Excessive oil accumulation on the skin surface at all times can be a really frustrating problem to deal with. The excessive oiliness is caused by overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands present in the skin pores.
Accumulation of oil on the skin surface not only renders a shiny, thick and coarse appearance to the skin, but also leads to various skin problems such as pimples, acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Thankfully, there are a number of natural ingredients such as sugar that can be used to reduce the excessive oiliness of skin without drying it out.
Is Sugar Useful for Oily Skin?
- Sugar contains glycolic acid, a particular type of alpha-hydroxy acid the helps to maintain the perfect balance of skin oil and reduces excessive oiliness of the skin.
- The mild abrasive nature of sugar makes it an amazing natural exfoliator that unclogs the skin pores and removes excess sebum, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin surface.
- Sugar is a natural humectant that locks moisture in the skin and prevents it from over-drying, which in turn checks the sebaceous glands from becoming over-active.
How to Use Sugar for Oily Skin?
Sugar can be used in combination with other natural ingredients to make a scrub or face pack for treating oily skin. Have a look at the
1. Sugar and Lemon Scrub
Vitamin C present in lemon juice helps to maintain the perfect oil balance. Citric acid works as an astringent and shrinks the open pores which in turn control oiliness of the skin. It is also a natural exfoliant that clears the clogged pores.
- Take 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and add a tablespoon of sugar to it.
- Give it a mix and apply it to your face and neck.
- Massage with your finger tips for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Leave it on for another 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat 3 times in a week.
2. Egg and Sugar Mask
Egg whites have natural absorbent properties that soak away excess oil and dirt from the skin pores. Being a natural astringent, it shrinks the open pores which prevent the accumulation of sebum on the skin surface.
- Crack an egg and separate the egg white from the yolk carefully.
- Add a teaspoon of sugar to the egg white and give it a stir.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and neck.
- Massage in circular motions for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Let it dry on its own and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 2 times in a week.
3. Sugar and Honey Face Pack
Honey absorbs excess oil from the skin surface while its humectant properties keep the skin well-hydrated and prevents the sebaceous glands from becoming over-active.
- Take a tablespoon of honey and add a teaspoon of sugar to it.
- Give it a stir and apply it all over your clean face and neck.
- Massage with your finger tips for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Leave it on for another 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a week.
4. Sugar and Olive Oil Face Scrub
Cleansing properties of olive oil unclogs the skin pores and deeply cleanses the skin by soaking out excess oil and sebum from the pores. Unlike other moisturizing products, olive oil is non-comedogenic, so it moisturizes the skin without clogging the pores.
- Take a tablespoon of pure, extra-virgin olive oil and add a teaspoon of sugar to it.
- Stir it with a spoon and apply it generously all over your face and neck.
- Massage in circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Wait for another 10 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process once in a day.
5. Sugar and Tomato Scrub
Natural astringent properties of tomato juice tighten the skin pores and reduce the accumulation of sebum on the skin surface. It also relieves skin irritation, itching and rashes associated with oily skin.
- Crush a medium-sized ripe tomato and extract its juice.
- Add a teaspoon of sugar to the tomato juice.
- Apply it to your face and massage for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Leave it on for another 10 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a week.
6. Sugar and Baking Soda Mask
Baking soda neutralizes the pH level of the skin which balances the oil secretion. It acts as a mild exfoliant that unclogs the pores and removes dirt, oil and dead skin cells from the skin.
- Take 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl and add some water to it to make a thick paste.
- Add a teaspoon of sugar to it, give it a stir and apply this paste to your face and neck.
- Massage for 5 minutes and then leave it on for another 5 minutes.
- Rinse off with water and pat dry.
- Follow this method 3 times in a week.
7. Sugar and Oatmeal Face Pack
Saponins present in oatmeal work as a natural cleanser that removes excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin surface and helps to reduce the oiliness of skin.
- Cook 2 tablespoons of oatmeal in water.
- Let it cool down a bit and then add a teaspoon of sugar to it.
- Give it a stir and apply it to your face and neck.
- Massage for 5 to 10 minutes and then leave it on for another 15 minutes.
- Rinse your face with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a week.
8. Sugar and Yogurt Face Pack
Lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid present in plain yogurt act as natural exfoliant that unclogs the pores and removes oil, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin. Zinc present in yogurt works as an astringent that shrinks open pores and helps to control sebum production.
- Take 2 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and whisk it with a fork.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar to it and give it a stir.
- Apply this mixture to your face and neck.
- Massage with your finger tips for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a week.
9. Sugar and Aloe Vera Scrub
Aloe Vera gel works as a natural astringent that closes the open pores and limits the accumulation of sebum on skin surface. Hydrating properties of aloe vera gel moisturize the skin without making it oily.
- Take 2 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel in a bowl and whisk it with a fork.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar to it and give it a stir.
- Apply this mixture to your freshly cleansed face and neck.
- Massage with your finger tips for 5 minutes.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a week.
10. Orange Peel and Sugar Scrub
Orange peel contains much more vitamin C compared to orange juice which helps to maintain the balance of skin oil while it’s anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties helps to treat pimple and acne caused by oily skin.
- Take a tablespoon each of dry orange peel powder and sugar in a bowl.
- Add some water to it to make a paste.
- Apply this mixture to your face and massage for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Let it dry on its own and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a week.
Tips and Precautions:
- Glycolic acid present in sugar cause irritation for some people, so it is recommended to perform a small patch test before using these remedies.
- While making a sugar scrub, you can replace white sugar with brown sugar. Brown sugar is softer compared to granulated sugar and is better suited for sensitive skin.
- Going gentle is the key with sugar scrubs. The sugar granules work with gentle pressure, so there is no need to press down hard while exfoliating your skin with sugar, because it can cause microscopic tears on the skin surface.
- Avoid putting sugar face packs and scrubs to broken skin or open acne or pimples, because it will cause friction and make the acne worse.
- Follow a daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine and exfoliate your skin 1 to 2 times every week.
- Use a mild, foam-based cleanser to cleanse your face twice a day. Wipe your face with a tissue or bloating paper every time it feels greasy.
- Always wash your face with lukewarm water, because hot water is too drying for the skin.
- Follow a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated and flush out toxins.
- Limit the intake of processed foods, fired, oily, sugary and salty foods.
- Get at least 8 hours of restful sleep every night.
- Practice yoga, meditation and breathing exercises to relax your mind and reduce stress.
Try out these effective natural remedies for oily skin using sugar and let us know which one worked best for you. Do share your suggestions and tips for oily skin with us in the comments section below.
source: homeremediesforlife.com