Oily skin tips

Oily skin tips → Dry skin tips → Beauty tips

Oily skin condition is caused by a myriad of reasons (predominantly hereditary) and following these tips you can alleviate the problem.

Oily skin tips: Food and drinks

1. Eat balanced food containing all the required macro nutrients (proteins and essential fatty acids) and micro nutrients (minerals and vitamins).
2. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and fish.
3. Drink plenty of water to remove metabolic wastes and toxins. (very important tips)
4. Daily one litre of water per one kg of body weight is recommended.
5. Whatever food is bad for your health is also bad for your skin.
6. Avoid fat rich deep fried foods, fatty meat products and junk food.
7. Avoid alcohol as it interferes with absorption and utilisation of nutrients and induces excessive sebaceous gland activity.
8. Quit smoking, as smoking cuts down the optimal supply of oxygen to epidermis and induces sebum production.

Oily skin tips: Bath and washing

1. Take bath at least once a day, but spend minimal time bathing.
2. Use tepid water for bathing and washing.
3. Do not use hot water as it can strip your skin of moisture and induce sebum production. (very important tips)
4. Very cold water will shock the epidermis and as a response, after sometime, it will start producing more sebum.
5. Water with high chlorine content must be avoided for bathing, as chlorine has drying effect on the skin and body's response will be by overproduction of sebum.

Oily skin tips: Soaps

1. Use mild soaps and test and select a brand most suitable to your skin.
2. Use only neutral or slightly acidic soaps after testing their suitability. (very important tips)
3. Avoid harsh, alkaline soaps as they interfere with normal pH (acidic condition) of the epidermis.

Oily skin tips: Scrubbing

1. Sebum collects dirt and dust on it and combining dead cell debris, grime is formed and make the epidermis unhygienic. Regular scrubbing is necessary to remove it.
2. Exfoliate at least twice a week in order to keep the pores open and healthy.

Oily skin tips: cleansing

1. Keep a schedule of cleansing your face twice daily.
2. Never miss to cleanse face before going to bed.
3. Use cleansers which are mild and made especially for oily skin.
4. Cleansers with oily base work better by dissolving the sebum; follow it up with a water based cleanser.
5. Harsh cleansers, especially those containing Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) tend to dry out the skin and damage the acid mantle and the body responds by producing more sebum.
6. It is always better to go in for organic and herbal cleansers.

Oily skin tips: moisturizing

1. Moisturizers are not normally required in this skin condition, especially for adolescents and young adults. They can think of moisturization before going to bed after cleansing the skin.
2. Aged persons and women nearing menopause tend to have patches of sebum areas along with dry skin. They can use mild moisturizers which are least oily.

>Oily skin tips: toners and astringents

1. Toners tighten the pores and reduce the chances of clogging of pores.
2. In oily skin condition pores tend to enlarge giving mottled appearance, which can be alleviated by use of toners.
3. Avoid harsh toners, especially astringents with alcohol base, as they can dry up the skin and induce further sebum production.

Oily skin tips: blotting

1. Now and then you can use blotting paper to remove excess sebum on the face.
2. Powder layered blotting papers are more efficient in absorbing sebum. However they may leave a powdery substance on the face.
3. Blot powder can also be used to mop up extra grease. However this has to be washed off at the earliest opportunity to protect pores from clogging.
4. Facial tissue papers can also be used and prefer those without fragrance to avoid possibility of allergies.

Oily skin tips: Vitamins

1. High doses of Pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅) have been found to reduce sebum production.
2. Vitamin B₅ in sufficient quantities regulates the production of androgen (cause of sebum production) by its effect on Coenzyme-A (CoA).
3. Vitamin B₅ decreases the build up of fatty acids and their excretion through sebaceous glands.
4. Use of up to 2 gms of vitamin B₅ is recommended. (very important tips)
5. However to offset possible stomach upset, it is better to start at 500 mg per day in 2-3 split doses and gradually increase it to 2 gms/day.

