Oily Skin – Ooh La La

Oily Skin – Ooh La La

If you have taken our skin type quiz and figured out that you have Oily Skin, then you are in luck!! Please join us right here to get the full tour around your skin, how to care for it, treat it, pamper it and last but not least how to always keep it stunning.

* What is oily skin?
You might already know that oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Not only that but oily skin often has coarse large pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes and it is also prone to blackheads. What actually causes oily skin is the oil producing sebaceous glands that are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. As a result the oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine.


Those were the disadvantages of oily skin but oily skin has the greatest advantage over all other skin types which is that it ages at a much slower rate. Oily skin is something of a blessing as it is slow to develop discolorations, fine lines, and wrinkles. Oily skin also usually tans beautifully, rather than just burning and turning red and it has less of a tendency to freckle.

* What causes oily skin? When we think oily skin, the first thing that comes to our minds is teenagers. Oily skin is in fact more common in teenagers as a result of the hormonal shifts of adolescence but it can still occur at any age.

Even though oily skin is known to be the teenager’s thing, still don’t be surprised if you are thirty and you are still having it, it might simply be in your genes. Oily skin can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including genetics, fluctuating hormone levels (caused by pregnancy or birth control pills), dietary choices, certain cosmetics and hot, humid weather.

* Basic skin care for oily skin
The best advice for oily skin is to keep it clean at all times. This skin type benefits from cleansing two to maximum three times a day with a gentle cleanser using lukewarm water that works best to remove oils without stripping the surface of the skin.

Washing more often will only strip the skin of oil which simply revs up the oil glands to replace it. Using warm water loosens the dirt, and the use of cold water while rinsing thoroughly helps tone the skin. Finish off with a toner/ astringent on the oily areas of your skin. The astringent can be used throughout the day to help control the excess oil that appears. Seal the moisture into your skin by using a water based moisturizer for areas prone to dryness, such as around the eyes and mouth.

* Steam the oil up
Another great technique for cleansing the pores of an oily skin is to steam your face over hot water with a herbal infusion made of any of those herbs - Lemongrass, Licorice Root, And Rosebuds Burdock Root, Chamomile, Horsetail, Oat Straw and Thyme- for several minutes twice a week. This loosens the sebum in clogged pores and makes your skin look cleaner and more vital.


* Mud masks do wonders for oily skin
Since oily skin tends to be scaly, the use of a mask twice a week can be very helpful in cleansing the pores and removing dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Clay masks or mud masks are worthwhile as they improve the feel and look of your skin by freeing the skin surface from greasiness. Generally, the darker brown the clay (mud), the more oil it can absorb. White or rose-colored clays, though, are gentler and work best on sensitive skin.


* The magic of fruit acids Fruit acids don't dissolve the oil, nor do they stop the skin from producing oil. Rather, they work on removing the top dead layer of skin and rigid oil. The pores when free from the deadly mix appear to shrink in size and the overall result is smoother skin that is less oily. The advantage of fruit acids is that it helps the skin to retain its moisture.


A mixture of lime and cucumber juice with a few drops of eau de cologne will keep the oil at bay and will also prevent acne. In fact a little cucumber juice only on the oily areas prevents make up from becoming patchy.


* Aromatherapy home remedies for Oily skin
Use 100% pure essential oils when making your own skincare with aromatherapy and you can choose from a wide variety of oils that are especially beneficial to oily skin – Cedar Wood, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Tea Tree and Ylang-Ylang. DO NOT apply oils directly onto your skin - always mix into carrier oil for massage or add a few drops in a steam bath for facials and for maximum benefit use under a clay mask. The exceptions are Tea Tree or Lavender, which you can dab directly onto pimples to speed up healing.


* Common sense never hurts
If you find that frequent washing stimulates more oil production and irritates your skin, so please by all means use your own common sense and switch to cleaning your face with astringent pads during the day instead of frequently washing it. Use only water-based cosmetics if you have oily skin and look for products especially formulated for your skin type.


Diet probably has little, if anything, to do with whether or not you have oily skin but still healthy living habits can also improve the appearance and condition of oily skin. Supplementing your diet with vitamins A, B, C, E and zinc also promote healthy skin. Drinking six to eight glasses of water per day, regular exercise and sleep and avoiding cigarettes are good ways to have beautiful skin.


With a little extra attention, a tad of added care and squeeze of dedication, you can dramatically transform your unbearable agonizing oil factory into a glowing radiant and vibrant skin today and all the coming days.

If this wasn’t your skin type and you want to learn more about your own skin type, stay tuned for the next HOT skin type… next week …. Only on Fashion Hive Pakistan.