Shea Butter for Oily Skin
Oily skin is often associated with acne breakouts. However, there are ways to get rid of oil without having to resort to harsh cleansers. In fact, using natural ingredients can actually improve your skin’s condition.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your skin clear and free of blemishes, then you should consider using natural oils instead of a commercial facial cleanser and commercial moisturizer.
Oils Can Actually Help Cleanse Oily Skin (Very Effectively!)
Oils are usually associated with dry skin. No doubt dry skin can benefit from oils but so can oily skin.
The oils that your skin naturally produces keep your skin pliable and smooth. They also help cut down on acne and blemishes. However, the excess oil is the moisture that clogs your pores and leads to breakouts. So, you need to find a way to wash away the excess sebum without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
The problem is that many commercial products are formulated to strip the skin of its natural oils (i.e. because they’ve been formulated to prevent acne in order to ‘treat’ acne-prone skin or simply because they’re so harsh that they strip the skin of oil). When you constantly use products that strip away your skin’s natural oils, it can lead to even more acne breakouts because your skin will produce more sebum to compensate for the loss of its natural oils, the pores will become clogged and bacteria will spread. And so on.
The goal is to create a barrier that will slow down the production of sebum. However, your skin will continue to produce oil and the pores will continue to become clogged, which leads to acne. The result is often a red, irritated complexion. Or, you may end up breaking out more often.
If you want to avoid these skin problems, then you need to find a way to wash away the excess sebum without stripping your skin of its natural oils. A way to do this is by using natural ingredients, and the right oils can even work better than many commercial products.
Natural Oils Can Cleanse Oily Skin & Oil Your Skin Naturally
Natural oils can actually cleanse oily skin very effectively as well as acting as a moisturizer. They also help your skin to produce more natural oils so that your skin is kept smooth, supple and free from acne.
If you think about it you’ll see that it just make sense that if you use natural oils, your skin will produce less oil naturally (as it ‘thinks’ it has enough). This is such a logical observation that there are millions of people who still don’t realise it yet. To be honest I was one of them too. But since using natural oils I’ve realised that this is an undeniable scientific fact.
You’ll also find that your skin will be cleaner because the natural oils create a thin barrier over the pores. This barrier helps to slow down the production of sebum as well as keeping any dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells from clogging the pores.
Shea Butter is Amazing for Oily Skin
Many people who read this article won’t know what Shea butter is, so let me give you a quick summary. This is the fat extracted from the shea (karite) tree which is native to Africa. It has been used for centuries by African communities for its healing properties, particularly as a natural treatment for skin conditions. Even today this is still the case.
African Shea butter is now available in many countries. It’s now also being used as a natural moisturizer and cleanser, often prescribed by dermatologists. And, if you ask me, that’s a great thing. People elsewhere could benefit from its properties too.
So, what makes shea butter so special? The main two reasons it’s so great for oily skin:
1: It contains a myriad of vitamins. Vitamin E, for example, which is an antioxidant that can help to rejuvenate your complexion. Now I’m not talking about an instant fix here (you’re not going to look like a teenager). However, by using shea butter you might be able to remove blemishes that tend to appear once you’ve hit a certain age.
2: It contains linoleic, palmitic, stearic and oleic fatty acids can actually help to reduce the production of sebum. Now it’s not going to do this overnight (natural oils will take time) but you’re more likely to see some positive results if you stick with these natural oils.
It’s important that you only use the right type of Shea Butter for oily skin if you want it to work effectively. You’ll find that the ones sold at the drugstore can be depleted of vitamins and nutrients which will not provide your skin with any benefits (this is particularly true of refined Shea butter). On the other hand, raw, unrefined Shea butter can be high in antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients that will help cleanse your skin without stripping any natural oils off.
Benefits of Shea Butter for Oily Skin
Here are some benefits of using Shea butter:
- It reduces the appearance of acne scars
- It can improve the production of collagen so your skin will be smoother, more supple and healthier
- Its vitamin content is spectacular. It contains Vitamins A, E and F which can help to heal skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and skin rashes. This can give you a glowing complexion that will appear healthy and vibrant
- It contains natural moisturizers that will help to hydrate your skin
- It helps to reduce the oiliness of your skin as well as cleansing it
- Can reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks
How To Use Shea Butter For Oily Skin – The Right Way
The best way to use Shea Butter for oily skin is by applying it directly onto the skin.
It can be used as a cleanser and also as a moisturizer.
Shea Butter as a Natural Cleanser
Just massage a small amount of Shea butter onto your face and neck using a circular motion. Then, remove using a warm or cold cloth. Finally, wash the cloth under hot water to remove anything that’s been removed from the skin. Your skin will feel clean and refreshed, your pores will be blurred and free from any dirt or bacteria.
Shea Butter as a Natural Moisturizer
Just apply Shea (a small amount will do) directly onto the skin – don’t use too much – blend gently using circular movements – you can decide how much is right for you. Then massage gently into your skin for a few minutes each day before going to bed. Your complexion will feel soft and supple with a healthy glow to it.
Which Butter is the Best for Oily Skin?
If you’re going to buy Shea Butter, it’s best to buy raw Shea butter/unrefined Shea butter. The refined varieties lack many of the nutrients and vitamins that will help give your skin a healthy glow – so it’s not worth buying these.
Which are Some of the Best Natural Oils for Oily Skin?
You might also want to consider using the following natural oils for cleansing and moisturizing oily skin:
- Argan Oil
Argan oil is derived from the nuts of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. This oil has been prized for its skin-smoothing and skin-conditioning properties for centuries. It’s also proven to be able to penetrate the epidermis and help regulate oil production.
The balance between oleic and linoleic acids makes this oil ideal for oily skin. It’s also high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. This may be one reason why this oil has become popular when it comes to fighting acne breakouts when applied regularly to the face.
This oil offers natural moisturization, controlling sebum production, and improving skin tone. Always remember to use it in moderation, though, since too much can cause skin irritation.
To cleanse, add a generous amount to a bowl of warm water and then use a wash cloth with the mixture to cleanse your skin. You can even apply a dab of pure argan oil directly on your face to help remove dead skin cells and sebum build-up. It will act as a fantastic moisturizer.
- Jojoba Oil
One of the best natural oils for oily skin, jojoba oil is known to fight bacteria, prevent irritation and even prevent scars. It helps treat acne breakouts by reducing the amount of oil produced in the skin, softening it and preventing clogged pores.
What’s more, this oil conditions your skin while remaining gentle to the epidermis. This makes it the perfect ingredient for use on sensitive skin types such as those with rosacea and eczema. However, be sure to check with your dermatologist first before you try applying jojoba directly on these areas.
Apply a few drops of jojoba oil on your skin. You can also use it as a gentle cleanser or to soften your skin.
How To Stop Your Skin From Becoming Oily In The Future
You may have read this far and wondered why I haven’t mentioned anything about changing your diet.
Well, in a way you can actually change it.
You have the choice of taking all the things that promote oil production in your body and stopping them – or, instead, you can change your diet in a way that will help to reduce your production of the oils that you’re making.
When you consume foods containing ingredients such as refined grains, sugars and alcohol, these foods will convert to sugar within your body. This sugar is then converted to triglycerides, which are precursors for sebum production. So, if you eat more foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, for example) and foods with less carbohydrates (such as leafy greens), you’ll find that you produce far less oils than before.
As you can see, there are many things that you can do in order to get rid of oily skin. You just need to be committed to doing something about it in order to get the best results possible.
