Eight Natural Tips for Oily Skin Types

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Life is best lived when you love the skin you're in, but it can seem grueling when you're plagued with problem skin. No sweat... this post will share eight beauty tips for helping you oily skin types. Although most of these recommendations can be used on the body, they are mostly for facial regimens. Alter the regimen to best suite your needs. Let me know in the comments below what you think, how your regimen is coming along or if you've made adjustments along the way. ~enjoy!

1. Choosing the right Cleansers: Natural soaps like Zum Bar's lemongrass soap are beneficial for your skin considering it uses whole ingredients and is free from toxic poisons. Personally, I love this brand and have only had great results from every bar I've used. I highly recommend using their lemongrass soap which specifically formulated for oily skin types. 

If your skin's still showing that extra layer of shine; use natural facial toner to help remove residual oil. A natural toner might be in your kitchen cupboard: mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water (distilled water if you wanna take it up a notch and get more nutrient absorption to your skin). Adjust this formula to best suit you. Toners are great astringents that helps to further cleanse impurities and constrict pores. 

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2. Moisturizers:  Two words -- oil cleansing. Yes, oil... sounds a little ironic to use oil on already oily skin but this ancient remedy has proven to be useful for all skin types. It's a great way to naturally restore the oil balance on your face. Cover your face with coconut oil (do not pre-wet), let it sit for 2-3 minutes then, soak your wash cloth under steamy hot water. Ring out excess water from the cloth and gently remove the oil from your skin using a steamy towel. Be careful not to use the towel while it's too hot so as not to burn your skin. 

Oily skin types should specifically use coconut oil as this oil provides moisture without leaving the heavy greasy feeling. However, if you're allergic to coconut, try jojoba or grape seed oil instead. This is a two for one method, in that you get the benefits of cleansing and moisturizing all in one step.

3. Avoid carbonated drinks: When you think about it, anything that can clean the corrosion from a car battery, probably shouldn't be consumed at all. What's it doing to your insides other than causing your skin to speak up and act out with acne break outs.

4. Limit eating Fried Foods: Actually, it would be best to stop eating them altogether, but until you can gather the will power to do just that, cut back on eating fried foods for a while. To keep from having greasy looking skin, don't put grease in and it won't come out... or at least not as much ;)

5. Clay Play: Create your very own detox clay mask. This helps pull debris and oil buildup from your skin. Try bentonite or french green clay mixed with water, stir until it becomes pasty texture, then spread on face. Rinse away once it's semi-dry. Try this once or twice a week, as needed. Clay's negative ions pulls filth from the skin like a magnet, as most toxins have positive ions. Also, be sure not to use a metal spoon or utensil(s), because it will counteract the clay's ability to be effective.

6. Exfoliate: Body scrubs help to remove excess gunk from your skin. Using natural body scrubs will nourish your skin while getting rid of dead cells and buildup.  Exfoliating gloves are also useful, just avoid scrubbing too hard so you don't scrape your skin or cause excess oil production to flare up.

7. Calm down: Easier said than done, but our hormones kinda help drive the body's responses. Stress signals panic (adrenal glands) which in turn triggers oil (sebum glands) to go into overdrive. Find an activity that helps you to have a healthy de-stressing outlet: go for a walk, jog, exercise, enjoy your hobby, get some sunshine, hit a punching bag, fly a kite, take a nap. Be committed to chilling out, you'll find some great benefits to your health as well.

Credit: OpenStax College

8. Balance pH: The pH aka potential hydrogen helps the acid and alkaline levels to stay balanced in the body. These levels are based on a 0 to 14 scale, where six and below is an acidic, unhealthy state. Adjust your diet and beauty routine to achieve pH balanced skin. You may even be able to knock out blemishes like acne, sensitivities and uneven skin when your pH levels are balanced. Simple ways to do this is to drink lemon water, which helps the body flush toxins and aids in digestion (a HUGE factor for great looking skin). 

You also can apply lemon water or apple cider vinegar diluted with water topically as you would any toner. Eat alkaline rich foods. I'm not saying go overboard, or suggesting that you make this drastic change over night. In fact, don't; small, gradual improvements are best so as not to shock your body. Each day eat a little better, slightly more fresher, more organic, more lean (if you eat meat), more varieties of fruits and veggies. Before you know it, your pH will be balanced. 

As an added bonus: your healthy hair will thank you too. A balanced pH helps a lot of bodily functions, but I'll go more in depth about this topic in another post.