How To Get Rid Of Oily Skin In South Africa
Overview
Oily skin is the result of the overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands. These glands are located under the skin’s surface.
Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. Sebum isn’t all bad since it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keep your hair shiny and healthy.
Too much sebum, however, may lead to oily skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne. Genetics, hormone changes, or even stress may increase sebum production.
Oily skin and acne are challenging to manage. Still, home remedies often reduce symptoms without the use of prescription drugs or expensive skin care regimens. Here are 10 remedies for oily skin you can try at home.
How To Get Rid Of Oily Skin In South Africa
1. Wash your face
It seems obvious, but many people with oily skin don’t wash their face daily. If your skin’s oily, you should wash your face twice a day — but don’t overdo it. Avoid harsh soaps or detergents. Use a gentle soap such as glycerin soap instead.
2. Blotting papers
These thin, small papers won’t prevent your sebaceous glands from going into overdrive, but they’ll allow you to blot excess oil from your face to help minimize shiny, greasy skin. Blotting papers are inexpensive and available over the counter. Use as needed throughout the day.
3. Honey
Honey is one of nature’s most revered skin remedies. Thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic abilities, it may benefit oily and acne-prone skin.
Honey is also a natural humectant, so it helps keep the skin moist but not oily. This is because humectants draw moisture from the skin without replacing it.
To use honey to treat acne and oily skin, spread a thin layer, preferably raw, onto your face; let it dry for about 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
4. Cosmetic clay
Cosmetic clays, also called healing clays, are used to help absorb skin oil and treat many skin conditions. French green clay is a popular treatment for oily skin and acne since it’s highly absorbent. French green clay comes in powder form.
To make a spa-worthy French green clay mask:
- Add filtered water or rose water to about a teaspoon of clay until it forms a pudding-like consistency.
- Apply the clay mixture to your face and leave it on until it dries.
- Remove the clay with warm water and pat dry.
Clay masks removed with water are much gentler on your skin than peel-off masks.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal helps calm inflamed skin and absorb excess oil. It also helps exfoliate dead skin. When used in facial masks, oatmeal is usually ground. It can be combined with yogurt, honey, or mashed fruit such as bananas, apples, or papaya. To use oatmeal on your face:
- Combine 1/2 cup ground oats with hot water to form a paste.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
- Massage the oatmeal mixture into your face for about three minutes; rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
- Alternatively, apply the oatmeal mixture to your face and leave it on for 10–15 minutes; rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
6. Egg whites and lemons
Egg whites and lemons are a folk remedy for oily skin. Both ingredients are thought to tighten pores. The acid in lemons and other citrus fruits may help absorb oil. According to a 2008 study, lemons also have antibacterial abilities. However, this remedy is not a good choice for people with egg allergies.
To make an egg white and lemon face mask:
- Combine 1 egg white with 1 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
- Apply it to your face, and leave it on until the mask dries.
- Remove with warm water, and pat dry.
7. Almonds
Ground almonds not only work to exfoliate your skin, but they also help sop up excess oils and impurities. To use an almond face scrub:
- Finely grind raw almonds to make 3 teaspoons.
- Add 2 tablespoons of raw honey.
- Apply to your face gently, in circular motions.
- Rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
You can also make an almond face mask by grinding the almonds into a paste before adding the honey. Leave the mask on for 10–15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Do not use if you have a nut allergy.
8. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is known for soothing burns and other skin conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, there’s good scientific evidence that it helps treat flaky skin caused by oily patches. Many people use aloe vera to treat oily skin.
You can apply a thin layer to your face before bedtime and leave it on until morning. Aloe vera is known to cause allergic reaction on sensitive skin. If you have not used aloe vera before, test a small amount on your forearm. If no reaction appears within 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain salicylic acid, a common acne home remedy. The acids in tomatoes may help absorb excess skin oils and unclog pores. To make an exfoliating tomato mask:
- Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with the pulp of 1 tomato.
- Apply to the skin in a circular motion.