Oily skin tips: Medication

1. If you are taking any medicine, check up with your health care provider for its effects on the skin.
2. Retinoid chemicals reduce the production of sebum and can shrink the size of sebaceous glands.
3. Acne medications like, Isotretinoin can help in prevention of sebum production.
4. Use of retinoids or isotretinoin must be only under the advice of dermatologists as there can be side effects.

Oily skin tips: make-up

1. If you require to wear make-up, make it minimal and use grease free foundation make-up, preferably in the form of powder.
2. Make it a point to remove make-up before going to bed to avoid clogging of pores.
3. Apply toner and wait for five minutes before applying make-up.

Oily skin tips: sun exposure

1. Avoid exposure to sun and heat. Exposure to heat causes excess production of sweat and sebum. (very important tips)
2. Tanning bed UV ray exposure also can cause excess sebum production and enlargement of pores.
3. Use grease-free sunscreen (at least 15 SPF), if you are required to go out in the sunlight.

Oily skin tips: associated acne problems

1. If cleansing of oily skin is not done regularly, the pores may get clogged and result in acne and pimples.
2. Steaming (for about 15 minutes) the face daily helps in opening up pores and in removal of black heads.
3. After steaming, use cleanser and then apply cold water to close the pores.
4. Using cleanser containing salicylic acid, helps in cases of acne breakouts.

Following these oily skin tips you can turn this condition into a nature's gift as well maintained oily skin, ages slowly and develops wrinkles slowly.

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Oily skin treatment

Home › Homemade treatments › Oily skin treatment

Oily skin condition arises when the sebum (skin oil) is produced in excess of requirement due to many biological factors requiring proper treatment.

Human skin produces oily sebum to protect itself from the weather elements and also as a lubricant.

Advantages of oily skin

A healthy skin produces sufficient sebum to keep itself well nourished, wrinkle-resistant, moisturized and glossy. The great advantage of oily face is that it ages slowly and is well moisturized. The disadvantage of such condition is that it is dull, thick and coarse in looks. However this condition can leads to blackheads, pimples and embarrassing blemishes requiring treatment and care.

Oily skin treatment

For treatment for oily condition, we have to look into the root cause. We have to find out if this condition is prevalent in the family members like the parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. If the problem is prevalent in family then the individual has to put up with the problem as it is genetic, requiring continuous care. The possible cause may be higher hormonal output.

Treatment can be tried out to reduce the intensity of the condition and associated problems. There can be no total cure or permanent remedy. Only with old age the condition slowly subsides with the reduction in hormone output.

Oily skin treatments and solutions

If the condition is not hereditary, there is a possibility of achieving complete relief with specific preventive efforts.
Weather: Avoid hot humid weather and protect yourself from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Hormones: If the cause is due to hormonal fluctuations as in menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, skincare measures like cleansing can help.
Hormonal treatments for reducing the androgen output in the body can give relief from oily skin.
However hormonal medications for oily conditions are to be done under the care of medical professionals.
Self medication and consumption of hormones without doctor's advice can result in devastating health problems.
Food habits: We have to review our food habits. If our consumption of fats and carbohydrates is fairly above the recommended daily requirement (RDA), then we are becoming a candidate for oily skin.
Taking balanced food rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals itself can give relief in such cases.
Taking plenty of leafy vegetables and fruits helps in oily face condition.
Vitamin B₂ deficiency can cause excess sebum production.
Taking food rich in B vitamins like whole cereals and grains, nuts and legumes can provide treatment for the oily problem.
Accumulation of metabolic wastes can cause excess sebum. Drinking sufficient water, keeps our body and specially epidermal cells hydrated and removes toxins and metabolic wastes.
Cosmetics: Excessive use of cosmetics can remove the sebum totally and to counter it our sebaceous glands start producing excess of sebum. In such cases restrictive use of cosmetics will help.

