Just as winter bids us goodbye for the year and the warm breezes of summer start blowing, people get ready to get out and enjoy the sun in beaches and parks. But for many of us blessed with oily skin, it almost seems like the end of pimple and acne free days, as we reach out for our blotting sheets, suntan removal cream, cleansers and cooling gels to keep the sebaceous glands under control. Although, oily and combination skin needs a lot of extra care and attention, but to look at the brighter side, it ages much slower than normal and dry skin and keeps away fine lines and wrinkles for a longer period of time.
People blessed with oily skin enjoy the advantage of having youthful and younger looking skin for a longer period of time compared to other skin types when the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots creep in quite early. But there are several disadvantages of oily skin as well such as excessive shine, the meltdown of makeup and sudden breakout of pimples and acne. Here are a few causes of oily skin.
Genetics – Genetics plays an important role in determining the type of skin you have. If oily skin runs in
the family, then there are chances that you will also have skin with larger sebaceous glands that secrete excess oil.
Excessive Use of Skin Care Products – Almost all of us experiment with a wide range of skin care products in a quest to achieve smoother, fairer and clearer skin, but overuse of the creams, gels, scrubs and chemical peel process promotes oil production in the skin.
Seasonal Changes – The rate of oil secretion by skin often varies with seasonal changes. Hot and humid weather conditions can increase the level of oil production. Dry and cold weather conditions can also trigger excess oil production in order to compensate for the dehydrated skin.
Hormonal Changes – Fluctuation of hormones during puberty, pregnancy and pre-menopause can promote the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil in women.
Medications – Excessive oily skin can also be a side effect of using certain medications like hormonal birth control pills and hormone replacement medications.
Stress – There are endless negative effects of stress on both physical and mental health, and it affects the skin as well. The skin may respond to chronic stress by the production of androgen hormones that promotes more oil production.
These are some of the basic oily skin care tips that you need to introduce into your skin care routine if you have oily skin.
Tired of experimenting with various types of over the counter cleansers and ointments that promise to clear the problem of pimples and acne from the root but fail to show any results in reality? Forget the toxic chemicals and try out these natural skin care tips and home remedies for oily skin and pimples that boast of the wholesome goodness of nature.
Aloe Vera has been used for its medicinal qualities since ancient times. Aloe vera contains an aspirin-like compound known as salicylic acid that has powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and analgesic properties that help in controlling oily skin and problems with acne and pimples. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe also help in treating suntan and skin infections. This is one of the best home remedies for oily skin that is also the solution to the question of how to get rid of dead skin cells naturally.
Take a handful of dry oats and mixes it thoroughly with some aloe vera gel and apply on face and massage gently with your fingers in clock-wise and anti-clockwise direction for 3-5 minutes. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat this remedy once every week to get noticeable results.
This cheap fruit is loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, B, and E along with potassium that helps in moisturizing and hydrating the skin cells without making them oily and greasy. Milk is the best natural moisturizer that nourishes the skin in a gentle way. This is a great natural scrub that exfoliates the skin and clears dead cells, blackheads and whiteheads. Do not use the scrub on pimple and acne affected areas, as it may aggravate the irritation.
Mash 1 ripe banana and add a tablespoon of milk and 2 tablespoons of oats to it. Mix well and apply on clean face. Massage the face using soft circular motion for 5 to 6 minutes, leave it on for another 20 minutes and wash off with water. Repeat it 2 to 3 times a week for best results.
This is undoubtedly the most effective natural face mask for oily skin that removes excess oil from the skin without stripping off all the moisture. Honey being a natural humectant helps in adding a soft and smooth texture to the skin where as apple supplies the necessary nutrients to maintain healthy and naturally glowing skin. Apples are a rich source of vitamins such as Vitamins A, B and C. These vitamins act as natural toners, cleansers and moisturizer for skin and helps in preventing greasiness of the skin. Crush a seeded apple and mix 3 tablespoon honey with it. Apply on clean face. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times every week for fair and oil-free skin.
The benefits of bananas and honey for oily skin have already been discussed above. Oily skin tips frequently mention the use of lemon juice of controlling excessive oiliness. Lemon juice being a natural cleanser helps in removing oil from the skin and is also effective in lightening skin tan and age spots and removing blackheads. Blend one banana with a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Remove the pack with a hot towel and rinse well with water. Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times every week for effective results.
This delicious juicy fruit has loads of health benefits, but when it comes to skin, mangoes are equally effective for oily skin. mangoes have natural astringent and cleansing properties that helps in soothing and cooling oily skin during summer and removing excess oil, dirt and impurities from the skin and unclogging the skin pores. Mash a whole ripe mango into a smooth pulp and massage it softly and evenly on your skin. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat this remedy once every week for optimum results. This is a deep nourishing homemade facial for oily skin.
Egg yolk is known for its tightening effect on the skin. It also cuts out excessive oil from the skin. It is a rich source of high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals that help maintain the overall health of the skin. Break one egg and separate its yolk. Mix the egg yolk using a whisk and use a cotton ball to apply the yolk to excessive oily areas of the face, such as nose, chin, cheeks, forehead and temple. Let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse well with water. Repeat this remedy 1 to 2 times every week for amazing results.
The astringent property of peppermint makes it a wonderful toner. It is very useful homemade treatment for acne, pimples, irritation, itching, sunburn and cooling the skin. It helps in shrinking open pores which in turn helps in controlling sebum production and provides an even skin tone. In order to make the peppermint toner, put a handful of peppermint leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over it. Wait for half an hour and then strain the liquid. Cleanse your face and apply this natural toner to your face with a cotton ball.
Store the rest of the toner in a bottle. It can be used for a week if refrigerated properly. The toner can be applied 2 to 3 times every day on clean face.
And in order to complete our oily skin care regime, we need the oh-so-essential moisturizer. Yes, even oily skin needs moisturizer for nourishment. Eggs are loaded with proteins that are great for the skin. In addition, eggs are known to maintain the natural elasticity of the skin. Therefore, what better way to pamper the skin than with egg white moisturizer?
Take an egg and separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Add 4 tablespoons of almond oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the egg white and mix thoroughly. Apply on face and let it dry completely. Clean face with warm water. Repeat this remedy 1 to 2 times every week to keep skin smooth and hydrated.
With most of the ingredients easily available in the kitchen or the freezer, there is no need to be worried about the problems of oily skin anymore. Try out these wonderful natural remedies for skin and you may find yourself overjoyed with the results.
Manoja Kalakanti