Having an oily complexion may create blemishes, interfere with the application of cosmetics, and make you gleam like a gemstone. In a lyric that can be interpreted in numerous ways, Pink Floyd sings, “Shine on, you crazy diamond,” which is likely a metaphor for the dilemma individuals with too much sebum experience.
Fortunately, there are numerous natural methods that can be used to manage the excess of oil production.
Many men and women frequently struggle with oiliness of the skin on a daily basis. The face’s epidermis features a wealth of oil glands that secrete sebum, the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands that acts as a lubricant for the hair and skin. This sebum causes the skin to become oily.
This sebum has several merits as well as demerits. It provides a defensive shield for the skin and carries out antioxidant and antimicrobial duties. Too much sebum can clog pores, create a greasy finish on the skin, and provide food for the bacteria that cause acne on the skin’s surface. It also promotes the formation of acne.
It is possible to employ several strategies for at-home care that will help to eliminate any excess oil and result in soft, luminous skin.
What Causes Oily Skin?
The size of the sebaceous glands is increased, causing them to secrete extra sebum that can make the skin oily and slippery. The amount of oil one’s skin produces varies depending upon age, temperature, race, and gender.
The factors below are essential to the development of oil from the glands.
- Hormones
- Genes
- Diet with high-fat content
Symptoms of Oily Skin:
- Shiny face
- Excess oil commonly observed on the forehead, nose and chin (T zone)
- Acne
Ways to Treat Oily Skin
A Proper Skin Care Routine
With oily skin, it’s all about achieving balance. If you do not cleanse your face, the overabundance of oils can secure soil or expired cells in your pores, bringing about skin inflammation.
If you cleanse your face too frequently or too aggressively, your skin will respond by producing more oil in order to replace the moisture that has been stripped away. Setting up a facial cleansing process that is suitable is desirable.
The most optimal approach to this would be to talk to your skin specialist. They can assist you in discovering a regimen that is appropriate for the particular requirements of your skin.
In the short-term, cleanse your face two times a day with a mild soap and make sure to apply a moisturizer. Stop using any hard or abrasive cleansers or items that dry out your skin. You can try out different toners and oils as well (which we will discuss later).
You should absolutely never go to bed with make up still on your face!
Sleeping with your face covered in makeup is an easy way to cause your pores to become blocked. If you’re the sleepiest person in the world, try to manage five minutes to cleanse your face before heading to bed. Your not-broken-out skin will thank you in the morning.
Cleansing Cloths
It is usually advised to not wash your face more than twice a day, but if you need to eliminate any impurities on the skin, it might be helpful to give it a bit of a deeper clean. If the temperature is very high and you have perspired, it’s ok to use a wiping cloth to remove any extra secretion of sebum.
These are also great for post-workout skin care. After a workout, wiping your face with a cleansing cloth can help prevent your pores getting blocked up with extra sweat and oil and reduce the risk of breakouts. Cetaphil’s cleansing cloths are an ideal solution for those who want something mild and moisturizing to use on their skin. These cloths will not leave skin feeling rough or dried out.
Fight Oil with Oil
Using oil on oily skin may sound unconventional, yet the correct oils can make a sizeable improvement. Maintaining equilibrium with the natural oils of your skin will reduce the production of sebum, resulting in a less oily complexion.
For optimal skin health, non-pore clogging oils, like argan, black raspberry seed, and rosehip, should be used. Trying out different facial oils could be the key to discovering the ideal one for you.
Konjac Sponges
Those with oily skin should be sure to regularly cleanse their pores to prevent a buildup of dirt and dead skin, which can lead to pimples and breakouts. Konjac sponges are manufactured utilizing materials taken from the rhizomes of a plant resembling a yam, making them ideal for a friendly way of scrubbing off dead skin cells.
This scrubbing tool is beneficial for your complexion as it unclogs pores without harming the tissues. Plus, you can decompose them after use for a green-friendly result. Be certain not to utilize the sponge on a daily basis.
