Natural Home Remedies for Oily Skin

Introduction:

Oily skin is a common problem many men and women face in their everyday lives. Oil on the skin gives it a shiny or greasy appearance. The skin of the face is rich in sebaceous or oil glands that produce sebum, which is a mixture of lipids. This sebum causes the skin to become oily. This sebum has several merits as well demerits. It acts as a protective barrier to the skin and performs antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. But excess sebum can block skin pores, impart oiliness to the skin and nourish acne-causing bacteria that live on the surface. It also promotes the formation of acne.¹  

You might want to remove the excess oil from the face for these reasons. Several home remedies can help you get rid of that extra oil and leave you with fresh and glowing skin.  

Astringent toners that contain alcohol tend to dry out the skin. However, a recent study shows natural astringents can have skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

What Causes Oily Skin?

The sebaceous glands become oversized and start producing excessive sebum making the skin oily and greasy. The skin oiliness among people may vary depending on their age, climate, ethnicity, and gender.¹  

The factors listed below play a key role in oil production from the glands. 

• Hormones  
• Genes  
• Diet with high-fat content^1,2 

Symptoms of Oily Skin:

If you experience excessive oil on your face, your skin can: 

• Appear shiny or greasy, commonly observed on the forehead, nose and chin (T zone) 
• Have acne¹  

Honey is a powerhouse when it comes to all things skin; it helps reduce excess oil, clears pores, moisturizes (without making skin oily), and has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties that may benefit acne-prone skin. Lemon juice instantly brightens up your complexion; its citric acid also works as an astringent, helping to tone and control oily skin.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Suggested Home Remedies for Oily Skin:

You can use these remedies to get rid of excess oil and take care of your skin at home.  

1. Soy

The application of soy on the skin can help control oil production and moisturise the skin.³ You can take some soybeans, grind them into powder, and add some water to make a paste. You can apply this paste onto the skin to get rid of oiliness.  

2. Fuller’s Earth

Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti is a perfect ingredient for oily skin. It acts as an absorbent and absorbs all the oil and dirt, giving fresh and glowing skin. You can make many facial packs using Multani mitti.⁴ To make a herbal face pack using Multani mitti, take turmeric, sandalwood powder, gram flour and saffron. Mix these ingredients and add water to get a paste-like consistency. Then, apply this face mask to get rid of oily skin.  

4. Gram Flour

Gram flour or besan is a beneficial ingredient that reduces the skin’s oiliness and prevents acne.⁴ Mix gram flour with some yoghurt and apply this paste evenly on the skin. Wash with cold water after some time when it is dried.  

You can make another face pack using gram flour, sandalwood powder, and turmeric to enhance the effectiveness. Add sufficient water to make a paste and apply it evenly across the skin. Wash it off with cold water when it is dried.  

5. Aloe Vera

If you have oily skin, you can use aloe vera gel to prevent pimples and acne from forming on your face. If you have an oily face, you can also use aloe vera gel as a moisturiser as it rejuvenates the skin.⁵  

Aloe vera gel face pack is a good remedy for oily skin. You can mix some aloe vera with Fuller’s earth to make a paste-like consistency and apply it to the face. Wash it off after some time.  

6. Face Wash

You need to wash your face as often as you can. You can wash your face in the morning, evening, and after exercising. Do not scrub, as it might irritate your skin and make it look worse. Washing the face will help control oily skin. You should avoid using a strong face wash to get rid of oil on the face. If you use a harsh face wash, it can irritate the skin and cause an increased production of oil, which will make the skin oilier. Choose a gentle and foaming face wash.⁶  

7. Blotting Paper

You can use some blotting paper to wipe off any oil present on the face. Take some blotting paper, gently press it onto the skin surface, and let it absorb the oil. Avoid rubbing the paper all over your face, or you will spread the oil all over. You can use blotting paper throughout the day to manage oily skin.⁶  

8. Moisturiser

Don’t stop using moisturiser if you have oily skin. You still need to moisturise daily to keep the skin hydrated. When choosing a moisturiser, choose one that also has sunscreen in it, especially a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The sunscreen in it will protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays and save you time.⁶    

9. Avoid Touching Face

Whenever you touch your face, you transfer oil, bacteria, and dirt from your hands to your face. Before touching the face, make sure that you wash your hands. Also, you should avoid touching the face unless you are applying moisturiser, sunscreen, and makeup or washing the face.⁶  

10. Choose Oil-Free Products

When buying products for your skin, choose the products which are labelled as oil-free or non-comedogenic (something that does not block pores and cause pimples). Choosing these oil-free products (makeup, cleansers, and moisturisers) will not clog the skin pores and help prevent acne.⁶ 

11. Other Remedies

There are certain simple habits that you can follow to control the skin’s oiliness; these habits can help you manage oily skin.  

• Avoid alcohol or oil-based face cleansers.  
• Choose oil-free, water-based makeup. 
• Remove makeup from your face before going to bed. 
• Wear good sunscreen before venturing out.⁶ 

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Acne Scars

Dermatologists recommend Cream or milky cleansers, as these will dissolve dirt and debris without disturbing the skin’s barrier function and natural moisture levels. Cleansers with BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) or salicylic acid can really assist in dissolving excess oil.

Dr Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

When to Seek Medical Help?

Oily skin is a common problem that does not lead to anything serious.  

• If having oily skin concerns you, you can reach out to a doctor or dermatologist (skin and hair doctor) and receive the necessary treatment.  
• If the oiliness is causing blackheads or acne on the skin, you can reach out to your healthcare provider.⁶  

Conclusion:

Excess oil on the face is a common problem encountered by men and women. Overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands makes the face oily. Though beneficial, the sebum can lead to acne and blackheads on the face. You follow simple home remedies to manage oily skin. Washing the face, moisturising, and using a blotting paper to absorb excess oil are helpful remedies to manage oil on the skin. You can also use ingredients like aloe vera, Fuller’s earth and gram flour to make face packs for oily skin.   

If the oily skin is causing you concern or embarrassment, or if you also have acne, you can reach out to your healthcare provider.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies For Skin Whitening

References:

1. Sakuma TH, Maibach HI. Oily skin: an overview. Skin Pharmacol Physiol [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2022 May 17];25(5):227–35. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22722766/ 

2. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Oily skin [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 17]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002043.htm 

3. Stallings AF, Lupo MP. Practical Uses of Botanicals in Skin Care. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology [Internet]. 2009 Jan [cited 2022 May 17];2(1):36. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2958188/ 

4. Pal RS, Pal Y, Wal P. In-House Preparation and Standardization of Herbal Face Pack. The Open Dermatology Journal. 2017 Nov 7;11(1):72–80. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320900643_In-House_Preparation_and_Standardization_of_Herbal_Face_Pack 

5. Bhowmik D. Aloe Vera: The Miracle Plant Its Medicinal and Traditional Uses in India. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry [Internet]. 2012;1(4):119–26. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304253232_Aloe_Vera_The_Miracle_Plant_Its_Medicinal_and_Traditional_Uses_in_India 

6. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to control oily skin [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 17]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin 

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