8 Effective Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin
DIY solutions to help you get clear, non-greasy, and healthy skin without the suds.
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Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, includ... more
Expertise: Home Remedies, Hair & Skin Care
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The ones who have oily skin know that the struggle is real. Good, old, and regular products may not do the trick of removing excess oil from the skin. That is why using some homemade cleansers for oily skin can do magic for your skin.
The world we live in today constantly exposes us to dirt, dust, sunlight, and harsh chemicals daily. These substances can make your skin look dull and dirty. That is why cleansing is such an essential part of your daily skin care routine. Try these simple and effective homemade facial cleansers for oily skin, and you will surely notice unbelievable results in just a few weeks. Natural ingredients that show results are always safer and better than chemicals that damage your skin in the long run. Most of these cleansers also act as skin toners, which is a wonderful benefit for oily skin. Your perfect cleanser will remove excess sebum from your skin and give you soft and glowing skin without stripping it off its natural oils. While there are so many face washes out there for you to choose from, homemade cleansers are cheaper and healthier in the long run. Using simple ingredients from your pantry can produce great results for your skin compared to commercial products that contain a host of different chemicals that may harm your skin. In this article, we will explore the 8 best organic ingredients you can use to clean your oily skin. Scroll down to learn how to use these skin-nourishing ingredients to make beauty recipes.
Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin
- Olive Oil
- Milk
- Honey And Lemon Cleanser
- Cucumber And Tomato Cleanser
- Chamomile Tea
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Rose Water
- Gram Flour And Turmeric
1. Olive Oil
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You Will Need
- A few drops of extra virgin olive oil
- A soft face towel
- Warm water
What You Have To Do
- Take some olive oil in your palm and apply it to your face.
- Massage thoroughly in circular motions.
- Leave it on for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a warm wet towel.
How Often You Should Do This
Use olive oil every day to cleanse your face.
Why This Works
Olive oil is one of the best cleansers for oily skin. Experiments have shown that olive oil is quite effective in maintaining the pH balance of the skin. It is extremely helpful in drawing out impurities from within the skin. It nourishes the skin and does not leave it extra oily, hence it can be a great addition to your skincare routine (1).
2. Milk
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You Will Need
- 3 tablespoons raw cold milk
- 1 teaspoon orange peel powder
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix the orange peel powder with milk.
- Using the cotton ball, apply this paste all over your face.
- Massage the skin gently in clockwise motions and then anticlockwise for about five minutes.
- Leave it on for another five minutes.
- Rinse the pack off with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
You can use this cleanser every day.
Why This Works
Milk is often used to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. It is said that Cleopatra used it for its wondrous effects. It contains natural enzymes and acids that cleanse, tone, and exfoliate the skin (2). The effectiveness of raw milk as a cleansing agent doubles when it is cold. Orange peel powder works as a pH balancing agent in this cleanser. It also controls the oiliness, tightens the skin pores, and unclogs them (3).
3. Honey And Lemon Cleanser
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You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Mix the honey and lemon juice. Add a little bit of water if the mixture is too thick.
- Apply this mixture to your face and massage for a minute or two.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse your face with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Honey and lemon are commonly available ingredients and make a potent combination for oily skin. While the citric acid of lemon makes it an ideal cleansing agent, honey works hard to nourish and hydrate the skin. Lemon has exfoliating properties and it also helps to bring down the excessive oil production by the skin with its astringenti XA substance that draws water out of tissues, which is used in skin care products to shrink pores, tighten skin and remove oil. properties (4, 5).
4. Cucumber And Tomato Cleanser
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 small tomato
What You Have To Do
- Grind the two ingredients to get a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this refreshing cleanser every day.
Why This Works
You may not have heard their benefits as cleansers, but cucumber and tomatoes are the most efficient cleansing agents available. Tomato cleanses the dirt and grime, lightens the skin tone, and reverses sun damage (6). Cucumber is an excellent cooling agent that renders extra freshness to your face (7). Together, they remove impurities from the skin and control the greasiness.
5. Chamomile Tea
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You Will Need
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- A cup of hot water
- 1 cup castile soapi XHard soap made of vegetable oil, mainly olive oil used for body and hair cleansing and also as a general cleanser.
