Many of us have to deal with oily skin…some have to deal with very oily skin. Though there are tons of products available to get a clear complexion and reduce the oils, there are a couple of fundamental techniques and products you can use for help.
First, oily skin is genrally caused by excess sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are located in the follicle and skin pores. They especially concentrated in and around the “T zone” located across the forehead, on the nose and across the chin area. Heat, general over-activity, reactions to skin products and enlarged pores can lead to increased amount of oil deposits on the facial skin - as well as enlarged pores - that trap bacteria, dirt and impurities - that can lead to inflammation, acne and blemishes.
Use an oily face wash that controls and regulates oil production. Most are formulated with Zinc. Zinc helps slow the production of oil from the sebaceous glands and helps your face remain smooth, healthy and oil-free. Oily skin face washes should be used 2-3 times per day.
If you need more help, try an oily skin face mask or a toner. These give you more “bang for your buck” and can help reduce acne, bemishes and the chronic “shinyness” associated with overly oily skin.
If you think enlarged pores are a problem, consider using a microdermabrasion cream to gently exfoliate. Exfoliation is good for facial tissue. It can help clear pimples and oil as well as cleanse and purify tissue. It also helps promote regeneration of healthy skin cells.
It might be the change in weather, time of year or an unusual number of sun spots (?!), but we have received an unusual amount of calls/emails and requests for information regarding getting rid of pimples and blemishes - especially from teens and their parents.
Teens, Pimples & Blemishes
It’s probably pretty widely known that changes in hormones, especially among young adults as they go through puberty, is a leading and primary causes of pimples and blemishes. Active hormones excite sebacous glands in pores that lead to an increase in oil production in the skin - especially around the “T zone” across the forhead, down the nose and on the chin.
Increase in oils on the facial tissue can have several affects:
Increase pore size
Cause inflammation and irritation
Trap dirt, makeup and bacteria
Encourage development of pimples
With that said, there is little you can do about acne caused by heredity and genetics, however, there is hope. Most of the symptoms - beakouts, oiliness, irritated or tender skin and infection can be effectively treated. So, at the worse case scenario, you can help eliminate pimples buy regulating the source of infection by reducing oil on the skin.
So, how do you do that?
We recommend using acne products that contain Zinc. An acne face wash, acne tone, or even a mask (masque) with Zinc or Zinc PCA can regulate and control sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands. Most are non-alcohol that keeps from drying-out the skin, and all are often formulated with other ingredients that can help as well, such as Jojoba Oil, Emu Oil, Panthenol, Shea Butter, etc.
As a note to the above comment: Most acne treatments do contain alcohol or alpha hydroxy. While on the surface these are not necessarily bad for your skin, they can dry-out the facial tissue that can lead to drying, craking and inflammation. Emu oil can treat acne by penetrating deep into the skin, carrying with it active ingredients that flush out toxins and impurities.
Treat the Symptoms - Leave Heredity Alone
All of these help “treat” the skin as well as to clear-up the acne and out breaks of blemishes. And as part of an acne treatment regimen that works, you can begin the process by using a light abrasive microdermabrasion cream. These work well for removing used and worn skin cells from the surface of the skin. This not only deep cleans impurities from the pores, but helps reduce pore size - reducing the opportunity for fungus, bacteria, and infection to become trapped and propogate.
As a teen and young adult, dealing with pimples and blemishes is not a pleasant thing. Most often the stress of middle or high school and going through puberty is enough. Using a proven method for dealing with acne - even if only treating the symptoms - can help get rid of acne temporarily or permanently.
The benefits of Emu Oil are far ranging - from very common use in hair products to skin care.
Emu Oil is what is known as a “carrier oil”. It has the ability to deeply penetrate the layers of the skin (and scalp) unlike many other oils such as Jojoba, Mineral or Argan. This penetrating property allows its healing abilities to treat common skin problems where they start - most often in the dermis layer of the skin.
It is a natural anti-bacterial making it ideal for treating burns, cuts, and wounds (even scars from surgery or injury). It is also an anti-inflammatory having the ability to reduce inflammation, irritation and to soothe itchy and redness.
The video below is a quick overview that discusses some of it’s benefits that include treating skin rashes, acne, abrasions, and stretch marks. It can be used by itself or combined with other lotions, creams and shampoos to generally improve efficacy of the product. There are a range of Emu Oil products available and you can find it as a key active ingredient in many high-end treatments.
Oily deposits often accumulate on the forehead, nose, and around the chin where the greatest concentration of sebaceous glands exist on the face. An oily skin cleanser can help regulate oil production and give your complexion a softer, healthier look.
Forming the signature “T” across the brow, down the nose and nostrils, and extending to the chin and neck, sebaceous glands secrete sebum. Heredity plays a pretty significant role as does heat, humidity and products you may or may not use on the facial area - even aging is thought to be a cause.
Oil can combine with dirt and left-over product residue to clog pores that can then lead to acne and sometimes rosacea. You can effectively clear oil skin with a mask, cream, toner or wash. The key ingredients to look for are Zinc or alpha hydroxy.
Zinc naturally, also known as Zinc PCA or Zincidone in its complex form, is well known for controlling oily skin. It helps regulate sebum on applied areas and is effective for use in cleansing and “purify” pores. Alpha Hydroxy behaves in a similar fashion. It is often an active ingredient in exfoliating products such as microdermabrasion creams and for acne care.
A little bit of research can help you find the best oily skin wash - there are several available that are effective. The key is to understand that getting and keeping an oil-free complexion may also require watching what you eat and considering the effects of the environment on your facial tissue.
Foods high in saturated fats are known to invigorate the sebaceous glands. For some, dairy products may not be your friend either. As I mentioned, high humidity and heat play a role as well.
An oily skin cleanser should be considered part or a well-rounded regimen that focuses on tissue health. Keeping your complexion free of dirt and unhealthy makeup is a great start. Using a purifying moisturizer at night works well also.
Anti wrinkle creams can help, though we recommend serums vs. creams. The best are based in Aloe rather than water and often contain ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid that improves hydration without the use of a cream base to address dryness, aging or wrinkles.
Scarring resulting from acne or pregnancy is generally difficult to remove. Torn or damaged tissue is slow to rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.
Pitting, discoloration and marks often occur (related to stretch marks) during periods of rapid weight gain. Most prominantly for women during pregnancy. Breasts, the abdomen and along the upper thighs are most prone - where ther greatest accumulation of fatty tissure resides.
For existing scars, using a microdermabrasion product has produced the greates results. Skin cell “turnover” and replenishment takes time. Encouraging new growth can often be accelerated by sloughing or polishing off old cells. With consistent use, disfigured or poorly aligned cells regenerate and rebuild normalized collagen and elastin fibers - necessary for skin pliability and absorption and retention of moisture.
Products with Hyaluronic Acid, soluble collagen, and Emu Oil have been found effective at working with microdermabrasion products for post-operative scarring (c section, plastic surgery, breast enhancement, et al), and work well smoothing and fading discoloration of potting left from severe acne and blemishes.
Scar creams and products help improve moisture content and retention stimulating healthy collagen growth. Emu Oil, in particular, has been used in Australia during pregnancy to help stave-off marking as prgnancy matures into the second and third trimester when stretching and tearing of dermal tissue is moste prominent.
rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.