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Written by Rosalie Orrostieta, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Medically Reviewed for Accuracy and Safety by Rosalie Orrostieta, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Last Updated: November 24, 2025
Let’s be honest for a second. We have all had that moment.
It’s 2:00 PM on a Tuesday. You walk into the bathroom, catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, and there it is, the shine. Not the healthy “glass skin” glow we see on Instagram, but that slick, heavy feeling that makes you want to wash your face immediately. Your makeup has started to slide south, and your pores feel more noticeable than they did this morning.
If you’re nodding your head right now, I want you to know: I see you.
As the founder of Rose Medical Aesthetics here in Sarasota, I have sat across from countless women and men who feel betrayed by their own skin. They come to me with bags full of harsh scrubs, drying toners, and “mattifying” lotions that they bought at the drugstore. They tell me, “Rosalie, I’ve tried everything, and I’m still oily.”
Here is the truth that the beauty counters won’t tell you: You cannot scrub away biology.
Oily skin causes aren’t just about hygiene. It’s a biological function that has gone into overdrive. But the good news? We don’t have to live with it. In 2025, we have moved way beyond simple creams. We now have medical spa treatments for oily skin that can actually retrain your skin to behave.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface and, more importantly, how we fix it.
Why Is My Skin So Oily? (Sebum Control Science 101)
Before we dive into the treatments, we need to understand the “why.”
Your skin has tiny sebaceous glands attached to your hair follicles. Their job is to produce sebum (oil) to keep your skin hydrated and protected. In a perfect world, they produce just enough to keep your barrier healthy.
But for many of us, genetics, hormones, and environment throw a wrench in the gears.
When I treat patients for sebum control, I explain it like this: Imagine your oil glands are like a faucet. For people with dry skin, the faucet is dripping too slowly. For those of us with oily skin, the faucet is stuck on “high.”
Here in Florida, the humidity acts like a warm blanket, signaling those glands to work even harder. But the biggest culprit is often hormonal. Androgens (like testosterone) are the key that turns the faucet on.
The mistake most people make is trying to “dry out” the oil with alcohol-based toners or harsh cleansers. When you strip your skin, your body panics. It thinks it’s dehydrated, so it sends a signal to the glands: “Emergency! Make more oil!”
It becomes a vicious cycle. You strip, the skin produces more oil, you strip again.
My goal at Rose Medical Aesthetics isn’t to dry you out. It is to balance the faucet. We want to regulate your oil production so you get the glow without the grease.
The “Reset” Button: Chemical Peels for Oily Skin & Acne
When I mention chemical peels, some of my new clients get a little nervous. They immediately picture that scene from Sex and the City where Samantha’s face is raw and red.
Please, erase that image from your mind!
Modern medical peels are sophisticated. They are some of my absolute favorite treatments for oily skin because they do what no scrub can do: they clean out the pore lining.
The Perfect Derma™ Peel
This is a powerhouse treatment in our clinic. I love it because it features Glutathione, which is the ultimate antioxidant for brightening.
For my oily-skinned patients, this peel is a game-changer. It uses acids like Salicylic and Retinoic acid to dissolve the “glue” that holds dead cells together. When you have oily skin, those dead cells get trapped in the oil, leading to congestion and breakouts.
By removing that top layer, we aren’t just smoothing the texture; we are sending a signal to the deeper layers to regenerate fresh, healthy cells.
What it feels like: It’s spicy for a minute or two, but very manageable. You will peel for a few days (usually days 3 through 6), but once that old skin sheds, the fresh skin underneath is smoother, tighter, and significantly less oily.
AlphaRet® Professional Peel
If you can’t afford the “social downtime” of peeling for a few days, we use the AlphaRet peel. It’s fantastic for congestion. It uses a blend of Lactic, Glycolic, and Salicylic acids to clear out the pores without the heavy shedding. It’s what I call a “lunchtime lift.”
