If you’re looking for an oily skin cure, we’ve got some news for you. While there are things you can do to manage your oily skin, there is no real cure in the way that you can take an antibiotic to cure an infection once and for all. The news is not all bad, however. While there is no simple cure for oily skin, there are ways to make your skin less oily. We’ll tell you how to cope with oily skin and also tell you about our favorite remedy for oily skin.
Why Isn’t There an Easy Oily Skin Cure?
Primarily because there is no single, simple cause of oily skin. Oily skin can be caused by many different things, including:
- Hormones (teenagers often have oily skin due to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty but hormones can cause oily skin at other times, as well, including during menstruation, after giving birth, and during menopause)
- Stress (both physical and mental)
- Certain health issues
- Some medications
- Improper skin care routines, which may include not cleansing the skin properly or, conversely, cleansing skin too often and/or using harsh soaps
- Using makeup or other skincare products that block the pores or increase oil production
- Possibly a poor diet (although eating greasy or fried foods does not automatically cause oily skin as some people believe)
The bottom line is that how oily or dry your skin is depending on a combination of factors, which may change over time. Some of these things you can do something about, while others are simply beyond your control.
Coping with Oily Skin
While there is no definitive oily skin cure, there are things you can do to cope with the condition and help to normalize your skin.
- Start by developing a good skincare routine and stick to it. Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Wash your face gently and pat it dry. No harsh scrubbing and no harsh soap. Avoid the temptation to wash your face more often because that can end up stripping away oils that are actually supposed to be in your skin.
- Use blotting paper to remove excess oil during the day if needed.
- If you wear makeup, choose makeup designed for people with oily skin and use a minimal amount. Make sure to remove your makeup and wash your face thoroughly before bed.
- If your hair tends to be oily as well as your skin, wear it pulled back away from your face so it doesn’t compound the oiliness of your skin.
- Avoid touching your face as much as you can. Your hands produce oils and often carry dirt and bacteria and you don’t want to introduce that to your face.
- Eat a healthful diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains, while limiting fat, sugar, and alcohol. Also, drink plenty of water. You may or may not find what you eat seems to affect the oiliness of your skin, but a healthy diet is important if you want to have healthy skin.
- Get some regular physical activity, too, if you are able. Regular exercise improves circulation and is good for the health of your skin, although it may not seem to have a direct effect on the oiliness of your skin.
- Manage your stress. That’s easier said than done, but stress can cause oiliness and other skin problems. Getting regular exercise and getting enough rest can help with stress management, and although it can be difficult to do those things during stressful times, those are the very times you need it most.
- Talk with your doctor if your skin is especially oily or if you suddenly develop very oily skin and don’t know why. Let your doctor know about any recent changes in diet, health, or medications that might be affecting your skin.
Our Favorite Remedy for Oily Skin
Our favorite remedy for coping with oily skin is Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash. It contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil, which gently removes excess oil, bacteria, and debris from your skin; goldenseal root extract, which helps remove bacteria and dirt without irritating skin; and lavender oil, which soothes irritated skin and helps normalize skin. It’s also suitable for combination skin because it won’t over-dry normal or dry skin while it treats oily skin. To find out more about our favorite oily skin remedy, just follow the link.