How To Treat Oily Skin

Knowing how to treat oily skin can save you time, money and a trip to the dermatologist. Not all facial problems need an expensive cream, lotion or potion to be treated. There are so many remedies you can try at home while staying on your budget. While some skin problems are based on by genetics, oily skin is one of the most treatable conditions.

1. Wash your face, but not too much. Scrubbing your face with harsh soaps to clean grim and grease will simply not work. You need to wash your face twice daily, but don't take to the extreme. Make sure you are using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser for your skin type as well as a soft rag or towel. Dermatologists have said that the "squeaky clean" feeling of scrubbing your face may actually be depleting the skin of natural oils you need.  
2. Try using astringents instead of moisturizers. You may want to treat your oily skin with astringents made for oily skin types that are made with an alcohol-based formula strong enough to reduce oil but won't dry out the skin. You may also want to skip the moisturizer since the skin is already producing enough oil. If you are want protection from harmful UV rays, make sure you use a product with non-comedogenic ingredients that won't clog pores.
3. Eat clean and drink plenty of water. A healthy lifestyle and diet change may just treat oily skin as well as any product. In some cases, oily skin is caused by eating too many greasy, unhealthy foods. When you take in too much oil, your body will put it back out. Try eating a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats and less fried foods. You may just see a big difference in your skin.
4. Know the cause of your oily skin. Take stock of the people in your family. Do they have oily skin or just you? Sometimes genetics can play a big part of the problem--not that it can't be treated, because it can. However, if no one else in your family is prone to oily skin, you may want to consider that it could be your age or even hormone levels producing more oil. Studies have shown that age and hormone levels play a big part in skin. If you have very high or very low hormone levels, your skin may be producing too much oil. If this is the case, you might want to consider talking to your local doctor about hormone supplements.

Home Remedies

Home remedies to treat oily skin can work just as well if not better than some prescription creams. These remedies are completely chemical-free and not harsh on the skin.

1. Aloe Vera. Try applying aloe to oily skin once or twice daily to absorb oil and clear out the pores. It's best to apply to clean skin after washing your face. You can also let the gel cool off in the refrigerator for a refreshing cooling effect.
2. Baking soda. Making a mixture of baking soda and warm water as a scrub is also said to be effective at reducing oily skin. Apply the mixture after washing your skin and gently scrub in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.
3. Cornstarch. Making a mixture of one to three teaspoons cornstarch and warm water has been said to dry up oily patches of skin. Rub the mixture on your face, let it dry and gently rinse it off with warm water.

Please do not use any of the above ingredients if you are allergic and do not apply the products around the eyes or mouth. These methods have been said to work for different people with different skin types, but have not been clinically proven. If all else fails, you may want to contact a dermatologist for more information on cures and treatments for the skin condition.