Why Do Our Ears Become Oily ?

By Vanshika Gaur
04 Jun 2025, 19:30 IST

You might have noticed that when we touch our ears, most of the time they have an oily or sticky feeling to it. You may wonder why, but it is quite common. Here are a few reasons why our ears become oily. Tap to know!

Overactive Sebaceous Glands

When your sebaceous glands are overactive, they produce excessive sebum (oil) in the inner and outer surface of ears, making them oily.

Poor Hygiene

When we don't clean our ears daily, the dust, wax, oil, sweat, and more accumulates on the ear, making them sticky and oily.

Stress

High cortisol (stress) levels can increase the production of sebum (oil), worsening acne, dermatitis, and more, and leading to oily or greasy ears.

Sweating

The scorching summer heat or intense workout can also make the ear sweat, mixing itself with sebum and earwax, and leading to oily or damp ears.

Excessive Earwax Production

Some people may produce excessive earwax and contain sebum, sweat and dead skin cells. The fresh secretion of earwax can make the ears oily.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, our ears become oily due to excessive sebum production, poor hygiene, and more. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised suggestions.