Exercising too much scrubbing on the skin can lead to dryness, resulting in the body creating a greater level of oils, thereby initiating the same oiliness cycle once more. Scrubbing twice each week will help promote clear pores and avoid overproduction of natural oil.
Blotting Papers
If you’re beginning to look like Tamatoa’s covering from Moana, use blotting paper to absorb any superfluous oil. Do not overuse anything that gets rid of oil.
If you are utilizing 20 blotting papers per day, it is likely an excessive amount. Occasionally using blotting paper is an effective way to reduce shine on your face and help your makeup stay put.
Clay
Clay is a great absorber of oil, not just for imitating Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore’s costumes in the movie Ghost. A research project uncovered that a mask composed of clay and jojoba oil is highly effective in reducing acne. Green French clay is vast in its mineral content, making it an excellent choice for people with an oily complexion.
Search for a facemask mainly composed of natural clay, or craft your own face covering in your house. You can purchase powdered cosmetic clays over the internet, which you can then blend with the ingredients of your choice to make your own personalized solution.
Charcoal
Activated charcoal absorbs any substance that has built up in the pores, making it an all-natural and effective way to improve the skin. Despite its powerful cleansing abilities, charcoal is mild and gentle on the skin.
It is not advisable to use charcoal-based items on a regular basis for optimal performance. This could potentially cause dry skin and disturb your skin’s oil balance. Instead, employ it a couple of times each week to clear away additional sebum.
Soy
Using soy on one’s skin can help reduce the amount of oil produced and keep it hydrated. After obtaining soybeans, you can grind them into a powder and mix with a bit of water to form a paste. This paste can be put on the skin to eliminate grease.
Fuller’s Earth
Multani mitti, also called Fuller’s earth, is an ideal ingredient to use on oily skin. It serves as a sponge, soaking up all the oil and grime and providing a sparkly and healthy complexion. You can make many facial packs using Multani mitti. In order to create a herbal face mask with Multani mitti as the main component, combine turmeric, sandalwood powder, gram flour, and saffron. Combine these components and add in liquid until a paste texture is achieved. Then, apply this face mask to eliminate excess oil from the skin.
Gram Flour
Gram flour, also known as besan, is an helpful ingredient for those needing to control their skin’s oiliness and protect against breakouts of acne. Blend gram flour with some yogurt and spread this mixture evenly over the skin. Wait until the material is dry and then rinse it with cold water.
You can enhance the effectiveness of your face pack by incorporating gram flour, sandalwood powder, and turmeric. Mix some water into the paste to create a smooth, spreadable consistency, then apply it all over the skin. Once it has dried, rinse it with cold water.
Aloe Vera
If you possess a complexion that is on the more slick side, aloe vera gel can be employed to deter spots and breakouts from popping up on your façade. If your complexion is oily, aloe vera gel is an effective moisturizer to employ, since it can help to revive the skin.
Using an aloe vera gel mask is a beneficial solution for those with an overly oily complexion. Blend together aloe vera and Fuller’s earth until the mixture forms a paste and apply it to the face. Wash it off after some time.
Face Wash
It is best if you cleanse your face regularly. You should cleanse your complexion in the morning, evening, and after physical activity. Avoid scrubbing your skin, as it could create irritation and make your complexion look worse. Washing the face will help control oily skin. It is not advisable to employ a strong facial cleanser to eradicate oil from the face. If you use an abrasive facial cleanser, it could be too severe for the skin and prompt an increase in oil production, making the skin greasier. Choose a gentle and foaming face wash.
Honey
In addition to too much oil, acne can also be provoked by bacterial contamination on the surface of the skin. To remove bacteria and oil that is excessive, using honey is helpful.
Honey has the naturally-occurring property of being antibacterial, and it can provide a seal that locks in the hydration of the skin. Moreover, it’s very likely that the remedy is already in your kitchen cupboard. First, take some raw and organic honey and apply it to your face. Leave it on for a short time before washing off with lukewarm water.
