Contents
There are 5 skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. Combination skin is the most common type, but it is not a big problem compared to oily skin. Many believe that oily skin is only a matter of summer, and the dry weather of winter will blow away excess oil. That is not true. Oily skin affects people of any gender, age, and in any season of the year. If you are having headaches with a greasy and shiny face, this is the right article for you. You are now on Effective Remedies to see different effective home remedies for oily face in summer and winter. Enjoy your reading!
- Top 28 proven home cures for oily skin in summer
- Top 12 makeup tips for oily skin and acne
- Top 7 minerals and vitamins for dry skin (This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN)
Top 8 Effective Home Remedies For Oily Face In Summer And Winter
I. Home Remedies For Oily Face
The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies that can be used alongside usual medical treatment. Always consult your doctor about recurrent infections, and if symptoms are getting worse rather than better.
A. In Summer
1. Neem Oil, Orange Juice, And Sandalwood Powder
Why?
Neem oil has vital vitamins and nutrients that moisturize and nourish the skin[1]. It also contains antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant properties that prevent your skin from adverse complications of excessive oil condition.
Orange juice works as a mild astringent that helps control the sebum production[2] and remove any overabundance.
Sandalwood powder has the presence of brightening and lightening properties[3].
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What do you need?
- Neem oil
- Orange juice
- Sandalwood powder
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Rosewater
How to do?
- Blend equal quantities of neem oil, orange juice, and sandalwood powder together.
- Transfer 2 teaspoons of the mixture to another bowl, add a quarter teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice to it.
- To complete the paste, add an adequate amount of rose water, stir well.
- Apply a layer to your face for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash off.
Warnings/Side Effects:
- Neem oil probably causes irritation for people who are allergic to it. The signs include redness, burn, and rash.
- There is not enough information about the safety of sandalwood powder on the skin, yet it can develop allergic reactions in some people.
- You should have a test for each ingredient in the recipe (or at least neem oil and sandalwood) to make sure that they are suitable for you.
2. Banana, Milk, And Oats
Why?
Banana is full of vitamin A, E and potassium[4] that hydrate the skin without making it oilier.
Milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids which help cleanse the skin and maintain its natural pH balance. Cleansing with milk may make oily skin become glow and supple[5].
Oats may moisturize and soften the skin[6], so it is not an exaggeration to say that combination of banana, milk, and oats is the perfect remedy for oily face elimination.
What do you need?
- Ripe banana
- Oats
- Milk
How to do?
- Mash 1 ripe banana, add to it 2 tablespoons of oats and 1 tablespoon of milk.
- Apply the mixture to your face and massage for 5 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
- Do this 2 to 3 times a week.
Warnings/Side Effects:
This is a benign remedy that everyone can follow without hesitation.
Some people might be suspicious: “Milk contains compounds that are related to testosterone – the hormone stimulating sebaceous glands’ activity. Why do we use this ingredient to get rid of oily skin?”. The answer is that only happens when you consume milk and dairy products orally; when you use milk topically on the skin, it is totally safe.
3. Banana And Honey
Why?
Beside the hydrating ability of banana, this recipe works because honey is a natural emollient and humectant that is effective in both removing unwanted oil and keeping the skin moist[7]. Moreover, thanks to antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey, this facial mask also helps deal with other skin issues such as acne.
What do you need?
- Ripe banana
- Honey
- Lemon juice
How to do?
- Mix 1 ripe, mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Spread the mixture all over your face and leave for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with tepid water.
- Repeat the process 2 to 3 times weekly.
Warnings/SideEffects:
Be careful when choosing honey for skin treatment, especially facial one since there are lots of fake honey on the market today. Fake honey will make the skin red, itchy, and swollen.
4. Apple And Honey
Why?
Apple is a healthy fruit rich in vitamin A, C, K and folate[8]. Vitamin C of apple provides plentiful benefits for the skin, including elevating skin tone, fading dark spots away, battling UV damages[9].
