Human skin comes in a rainbow of beautiful colours, but did you know there are just five types, according to dermatologists?
They are: dry, normal, combination, sensitive and oily. That’s it, just five. Each comes with their own benefits and drawbacks, and in this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at oily skin.
We’ll examine what causes oily skin, several oil-free ways you can minimise it, and how our skin relief products can help.
What causes oily skin?
Human skin produces sebum, an oily, fat-like substance from the sebaceous glands, to protect and hydrate the skin.
There are several factors that determine how much sebum our skin produces, some of which we can control, others less so.
Genetics
We’re all unique, but our DNA can play a vital role in how our skin behaves. The natural ageing process can also impact our sebaceous glands’ behaviour.
Hormones
Hormones linked to the human reproductive system called androgens, can contribute to sebaceous oil production. Puberty is a major reason for the overproduction of sebum, thanks to fluctuations in hormones.
Skin type
Determining your skin type can help identify which products are best suited for you. Ironically, using chemicals that eliminate your skin’s natural oils and being dehydrated can make it appear greasier.
Environment
Exposure to excess pollution or poor air quality can have an adverse effect on your skin. Also, if more sebum can be generated to hydrate your skin in colder seasons.
Benefits of oily skin
There are some benefits to having oily skin, not least the natural sun protection barrier it creates.
Oily skin types are also less prone to developing dry skin, and it can also slow the ageing process, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Reducing excess oil
Excess oil or greasy skin can negatively impact our self confidence but there are a lot of products on the market that can help control excess oil.
Using them as part of a regular, four-step skincare routine can make a big difference to people’s lives.
Get rid of dead skin cells
It might sound strange but it is necessary to maintain a decent layer of dead cells to protect the newer skin below. But there’s a fine line between protection and having dull, oily skin.
Sweep away those dead skin cells by using a facial wash that will gently exfoliate your skin. Be careful not to scrub vigorously or use a harsh product unsuited to your skin type.
It is more likely to lead to irritation or an uneven skin tone, it could even accelerate sebum production as your skin attempts to defend itself.
Cleanse
Once any excess dead skin is removed, it’s time to clean your skin with a good quality cleanser.
Using tea tree oil-based or gel cleanser products as part of a skin care routine can be helpful, as they help remove impurities and excess oil without drying out your skin.
Tone
This stage of the skin care process is effectively a second cleanser, killing the bacteria that can cause acne while also removing any last traces of excess oil. There are several types of toner:
Skin bracers or fresheners
These are the most mild, and contain a humectant such as glycerine, and very little alcohol. Rosewater is a good example.
Skin tonics
The mildest alcohol-based toners, skin tonics are suitable for use on normal, combination, and oily skin. Orange flower water is among the most popular.
Acid Toners
A strong form of toner, they usually contain alpha hydroxy acid and or beta hydroxy acid. Glycolic acid, lactic and mandelic acids are the most commonly used alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate the skin’s surface. Salicylic acid is the most often used beta hydroxy acid for targeting the deeper layers of the skin.
Astringents
These are the strongest form of toner and contain between 20% and 60% alcohol, antiseptic ingredients, water, and a humectant ingredient. Astringents remove excess oils and can be irritating and damaging to the skin.
Moisturise
This is the final stage of any skin care routine. Using a moisturiser after a cleanser and toner will add a protective barrier against the outside world while also keeping your skin hydrated.
Soothing acne prone skin
Although not everyone with oily skin has acne, the combination of excess dead skin and sebum can clog pores, leading to blackheads and whiteheads.
Pubescent teenagers and peri- and menopausal women are often subject to hormone fluctuations that affect sebum production.
This can lead to oily skin, or other changes in their skin’s appearance, such as enlarged pores or acne breakouts.
Using the wrong products for your skin can also disrupt your skin’s ability to minimise excess sebum. However, there are several ways to soothe acne prone skin, prevent breakouts and maintain your skin’s oil levels.
Check your diet
As with all aspects of physical health, what we eat has a direct impact on our bodies and our skin is no exception.
Eating too much white bread, pasta and rice, fatty meat and sugary foods can impact hormones, including the androgens behind sebum production.
