The accumulation of excess oil on the outer skin layer often leads to whiteheads, blackheads, blind pimples and other skin irritations. Oily skin tends to age better and develop fewer wrinkles than dry or normal skin. The excess oil results from the sebaceous glands in the skin producing excess sebum. Those who have this condition usually have shiny skin and large pores.
Oily skin can be caused by genetics, dietary choices, too much stress or hormone changes in the body due to puberty. Women also are more prone to oily skin during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause and while taking birth control pills.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for oily skin.
1. Egg Whites
High in vitamin A, egg whites can effectively dry out skin blemishes as well as tone and tighten up oily skin.
- Whip one egg white until stiff and spread it on your skin. Allow it to dry and then wash it off with warm water. Do this twice a week.
- Whip one egg white, add the juice from half a lemon and mix it well. Apply the mixture on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. This will tighten the skin and soak up excess oil.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a good source of citric acid that works like an astringent. It also has antiseptic properties that can lighten skin discolorations and restore the skin’s pH balance.
- Mix one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with one-half teaspoon of distilled water. Apply it on your skin using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash your face with warm water. Lemon juice can dry out your skin, so apply some oil-free moisturizer afterward. Do this once daily.
- Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice, one-half tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of milk. Apply this paste on your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off with cold water. If done once daily, this remedy will give you positive results within a week.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt contains lactic acid that helps gently exfoliate the skin and absorbs excess oil from the face.
- Apply one tablespoon of plain yogurt thoroughly over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off with cool water. Do this once daily.
- Alternatively, mix one tablespoon each of organic yogurt and finely ground oatmeal. Then stir in one teaspoon of warm honey. Apply the mixture on your face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are great for oily skin due to their cooling, clarifying and astringent properties. The high vitamin C content in tomatoes is very helpful for acne-prone skin. Plus, the natural oil-absorbing acids in tomatoes help get rid of excess oil.
- Cut a tomato in half and rub it on your skin.
- Allow the juice to soak into your skin for at least 15 minutes.
- Rinse your skin with cold water, pat it dry and apply a light oil-free moisturizer.
Note : You can also make a face mask by combining three tablespoons of tomato juice with one tablespoon of honey.
5. Apples
Apples work as a great exfoliating agent and they have mild antiseptic, astringent, and soothing properties that make them a great home remedy for oily skin. The malic acid in apples helps exfoliate dead skin cells and absorbs excess oil from the skin’s surface.
- Grate half an apple and place the shreds on your skin. Leave it on the skin for 15 minutes and then wash it off with tepid water.
- Mix one teaspoon each of grated apple, yogurt and lemon juice to form a smooth paste. Apply it all over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rinse your face with cool water.
6. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are also very beneficial for oily skin due to their cooling, astringent, and soothing properties. Also, the high vitamin and mineral content, including vitamins A and E, magnesium, and potassium, are good for oily skin.
- Cut a fresh organic cucumber into thick slices, and rub them thoroughly on your face. Leave it on overnight and rinse with warm water in the morning. Do this daily before going to bed.
- Alternatively, mix one-half teaspoon each of cucumber juice and lime juice. Apply this mixture to your skin, let it dry, and then wash it off with warm water. Do this daily. This remedy can also be used to lighten freckles and reduce sunburn.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that are good for acne caused by a combination of oily skin and bacteria. Also, it is a rich source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) that help tone and moisturize oily skin.
- You can make a homemade toner by diluting one-fourth cup of apple cider vinegar with three-fourths cup of distilled water. Apply this toner on your skin using a cotton ball. Leave it on for five to 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with cool water. Do this several times a week to see positive results.
- Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it every night before going to bed. This will help balance hormones, which in turn will control the production of excess oil in the skin.
Note: If you do not have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar.
8. Milk
Milk is a great oil-free cleanser that can make oily skin soft and supple. Milk has alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate the skin and also help maintain the skin’s natural pH balance.
- Mix two or three drops of sandalwood or lavender oil with two tablespoons of milk.
- Apply the mixture on your face using a cotton ball.
- Gently massage the skin for a few minutes to improve blood circulation and then go to sleep.
- In the morning, wash your face with cold water.
- Do this daily.
9. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has antimicrobial properties that make it ideal for treating acne-prone oily skin. Also, aloe vera can help absorb excess oil from your skin’s surface.
- Cut an aloe vera leaf in half and extract the fresh gel. Apply the gel on your face. Let it dry and then wash your face with clean water. Do this two or three times a day.
- Alternatively, boil an aloe vera leaf in water for a few minutes. Grind the leaf along with some honey to make a paste. Apply it thoroughly over your oily skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. Do this once every week.
10. Honey
Honey can help reduce excess oil on the skin’s surface, clear pores and even prevent wrinkles. Honey has moisturizing properties that nourish the skin and keep it sufficiently moisturized without making it oily. Also, the natural antiseptic property of honey is highly beneficial for acne-prone oily skin.
- Apply a thin layer of honey over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then wash your face. Do this twice daily.
- You can also mix a small amount of ground almonds with honey. Gently massage the paste onto your oily skin to remove oil and dead skin cells. Then wipe your face with a warm cloth to open up the pores. Do this once a week.
Use these home remedies to lessen the oiliness on your skin’s surface and refine the pores for a more pleasing look.
Diet For Oily Skin
Oily skin, medically known as seborrhea, occurs when your sebaceous gland overproduces the body’s natural oils and can manifest in two ways. When the overproduced oil is secreted onto your skin, it leaves you with an oily sheen; this is the oily skin most people picture. But oily skin can appear as dry skin if clogged pores prevent the oils from reaching your skin’s surface. The best treatments for oily skin are pH-balancing cleansers, though some dietary changes may affect your body’s oil production.
Fluids
Drinking six to eight glasses of water each day can help keep your skin healthy and your pores clear, as well as lessen the oily appearance of your skin. If you’re looking for something with a bit more taste to it, you can swap those six to eight glasses of water with six to eight cups of herbal tea. Avoid caffeine-based drinks, such as sodas, energy drinks and coffees.
Fruits and Vegetables
I recommend a low-fat diet that features fresh fruit and vegetables that will keep your body healthy, and a healthy body is a balanced body, which produces less oil. Try to daily consume something of every color, ranging from red berries to dark green spinach or kale to blueberries and plums or purple grapes.
Vitamins and Minerals
Some vitamins have a direct impact on your skin’s appearance. Vitamins A and B-6, for instance, can help reduce the appearance of oily skin. Lecithin, a mineral, can also be helpful in reducing oil production.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
By following an anti-inflammatory diet, you can control excess oiliness in your skin. Anti-inflammatory diets are designed to quiet an overactive immune system that produces more antibodies than necessary and constantly tries to remove toxins from your body. An anti-inflammatory diet balances carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and fat and encourages proper intake of vitamins and minerals. I also suggest consuming fish and fish oil, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids and can help balance your body’s oil production.
Foods to Avoid
There are several foods you should avoid if you want to reduce the appearance of oily skin. Skimp on–or completely skip–fried foods and processed foods, which usually contain high amounts of grease, as well as refined starches and sugars. You should also minimize your intake of animal and dairy fats, as the unhealthy fats can lead to excess oil production.
