5 Simple Herbal Solutions for Oily Skin

What can be more frustrating than struggling with a shiny, oil-laden T-zone at a social event or witnessing that expensive foundation come off along with excessive grease every time you blot your skin? Or worse, seeing zits and sudden breakouts making an appearance right before a family dinner.

If you find yourself groaning about battling these problems on an everyday basis, it is quite likely that you have oily skin. Oily skin is caused by excessive secretion of skin oil, often referred to as sebum, by overactive sebaceous glands.

This frequent skin precipitation causes the skin to appear dull, thick and greasy and leads to over enlarged pores, pimples, and blackheads. As if that is not punishment enough, this type of skin can also cause acne!

Thus, even when many beauty magazines and websites cite slower signs of aging and an easier tan as benefits of oily skin, those trapped in this bothersome predicament are less likely to pay any heed to these advantages, and understandably so.

Several underlying causes can exacerbate oily skin including genetics, hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and puberty, weather and seasonal changes, stress, inappropriate usage of skin care products and cosmetics, dietary habits and certain medications.

However, if you have oily skin, that does not mean you have to live with it until the end of your life. Here are a few natural and risk-free herbal remedies that can help you effectively combat the resultant excessive oil on your skin, courtesy of those hyperactive sebaceous glands:

Lemongrass Acne Mask

Lemongrass is a citrus scented herb is a citrus scented herb with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent acne breakouts, soothe inflamed skin and ward off skin infections. Its astringent properties constrict the skin, which minimizes pores and, in turn, regulates oily secretions by the glands.

So, reap the benefits of lemongrass by creating your own face mask that won’t only help you fight acne but also will cleanse your pores of all the dirt and toxins that oily skin is prone to. Use the following recipe:

Ingredients:

• Lemongrass herbs (steeped in hot water for about 20 minutes)
• Green clay powder (or any cosmetic clay that treats oily skin)
• One banana

Directions:

1. Mash the banana in a small bowl and add 2 teaspoons of the clay powder to it
2. Mix thoroughly, then add 2 to 3 teaspoons of the lemongrass tea to the mixture
3. Blend the mixture to create a paste
4. Clean your face with a damp cloth and apply the paste evenly over your face and neck. Make sure you avoid the eyes and mouth
5. Leave the mask on your face for 15 to 20 minutes
6. Wash out the mask with warm water and pat your skin dry
7. Apply a light moisturizer as a substitute for the protective oils that you just lost

Green Tea Face Mask

Green tea is already known to be the healthiest beverage in the world due to its rich antioxidant properties, known as catechins. The catechins, especially EGCG, is considered to be a powerful anti-aging agent. However, beyond that, green tea can also be used to treat oily skin as its leaves contain tannins, which are astringent in nature, and, thus, aid in shrinking pores. This, consequently, causes a reduction in sebum production.

Thus, topical application of green tea is a much better alternative to using harsh chemical skin treatments, as it reduces the production of sebum rather than simply stripping your skin of excess oils. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also help to eliminate acne and blackheads.

So, use this incredible natural ingredient in the form of this facemask, which will effectively soak up the excess oils and detoxify your oily skin.

Ingredients:

• Green tea
• Lemon juice
• Turmeric powder

Directions:

1. Brew green tea and let it cool down
2. In a bowl, pour two teaspoons of the brewed green tea
3. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and half a teaspoon of lemon juice to it and mix well
4. Wash your face before spreading the mixture onto it evenly
5. Let it rest on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes
6. Rinse your face with cool water and pay it dry

Hyssop Skin Toner

Hyssop is a herb that belongs to the mint family. It consists of flavonoids and tannins, and, hence, is great for treating blemishes as well as acne scars. Furthermore, its antiseptic components assist in fighting skin infections and inflammations. It’s natural cleansing properties minimize pores and make the skin appear smooth. Along with balancing sebum production, it is best known for livening up the complexion too.

Achieve luminous, smooth and oil-free skin using this DIY hyssop skin toner.

Ingredients:

• A cup of water
• Hyssop

Directions:

1. Boil one tablespoon of hyssop in a cup of water for about 10 minutes
2. Strain the liquid into a bowl and allow it to cool
3. Dip a cotton ball into the brew and gently apply it all over your face and neck

Herbal Facial Sauna

Revitalize your acne-prone oily skin with an herbal facial sauna containing various herbs like peppermint, rosemary, lavender and green tea along with certain essential oils. This herb-laden sauna will not only open up and cleanse your pores but will also soften stubborn blackheads, making them easier to remove.

Ingredients:

• Dried lavender flowers
• Dried peppermint, rosemary, and green tea leaves
• Lavender essential oil
• Lemon

Directions:

1. Mix a quarter cup of each – rosemary leaves, lavender flowers, and green tea – in a jar
2. Add 2 tablespoons of peppermint leaves to the mixture
3. Then add 10 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture
4. Shake the concoction thoroughly and allow it to sit in the jar overnight
5. Boil 1 liter of water and throw in a handful of the herbal mixture to spice up the water along with half a slice of lemon
6. Simmer the ingredients in hot water for a few minutes
7. Pour the mixture into a wide bowl
8. Let the brew cool down slightly to avoid any skin irritation
9. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the hot bowl of water but make sure that your face is not too close to it. Close your eyes and let your face inhale the steam for about 20 minutes, with a few breaks in between to catch your breath.
10. Pat your face with a dry towel.
11. Apply a light moisturizer.

Tip: It is advisable to use one of the previously mentioned facemasks after a sauna treatment to garner maximum benefits from the skin nourishing nutrients of the herbs.

Peppermint Toner

Peppermint is another incredible herb belonging to the mint family that provides a natural remedy for oily skin since it also has astringent properties that tighten pores. What’s more, the naturally occurring menthol in peppermint also reduces oil secretion and has a cooling effect on the skin.

Ingredients:

• Peppermint leaves
• Water

Directions:

1. Add one cup of boiled water to 1 tablespoon of peppermint leaves
2. Let the leaves immerse in it for about half an hour
3. Strain the solution and let the mixture cool down
4. Apply it to your face with a cotton ball (you can also use a spray bottle to apply the toner)
5. This can be applied 2 to 3 times a day.

While the skin produces oils for protection, there can be too much of a good thing. Therefore, treat your oily skin by employing these natural herbal remedies that are sure to give you incredible results. So what are you waiting for? Try them now!

ABOUT Alycia Gordan

Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer. She loves to read and write articles related to health and lifestyle, sometime on health-tech as well.  She is crazy about chocolates and you can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia