By Hana Gulin
B.Sc. ,Dip.Form.Chem(MASCC)
As a biomedical and cosmetic scientist, one of the most common questions I get is: “Why would I use an oil if my skin is already oily?” Which is a fair question, however, when chosen correctly, the right oil can actually help balance oily skin.
One of the most common dermatologic concerns is oily skin, and the demand for effective treatment options is ever apparent.
Fix your skin microbiome with oils!
The microbiome is always the first place I start looking at with any skin condition or skin enhancement treatment.
Oily skin (seborrhea) is a common cosmetic problem that occurs when inflamed sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of sebum, giving the appearance of shiny and greasy skin. However, it’s not just about an increased amount of sebum, the nature of the sebum changes.
The sebum that normally comes out of your skin is a mix of different oils. In oily skin, the sebum starts to contain more inflammatory oils and this can cause a change in your skin microbiome and often a change in pH of the skin. This can lead to skin problems such as acne.
Overproduction of sebum is often a response to a skin microbiome issue, a gut microbiome issue, a skin barrier function, dehydration or a combination of factors.
This is where lightweight, non-comedogenic oils come in.
We need to try and get the skin oil back to normal. So essentially, we need to dose the human skin with an oil that resembles “Healthy” sebum. Luckily, nature provides us with a medicine cabinet full of oils that can help
SAFFLOWER OIL – Why is this one a great choice?
High in linoleic acid (omega-6):
Oily and acne-prone skin is often deficient in linoleic acid within the sebum. This deficiency can make sebum thicker and more pore-clogging. Safflower oil helps replenish linoleic acid, supporting healthier, more fluid sebum.
Lightweight and fast absorbing:
Safflower oil has low viscosity and absorbs quickly into the skin, meaning it won’t sit heavily on the surface or leave a greasy residue.
Supports the skin barrier:
Linoleic acid plays a key role in maintaining the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum, helping reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Better barrier function = less compensatory oil production.
Low acne potential:
Compared to heavier, oleic-acid–rich oils, safflower oil is far less likely to clog pores or exacerbate breakouts. Importantly, they do not contain inflammatory oils like squalene.
Not all oils are created equally, especially for oily skin. Choosing oils that are linoleic-acid dominant, lightweight, and barrier-supportive can help normalise sebum production rather than overwhelm the skin. Your skin microbiome thrives in these oils and the pH of your skin will become healthily acidic.
Safflower oil is a great example of how formulation science, the microbiome and skin physiology intersect: when you give the skin and its microbiome what it actually needs, it often stops overcompensating.
Sometimes, oily skin doesn’t need less oil, it just needs the right one.
If you would like to know more about the science of your skincare or would like to discuss how specialty natural oils can be incorporated into your own manufactured skincare range for maximum results, please reach out.
Love your skin!
Hana.
