How to Control Oily Skin
Having oily skin isn’t all bad. Those natural oils protect and preserve the skin, meaning women with that natural glow typically have fewer wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. But with those perks comes quite a few annoyances, like a super-shiny face, clogged pores, breakouts, and the horror of watching your makeup melt off by mid-afternoon.
Do you walk out the door in the morning with perfect skin, and by that afternoon find yourself battling shininess, runny makeup, and blotching? Afternoon shininess requires a little extra attention to your skin care routine and makeup. Afternoon oily skin can be caused by a number of factors. Fortunately, there are solutions.
Shine on your face, however, can get tricky. There's a difference between having a gleaming, strategically placed highlight accentuating your cheekbones and having a greasy slickness coating every inch of your T-zone. That overabundance of oil in all the wrong places is created by the sebaceous glands in your skin, and "the activity of these glands can change depending on hormones, externally applied ingredients, and underlying conditions.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to alleviate greasy skin. There are a few things you can do to alleviate greasy skin. Discover how to stop oily skin on face for good with this several tips.
First off, know that you are not imagining things, the area around your nose is home to a high concentration of sebaceous glands, These are responsible for secreting sebum or oil and the area is prime real estate for a buildup of sweat. So, it’s not uncommon for your nose to be an oil hot spot, even on an otherwise non oily face.
The best way to combat that stuff is starting with the way you wash your face and how often you do it. A common misconception is that by washing the face more often or with harsher soaps, we will decrease oil at that time or later in the da. But over-washing your face (especially with harsh acne cleansers) strips the skin of natural oils, which it then replaces with even more oil and sweat later on.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to alleviate greasy skin. There are a few things you can do to alleviate greasy skin. Discover how to stop oily skin on face for good with this several tips.
First off, know that you are not imagining things, the area around your nose is home to a high concentration of sebaceous glands, These are responsible for secreting sebum or oil and the area is prime real estate for a buildup of sweat. So, it’s not uncommon for your nose to be an oil hot spot, even on an otherwise non oily face.
The best way to combat that stuff is starting with the way you wash your face and how often you do it. A common misconception is that by washing the face more often or with harsher soaps, we will decrease oil at that time or later in the da. But over-washing your face (especially with harsh acne cleansers) strips the skin of natural oils, which it then replaces with even more oil and sweat later on.
What Causes Oily Skin?
'Our skin’s oil is called sebum. It’s produced by the sebaceous gland in the hair follicle,. Per cm2, the skin on our face has more hair follicles than on the rest of our body, which is why we experience oiliness mainly on the face.' The main function of sebum is to lubricate the skin, limit the growth of bacteria and prevent dryness and dehydration.' The amount of sebum we produce is determined by a host of internal and external factors, from the cleanser you’re using (more on that later), to the weather, your genetics and even your hormones. Other causes of oily skin are:
Genetics
If your mother or father have oily skin, it’s likely you will have inherited the trait. Oily skin can be passed on through your genes, as having larger sebaceous glands that produce excess oil is a hereditary attribute that can be handed down the family tree.
Age
While you don’t necessarily grow out of oily skin, your skin will indeed produce less sebum as you age. Aging skin loses protein, such as collagen, and the sebaceous glands slow down.
This is why many people who have aging skin also have dry skin. This is also the time when fine lines and wrinkles are more noticeable because of the lack of collagen and sebum.
You may have oily skin now, but you’ll need to evaluate your skin as you get older.
Over-Washing
If your skin is looking shiny, the last thing you want to do is over wash your face using harsh products. Scrubbing too hard with washcloths, other abrasive tools or with coarse exfoliators will strip the skin of moisture, causing glands to overproduce oil – that’s why gentle cleansing is so important.
Environment
Humidity and hot weather tend to stimulate the secretion of sebum, leading to more oil on the skin. Conversely, in arid or cold climates, skin can dry out, causing oil glands to go into overdrive to compensate.
Cosmetics
It’s important to always use skincare products that are appropriate for your skin type, are of a high quality and are labeled as either oil-free or noncomedogenic. If you use a product for combination skin or dry skin when your skin type is actually oily, you can either dry out your face, causing more oil production, or use a product that is too greasy. Poor-quality cosmetics tend to be harsher, damaging the skin and making the sebaceous glands pump out more oil.
Tips to Get Rid of Your Oily Skin
Wash Your Face Regularly
Washing with warm water and a gentle soap can reduce the amount of oil on the skin.
Washing your face regularly can reduce the amount of oil on the skin. The following methods are recommended for washing oily skin:
- Wash with a gentle soap and warm water.
- Avoid loofahs and rough washcloths, as added friction may stimulate the skin to make more oil.
If this is not effective, some medicated acne care products may help. These products contain acids that can tackle oily skin, such as:
- Avoid soaps with fragrances, added moisturizers, or harsh chemicals, which can irritate or dry out the skin, making it respond by creating more sebum.
- Choosing the right facial cleansers may work for some women. Mild facial cleanser made with sodium alkyl carboxylates effective for tackling moderate facial acne, although it increased sebum production in some areas of the face.
