Natural Treatments for Oily Skin

By Expert Author: Sandrine Magrin

Oily skin looks shiny and is much more prone to outbreaks of spots, even though it feels relaxed and supple. This is because of a heightened production of sebum (oil) by the sebaceous (oil producing) glands - too much sebum can lead to inflammation and pimples, if the duct gets blocked. Sebaceous glands are unevenly distributed, being more concentrated around the scalp, on the forehead, along the nose and on the chin, and scarcer on the cheeks and neck, and around the eyes. As a result, the oily skin condition tends to be observed only in patches. Oily skin can't completely be prevented from occurring, nor would you want to; a light sheen of oil is the essence of that youthful glow. However, EXCESSIVE oil on your skin may exacerbate the amount of clogged pores, which leads to a variety of skin problems such as acne. The amount of oil that an individual produces is determined by genetics. It is influenced by hormones and what is called an "end organ response". Because the oil gland is directly influenced by hormones, it is known as an end organ. Many people have the same level of hormones, but make different amount of oil because their oil glands respond differently. During adolescence, a surge in the level of sex hormones, known as androgens, creates a problem of acne skin where previously there was none. This happens because sebaceous glands produce more sebum, enlarged and stimulated by androgens. Acne is not directly produced by this stimulation, but the extra sebum for which they're responsible produces more fatty acids when a comedo plug closes off a pore opening. The additional fatty acids increase the amount of inflammation, and more severe acne occurs. Sebum is very important to the maintenance of the skin, despite all the trouble that causes. When the system is working properly, sebum performs the important job of helping to lubricate your skin. Also, dead skin cells shedding from your hair follicle walls are carried away with sebum. For someone having oily skin, is really important to take measures to unclog pores and prevent them from forming acne lesions. Oily Skin Care Tips - Be sure to tone and cleanse twice daily to control oil and breakouts. - Normal moisturizers may be too heavy, so stay away from them if your skin is extremely oily. - Exfoliate and apply oil-absorbing mask treatments once a week to eliminate oil trapped within the sebaceous duct. - Do not use any oil-based cosmetics, which will only aggravate oily skin and create further blemishes. Prefer water-based, non-comedogenic cosmetics.