If your skin is often shining or glistening, or if you have regular outbursts of pimples even though you’re not a teenager anymore, or you are simply tired of putting up with the challenges of having oily skin, read on.
There are two skin-types that suffer these effects – Oily skin and combination skin.
How can you identify your skin type? People with oily skin usually have larger, more noticeable pores; people with combination skin have oily skin in the T-zone (nose to forehead) but have dry skin around the cheeks and rest of the face.
The two main reasons for oily skin are hormones and genetics. Our bodies produce an oil called ‘sebum’ to keep our skin soft, but in some cases, the body produces more sebum than necessary and this leads to acne flare-ups and other oily skin related problems.
Oily Skin Care Tips:
- Cleansing -Regular cleansing of the skin, 2 to 3 times a day, helps get rid of dirt and oil build-up on your skin. It cleans clogged pores where excess oil tends to accumulate. There are a number of skin-care products you can turn to, depending on your skin type. Look for gel-based or foaming cleansers which are oil free. Medicated soaps also help, but consult a dermatologist to know which type of soap best suits your skin.
- Handling-Avoid vigorous rubbing of the skin, as this will strip the skin of its natural moisture and damage the sebaceous glands (the glands responsible for producing oil), which in turn may result in your skin producing more oil than before. Look for products with: Tea tree oil, neem, honey or salicylic acid. Remember to remove all make-up before going to bed.
- Scrub / Exfoliate –Be sure to exfoliate your skin at least once or twice a week. Scrubbing gets rid of the dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin which is the main cause of blackheads, whiteheads and acne. Be gentle while exfoliating to prevent long-term damage to your skin. This also helps with skin fairness. Use sunscreen every time you venture out – again, it is best to consult with a dermatologist to find out which type of sunscreen is best for you.
- Changes in diet –The food we eat plays an important role in controllingnatural oil production. Include protein-rich food in your daily diet and increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables. Reduce consumption of fats and sugars, which also means a reduced intake of foods like chocolate, deep-fried food and alcoholic beverages. Foods rich in Vitamin B2 help curb excess oil production, so include foods like kernels, nuts and beans in your diet.
- Home Remedies –There are several home remedies for oily skin that you can try to help you keep it healthy and soft:
- Yogurt helps in absorbing excess oil from the surface. Apply a mixture of yogurt, honey and oatmeal on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes before gently washing it away with warm water.
- Tomatoes have cooling properties and their acidic property helps in clearing oily skin. Rub a few pieces of cut, raw tomatoes on your skin till the juices soak in and then wash it away after 15 minutes.
- A mixture of egg whites and lemon juice can be applied on the face and left to work its magic for 15 minutes before washing it off.
In conclusion, there are many small steps you can take to combat oily skin and its side-effects. Clean your skin regularly and gently.Scrub and exfoliate once or twice a week, incorporate healthy diet changes suggested above. Notice a positive change in your skin!
Consult with our panel of top cosmetologists and dermatologists to understand your skin type better and to know what products and remedies suit your skin. In some advanced cases of acne or dry skin, you might need to turn to medical treatment. With specialized equipment and the best experts in acne scar removal, skin rejuvenation, scar and stretch mark removal; our clinics ensure you get the best treatment possible for all your skin-related woes.
