Having oily skin is like having your own personal oil and grease factory! Nah, it’s not that bad, but it sure is a pain to have oily skin. Your skin releases natural oils to retain moisture and protect your skin from any external irritants. However, excess oil production causes your pores to clog up, while also paving the way for acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. But, there is one BIG advantage to having oily skin though: Studies have shown that oily skin tends to age better, with the formation of fewer wrinkles than dry or normal skin.
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The excess oil production is thanks to the sebaceous glands in the skin that produce excess sebum. Those with oily skin tend to have shiny skin (thanks to the oil on their faces reflecting light!) and large pores (like, massive ones!).
Suggested read: The MOST perfect skin care routine for oily skin
Causes for oily skin
But what causes oily skin? It could be any of the following reasons:
- Genetics: It runs in the family
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations of hormones happens all through life for most women
- Medication: Birth control pills, hormone replacement medications, and other such treatments could leat to increased oil output
- Overuse of skin care products: Indiscriminate use of skin care products and their resulting effect
- Use of wrong skin care products: Wrong products for wrong skin type
- Seasonal changes: Rise in heat and/or humidity tends to increase oil output
- Stress: Who isn’t stressed anymore?
- Diet: What you eat determines the kind of skin you have
Home remedies for oily skin
Having oily skin may seem difficult to manage, but you can do certain simple things that would help you in managing it better. No, you don’t have to spend lots of money for this; just a few kitchen items and you should be good. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective home remedies for oily skin that work wonders on your skin:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is used in most skin creams for a reason: it has excellent anti-microbial properties that make it superb in treating acne-prone oily skin. It also helps in absorbing the excess oil from your skin.
Remedies
- Slice open a fresh aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the gel into a clean bowl. Apply this gel on your face and neck, leaving it to air dry for about 15 minutes. Wash it off with clean water. Repeat this at least two to three times a day.
- Put a freshly cut aloe vera leaf in boiling water for a few minutes. Let it cool for a bit before blending it with some 2 tablespoons of honey to make a paste. Apply it over your face and neck, and let it be for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with cold water. Use this remedy once a week.
2. Apples
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Apples are an excellent exfoliating agent that have mild antiseptic, astringent, and soothing properties. Apples have malic acid, fiber, vitamin C, and hydroxyl acids in them, that help exfoliate any dead skin cells, while also helping absorb any excess oil from your skin. These nutrients help moisturize your skin, making it soft and smooth, without any oil.
Remedies
- Take half an apple and grate it. Place these apple shreds on your face and neck and let them be for about 15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Grate half an apple and mix 1 teaspoon of it with 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and yogurt. Mix well so that it has a paste’s consistency. Now apply this paste all over your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water.
- Add half a cup of oatmeal, 1 beaten egg white, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to half a mashed apple. Mix well to make a paste. Apply this on your face and neck and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
- Mash half an apple and add 4 teaspoons of honey. Mix well to make a paste, which you can apply on your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a boon when it comes to skin and hair care because of its antibacterial properties and the presence of high amounts of alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA). It helps tone and moisturize oily skin, leaving it soft and smooth.
Remedies
- Add a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar to a three quarter cup of distilled water. Apply this homemade toner on your skin by dipping a cotton ball into it. Leave it be for 10 minutes, and wash off with cool water. Use this remedy several times a week to see good results.
- Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it every night before hitting the sack. Along with help balance your hormones, it also controls the excess oil production in the skin.
3. Cucumber
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Cucumbers have cooling and astringent properties, which make it one of the best remedies for oily skin. Plus, the mineral and vitamin content, magnesium, and potassium, are all very good to keep the excess oil production under control.
Remedies
- Slice a fresh cucumber into thick slices. Rub these thoroughly on your face and neck. Do this before going to bed, and washing it off only in the morning. You can use this every night.
- Add half a teaspoon of lime juice into half a teaspoon of cucumber juice. Apply this with a cotton ball, let it dry, and wash it off with lukewarm water. Use this remedy every day.
