Oil production is elevated and pores need balancing. Your skin is in defence mode.

When stress levels rise, cortisol increases oil production and slows healing. Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and blocks pores, leading to congestion and breakouts. This does not always mean your skin is “oily”, it often means it is overloaded.

The goal is not to strip the skin. It is to regulate oil gently, support circulation and reduce internal stress signals so your skin can rebalance itself.