Who likes an oily face? It’s not ideal for makeup and that greasy feeling is annoying. It can just make you not feel like your best self. But what causes oily skin to begin with? And how can you treat it? We’ve got effective solutions, including a DIY facial scrub for oily skin.

Causes of Oily Skin

Oily skin is not caused by oily, greasy foods (pizza and French fry time anyone?).  It’s not caused by petrolatum products or using an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover. It is, however, caused by overproduction of oil within the pores. This can be due to genetics, using drying products (your pores try to overcompensate by producing more oil), or fluctuating hormones (not only in your teens or around your period—this can happen at any age). It can be hard to tell which issue or issues are causing your oily skin, so your best bet is to treat both the dryness and the overproduction.

Oily Skin Treatment

Treating oily skin is actually quite easy, once you know what to do. In general, you want to focus on two things: keeping skin hydrated and controlling oil production. To keep skin hydrated, make sure to have a skincare routine that uses moisturizing face washes, toners, and serums. Ones to try: First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, Shiseido Ibuki Softening Concentrate, and the Murad Revitalixer™ Recovery Serum. If that’s too heavy, skip the serum and be sure to use a moisturizer like the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench™ Hyaluronic Cloud Cream. To control oil production, you want to use a salicylic acid treatment, such as the Paula’s Choice Defense Antioxidant Pure Purifier  (applied after toner and before serum), which helps pores regulate oil production.

Clay masks are another great option for treating oily skin. The clays help to absorb oil and draw out skin impurities. Two of our favorites include the GlamGlow SUPERMUD® Activated Charcoal Treatment and the Fresh Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Mask. Both leaving the skin glowing and oil free.

DIY Face Scrub

Scrubs, when used one or two times per week, can also be effective at controlling oil. You can buy scrubs that include salicylic acid, or you can make a more natural version that also works well. Tea tree oil is the focus of this scrub, as it is great for oil control. It must be diluted in a carrier oil, before applying to skin. This scrub treats both dryness, with hydrating honey and coconut oil, and pore oil production with the tea tree oil.

  • 3 drops tea tree oil diluted in 12 drops coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse sugar, such as raw cane sugar or coarse coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Dilute the tea tree oil first, then whisk the remaining ingredients into the bowl. Apply to cleansed skin and rub gently in an upward motion to encourage circulation. Leave on for five to ten minutes. Rinse, then follow with toner, serum, and moisturizer. Save scrub in an airtight jar, like a Mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

With a few tips and some great products, eliminating oily skin should be no issue.

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