While having oily skin is not exactly a bad thing, having too much on the skin could lead to other problems. Oily skin is caused by over secretion of sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands, which are beneath the skin. Sebum keeps the skin hydrated and looking fresh. But when it is produced too much, oftentimes caused by an inflammation or conditions like stress, it could lead to clogged pores. This usually causes acne and other skin problems.
For someone with oily skin, controlling it is very important, in order to prevent breakouts. That is why today, we would be looking at ways to reduce oily skin.Â
Wash Your Skin Regularly
The first step to controlling your oily skin is to wash it regularly with water. Do this in the morning, in the evening, after exercise or any sweaty activity. Basically, you should do this anytime you feel your skin is oily. By skin here, we mean the skin around the face.Â
You can wash with water alone, but if you must use soap, make sure it is a gentle soap and one without fragrances or chemicals. Also, you do not need a sponge or brush to scrub your face with. Just rubbing your fingers across your face is fine enough. After washing your face, avoid using a towel or any rough cloth to dry it. Instead, leave it to air dry, which should take just a few minutes.
Use Oil-free Moisturisers
Because you have oily skin does not mean you should go without using moisturisers as you still need to keep your skin hydrated. What you should look for is an oil-free moisturiser. This would keep your skin hydrated without it feeling oily. You could also switch to using aloe vera, which has been proven to be good for moisturising oily skin.Â
Use An Oil-fighting Cleanser
Some cleansers contain acids that can help to tackle oily skin. These acids can reach the skin pores and remove the dirt, mostly oil, clogging them. When buying your cleanser, check to make sure they contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Avoid Touching Your Face All Day
Some people struggle with the habit of running their hands across their faces all day. The problem is, most times, your fingers may not be clean, and you end up spreading dirt, oil and germs, all over your face. Make a conscious effort not to touch your face during the day. If you must touch your face, such as when cleansing it or when you are applying make-up, make sure that your hands are washed and clean.Â
Use Blotting Papers
If you can get your hands on them, blotting papers can be very helpful in removing oil from the skin. Just gently put it on your face and allow it to rest for a while before pulling it off.
Avoid Eating Foods That Make Your Skin Oily
Eating certain foods could make your skin produce more oil than needed. Foods like dairy foods (milk, cheese), fried foods, sugary foods, processed foods, tend to make the skin produce more oil.Â
Try Natural Remedies
There are natural remedies that can be used to reduce oily skin. They include:
- Aloe Vera: it has been popularly used for oily skin treatment. You should rub a thin layer of aloe vers on your face before sleeping and leave it on until morning.
- Egg whites and lemons: this is another traditional remedy for oily skin, as both of them as said to tighten the pores on the face. Mix them together, and apply on your face till it dries up. Finally, remove it with warm water.
- Honey: honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which makes it good for oily skin. When using honey to treat oily skin, apply raw honey on your face; allow it dry for about a few minutes, and rinse with warm water.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
