Oily skin is one of the most common skin problems. It makes the skin greasy-shiny which results in clogged pores, blemishes, acne and breakouts. And the pimples keep popping out of your face to say hello to everyone you meet, this is not exactly what you want, right? You need to take extra care to keep that shine off. The shine on your face only looks good on the cheekbones with a highlighter.
Sebum is a natural oil that your skin produces it keeps the skin hydrated. Too much sebum produced by the sebaceous glands results in oily skin. The sebaceous glands are present just below under your skin surface, sebum is made up of fats, it is not bad for your skin but an excess amount of production results in oily skin. The sebum mixes with the dead skin cells and stuck in your pores that lead to skin issues.
Reasons for oily skin
- The reason for oily skin maybe because of the genes that you inherited from your parents.
- The hot climate tends to appear skin oilier it may be because of the environmental changes which result in an excessive amount of sebum.
- Due to age skin, pores may stretch and results in enlarged pores. Larger pores produce more oil.
- Washing your skin by scrubbing and exfoliating harshly and too often cause the glands to overproduction of oil.
- Applying the cosmetics that are made of toxic chemicals can also be a reason for oily skin.
- Hormone fluctuation leads your skin oily, it usually happens during puberty, pregnancy or before menstruation. Androgens are mostly responsible for this.
- Stress also leads to hormonal change which results in more oil production.
- Eating junk food and oily food with fats can also be a reason for your oily skin.
How to deal with the oily skin?
Maintain a good skincare routine. Eat healthy foods. Here’s a quick step to follow
- Cleansing is the first step. Use a gentle cleanser which has no paraben and non-comedogenic. Use a cleanser that has salicylic acid. Foaming face washes also work well that are dermatologically tested.
- Exfoliate your skin gently without harming your skin.
- Pat dry your face after washing with the soft towel.
- Moisturize skin with a lightweight oil-free moisturizer, moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated. Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer for all the skin types.
- Use toner.
- Use blotting paper this will help to remove excess oil.
- Sleep enough don’t stress.
- Wash your face after a workout. Sweat, oil and dirt settle on your skin that gets inside the pores.
- Keep bed and pillows clean usually the bacteria, dust particles settle on the bed it can contact the skin and leads to skin issues.
- Remove makeup before sleeping if applied.
- Cleanse your face before sleeping though there is no makeup applied.
- Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Cosmetics usually contain fragrances, alcohol that irritates so choose your makeup wisely.
- Wash your makeup sponges or makeup brushes weekly.
- Don’t touch your face constantly, the germs & bacteria that get in contact with hands transfer to the skin which is harmful and leads to a breakout.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
Most effective Face masks for oily skin:
- Clay or Charcoal based face mask works great. It helps to absorb excess oil.
Take a spoon full of clay or charcoal powder mix with rose water and apply evenly keep it till dries and wash with warm water. Pat dry your face and use any moisturizer or face mist. You can use Multani mitti or any other drug store clay mask of your choice. You also get readymade masks. You can try that as well.
You can buy Multani mitti here.
- Oatmeal masks help the skin to absorb oils it also exfoliate dead skin cells. Ground oatmeal works well.
This natural method is super effective and the oatmeal can be mixed with honey, turmeric, or any mashed fruits. Take 2-3 full teaspoons of oatmeal to add 1 teaspoon honey and a pinch of turmeric add warm water to make a paste. Apply on your face keep it till 15-20 mins and scrub slightly and wash with warm water and pat dry. Moisturize skin with your favourite moisturizer.
- Tomatoes can be found in every kitchen. It has salicylic acid which is great for oily skin.
Take a tomato, slice it, we need only 1 slice to take 1 teaspoon of white sugar dip the slice of tomato in the sugar and gently rub on your face in circular motions. The sugar granules exfoliate skin and the salicylic acid cleanse the skin. You can also apply tomato juice instead of this doing slice and dipping with sugar. Keep this mask for 5-8 mins and wash with warm water and pat dry. Your skin feels super smooth after this give it a try.
- Yoghurt consists of lactic acid which is a natural cleanser.
Yoghurt mixed with lemon, turmeric and honey works well. Take 2 teaspoons of yoghurt to add 3-4 drops of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice make a paste and apply it for 15 mins and rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
- Gram flour fights with acne and treats the inflamed skin.
Take 2 teaspoons of gram flour to add a pinch of turmeric add 1 teaspoon of cold raw milk or rose water make a thick paste and apply it till 15 mins rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Don’t skip the moisturizer.
Sheet masks are the fabrics that are cut into face shape and soaked in serum. Which can be used only once and thrown away. Sheet marks are good to go at any time you don’t need to mix ingredients and make a paste of it and after some time need to wash off. The serum gets absorbed in your skin after a few minutes you need to remove the mask and gently massage the serum into skin. It makes the skin hydrated, fresh, glowing and radiant. And they are super affordable.
Coffee is a natural scrub. Take 2 teaspoons of grounded coffee beans to add few drops of olive oil and scrub it in circular
These are the few things that you can try. Maintain day & night care skin routine. Wash your face at least twice a day. Cleanse and tone your face. Exfoliate twice a week. Take steam weekly. Drink water and maintain a healthy diet.