oil of oily skin acts as a moisturizing property that keeps wrinkles at bay and makes skin smooth.
Sebum is considered to be a natural moisturizing agent that protects the skin and boost the recovery rate of any scar.

Conclusion

So, the simple answer to does oily skin age better is yes, but not necessarily.

An oily skin might have more good chances of aging better, but eventually only those who look after their body and skin will age gracefully. Keeping the body and skin well-hydrated, protecting skin from UBV rays and adopting healthy eating practice will ensure healthy, soft and supple skin.

That is why it is crucial that we are well aware of what is good and bad for our bodies and make healthy choices.

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