Home Remedies for Oily Skin

Your body produces oils as a way to keep the body healthy, but too much can leave your face with undesirable skin. The excess oil can cause blemishes and acne to erupt. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve oil-free skin. For a clear and glowing complexion, you may want to pay attention to home remedies for oily skin.

Causes for Oily Skin

From seasonal changes in the environment to your lifestyle habits, your skin is under constant attack. To avoid an excess amount of oil in the body, there are many different causes to duck and dodge to achieve or maintain healthy skin. To remove excess oils and dirt, it’s important to follow a consistent skin care regimen. This helps keep a buildup of oil away.

Overactive hormones and changes in your system can affect the appearance and condition of your face. This is a common reason why teenagers battle poor skin. The changes that take place in the body during puberty wreak havoc on the skin. Pregnant women also suffer from the highs and lows of hormones that cause the sebaceous glands to produce far more oil than usual.

Other common causes of oily skin include

Your Environment

The weather can affect your skin. For example, a hot and humid climate makes you sweat more, which contributes to oily skin.

Irritation

If you scrub your face too hard, the irritation can increase the production of oil.

Diet

A poor diet will affect the condition of your skin and can cause excessive oiliness.

Fatigue

Not getting enough sleep can contribute to oily skin.

Stress

An overproduction of sebum is one of the major causes of oily skin. If you experience a great deal of stress, anxiety and mental tension, chances are your face will suffer for it.

Your Family Tree

Don’t be surprised if oily skin runs in your family.

Cosmetics and Facial Products

Some of the makeup you use could clog pores and contribute to an oily skin problem. This is because many cosmetics contain oils that get absorbed into the skin. Some moisturizing creams and lotions can also lead to oily skin.

Medications

A side effect of some birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy drugs is oily skin.

Drugs

One of the downsides to smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs is the increase of oil production that shows in your skin.

Disease and Sickness

Some medical conditions can cause a patient to suffer oily skin, such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Oily Skin Home Remedies

Oily skin threatens a healthy facial appearance. Your chances of developing blackheads greatly increase. Your skin becomes shinier. Cosmetics do not adhere to the face the way you wish. To promote healthy skin, consider the following home remedies for oily skin:

Egg Yolk

Use egg yolk as a mask to treat oily skin. Use a cotton ball to apply the yolk to oily spots – leaving on for 15 minutes. Rinse off the yolk with cool water.

Lemons

Pat an equal mixture of lemon juice and water on the face. Allow to dry, and then rinse with warm water followed by cool water. This refreshing remedy helps fight oily skin.

Hands Off Approach

During the day, resist the temptation to touch your face. Hands transfer unwanted oil and dirt to your skin.

Baking Soda

Baking soda possesses abrasive qualities that can mildly treat oily skin. Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to your liquid soap. Gently rub across the nose and chin. This home remedy will help get rid of blackheads and excess oil. Rinse off using cool water.

Cornstarch

Combine one to three tablespoons of cornstarch with enough warm water to create a paste that will dry up oily patches on your skin. Rub the mixture on your face and let dry. Shower or rinse off the treatment with lukewarm water over the sink. Use this remedy once per day for the best results.

Salt

Fill a small spray bottle with lukewarm water and add one teaspoon of salt. Close your eyes and squirt the salt on your face once per day. Blot dry.

Vinegar

Use a cotton ball to apply white or apple cider vinegar to oily skin before going to bed. Leave the vinegar on for five to ten minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. Continue this remedy for three weeks to see improvements to your skin. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the vinegar with four parts water.

Vinegar Ice Cubes

During the summertime, freeze vinegar in an ice tray to make facial cooling cubes for the skin.

Hot Water

Wash oily skin using very warm water and lots of soap, which dissolves unwanted oils in the skin better than cold water and soap.

Rubbing Alcohol

Astringents are good for drying up excess oil on the skin. Rubbing alcohol possesses this effect, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to use. If you have sensitive skin, using astringents on your face could cause irritation.

Baby Powder

To treat shiny skin, apply a bit of baby powder to the face. You can also lightly apply to powder over makeup.

Apples

For a facial mask to treat oily skin, combine ½ cup mashed apples, ½ cup cooked oatmeal, one slightly beaten egg white, and one tablespoon lemon juice. This will make a smooth paste for the face. Apply and leave on for 15 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

Aloe Vera Gel

Owners of an aloe vera plant can treat their oily skin with ease. Break open a leaf and apply the gel to the face, which helps to clear out pores and absorb oil. Use this remedy two to three times a day – especially following a good washing of the face.

Aloe Vera and Oatmeal

Create a healing paste for oily skin by mixing ground oatmeal with aloe vera. Gently rub the paste onto the skin and leave on for 15 minutes before thoroughly washing off. The oatmeal acts as a drying agent, while the aloe vera heals the skin.

Almonds and Honey

Place a small amount of almonds in a food processor and ground into meal. Add a bit of honey to the grounded nuts, and gently massage the paste into your skin using a hot washcloth. Thoroughly rinse off the remedy.

Lime and Cucumber

Citrus fruits and some vegetables are known for reducing oils in the skin. Mix ½ teaspoon each of lime juice and cucumber juice. Apply the remedy to your skin a couple of minutes before taking a shower.

Pull Back Your Hair

Keeping your hair away from the face reduces the amount of oils your skin comes in contact with.

Mud

For temporary relief, mud masks help absorb oil in the skin. The mud cleanses the surface of the skin by eliminating greasiness.

Meditate

Learn meditation techniques, such as yoga or breathing exercises, as a way to cut down on the stress and tension that can affect the health of your face.