How to Take Care of Oily Skin with Homemade Products

Co-authored by Diana Yerkes

Last Updated: January 18, 2023 References Approved

You may be growing frustrated with purchasing expensive face products that are often filled with unwanted chemicals. Instead, try using homemade and natural products to treat oily skin. There are numerous cleansers, toners, exfoliants, moisturizers, and face masks that can be made using products many people have in their own homes. These products can help to treat oily skin and are relatively easy to make.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating Homemade Cleansers and Toners

1
Use a homemade cleanser. Cleansing oils are an excellent way to treat oily skin. When applied to the skin they bind to impurities and pull out dirt without clogging the pores. Cleansing oils are considered superior to oil-free cleansers by many dermatologists because these often strip the skin of natural oils leaving it unbalanced. As a result the body will produce an excess of oils making the skin even oilier.^{[1]
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- Homemade cleansers typically contain a combination of botanical oils (olive, sunflower, grape seed, sesame, almond), extracts (green tea or jasmine), and vitamins (E or C).
- Try this recipe: Mix together a 1/4 of liquid organic soap, 1/4 cup chamomile tea brewed and cooled, 3/4 of a teaspoon of olive oil, 8 drops of essential oil (lavender or peppermint recommended for oily skin), and several drops of vitamin E. Store in a squirt bottle.^{[2]
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2
Make a toner using peppermint, sage, or yarrow. These herbs also have astringent properties and can be used to create a homemade skin toner. This will help improve the feel and look of oily skin. Simply put a tablespoon of one of these herbs in a cup, then fill to the top with boiling water. Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes, then strain the mixture and allow it to cool before dabbing on your face. You can keep the leftovers in a squeeze bottle and continue to use for up to 5 days, if stored in the refrigerator.^{[3]
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3
Create a toner from green tea and aloe. Another toner to consider is made from green tea. Packed with antioxidants, green tea it is good for any skin type. It can help tone, tighten pores, and remove toxins from the surface of the skin. Simply spray the toner directly onto recently washed skin or dab your face and neck using a cotton pad. Once dry, apply a moisturizer to your skin. Use this method daily for optimal results. Here are the directions for making your own green tea and aloe toner:^{[4]
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- In order to make this toner, you will need two tea bags of green tea, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and 1 cup of water.
- Steep the tea in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes, let cool, and then remove the tea bags.
- Add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel to the green tea. Stir thoroughly until there are no visible clumps of aloe vera.
- Pour the mixture into a glass jar or spray bottle.
4
Add witch hazel to a homemade toner. Witch hazel, an ingredient many people have around the house, contains tannins, which have the effect of an astringent. As a result, it can be used after cleansing your face to tighten pores as they dry. In order to use witch hazel as a toner for your skin, soak a cotton pad in distilled witch hazel. Then dab it all over your face twice a day for 2-3 weeks. After 3 weeks you can reduce the frequency to once per week.^{[5]
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- You can also add witch hazel to a homemade toner to help constrict your pores and help treat oily skin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Oily Skin with Exfoliants and Moisturizers

