6 Common Reasons Why We Wake Up With An Oily Face

By Vanshika Gaur
24 Jun 2025, 15:00 IST

You may have noticed that when you wake up, your face feels oily and you wonder why it happens. From overnight sebum production to stress, there are various reasons behind waking up with an oily face. Tap to know them!

Overnight Sebum Production

When we are asleep, our body produces sebum to keep the skin moisturised and protected, leading to oil buildup on the face by morning.

Rehydrating Skin

Skin that lacks moisture and is dry, also produces oil to prevent water loss, making the skin appear very oily, especially at night.

Warm Room

When the room you sleep in is too warm, your body may start to sweat more and stimulate sebaceous glands, making your face oily.

High Sugary And Greasy Diet

People who consume sugary and oily diets may also experience increased inflammation and sebum production, making their face oily upon waking up.

Skin Circadian Rhythm

According to the skin's circadian rhythm, the oil production increases in the early morning, typically between 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Stress

Chronic stress increases cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which triggers sebaceous glands and makes the skin more oily, especially upon waking up.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, we wake up with an oily face due to stress, overnight sebum production, and more. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist for personalised suggestions.