Medical treatments

: Topical isotretinoin and tretinoin, vitamin derivatives may be prescribed by dermatologists for resolving of this problem.
Benzoyl peroxide is also used to control excess sebum production.
For acne and pimples prone persons application of antibiotic creams can provide relief for excess sebum production.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) solutions can also resolve acne and excess sebum production.
Use of salicylic acid or glycolic acid reduces sebum build up.
Smoking and consumption of alcohol have been found to dehydrate the skin cells and can cause excess sebum production.

Perfect skin (image: Sue Brown)

Oily skin homemade treatments

• Washing the skin with mild low pH soap and plenty of fairly warm/hot water removes much of the sebum and the dirt, opening the pores and keeping them free from clogging.
  However washing must be restricted to two or three times a day. Excessive washing can induce skin to produce more sebum and reverse our efforts.
• Harsh soaps and skin care products must be avoided as they may become more a problem than a solution.
  Harsh products will completely strip the skin of sebum, whereby the sebaceous glands are induced to produce more sebum.
  They may also make the skin taut and dehydrated, restricting the free flow of sebum.
• Light products like extra virgin olive oil can be used as cleanser as it can dissolve sebum into a solution and help in its removal.
  Application of lemon juice on the face and allowing it to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing can be tried for this problem.
• Treatment with cucumber juice and honey can provide great relief.
  Application of aloe vera juice on the face, leaving for 15 -20 minutes and then rinsing with near hot water can also help.
  Tomato puree can be applied ,left for 15 minutes and then rinsed clean.
  Yogurt and papaya juice can be applied in control and treatment of this problem.
• Clay mask removes excess sebum. Sandalwood powder paste with water when used as mask helps in removing excess sebum.
• Steaming opens up pores and liquefies the sebum into a solution for removal.
  Face must be wiped clean gently to remove the sebum and dirt soon after steaming. Care should be taken to apply moisturizer soon after steaming.
  After cleansing, oil free moisturizer can be applied to keep the skin soft and supple.
• Periodical exfoliation helps in removing epidermal debris and opening up pores and acne.
• The affected individual should exercise, relax and sleep well as tension and stress have been found to increase the sebum secretion, affecting the treatment.
• With proper care, the problem of oily skin can be overcome and with correct treatment relief is possible.

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Current topic: Oily skin treatment.

Skin care - Causes of oily skin - Sebaceous glands and sebum

Basic skin care routine → Oily skin causes - Sebum and sebaceous glands → Oily skin - treatment, cure and home remedies → Dry skin causes and care

Oily skin

Nature has given us a healthy skin lubricant, a water-proofing agent and a moisturizer in the form of an greasy and waxy substance called sebum.

Sebum is made of lipids (fats), wax and cell debris of dead lipid producing cells.

Sebum is produced by microscopic glands called sebaceous glands in the skin and helps in lubricating the epidermis and hair.

Sebaceous glands are distributed through out the body surface with the exception of palms and soles.

In individuals with oily skin, the sebum production is more pronounced on the face and that too on the forehead, around the nose and the chin area (T-zone) where the sebaceous glands are concentrated.

The inner side of the outer ear, neck, back and chest areas also can be problem areas.

In sebaceous glands, sebum is produced within the sebaceous cells and the greasy substance is released when the cells burst.

Apart from cell debris, sebum consists of sapienic acid, squaline, free fatty acids, triglycerides and wax monoesters.

The white, waxy, cheesy substance covering the skin of newborns called 'Vernix caseosa' is mostly the secretions of the sebaceous glands of the fetus.

Causes of oily skin

This useful and welcome sebum secretion, due to various causes, gets produced in excess.

This excess sebum causes dull, thick, shiny and oily skin.

This accumulates dirt and grime and the pores get enlarged and become visible giving coarse look.

With clogging of pores, pimples and blackheads usually form.

