How to treat an oily face

Many people have problems with their oily skin. No matter how often they clean it or pat it dry, the shiny, oily appearance of the skin just keeps coming back.

Oily skin is also more prone to blemishes than other types of skin. There are many cosmetic products out there for oily skin, some of them rather expensive too, but unfortunately they often turn out to be ineffective. Store-bought products also contain preservatives, chemicals, artificial perfumes and colors that are harmful for the skin.

Fortunately, there are many recipes for homemade remedies for oily skin and they are certainly cheaper and healthier.

Before trying any form of remedy, homemade or store-bought, a patch test should be performed. This is done by applying a small amount of product on the inside of the elbow or wrist and then covering it with a bandage. If after 24 hours there is no irritation to the area, the product is safe for use on sensitive face skin.

Crab apple paste is a good source of alpha hydroxy acids that are essential for the skin. This simple paste with no other ingredients required will leave the skin looking fresh and toned.

Wheat germ oil is a product that contains Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that repairs the damage to the skin caused by UV rays and pollution. It should be massaged gently into the skin and left for one hour before rinsing with tepid water.

Milk is essential for treating oily skin. It should be used several times a day as a face wash. It will prevent acne lesions that give skin a patchy and rough look. Particles of dirt from the environment stick easily to the oily skin and clog the pores, and clogged pores mean more secretion of oil.

Therefore, a good cleaning of the skin is very important, especially before bedtime. Milk will not irritate the skin and it will act as a powerful detergent. Two or three drops of sandalwood or lavender oil mixed with two tablespoons of milk make a fantastic face wash. The area around the eyes should not be pulled or stretched, because it is very sensitive and wrinkles easily.

The common mistake in treating oily skin is denying it a proper moisturizing. Oily skin still needs moisture, otherwise it will become dull and wrinkled, and it may even crack. Honey is a good natural moisturizer, it does not add more oil to the skin and provides important vitamins.

Oily skin also requires regular exfoliation in order to remove the dead skin cells and dirt from the pores. A good homemade facial scrub can be easily made with a couple of tablespoons of rice powder and corn flour with a few drops of water. This scrub should be applied three to four times a week.

An excellent treatment for oily skin can be made with rose petals and oils from chamomile and geranium. All it takes is a tub full of warm water, some petals in it and a few drops of essential oils.

Clay masks have deep cleansing properties and therefore are very beneficial for oily skin. A clay mask can be made from two tablespoons of powdered green clay, one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of plain yogurt, two drops of lemon juice and two drops of lavender oil, with enough warm water to make a smooth paste. After applying it to the face and neck, it should be left to dry and then rinsed with lukewarm water.