Oily Skin : definition, care and the mask for

Put simply, oily skin is a result of excessive production of sebum (an oily substance that is naturally produced by skin). As is known to everyone, excess of everything is bad; so excessive sebum is bad too. It leads to clogging of skin pores, resulting in accumulation of dead cells and hence formation of pimples/acne. Moreover, oily skin spoils your looks too. Oily skin is shiny, thick and dull colored. Often a chronically oily skin has coarse pores and pimples and other embarrassing blemishes. It is prone to blackheads.  So, ‘oily skin care’ is as important as the ‘skin care’ for other types of skin.

Causes of Oily Skin
•    Heredity
•    Diet
•    Hormone levels
•    Pregnancy
•    Birth control pills
•    Cosmetics you use
•    Humidity and hot weather

In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands.

Skin Care for Oily Skin
•    The great advantage of oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate than other skin types.
•    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. They can cause a reaction known as reactive seborrhoea, where the oil glands work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils.
•    Choose your cleanser with care. Avoid heavy cleansing creams. Avoid the use of harsh soaps or cleansers. Use a pure soap with no artificial additives. Try an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a lightly medicated soap, and use it in combination with a water rich in minerals, not tap water. Do not use cleansers or lotions that contain alcohol. After cleansing, apply a natural oil-free moisturizer to keep the skin supple.
•    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.
•    Use warm water when washing your face. Hot water dissolves skin oil better than lukewarm or cold water.
•    When cleansing, massage your face well with your fingertips, using an upward and outward motion. Be careful not to rub soap into the skin; it can clog pores.

Natural Skincare and Mask for Oily Skin
1.    Apple mask
•    Grate the apple
•    Add the honey and mix until it looks like a paste
•    Apply to your face
•    Leave for 10-15 minutes

2.    Papaya mask
•    Peeled papaya and cleaned
•    Blend papaya
•    Apply to your face
•    leave for about 10 minutes

3.    Steam your face for one or two times in a week with hot water which was poured by chamomile or lavender oil to relax the skin.

4.    Aloe vera has excellent healing properties. Apply aloe vera gel topically, as needed.

5.    Burdock root, chamomile, horsetail, oat straw, and thyme nourish the skin

6.    Honey mask.  For best results, clean the face with a washcloth that has been moistened with lukewarm water to open pores. Rub the honey into the entire surface of the face. For sensitive and problematic skin, mix honey with oatmeal. Apply on face and leave about 15-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then cold water to close pores.

7.    Strawberries Masks
• 8-9 strawberries
• 3 tablespoons honey
Mash strawberries with a fork, and then mix with honey. Do not use a blender to crush the strawberries. Strain the resulting liquid from the strawberries and honey. Apply to entire face up to 10 minutes. Clean with cold water.