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Is Sebum Good or Bad for Your Skin?
Sebum has a bad reputation. Most people link it to oily skin, shine and breakouts, and want rid of it as fast...
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Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns, and one of the most misunderstood. It usually starts with an overactive sebum production. From puberty onward our growth hormone works overtime to help the body mature, and that same hormone stimulates every function in the body, including the sebaceous glands. The skin begins to shine. What many people don't realise is that conventional skincare often makes it worse: mineral oil seals the skin completely, so sebum builds up in and on the surface, while harsh foaming agents like SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) strip the skin bare. It feels clean, but it is misleading, the skin responds by producing even more sebum, and its natural microbiome, its built-in protection, is damaged. At Abloom we believe the answer is not to fight your skin, but to bring it back into balance with pure, plant-based care.
What causes oily skin
Oily skin rarely appears out of nowhere. It is the result of sebaceous glands producing more sebum than the skin needs, and a few clear factors drive it:
- Hormones. Sebum production rises sharply in puberty, when growth hormone is most active, and it stays active in adulthood too.
- Harsh cleansing. Products with SLS and other sulfates strip the skin, which then rebounds with even more oil to protect itself.
- Mineral oil. This occlusive ingredient seals the skin, trapping sebum in the pores and giving a shiny, greasy look.
- A disrupted microbiome. Over-cleansing damages the skin's natural barrier, letting less friendly bacteria take over.
Please note: not all oily skin is the same. Skin types that originate from very warm climates naturally produce more sebum, and for good reason, sebum holds moisture beautifully, which the skin needs when it loses water in the heat. With the right care, these skin types can find a healthy sebum balance too. The goal is always balance, never stripping the skin.
Why oily skin still needs nourishment
It sounds contradictory: more oil on already oily skin? But the principle is simple, oil cuts oil. A natural, cold-pressed plant oil resembles human sebum by around 98%. When you apply it, the skin receives the signal that enough sebum is present and calms its own overproduction. Stripping the skin does the opposite: it panics and produces more.
Nourishing oily skin with the right antioxidants and light plant oils protects the barrier, supports the microbiome and, over time, helps the skin regulate itself, less shine, fewer clogged pores and a calmer complexion.
Our Organic Miracle Oil is a luxurious, multi-functional treatment that offers deep hydration, nourishment, and rejuvenation for all skin types. Whether you have sensitive skin, dryness, fine lines, or a dull complexion, the Miracle Oil provides the perfect blend of nutrients to keep your skin looking radiant, healthy, and balanced. This product is loved for its versatility and effectiveness, helping to improve skin texture and boost natural radiance while also being gentle enough for the most delicate skin.
The routine for oily skin
Four simple habits, tailored to what oily skin really needs.
Tip 1 — Cleanse only in the evening
Even a very gentle cleanser washes away more sebum than water alone. The light sweat of the night rinses off perfectly with water, water is cleansing in itself. Cleanse twice a day and the skin has to 'refat', producing even more oil, exactly what we want to avoid. In the evening, use the Purifying Cleanser, gentle yet effective, with minimal impact on your sebum layer. If your skin is not excessively oily, you can use it in the morning too.
Tip 2 — Always avoid mineral oil
This occlusive ingredient seals the skin completely. Sebum builds up in the pores and gives a shiny, greasy look. Check your concealer and foundation for it as well.
Tip 3 — Cut back on animal dairy
The milk of cows, sheep and goats also contains growth hormone, exactly what we already have too much of. Growth hormone stays active in adults, so look for plant-based alternatives.
Tip 4 — Use a natural oil on the skin
It sounds contradictory, but a natural oil calms an excess sebum production. Because it resembles human sebum by around 98%, the skin registers that enough oil is present. Choose natural, cold-pressed and organic for the highest quality. Miracle Oil is an exquisite blend of the finest, healthiest oils that hydrates and brings excess sebum back into balance.
free from microplastics, toxins, chemicals or additives •
formulated with the finest botanical ingredients •
Proudly made by us in the Netherlands •
Products for oily skin
Organic Miracle Oil
Sale priceFrom €25,00
✔ Award-winning oil, hydrating, nourishing, and rejuvenating.✔ 22 active natural ingredients ✔ All skintypes - NOT for severe (red) rosacea skin
Organic Purifying Cleanser
Sale priceFrom €18,50
✔ Removes impurities, makeup, and sebum. ✔ 32 active natural ingredients✔ For all skintypes
Organic Hydrating Toner
Sale priceFrom €18,50
✔ Hydrates, calms, anti-inflammatory & skin-enhancing.✔ 35+ active natural ingredients✔ Mature skin, dry skin, normal skin, mild rosacea
Organic Supreme Skin Elixir
Sale price€84,00
✔ With unique Gemmo extract, stimulates collagen production & reduces fine lines✔ 30 active natural ingredients✔ For all skintypes
Organic Enzyme Peeling
Sale price€56,00
✔ Exfoliates, repairs, brightens, and nourishes the skin✔ 13 active natural ingredients✔ For all skintypes
Organic Natural Glow Mask
Sale price€56,00
✔ Natural skin rejuvenation, boosts blood circulation✔ 8 active natural ingredients✔ Oily skin, sebaceous skin, dull skin
Oily Skin Regimen Box
Sale price€39,00
✔ Specially formulated to balance oily skin✔ Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, Miracle Oil, Enzyme Peeling✔ Lasts 7-10 days
Nutrition for balanced skin
Your skin is the only organ you can nourish from both the inside and the outside. For oily skin, a few dietary shifts really help.
Eat more: Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) or algae oil, rich in omega 3. Vegetables and fruit full of antioxidants (berries, peppers, kale). Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, legumes) that support clearer skin. Water and herbal tea for hydration from within.
Limit or avoid: Animal dairy, which carries growth hormone. Foods high in sugar and fast carbohydrates, which can spike sebum production. Excess omega 6 oils (sunflower, corn and soybean oil) and fried food.
Oily skin care
Frequently Asked Questions
All about oily skin
Oily skin comes from sebaceous glands producing more sebum than the skin needs. It is largely hormonal, sebum production rises in puberty when growth hormone is most active and stays active in adulthood. Harsh, stripping cleansers and mineral oil in products make it worse, so the goal is to bring sebum back into balance rather than fight it.
No. Cleansing twice a day removes too much sebum, and the skin reacts by producing even more. Cleanse only in the evening with a gentle cleanser, and simply rinse with water in the morning, water is cleansing in itself.
Yes. It sounds contradictory, but oil cuts oil. A cold-pressed plant oil resembles human sebum by around 98%, so the skin registers that enough oil is present and calms its own overproduction. Miracle Oil is light, absorbs well and helps balance excess sebum.
Foaming agents such as SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) strip the skin and damage its microbiome, the natural barrier that protects it. It feels clean, but the skin rebounds by producing more sebum. A gentle, oil-respecting cleanser like our Purifying Cleanser cleanses effectively without this rebound.
It can. Animal dairy contains growth hormone, which stimulates sebum, and diets high in sugar and fast carbohydrates can increase oiliness too. Eating more omega 3, antioxidants and zinc-rich foods, and choosing plant-based alternatives, supports a calmer, more balanced skin.
Avoid mineral oil, which seals the skin and traps sebum in the pores, and sulfates such as SLS, which strip and unbalance the skin. Synthetic fragrance is best avoided too. Check your makeup, concealer and foundation for mineral oil as well.