Oily Skin

Oily skin can be quite irritating. It can show up to be thick and dull looking with coarse pores and pimples forming. Some people suffer from overactive oil glands, sebaceous glands that excrete excessive oil and this causes the skin pores to block thus resulting in skin oil build up. If you don’t have sharp nose bridge and you wear spectacle, oily skin can really be a pain in the neck cause you might feel irritated with the spectacle sliding down your nose bridge now and then. Oily skin condition is further exacerbated due to environmental conditions such as heavily polluted, hot and humid climates.

The only one good thing about oily skin is that the skin tends to age at slower pace compare to dry skin condition. The one big major disadvantage of oily skin, well, apart from pimples and acne is that it is much more difficult to treat compare to dry skin.

There are many other factors that contribute to oily skin conditions. These include heredity, diet, hormones, cosmetics and pregnancy. Hormones such as testosterone could make the oil glands over active. Growing up teenagers is more susceptible to oily skin condition. Pregnant and menopause condition could also worsen oily skin condition.

Oily skin condition resulting in pimples and other facial skin problems is easily treatable if you are aware of the factor that contributes to the skin problems. A visit to the dermatologist could easily reveal the root cause of your oily skin condition.

It is important to take note that the treatment that works for one person suffering from oily skin condition may not necessary work well on another person suffering from the same problem even though the root cause might be identical. The key to treating oily skin is personalized treatment tailor to your specific needs.

Skin care.
Regular cleansing with mild warm water and soap to prevent oil build up and clogging of skin pores is important. You need to be careful that you do not use harsh soaps and other products that will make your skin dry. If you are using dehydrating products on the skin, the upper layer will go dry and shrink. This will result in the obstruction with the flow of oil through the pores. The result is going to clogging of the pores.

You need to wash the skin with warm water that is comfortable for you. Mild warm to hot water will dissolve the oil better. Do not use cleansing creams. You need to go for an antibacterial cleansing lotion or a mild medicated soap to do this. When you are done cleaning, treat the skin with a natural and oil free moisturizer.

If your skin is too oily, and you are under the age of thirty, you should do four cleanings a day and use little or no moisturizer after cleansing. Use your fingers to massage your face while you are cleansing.


The oil tends to build up around the side of the nose. Use a clean tissue and gently squeeze the excess oil from the side of your nose.

A clay or mud mask will help you to take care of the oily conditions of the skin. For sensitive skin, white or rose colored clays are better to use as a mask. Before putting on makeup, a woman may want to use antiseptic day cream that will reduce the activity of oil glands.


Apart from Western medicine, one could also look to the traditional oriental Chinese herbs for treatment of oily skin. Many herbs are beneficial to the skin and are used both internally and externally for skin care condition. They normally have one or more of the following traditional properties: benefits/improves complexion, removes heat, removes toxins, removes swelling, invigorates/nourishes blood, lightens skin, moistens the skin, prevents scar formation, promotes flesh growth, etc.

The following are some common ones:
lycium fruit, ligustrum, astragalus, licorice, Chinese hawthorn, sanqi (Panax notoginseng), reishi (ganoderma), common jujube, red and white peony root, luffa, safflower flower, Sichaun lovage (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome), gaoben (Ligusticum sinense root/rhizome)

There are diets that are high in protein but are going to lack the sugar, fluids and salt that are recommended for anyone with oily skin problems. Eating vegetables and fruits are defiantly going to help you. You especially want the ones that are rich in vitamin B2. These will be whole grains, beans, nuts, and royal jelly. You should use minimum oil in your diet and stay away from alcohol, soda, sugar filled drinks, chocolate and many other junk food items. You need to talk to your doctor or dermatologist about your skin conditions and find out what is best for you. .