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Skin concern

Oily skin

Primary source

Oily skin: skin that looks and feels shiny because the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than needed. It is common on the forehead, nose and chin (the T-zone) and is linked to larger pores and a tendency toward blackheads and breakouts. The strongest evidence comes from a 2023 human trial: In 90 people with seborrhea, moisturisers containing 2% L-carnitine, 5% epigallocatechin gallate, or both produced statistically significant reductions in sebum level from baseline over 4 weeks, with the EGCG and combination groups showing greater anti-sebum effects than L-carnitine alone (p = 0.009). 2 ingredients have evidence for Oily skin: Niacinamide, Grape seed oil.

The studies here measured sebum excretion rates or clinical oiliness scores, mostly over a few weeks on small groups. Oily skin is also a driver of acne.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Oily skin (seborrhea) is a common cosmetic problem that occurs when oversized sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of sebum giving the appearance of shiny and greasy skin.” — Sakuma & Maibach, Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2012 (PMID 22722766).

Oily skin: an overview Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (Sakuma TH, Maibach HI)

Ingredients at a glance

2023 · 90 people · subjects with seborrhea · PMID 37194909

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
— Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2023
Niacinamide Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2006
Grape seed oil Skin effect Human trial Low 2022
— Skin effect Human trial Low 2015

Studies and results

  1. 1 Niacinamide Skin effect
    The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production

    In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 Japanese subjects, a 2% niacinamide moisturiser significantly lowered sebum excretion rate after 2 and 4 weeks; in a separate 30-person Caucasian split-face study it significantly reduced casual sebum level after 6 weeks.

    Human trial · 2006 · 100 people · Japanese subjects plus 30 Caucasian subjects · Adults with facial sebum concerns applying a 2% niacinamide moisturiser for 2 to 6 weeks; measured with sebumeter-based sebum excretion rate and casual sebum level. · The effect differs by measured endpoint and population.

    PMID 16766489

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production
  2. 2 Grape seed oil Skin effect
    Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study

    In a split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study of 15 volunteers, a grapeseed-oil nanoemulgel applied for 12 weeks significantly reduced facial sebum production and fine and large pores while significantly increasing skin moisture content and elasticity versus placebo (all p<0.05).

    Human trial · 2022 · 15 people · healthy volunteers · Facial sebum, pore appearance, skin moisture and elasticity over 12 weeks. · Very small sample; measurements were taken on the cheeks/half-face.

    PMID 35713012

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Effects of a grapeseed oil (Vitis vinifera L.) loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel on biophysical parameters of facial skin: A split-face, blinded, placebo-controlled study

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • ev-oily-skin-carnitine-egcg-rct Human trial · 2023

    All three arms contained active ingredients; sebum was measured alongside hydration and TEWL improvements.

  • Niacinamide Human trial · 2006

    The effect differs by measured endpoint and population.

  • Grape seed oil Human trial · 2022

    Very small sample; measurements were taken on the cheeks/half-face.

  • ev-men-hemp-seed-sebum-rct Human trial · 2015

    The study is single-blind comparative.

Products with a basis for this

23 products · Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum · 10% Niacinamide Booster · 2023 · 90 people · subjects with seborrhea · PMID 37194909

Research-backed approaches

These studies measured finished products and whole routines.

  1. 1 Skin effect
    Efficacy of anti-sebum moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% epigallocatechin gallate in seborrhea: A randomized clinical trial

    In 90 people with seborrhea, moisturisers containing 2% L-carnitine, 5% epigallocatechin gallate, or both produced statistically significant reductions in sebum level from baseline over 4 weeks, with the EGCG and combination groups showing greater anti-sebum effects than L-carnitine alone (p = 0.009).

    Human trial · 2023 · 90 people · subjects with seborrhea · People with seborrhea applying an anti-sebum moisturising cream for 4 weeks. · All three arms contained active ingredients; sebum was measured alongside hydration and TEWL improvements.

    PMID 37194909

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of anti-sebum moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% epigallocatechin gallate in seborrhea: A randomized clinical trial
  2. 2 Skin effect
    The safety and efficacy of 3% Cannabis seeds extract cream for reduction of human cheek skin sebum and erythema content

    In a 12-week single-blind, base-controlled study in healthy men, a cream containing 3% Cannabis seed extract significantly reduced cheek sebum and erythema compared with the extract-free base (p<0.05).

    Human trial · 2015 · Healthy men · Cheek sebum (Sebumeter) and erythema (Mexameter) over 12 weeks. · The study is single-blind comparative.

    PMID 26142529

    Read the full finding →
    Source:The safety and efficacy of 3% Cannabis seeds extract cream for reduction of human cheek skin sebum and erythema content

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Oily skin?
Ingredients with evidence for Oily skin: Niacinamide, Grape seed oil.
How many people were studied?
4 findings · 2023 · 90 people · subjects with seborrhea · PMID 37194909
What can I use for Oily skin?
Niacinamide, Grape seed oil · 2023 · 90 people · subjects with seborrhea · PMID 37194909

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone Wrinkles and fine lines