The skin naturally produces its own oil in order to remain healthy and retain its natural glow. In some people, however, this is not the case and they suffer from excessive production of the oils. Think of it as too much of a good thing, which as you would imagine, wrecks havoc on the skin.

Excessive production of oil on the skin is characterized by the formation of skin blemishes, the break out of acne, and overall a shine that just does not seem to dissipate no matter how many times you wipe your skin. Some of the causes of oily skin include hormonal changes as is the case during puberty, high levels of stress, poor diet as well as genetics.

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Keeping in mind the aforementioned causative agents of oily skin, it becomes obvious that women are more predisposed to an increased production of oil on the skin due to hormonal changes that occur during their monthly cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Identifying the causative agent of the oily skin goes a long way in managing one’s skin.

The good news is that there are products which you can use to reduce the amount of oil produced. A good number of these products are manufactured in the pharmaceutical industry, and while these have positive results on the skin, they are sometimes accompanied by a host of side effects. This is why natural remedies offer a great option for those who would like wholesome and healthier options with minimal side effects.

1. Lemon Juice:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Half cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, half cup of warm water, cotton ball, warm water for rinsing, oil-free skin moisturizer.
Difficulty: Easy


Lemon juice is a great home remedy for the management of oily skin. It contains citric acid which causes the skin’s pores to contract.. In addition to this, the juice’s antiseptic properties help eliminate the spots on the skin. This is particularly important for those who have had acne breakouts as the result of excessive oily skin. The citric acid present in the lemon juice helps balance the skin’s pH.


  1. Take a tablespoon of the freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix it with an equivalent amount of clean warm water.
  2. Dip a ball of cotton wool in the solution and then dab it on the skin.
  3. Let the solution remain on the skin for about 10 minutes before rinsing with the warm water.
  4. Follow this up with a skin moisturizer that is specially formulated for oily skin to lock in the effects.


2. Natural Yogurt:

Time Required: 25 Min
What You Need: Natural yogurt, cotton wool, cold water to rinse. Oatmeal and a teaspoon of honey optional.
Difficulty: Easy


Natural yogurt is an excellent home remedy for the treatment of oily skin because it contains lactic acid. Lactic acid is a gentle yet effective exfoliant that helps get rid of dead cells on the skin. For most people with this kind of skin, one of the challenges faced is the accumulation of dead cells and oil produced which in turn leads to the blockage of the skin’s pores further compounding the skin condition. The topical application of natural yogurt also helps withe the absorption of excessive oil on the skin, and especially from the face.


  1. Scoop a tablespoon of the natural yogurt onto the palms of your hands and slather on your skin.
  2. Let the natural yogurt remain for about 15 minutes in order to give it ample time to act on the skin.
  3. Rinse with cold water and then apply a skin moisturizer that is specially formulated for oily skin.
  4. The other alternative to using natural yogurt is to mix it with a tablespoon of the yogurt with an equivalent amount of the oatmeal. The oatmeal puffs up like a sponge, and as this is happening, add a teaspoon of honey.
  5. Apply the resulting mixture on your skin and leave it for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water to get rid of the paste and apply your ideal skin moisturizer.


3. Cucumbers:

Time Required: 10 Min Prep. Overnight Application.
What You Need: Fresh cucumbers (preferably organic), warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy


Cucumbers are a preferred home remedy for the natural treatment of oily skin, thanks to their astringent properties. When rubbed on the skin, the cooling effect of the cucumbers helps soothe skin that has breakouts as a result of the excessive oil. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamins A and E, both of which are required for the maintenance of healthy skin. Other compounds present in the cucumbers, and which are known to nourish the skin include Magnesium and Potassium.


  1. Wash the cucumber and slice it horizontally so that you end up with thick circular slices.
  2. Rub the cucumber slices on your skin and allow the juices to remain on the skin overnight.
  3. In the morning, rinse your face with warm water and carry on with your normal skin routine. Due to the nature of this remedy application, the best time to use is at bedtime.
  4. The other way to go about the use of cucumber is to blend it and get cucumber juice. You will then mix the tablespoon of cucumber juice with lemon juice and proceed to apply the mixture on your skin. Let the mixture remain overnight and wash in the morning. Repeat both procedures at least once daily for best results.


4. Egg Whites:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Two fresh eggs, warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy


Egg whites have long been incorporated into skin care products, so there is no better way to address the challenges of oily skin than by using eggs in their raw format. Egg whites have a high concentration of vitamin A, and this allows the firming up and toning of oily skin. In addition to this, the vitamin also helps clear scars that are present from previous breakouts on the skin. Incorporating egg whites into your weekly skin routine will go a long way in helping you manage oily skin without spending a fortune.


