Why Is My Skin So Oily?
This is one of the first questions asked by a majority of people who have extremely oily skin. Oily skin is a result of overly active sebaceous glands in some individuals. These glands secrete a waxy or oily substance called sebum. While sebum is vital for keeping your skin protected, healthy, and hydrated, too much of it can lead to oily skin and clogged pores. This may eventually result in acne. Many factors can cause your skin to produce more sebum and become oily. They are discussed right below.
What Causes Oily Skin?
Some common causes of oily skin are:
Genetics – Oily skin usually runs in families. If either of your parents has had a history of oily skin, your skin is also quite likely to be oily. Age – Adolescents and young adults are known to have oilier skin than the older lot. While this doesn’t mean that your skin will become completely oil-free as you age, it will definitely become less oily. Also, oily skin can actually help in slowing down your skin’s aging as it keeps the skin moisturized as compared those with dry skin. Climate – If the climate of the place where you live in is hot and humid, your skin is likely to produce more oil. This is why your skin is oilier in summers as compared to the winters. Enlarged Pores – Aging, acne breakouts, and weight fluctuations can cause your skin pores to become enlarged. Enlarged pores can make your skin produce more oil. Most individuals with oily skin have large skin pores. Use Of Wrong Skin Care Products – Some individuals may mistake their combination skin for dry skin and use a lot of heavy creams meant for the latter. This can cause the skin to retain more oil, possibly leading to clogged pores and your skin breaks out even more. Nowadays, there are specific skin care products available for oily skin, so choose yours wisely. Wrong Skin Care Routine – Those with oily skin tend to wash their face at the drop of a hat. However, doing this will only give your skin temporary relief. It may, in fact, cause your skin to produce even more oil to make up for the loss. Skipping Your Moisturizer – Skipping your moisturizer can make your skin dry or oilier faster. Hence, use a light-weight, water-based moisturizer if you have oily skin. Stress
Any of the above factors or even a combination of them could be contributing to your oily skin. The common signs and symptoms that characterize oily skin are discussed below.
Signs And Symptoms
The signs and symptoms associated with oily skin include:
Greasiness or shine on the face Large pores on the skin of the face Skin that appears thick or rough Occasional or persistently occurring pimples Clogged pores Blackheads and/or whiteheads
Oily skin can be tricky to manage and you might be left wondering how to remove oily skin naturally. But, don’t worry, we have compiled a list of 10 home remedies that mya help remove oily skin naturally.
9 Home Remedies For Oily Skin
Natural Remedies To Remove Oil From Face
1. Wash Your Face
Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser, ideally one that is pH-balanced to prevent over-stripping your skin of needed moisture. Do not over cleanse! Avoid using a cleanser more than twice daily on your skin. Also, avoid using soaps with strong fragrances or moisturizers as these may cause your skin to produce even more oil (1). You can also incorporate anti-acne products containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide into your skin care routine for oily skin as they can provide targeted treatment for your skin issues.
2. Blotting Papers
Carrying blotting papers along is a must for those who have oily skin. Instead of washing your face as soon as you see it turning oily, use a blotting paper to blot out the extra oil from the problematic areas of your face. This also helps your makeup stay in place for longer. June, a blogger, provides a solution for dealing with oily skin without blotting papers. She writes, “When I notice that my skin is looking extra shiny before I’m about to do something important (especially in the warmer months), and I’m stuck with no oil blotting papers, I never worry — as long as you have a newspaper or a magazine around you, you can handle the situation like a pro (i)!”
3. Honey
You Will Need 2-3 teaspoons of raw honey What You Have To Do
- Wash your hands thoroughly. 2. Using your fingertips, massage raw honey onto your face. 3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off. How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily. Why This Works Honey acts as a natural emollient. It hydrates your skin and reduces the secretion of oil naturally. Its antimicrobial properties can also prevent acne breakouts (2).
4. Oatmeal
You Will Need
½ tablespoon of ground oatmeal Water (as required)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily or every alternate day. Why This Works Oatmeal is a powerful ultraviolet absorber that can protect your skin from the sun. It is also a moisturizing, cleansing, and anti-inflammatory agent (3). Oatmeal can help in controlling your skin from producing too much sebum, thus preventing acne. It also reduces redness and irritation. You can add this gentle ingredient to your homemade scrubs for oily skin to enjoy its mild exfoliating benefits.