1
Use an exfoliating scrub. Exfoliating is essential to any skin care regimen and should be done once or twice a week to remove dead skin and grime from your face. Failing to exfoliate can cause dead skin cells to clog pores, which can result in acne. There are multiple different homemade scrubs that you can test out:^{[6]
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- Baking soda and Coconut Oil scrub: removes dirt and dead skin and leaves your skin feeling soft. You will need ½ cup of organic coconut oil (melted or very soft) and a ¼ cup of baking soda. Mix them together until they are completely blended and form a frosting-like consistency. Store in a jar at room temperature with a tight fitted lid. Rub a tablespoon of the mixture onto your face. Then rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry.^{[7]
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- Lemon and sugar scrub: acts as an astringent that tightens pores and brightens complexion. You will need ½ a lemon (juice), ½ cup of granulated sugar, tablespoon of olive oil, and a tablespoon of honey. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. Add the honey and whisk until combined to form a medium-to-thick consistency, then add the sugar and mix. Gently rub a dollop of the mixture onto your face. It will help clean pores and heal acne scars for people with oily skin.^{[8]
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Make your own moisturizer. Many people think that moisturizer is unnecessary if you have oily skin, but that is actually not true. You can have oily skin, but still need hydration. For example, a moisturizer that contains lavender will soothe and hydrate your skin. Try out this very simple recipe to make your own moisturizer:
- Mix together a ½ a cup of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of liquid vitamin E, and and 5-7 drops of lavender essential oil. Store in a jar and use on your face twice daily to help keep your skin moist and healthy.^{[9]
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3
Add jojoba oil to your homemade moisturizer. Jojoba oil is a waxy substance that seals moisture into the skin and protects it from external threats such as dirt and grime. Oily skin can easily gather dust and dirt from the surrounding environment, so protect your pores with jojoba oils while keeping your skin moist.^{[10]
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- Apply jojoba oils after you wash your face. Simply rub drops of jojoba onto your palms and apply evenly to your face. This will leave your face feeling soft and smooth.
- Alternatively, you can mix jojoba oil with other oils to make a moisturizer. For example, mix together 2/3 jojoba oil, 1/3 tamanu oil, and 4 to 7 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying Homemade Facial Masks

1
Treat oily skin with a homemade clay face mask. Clay or mud face masks can be used to reduce greasy skin and pull out impurities. In order to make a clay face mask take 1 tablespoon of face clay (such as bentonite, found in natural food stores and online) and 1 tablespoon of witch hazel and mix together until well blended. You can also add a few drops of lemon oil for fragrance and to help control overactive oil glands. Once complete apply the mask to your face, let sit for 10 minutes (or until the clay is dry), and then rinse off.^{[11]
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- Do not use pottery clay on your face. It will not have the same benefits as face clay.
2
Make an egg white face mask to combat excess greasiness. Some people believe that egg white masks can help to firm the skin and soak up oil from the skin’s surface. Mix together the egg white from 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of honey. Beat the mixture with a fork until it's frothy, then apply it to your face and you let it dry. You can also add a bit of flour to the mixture in order to thicken it into a paste, which will make it easier to apply. Leave the mask on your face for at least 10 minutes and then wash it off using warm water.^{[12]
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Try a banana honey face mask. This face mask can help to open your pores and clean out blemishes, soothe irritated and dry skin, and replenish sun damaged skin. To make this face mask mash ½ of a banana until it becomes a smooth and consistent texture. Then add 2 tablespoons of raw honey and ½ a teaspoon of cinnamon, and mix together. Apply the mask to your face and let sit for a minimum of 10 minutes (you can leave the mask on for up to 30 minutes). When finished rinse your face with warm water. You can store and refrigerate any of the leftover mixture.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What products should I use if I have oily skin?

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional
Diana Yerkes is a Skincare Professional and the Lead Esthetician at Rescue Spa in New York City, New York. With over 15 years of experience, Diana helps others with their skin care needs by incorporating natural and high-performing products and treatments into their routines while providing nutrition insights and educating clients on better skin care habits. Diana is a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and holds certifications from the Wellness for Cancer and Look Good Feel Better programs. She received her esthetics education from the Aveda Institute, the International Dermal Institute, and the Biologique Research Academy.

Diana Yerkes

Skincare Professional

Expert Answer

Try using a clay face mask! White clay is particularly effective since it helps tighten and clean pores.
Question

Can I use homemade scrub daily for my face?

Community Answer

Yes - a mild scrub would work the best. Use it in the evenings before bed to clean your face of all the oil and dirt it collected during the day, but make sure not to rub too hard or you can irritate your skin.
Question

Can you tell me if soap is necessary for cleansing, or can you suggest the best face or skin care routine for oily skin?

Community Answer

There is no definitive answer for the best cleansing routine. This is because everyone has a slightly different type of skin and some people have added skin sensitivities and allergies. Instead, you will need to find a combination or cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliants that work best for you. Trial and error is the best advice. Eventually you will find a skin care routine that works!

Warnings

Before using any of these homemade products, make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. If you have an allergy to an ingredient try another one of the recipes provided.

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