Oily Skin - Symptoms & Treatment

Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Oily skin has a terribly negative effect on self-esteem as well as body image. Greasiness and shine often outweigh acne concerns. In this type of skin, the oil producing sebaceous glands are overactive and produce more oil than is needed. The oil oozes and gives the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. Anyone who suffers from oily skin knows when too much sebum is produced, it's a real problem. Oily skin is both uncomfortable and cosmetically unacceptable. Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce a substance called Asebum, a naturally healthy skin lubricant. When the skin produces too much sebum, it becomes thick and heavy in texture. Oily skin is characterized by shininess, pimples and blemishes. This skin type is not necessarily bad since it is less prone to wrinkling and other signs of aging than other skin types.

Oily skin can be sallow and roughing texture and tend to have large, clearly visible pores everywhere except around the eyes and neck. Oily skin needs special cleansing with plenty of hot water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged. Avoid harsh products that strip your skin of oil and encourage flakiness. The essential requirement of treating oily skin is to remove excess surface sebum without total removal of the skin lipids. Severe degreasing treatment can lead to an apparent worsening of sebum secretion, which defeats the aim of the cleansing. A method of cleansing this type of skin is to wash with a solution of a very mild synthetic detergent containing no oils, waxes or any other lipid agent that could aggravate the oily condition of the skin, sometimes combined with a toning lotion. Avoid skincare products that leave your skin feeling taut and dehydrated. They cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink.

Appropriate diets will help treat oil skin. Avoid refined starches, sugar, animal and dairy fats, fried and processed foods. Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age. In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. Moisturizing is not necessary on a daily basis. However, if your face feels tight after washing, then apply a light, oil-free moisturizer. Avoid mineral oils and cocoa butter. Eat a low-fat diet emphasizing fresh fruit, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. To cleanse oily skin, use oil-based products as they dissolve sebum effectively. Keep your skin very clean. Limit washing your face to two or three times a day. Too much washing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil.

Causes of Oily skin

Common causes of Oily skin:

• Heredity.
• Humidity and hot weather.
• Pregnancy.
• Birth control pills.

Skin Care for Oily Skin

• Avoid using cleansers that tend to overdry skin. This paradoxically causes your skin to produce even more oil than usual.
• To cleanse oily skin, use oil-based products as they dissolve sebum effectively. Opt for oil-free moisturizers to maintain a shine-free complexion.
• Use hot water when washing your face. Hot water dissolves skin oil better than lukewarm or cold water.
• Try using a clay or mud mask. If you have sensitive skin, use white or rose-colored clays.
• Use a light antiseptic night cream from time to time if you wish, and apply a clarifying mask one or two times a week.
• Before applying makeup, use an antiseptic day cream with active ingredients that diminish sebaceous secretions. Look for benzyl peroxide in the list of active ingredients.
• Try an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a lightly medicated soap, and use it in combination with a water rich in minerals, not tap water.

Diet for Oily Skin

• Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Avoid pork and fried and highly seasoned foods.
• Take plenty of leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits.
• Do not drink soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. Avoid sugar, chocolate, and junk food.
• Take a diet rich in proteins but restricted in sugar, fluids and salt.
• Do not eat any oils that have been subjected to heat, whether in processing or cooking.