- 1 teaspoon almond oil OR olive oil OR avocado oil
- 10-15 drops of chamomile essential oil
- 4-5 vitamin E capsules (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Steep the chamomile tea bag in hot water for about 15 minutes.
- Let it cool down. Add the rest of the ingredients to the tea.
- Mix well and transfer it to a bottle.
- Use this as your facial cleanser.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this cleanser once or twice daily.
Why This Works
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties. It improves circulation to the skin and repairs the damage caused by the sun and other harmful agents. It lightens the skin and reduces the oiliness (8, 9).
Quick Tip6. Apple Cider Vinegar
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You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons water
- Cotton
What You Have To Do
- Dilute the vinegar with water.
- Splash your face with plain water first and then use the cotton to apply the diluted ACV all over your face. Be careful around the eyes.
- Use upward motions to clean your face with the vinegar.
- Keep it on for a few minutes. Wash it off with water.
- Pat your skin dry. Do not forget to apply a suitable moisturizer or some jojoba oil.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this ACV cleanser twice or thrice a week. If you don’t like the smell of ACV, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and voila!
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar contains exfoliants, such as malic acid, that remove the dirty, dead, and dull layer of skin cells. Its mild acidity balances the skin’s pH and absorbs the excess oil produced by it (10, 11).
Quick TipCaution
If you have sensitive skin, mix ACV and water in a 1:5 ratio.
7. Rose Water
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Rose water
- Cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Soak the cotton pad with rose water and wipe it all over your face using upward motions.
- You can either rinse your face with plain water after this or leave the rose water on.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night, before going to bed.
Why This Works
Rose water not only cleanses the skin but also soothes, tones, and moisturizes it. It improves circulation as well as the process of cell regeneration. Its pH balancing properties will help balance the sebum production (12).
8. Gram Flour And Turmeric
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/4 cup moong dal powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the powders and store in a container.
- Use a tablespoon of this mixture to scrub your damp face gently.
- Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You can use this facial cleanser every day.
Why This Works
Gram flour is a great absorbent of impurities, dirt, and excess oil present on the face. It also exfoliates the skin and makes it fresh, young looking, and radiant (13, 14).
Infographic: 5 Best Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin
Oily skin requires special care and attention. Many store-bought products don’t provide proper nourishment for this skin type, so making homemade cleansers is a great way to ensure your skin gets what it needs. Natural ingredients are always better than harsh chemicals. They can help remove excess oil and make your skin soft without affecting its natural oils. Let’s look at the 5 best DIY cleansers that are healthier, cheaper and can be easily incorporated into your beauty routine. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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It is not an unknown fact that oily skin needs extra care and attention. Unfortunately, not every product in the market suits oily skin types, and you should be extra cautious while choosing one. However, using homemade cleansers for oily skin is one of the best ways to ensure your skin receives what it needs. You can prepare these cleansers with common pantry items like honey, milk, olive oil, cucumber, rose water, gram flour, chamomile tea, and turmeric. Use these natural ingredients for 3-4 weeks to get the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aloe vera good for oily skin?
Yes. Aloe vera gel gets absorbed quickly into the skin. It doesn’t cause greasiness and also prevents acne, and pimples, and removes blemishes.
Does oily skin requires double cleansing?
Yes. Double cleansing is the best way to remove all traces of dirt, grease, and pollution from oily skin. The two-step method ensures the pores are clean, thus preventing breakouts.
Is micellar water an oil cleanser?
No. Micellar water is a water-based cleanser that helps break down dirt, oil, and makeup on your skin and ensures proper cleansing. It can be used as the first step of the double cleansing method.
Key Takeaways
- Astringent characteristics in some natural ingredients allow them to control sebum production and function as skin toners.
- Milk, honey, and tomato contain components that can help gently exfoliate and moisturize your skin.
- Natural acids present in foods like citric acid in lemon juice and malic acid in apple cider vinegar are key compounds that help reduce acne and cleanse the skin.
Do let us know which homemade cleanser for oily skin is your favorite from our list.
Is there any cleanser we missed out on in this article? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Make your own all-natural facial cleanser for oily skin with the easy DIY tutorial below. Click on the video to learn how to create a gentle, yet effective cleanser with simple ingredients.