- Leave the mask on for 5 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and pat dry.
You can also apply just tomato pulp or tomato slices to your skin.
10. Jojoba oil
Although the idea of applying oil to oily skin seems counterproductive, jojoba oil is a folk remedy to treat oily skin, acne, and other skin problems.
It’s thought that jojoba mimics sebum on the skin to “trick” sebaceous glands into producing less sebum and help keep oil levels balanced. There’s no scientific research to support this theory, though.
Still, a 2012 study found that applying a mask made of healing clay and jojoba oil two to three times weekly helped heal skin lesions and mild acne.
A little jojoba oil goes a long way. Using too much may worsen oily skin. Try massaging a few drops into clean skin a few days a week to see how you react. If you like the results, apply daily.
Preventing oily skin
When oily skin is caused by genetics or hormones, it’s tough to prevent. Practicing consistent skin care and avoiding unhealthy foods such as fried foods, foods high in sugar, and processed foods may help.
It’s tempting to use heavy cosmetics to cover the effects of oily skin, but this can make the condition worse. When oily skin acts up, reduce the use of makeup, especially foundation. Choose water-based products instead of oil-based. Look for products labeled noncomedogenic that are less likely to clog pores.
Many people claim home remedies for oily skin work. Most remedies aren’t well-researched. The success of a home remedy is dependent on many things such as your specific situation and the quality of the products you use.
It’s possible to develop allergies to remedies you have been using for a while. If your skin becomes sensitive to any product, discontinue use.
If a home remedy worsens symptoms, stop using it, and contact your doctor or a dermatologist. You should also seek medical help if oily skin symptoms such as acne are severe, since they may lead to infection or scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my face so oily?
Everybody’s skin produces oil. Your sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily or waxy substance that moisturizes and protects your skin and hair. Oily skin happens when your glands produce too much sebum, which can lead to a greasy surface, clogged pores, and acne. Oily skin is perfectly normal.
Is oily skin bad?
Although oily skin can clog pores and lead to increased acne breakouts, oily skin also has many benefits. Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture.
Why is my nose so oily?
An oily nose is a common problem. Oiliness occurs when the sebaceous glands on your nose produce too much sebum. This is a natural oil that protects and lubricates your skin. If you have oily skin, your nose may produce considerably more oil because your pores are naturally larger than other pores on the face.
When your skin produces excess sebum (or oil), your forehead and other parts of your face can appear shiny or oily. While this may happen for a variety of reasons, stress, fluctuating hormones, genetics, and humidity are common factors.
The scientific term for well-balanced skin is eudermic. The T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry. A velvety, soft and smooth texture is a sign for a healthy and radiant skin.
What age does oily skin go away?
Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases.
Is Aloe Vera good for oily skin?
Aloe vera gel absorbs easily, making it ideal for oily skin. However, it can help treat dry skin, too. Consider swapping out your regular moisturizer for aloe after bathing to help seal moisture into your skin.
Should you moisturize oily skin?
So should you moisturize oily skin? YES, you need to moisturize your skin, even if it is oily and acne-prone. To understand why, let’s take a closer look at what a moisturizer really does. Moisturizers don’t add water to your skin, but rather help hold the water in the outer layer of your skin to keep it hydrated.
Is it good to squeeze pores on nose?
Don’t squeeze the pores on your nose
While it may get rid of the darker dots short term, it can also: damage skin tissue. enlarge the pores. lead to infection
How can I stop my face from getting oily throughout the day?
Avoid the temptation to wash your face whenever it gets shiny. Instead, use blotting papers as a safe and effective oily face treatment. Whenever you notice excess oil on your face, take a sheet of blotting paper. Gently press the sheet on your face and remove it afterwards.
Why do I wake up with oily skin?
Both sleep deprivation and excessive amounts of stress can cause a spike in androgen production – a hormone that is directly responsible for stimulating oil production. So it’s important to get a proper amount of sleep every night and find time during the day to unwind.