Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Before I start on how to take care of the Oily skin, let us know about the types of skin we have.

Types of Skin
They are of three types, Oily; Dry and Combination.

Some people will have oily skin on some part of the body and a dry skin on other parts of the body, such a skin type is known as Combination Skin.

Oily Skin
Oily skin will usually have a shiny surface. It is due to the overactive sebaceous glands that produce more oil which comes out of the skin pores. Due to this, the skin will have enlarged pores and appear coarse.

How to make sure that your skin type is Oily?
To know whether your skin type is oily or not, just move a toilet paper or tissue paper on the surface of your skin sometime (nearly 30 minutes) after cleansing your face from water and check. If it has blot of oil on it, then surely your skin is oily.

What are the causes of oily skin?
There are different factors that might cause oily skin. It might be parental (hereditary), it might be due to your. dietary habits; due to change in hormonal levels; due to cosmetics used; due to humidity and warm weather and even usage of birth control pills.

How to take care of your Oil Skin?

Follow these simple things

· Make a habit of cleaning your face with water two to three times a day.
· Use hot water instead of cold water as the skin liquid gets dissolved in hot water faster than lukewarm or cold water.
· Use light medicated soaps or soaps free from oil moisturizers and additives. This will help you cleanse your skin from dust and other microbes.
· While cleansing, gently massage your face with fingers. Move the fingers first in the upward direction and then move you fingers outwards while coming down slowly. This helps to clear the pores.
· Use non-alcohol based astringents to take out the remaining oil. Use this only once a day as they take out excessive oil from your skin.
· Apply Fullers Earth or use clay or mud mask. This will help to clean your skin from dead tissue and oil from deep down the pores. Do this once a week; otherwise your skin may produce more oil to compensate the loss.
· If you are a night cream user, use a light antiseptic cream, and apply a clarifying mask once or twice a week.
· For make up, use water-based or powdered cosmetics. Use a moisturized foundation before make up.

These are some of the simple things that you should follow religiously.

Home-made Remedies

· Apply a mixture of half teaspoon of lime and cucumber juice half an hour before bath. This will keep your skin free from oiliness for long hours.
· To one teaspoon of green clay powder add one teaspoon of raw honey, mix it thoroughly. Apply this mixture to your face leaving your eyes safe and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Rinse your face with lukewarm water. This helps to take out excessive oil from your skin. You can do this three times a week or more as per your convenience.
· Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water together. Pat the mixture on the face and leave it to dry. After sometime, rinse your face with warm water followed by cold water (not too cold). Do this once or twice a day.
· Mix 1/4 cup of Fullers earth (this is called as Multani Mitti in India) with the same amount of dried orange peel and two tablespoons of sandalwood powder. Since this is a dry powder, you can store it. Store this mixture in a glass container or container made up of Chinese clay. Keep the container in a dry place. Mix one teaspoon of this mixture with water and apply it on to the skin. Leave it to dry and then rinse your face with warm water.

Overcoming Makeup Problems

The main problem that many oil-skinned people encounter is the frequent need of going to the rest room to avoid make up from spreading and getting patchy. This happens due to the excessive secretion of oil. This patchiness usually happens on forehead, nose, or chin but for some, it happens on the entire face.

· If this happens on the forehead, chin or nose, apply a little cucumber juice on these areas, let it dry and then apply your makeup.
· If this happens on your entire face, apply equal parts of lime juice and witch-hazel. Let it dry and then apply your makeup.
· Use acetone-containing astringents as it is known to dissolve oil.

Diet
People suffering from oily skin should,
· Take protein-rich diet having less sugar, fluids and salt.
· Take a lot of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits.
· Take yeast, wheat germ and organ meats to avoid deficiency of vitamin B5 and vitamin B2 as it causes oily skin.
· Take iron-rich foods like Buckwheat, black beans and whole rice to rejuvenate skin.
· Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated and free of toxins
· Avoid fatty foods like pork and fired foods.
· Avoid food cooked or fried in oil.
· Avoid drinking soft drinks or alcoholic beverages.
· Avoid sugar, chocolate, and junk food.

Recommendations

· Do not use skincare or cosmetic products that take away oil from your skin, which in turn will lead to flakiness.
· Avoid using skin-tightening cosmetic products as they happen to shrink the upper layer of the skin. This in turn restricts the flow of oil through the pores leading to blockages and breakouts.
· Cleanse your face at least three times a day with light soap and water. Avoid too much washing as it stimulates more oil production.
· While cleansing do not rub soap into the skin as it can clog pores.
· Do not use cleansers or lotions that contain alcohol.
· Apply minimum make-up.
· Religiously follow the home-care remedies.

I do not think one would ever have a serious skin problem if one religiously follows the basic things.

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