Looking Good

Most people experience oily skin when they hit puberty and
hormones begin to rampage across the bodily systems. Causes
of oily skin have also been attributed to diet, stress and
environmental issues, but the main reason for oily skin is
the increased production of skin oils, or sebum, usually
associated with hormonal changes. Remedies for oily skin
range from washing practices to herbal skincare products
made for the oily complexion.

Oily Skin and Acne Breakouts
Oily skin doesn’t necessarily cause acne, but it can be a
contributor to breakouts if the skin isn’t kept clean enough.
Acne occurs when pores are invaded by dirt and oil, get
clogged and breed bacteria. The bacteria in the pore causes
swelling and the typical pimple is filled with pus, which is
the body’s attempt to fight infection using white blood cells.
Keeping your skin clean and pores unclogged is one important
way to prevent acne breakouts. And it all starts with the way
you wash your face.

Skin Care and Makeup for Oily Complexions
Some people think that removing oil from the face is like
washing it from dishes: they use the harshest soap and the
hottest water to get their skin “squeaky clean”. They never
moisturize, and may even wipe their skin with alcohol to dry
it out. The bad news is that if you treat your oily skin with
harshness, it will redouble its efforts to protect itself—it
will actually start to produce more oil to cope with what it
feels are harsh environmental conditions! Wash your face, but
use a gentle soap and lukewarm water, and don’t rub or scrub.
Treat your skin with love and compassion, and it will respond
positively. Use an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin
protected, and protect it further by using a moisturizer that
contains sunscreen. Keep the shine blotted down by using
powdered mineral makeup, which is guaranteed to give you a
matte finish without clogging pores. At the end of the day,
remove your makeup with a gentle, alcohol-free toner, wash
your face gently, and reapply moisturizer before bed.

Natural Beauty Product Suggestions for Oilier Skin
Oil free moisturizers usually contain glycerin and water,
and some of the best products also contain tea extracts and
oatmeal. Oatmeal has long been recognized as a soothing skin
care product, and when used as a mask can brighten your skin
without drying it out too much. Companies like Aveeno are
making oatmeal based moisturizers and makeup that work
wonderfully to care for the skin. Beauty tips columns always
contain the oatmeal facial mask as a remedy for oily skin.
Just puree oatmeal with a little water, wipe on the skin,
allow to dry most but not all they way, and rinse off.

Luckily, caring for your oily skin has never been easier,
since a tremendous range of products ensures that there’s
something for everyone. Treating oily skin is done at two
levels; prevention and blemish control. Gentle treatment,
the right oil-control makeup and proper nutrition can help
prevent oily skin. Blemishes can be treated with tea tree
oil or one of the natural remedies including green or white
tea extract (powerful antioxidants) and skin calming oils
such as lavender or chamomile.

Does diet and nutrition contribute to skin oils?
Some people think that chocolate or fatty foods can cause
oily skin, and if you are allergic to a particular food, it
may show up in the way your skin behaves. Chocolate has not
been shown to increase skin oil or breakouts; in fact, dark
chocolate contains antioxidants that are good for your brain
and your body. But junk food like chips, high fat, high salt
burgers and other fried foods may impact your skin as they
do your entire body. If you’re a junk food junkie and have
oily skin or breakouts, take a month off from your favorite
foods to see if your skin condition improves.

Antiaging therapy in the form of creams or lotions containing
plant or milk acids often dry users’ skins as the acids remove
the top layer of skin cells from the complexion. Check out
moisturizers containing alpha lipoic acid, which may decrease
the oil in your skin after a short time of use.