Natural Skincare Tips for Oily Skin

A common skin concern that people of all ages, genders and ethnicities struggle with on a daily basis, the overproduction of oil can leave skin looking shiny and feeling clogged and heavy. Avoiding the causes and treating the symptoms of naturally oily skin can feel like a never-ending challenge, but it's not an impossible one. While there is no long-term solution to oily skin, creating and following a tailored oily skin care routine can help to keep your skin in a healthy condition and reduce the effects of excess oil.

Whether your skin is always naturally oily, or you suffer unpredictable flare ups on a regular basis, learning how to stop oily skin is an achievable goal. In this post, we'll be discussing how to get rid of oily skin naturally by considering the causes of the problem, listing the best products for oily skin and laying out the most important components of any skincare routine. So, if you're ready to combat your shiny T-Zone and reduce the risk of blemishes, join us as we share our favourite skin care tips for oily skin.

What causes oily skin?

Rather than being an inconvenient natural function that many of us may wish we could control, the production of oil is essential to the overall health and happiness of our skin. An unconscious function, our sebaceous glands are constantly working to produce this naturally hydrating substance in order to maintain a healthy balance of moisture. Even with these good intentions, however, some external and internal factors can disrupt the skin's natural rhythm, creating the build up of oil that regularly results in blemishes, clogged pores and blackheads.

For some, especially individuals with combination or oily skin types, the overproduction of oil is unavoidable, and potentially caused by enlarged pores. This is by no means a bad thing, as oil, also called sebum, is naturally hydrating and protective. Even so, reducing the appearance of shiny areas above the brow and nose is important to boosting confidence and avoiding excessive build-ups. If you know your skin type fits into these categories, the best method for staying in control is to test out some oily skin tips until you have a complete routine that your skin responds well to.

For others, following a dedicated oily skincare routine may not be necessary, particularly if the source of your flare ups is linked to outside factors such as weather, the over-use of oil-based cosmetics, hormonal changes or too much salty, sugary and fried foods. In this case, the best route to follow is to limit exposure to oil-increasing influences and to use skincare for oily skin whenever necessary.

How to get rid of oily skin

The most important rule when treating oily skin is to reduce oil without dehydrating the skin. The last thing you want to do is replace one skin concern with another. After all, good skincare is about finding and maintaining a healthy moisture balance that your skin is comfortable with. With that in mind, the best oily skin tip you can follow is to try out a range of solutions and products and listen to what your skin is telling you.

How do you get rid of oily skin naturally?

Wash your skin regularly, particularly when you wake up and before you go to sleep. This is the best, most natural way to remove excess oil from the skin without triggering further oil production. We also advise avoiding coarse or exfoliating washcloths and soaps with added chemicals or fragrances as these can overstimulate and dry out your skin, causing it to react and produce more oil to rebalance your natural moisture.

Avoid oil-based makeup and skincare treatments and instead try using water-based and natural products which can help to hydrate the skin without exacerbating the problem. When testing new products, it's also important to always test it on a smaller area of skin before starting regular use as this is the best way to ensure it won't irritate your skin.

Blot away excess oil using oily skin blotting sheets. This won't treat the problem, but it will help to keep shininess and excess oil to a minimum through the day when more thorough face washing isn't possible.

Hydrate your skin every day by using a non oil-based moisturiser. Adding more moisture to skin which is already shiny from excess oil may seem counterproductive, but keeping it hydrated and happy is essential to building the skin's natural defences. Skin naturally produces more oil if it is dehydrated, so hydration and moisturising are key.

Sleep on a silk pillowcase each night. The most effortless oily skin treatment, sleeping with your head resting on a 100% silk pillowcase has a range of health and beauty benefits, including reducing friction and moisture absorption, two of the main triggers of increased sebum production.

Are silk pillowcases good for oily skin?

While there are countless toners, moisturisers, night masks and makeup products on the market that are designed to help manage oily skin, one of the best natural products for oily skin is a silk pillowcase. A long-lasting solution that doesn’t require spot testing or regular replenishing, silk pillowcases are a natural option that can be used to support a wider skincare routine.

Naturally non-absorbent, the closely-weaved silk fibres of a silk pillowcase ensure that none of the moisture from your skin is absorbed into the fabric through the night. This is a common issue with other alternatives including cotton as this fabric has a high water retention rate, meaning it can remove and absorb oil from your skin and hair, causing it to feel dehydrated. This restarts the oil production cycle, as your sebaceous glands scramble to rebalance your skin by overcompensating, leaving your skin feeling even more oily than the night before.

By comparison, silk’s natural ability to repel moisture also makes it a hygienic option. This is because, if you choose to apply moisturisers or a night mask to your face before bed, this won’t be transferred to your pillowcase as you sleep. Not only does this give your skin the full benefit of your chosen skincare products, but it also means that your skin doesn’t come into contact with old oils, creams and masks which have previously been absorbed, which could then be transferred back onto your skin as you sleep. Without these pollutants, your skin is free of clogging moisture and can develop its healthy balance without interruption.

The silky smooth feel of silk pillowcases is another property which makes it naturally beneficial to your skin. Friction resistant, our silk pillowcases for oily skin don’t rub or irritate the skin or hair, so if you roll around a lot while you sleep, your face will gently slide across the surface of the pillow rather than drag or scratch the skin. While most people who’ve invested in silk bedding love this feature for its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sufferers of oily skin can be pleased that this lessens the dehydrating effects of coarse, overstimulating fabrics can have.

 

Whether you’re trying to reduce skin irritation by sleeping on the smooth, naturally hypoallergenic silk fabric, or are looking for a pillowcase that won’t absorb moisture from your skin or from a night mask, Gingerlily’s silk beauty box is a beauty must-have.

Find silk pillowcases for oily skin at Gingerlily

Available in a range of colours to suit your bedroom interiors, the Gingerlily Beauty Box includes one housewife style pillowcase made of 100% mulberry silk. Recommended for a range of skin types, these silk pillowcases are not only praised for their benefits for oily skin, but also for their ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, encouraging soft, glossy hair and providing a hypoallergenic surface for those with sensitive skin and allergies.

Whether you’re creating a natural skin care routine for oily skin, or are looking for ways to improve the overall health of your skin, take the first step towards soft, beautiful skin by browsing through the collection of pure silk pillowcases from Gingerlily.