What do you need?
- Apple
- Honey
How to do?
- Cut an apple into small cubes and crush them.
- Add 3 tablespoons of honey to the apple paste, mix well.
- Apply the mixture to your face, wait for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
- Also repeat this 2 to 3 times a week.
Warnings/Side Effects:
No side effect of apple has been found when using for the skin, unless the user is allergic to the Rosaceae family (apple, apricot, pear, peach, plum, etc.)
5. Almonds And Honey
Why?
Almonds are a rich source of vitamin E, which makes the skin firm and glowing. Ground almonds lend a hand to soak excess oil and expel impurities on the skin[10].
What do you need?
- Almonds
- Honey
How to do?
- Soak some almonds overnight and finely grind them in the next morning.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the paste and apply to your face.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Warnings/Side Effects:
If strictly stick to the instruction, you will not face any side effects. Only in very rare cases, some people develop allergic reactions to almonds.
6. Rice Flour And Turmeric Powder
Why?
Rice flour has been famous for its oil-absorbing abilities for years[11]. It is so helpful that it can drain oil from the pores, leaving the skin completely clean.
Turmeric has antibacterial properties[12] that additionally prevent the growth of bacteria, causing acne or pimples in the oily environment.
What do you need?
- Rice flour
- Turmeric powder
- Honey
- Cucumber juice
How to do?
- Make a smooth paste with 3 teaspoons of rice flour, a pinch of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of cucumber juice.
- Cover your face with this paste.
- Wash off after 15 to 20 minutes.
- You can do this daily or every alternate day.
Warnings/Side Effects:
- Till now no side effects of rice powder on skin has been reported.
- Turmeric contains a chemical compound called curcumin, which can cause skin irritation.
B. In Winter
1. Tea Tree Oil
Why?
In winter, people usually use hot water for bathing and washing their face as they believe hot water can easily dissolve oil on the skin. While in fact, too hot water will dry out your skin after removing grease. Diluting tea tree oil in warm water actually works better. Not only does tea tree oil help get rid of abundant oil, it also protects the skin against oxidative stress and bacteria attack due to its antibacterial and antiseptic characteristics[13].
What do you need?
- Tea tree oil
- Warm water
How to do?
- Prepare a pot of warm water, add a few drops of tea tree oil.
- Use the solution to cleanse your face every morning.
Warnings/Side Effects:
Almost everyone is free to use tea tree oil on the skin. Still, there are chances to cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. Sometimes people who are suffering from acne can experience skin itching, burning, redness, and dryness when applying tea tree oil.
2. Aloe Vera And Oats
Why?
Would be a big omission if not mentioning aloe vera among the best home remedies for oily face. Aloe vera contains salicylic acid[14], a beta-hydroxy acid, which can eliminate excess oil on the skin surface[15] and even penetrate deep inside the pores to purge sebum and dead skin cells clog them.
What do you need?
- Aloe vera gel
- Oats
How to do?
- Peel an aloe vera leaf for its gel, mix it with a handful of oats.
- Massage your face with the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
- Practice this remedy once a week.
Warnings/SideEffects:
- Aloe vera gel is safe to apply to the skin.
- You should be light on the massage to avoid scratching the skin.
II. How-To Tips
1. Wash Your Face Properly
- Use lukewarm water: Both hot and cold water is not suitable for the skin since it leads to “thermal shock phenomena”, irritation, and even capillary breakage. Meanwhile, the skin adapts to warm water better than hot, alongside warm water dissolves oil and removes dirt on the skin better than cold. Therefore, lukewarm water is the perfect choice for face washing throughout the year.
- Just enough cleansing: 2 is the maximum number of times to wash your face every day. Even if your skin is always full of oil, constantly washing during the day is still a fatal mistake as this action not only irritates the skin and dry it out but also stimulates the sebaceous glands, making the oil secretes more.
