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 generally 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, blemishes and the chronic “shininess” associated with overly oily skin.
If you think enlarged pores are a problem, consider using a microderm abrasion 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.
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.
I’m the proud father of a 15 year old girl and 13 year old boy – a 7 year old, too, but that’s another story. So…as you can imagine acne has become quite an issue in our house.
My son doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal, and my wife and I spend a lot (a lot) of time trying to keep his hands off his face. He’s chronically scratching, picking and popping…generally making the problem worse. My daughter on the other hand thinks the world has come to an end. Being in High School she would prefer to wear a sheet over her head some days and panics at periodic bad outbreaks – especially when they’re on her forehead.
Both have lobbied for the best acne products they see online or on TV. While we’ve tried most, results have been “bla” at best. My daughter has resorted to all types of make-up to cover up the blemishes, but – as I told her – that will only make the matter worse.
Hmmmm…well let’s see here. I am the managing partner of a large skin care manufacturing firm and we make a whole line of acne products. Will they use ours?? NO! “Your’s are not on TV!”…”our favorite Disney stars don’t use them”…”you make them – not a big company”?? The responses have gone on for over a year. Interestingly, my neighbor has the same problem. Signing-up for a monthly, auto-bill delivery of ProActiv is no problem, but the seem embarrassed to try the few well-sold products we make.
Well, the story changed a few months ago. Finally I pulled my wife to the said and said “I need a little help here. If you support me (and pitch the products) maybe the will try them.” She did and reluctantly I got both started on an Acne Face Wash. Days went by and no change. Hmmm…I’m getting worried -we sell a lot of these (a lot) and I’m starting to think I’ve been selling snake oil. Ha, but alas, the next week blemishes and pimples started clearing-up. The next week, their complexion was smooth with only a small, normal pimple or two.
I wanted to blog this not as a pitch, but to show that some products actually work. And with teens in the house, a little encouragement, consistency and force can go a long way.
With that said, I’m writing about acne and several products for general daily care, spot treatment, and options for severe breakouts in a post in the next couple of weeks. But, it goes without saying simply keeping your face clean with a wash or cleanser designed to fight acne may be all you and your kids need. Thx.
.jpg/230px-Squircle_belly_(19004951).jpg "Remove scars from acne and stretch marks")
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.
I’m the proud father of a 15 year old girl and 13 year old boy – a 7 year old, too, but that’s another story. So…as you can imagine acne has become quite an issue in our house.