Calvert Creak
Skin Care Information
Oily Skin
Although some people have oily skin for genetic (hereditary) reasons and their skin type is therefore classed as “oily”, oily skin can affect anybody at any age.
Oily skin generally appears “shiny” with no dry areas. Also known as seborrhoea, oily skin is caused by overactive oil-producing (sebaceous) glands, which cause the face to appear shiny (especially on the chin, nose, and forehead). People with oily skin often have enlarged pores, making their skin more prone to blackheads, pimples and acne.
There are actually two types of oily skin:
- Oily skin which exudes oil, causing a shiny and wet appearance. This is known as seborrhoea oleosa.
- Oily skin in which a conglomeration of hardened sebum and dead cells remains within the skin’s follicles. As a result, the outer layer of the skin paradoxically has a dry feel and can be mistaken for dry kin. This is known as seborrhea sicca.
- People with oily skin are more prone to acne and oily hair.
Causes of Oily Skin
Some women experience oily skin in conjunction with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) because of alterations in their hormones during the pre-menstrual period.
Women who use the oral contraceptive pill have an increased likelihood of oily skin because of alterations in hormone levels caused by “the pill”.
Deficiencies of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), biotin, vitamin B6 or potassium can lead to oily skin.
Caring for Oily Skin
Oily skin requires careful cleansing using hot water to prevent clogging of the pores. Hot water dissolves skin oil better than warm or cold water.
If you have oily skin you should avoid using harsh products that strip your skin of its natural oils and which may cause flakiness. Using harsh products on oily skin can cause the skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands to work overtime to compensate for the stripping of natural oils. This can lead to a problem known as reactive seborrhoe which actually exacerbates skin oilines.
Stay clear of skincare products that cause your skin to feel taut and dehdyradted. They can cause the outermost layers of your skin to shrink, restricting oil circulation through the pores and this can lead to blockages of the pores and acne.
When you cleanse oily skin you should use oil-based products. Although this may sound counter-productive, it should be noted that oil-based products help to dissolve sebum.
Although you should keep your skin as clean as possible, face washing should be limited to two or three times per day as excessive washing can stimulate the production of even more oil.
If you have oily skin that is also scaly, you can correct this by using an exfoliant every second night, followed by a light coating of moisturiser.
Clay or mud masks can be useful. If your oily skin is also sensitive white clay may be your best option.
Calvert Creak to the Rescue
Oily skin requires special attention to cleansing in order to keep the pores unclogged. People with oily skin need to adopt a daily proper method of cleansing to prevent accumulation of dirt on the skin surface. Calvert Creak’s range of products includes numerous constituents designed to counteract oily skin, including:
- Jojoba oil is a light highly penetrative oil which is actually a liquid wax. It has the same ingredients as the oils naturally present in human skin. Jojoba is a greaseless oil, good for treating acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and oily skin. Jojoba oil is one of the best emollients (skin softeners).
- Hazelnut oil is a light, penetrating oil that is slightly astringent making it a good oil for acne prone skin. Hazelnut oil can penetrate the top layer of the skin, making it beneficial for oily or combination skins and effective on acne. It helps blood circulation and has astringent (toning) properties. Hazelnut oil helps to tighten the skin, and helps to maintain firmness and elasticity.
- Ylang ylang oil is an antiseptic, soothing oil that helps to control the production of sebum. It smooths the skin and stimulates new cell growth. Ylang ylang oil is used to treat oily and irritated skin, acne, dandruff, eczema and wrinkles. An added pleasure is its rich, sensual aroma.
- Bergamot oil is a volatile oil extract from the bergamot orange. It possesses antibacterial properties that make it ideal for the treatment of acne, oily skin and all types of skin infections. Bergamot oil has inhibiting effects on certain viruses in particular Herpes simplex 1 which causes cold sores. Its pleasant fragrance is used in aromatherapy for the relief of anxiety and depression. Bergamot oil is cooling in feverish conditions and has effective insect repellent properties.
- Geranium oil is a fragrant oil used in aromatherapy for mind balancing and mood swings. Its fragrance is considered uplifting. Geranium oil helps to balance the skin’s sebum content and helps to keep the skin supple. It is good for sluggish, congested and oily skin. Geranium oil has antiseptic properties, making it useful for burns and other types of wounds.
- Rosewood oil is useful for aging skin and for smoothing out wrinkles. It has been acclaimed for its usefulness for treating scars and wounds, as well as acne and dermatitis. Rosewood oil is a cell stimulant and tissue regenerator. It helps to balance both dry and oily skin.
- Lemongrass oil is an excellent astringent and helps treat acne and oily skin.
- Peppermint Oil dissolves excess oil in the skin and helps to regulate the excess oil production in oily skin. Peppermint kills the bacteria that causes acne. It gives you a cool, refreshing sensation and cleans the pores. Some people find that peppermint oil has eliminated hardened oil plugs from their pores.
- Thyme oil increases blood circulation to the skin and helps to regulate oily skin. It also encourages the elimination of toxins from the skin.
- Cedarwood oil possesses astringent and antiseptic properties that make it useful for oily skin conditions, such as acne. It is also a good emollient, with great skin softening effects.
Dietary Changes for Oily Skin
High-protein diets can be useful for treating oily skin. You should reduce your intake of sugar and salt. Make sure you drink plenty of water to help to hydrate your skin and flush out toxins.
Reduce your intake of fats and especially avoid deep-fried foods.
