Oil control

With the summer heat setting in and humidity levels rising, sweating has become a part of our daily life. While deodorant takes care of most of it, it becomes problematic when it is your facial glands that go on an overdrive. The Week talked to Rofina Singh, proprietor and beautician of Serene Salon of Hair and Beauty, at Pulchowk, Lalitpur to find ways to get rid of this problem once and for all. “More than just the weather, your daily activities and hormones also play a role in making your face oily. But if you take proper care of your skin, this can easily be brought under control,” she says.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best ingredients to have in your kitchen as it can be used for a variety of ailments. The vinegar only washes out the excess oil in your face, leaving your skin feeling supple. Before going to bed at night, dip a cotton ball in a solution of vinegar and water, mixed in the ratio of 1:4. Apply gently to your face and let it sit for eight to 10 minutes before washing it off with cold water. During the summers, you can even freeze the solution in an ice-cube tray and apply it on the face. Do this every alternate day for a week, and you will begin to see changes in your skin.

Egg whites with lemon

“If you can stomach the smell of eggs on your face, this might be the way to go for you,” says Shrestha. Whip an egg white until stiff peaks form and add juice of half a lemon into it. Apply it to your face and let it sit until it dries out before washing it off with lukewarm water. Make this a part of your weekly routine and do it twice a week. If you can’t stomach the smell of egg whites, you can also only use lemon to get control oil buildup as well. The vitamin C in the lemon doesn’t just leave your face oil free but helps brighten it up too. Squeeze half a lemon in a bowl and gently apply it to your face with a cotton ball. Leave it for a few minutes before washing it with cold water. Make sure you do this at night and apply a generous amount of sunscreen when you go out the next day. Lemon juice makes your skin sensitive and you can easily get sunburnt.

Aloe vera

One of the best natural face cleansers, the aloe vera plant is rich in moisture and antioxidants. You can grow an aloe vera plant at home. It doesn’t require much looking after either. Just make sure that you don’t have it indoors as they thrive in an open environment. Break off a branch of the aloe plant and rub the gel all over your face. After letting it set for 20 minutes, wash it with cool water. You can do this every night if you want to, but don’t fall asleep with it on as it may make your skin sensitive too. “If you don’t have an aloe plant, there are various gels available in the market,” says Singh.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are natural astringents that help cool down and clear your skin as well. They are high in vitamin C and absorb oil easily, making it a great home remedy not just for oily skin but for acne prone skin as well. Take a ripe tomato, cut it into small pieces and mash it with a fork. Add a tiny pinch of salt to it and mix it well. Salt has oil-absorbing properties as well, but be careful to not overdo the amount you use as it may dry out the skin. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water. Repeat this twice a week and you will be able to feel the difference within a month.

Finding a great cleanser

One of the best ways to battle oil is with oil. Finding and adding a cleanser that works for your skin type is one of the best ways to control oily skin. Oil based cleansers are the way to go, but if you aren’t comfortable with it then you should at least steer clear of ones that are alcohol based. Ones that have an alcohol base can strip your skin off the essential oils it needs leading to rough, patchy skin.

When you have makeup on

When you have many layers of products on your face, your face might feel oilier than ever. To avoid this, make sure you apply a base layer of primer before applying foundation. Liquid foundations are heavier on the skin than ones that are mousse based. Always carry a compact powder with you and focus on the T-zone when you reapply it throughout the day. Even if you don’t have makeup on, it is a good idea to carry oil blotting tissues and compact powder wherever you go. Sometimes, just tying your hair up helps cool you down and thus reduces the sweat and oil production on your face. “Exercising and keeping yourself hydrated are some really easy ways to reduce facial oil production,” concludes Singh.