Oily skin

What helps against oily skin?

The T-zone of the face often tends to have oily skin: the forehead, nose and chin have an oily shine – in the worst case, impurities such as pimples and blackheads form there. Since there are more sebaceous glands in these areas than in the cheek skin, it makes sense to specifically clean and care for the T-zone.

Oily skin: cleansing and care

First of all, the positive: Oily skin is far less sensitive to environmental influences such as heat, cold and sun than other skin types. Compared to normal skin, it stays firm longer and only forms wrinkles later. However, since oily skin tends to develop impurities, regular thorough cleaning with special products is important.

Oily skin also requires special care. Be careful not to completely degrease the skin. This destroys the skin’s natural protective acid mantle (water-lipid mantle) and also stimulates the sebaceous glands to compensate for the loss of fat.

It’s a misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisture. If the skin produces a lot of oil, it may be because it lacks moisture. However, there is no moisture in the fat, which is why the facial skin feels uncomfortably tight. If you provide the skin with sufficient moisture, over productive sebaceous glands can be stopped.

You can find numerous remedies for oily skin in pharmacies and drugstores. The products absorb excess fat, bind it, slow down the production of the sebaceous glands and counteract skin impurities. This is how you clean and care gently and effectively.

So what can you do about oily skin? To care for oily skin, rely primarily on the following care products:

• Cleansing milk that can absorb excess fat
• Moisturizing washing creams or gels with a neutral or slightly acidic pH value adapted to the natural pH value of the skin surface (around 4.5 to 5.5)
• Peels, especially for oily skin, can open the pores and remove excess sebum. Chemical fruit acid peels, which are also available in low acid concentrations for home care, are ideal for this purpose.
• Toning facial toner with antibacterial ingredients
• Moisturizing, fat-free care creams – ideally with UV protection

The right nutrition

What we eat has a big impact on our skin. That’s why the choice of food plays an important role in the fight against extremely oily skin: Check your eating and drinking habits and adjust them if necessary.

It is particularly important to consume little fat and sugar, as both can stimulate sebum production. Above all, we recommend a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, which provides the skin with all the important nutrients and does not increase sebum production.

Only eat animal products in moderation, as they usually contain a lot of saturated fatty acids, which have a negative effect on the entire body and therefore put additional strain on the skin. Oily skin needs moisture. Not just from the outside, for example with the help of creams, but also from the inside. Make sure you drink enough – preferably still water or unsweetened herbal or fruit teas. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends 1.5 litres of water per day. In hot weather or during sport, an additional half to a litres of water per hour may be necessary.

Experts also recommend getting enough vitamin A and zinc from your diet – both of which can have a positive effect on oily skin. Good sources of vitamin A include liver, sea fish, butter and cheese. In the form of the precursor beta-carotene, vitamin A is also found in vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, peppers, cherries and grapefruit. A particularly high amount of zinc is found in rye and wheat seedlings, sunflower seeds, wheat bran, cashews, cheese and Brazil nuts.

Your doctor should decide whether you need additional dietary supplements to balance your vitamin and mineral levels. Do not take supplements on your own. These pose the risk that you will consume too much of the respective ingredient – with negative consequences for the organism.

Home remedies for oily skin

What else can you do against oily skin on your face? Here you will find tips for effective home remedies:

• Aloe vera
• Cucumber water
• Chamomile
• Almond bran
• Marigold
• Yarrow
• Sauerkraut
• Tomatoes
• Walnuts
• Wheat bran
• Lemon

Highly effective cleansing and nourishing mixtures can be made from these natural products:

Cleansing milk made from cucumber water and egg yolk

To make this cleansing milk, cut a fresh cucumber into slices, put it in a jug and fill it with water. Mix a little cucumber water with an egg yolk and use the lotion to gently cleanse your face.

Washing paste with almond bran

Mix a cup of almond bran with 250 ml whole milk and 15 ml almond oil until a smooth paste is formed. Apply the paste to the face and massage in gentle circular movements. The paste can be easily removed with lukewarm water.

Clarifying facial toner with buttermilk and lemon

Mix a little buttermilk with a dash of lemon juice and dab your previously cleansed face with it.

Steam bath with chamomile

A steam bath cleanses deep into the pores and soothes the skin. To do this, pour about 1.5 litres of boiling water over two tablespoons of chamomile flowers or marigold flowers in a heatproof bowl. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then bend your head over it about 12 inches (30 centimetres) away for about 15 minutes.

To increase the effect, you can place a towel over your head and bowl so that the steam cannot escape. Then gently dab the skin with a cosmetic tissue and cream your face with a mild care lotion.

Face mask with sauerkraut

Unusual but effective: place raw sauerkraut on the skin for about 20 minutes. The lactic acid from the herb has a clarifying and calming effect.

Tea for impure skin

Tea helps combat oily skin from within. Mixtures with certain medicinal herbs have proven successful, for example a mix of dandelions, nettles and birch leaves. To prepare it, mix the ingredients in equal parts and pour 250 millilitres of boiling water over a teaspoon. Let the tea steep for five to six minutes and drink three cups of it daily throughout the day for a maximum of five weeks.

Home remedies have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time and do not get better despite treatment or even get worse, you should always consult a doctor.

Causes of oily skin

The sebaceous glands are located in the dermis. They continuously produce a mixture of fatty substances called sebum. This consists of triglycerides, fatty acids, waxes and cholesterol as well as proteins. The exact composition is individual. This is why some people tend to have dry skin and others to oily skin. The job of sebum is to protect the skin surface from external influences and prevent pathogens from penetrating.

H3: Excess sebum production

If the glands produce excessive sebum, the typical oily skin with large pores is created. Although oily skin is thicker and therefore less prone to wrinkles, it is prone to typical features such as calluses and impurities such as blackheads and pimples. These annoying side effects of oily skin arise when individual sebaceous glands become clogged due to overproduction.

The sebum no longer flows away, which leads to an increased colonization of the skin’s own bacteria. The microorganisms break down the sebum, producing free fatty acids. These trigger inflammation, which shows up in the form of blackheads and pimples. Not all oily skin looks the same: in the worst case, acne can even form. which can affect not only the face but also the back and shoulders.

Damaged intestinal flora

The intestinal flora is populated by countless bacteria. For example, they help the body absorb nutrients from food, protect against pathogens and have a significant influence on the immune system. If the intestinal flora becomes unbalanced, for example by taking certain medications (e.g. antibiotics), too much sugar or even stress, this damages the sensitive structure within the intestine. Health-promoting bacteria – such as probiotics – are displaced, which can lead to pathogens settling and intestinal diseases. For example, when nutrients can no longer be absorbed. The undersupply is sometimes also manifested by impure, oily skin, which can be prone to inflammation. In the case of rosacea and acne, the latest research makes it clear that special nutrition can rebuild the intestinal flora, which subsequently alleviates the disease.

Different influencing factors

Various factors are responsible for excessive sebum production. In most cases, the cause of oily skin is the stimulation of the sebaceous glands by androgens, i.e. sex hormones, which are present in much higher concentrations in men than in women. But the female body also produces these hormones, so oily skin can occur equally in men and women.

Oily skin is particularly common during puberty due to increased androgen production. With increasing age, the skin’s appearance usually normalizes. Other factors that promote oily skin include:

• Stress
• A one-sided diet with too much fat and sugar
• Alcohol consumption
• Disturbance of adrenal cortex function
• Disturbance of ovarian function
• Family disposition
• Parkinson’s disease
• Certain medications (such as corticosteroids) – they can cause oily skin and acne

In the UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, where the desert climate can often present unique challenges, managing oily skin is a common concern. Oily skin can be exacerbated by the hot and humid weather, but the UAE’s dynamic beauty and skincare industry offers innovative solutions to combat these issues effectively.

From world-class skincare clinics to premium skincare products, individuals in the UAE have access to a wide range of options for addressing oily skin concerns. Furthermore, the emphasis on hydration is key. Many residents have adopted skincare routines that focus on balancing oil production and maintaining healthy skin.

UAE’s diverse population and thriving beauty industry foster a wealth of knowledge and expertise. It’s a place where beauty professionals and enthusiasts collaborate, share insights, and discover the latest products and treatments to manage oily skin effectively, keeping individuals looking and feeling their best in any climate.