Many of my friends and clients ask me to recommend skin care products especially for treating oily skin. Whilst alot of decent skin care ranges offer alternatives depending on your skin type, I have found that alot of the time this is hype and that those products for combination or oily skin are no different than their dry skin siblings. If you are prone to oily skin, you can provide alot of the necessary care yourself.

Oily Skin

Because of hormonal shifts during adolescence, oily skin is common during this time, but it is also quite common later in life as well. The skin generally tends to become dryer with age, as the production of sebum increases during adolescence and then slowly starts to decrease. During the menopause and pregnancy, hormonal imbalances can also trigger an increase in the activity of sebaceous glands. Many people have skin that is oily only in certain areas, generally the area we call the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and dry or normal in others, a condition or rather type we refer to as combination skin.

The causes can essentially be listed as:

• Hormone levels
• Pregnancy and brith control pills
• Cosmetics and skin care lotions
• Humidity and hot weather
• Heredity

One great advantage of oily skin you might be pleased to know is that it tends to age more slowly than dryer skin types.

Cleansing

Oily skin requires special cleansing with plenty of warm to hot water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged. The warmer the water the better a part it plays in dissolving sebum, but too hot can be too harsh especially for sensitive skin. You need to avoid harsh products that will strip your skin of oil since this can bring about a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the sebaceous glands work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils. Its also best to limit the number of times you wash since too much can bring about the same effect. While it is tempting to use products on oily skin that leave it feeling dry, this can again be detrimental since it can cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink which restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and complications of the pores.

Although it may seem counter-productive to cleanse oily skin with oil-based products, they are actually effective in dissolving the excess sebum effectively. Avoid cleansing creams since these tend to be too heavy and harsh, instead choose a pure soap with no artificial additives or try an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a lightly medicated soap. Do not use cleansers or lotions that contain alcohol since this these tend to strip too much oil away from the skin.

When cleansing, massage your face well with your fingertips, using an upward and outward motion and take care not to rub soap into the skin since this can cause clogging of the pores. If your oily skin is also scaly, you may wish to try a deep-cleaning exfoliant on alternate days. Use a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you wish, and apply a clarifying mask one or two times a week.

Before applying makeup, use an antiseptic day cream with active ingredients that diminish sebaceous secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients. Choose cosmetic and facial care products specifically designed for oily skin.

Choose an oil-free moisturizer to maintain a shine-free complexion.

More Oily Skin Care

Half an hour before taking a bath apply half a teaspoon each of lime and cucumber juice mixed together to your face, and if your skin is excessively oily, mix in a few drops of cologne. This not only helps reduce surface oil but also helps in refining the pores of the skin by acting as astringent, therefore helping preventing acne.

If you find that makeup becomes patchy on the forehead, chin or nose due to excessive oil, then apply a little cucumber juice on the excessively oily parts of your face, dry thoroughly and then apply your makeup. If you find that your whole face has a tendency to be patchy after applying makeup, then apply equal parts of lime juice and witch-hazel and gently pat dry well 20 minutes before applying your cosmetics.

Strong astringents will generally do more harm than good, stimulating an overproduction of oil, so if you use one then choose one that contains acetone, which is known for dissolving oil whilst not being too harsh. 

To clear excessive oil, use a clay or mud mask. Blend 1 teaspoon of green clay powder and 1 teaspoon of raw honey, and apply to the face avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes, and then rinse well with lukewarm water. Do this three times a week if your skin is excessively oily.

Once daily, try a mixture of equal parts of lemon juice and water together. After applying to your face allow it to dry, and then rinse with warm water, followed with a cool-water rinse.

Alternative Therapy

Lavender is very good for oily skin - try gently steaming the face with hot water containg some lavender. Steaming the skin for short periods using lemongrass, licorice root, and rosebuds is also theraputic for oily skin. To prepare - simmer 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried or fresh herbs in half a litre of water for 5 minutes and then sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for ten minutes. You can use a towel to trap the steam if you wish. Afterwards, splash your face with cold water and allow your skin to air dry or pat it dry gently with a towel.

If you find that you may have dried out your skin then you can use Aloe vera which has excellent healing properties followed by a light moisturiser.

General Advice

Avoid smoking, this is bad for your health and skin overall.

Eat a protein-rich diet and restrict your sugar intake. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits.

Deficiency in vitamin B2 can cause oily skin. Good sources of vitamin B2 are wheat germ, whole grains, beans, nuts, and royal jelly or you could even take a supplement.

Drink plenty of water, preferably bottled, to keep the skin hydrated and flush out toxins.

Reduce the amount of fat in your diet, especially animal fats, or heat-processed vegetable oils, and try to avoid using oils in cooking as much as possible.

Do not drink soft drinks high in sugar or alcoholic drinks.

Find out about RoC skin care products for oily skin types.