Why Your Face Feels Oilier in May (And What You Can Do About It)

As the weather heats up, you might have noticed something annoying happening, your face starts feeling like a oilier than usual

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

There’s real science behind why your skin feels oilier in May, and knowing what’s happening can help you control it before it gets out of control!

 

Let’s break it down.

 

1. Rising Temperatures = Overactive Oil Glands

When the outside temperature climbs, your body naturally tries to cool itself down and one way it does that is by increasing sweat and oil (sebum) production.

The hotter it gets, the more active your sebaceous glands become, pumping out more oil to protect your skin and prevent it from drying out.

Problem is:

In the UAE (and other hot climates), May is the month when temperatures jump fast. Your skin doesn't have time to adapt gradually, so it often overcompensates, leading to that shiny, greasy feeling.

 

2. More Sweat = More Clogged Pores

Heat means more sweating, even when you're just walking to your car or stepping outside for five minutes.

Sweat mixed with excess oil can easily clog your pores, leading to rough texture, blackheads, breakouts, and irritation if you don't properly cleanse your skin.

If you’re using harsh cleansers or skipping your skincare routine altogether, you’re basically giving clogged pores a VIP invitation to live rent free on your face.

 

3. Dehydration Makes It Worse

Here’s the tricky part. Even though your skin feels oilier, it might actually be dehydrated underneath.

When your skin loses water (thanks to sweating, air conditioning, or not drinking enough), it sends a signal to your glands to produce even more oil to make up for the lack of moisture.

Result: double trouble, dehydrated and greasy skin.

 

4. Sunscreens and Heavy Products

Another hidden culprit?

If you’ve started layering thick sunscreens or heavy moisturizers without switching to lightweight formulas for summer, you might be accidentally trapping oil and sweat against your skin.

 

It’s important to adjust your skincare products seasonally, just like you would your clothes.

So, What Can You Do?

Here’s how to fight back:

✅ Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser:

You need to remove sweat and oil without damaging your skin barrier. (Our Charcoal Face Scrub or new Gentle Cleanser is ideal for this.)

✅ Hydrate properly:

Opt for lightweight moisturizers that balance your skin — think hydration without heaviness.

✅ Protect but don’t suffocate:

Choose sunscreens made for the face — light, breathable, and non-comedogenic.

✅ Stick to a consistent routine:

Summer is not the time to slack. A simple morning and evening routine can be the difference between clear skin and clogged chaos.

 

Before I go.

 

Oily skin in May isn't a life sentence it’s just your body reacting to the seasonal shift.

Treat your skin smartly, stay consistent, and you’ll be the guy with healthy, confident skin, even when the heat is brutal.