A good thing about the oily skin is that it ages slowly and is less prone to wrinkle formation.

Many factors like, hormone levels, puberty, pregnancy, oral pills for birth-control, diet, use of cosmetics, hot and humid weather and certain disease conditions may become the causes of excess sebaceous glands activity and excess sebum production.

Oily skin causes: genetic inheritance

In most cases, hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands is brought about by the genetic factors.

People of the Mediterranean region having olive skin with dark hair are found to have more instances of excess sebum production when compared to light colored people of Scots or Scandinavian descent.

If the parents are having hyper active sebaceous glands, then the odds are that the children will also have excess sebum production from their puberty onwards.

Except taking actions to prevent aggravation nothing much can be done in such cases as it is pre-programmed in genes.

With advance of old age such people get relief with reduction in the sebaceous glands activity.

However the health care efforts can change the conditions from a face dotted with big pores, blackheads and pimples to a glossy pleasant face.

Oily skin causes: hormones and their imbalances

Hormone production and fluctuation of hormone levels causes higher sebaceous glands activity and sebum production.

There can be genetic mark up for greater production of certain hormones.

The hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a metabolite of testosterone hormone appears first at puberty in both boys and girls.

During adolescence, this androgenic hormone apart from stimulating the development of secondary sexual characteristics also causes the growth and enlargement of sebaceous glands.

This leads to sufficient and normal production of sebum leading glossy youthful appearance.

When this hormone is produced in higher levels than normal, or when the sebaceous glands become hyper-sensitive to normal levels of DHT hormone, the real problem starts and causes excess production sebum by the sebaceous glands, resulting in oily skin.

Mensuration cycle also affects and fluctuates DTH levels and causes acne prone greasy epidermis with the rise of progesterone.

Oily skin causes: pregnancy, menopause and birth control pills

Pregnant women are more prone to get over active sebaceous glands and acne.

This is brought about by rapid hormonal changes the body is undergoing during pregnancy.

Oily skin and acne are at the worst in the first trimester.

With the progress of pregnancy the estrogen levels increase and the sebum eases up.

There are a few lucky women for whom pregnancy clears up their persistent teenage greasy face and acne.

Similarly during menopause the female body goes through hormonal changes and causes patches of oily skin and pimples to appear.

Especially women undergoing hormone replacement therapy should watch out for outbreaks of sebaceous glands activity and acne.

Taking birth control pills changes the normal hormone profile. In some instances it increases the androgen activity and results excess sebum production.

Oily skin causes: diet

There is a greater chances for getting oily or dry skin when our diet is not properly balanced with macro and micro nutrients.

The excess consumption of carbohydrates and fats, which we get in junk food, causes excess storage of fats in the body and obesity and trigger sebaceous glands and excess sebum production.

It is found that persons suffering from vitamin B2 deficiency develops hyper active sebaceous glands.

Oily skin causes: cosmetics

Constant and excessive use of cosmetics causes sebaceous glands to be hyper active, producing more sebum and the resultant oily skin.

Synthetic skin care products must be used with care as they can induce sebaceous glands.

Greasy cosmetics have been found to worsen the problem of oily skin.

Harsh soaps and cosmetic products based on alcohol aggravate oily skin.

Intensive use of cosmetics to remove sebum can make the sebaceous glands to produce more of sebum.

Oily skin causes: environment

Hot and humid weather also induces excess activity of sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous glands

Constant sweating also causes the sebaceous glands to over produce sebum and causes oily skin. Pollution also can irritate the skin and result in oily skin as an effort of the body to protect itself.

Oily skin causes: certain diseases

Certain diseases like Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pachydermoperiostosis, Forbes-Albright syndrome, HAIR-AN Syndrome, Acromegaly and Fowler-Christmas-Chapple syndrome have been found to be causes of oily skin by making the sebaceous glands overproduce.

Stress and mental tension has been found to induce sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and causes oily skin.

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