When dealing with oily skin, striking a balance between not too oily and not too dry is a very thin treading line. Excess sebum clogs pores, triggering breakouts, yet you need sebum for a resilient protective barrier, firmness, plumpness, and overall healthy skin. So, learning how to keep sebum in control without overdrying your complexion (which may ironically lead to more sebum) should be top of mind.
Perhaps you may have heard oily skin shouldn’t apply oils, but that’s just another skincare myth. However, it’s important to use oils that are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog the pores. Essential oils for oily skin help balance sebum by forming a layer that traps moisture in the skin — often, oily skin is caused by dehydration, which may drive the sebaceous glands to produce more oil in an attempt to replenish the water loss.
Moreover, some oils have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing properties, traits that benefit oily skin, often prone to blackheads and breakouts. So, using some of these oils for oily skin in addition to your regular oil-controlling products infused with salicylic acid or some other sebum-fighters is definitely going to help.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is lauded for its astringent, antifungal, and balancing properties. It helps unclog pores and prevents the production of excess oil while possessing anti-inflammatory benefits due to the eucalyptol compound. Bonus: it provides skin with iron and calcium, strengthening it.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil remains one of the most effective essential oil for oily skin since it reduces the production of sebum while also improving the germ-fighting traits of your skin, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal compounds. However, keep in mind to always dilute tea tree oil before applying it to the skin, otherwise, it might cause irritations. You can mix it with a carrier oil, toner, or moisturizer.
Grapeseed oil
Grapeseed, the byproduct of wine, is a useful and rich essential oil that helps the skin glow. It has compounds with abundant omega 3, fatty acids, and vitamin E, which are crucial in helping the skin achieve a radiant glow. Another important feature of grapeseed oil is that it helps tighten skin while preventing water evaporation.
Geranium essential oil
This is one of the essential oils whose compounds have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, traits that make geranium oil handy in regulating sebum, fighting acne, and soothing skin. Geranium oil also features anti-inflammatory properties that help manage inflammatory pimples, which oily skin often struggles with. You can infuse geranium oil with a carrier oil and apply it directly to the skin.
Lemon essential oil
Essential oils extracted from lemon are crucial in caring for oily complexions due to their non-comedogenic, astringent, and antimicrobial properties. It has compounds that help manage sebum secretion while also ensuring your pores are tight enough to maintain a proper balance of oils and moisture. The best application of lemon oil is adding it to your face mask.
Ylang ylang essential oil
Ylang ylang is a big relief if you struggle with oily skin. Its compounds have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic benefits that help control sebum secretion whenever the sebaceous gland seems to be on a rollercoaster ride. More than that, Ylang ylang essential oil might prevent breakouts appearance and increase moisture retention by regulating oil levels.
Bottom line
With these essential oils integrated into your skincare routine, be assured to conquer all the menace that comes with having oily skin. It might be demanding or hectic, but it will be worth it, we promise.
