Daadi’s diary: Fending off facial oils

This lovely humid weather, which shows absolutely no signs of going away anytime soon, leaves some of us looking shiny and slippery. Sometimes it gets so bad that I could use my face as a reflective surface. I have, on more than one occasion, been asked: “Why did you put oil on your face today?” It doesn’t just look bad and, if left untreated, this excess oil can eventually lead up to more serious skin issues.

Now understand that oil is not the enemy! Healthy skin does need some oil (for moisturisation), but when our hair follicles go into overdrive and those desired levels are exceeded, problems like pimples, blackheads and whiteheads occur. Today, Daadi reveals her resourceful remedies for combating greasy skin. They’re safe, effective and take hardly any effort to prepare.

Wash Frequently: The safest and easiest (and my favourite) method for removing excess oil from skin is to simply massage the face in small, gentle circular motions. This helps soften and release oil deposits that are stored in hair follicles. Once that oil has been warmed (through touch) and oils softened and coaxed out onto the skin surface, rinse off that oil from your face using plain water. Repeat this twice or thrice a day, and pat dry with a towel. Don’t use soap. Most soap removes all oils from the skin, causing follicles to produce even more oil to compensate for the dryness left behind. This makes the problem worse in the long run.

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner: Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with three tablespoons of rose water (arq-e-gulab) and apply to oily skin with some cotton wool. Rinse with cold water after five minutes. This will help dissolve and effectively remove excess oil, and leave your skin feeling and smelling lovely. I like to freeze the mixture into ice cubes and use as a super cooling facial on hot summer days.

Note: You may also use lemon juice (as an alternative to vinegar) mixed with rose water.

 Magic Flaxseed: Flaxseed (Alsi) is good in so many ways for our body that, as a joke, we call it ‘magic flaxseed’ in our home. Take up to two tbsp of ground flaxseed with a glass of water first thing every morning. This will balance oil production from the inside, so your skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Start by taking just ½ tsp every morning and increase the quantity gradually. Flaxseeds may have a laxative effect so it’s important to give the body time to adjust (and prevent a loose tummy).

Aloe Vera Gel: The Aloe Vera plant is easily grown in your own backyard. It’s a good plant to have around. It’s great in so many ways for so many problems, internally and externally. Just dab some gel (peel off the skin of the leaf to get to the gel) onto your face after washing and let it dry. Repeat a couple of times during the day. The gel will help to control oil production, prevent wrinkles, and give you a wonderful glow even when it’s hot and humid. Keep refrigerated.

Egg-white Mask: Apply well-beaten egg white to skin. Let it dry and then rinse well using cool water (so your face doesn’t have a lingering eggy smell). This single ingredient remedy will tighten your pores, remove excess oil and nourish your skin, with immediate effect.

 Tomato Treatment: Peel a tomato and blend well. It should form a thick paste so it won’t drip onto your clothes. Add a spoonful of gram flour (besan) if it’s too runny. Apply this paste to your skin as a mask. Rinse off after 10 minutes with cool water. The acidic tomato pulp acts like an astringent, removing excess oil from the skin.

 Oatmeal Face Pack: Grind some oatmeal. Add ½ tsp lemon juice and a drop or two of honey to make a paste. Massage into skin gently for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for another 15. Rinse off with cold water. This highly nourishing mask will leave your skin feeling refreshed, moisturised (but not oily), and smelling nice and citrusy. The oatmeal grains will gently scrub away dead skin cells leaving behind smoother, younger looking skin.

Note: Do not massage your face if you suffer from acne; just use it as a mask. Scrubbing can sometimes make acne worse.

 A Few Tips: Keep your hair away from your face. Oily hair and oily skin usually go together. Keeping your hair pulled back will help cut down transfer of additional oils from hair onto the face.

Avoid foundation. Use water based cosmetics, and as often as possible, go without makeup. Layers of makeup trap heat and oils next to the skin. Don’t forget to apply a good sunscreen before going out.

As much as possible, avoid touching your face. This will significantly minimise dirt and oils transferred to your face.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, September 30^th, 2012.

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