Why is my skin oily? Have you had to ask yourself that recently? Don’t worry we have some answers for you alongside many other questions about oily skincare you may have and of course, natural home remedies to keep at bay, this skin condition.
Oily skin happens as a result of the sebaceous glands in the skin that makes too much sebum, sebum is the oily, waxy substance and it hydrates and protects the skin however too much of it leads to oily skin which in turn clogged pores and causes acne.
Managing oily skin requires daily skincare and avoiding things that trigger more oil production.
The severity of oil skin varies on how much oil your skin is producing but this does not limit how annoying having oily skin and face can be, oily skin basically makes a mess of makeups and regardless of what you use you just can’t get rid of it. Dermatologists claim the most common skin type is oily skin and it’s more prone to acne and pimple than dry skin, genetics also play a large role in oily skin.
To get rid of oily skin, it’s important to know the causes and what triggers it in order to avoid a future occurrence. We have outlined some of the vital things you need to know about oily skin and how you can get rid of it.
What Causes Oily Skin?
It is normal for the sebaceous gland in your skin to produce sebum which in turn produces too much oil but they some underlying factors that might trigger excess oil production.
- Genetics plays lots of role in causing oily skin, it means your oily skin had been passed on through genes hence making it a hereditary attribute
- Humidity and hot weather condition can irritate the skin and lead to excess oil production too
- Overwashing your skin might seem like the right thing to do but it only strips your skin of its moisture causing glands to overproduce.
- Some certain medications too can cause the skin too dry out thereby leading to overproduction of oil.
- Hormones can’t be ignored in the causes of oily skin, it triggers it faster due to the fact that androgens are the hormones responsible for oil production and sometimes they can fluctuate and lead to excess sebum production which happens during menstruation, puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
- Too much sugar and refined carbohydrates which could generally mean poor diet can also cause oily skin.
Symptoms Of Oily Skin
Often times the production of sebum might not be in excess and so no cause for alarm but if the reverse is the case then below are symptoms that show you have a severe case of oily skin which is usually obvious on the face.
- A shiny greasy appearance on the face and skin
- Very large obvious pores on the face
- Skin looks too thick or rough
- Constant batting of pimples
- Blackhead and clogged pores
This symptom depends on how severe the case may be and genetics, hormones and stress also determine the increase and level of sebum production.
Is Oily Skin Bad?
Sebum isn’t all bad and if not in excess, it does protect and moisturize your skin and keeps your hair healthy and shiny but too much of it does lead to oily skin which in turn cause acne and other skin irritations but this antioxidant clogging oil is not so bad if you find a way to keep it at bay.
People with oily skins also tend to have fewer wrinkles and thicker skin. There are effective ways you can manage oily skin and become less irritated by it.
Do I need to Moisturize My face If I Have Oily Skin?
You do need to moisturize your face regardless of your oily skin but you need to look for a product that is labeled non-comedogenic, this basically means it won’t clog pores making it perfectly okay to go for, you should also steer clear of skincare products like mineral oil, cocoa butter, petrolatum, and lanolin, you should opt for oil-free and lightweight formulas instead.
Oily skin does require a moisturizer that hydrates and nourishes it and it’s best to go for a moisturizer that suits your skin.
How To Take Care Of Oily Skin
Oily skin tends to get easily irritated and lead to more breakouts on your face hence it’s important to take care of your body in a more hygienic way as this will prevent clogging and bacteria and instead of running to skincare products, we recommend some of these skincare routines.
- Use a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer twice every day, look for products that contain less clogging oil and instead contain sulfur or tee tree oil. It helps remove impurities and keep your skin properly hydrated.
- Exfoliate once every week, this will help remove dead pores and open up pores to enable any skincare product to work more effectively.
- Wash your face regularly, sweating and dirt only clog more pores and irritate the skin. Use clean water to wash your face after removing makeups.
- Apply a facial mask once a week so it can soak up the excess oil on your face and prevent it from drying out, facial masks also help to soothe the skin and reduce shine for some days.
- It’s said that you have to wash your face regularly but do not over wash your face as you might strip it of useful nutrient and let it dry and cause irritation, you might try washing your face twice a day and more than twice a day if you have sweating.
- Keep your hand away from your face, and be mindful of what touches your face, the hand can quickly pick up bacteria and transfer it to the face, keep your hair and hands clean and also away from your face. Picking at a pimple on your face should be prevented too.
6 Home Remedy Treatment Of Oily Skin
Here are 6 ways you can take care of your skin to considerably reduce the problem of oily skin, this should become your daily skincare routine for maintaining healthy skin.
1. Cosmetic Clay
Cosmetic clay is also referred to as healing clay and it’s highly recommended by dermatologists in reducing oily skin, cosmetic clay is as old as time but often ignored. It is highly absorbent in getting rid of acne and pimples. Here is how to make it a spa treatment.
- Add filtered water to a teaspoon of clay until it forms a pudding
- Apply the mixture to your face and leave to dry
- Wash it off with warm water but if it’s a peel-off mask, be gentle with your skin.
2. Eggs And Lemon
Combining egg with lemon has been proven to be efficient in getting rid of oily skin, the two is a good source of nutrient to the skin, with antibacterial properties that help lock-in moisture, lemon can be substituted for other citrus fruits too.
How To Apply Eggs And Lemon For Oily Skin
- Mix one egg white with 1 teaspoon of lemon
- Apply it to your face and let it dry, important to wash your face with warm water before applying
- Remove with warm water and pat your face dry.
3. Almonds
Ground almonds are used for face exfoliation which makes it a perfect option for reducing sebum production, it contains antioxidants that battle bad bacteria and keep your skin properly hydrated and sop of any excess oil on your skin.
How To Use Almonds For Oily Skincare
- Grind raw almonds into a fine smooth powder
- Add two teaspoon of honey to make a paste
- Apply to your face in a gentle circular motion and allow to dry
- Wash off with warm water
4. Honey
Honey is one of the most used natural remedies for all skin issues, consists of antibacterial and antiseptic properties to keep your skin nourished and clear from bacteria.
Honey naturally keeps the skin moist and hydrated, raw natural honey should be used to get rid of oily and dry skin. Add a thick spay of honey in a circular motion on your face and leave for 15 minutes before washing with warm water.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is also another natural remedy for treating any skin irritation and this can be used by all skin types due to its antibacterial properties.
Aloe vera gel help in evicting flaky skins that cause excess oil production. Apply a thin layer of the gel to your skin before bedtime and wash in the morning but it’s vital to know how sensitive your skin is to aloe vera before using.
6. Tomatoes
The acid in tomato is called salicylic acid which absorbs excess skin oil and unclogs pores too, tomatoes are highly believed to get rid of acne and brighten the skin naturally. It can be used for uneven skin tone too. You can make a scrub with sugar or use the natural tomato pulp on your skin.
How To Use Tomato For Oily Skincare
- Combine one pulp of tomato with one teaspoon of sugar
- Apply to the skin in a circular motion and avoid scrubbing too hard
- Leave for 5 minutes
- Wash with warm water and pat dry.
While Natural home remedies will keep your skin healthy and oil-free, it’s important to also ensure proper skincare routine, like washing your face regularly and using less chemical-induced products, oily skin is more triggered by germs so ensure to keep it germ-free at all times.