- Do not exfoliate too much: Many think that they need to scrub their face carefully and regularly to cleanse the sebum thoroughly. This bad habit causes the skin to become irritated, reddened, dry, and vulnerable. You should only exfoliate up to twice a week to achieve the best performance.
- Facial steam: Once a week, perform facial steam. The hot steam wipes away oil on the skin as well as opens pores, pushing out all the dirt.
2. Use Blotting Papers
These papers cannot help radically with the excessive oiling of the sebaceous glands, but they will disappear your greasy face with just a few pats. Use them at any time needed in the day. Blotting papers are affordable for all and easy to buy in every cosmetic store.
3. Stay Hydrated
The prerequisite of a healthy and beautiful skin is hydration. Enough water intake for a day will give you a smooth and glossy face. This is also a sign that your skin does not need to replenish moisture from the sebaceous glands, as a result, you will not confront the oily condition.
4. Choose The Right Cosmetics And Skin Products
- Using oil-free cosmetics is the first thing to keep in mind. Oil in cosmetics combines with the skin’s natural oil over a long period will worsen your complexion if you are living with an oily face. Choose powder-based products instead of cream-based because powder-based ones last longer and do not add oil to your skin.
- Opt for cleansers that contain glycerin, salicylic acid, and citric acid to restrain oil on your skin and abolish impurities clogging pores.
- Similar to cosmetics, also find oil-free moisturizers for your skin. Remember to apply moisturizers to your face after every washing even in the winter to ensure that oil glands do not have to overwork.
III. Facts About Oily Face
1. The Main Cause Of Oily Face Is
The overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Normally, the sebaceous glands work to form a waterproof layer on the skin for thermoregulation and delaying dehydration purposes. But when the glands secrete too much sebum, your face will turn oily.
2. There Are Many Contributing Factors
- Genetics: Studies have shown that genetics are related to the activity of sebaceous glands. If members of your family have oily skin type, you are more prone to this condition.
- Hormonal factors: Testosterone can stimulate the secretion of sebum. This sex hormone fluctuates during puberty, pregnancy, and pre-menopause.
- Medications: Some medications have oily skin as their side effect, for example, birth control pills and hormone replacement medicines.
- Seasonal changes: There are close associations between seasons with sebum production. Hot and humid seasons will increase the oil secretion, cold and dry seasons can also exacerbate the situation to cope with dehydrated skin.
- Immoderate use of makeup products: Every woman knows how to use cosmetics or skincare products to create a bright appearance. But the abuse of those products, especially gel or cream ones will induce the rate of oil production.
3. An Oily Face Will Make People
- Of course, inconvenient and unconfident. No one wants to wear an oil-full face to walk around and meet people.
- Feel embarrassed. Too much oil will block the pores, leading to acne formation. It is not wrong to say that acne is the number one enemy of beauty.
- Feel annoyed. You will not please to feel greasy every time you touch your face. An oily face is really not an enjoyable experience.
IV. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can We Prevent Oily Face?
An oily face is caused by objective reasons like genetics or hormonal factors, so it is difficult to prevent. If these are subjective reasons, you can intervene by changing your habits. That to say:
- Stop taking birth control pills and move to other contraceptives.
- Equip for your home a dehumidifier in hot seasons and a humidifier in cold seasons.
- Try to cut back on makeup. If possible, go with products that are specially made for oily skin.
2. Can We Get Rid Of Oily Face Only With Natural Remedies?
It is challenging to get rid of an oily face with just daily skincare routine, but you will also not succeed if applying only natural remedies. The final effect of a natural home remedy depends on many things, one of which is how you take care of your face every day. Combine both tasks to gain the desired quality at the earliest.
3. Can Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women Go With Natural Remedies For Oily Face?
The answer is yes. None of our recipes are unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding women when using on the skin. Rest assured to follow them for oily face treatment.
Above are remedies and tips to help you escape from oily face condition. Do you know any other home remedies for oily face? What is your experience with oily face? Leave a comment to share with us your thoughts.
All contents provided are for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you.