Be Wary Of Products Formulated For Oily Skin
A products specially formulated for minimizing oiliness often exacerbate the situation, as so many contain harsh ingredients that sweep away every last drop of sebum from the skin.
The main culprits are products containing alcohols, astringents and sulphates, so check the back of your bottle before making a purchase.
- Wash with a gentle soap and warm water.
- Avoid loofahs and rough washcloths, as added friction may stimulate the skin to make more oil.
If this is not effective, some medicated acne care products may help. These products contain acids that can tackle oily skin, such as:
- Avoid soaps with fragrances, added moisturizers, or harsh chemicals, which can irritate or dry out the skin, making it respond by creating more sebum.
- Choosing the right facial cleansers may work for some women. Mild facial cleanser made with sodium alkyl carboxylates effective for tackling moderate facial acne, although it increased sebum production in some areas of the face.
Be Wary Of Products Formulated For Oily Skin
A products specially formulated for minimizing oiliness often exacerbate the situation, as so many contain harsh ingredients that sweep away every last drop of sebum from the skin.
The main culprits are products containing alcohols, astringents and sulphates, so check the back of your bottle before making a purchase.
'This means many old-school toners and foaming cleansers are off the table – and for good reason!', Whilst they’ll have a satisfying short-term effect of removing the excess oil on the surface of the skin, over time the lack of oil in your skin will trigger excess oil production to try and make up for the oil that’s stripped away.
Furthermore, these harsh products can interfere with your acid mantle: the skin's protective barrier. 'A disrupted skin barrier can lead to sensitivity, breakouts, inflammation and dehydration. So, the verdict is clear: if any products in your routine are making your skin feel dry and tight, give them the boot.
Address Your Diet
The root of your oily skin issues could actually lie in your gut.. If you suffer from oily skin, avoid sugar and dairy, as they feed and increase oil production. What’s more, a diet deficient in zinc, magnesium, vitamin B and omega 3 may contribute to oil production.
Zinc helps to regulate the oil-producing glands, so they behave better! Great sources include shellfish, legumes and nuts. And of course, it’s crucial to consider your intake of sugar. A high sugar intake can also increase oil production, as insulin creates the hormone IGF-1 which can increase the production of sebum.
Apply moisturizers
Moisturizers may benefit the skin if the right ones are used.
While women with oily skin steer clear of moisturizers for fear that their skin will look greasier, using the right moisturizers can benefit this type of skin.
For woman with very oily skin, an oil-free moisturizer could help keep the skin moist and protected, without it feeling greasy.
Aloe vera could be a good moisturizer for treating acne and oily skin.
Certain compounds in aloe vera can have a naturally soothing effect on the skin. The study noted that a product should have at least 10 percent aloe in it to be an effective moisturizer.
Many woman choose to use pure aloe gel for moisturizing, but they need to be aware of hidden ingredients, especially denatured alcohol, which could dry and irritate the skin.
DON’T touch your face throughout the day.
Although it’s tempting to touch your face, doing so can spread dirt, oil and bacteria from your hands to your face. Only touch your face when you’re cleansing, moisturizing or applying sunscreen or makeup, and make sure your hands are clean first.
Consider Your Hormones
Internal hormone fluctuations are one of the main causes of imbalanced oil levels. Specific hormones called androgens put sebum production into overdrive, resulting in more oily skin, and sometimes breakouts as a result.
Androgens can be released in times of stress, or through hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, contraception, PCOS, puberty, pregnancy and postnatal, and the menopause. In particular, multiple studies have indicated a positive correlation between stress levels and sebum production in people with acne-prone skin. Of course, these aren’t exactly situations within your control, but you can attempt to maintain balance by paying attention to your sleep habits and stress levels.
Pat the face dry
When drying the face after washing and using toner, people should gently pat their skin dry with a soft towel.
This should be done with care, however. Pulling down on the skin with a towel, or using a rough washcloth, is not advised, as it may stimulate the skin to create more sebum.
Use a toner
Astringent toners that contain alcohol tend to dry out the skin. However, natural astringents, such as witch hazel, can have skin soothing properties.
Witch hazel has a high tannin content that makes it a natural astringent and anti-inflammatory. Many people with oily skin use witch hazel as their only toner.
Consider Your Hormones
Internal hormone fluctuations are one of the main causes of imbalanced oil levels. Specific hormones called androgens put sebum production into overdrive, resulting in more oily skin, and sometimes breakouts as a result.
Androgens can be released in times of stress, or through hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, contraception, PCOS, puberty, pregnancy and postnatal, and the menopause. In particular, multiple studies have indicated a positive correlation between stress levels and sebum production in people with acne-prone skin. Of course, these aren’t exactly situations within your control, but you can attempt to maintain balance by paying attention to your sleep habits and stress levels.
Pat the face dry
When drying the face after washing and using toner, people should gently pat their skin dry with a soft towel.
This should be done with care, however. Pulling down on the skin with a towel, or using a rough washcloth, is not advised, as it may stimulate the skin to create more sebum.
Use a toner
Astringent toners that contain alcohol tend to dry out the skin. However, natural astringents, such as witch hazel, can have skin soothing properties.
Witch hazel has a high tannin content that makes it a natural astringent and anti-inflammatory. Many people with oily skin use witch hazel as their only toner.
In some people, natural astringent toners can make enlarged pores seem smaller and remove small bits of product or makeup that could clog pores.
However, these products may not work for everyone. Some may find that their face itches when using astringent toners. If this happens, it may be a sign of irritation that could lead to more sebum production.
Use blotting papers and medicated pads
Lot of companies make blotting papers, which are specially designed absorbent papers that pull oil from the skin. Blotting papers will not treat the sebum production in the skin, but they can be used to lift excess oil off the skin throughout the day to make it appear less shiny.
You could also try cloth pads that are medicated with familiar cleansing ingredients, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid. These may help to remove excess oil through the day, while cleansing the pores and skin.
Be Wary Of Products Formulated For Oily
Skin Believe it or not, products specially formulated for minimizing oiliness often exacerbate the situation, as so many contain harsh ingredients that sweep away every last drop of sebum from the skin (and we all know what that means). According to Pfeffer, the main culprits are products containing alcohols, astringents and sulphates, so check the back of your bottle before making a purchase.
Use a facial mask
Certain facial masks may be beneficial for treating oily skin. These may contain ingredients such as:
Honey. A 2011 study reports that natural raw honey has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. A 10-minute honey face mask may reduce acne and oily skin while keeping the skin soft.
Clay. Masks containing minerals like smectite or bentonite can absorb oils and reduce skin shininess and sebum levels without irritating the skin. Use them only occasionally to prevent the skin drying out, and apply a gentle moisturizer afterward.
Oatmeal. Masks containing colloidal oatmeal may help to cleanse the skin, as suggested in a 2014 study. Oats contain gentle, cleansing saponins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that could soothe irritated skin.
Don’t try to dry out your T-zone oily skin
Using a super-drying formula on this area will only backfire on skin. First step is to balance the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, which will only result in producing more oil. While it may be tempting to use an acne spot-treatment all over your T-zone, this could actually lead to even more greasiness when your skin tries to compensate for all that oil being zapped.
Summary
Oily skin is complex with many causes. It’s also possible to have more than one cause of oily skin.
Oily skin may run in your family, and you might also live in a humid climate. In such cases, you’ll need to address all the causes of excess oil to help achieve cleaner, clearer skin.
Once you’ve come up with your oily skin action plan, you’ll need to give it some time to work.
Sometimes it can take a month or two until you see any major improvements. If you’re still dealing with excess oil after this time, you may want to see your dermatologist.
Use a facial mask
Certain facial masks may be beneficial for treating oily skin. These may contain ingredients such as:
Honey. A 2011 study reports that natural raw honey has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. A 10-minute honey face mask may reduce acne and oily skin while keeping the skin soft.
Clay. Masks containing minerals like smectite or bentonite can absorb oils and reduce skin shininess and sebum levels without irritating the skin. Use them only occasionally to prevent the skin drying out, and apply a gentle moisturizer afterward.
Oatmeal. Masks containing colloidal oatmeal may help to cleanse the skin, as suggested in a 2014 study. Oats contain gentle, cleansing saponins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that could soothe irritated skin.
Don’t try to dry out your T-zone oily skin
Using a super-drying formula on this area will only backfire on skin. First step is to balance the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, which will only result in producing more oil. While it may be tempting to use an acne spot-treatment all over your T-zone, this could actually lead to even more greasiness when your skin tries to compensate for all that oil being zapped.
Oily skin is overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands. These glands are located under the skin’s surface.
Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. Sebum isn’t all bad since it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keep your hair shiny and healthy.
Lot of sebum may lead to oily skin, which can make clogged pores and acne. Genetics, hormone changes, or even stress may increase sebum production.
Oily skin are challenging to manage. Still, home treatment often reduce symptoms without the use of prescription drugs or expensive skin care regimens.
Here are Treatments for Oily Skin You Can Try at Home
Egg whites and lemons
Egg whites and lemons are a folk remedy for oily skin. Both ingredients are thought to tighten pores. The acid in lemons and other citrus fruits may help absorb oil. According to a 2008 study, lemons also have antibacterial abilities. However, this remedy is not a good choice for people with egg allergies.
To make an egg white and lemon face mask:
Combine 1 egg white with 1 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
Apply it to your face, and leave it on until the mask dries.
Remove with warm water, and pat dry.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain salicylic acid, a common acne home remedy. The acids in tomatoes may help absorb excess skin oils and unclog pores. To make an exfoliating tomato mask:
Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with the pulp of 1 tomato.
Apply to the skin in a circular motion.
Leave the mask on for 5 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and pat dry.
You can also apply just tomato pulp or tomato slices to your skin.
Summary
Oily skin is complex with many causes. It’s also possible to have more than one cause of oily skin.
Oily skin may run in your family, and you might also live in a humid climate. In such cases, you’ll need to address all the causes of excess oil to help achieve cleaner, clearer skin.
Once you’ve come up with your oily skin action plan, you’ll need to give it some time to work.
Sometimes it can take a month or two until you see any major improvements. If you’re still dealing with excess oil after this time, you may want to see your dermatologist.
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