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Are you unfortunate enough that when you get up in the morning your face looks like you've been working out for the last eight hours? I can relate! Looking shiny - always and everywhere. And, it’s not like you haven’t tried those annoying peeling masks, or some other fancy, expensive product, right? It’s a struggle. The constant wiping, the greasy traces you leave on your phone after touching your face, the t-zone area - it can all get a bit old. And, let’s face it, excess oil means clogged pores, which means your face is more prone to acne.
You get it.
So, in order to effectively change your skin complexion, first, you need to understand what are the things that may cause your skin to be so oily. Next, I’ll share with you my secret - the best beauty tips for oily skin I know to finally get rid of the constant, unwanted shine.
Oily skin is the result of your sebaceous glands going into overdrive. These glands are located under the skin's surface, and are responsible for maintaining the natural glow of the skin, moisturizing it, protecting it from harsh environmental conditions, and keeping it healthy! But, why do your glands produce more oil than necessary? Well, a couple of reasons actually.
This one is not something you have control over, but unfortunately, if your parents have oily skin it’s more likely that you’ll have oily skin as well. The way our body functions is determined by the genetic code that we inherit from our parents and grandparents. We get their strong sides but also their weaknesses.
You know - puberty, the menstrual cycle, menopause, etc. Hormones are another large contributing factor to oily skin, as well as acne, and they’re pretty hard to control. The good news is that they’re not predetermined like your genes are. There are some tips for oily skin caused by hormonal changes one can undertake in order to balance their hormones, including medical treatments. And of course, if you’re going through hormonal changes adding in natural home remedies, as well as lifestyle and diet changes (like dairy-free) to the mix can certainly help.
You know how you sweat when you’re nervous, anxious, or stressed? Well, you may notice your sweat on your body, but the pores on your face “sweat” as well. What I mean is - your sebaceous glands are starting to work overtime. When the body is under stress, no matter the reason, the cortisol levels rise. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released from the adrenal glands. It causes many reactions in our body, but the one relevant here is this one: it stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum as well as increase inflammation. Now getting rid of stress is easier said than done, but we definitely advise you to make a conscious effort to keep yourself relaxed and keep your mind at peace. The best tip for oily skin caused by stress is to start meditation, yoga, go to a spa treatment or just relax with calming music.
Humidity and hot weather can stimulate the secretion of sebum, which as we know leads to more oil on the skin. On the other hand, harsh and arid colds can dry out the skin, which again will make the oil glands want to compensate and produce more oil. I’m not saying you should move to another place but consider taking measures to protect your skin.
There’s still not enough research to back this up, but the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming - especially for dairy. Food rich in refined sugar, saturated fats, and milk products may cause negative effects on your skin. Dairy is bad for your skin because it's rich in hormones. Refined sugar, and saturated fats because they increase blood sugar. When that happens, the body reacts by producing more insulin, which in turn stimulates the glands to produce more oil and increases your risk of oily skin and developing acne.
This tip for oily skin might sound like an oxymoron, because yes, you should wash your face more frequently when you are dealing with oily skin. But, the fact is, if you overdo it, you will make your skin dry, which will trigger the oil glands to produce even more sebum, and after a day or two, you will have more oil on your skin.
First, you need to make sure you are using the right cosmetic products for your specific skin type. Secondly, don’t use makeup with poor quality. This type of makeup is usually harsher, which can damage the skin and make the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Search for makeup that is labeled as either oil-free or noncomedogenic. Finally, moisturizing the skin is important even if you have oily skin type. There are different types of moisturizers that can help your skin stay hydrated without making it greasy.
It can be embarrassing in some situations when oily skin causes problems, but the real question is - Is oily skin unhealthy? Well, technically no, but it can lead to unhealthy conditions - like acne.
Your skin producing too much oil is not necessarily a bad thing - it can even have some benefits. Some experts say that oily and combined skin types age much more slowly, with fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
The problem occurs when the excess oil clogs the pores and causes visible blackheads, whiteheads, or the worst of them all - inflamed acne vulgaris. You may be able to ignore a few blackheads or pimples, but severe acne conditions are followed by irritation, itching, pain and swelling that can really shake up someone psychologically. So, at the end of the day, the best thing is to try and see what tips for oily skin you can incorporate in your daily activities to prevent that extra oil.
Most importantly, don’t use abrasive products that leave the skin too dry afterward. I know, this might seem like a good thing at the beginning, but the dryness will trigger your sebaceous glands and sooner than later you will be back where you started. Maybe with even more oil than before. Your best friends are water and a clean cloth to dry off.
Instead, look for water-based, and use compact facial powder, rather than liquid one. Look for products labeled non-comedogenic that are less likely to clog pores.
They are thin, small papers you can wear in your handbag at all times and use them whenever you feel the need. Blotting paper won’t affect your oil glands, but they soak up the excess oil. Preventing the oil to stay on your face for too long will keep you safe against dirt accumulation, and acne development.
In summer, always wear sunscreen and avoid being exposed directly to the UV rays for too long. In winter, regularly moisturize the skin and wear a soft scarf and a hat. Don’t let the wind and the cold damage the skin’s surface.
Below you have some of the best natural ingredients that are known to aid oily skin, without making it too dry afterward. They are safe and easy to use, cheap, maybe already in your fridge, so you can experiment a little and find the best solution for your skin.
The first ingredient in this list is honey. Honey is part of so many guides to flawless skin, and almost always present in the most effective facial masks. The honey adds moisture to the skin without adding oil. This happens because honey is considered a natural humectant, meaning it will draw moisture from the skin without replacing it. Also, it has strong antibacterial and antiseptic abilities, that benefit oily and acne-prone skin.
Second in the list is the lemon, or more accurately freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s a tight battle between lemons and honey as to which ingredient is most frequently used in skin care regimes. Lemons are great for all skin types, however, they are proved to be quite effective in handling excess oil on the skin. The citric acid is a compound that can absorb excess oil. You can always mix honey and lemon juice to create the ultimate most potent facial mask that will soak up the oil, and moisturize the skin without making it dry.
Egg whites can be a great tool against oily skin because they can shrink pores and tighten the skin.
The fatty acids in almonds, help in dissolving the sebum and therefore preventing pimples and making the skin oil free. Because almond facial packs are very light in texture, the body absorbs them really well, which allows them to penetrate the skin deeply and remove any accumulated dirt. On top of that, almonds are rich in Vitamin A, another vitamin with amazing useful abilities for the skin.
Aloe vera it’s naturally anti-microbial, which means it will kill the bacteria on your face, that is clogging your pores. It is also known that can soak up oil and leave the skin smooth and clear.
Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, which can relieve inflammation of the skin. Additionally, they are capable of balancing your skin’s pH, limiting the production of sebum oil and tightening open pores.
One of the best ingredients for oily skin is colloidal oats. They have powerful absorbent properties, which means the oil on your skin doesn’t stand a chance. Oatmeal is also very moisturizing so it tricks oily skin into producing less oil.
Don’t be a skeptic. It’s already shown that applying some natural oils to oily skin can be beneficial. This is the case for the jojoba oil. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Jojoba oil can balance the production of sebum by tricking the oil glands.
Cucumbers are hydrating, astringent and helpful at tightening open pores. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants good for the skin, cucumbers can help you from the inside and the outside. They make a delicious salad, but also a relaxing facial mask - use them in both situations.
