Although you can't change your genes, there are plenty of home remedies to combat oily skin using kitchen ingredients.
Home Remedies from the Cupboard
Almonds and honey. The luscious combination of succulent almonds and sweet honey works well as a gentle facial scrub for removing oils and dead skin cells. Mix a small amount of ground almonds with honey to make a paste. Gently massage the paste into your skin with a comfortably hot washcloth. Rinse with cool water.
Baking soda. Be abrasive, but in a mild way. Liquid soap users can add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda into the mixture. Rub gently onto oily areas such as the nose and chin. This gentle abrasive works well in getting rid of blackheads as well as oil. Rinse with cool water.
Cornstarch. Cornstarch dries up oily patches. Mix 1 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch with enough warm water to make a paste. Rub on your face, let dry, and then shower or rinse off with lukewarm water in the sink. Try this once a day for best results.
Salt. This gift from the sea is nature's best desiccant. Place tepid water into a small spray bottle and add 1 teaspoon salt. Close your eyes, and pretend you're at the seashore. Then squirt some of this salt spray on your face once during the day. Blot dry.
Vinegar. A good way to exfoliate the skin is with white or apple cider vinegar. Apply using a cotton ball before bedtime. Leave it on for five to ten minutes and then rinse with cool water. You'll need to use this remedy for three weeks to see improvements. If your skin is super-sensitive, dilute the vinegar with four parts water. For a summertime treat, chill the vinegar or freeze it into ice cubes and apply as a cooling facial.
Home Remedies from the Refrigerator
Apples. If you're willing to do some creative cooking, your effort will be rewarded with this homemade, oil-ridding facial. Mix 1/2 cup mashed apple, 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 slightly beaten egg white, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice into a smooth paste. Apply to your face for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Egg yolk. A fast fix for removing oil shine requires one of the simplest foods: the egg. An egg yolk mask dries out the skin. Apply the egg yolk with a cotton ball to oily spots. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Lemons. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water, pat on face, and let dry. Rinse first with warm water followed by cool water for a refreshing treat.
Limes and cucumbers. Citrus fruits and some vegetables not only refresh the skin but also help reduce oils. Try mixing 1/2 teaspoon lime juice with an equal amount of cucumber juice. Apply to skin a few minutes before showering.
Home Remedies from the Windowsill
Aloe vera. Aloe vera, the wonder plant of the household, works well at absorbing skin oils. Slice open a leaf and smear the gel onto the face up to three times a day. Let dry. (Keep a small amount of gel in the refrigerator during summer months for a refreshing face-lift!)
