Is it true that oily skin ages better?

Ask anyone in their late 20s or 30s what they are most worried about, and we think at least six out of 10 will list ageing as one of their concerns. Everyone wants to age gracefully and beautifully and will go to a great extent to ensure it is the case. The world of beauty is brimming with various notions that may or may not be true. One such notion is that oily skin will age better compared to dry skin, it is believed that those with oily skin will develop fewer wrinkles. But how true is it? It would be nice to think you broke your unjust skin curse by going through teenage acne, and that your oily skin would actually benefit you later in life. Unfortunately, that's not exactly the case. According to medical science, oily skin has a better chance of warding off acne because it keeps the skin moisturised and smooth, better than dry skin, but the science is deeper than that.

The reality is, oily skin ages just like any other skin type. However, the skin may appear smoother and lend a natural glow because of the amount of sebum (oil) produced. On the flip side, oilier skin is prone to getting acne even as an adult, and seborrhea, a condition of having excessively oily skin.

Overall, grease-prone people have skin that’s “in effect, better moisturised”, which helps it to appear youthful. It’s thereby better protected from the environment and better able to weather the slings of daily life. Women with oily skin age differently than those with dry skin, but it’s not always for the better. Oily skin tends to be thicker and less prone to dehydration, which definitely leads to fewer fine lines, but can also result in deeper lines and larger pores. Here's know how having oily skin impact your ageing process.

The pros and cons

Individuals with oily skin have a higher concentration of sebaceous glands aka sebum/oil-producing glands. This sebum which is rich in fatty acids acts like a natural moisturiser for the skin. So, it can help keep skin nourished and protected and minimise the appearance of fine lines with age. Thus, some people with greasy skin tend to appear more youthful even when they age, when compared to those with dry skin. Secondly, the higher concentration of sebaceous glands leads to a thicker dermis. This thicker, stronger dermis will reduce wrinkling and folding of skin.

On the other hand, individuals with oily skin tend to have more open pores, acne, and acne scarring which can lead to damaged skin texture and signs premature ageing.

Many factors, including metabolism, genetics, stress, diet, exercise, and pollution, impact skin ageing. Thus, having oily skin doesn't mean you are protected from ageing. You still need to take care of your skin by eating healthy and nutritious foods, staying well-hydrated, and following a simple, yet effective skincare routine.

Inputs by Dr. Sushma Yadav, Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Hair Transplant Surgeon, and Founder of Skinology Centre in Bangalore and Dr. Bansari Davda, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, with International fellowship in Aesthetic and Anti-aging Medicine, based in Chennai