You may be able to reduce the oil on your skin with certain products, including honey and aloe. Habits like avoiding fried foods may also help.
Oily skin is the result of the overproduction of sebum from sebaceous glands. These glands are located under the skin’s surface. Sebum is an oily substance made of fats. Sebum isn’t all bad since it helps protect and moisturize your skin and keep your hair shiny and healthy.
Too much sebum, however, may lead to oily skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne. Genetics, hormone changes, or even stress may increase sebum production.
Oily skin and acne can be difficult to manage. Home remedies may help reduce symptoms without the use of prescription drugs or expensive skin care regimens.
Here are remedies for oily skin you can try at home.
It seems obvious, but many people with oily skin don’t wash their faces daily. If your skin is oily, it’s a good idea to wash your face twice a day — but don’t overdo it. Avoid harsh soaps or detergents, as these can actually cause your skin to dry out and produce even more sebum. Instead, use a gentle soap such as glycerin soap.
These thin, small papers won’t prevent your sebaceous glands from going into overdrive, but they’ll allow you to blot excess oil from your face to help minimize shine. Blotting papers are inexpensive and available over the counter. Use as needed throughout the day.
Honey is one of nature’s most revered skin remedies. Thanks to its antibacterial and antiseptic abilities, it may benefit oily and acne-prone skin.
Honey is also a natural humectant, so it helps keep the skin moist but not oily. This is because humectants draw moisture from the skin without replacing it.
To use honey to treat acne and oily skin, spread a thin layer, preferably raw, onto your face; let it dry for about 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Cosmetic clays, also called healing clays, help absorb skin oil and treat many skin conditions. French green clay, which comes in powder form, is a popular treatment for oily skin and acne.
To make a spa-worthy French green clay mask:
- Add filtered water or rose water to about a teaspoon of clay until it forms a pudding-like consistency.
- Apply the clay mixture to your face and leave it on until it dries.
- Remove the clay with warm water and pat dry.
Clay masks removed with water are much gentler on your skin than peel-off masks.
Oatmeal helps calm inflamed skin and absorb excess oil. It also helps exfoliate dead skin. When used in facial masks, oatmeal is usually ground. It can be combined with yogurt, honey, or mashed fruit such as bananas, apples, or papaya.
To use oatmeal on your face:
- Combine 1/2 cup ground oats with hot water to form a paste.
- Stir in 1 tbsp honey.
- Massage the oatmeal mixture into your face for about 3 minutes, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
- Alternatively, apply the oatmeal to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Egg whites and lemons are folk remedies for oily skin. While people report benefits from using egg whites for skin care, more research is needed to determine whether they help oily skin.
Egg allergy warning
Don’t put egg whites on your face or skin if you’re allergic to eggs.
Both egg whites and lemon juice are thought to tighten pores. The acid in lemons and other citrus fruits may help absorb oil. According to a
However, don’t put lemon juice directly on your face. It may irritate or burn your skin If you choose to try lemon juice as a facial, always mix a small amount of the juice with other ingredients to help protect your skin.
Before applying a facial that includes lemon juice to your entire face, you may want to test the facial on a small patch of skin somewhere else on your body, like your wrist.
To make an egg white and lemon face mask:
- Combine 1 egg white with 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Apply it to your face, and leave it on until the mask dries.
- Remove with warm water, and pat dry.
Lemon juice can cause photosensitivity, so always wear SPF after using any citrus juice or oils on the skin.
Ground almonds work to exfoliate your skin and help absorb excess oil and dirt. To use an almond face scrub:
- Finely grind raw almonds to make 3 tsp.
- Add 2 tbsp of raw honey.
- Apply to your face gently, in circular motions.
- Rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
You can also make an almond face mask by grinding the almonds into a paste before adding the honey. Leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Do not use if you have a nut allergy.
Nut allergy
Do not apply almonds, in any form, to your face or skin if you have a nut allergy.
Aloe vera is known for soothing burns and other skin conditions.
You can apply a thin layer to your face before bedtime and leave it on until morning. Aloe vera is known to cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin. If you have not used aloe vera before, test a small amount on your forearm. If no reaction appears within 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.
Tomatoes contain salicylic acid, a common acne home remedy. The acids in tomatoes may help absorb excess skin oils and unclog pores. To make an exfoliating tomato mask:
- Combine 1 tsp sugar with the pulp of 1 tomato.
- Apply to the skin in a circular motion.
- Leave the mask on for 5 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water, and pat dry.
You can also apply just tomato pulp or tomato slices to your skin.
Although the idea of applying oil to oily skin seems counterproductive, jojoba oil is a natural remedy to treat oily skin, acne, and other skin problems.
It’s thought that jojoba mimics sebum on the skin to “trick” sebaceous glands into producing less sebum and help keep oil levels balanced. A 2024 study found that jojoba oil may reduce some oil secretions by as much as 30% based on their research applying jojoba to a human skin organ culture model that emulates key features of human skin.
An older 2012 study found that applying a mask made of healing clay and jojoba oil 2 to 3 times weekly helped heal skin lesions and mild acne.
A little jojoba oil goes a long way, so try massaging just a few drops into clean skin a few days a week to see how you react. If you like the results, apply daily.
Oily skin caused by genetics or hormones may be tough to prevent. However, practicing consistent skin care and avoiding unhealthy foods such as fried foods, foods high in sugar, and processed foods may help.
It’s tempting to use heavy cosmetics to cover the effects of oily skin, but this can make the condition worse. When oily skin acts up, reduce the use of makeup, especially foundation. Choose water-based products instead of oil-based ones. Look for products labeled noncomedogenic that are less likely to clog pores.
Many people claim home remedies for oily skin work. However, most remedies aren’t well-researched. The success of a home remedy depends on many factors, such as your specific situation and the quality of the products you use.
It’s possible to develop allergies to remedies you’ve been using for a while. If your skin becomes sensitive to any product, discontinue use.
If a home remedy worsens symptoms, stop using it, and contact your healthcare professional or a dermatologist. Seek medical help if oily skin symptoms such as acne are severe. They may lead to infection or scarring.
