Although sebum protects and moisturizes your skin while keeping your hair healthy and shiny, an overproduction of this oily substance can lead to clogged pores and acne. Genetics, stress or hormone imbalance can make the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. However, there are ways to reduce the symptoms of oily skin and some of them you can even try at home. Let’s see how to manage acne and that shiny, greasy appearance without prescription drugs or expensive skin treatments.
- Start with washing your face
Although it should be obvious, there are a lot of people who suffer from oily skin that don’t wash their face every day. For them it is recommended to avoid harsh soaps and not to over wash since these can strip their skin from its protective barrier and lead to more problems. So use a gentle glycerin soap instead and wash your face twice a day.
- Blotting papers
This inexpensive over the counter solution can prevent your sebaceous glands from being overactive and they can also help you blot excess oil from the face, minimizing that greasy, shiny look. You can use how many of these small, thin papers as you need throughout the day.
- Honey
One of the best natural skin remedies, honey has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and it can be beneficial for acne-prone skin as well. Because it is a natural humectant it can keep your skin moist without making it oily. You only need to spread a thin layer of raw honey onto your face and wait for about ten minutes until it gets dry. Rinse well with warm water and enjoy that soft, plump look.
- Cosmetic clay
These healing clays can treat a lot of skin conditions but they are mostly used to absorb the oil from your skin. French green clay that comes in powder form is highly absorbent and a very popular treatment for oily skin. You only need to mix it with water until it reaches a pudding-like consistency and apply it on the face. After it dries you can rinse it with warm water.
- Oatmeal
Oatmeal can absorb the excess oil and help treat acne. It also contains some natural cleansers called saponins that can help you remove the dirt and the oil and unclog the pores from the dead skin cells. So if you want a great exfoliator you can use it in your facial masks combined with honey, yoghurt or mashed fruits. Massage that mixture into your face and after three minutes rinse with water.
- Egg whites and lemons
Another homemade remedy that can tighten your pores, egg whites and lemons can help absorb the excess oil and calm inflamed skin. So, unless you don’t have egg allergy, use an egg white and combine it with a tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply the mixture on your face. Remove the face mask with warm water after it dries and pat dry.
- Almonds
Ground almonds can make a great face scrub. They can help you get rid of impurities but they can sop up excess oil as well. You only need 3 tsp. of finely grind almonds, 3 tsp of raw honey to make one of the best homemade exfoliating masks. Apply it on your face with circular motions and leave it for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Use this face mask unless you don’t have nut allergy.
- Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a well-known remedy for burns, acne and dry skin. Although it mostly works on superficial acne it can also treat that flaky skin that results from oily patches. So, if you don’t have a sensitive skin, because aloe vera can cause allergic reactions, apply a thin layer of gel before going to sleep and remove it in the morning.
- Tomatoes
The salicylic acid in tomatoes can unclog your pores and absorb the excess skin oil. To make a tomato mask you need the pulp of 1 tomato and I tsp of sugar. Apply that mixture using circular motion, leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse well with warm water.
- Jojoba oil
You might think that oil can be counterproductive to oily skin but jojoba oil can mimic sebum, tricking the sebaceous glands into keeping the oil levels balanced. So if you apply a jojoba oil mask with healing clay three times a week, you can treat oily skin, mild acne, skin lesions and other skin problems.
Preventing oily skin
Although it’s not easy to prevent oily skin when this condition is caused by hormones or genetics, you can stop the condition from becoming worse by avoiding unhealthy, greasy foods, processed foods or foods high in sugar. A good skin care regime and less makeup, especially foundation can help as well. Try to use more water-based products and less oil-based ones and look for noncomedogenic products because they are less likely to clog your pores.
However, even if most of these home remedies work, you need to see what’s best for your skin. If you develop a skin reaction or the remedy worsens your symptoms, discontinue use and contact a dermatologist.
