How to Get Rid of Oily Skin Naturally

Clean your oily skin gently every day.

Excessive oil on the skin causes acne and blackheads. Oily skin is acne-prone and tends to attract dirt and grease. The wrong treatments can over-dry oily skin, causing it to produce even more facial oils and worsening conditions further. Treat your face gently to soothe oil production and keep your skin hydrated and balanced.

Things You'll Need

• Soap-free facial cleanser
• Washcloth
• Alcohol-free toner
• Cotton balls
• Oil-free moisturizer
• Clay or mud pack
• Facial steamer

Instructions

1. Cleanse your face twice a day with a gentle, soap-free cleaner. Do not scrub your face as you wash. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

2. Apply a cool compress to your face to calm oil production. Dip a washcloth in cool water, wring it out, and lay the cloth over your face for about one minute.

3. Saturate a cotton ball with toner and rub it over your face to condition your skin. Look for a toner that contains herbal extracts or aloe vera, and avoid any toner that contains alcohol.

4. Moisturize any area of your face that feels dry with an oil-free moisturizer. Take care to place moisturizer only on dry spots -- you don’t want to over-moisturize skin that tends to make excess oil.

5. Apply a clay pack once a week to absorbs excess oil and soothe your irritated skin. Smooth a natural clay or mud product all over your face and neck, avoiding your mouth and eyes. Let the pack dry, then rinse it off. Alternatively, use a pack made with sandalwood paste, also known as chandan, a renowned treatment from India. Chandan absorbs excess oil without over-drying.

6. Steam your face once or twice a week to clean it deeply. Position your face over a facial steamer for eight to 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and cleanse if necessary with a soap-free cleanser.

Tips & Warnings

• Drink lots of water during the day. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages.

• Eat fried foods only in moderation and avoid refined sugar and starchy food products.

References

• “Natural Skin Care”; Joni Loughran; 2002
• “A Handbook of Natural Beauty”; H. K. Bakhru; 1995