Switching to high-fibre versions as part of a balanced diet, opting for lean meats and cutting refined sugar consumption can reduce blood sugar and androgen levels, easing acne outbreaks.
Drinking plenty of water
Many of us know the benefits of drinking up to two litres of water a day, but did you know it can also affect your skin?
For people with bacterial acne, water helps to remove toxins and bacteria on the skin, reducing the potential for clogged pores.
In addition, drinking lots of water enables healthy skin cell rejuvenation and collagen production. Not only does it help with acne healing, it can also minimise inflammation from acne and scarring.
Use non-comedogenic make-up
Most skin care products for oily skin are designed not to generate more spots or be non comedogenic.
It’s easy to find a face mask, cleanser, moisturiser or face washes focusing on the oily T zone that are labelled as such.
However, finding non comedogenic products with an oil free formula at the make up counter can be trickier. It’s worth asking at your local chemist or beauty shop if you can’t find details about how much oil they contain on the label.
Natural methods to combat oily skin
There are lots of skin care products, from tea tree oil to aloe vera, that can help combat oily skin and acne, though there’s no one-solution-fits-all for the latter.
The beauty industry has developed topical spot treatments based on salicylic acid to rich, hydrating moisturisers that will work on combination skin. There really is something to suit everyone’s needs.
However, there are also many natural products for oily skin too, that work as well as and - dare we say better than in some cases - their chemical counterparts.
Manuka honey
We’ve previously blogged about the healing powers of honey, explaining how, for centuries, it’s been regarded as one of the very best ways to clean and protect the body while it heals.
Thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, honey is one of nature’s most prized skin remedies, and could be useful for oily and acne-prone skin.
It’s also a natural humectant, drawing moisture from the skin to keep it wet but not greasy. If you want to use honey to treat oily skin and acne, spread a thin layer of preferably raw honey onto the skin. Allow it to dry for around 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Gentle soap
Sometimes the best solution to oily skin is the simplest: wash your face at least once per day to unclog pores and remove excess oil production.
The trick is not to use harsh soaps that could dry out or irritate sensitive skin: instead stick to a gentle, glycerine-based product to prevent over cleansing and, as always, try to avoid over drying.
Kaolin clay
Cosmetic clay has long been a staple of the beauty industry’s skin care range, and kaolin clay is a great anti inflammatory method for absorbing oil and reducing shine.
Some products also include low levels of salicylic acid to remove excess oil and exfoliate the skin, alongside other key ingredients such as vitamin E for protection from UV rays.
Vitamin C serums
This antioxidant is often recommended for people with cystic acne, as it can reduce inflammation, fight free-radical damage, and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
However, if you have oily skin, avoid using skincare products that combine it with vitamin E, as they can block pores.
Oats
Oatmeal has long been used in skincare products. It gently exfoliates dead skin to clear pores, calms inflamed skin and can absorb excess oil.
Grind it up and combine it with honey, yoghurt or mashed fruit such as bananas, apples, or papaya for an effective face mask.
Almonds
This makes another great oil free skincare product when combined with honey, exfoliating and soaking up excess oil and impurities.
Tomatoes
These contain salicylic acid, and can help clean out dirt clogging pores and absorb oils. They’re effective when pulped and used as a mask or simply sliced and placed on the face.
Jojoba oil
It’s a common misconception that people with oily skin should avoid putting more oil on their skin, but there is an argument in its favour. Jojoba is believed to ‘mimic’ sebum, fooling the oil glands into producing less sebum and balancing oil production.
Our range of skin relief treatments
We have developed a soothing ointment containing a unique blend of active natural ingredients, including manuka honey, Jojoba seed oil and vitamin C.
They have all been proven to help relieve irritation and redness. They are also:
Sterile
Metals-free
Fragrance-free
Made with 98% of natural ingredients
Acne, diabetes or people with particular skin conditions can apply a medium layer on the affected skin. They can also be left for longer, compared to other ointments.
We also make them for your animal friends, too.
Contact us to place an order
To order your skin relief ointment, or if you have questions about any of our products, fill out this contact form and we’ll get back to you straight away.
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