The range of oily skin treatments available right now

If you have oily skin, you know it can leave you feeling self-conscious. You may leave your house feeling fine but as the day or night goes on, you can see and feel your skin becoming oily. 

“I sometimes feel like my makeup is actually sliding off my face” one friend who suffers from oily skin confided in me. This friend told me of her desperate attempts to find treatments or products that can help banish that dreaded shine. Even worse, oily skin can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. While many of us experience the occasional blemish, people with oily skin are more likely to battle chronic acne and may also have large visible pores.  

Fortunately, there is good news. Never before have there been so many products and treatments available to help combat oil and reduce breakouts. There is a multitude of options available for oily skin sufferers on the market today. So many in fact, it can be daunting to wade through the amount of information, advice and remedies out there. But fear not, we’ve done the research for you!

There is a myriad of products and treatments on the market today to help reduce oil, minimize pores and stop breakouts. Many of these are inexpensive and easily purchased over the counter at any drug store. For those who seek natural solutions for oily skin, it is easy to create gentle facial masks and remedies at home, using everyday products you likely already have in your kitchen.

If you’ve tried over the counter products and homeotherapy and are still unhappy with the state of your skin, it’ may be time to seek out a dermatologist who can evaluate your skin and provide professional advice. Dermatologists can also prescribe medications and treatments to help you achieve a clear, shine-free complexion once and for all.   

All natural face masks made with ingredients easily available at the grocery store are a quick and simple way to treat and soothe oily and acne prone skin without the use of chemicals and without breaking the bank. Many homemade face masks recommended for oily skin contain a few favorite everyday ingredients.

Honey is a natural antibiotic which moisturizes the skin while reducing irritation. Egg whites have astringent properties and can help reduce the size of large pores. Mint contains salicylic acid which helps to prevent pimples. Lemons contain anti-fungal properties and can help remove blackheads. Papaya helps to remove excess oil from the skin and can spur exfoliation meaning the turnover of dead skin cells.

Here are some face mask recipes you can whip up easily in just a few minutes at home.

In a bowl, mash one ripe banana. Add one tablespoon of honey and mix well. Gently apply to your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse. 

In a food processor or blender, mix one egg white, a half of a cucumber, five mint leaves and one teaspoon lemon juice. Blend until fully combined. Allow mixture to chill in the refrigerator for ten minutes and then apply to your face. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse.

Mash a bit of papaya in a bowl. Apply to the face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse.

Combine one teaspoon of brewers yeast with a little bit of plain yogurt. Gently pat onto your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse.

It is also easy and inexpensive to make a natural toner at home. In case you’re not familiar with toner, it’s a liquid which is applied to the skin after cleansing. Using toner regularly can help reduce the visibility of pores while removing impurities that may remain on the skin after cleansing.

To make a toner at home, try making a tea using a tablespoon of either fresh peppermint or fresh sage. Put your herb of choice into a cup and fill with boiling water. Let the herbs sit in the water for 30 minutes and then remove. Allow the tea to cool completely before dabbing on your face with a cotton ball. Use a toner twice each day after cleansing the face. Keep the toner in a squeeze bottle in the refrigerator and it will stay fresh for five days.

If you decide to seek treatment for oily skin from a dermatologist she may recommend a chemical peel. Regular chemical peels containing either salicylic acid or retinol can help reduce oil, remove blackheads and fade discoloration caused by past breakouts. Be aware however that chemical peels may burn a bit as they are applied and after treatment will cause sunburn-like redness followed by peeling of the skin. Peeling may last as long as a week as old skin sloughs off making way for fresh and clear skin. Chemical peels should be done about once a month and usually cost at least $100 per treatment.

To treat oily skin, a dermatologist may prescribe a retinoid cream. Retinoids refer to medicines which are derived from vitamin A. Retinoids are also available over the counter but in a less potent formula than what can be prescribed by a doctor. Retinoid creams can provide treatment for acne as well as relief for oily skin. Prescription retinoids may be twenty times more potent than those available over the counter and can help reduce oil production while also removing dead skin cells and other debris from pores. Doctors do warn to be careful if using retinoids as the skin will be very sensitive to sun exposure.

Laser treatment has proven effective for many people who suffer from oily skin and acne. Laser skin treatment, often called resurfacing, is done is an aesthetic center or doctor’s office. Using pulsating beams of light, the technician or doctor will remove older layers of the skin allowing the skin cells to regenerate.  

Breakouts occur when sebum, an oil naturally produced by our bodies, mixes with dead skin cells, pollutants and other irritants on the surface of the skin causing pores to become blocked. People with oily skin produce too much sebum which leads to shininess, large pores and dreaded breakouts. Laser treatment provides an effective one-two punch for oily skin and acne. First, laser treatment kills bacteria on the face, which, when combined with sebum clogs pores. Second, laser treatment can shrink the sebaceous glands that produce sebum, therefore, reducing the amount of oil these glands produce.

Laser treatments aren’t cheap however and may cost a few hundred dollars per session. In addition, if the laser treatment is stopped, oily skin and breakouts will likely recur.

When treating oily skin at home, it’s important to be gentle. Harsh scrubs or toners containing alcohol will make oily skin worse and cause irritation and more breakouts. Instead, use a gentle cleanser designed for use on oily skin and gently wash your face twice a day.

After washing, use a natural toner like the one mentioned above followed by a lightweight moisturizer. According to experts, many people with oily skin often skip moisturizer thinking it will exacerbate their condition. In actuality, the opposite is true. If the body senses that the facial skin is dry oil production may increase.

To be safe, be sure to test all products including natural and homemade face masks on a small patch your skin first before applying to your face. If you have allergies to certain foods, avoid masks that contain those foods or similar foods which may cause a reaction.   

There is a wide range of treatment options available to help those who struggle with oily skin. It may be best to try over the counter and homeotherapy first to see if inexpensive and natural products help to alleviate oil, shine and acne. If you are still battling oily conditions, consider making an appointment to see a dermatologist to discuss treatments options which may help you to achieve the radiant glowing and clear complexion that you seek.