The Role of Oil in Acne (And Why It’s Not the Enemy)

Oil gets blamed for acne more than almost anything else.

If you’ve ever been told you have “oily skin,” chances are you were also told to dry it out, mattify it, or strip it back as much as possible. And while excess oil does play a role in acne, it’s usually misunderstood.

The Role of Oil in Acne

Oil itself isn’t bad. It’s something your skin naturally produces to protect and hydrate itself. The issue starts when oil becomes trapped inside the pore and can’t flow out properly. When that happens, it mixes with dead skin cells and creates the perfect environment for congestion and inflammation. This is why people with dry or dehydrated skin can still struggle with acne. Even if the surface feels tight or flaky, oil can still be overproduced underneath as a response to irritation or barrier damage. It’s also why constantly trying to “dry out” acne can backfire. When the skin feels stripped, it often responds by producing even more oil to compensate. That cycle can keep pores clogged and acne active.

Oil becomes a problem when it’s out of balance… not when it exists.

Supporting healthy oil flow, maintaining the skin barrier, and avoiding constant disruption is often more helpful than trying to eliminate oil altogether.

This is something I break down much more clearly inside my programs, where oil production is explained in context instead of treated as something to fight against.

If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of oily skin and breakouts, the 7-Day Acne Reset helps simplify routines and reduce the habits that push oil production into overdrive.

For a deeper understanding of how oil, inflammation, and acne work together long-term, the Acne Bootcamp walks through the full picture so you can stop guessing and start supporting your skin properly. Natasha

xo