oily skin??

I have an oily skin. It can be really embarrassing and frustrating. If you have coarse pores, pimples and your skin is prone to blackheads, then you too have oily skin.

Causes

It could be:

1. heredity
2. diet
3. pregnancy
4. hormone levels
5. cosmetics that you use
6. birth control pills
7. the humid weather

Oily skin is common in teenagers due to their hormonal shift of adolescence but it can occur at any time. Usually, skin tends to be dryer as we age. This is because the flow of oil starts decreasing as we age. Many people have combination skin: oily in some areas and dry in some.

Skin care

One advantage of oily skin is that it ages much more slowly than other skin types.

Avoid harsh products that encourage flakiness. This occurs when too much oil is removed.

Avoid skincare products that leave your skin dry and dehydrated.

To cleanse oily skin, use oil based products as they dissolve oil effectively. Go for oil free moisturizers for a shine-free complexion.

Limit washing your face to two or three times a day as too much washing will stimulate your skin in producing more oil.

Choose your cleanser with care. Use a soap that has no artificial additives. Try antibacterial lotion or a lightly medicated soap together with water rich in minerals and not tap water. Don't use cleansers containing alcohol. After that, apply a natural oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin supple.

Do not rub soap into the skin. It can clog pores.

If your oily skin is scaly, use a deep-cleaning cleanser on alternate nights followed by a light coating of moisturizer.

You can use white or rose colored clays if your skin is sensitive.

Choose facial care products especially suited for your oily skin.

Before you put on your makeup, apply a day cream with active ingredients that diminish secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients.

Natural skin care

Apply half a teaspoon of lime and cucumber juice mixed together half an hour before you take your bath.

For prevention of your makeup from being patchy on your skin areas where it's oily excessively, you can apply cucumber juice on those excessively oily parts, dry thoroughly and then apply your makeup.

Diet

Take more food rich in proteins but limit your intake of sugar, fluids and salt.

Definitely take lots of leafy green vegetables and fruits.

A slight deficiency in vitamin B2 can cause oily skin. Good sources are beans, nuts, whole grains, black beans, whole rice, etc.

Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins.

Avoid pork and fried food to reduce the fat in your body.

Avoid soft drinks, chocolates, alcohols and junk food if possible. If not, then treat it as a luxury.

Essential oils

Bergamot

Cedarwood

Cypress

Frankincense

Geranium

Juniper

Lavender

Lemon

Sage

Herbs

Apply aloe vera gel as needed. It has good healing properties.

Horse tail, chamomile and thyme nourish your skin.

Mist your skin with lavender water several times daily as it is good for oily skin.

Witch hazel applied to the skin is excellent for absorbing oil.

Commonsense recommendations

Do not smoke. It enlarges the pores.

Get enough sleep as the skin's cellular repair activity is at its optimum.

Regular exercise will nourish and cleanse your skin from within.

These are some tips for those of you out there with oily skin like mine. I did experience some flakiness as mentioned here. It doesn't mean that you have to follow everything here but it is good for you. Make sure you take care of your skin daily. If you lapse back to your original lifestyle of fried food, laziness and not cleaning your face, well you can be sure that you'll be seeing your oily face again.