Remedies for oily skin can help to do away with acne breakouts, pimples, and enlarged pores.

A shiny shimmer on your skin is great, but an excess of anything isn’t. While we’re no oil-control-Gods, we can definitely offer some handy tips for doing away with oily skin woes. In addition to that, this blogpost will also shed light on why you have oily skin.

Before we dive into that, would you like to take a free skin assessment that will help you care for oily skin more efficiently? By taking your skin type, lifestyle, and environmental factors into account, it tells you of the clean and active ingredients your skin needs.

What Makes for Oily Skin?

So why do you have oily skin?

Beneath the skin, lie sebaceous glands that produce a sticky, oily substance called sebum. It is this naturally occurring oil that keeps the skin healthy, hydrated, and moisturised.

For some, the sebaceous glands are more active, thus producing an excess of sebum. This could be due to a number of factors:

• Genetic composition
• Hormonal changes or imbalance
• Enlarged pores
• An inappropriate diet
• Overdoing your skincare routine
• Using the wrong products
• Warm or humid weather

There could certainly be other factors at play, but these are the most commonly observed ones. If it’s getting too glum, let us treat you to some good news: Research and experts claim that those with oily skin show slower signs of ageing! :)

Now, let’s have a look at some remedies for oily skin that are simple, cheap, and effective.

Caring for Oily Skin – The Most Effective Remedies

Remedy #1 – Oils for Oily Skin

While fighting oily skin with oils might sound counter-productive, it isn't really so. Remember that your skin often produces excess oils to do away dryness.

When the natural oils of your skin are well-balanced, it won't feel the need to produce excess oil and sebum. So, try out non-comedogenic oils (ones that don't clog your pores) like jojoba, argan, and rosehip.

You might have to experiment with a few options until you find out what works best for your skin.

Remedy #2 – Know the Deal with Blotting Papers

The debate around using blotting papers for oily skin is still not conclusive. Supporters claim that these oil-soaking papers are easy-to-use, portable, and effective ways of eliminating excess sebum from the skin. Opponents say that blotting papers rip the skin of essential oils while pushing dirt, grime, and residual makeup into the pores.

Truth is, while these papers help to do away with the extra shimmer, they do almost nothing to address the root causes of oily skin. Also, choosing low grade or unsuitable blotting sheets will do your skin more harm than good.

Remedy #3 – Pick the Right Alcohol-Infused Products

When it comes to alcohol-infused products, it's important to know what to pick and what to shun.

There are 2 key types of alcohols when it comes to skincare:

• Volatile Alcohols: These quick-drying alcohols can be quite appealing to those with the oily skin type. However, we'd recommend avoiding them for they result in erosion of the skin over time.
  Examples include isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, etc.
• Fatty Alcohols: This type of alcohols is exceptionally beneficial for the skin. By means of drawing water from the air, they make for a non-irritating and lightweight moisturiser.
  Examples are Cetearyl alcohol and Butylene glycol.
  
  

Remedy #4 – Try Oatmeal and Honey!

Some of the best remedies for oily skin are probably sitting in your pantry right now. The anti-bacterial properties of honey and the anti-inflammatory that oatmeal is, make for a great mix for oily skin.

Simply mix the two together and rub it on your skin in a circular motion. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off using warm water.

This DIY face mask cleanses the skin without stripping off essential oils. It also helps acne heal by pulling out dirt and impurities.

Remedy #5 – Cleanse Twice A Day

While this shouldn’t be restricted to those with oily skin, it becomes especially necessary in their case. Oil build-up on the skin leads to clogged pores, which in turn gives to rise to a host of skin problems. Cleansing will rid your face of excess oil and accumulated dirt.

However, make sure you know how to wash your face properly.

For instance, limit cleansing to twice a day. Overdoing it could rip your skin of natural moisture, turning it even more sensitive and oil-prone.

Tip: Look out for a cleanser containing salicylic acid - designed to penetrate the skin to the deepest levels.

Remedy #6 – Do Not Discard Moisturisers

For obvious reasons, a large chunk of skincare enthusiasts skips moisturising when it comes to oily skin. However, moisturising is simply non-negotiable.

As mentioned in the first point, your skin will compensate for dehydrated skin by increasing oil production, which will make you want to skip the moisturiser, which will…

So, make sure you incorporate a light-weight, oil-free moisturiser into your skincare routine. Heavier creams or ointments will end up over-hydrating your skin.

Remedy #7 – Give Clay Masks A Try

Clay masks not only make for fun photographs and pranks but also offer a wide range of benefits for the skin. Clay helps draw out impurities, oil, and residual skincare/makeup from the skin.

At the end of a long day at work, apply a layer to the skin, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. While it dries up, enjoy the cooling effects of the mask on your skin. Once it starts to feel dry, wash it out to reveal skin that’s fresher, brighter, and smoother.

Remedy #8 – Avoid Junk, Processed, and Sugary Foods

The health of your skin depends not just on what goes onto your body, but also what goes into it. Eating healthy can prove to be one of the most effective remedies for oily skin.

Staying away from junk, processed, and sugary foods is highly recommended. Binge on superfoods for healthy skin like protein-rich meats, green vegetables, and lots of fruits. This will help regulate the amount of oil your skin produces.

Remedy #9 – Konjac Sponges for Exfoliation

Widely used in Korean skincare routines, konjac sponges are all-natural, compostable, and soft exfoliants. They're made from natural fibres of the konjac plant found in parts of Asia.

These sponges help prevent acne by sucking out excess oil and unclogging pores. What's great is that they are not as abrasive as a lot of scrubs out there. This makes konjac sponges appropriate to use for those with sensitive oily skin too!

In addition to using konjac sponges once a week, incorporate a chemical exfoliant into your skincare routine too. This will make for a well-balanced exfoliation routine for oily skin! ;)

In Conclusion

Don’t worry. It doesn’t take much to be a pro at managing oily skin. Simply make sure you put these remedies for oily skin into practice.

Caring for the skin requires much more than buying products off supermarket shelves. If you simply can’t find products that work for your skin, how about taking our free skin assessment? Not only will it tell you of the ingredients your skin really needs, but also introduce you to the world of personalised skincare. 😊