Retraining the Skin: Microneedling for Large Pores & Oil Reduction
If chemical peels are the reset button, Microneedling is the personal trainer for your skin.
This is where we get into the real structural changes. If you are dealing with large pores alongside the oil, this is my top recommendation.
The Magic of Morpheus8 and SkinPen
You might have heard of Morpheus8. It’s all over social media for a reason. It combines microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF) heat.
Here is the science simplified: The tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen. At the same time, the RF energy delivers heat deep into the dermis.
Why does this matter for oil? That heat energy actually has a “shrink-wrapping” effect on the sebaceous glands. We are physically reducing the size of the gland and its ability to overproduce oil.
The 2025 Upgrade: Exosomes for Skin Barrier Repair
We are huge fans of biotechnology here. Recently, we’ve started pairing microneedling with Exosomes.
Think of Exosomes as little messenger packets that tell your skin cells how to repair themselves. When applied right after microneedling (when those channels are open), they rush in to reduce inflammation and regulate cellular function.
I had a patient recently who struggled with grease and acne scars for a decade. After a series of three RF microneedling sessions, she told me she didn’t just look younger-she felt like her skin type had actually changed. She could go a whole day without powdering. That is the power of clinical intervention.
The Secret Weapon: “Micro-Tox” (Botox for Pores)
Okay, this is one of my favorite “secrets” to share.
Most people know Botox (or Dysport/Xeomin) is for freezing wrinkles. But did you know we can use it for oil control?
We call it Micro-Tox or “Skin Botox.”
Instead of injecting the neurotoxin deep into the muscle to stop movement, we sprinkle tiny, diluted amounts superficially into the skin layers.
How it works: The neurotoxin blocks the nerve signals that tell your sweat and oil glands to activate. It doesn’t freeze your face; you can still smile and frown perfectly. But it “freezes” the pore’s ability to pump out excess sebum.
The result is often called “Glass Skin.” Your pores look almost invisible, and your skin has a matte, velvety finish. It is incredible for the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).
Killing the Bacteria: IPL Therapy for Oily Skin
Sometimes, oily skin brings an unwanted friend: Acne.
The environment inside an oily pore is like a five-star hotel for C. acnes bacteria. They feed on the oil and cause inflammation.
We use IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) to target this. The specific wavelengths of light destroy the bacteria and generate mild heat that, again, helps shrink those overactive glands.
I often recommend this for my patients who have sensitive, red, oily skin. It calms the redness while tackling the grease.
The Daily Diet: Medical-Grade Skincare for Oily Skin
I cannot stress this enough: What you do in the clinic gets you 80% of the way there. What you do at home maintains it.
As a Nurse Practitioner, I am picky about ingredients. I don’t care about pretty packaging; I care about clinical data. That is why we partner with SkinBetter Science.
If you have oily skin, you might be tempted to skip moisturizer. Please don’t.
When you skip hydration, your skin gets dehydrated and produces more oil to compensate. You need a lightweight, non-comedogenic hydrator.
My Top Picks:
- AlphaRet Clearing Serum: This is a gold standard. It combines a retinoid with lactic acid. It turns over cells (keeping pores clear) but is formulated to be hydrating, so you don’t get the irritation of generic retinol.
- Alto Defense Serum: Oil on the surface of your skin oxidizes (turns dark). That’s what causes blackheads. You need a powerful antioxidant to prevent that oxidation.
Ready to Ditch the Shine in Sarasota
Living with oily skin can feel like a constant battle, but you don’t have to fight it alone. You don’t have to keep buying products that promise the world and deliver nothing.
At Rose Medical Aesthetics, we take a science-first approach. We analyze your skin, look at your lifestyle, and build a plan that treats the root cause, not just the symptom.
Whether it’s a series of chemical peels to reset your glow or a custom microneedling plan to change your texture, we are here to guide you.
If you are in the Sarasota area, come see us. Let’s sit down, chat about your goals, and finally get that oil under control. You deserve to look in the mirror at 2:00 PM and love what you see.
