Taking Care of Oily Skin

Oily skin typically has coarse enlarged pores and experiences frequent outbreak of acne. This is because people with oily skin tend to have overactive sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce oil and in people with oily skin this production is far greater than what is normally needed. This makes the skin prone to acne, blackheads and gives the skin a greasy look. In adolescence the problem of acne is quite common but this can continue to trouble people even at a later age. Some common causes of oily skin include improper diet, hereditary factors, changes in hormone levels, use of cosmetics and birth control pills, stress, weather changes and pregnancy. While some people may have an overall oily skin, some others may have oily skin only in certain areas and other areas may be dry. This is what is called as combination skin. Over the counter medications and creams and gels for oily skin can help curb the outbreak of acne. However there are some home remedies for oily skin that can effectively tackle this problem

Tips for Taking Care of Oily Skin:

• Cleansing is very important, particularly for those who experience the problem of oily skin. Splashing water on the face around two to three times in a day can help in reducing the oiliness of the skin. Likewise you may choose to use a gentle cleansing soap and wash your skin with it twice or thrice in a day. Use a cleanser that is antibacterial.
  
  
• Avoid using soap or a cleansing agent that is too harsh since you don’t really want the skin to lose all its oil content. Harsh cleansing agents will also result in the skin looking dehydrated and tired. Likewise avoid using cleansers that have alcohol content since these also tend to make the skin look dehydrated.
  
  
• There are a large number of cleansing products for oily skin available in the market and you can use them since they effectively dissolve sebum and maintain just enough oil in the skin. Once cleansing is done you should also moisturise the skin. Select a good oil free moisturiser from among the many available in the market. Aloe Vera is widely recommended for all skin types including oily skin and can help in taking care of oily skin.
  
  
• While cleansing use your fingertips to lightly massage your skin in a motion that is upward and outward and do not use too much pressure. If your skin is too oily you can use an exfoliating lotion or pack on your skin twice or thrice a week. After exfoliating do not forget to use a light moisturiser on the skin.
  
  
• Clay and mud masks can also be used as face packs and you can get these packs in the market. You can make your own clay face pack by using around 1 teaspoon of green clay powder with another teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to the face and then wash it off after fifteen minutes with some lukewarm water. Some over the counter medications for oily skin can help curb this problem. Medications with benzyl peroxide can help in effectively dealing with acne outbreaks.
  
  
• Among other home remedies for oily skin you can apply around half a teaspoon of cucumber and lime juice on the face and wash it off after around 20 to 30 minutes. Eau de cologne is also known to reduce oiliness in the skin. A few drops of this can act as an astringent and keep acne at bay.
  
  
• While using astringents avoid using those that are very strong and instead opt for a mild one with acetone content in it. Applying witch hazel to the skin can prove to be effective in absorbing excess oil. Lavender is also very effective in treating oily skin.
  
  
• You can also use apple cider vinegar on the oily areas of your skin or then evening primrose oil supplement can also be used since it has gamma linolenic acid content and this can help in restoring the skin cell structure. It is also extremely crucial that you get adequate sleep since the cellular repair activity within the skin takes place only when you are resting. Likewise moderate exercise is also important as it helps in increasing the circulation in the body and has a nourishing effect on the skin.
  
  
• Diet also plays a very important role in taking care of oily skin. Ensure that you eat a lot of green leafy vegetables and also incorporate proteins in your diet. Sugar tends to aggravate any acne problem so avoid too much sugar in the diet. Also eat plenty of fresh fruits. Drink lots of water as it helps in flushing out the toxins in the body and avoid oily food.
  
  
• Vitamin B2 deficiency can cause oily skin and so food items rich in Vitamin B2 such as whole grains, nuts and black beans should be consumed.
  
  
• Another important part of taking care of oily skin is removal of makeup. While using make up ensure that the makeup is essentially suitable for oily skin and this should be removed at the end of the day.