Oily skin is a problem for millions of people around the world. If you are one of them, you may be tired of throwing good money after bad seeking a solution. Even if money is not an issue, there are plenty of people who prefer simple home remedies for oily skin to the menagerie of chemical solutions available over the counter.
If you have been searching for a simpler solution with items you can find in your cupboard or refrigerator, you have come to the right place.
15 of the top home remedies for oily skin
1. Clay Masks
One of the best solutions for oily skin is a clay mask. Clay is a naturally occurring substance that absorbs oil while removing makeup, dead skin cells and toxins from the skin. You can pick up various clay masks at your local retailer, but you can also make it very easily from home.
Here are a few options:
Homemade Clay Mask #1
- 3 Tablespoons of Fullers Natural Earth
- Water to preference (based on whether you want a thick or thin mask)
Apply and leave on your face for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Homemade Clay Mask #2
- 1 TB of bennonite clay
- 1-2 TB of water
- 4 drops of essential tea tree oil
- 1 TB ground oats
Apply liberally to your face and leave for 20 minutes rinse thoroughly
2. Lemon Juice Mask
Lemon juice is one of nature’s natural exfoliates and makes a perfect before shower rinse or before bed make up remover.It helps to get rid of dead skin cells and turnover fresh healthy skin.
Lemons contain antibacterial properties which help fight the bacteria which could be causing breakouts. It is also a great oil-eliminator.
Simply mix equal parts water and fresh lemon juice, apply to your face with a make up brush or cotton ball and allow to air dry. Once the mixture dries, rinse carefully with warm water.
Do not use on open wounds or if you have very sensitive skin. Try a small spot on your face before wiping all over to check how your skin does first.
3. Vinegar Home Remedies For Oily Skin
Either vinegar or apple cider vinegar make good home remedies for oily skin. Both are great exfoliates and work to balance hormones.
Simply use a cotton ball soaked in vinegar as an astringent, leave on your face for a few minutes then rinse clear.
I also love this cheap apple cider mask from Freeman’s as well.
4. Tomato Juice Mask
Tomatoes also have lycopene, which is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in the body. Using tomatoes on your face will reduce blackheads and pimples on the skin. Tomatoes are good for balancing your skin and reducing the oils.
You can use canned tomato juice as a home remedy for oily skin, but you can also make your own.
A few minutes in the blender is all it takes to transform a fresh tomato into a nice facial mask. Apply thoroughly to clean skin using a cotton ball or directly, allow to dry and rinse thoroughly.
This is a great home remedy for acne that is both natural and easy to make.
5. Cucumbers
Cucumbers work to treat oily irritated skin. It is a natural astringent and has soothing properties as well.
Cucumbers are high in vitamins and minerals such as A, E and Magnesium. Take a fresh cucumber and cut several thick slices, and smooth over your face thoroughly.
Leave this treatment on overnight and then rinse with warm water in the morning.
6. Cleansing For Oily Skin
You should wash your face daily, especially when you are dealing with oily skin. However, it is important how often and with what products you are washing.
You may be tempted to wash your face repeatedly in very hot water or with harsh soaps to combat your oily skin, but this could actually make matters worse.
If you dry your skin out too much, your body will go into overdrive with oil production, making your end result worse than the beginning.
Aim to wash your face no more than twice per day and avoid the harsher detergent soaps unless specifically advised by a dermatologist. Instead, consider a glycerin soap and warm water.
7. Cold Water Rinse
If you stick to the twice per day washing routine, you may find your skin getting oily and dirty looking in between.
At these times, it is perfectly acceptable to perform a cold-water rinse, which will remove excess oil and tighten your pores at the same time.
8. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is naturally absorbent, which makes it a perfect ingredient in home remedies for oily skin.
Simply mix one to three tablespoons in enough water to make a paste-like mask, apply to your skin and let dry. Then wash away with warm water and follow with a cool rinse.
9. Apple Facial For Oily Skin
What could be better than a therapeutic facial to combat your oily skin? How about a nice smelling facial you can make in the comfort of your own kitchen?
Most home remedies for oily skin are either direct application or simple mixing but for this one you will have to do a little cooking first.
Cook and mash one to two medium sized apples (you want about a half a cup of mashed apple when you are finished).
Mix your apple mash with half cup cooked oatmeal, one tablespoon of lemon juice and one slightly beaten egg. Apply to your face and leave for approximately 20 minutes then rinse clean.
10. Egg Yolk Mask
If you want something a little bit simpler egg yolk masks fit the bill. Separate the yolks from one to two eggs and whip them.
Apply to your face using a cotton ball or disposable make up sponge. Allow it to dry and rinse clean with warm water.
11. Citrus Fruits
Several citrus fruits make for a great astringent, we have covered lemon and cucumber already but lime and a few other citrus fruits work as well.
You can smooth them over your face raw or create a spritzer by juicing and adding equal parts water.
I like to juice grapefruit and mix it with distilled water in a small spray jar and use this throughout the day when I am feeling hot or sweaty.
12. Oatmeal Aloe Vera
Oatmeal is a very popular skin treatment due to its nourishing and soothing properties. Oats will exfoliate, sooth irritated skin and absorb oils.
This facial scrub is quite easy. Just mix one to two tablespoons of aloe Vera gel and oatmeal to make a paste. Apply to skin, leave for 15 minutes or so, rinse with warm water.
13. Baking Soda Exfoliation
There are several ways you can use baking soda home remedies for oily skin. You can add baking soda to your oatmeal scrub or apple facial. This is a fantastic way to get rid of blackheads and other skin impurities.
One of the easiest ways to use it is by combining a few tablespoons of baking soda and water creating a thick paste. Apply paste to freshly washed skin, and rinse clear.
Hands Off
How often do you touch your face? You may think it is a rare occurrence but if you make a point not to touch it at all and you will find it happens more than you realized.
Touching your face to rub your forehead, pinch your nose or brush back your hair can transfer oil and bacteria to your face, increasing the oiliness and promoting acne eruptions.
Nix Moisturizers
As women age, moisturizers become a very common practice. Unfortunately, if you have oily skin, you are going to have to nix the moisturizers as they tend to be heavy and clogging to your pores.
Besides, when you have oily skin, your body is already doing its job to prevent dryness.
Final Thoughts
It can seem like a never-ending battle when you are dealing with oily skin, but thankfully, there are plenty of home remedies for oily skin. These are but a few of the top treatment options you can easily make in the comfort of your own home.