What skin condition is characterized by excessive oil production?

The skin condition that is characterized by excessive oil production is seborrheic dermatitis. This condition occurs when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce an abundance of sebum, leading to greasy, red, and inflamed skin, often accompanied by flaky scales. Seborrheic dermatitis most commonly affects areas of the body that are rich in oil-producing glands, such as the scalp, face, and upper back. It can also present as dandruff on the scalp.

While acne vulgaris also involves excess oil production and is tied to the sebaceous glands, the defining aspect of acne is the clogging of hair follicles and the presence of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and the formation of inflammatory lesions. Therefore, while there is a relationship between both conditions regarding oil production, seborrheic dermatitis specifically focuses on the inflammation and scaling associated with the overactivity of oil glands without the typical acne lesions.

Psoriasis is an entirely different condition characterized by rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, red, scaly patches, while dermatitis generally refers to inflammation of the skin but does not specifically involve excessive oil production as a hallmark feature.