An introduction to oily skin treatments
Oily skin can be a difficult skin problem to cope with as it often gives rise to pimples, spots or even bouts of acne! What doesn’t help is that often many of the traditional remedies recommended for problem skin can make oily skin worse and, unfortunately, it’s easily stressed by cosmetics and skincare products.
So what is the solution?
Well luckily, in part due to how common oily skin is, there are a number of home and herbal remedies available. Today I’m going to be looking at a few of the more popular of these as well as a few conventional treatments that should only be considered in extreme circumstances.
Home & Herbal remedies
Home and herbal remedies are arguably the most popular way of dealing with oily skin – in fact there’s probably a few treatments on this list you’ve been recommended to try by a friend or family member! However, if any of these remedies upset your skin or you notice a change in your symptoms, it’s important you speak to your local GP or doctor.
Healthy diet
Your diet can play a big role in determining how healthy your skin is. You need to make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that’s chockfull of leafy green veg, fruit and complex carbohydrates. Foods that are rich in refined sugars and processed fats should be avoided as these can impact your blood sugar levels which will have a knock-on effect on your sebaceous glands, increasing your production of sebum oil. If you want to learn more about foods that may help your skin, please check out my blog ’9 foods to help soothe oily skin.’ It’s also incredibly important that you’re drinking plenty of water – remember, caffeinated beverages and fizzy drinks do not count as a viable source of fluids!
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is extremely important for oily skin as it can difficult to shed dead skin cells, meaning that they linger on your skin, clogging your pores and eventually causing outbreaks of spots and pimples. The problem is that many sufferers of oily skin exfoliate too much or with the wrong products. Ideally, you should be exfoliating 2 or 3 times a week, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
It’s also important that you consider the scrub you are using – many conventional products contain a whole bunch of chemical nasties that can easily upset your skin. Opting for natural skincare products is always best and our friends over at Jan de Vries have an impressive range of brands and products, including Sukin, who offer a range of oil-balancing products.
Moisturising
Just as exfoliating can help to improve the condition of your oily skin, moisturising should also be an integral part of your skincare regime. The unfortunate thing is that many oily skin sufferers are afraid to moisturise their skin in case it makes their symptoms worse. However, I promise you, the consequences of NOT moisturising your skin are far worse.
Regularly moisturising your skin can help to increase its water content and can even slow down the production of excess oil. Again, natural is best which is why I’d recommend our Echinaforce Cream. Prepared using extracts of organically grown Echinacea, this cream is ideal for calming spot-prone skin and sits flawlessly under your make-up.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is incredibly versatile so it’s no wonder its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, with people using it for everything from digestion to weight loss. It’s naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory so it can help to relieve signs of swelling and clean away impurities. You can use it as a natural toner, just remember – do not apply apple vinegar straight to your face! You will have to dilute it first – try making a formula that’s 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of my favourite home remedies for skin and for good reason. It’s rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C & E and has potent anti-inflammatory qualities. Aloe vera is also astringent which means it is capable of absorbing excess oil and removing impurities so it’s definitely worth considering. Getting a hold of aloe vera gel can be tricky though and normally it is polluted with artificial preservatives which is why I’d recommend a natural brand such as Aloe Pura, who offer a fantastic Aloe Vera Gel.
Conventional remedies
Oily skin is considered to be a problem that can be alleviated through using oil-free cosmetics and following a good skin hygiene routine. As such, conventional remedies are limited unless you start to develop acne as a result of oily skin, in which case you may be offered the following:
Oral medication
In instances where your oily skin has stimulated a breakout of acne, you may be offered oral medicines to help control your production of sebum oil. These medications, such as Accutane, are sometimes taken alongside an antibiotic and can be associated with a number of side-effects.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment is a serious option that has only started being used in recent years. It works by destroying bacteria and shrinking your pores, preventing them from becoming clogged by dirt and dead skin cells.
Please make sure you discuss these options thoroughly with your doctor or local GP before undertaking any treatments.
