Oily Skin Care

... Gentle and Effective Solutions

Do you need an oily skin care routine?

Having problems with the T-Zone? Oily skin is prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Of course, you can count on the ugliest zit to pop up exactly when you least want it to!

The cause of oily skin

Over-active sebaceous glands are responsible for the "glow". These glands are busy producing an excessive amount of sebum.

Sebum is normal. It’s your skin’s natural lubricant. It carries dead cells to the surface. Yet when there is too much sebum, an imbalance occurs and problems set in. Excessive oil on the skin’s surface is a magnet for dirt and grime. The dirt causes pores to clog. This in turn leads to blemishes.

Oily skin is a genetic trait ...yet hormones also play a role. The wild hormones of the teenage years kick oil-producing glands into overdrive! Almost everyone faces some problems with their skin at this age.

So what can you do? You can’t eliminate oily skin, but you can take steps to keep it under control.

Oily skin care treatments

Preventing your pores from clogging is the best defense against blackheads and acne. It is essential that you keep your skin clean.

Wash your face morning and night. Use a gentle, natural cleanser. Never use a product that is overly drying.

Contrary to popular wisdom, stripping the oil from your skin will only trigger your glands to produce more. The complete opposite of what you want! The goal is to balance, not eliminate, your skin’s moisture.

Choose a cleanser specifically designed for oily skin. All-natural bar soap is a less expensive option. Unlike conventional brands, 100% natural soap is gentle, never harsh.

Always use warm water, not hot. This helps preserve needed moisture. And forget the cold splashes. Treat your skin gently.

Follow cleansing with an astringent or toner. This will tighten and close the pores, giving a smooth appearance to skin. Any trace of dirt or cleanser will be removed.

Apply a facial mask, oily skin treatment once or twice a week for an extra oil-clearing boost. Fullers Earth Clay, found at Mountain Rose Herbs, does an exceptional job of deep-cleaning oily, acne-prone skin.

Additional oily skin tips

• Use face blotting papers to soak up midday shine. Press along the "T-Zone" ... the forehead, nose, and chin.
• Remove make-up before you go to bed ...no matter how tired you are! (I remind myself it only takes a minute or two.)
• Use water-based cosmetics. Oily products tend to aggravate the condition, leading to blemishes.
• Eat a healthy diet, including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. But don’t feel guilty about eating that piece of chocolate. Chocolate is not responsible for acne.
• Take time to relax and unwind. This goes for everyone, of course. But there is a definite correlation between stress and acne.

Combination skin

A combination of oily and dry skin is very common. In fact it is estimated that up to 70% of people have this skin type. The T-zone has larger pores and produces more oil. Yet the cheeks, the area around the eyes, and the neck may be dry.

Extra care is needed for combination skin, but keep it simple. Rather than using two cleansers, choose a product specifically designed for this skin type. Follow with a light moisturizer on the dry spots.

Choose a natural skin care product

I always recommend nature over chemicals. My skin is no longer oily. But two of my favorite all-natural lines are Dr. Hauschka and Aubrey Organics.

You can find Dr. Hauschka's Daily Face Care Kit for Oily Skin at StrawberryNET. This travel size assortment is a perfect way to sample Dr. Hauschka's 100% natural products.

Experiment to discover what works best for you. We are all unique. If you’re new to natural skin care products, give your skin time to adjust. There is an acclimation period.

Note: if you have an adverse reaction to any product, natural or conventional, discontinue use.

The best oily skin care? A simple, healthy routine and all-natural products!

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