Oily skin is a problem common to many women and men of any age: it can give rise to the unsightly ‘shiny’ effect of the skin, to different forms of seborrheic dermatitis and acne .
dull complexion, it is difficult to treat it in the most appropriate way. The cause is excessive sebum production. Let’s find out which are the most valid natural remedies for this imperfection, which often prove to be much more decisive and effective than the expensive (and sometimes useless) creams or treatments on the market.
In most cases, by adopting a healthy diet, a thorough cleaning with specific products and using natural sebum-balancing creams and lotions, the problem is solved.However, remember that these disorders, more common among young people and adults, can depend on hormonal imbalances. Therefore, medical advice can be fundamental to ascertain the real causes and adopt the most appropriate therapy, in order to avoid complications and much more serious pathologies.
What is oily skin
When it has a shiny appearance, it appears thick, its structure is often irregular, the pores are dilated and very visible, here we are in the presence of an excess of sebum, fertile ground for blackheads , comedones, microcysts, pimples and acne.
That hateful ‘oily’ effect appears which tends to shine, especially on the T -zone , nose, forehead, chin, but also on the cheeks. It is often accompanied by other skin imperfections, such as localized redness, dull complexion and a general appearance that is not very ‘healthy’ and luminous.
Typical of youthful skin, it is particularly common among teenagers and young adults, but can also occur in adults.
However, it has some advantages:
- ages better , in fact wrinkles appear later
- it is less fragile than dry skin , because the sebum participates in the formation of the hydrolipidic film, which protects the skin and prevents dehydration.
Oily skin causes
Oily skin is generally caused by abnormal activity of the sebaceous glands that produce a large amount of sebum.
The excess sebum that the skin is unable to absorb tends to concentrate in the shallower layers of the skin.
The causes of this over-production of the sebaceous glands can be:
- hormonal imbalance in particular an excess of male hormones, androgens, present in both men and women.
- excessive use of cosmetics
- too aggressive skin cleansing
- hypersensitivity , probably genetic, of the sebaceous glands to androgens. The hormone level is normal but the glands overreact by producing too much sebum.
- consumption of hormones of pharmacological origin (estrogens, progestogens)
- systemic diseases (including Parkinson’s disease)
In adolescence, increased hormone levels are associated with hyperseborrhea, which affects about 80% of young people. This may or may not be accompanied by acne.
Furthermore, the situation can also worsen and accentuate the secretion of sebum when the skin comes into contact with external aggressions, such as pollution, sun and wind and in stressful situations. Result: the skin shines.
Oily skin tips
To try to approach the problem of oily skin as correctly as possible, it is necessary to start from some basic principles and adopt a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. All this presupposes that the following rules are observed:
- Not smoking
- Use specific and non-aggressive neutral detergents every day
- Drink lots of water
- Avoid foods rich in sugars and animal fats , preferring fruits, vegetables, white meats, fish and whole grains
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Use specific cosmetics
- Avoid make -up removers or leave-in cleansers
- Periodically exfoliate the skin with adequate smoothing treatments
- Protect the skin from the sun
- Doing sports and physical activity on a regular basis
Oily skin care
This type of skin needs to be rebalanced with products that counteract excess sebum. To clean the face or remove makeup, in particular, you need specific gel or foam products.
Daily gestures, to be repeated morning and evening, must include:
- facial cleansing with specific cleansing gels for oily skin
- limitation of excess sebum with lotions to be wiped with a cotton swab
- hydration with a light non-greasy cream
Although it is better hydrated and more elastic, it still requires good hydration.
Oily skin: natural remedies
Like many other skin or hair blemishes, even oily skin can be treated with various natural remedies that are most often effective if not decisive. The cure involves the use of astringent and sebum-balancing remedies to normalize the production of sebum:
- Essential oils . The lotions based on essential oil of sage , lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, cypress , tea tree, mint and bergamot are rich in active ingredients with disinfectant and astringent properties that allow you to absorb excess sebum and counteract its production.
Natural masks and treatments
In addition to these solutions, there are natural masks and treatments that can be easily done at home that allow you to improve the appearance of oily skin and prevent the onset of imperfection. The best known are:
Clay : It is purchased in herbalist’s shops and in para-pharmacies mainly in powder form and is perfect for preparing face masks. The most suitable types for oily skin are pink and green, for their absorbent properties. Mix the right amount of green clay with a little water and spread the mixture thus obtained on the skin and let it act for 10 minutes until it is completely dry and starts to pull. Rinse with warm water.
Corn starch : Known for its absorbent properties, corn starch allows it to absorb excess sebum on the skin of the face. For a mask, mix 2-3 teaspoons of cornstarch with water to obtain a spreadable compound on the face. Let the mask dry for a few minutes and rinse with warm water.
Lemon : As a true protagonist of the many do-it-yourself remedies for personal and home care, lemon juice is confirmed as a very useful natural ally also for the treatment of oily skin thanks to its antibacterial and astringent properties. To prepare a sebum-regulating solution to be dabbed directly on the face, especially in the most critical points, it will be sufficient to combine water and juice in equal parts, apply with a cotton pad and rinse first with hot and then cold water in order to amplify the toning effect.
Apple : Among the skin-friendly fruits, apple is undoubtedly one of the most suitable for treating oily skin. Making an apple-based beauty mask is super simple: take 1/2 apple, 3/4 teaspoons of cooked oat grains and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Blend the ingredients with the mixer and spread the mixture on your face making it act for 15 minutes at the end of which you will rinse with plenty of cold water.
Post-cleansing astringent lotions
Here you can use:
Vinegar : With its strong purifying, astringent, regenerating and invigorating power , white wine vinegar is one of the best natural allies of our beauty. Applied directly to the skin with a cotton pad, it is perfect as a tonic to perfect evening cleansing of the skin. Combined with flour and honey it becomes a perfect beauty mask to reduce the imperfections of oily skin.
Salt : Another very interesting remedy to combat oily skin is to dilute 1 teaspoon of natural sea salt in a bottle of water or in a similar container equipped with a vaporizer. Spray the solution directly on the face once a day and dry with a clean cotton or linen cloth.
When it comes to oily skin, the ones we have proposed to you are certainly some of the most effective and simple natural remedies to adopt.
Remember, however, to always consult your doctor or a trusted dermatologist to ensure that there are no more serious causes at the basis of the onset of oily skin to be addressed with specific therapies and pharmacological treatments.
Useful insights
To treat and prevent oily and oily skin you can find here some natural products suggested by the article:
