Let your smile shine, not your skin!
Glowing skin can put a smile on your face and make you the recipient of numerous compliments. But oily skin can do the exact opposite and keep you up at night. Truly, all that glitters (or glistens in this case) is not gold. Most people are no strangers to oil skin, a common dermatologic issue. Many have faced this issue, even those without acne. But it pays to remember that oily skin is a result of excess oil production by the sebaceous or oil glands in your skin. Our genetics, hormones, and lifestyle play a major role in its occurrence. And as you may have guessed, just like its causes, its fixes too are multi-faceted.
Several natural ingredients can facilitate the removal of excess oil from skin and unclog pores. Furthermore, facial masks using natural ingredients, as given below, are extremely beneficial for this purpose.
- Clay: Minerals like smectite or bentonite can absorb oils and reduce sebum levels without irritating the skin. However, do not overuse them as it could lead to dehydrated skin. Also, do apply a moisturizer afterward.
- Tomato: Tomato contains lycopene, vitamins A and C, which keep the skin looking young and also acts as a natural cleanser and gets rid of excess oil, blackheads and spots on the face.
- Honey: Honey has been used since time immemorial as an effective treatment for skincare, as it hydrates and tightens the skin. It treats conditions like oily skin, blackheads, and an irritated and red complexion.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice gives you a brighter and cleaner skin thanks to its antibacterial and astringent property. It washes off excess oil from your skin.
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal helps calm inflamed skin, absorbs excess oil, and exfoliates dead skin.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known for soothing burns and other skin conditions. Flaky skin caused by oily patches are well tackled by the application of aloe vera.
Before you try on any mask, ALWAYS, test a small amount on your forearm. If no reaction appears within 24 to 48 hours, then your they should be safe to use on your skin.
Another pivotal point to remember is that we need to form daily hygiene habits to safeguard our skin’s health. Implementing small changes helps our skin and body remain healthy. Here’s a handy checklist to keep in mind:
- Wash your face regularly
Washing your face daily twice reduces the amount of oil on the skin that in turn avoids dirt accumulation that occurs because of the oil. Avoid fancy soaps with fragrances, added moisturizers, or harsh chemicals, which can irritate or dry out the skin.
- Cleansing cloths
Though it’s best to not wash your face more than twice a day, but keeping it clean when you are travelling is very important. If you’ve been sweating, don’t be shy to use a cleansing cloth to get rid of any excessive oil. During workout, the extra sweat and oil can clog your pores, so a cleansing cloth can quickly keep your pores clean and help avoid breakouts.
- Reducing stress
The importance of reducing stress cannot be stressed enough. Try some of the following stress-reducing techniques: yoga, meditation, avoiding nicotine or alcohol, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated.
- Making dietary changes
It’s best to avoid food and beverages rich in high glycemic index because they may stimulate inflammation and sebum production by raising blood sugar. Hence, those of us with oily skin should eat low glycemic foods, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, and whole grain oats and cereals.
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Acne (-ve)¹
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Acne (-ve)²
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