To start the discussion on oily skin care, it’s imperative to first understand the cause behind oily skin. Put simply, oily skin is a result of excessive production of sebum (an oily substance that is naturally produced by skin). As is known to everyone, excess of everything is bad; so excessive sebum is bad too. It leads to clogging of skin pores, resulting in accumulation of dead cells and hence formation of pimples/acne. Moreover, oily skin spoils your looks too. So, ‘oily skin care’ is as important as the ‘skin care’ for other types of skin.
The basic aim of ‘oily skin care’ is the removal of excessive sebum or oil from the skin. However, oily skin care procedures should not lead to complete removal of oil. ‘Oily skin care’ starts with the use of a cleanser. However, not all cleansers will work. You need a cleanser which contains salicylic acid i.e. a beta-hydroxy acid that retards the rate of sebum production. Cleansing should be done twice a day (and even more in hot and humid conditions).
Most of the oily skin care products are oil-free; however, it is always good to check the ingredients of the product, before you actually buy it. This is especially important if a product is marked as ‘suitable for all skin types’, instead of ‘oily skin care product’. ‘Oily skin care’ is also dependent on the degree of oiliness, if you aren’t too oily, so some of these ‘suitable for all’- type of products might be work for you too. For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine can include an alcohol based toner (for an extremely oily skin). This can be the second step in your oily skin care routine i.e. just after cleansing. However, excessive toning can harm your skin. The next step in your oily skin care routine can be a mild moisturizer. Again, the degree of oiliness of your skin will determine whether you need to include this in your oily skin care routine. If you do decide to include a moisturizer, be sure to use one that is oil-free, wax-free and lipid-free.
You could also use a clay mask (say once a week) as an oily skin care measure. As far as the oily skin care products go, you might need to try out a few before you arrive at the one that is really suitable for your skin .In case these measures don’t give you the desired result, consult a good dermatologist for advice. He could prescribe stronger oily skin care products like vitamin A creams, retinoids etc .which can help counter the problems of oily skin .Oily skin is caused by an over-secretion of sebum, an oily substance our skin needs in order to function properly. Too much of this sebum can cause acne and too little can cause dry, cracked skin. The main characteristics of oily skin include: Shiny and often has breakouts. Less visible wrinkles. Oily skin is marked by large pores and a shiny, thicker feeling complexion. It produces more than enough oil so hydration isn’t the issue, but blackheads and pimples usually are. People with oily skin struggle with keeping the shine down during the day, and usually feel the need to wash their face often.
What Causes Oily Skin?
The sebaceous glands become oversized and start producing excessive sebum making the skin oily and greasy. The skin oiliness among people may vary depending on their age, climate, ethnicity, and gender. The factors listed below play a key role in oil production from the glands.
- Hormones
- Genes
- Diet with high-fat content.
What are some facts about oily skin type?
Oily skin is marked by large pores and a shiny, thicker feeling complexion. It produces more than enough oil so hydration isn’t the issue, but blackheads and pimples usually are. People with oily skin struggle with keeping the shine down during the day, and usually feel the need to wash their face often.
How do I stop my skin from being oily?
- Cleansing regularly.
- Limiting alcohol use.
- Using salicylic acid products.
- Using blotting papers or medicated pads.
- Moisturizing regularly.
- Making a facial mask.
- Making dietary changes.
- Using products with green tea.
Natural home ingredients for oily skin:
1. Soy
The application of soy on the skin can help control oil production and moisturize the skin. You can take some soybeans, grind them into powder, and add some water to make a paste. You can apply this paste onto the skin to get rid of oiliness.
2. Fuller’s Earth
Fuller’s earth or multani mitti is a perfect ingredient for oily skin. It acts as an absorbent and absorbs all the oil and dirt, giving fresh and glowing skin. You can make many facial packs using Multani mitti. To make a herbal face pack using Multani mitti, take turmeric, sandalwood powder, gram flour and saffron. Mix these ingredients and add water to get a paste-like consistency. Then, apply this face mask to get rid of oily skin.
4. Gram Flour
Gram flour or besan is a beneficial ingredient that reduces the skin’s oiliness and prevents acne. Mix gram flour with some yoghurt and apply this paste evenly on the skin. Wash with cold water after some time when it is dried. You can make another face pack using gram flour, sandalwood powder, and turmeric to enhance the effectiveness. Add sufficient water to make a paste and apply it evenly across the skin. Wash it off with cold water when it is dried.
5. Aloe Vera
If you have oily skin, you can use aloe vera gel to prevent pimples and acne from forming on your face. If you have an oily face, you can also use aloe vera gel as a moisturiser as it rejuvenates the skin.5
Aloe vera gel face pack is a good remedy for oily skin. You can mix some aloe vera with Fuller’s earth to make a paste-like consistency and apply it to the face. Wash it off after some time.
6. Avoid Touching Face
Whenever you touch your face, you transfer oil, bacteria, and dirt from your hands to your face. Before touching the face, make sure that you wash your hands. Also, you should avoid touching the face unless you are applying moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup or washing the face.
7. Choose Oil-Free Products
When buying products for your skin, choose the products which are labelled as oil-free or non-comedogenic (something that does not block pores and cause pimples). Choosing these oil-free products (makeup, cleansers, and moisturizers) will not clog the skin pores and help prevent acne.
“Skin care is like dieting. You have to invest time and effort. There is no instant miracle cure.”
– Karen Grant
