Oily skin shines, gets covered with blackheads and seems to have pores that are too wide. The cause is sebum, a natural fat made in excess by the sebaceous glands, under the influence of hormones, heredity and heat. In Marrakech, summer and heat do not help. Pores themselves neither open nor close: their size depends mostly on heredity and on how much sebum stretches them. Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist in Guéliz, first checks whether the oily skin comes with acne, seborrhoeic dermatitis or an ill-suited routine, then offers care that fits.
Sebaceous glands are stimulated by androgens, hormones present in everyone, and react according to a family predisposition. Heat, stress, certain overly rich or “comedogenic” cosmetics, and certain periods (adolescence, menstrual cycle, menopause) increase the effect. Very oily skin without acne exists, but the two often go together.
A pore is the opening of the hair follicle. It stretches when filled with sebum, and its baseline size depends mostly on genes; with age and sun, the skin loses firmness and pores look wider. They can be made less visible by limiting sebum, clearing them and improving skin texture, but they cannot be permanently “tightened”.
Oily skin with spots calls for acne treatment. Oily skin with redness and flaking on the sides of the nose, the eyebrows or the hairline suggests seborrhoeic dermatitis. Skin that becomes oily because it is stripped too much (harsh soaps, repeated washing) becomes even more unbalanced. Hence the value of an examination before buying yet another product.
Depending on the case, the dermatologist prescribes a topical treatment that regulates sebum and unblocks pores, adjusted to the skin’s tolerance, sometimes an oral treatment for acne. A simple routine is often enough: gentle cleanser, light non-comedogenic moisturiser, sun protection suited to oily skin. Piling up products irritates.
Medical cleansing, such as HydraFacial, cleans, gently exfoliates and extracts impurities, with a clear and immediate effect on pores and glow; it needs maintenance. Dermapen (microneedling), over several sessions, improves skin texture, possibly with PRP. These treatments complement the long-term treatment and do not replace it. Olive skin needs adapted settings to avoid marks.
Squeezing or “cleaning” blackheads yourself, using harsh scrubs, piling up stripping masks, dropping all moisturiser on the grounds that the skin is oily. These habits irritate the skin, encourage spots and sometimes leave marks, especially on olive skin.
At the Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, in Guéliz, with Dr Sara Zahid, dermatologist, by appointment, in French, English or Arabic.
Not permanently: their size depends mostly on heredity. They can be made less visible by regulating sebum, clearing them and improving skin texture.
Heat stimulates the sebaceous glands, and sweat mixed with sebum and sunscreen can block pores.
Yes. Light non-comedogenic moisturising limits compensatory sebum production. Stripping the skin makes it worse.
It cleans deeply and improves glow and pores, but does not act on the cause. It complements a long-term treatment.
Yes, outside an inflammatory acne flare. It improves skin texture over several sessions, with settings adapted to olive skin.
No: they are pores blocked by sebum that oxidises in contact with air. Rubbing harder changes nothing.
When oily skin comes with spots, redness, flaking, marks, or when over-the-counter care is no longer enough.
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