Oatmeal
Save a portion of your oatmeal while you’re preparing breakfast to use as a facial treatment. Oatmeal has a calming effect on the skin, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The grain of the product is designed to both absorb and eliminate oil, yet still provides exfoliation without being too dehydrating.
Make a bowl of oatmeal without any additions by following these steps. Wait for the oats to cool down, after which you can apply them on your face and then relax with your breakfast-inspired face mask for approximately 20 minutes. Rinse with hot water and use a moisturizer to lock in the amazing benefits of oats.
Moisturizer
Don’t stop using moisturizer if you have oily skin. It is essential to apply moisturizer every day in order to maintain hydration in the skin. When deciding which moisturizer to buy, it is beneficial to seek out one that has a broad-spectrum sunscreen included in it. This product will safeguard your skin from the UV rays and make it easier to save time.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are packed with B-vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes that can be incredibly beneficial for your skin. It may appear strange to cut up a tomato and rub it on your facial skin, yet this may be a beneficial decision for individuals with greasy skin.
The enzymes present in tomatoes delicately rid the surface of one’s skin of deceased cells, while the vitamins and antioxidants work to decrease swelling and evidence of getting older.
It is necessary to point out that there isn’t much research to show that using tomatoes topically can benefit one’s complexion, plus tomatoes contain an acidic compound, prompting one to use caution in order to avoid possible irritation.
Mix together a fresh tomato and oats in order to create a facial mask, letting the concoction sit on your face for between 10 and 20 minutes. Rinse well and moisturize.
Witch Hazel
Once you have completed washing your face, it might be beneficial to apply a toner for a more thorough clean. A lot of toners consist of alcohol, which has a tendency to be dehydrating and isn’t the best for people with greasy facial skin. Instead, use all-natural witch hazel. Witch hazel is known for its astringent tannins that reduce oiliness, and potentially shrink pores on the skin.
Because witch hazel is not made with alcohol, it is usually secure to apply and won’t cause redness or other discomfort on the skin. This toner offers great value for the price, as it is one of the least costly products of its kind.
Buttermilk
Lactic acid is utilized in a variety of skin care products in order to enhance the feel of your epidermis. Fortunately, consuming red velvet cake can give you a substantial amount of lactic acid. No, not chocolate (bummer, we know) — buttermilk!
Buttermilk is naturally high in lactic acid. The sourness of the milk gives it a distasteful flavor, while also providing beneficial effects on the skin. You may choose to spread buttermilk (the smell isn’t so great) directly onto your skin or create a face mask using a combination of buttermilk and oats.
Egg Whites
Using egg whites on one’s skin has been done for centuries. It appears that this high-protein substance could work to firm up skin, but there is no research to support this theory.
Research revealed that when egg membrane was applied to the skin, wrinkles were substantially reduced and there were indications that it was able to counteract the effects of free radicals. It’s unfortunate that the egg membrane and egg white are not interchangeable, as the membrane is merely placed between the shell and the egg, yet it’s worth experimenting if you happen to have an extra egg on hand.
When to Seek Medical Help?
Having an oily complexion is a commonplace issue which does not result in any severe consequences.
If oily skin is a worry to you, you should speak to a physician or skin specialist in order to obtain the necessary remedy.
If you are suffering from any blackheads or acne caused by oily skin, talk to your doctor.
Conclusion
Men and women often experience an issue with having too much oil on their facial skin. The sebaceous glands producing too much sebum can cause the face to be oily. Though advantageous, the secretion of sebum can result in blemishes and clogged pores on the face. You follow simple home remedies to manage oily skin. Cleansing the face, hydrating and employing a blotting tissue to suck up extra sebum can be beneficial treatments for controlling oil on the face. Face masks for oily skin can be made with components such as aloe vera, Fuller’s earth, and chickpea flour.
If you are worried or embarrassed due to your greasy skin, or if you have acne too, it is best to consult with your medical professional.