Natural Remedies for Oily Skin During Summer

Just as winter bids us goodbye for the year and the warm breezes of summer start blowing, people get ready to get out and enjoy the sun in beaches and parks. But for many of us blessed with oily skin, it almost seems like the end of pimple and acne free days, as we reach out for our blotting sheets, oil-free sunscreens, cleansers and cooling gels to keep the sebaceous glands under control. Although, oily and combination skin needs a lot of extra care and attention, but to look at the brighter side, it ages much slower than normal and dry skin and keeps away fine lines and wrinkles for a longer period of time.

9 Basic Points to Keep in Mind for Care of Oily Skin:

These are some of the basic tips of skin care that you need to introduce into your skin care routine if you have oily skin.

• Try to use lukewarm water for cleansing oily skin, as it dissolves oil more effectively than cold water.

• Cleansing your face twice a day is enough for keeping it clean. Don’t overdo the cleaning as it can over dry skin and trigger oil production from the sebaceous glands.

• Use a gel based cleanser containing salicylic acid, citric acid and glycolic acid that help in reducing dead skin cells that clogs pores and leads to pimple outbreaks.

• Don’t scrub too much. Exfoliating the skin 2-3 times a week is more than enough for removing dead cells and black heads. Skin produces natural oils to store moisture, keep it hydrated and fight irritations. Over doing on the scrubbing strips the skin of its natural oils and moisture.

• As the summer season starts, go low on makeup. Substitute the heavy foundation for tinted moisturizing creams containing silicone that does not dissolves in to the pores and clogs them. It also creates a barrier between skin and heat.
• Use a soothing face mask made of fuller earth (multani mitti) or sandal wood once a week to soak up excess oil, remove impurities and cool the skin.

• Control the temptation of touching your face with your hands, as it transfers additional oil, dirt and germs to your face making it prone to outbreaks. Scalp and hair produces oils too, so try to pull it back and keep away from your face during summer.

• Watch what you eat. Those alluring cocktails and fried oily food might appear tempting, but they add extra oil to the skin making it susceptible to acne and pimples. Try to avoid food rich in oil and substitute them with food rich in vitamin A, such as, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, lettuce, red peppers, and fruits like cantaloupe, apricot, mango, etc.

• Supply enough water to your body and skin by drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day.