Home Remedies for Oily Skin

An oily or greasy face is the last thing that one wants on an otherwise perfect day. Therefore, we make desperate attempts to find ways to cure oily skin. The most reliable cure for oily skin are home remedies which have been used for various skin problems for centuries. As an alternative to cosmetic beauty products and medicines, home remedies involve natural ingredients and can yield extraordinary results. Though teenagers are mostly affected by oily skin, it might also be a lifelong struggle for some. Skin oil serves the natural purpose of hydrating the skin, but becomes a huge embarrassment when it is secreted in excess by hyperactive sebaceous glands. Oily skin looks dull, coarse and shiny with enlarged pores and is often prone to pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.

Causes of Oily Skin

One wonders why the skin that looks perfect in the morning turns greasy and shiny by midday. Therefore, it is important to first know the oily skin causes before trying any kind of homemade oily skin remedies. Heredity, hormone imbalance, diet, environment, age and cosmetics are considered the main causes of oily skin. The only known advantage of oily skin is it delays the formation of wrinkles and thereby slows down the aging process of skin.

Home Remedies for Treating Oily Skin

While seeking a solution for oily skin, the most common advise given by experts is to follow the cleansing, toning and moisturizing method. An oily face should always be kept clean, so washing the face with mild soap and warm water helps, as it dissolves oil more effectively than cool water. Astringent and toner, without alcohol content, helps to unclog and tighten pores. Oil free or non-comedogenic moisturizers should be used to maintain a shine free complexion. In addition to this daily cleansing routine, the home remedies helps in giving a more lasting effect, if not a permanent one. The following are some useful and effective home remedies:

• Cold milk acts as a cleanser for oily skin and can be used several times a day.
• Raw papaya pulp is a natural cleanser. It softens skin and helps in removal of dead skin cells.
• Make a paste of Fuller's earth with honey, lemon juice and egg white. Apply and wash off with water after 20 minutes. This is a widely used home remedy for oily skin.
• Make a mixture of uncooked oatmeal, honey and lemon juice. Apply and wash off with warm after 10 minutes. It acts as a refreshing mask for oily skin.
• Puree made from fresh tomatoes acts as an astringent and can also be used as a makeup base for extremely oily skin.
• Grated cucumber kept in the fridge can be applied twice a week for 15 minutes each for a clear, oil free complexion.
• Make a paste of yogurt and Fuller's earth. Apply and remove after 15 minutes. This helps in reducing oil as well as makes the skin smooth.
• A paste of sandalwood powder and a few drops of rose water helps absorb oil. Apply and wash when it is dried.
• Crush fresh neem leaves and apply. It reduces pimples caused due to oily skin.
• Grind 2 almonds and make a fine paste with honey. It removes oil and gives a healthy glow to your skin.
• Dab witch hazel on the skin with a tissue. It is a highly effective oil absorbent.
• Make a paste of cornstarch and water. Rub the paste in a circular motion for about 10 minutes. Leave it to dry and then wash with warm water.

Advantages of Treating Oily Skin at Home

Oily skin home remedies have many advantages in comparison to cosmetic products and treatments. Some of them are:

• It is relatively inexpensive
• It is devoid of any side effects
• It is available at all times
• You can keep a check on the quality of ingredients used.

Though there are very few serious side effects related to remedies for oily skin, it is always advisable to do a skin test before using these mixtures for natural skin care. Some skin is allergic to even natural products and their use might cause inflammation, redness or skin rash. It is also extremely necessary to maintain a healthy diet to aid these home remedies in controlling skin oiliness, though there are many dermatologists and researchers who negate this fact. According to them, diet in no way can control the secretion of oil by sebaceous glands. A healthy diet consisting of poultry, pulses, green vegetables, apples, oats, etc., is beneficial not only for the skin, but for the whole body. A healthy body eventually leads to healthy, glowing skin.