5. Egg Mask
You Will Need
1 egg white A cotton ball
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1-2 times a week. Why This Works Egg whites can help in firming up your skin by stimulating the human dermal fibroblastsi A type of cell that helps in the development of connective tissue and plays a role in preventing the signs of skin aging. to produce more collageni A protein found in the connective tissues, cartilage, hair, and skin that is key in the growth, development, and maintenance of skin. (4). This can help shrink your pores, thus helping with oil control.
6. Lemons
You Will Need
2 teaspoons of lemon juice 2 teaspoons of water 1 teaspoon of glycerin (optional) Cotton balls
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1-2 times per week. Why This Works Lemons are rich in citric acid, which helps unclog pores, shrink the pores, and controls sebum production. Lemons also possess antimicrobial properties that help kill the acne-causing bacteria (5). You can use it as a natural astringent after you exfoliate the skin.
7. Green Tea
You Will Need Used green tea bags What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily. Why This Works Green tea polyphenols can help in reducing sebum production and are also beneficial in treating acne (6).
8. Aloe Vera
You Will Need
Aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily. Why This Works Aloe vera exhibits astringent and moisturizing properties that help in toning the skin by reducing the size of the pores (7). This, in turn, can control the oil secreted from your skin.
9. Jojoba Oil
You Will Need
1-2 teaspoons of jojoba oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You may do this once daily. Why This Works Jojoba oil is similar to sebum. It tricks your skin into producing lesser oil and prevents acne breakouts (8). While these remedies work their magic, here are some additional tips that can help prevent oily skin issues altogether.
How To Prevent Oily Skin Issues
Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser and water. Avoid touching your skin frequently. Remove all your makeup before going to bed. Keep your hair away from your face as the dirt and oil from it can make your skin oilier. Use a pH-balanced toner daily. Use a toner daily. Find a skin care routine that works to control oily skin and stick to it. Use water-based cosmetics. Avoid eating greasy foods and follow a balanced diet for oily skin. Drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated. Opt for double cleansing for oily skin, which helps unclog the pores and remove impurities.
While we have covered all the disadvantages of oily skin and how you can tackle it, let’s look at the bright side and check out some of its benefits too!
Benefits Of Oily Skin
It keeps the skin naturally moisturized and feeling supple most of the time. It is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps slow down the aging process. The oils may act as a natural barrier against harmful environmental factors like heat, sun, wind, air pollution, etc. It has a natural glow and dewy appearance. It is claimed to be less prone to skin sensitivity and irritation.
How can I stop my face from getting oily throughout the day? Following any of the above remedies and sticking to the tips will help your skin get better with time. Visit a dermatologist or naturopathic doctor to get to the root cause if nothing helps. What is the best face wash for oily skin? Face washes meant for acne-prone skin that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid might help control sebum secretion. You can also use any of the mild cleansers that are specially formulated for oily skin that are pH-balanced to avoid over-drying oily skin. Does drinking water help oily skin? Drinking water helps in keeping your body well-hydrated. This reduces the need for your body to secrete too much oil (sebum). Aim to consume half of your body weight (in lbs.) in ounces of water per day. For example, a 160lb person would need 80 oz of fluid per day, that’s equivalent to 10 cups. Does oily skin age faster? No, oily skin does not age faster. In fact, oily skin is more protected against wrinkles and skin looseness than dry skin (9). Do oily people look younger? Since people with oily skin are slower to show the signs of aging, they may look younger than people with dry skin. Is vitamin C good for oily skin? Vitamin C is good for oily skin due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Since oily skin is more prone to acne, using vitamin C will help treat the inflammation and reduce oxidative stressi An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which can increase the risk of acne and skin aging. associated with it (10). It may also help spot-treat your skin, improving the skin’s complexion. Is retinol good for oily skin? Retinol may help reduce facial pore size and reduce the production of sebum. Thus, retinol could be good for oily skin (11).
Illustration: How To Get Rid Of Oily Skin - 10 Effective Home Remedies + Prevention Tips
Learn how natural remedies help treat oily skin and acne! Check out this video to know how to get rid of excess oil and clear up your skin with simple ingredients from your kitchen.