  1. Beat one egg and get rid of the yolk to remain with only the white part.
  2. Whip the egg whites until you have a consistent mixture that can easily be applied on the skin.
  3. Massage the egg white on your skin and allow it to dry for just about 15 minutes.
  4. Wash off the egg from your skin and follow this up with the application of an oil-free skin moisturizer or toner if you would like to get rid of any scars.


5. Clay Mask:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Fuller’s earth, warm water (which cane be substituted with rosewater)
Difficulty: Easy


Clay’s mask is made from Fuller’s earth, a powder whose immense benefits on the skin make it a great remedy for people with oily skin. When applied on the skin and allowed to dry, the mask contracts and causes the skin to feel taut and stretched. During this process, dirt, oil and skin impurities are drawn from the skin’s surface. This not only helps to unclog the pores, it also gives the skin a healthy glow in place of the characteristic shine that accompanies oily skin.


  1. Scoop three tablespoons of Fuller’s Earth and add just enough water or rose water to it to create a consistent paste. The best way to mix this is to use a Ziploc bag.
  2. Apply the paste on the skin, and massage in gentle motions.
  3. Let the paste dry for about 20 minutes and wash with warm water. Repeat this procedure at least thrice weekly for best results.


6. Salt:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: A teaspoon of salt, some warm water, a spray bottle.
Difficulty: Easy


Salt is one of the simplest remedies used in getting rid of excessive oil on the skin. The reason for this is that salt not only disinfects the skin, it also causes the skin to dry up. this also plays a key role in unclogging the skin’s pores, and allows easier ‘breathing’. As with any other remedy, it is recommended not to overuse the salt remedy as this has the capacity to strip the skin of its natural glow and reverse the pH levels too.


  1. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup containing warm water and stir to dissolve.
  2. Transfer the salt solution to a spray bottle and spray your skin, taking care not to let the solution come into contact with your eyes and nasal membrane (this could easily cause irritation of the affected membranes).
  3. Do not rinse the salt solution to allow the effects to benefit the skin and get rid of the excessive oil.
  4. Repeat this procedure once daily for best results.


7. Fresh Milk:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: A cup of fresh milk, lavender oil, cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

Fresh milk has long been used to cleanse the skin, thanks to its high concentration of nutrients. The presence of fats in the milk help nourish the skin and ensure it remains smooth and supple. The greatest advantage of using milk is that it helps minimize the amount of sebum that the skin produces, making it an effective remedy altogether.


  1. Clean your skin thoroughly before applying the milk.
  2. Place 2 drops of lavender oil in the fresh milk and mix evenly to create a homogeneous mixture.
  3. Soak a ball of cotton wool in the mixture and dab on the skin.
  4. Massage the mixture on your skin to facilitate for absorption.
  5. You could rinse the mixture off with warm water after 10 minutes, or you could opt to leave it overnight and rinse in the morning. Repeat this procedure at least once daily.
  6. Alternatively, pick an ice cube and wrap it in a clean cloth. Dip the ice pack in the milk and rub it on your skin. Repeat severally in any given session, or until the ice cubes start to melt.


8. Orange Peels:

Time Required: 15 Min + Time for orange peels to Sun dry varies.
What You Need: Fresh orange peel, rosewater (which can be substituted with plain water), warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

Oranges belong to the citrus family of fruits, and this means that they share similarities with lemons. One of the most important traits is that orange peels are astringent in nature. This means that the peels, when used topically, help the skin’s pores contract thus managing the amount of oil secreted by the skin. this remedy requires you to sun dry the orange peels and then pound to get a powder. The paste created from the orange peels powder is then applied on the skin using the directions indicated below.


  1. Sun dry the orange peels until the peels get a crispy texture.
  2. Pound the peels to create a granular powder.
  3. Add some rosewater to the powder and mix to create a paste.
  4. Apply this paste to your skin and leave it intact for 10 minutes.
  5. Rinse the paste off using warm water and finish off the procedure with your skin moisturizing procedure.


Other remedies used to manage oily skin include mango pulp that enhances the drying and toning of the skin, home-made apple facial mask which reduces the secretion of oil as well as a combination of aloe vera and oatmeal. In addition to this, it is important to include proper skin care routines. Regular cleansing helps keep the excessive production of oil in check.

Additionally, people with oily skin are advised to use oil-free skin moisturizer; this way, the skin remains hydrated without too much oil. If you have oily skin and tend to stay out in the sun too long, it is extremely important to use sunscreen lotion. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays triggers an increased production of oil, which only worsens the problem. Using sunscreen goes a long way in preventing excessive oil secretion. Other tips include avoiding excessive consumption of fatty foods, caffeinated drinks and alcohol.