Suggested read: 6 tips on how to take care of oily skin in winter
4. Egg whites
Egg whites are rich in proteins and vitamin A, which help curb the excess oil production in your skin as well as tone and tighten up your oily skin.
Remedies
- Separate 1 egg and beat the white until it’s stiff. Smear this on cloud-like egg white on your skin and let it dry for about 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Use this twice a week for best results.
- Whisk one egg white, to which add the juice from half a lemon. Mix well and apply it on your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
5. Fuller’s Earth
A clay mask using Fuller’s Earth will not only help remove the excess oil, it also helps remove dirt, dead skin cells, and leftover makeup, leaving your skin soft, supple, and smooth.
Remedies
- Take 3 tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth and add a little plain water or rosewater to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face and neck, leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this once every week.
- Add 2 tablespoons of witch hazel and 2 drops of either lemon or cypress oil to 2 tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth. Mix well and apply this over your face and neck. Let it be for 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
6. Honey
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Honey has antioxidant, anti-microbial, and antiseptic properties, that make it highly beneficial for acne-prone oily skin. It also helps clear pores and moisturizes your skin, while also helping prevent wrinkles.
Remedies
- Take a tablespoon of honey in a cup. Now dip a cotton ball in it and apply it all over the affected area, letting it dry for 15 minutes. Wash your face with cool water. Use this remedy twice a day for best results.
- Grind a handful of almonds to make almond meal. Take 1 tablespoon of this meal and add 2 tablespoons of honey and make a thick paste. Apply this on your face, massaging it in gently with your fingertips in circular motions. This scrub helps remove the excess oil as well as help clear any dead skin cells. Wash it off after 10 minutes in cool water.
7. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is a rich source of citric acid, which is an excellent astringent. It has bleaching property as well, along with antiseptic ones too. It helps restore the delicate pH balance of the skin, helping revitalize and rejuvenate your oily skin.
Remedies
- Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to half a teaspoon of distilled water. Now dip a cotton ball into this and apply it on your skin. Let it dry for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Apply an oil-free moisturizer after. Use this remedy at least once a day.
- Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to half a tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix well and apply this on your face and neck, leaving it to dry for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with cool water.
8. Milk
Although milk seems like it is greasy, it’s one of the best natural home remedies for oily skin. It is an oil-free natural cleanser that has the power to make your oily skin soft, smooth, and supple.
Remedies
- Take 2 tablespoons of milk and add 2-3 drops of lavender or sandalwood oil. Apply this on your face using a cotton ball and gently massage for a few minutes, before going to bed. This massage helps improve the blood circulation, which is good for your skin health. The next morning, rinse your face using cold water.
- Take 3 tablespoons of raw milk in a clean bowl. Now dip a cotton ball and apply it all over your face and let it dry for about 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water.
9. Tomatoes
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Tomatoes have cooling, astringent, and clarifying properties, that work best on oily skin. Plus, the high vitamin C content in tomatoes help acne-prone skin by absorbing the excess oils.
Remedies
- Slice a tomato in half and rub it on your face and neck. Let it dry for 15 minutes before washing it off with cool water. Apply an oil-free moisturizer after.
- Blend half a tomato, to which add 2 teaspoons of honey. Mix well and apply it on your face and neck, leaving it to dry for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off and pat dry.
Suggested read: 10 super effective natural face masks for acne you can make at home
10. Yogurt
The lactic acid in yogurt is an excellent exfoliator that helps get rid of the dead skin cells as well as the excess oil from your skin.
Remedies
- Take 1 tablespoon of yogurt in a cup. Dip a cotton ball into it and apply it all over your face and neck. Let it dry for 15 minutes before washing it off with cool water. Use this remedy once a day.
- Add 1 tablespoon of yogurt to 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of warm honey. Mix well and apply this paste on your face and neck. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
These are the amazingly effective home remedies for oily skin. Once you’ve tried these, you won’t ever complain of having oily skin!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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