Natural Remedies for Oily Skin

Oily skin is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that oily skin tends to age better than dry skin; the curse is the oiliness and the potential for acne. Oily skin can also look shiny during the day, which can make you feel self-conscious. Natural remedies for oily skin can reduce the shine while keeping the skin hydrated.

The reason that oily skin is acne prone is that the sebum, along with dead skin cells, clogs the pores. There are myriad commercial products available to treat oily skin. The problem with many of them is that they are quite harsh on the skin. If you would like to take your skin care into your own hands, consider using natural remedies for oily skin.

Lemon Powder
Lemon powder is a natural remedy for oily skin that is affordable and effective. Lemon is a natural astringent that works wonders for oily skin. It can be super harsh so if you have sensitive skin, steer clear. Try it on your skin in a small area before using it. If your skin tolerates it well, use it once or twice per week. Purchase lemon powder at a local Indian store. I like mixing it with a creamy mask such as Freeman's oatmeal and avocado mask, $4.29, at Drugstore.com, to help dilute it and make it less harsh. Sprinkle lemon powder in with the face mask before using it. Lemon powder is one of the most effective and valuable natural remedies for oily skin. It is certainly my secret weapon when battling oiliness.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a longtime remedy for a number of skin conditions, such as skin rashes or burns. Another use for aloe vera gel is as a natural remedy for oily skin. The gel straight from the aloe vera plant is ideal. If that is not an option, buy a commercial aloe vera gel. Jason Natural Cosmetics Aloe Vera 98%, $7.10, at Amazon.com, works well as a moisturizer for oily skin. I have heard from others that it works well as a primer before makeup, but I can not attest to that as my skin is too oily to moisturize before applying makeup. Applying it in the evening before bed, however, has been perfect for my very oily skin.

Aloe vera is not overly moisturizing, but oily skin usually does not need heavy creams. They tend to clog up the skin and make oily skin even more greasy. Dab on the aloe vera gel before bedtime. If you wear any serums or treatments to bed, apply aloe vera 30 minutes after applying them--it has a cooling sensation on the skin. Aloe vera is not only one of the best home remedies for oily skin, but it can reduce red marks and acne scars.