Having an oily skin condition is annoying for most people. Are you one of them and often feel there is nothing more that can be done to improve the condition? Understand that actually, oily skin conditions will occur if your oil glands produce too much sebum. The causes can vary, starting from genetic factors, hormones, etc. However, don't worry too much because there are many things you can do to reduce sebum production and balance skin conditions. First of all, try to consult a dermatologist about the medicines you can take. After that, make sure you are also diligent in cleaning your skin in the right way and applying natural ingredients to improve skin condition.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Reducing Sebum Production through Medical Treatment
Step 1. Ask your doctor for a retinoid prescription
If the problem of acne and excess oil always haunts you, try asking your dermatologist for a prescription retinoid. In fact, these types of drugs are most often prescribed by doctors to treat acne and excess oil production. Retinoids can be taken as oral medications (such as Accutane), or topical medications such as tretinoin, adapalene (which is now over-the-counter in pharmacies), tazarotene, and isotretinoin. Although oral medications are generally more effective than topical medications, your doctor will usually ask you to take topical medications before trying oral medications to minimize side effects.
Chances are, you will also experience side effects such as dry skin or sensitive skin. In addition, some types of drugs (such as Accutane) also have the potential to cause serious side effects
Step 2. Ask your doctor about the possibility of taking androgen inhibitors
Excess oil production can also be caused by excess androgen hormones in the body. If this situation also happens to you, your doctor will likely prescribe drugs that act as androgen inhibitors such as spironolactone and cyproterone. These drugs can be taken orally or topically, and work to reduce sebum production in the body.
Step 3. Ask about the possibility of taking contraceptives containing the hormone estrogen
If you are a woman who has excess sebum production, try taking birth control medication. For some women, this method is effective in reducing oil levels on the skin; but for some other women, doing so will actually make their skin condition worse. Consult the most suitable option for you with your doctor.
Taking birth control medications can help reduce androgen hormones as well as sebum production in the body
Step 4. Perform light and laser therapy
Other treatment procedures you can try to reduce sebum production are light therapy and laser therapy. Photodynamic Therapy and Laser Diode Therapy are often used because they are proven to reduce sebum production in your oil glands. Many people even combine laser or light therapy with other treatments for more effective results. However, always remember that some medications can make you more sensitive to light. If you take these drugs, you will most likely not be able to do laser therapy and light therapy.
- This option is suitable for those of you who cannot treat oily skin problems with drugs (for example, women who are pregnant) because they tend to be safer and do not interfere with health.
- Generally, you need to do a series of treatments at a low cost to get the best results.
Method 2 of 3: Cleanse Skin Properly
Step 1. Clean your face and body with a skin-friendly cleansing agent
Cleaning the skin properly is one way to reduce oil production on the skin. Therefore, try using a body or facial soap that contains non-comedogenic ingredients (doesn't cause clogging of skin pores). Using soap that contains ingredients that are not friendly to the skin will actually increase the production of oil in your body. Try choosing a soap that contains an oil-repellent base, or one that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, beta-hydroxy acid, or glycolic acid. Generally, base oil repellents are effective at dissolving oil and cleansing your skin. Meanwhile, the content of other substances is able to remove dead skin cells and reduce acne caused by bacterial growth.
Before using a brand of face wash on a regular basis, try applying a small amount to your skin to make sure that it doesn't cause an allergic reaction or irritation
Step 2. Rinse face with warm water
Make sure you always use warm – not hot – water to wash your face and cleanse your body! Remember, hot water can irritate your skin and as a result, produce more oil.
Step 3. Do not use cleaning agents that can damage the skin
You may think that applying a scrub on a regular basis is effective in removing excess oil from the skin. Unfortunately, doing so will actually damage your skin! In addition, do not also use a bath sponge made of rough. Be careful, scrubbing the skin with ingredients that are not friendly to the skin will actually make your skin even more oily. Therefore, always use a soft cloth to clean your skin.
Step 4. Adjust your facial cleansing routine
Chances are, your sebum production will also change if the weather is changing. Alternatively, the hormonal changes that you experience every week or month will also affect the body's oil production. If you feel your skin is oilier than usual, try using a cleanser that is more effective at removing oil.
- If your skin is very oily, try adding a toner or mud mask to your skincare routine. Apply toner or mask only to oily areas so that your facial skin doesn't end up being too dry.
- For example, your body may produce more oil when the weather is hot. If that's the case, make sure you use a different facial cleanser (or do your facial cleansing routine) in hot weather.
Method 3 of 3: Using Natural Medicines
Step 1. Make a face mask from egg whites
If you have some spare time, why not try making a face mask to keep your skin healthy? In fact, egg white is a natural remedy that can effectively absorb excess oil on the face. To make it, try mixing egg whites with 1 tbsp. honey. If necessary, add a little flour so that the texture of the mask is thicker and easy to apply to your face. After that, apply the mask to the face and other parts of the body that are too oily.
After 10 minutes, wash off the mask with warm water
Step 2. Make a face mask from baking soda
A baking soda mask can also help reduce sebum production on the face. To make it, mix three parts baking soda with one part water. After that, apply a mask that has a paste-like texture to your face and lightly massage your skin for five minutes. Rinse and dry your face.
Step 3. Use green tea lotion
Who says green tea is only good to eat? In fact, green tea is very rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic substances that are needed to reduce sebum production on the skin, you know! Try using green tea lotion on your face and body to reduce oil production, swelling, and acne on your skin.
If you are reluctant to apply green tea to the skin, drinking it can provide the same benefits
Step 4. Change your diet
Eating healthy foods can help reduce sebum production naturally. In fact, there are many vitamins and minerals that have the potential to reduce oil production in the body, but make sure all these nutrients are obtained from natural foods. Therefore, try to increase the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits and reduce the consumption of processed foods.
- Snacks containing wheat, dairy products, and sugar can trigger increased sebum production. Therefore, try to stop consuming all three to reduce the level of oil produced by your body.
- Omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish, and monounsaturated fats contained in nuts are also effective in maintaining the health of your skin.
- Unhealthy gut conditions can also increase oil production on the skin. Therefore, make sure you are diligent in consuming the probiotic bacteria contained in Greek yogurt, kefir, and pickled cabbage.
Step 5. Moisturize skin with argan oil
Argan oil can help control oil levels on your facial skin. By using it, your skin will stay moisturized but not oily. Interested in using it? You can apply natural argan oil directly to your skin or use beauty products that contain argan oil.
Step 6. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking vitamin A
Did you know that vitamin A is effective in eradicating acne? However, understand that there are some risks or side effects that may arise from consuming excessive doses of vitamin A. Therefore, make sure you consult your doctor before taking any supplements. You may also need to monitor liver enzyme levels while taking vitamin A to make sure your liver is in good condition.
