All You Need to Know About Oily Skin (Kapha Dosha & Kapha-Pitta Dosha)

An Ayurvedic Holistic Overview

Oily Skin - A Bliss & Curse

Most common misguided practices for oily skin

What is causing oily skin?

Treating your oily skin

Basic skincare ritual for Acne-prone & greasy skin.

Oily skin pacifying diet

Final Words 

1.  Oily Skin - A Bliss & Curse

Oily skin keeps your skin hydrated all day, but it also adds uninvited shine & gloss on your face. Worst of all, dull & greasy skin can block the skin's pores which leads to acne, pimples, blackheads, inflammation & rashes. 

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2.  Most common misguided practices for oily skin

One of the most worrisome & prevalent problems is myths about treating breakouts & oily skin. You cannot pick wisely when you don’t know what can work & what cannot, which will end up making the condition worse than it began with or find temporary relief, only to have problems show up from time to time again. 

Here are the 4 typical mistakes that many people with oily skin make

• Reluctant to use Moisturizers

Most people think that it makes sense not to use moisturizer on the face to avoid more moisture to the skin.

It's a huge mistake! Skimping on essential nourishment will cause your skin to overcompensate the lack of hydration by producing excess oil. 

• Repeated Face Washing

Oily & greasy skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum in the skin, which you cannot control by washing your skin over and over again.

In fact, there is a great risk of drying your skin, which facilitates your glands to produce even more sebum resulting in more greasiness.

• Wiping/drying face with napkins

The idea of drying up your skin with napkins or cleansing wipes is not the solution to fight against oily skin. In fact, it impairs the healthy mantle of your skin paving way to attract germs. It also causes flaking & temporary tight, dry feeling. 

• Spot-treatment for blemishes

Sadly, a lot of products are based on this concept. The truth is, it takes time for the condition in your pores to form a blemish/acne, at least two to three weeks before it shows up on the surface.  You cannot zap it instantly with a spot treatment which only makes it worse by creating more redness & swelling. The best course of action is to work on the cause of the blemish/acne.

3.  What is causing oily skin?

Like dry or combination skin, oily skin is a genetic skin type. Mostly, oily skin is caused during puberty when hormonal changes start occurring in your body. Your skin starts to produce excess sebum, showing some typical oily skin characteristics as below.

• Seems shiny/greasy everywhere
• Appears thick and coarse
• Has enlarged pores 
• Occasional breakouts

The most common reasons for oily skin are;

• Hereditary

Enlarged pores and hyperactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands may naturally be a part of who you are. Oily skin can be inherited from your parents, though it is not the sole reason. 

• Hormonal Changes

Any fluctuation in the hormonal levels – pregnancy, birth control pills & certain medications acts as a trigger for breakouts/acne. Women, in particular, may experience a significant increase in oiliness & breakouts commonly during the course of menstrual cycles. 

• Consumption of dairy products

Though dairy products itself does not cause oily skin, but the hormones in the milk can increase the skin's oil production and ultimately result in oily skin type. Refines carbohydrates & sugar equally puts your skin at risk.  

• Wrong skin care product choices

Exposing your skin to inappropriate product choices upsets the natural balance & can increase the chances of scarring, redness, irritation & breakouts. It is important to remember to use products precisely formulated for Acne-prone & greasy skin types.

• Sedentary lifestyle 

Just paying attention to what is on the surface does not help without considering what is happening underneath. It is always healthy to follow a basic skincare ritual to allow your skin to breathe & never compromise on your right skincare product choices. A stressful lifestyle is also a major factor for breakouts/acne. 

• Environmental Factors

Humidity & high temperatures can aggravate oily skin. Sweat, when mixed with sebum, causes breakouts & an overall feeling of greasiness. 

4.  Basic Skincare Ritual for Acne-prone & Greasy Skin 

Oily skin can be troublesome to deal with, but the good news is that it’s manageable. Adopting a basic skincare ritual with rightly chosen products will help to control excess oil for an all-day fresh, matte look.

• Cleansing with facial cleanser/natural soap only twice a day – morning & night

A thorough cleanse clears your skin of oil and debris that can lead to clogged pores and dullness. It also prepares your complexion for further treatment, making it easier for your skin to absorb the beneficial ingredients in the rest of your routine. SHOP the right Face Cleanser

• Include balancing toners

A balancing toner completes the cleansing process by conditioning your skin and adding beneficial vitamins and minerals to your complexion. It also aids in reducing oil and shine, removing any lingering dirt and residue, and refining pores. SHOP the right Face Toner

• Use mud face mask/gentle face scrub 1 – 2 times a week

A wash-off face mask once or twice a week in the evening can be used to control more persistent skin concerns like acne, large pores and dark spots. Look for a mask that contains mineral-rich clays as it easily binds to excess oil and other impurities to leave your skin smooth & fresh. SHOP the right Face Mask

Exfoliating at least once a week is essential to encourage healthy skin cell turnover, eliminate build-up and relieve pore congestion. SHOP the right Face Scrub

• Say ‘Hello’ to Moisturizers

Remember, oily skin too needs moisture and hydration! A strong and healthy skin retains essential moisture and repels external irritants. A light moisturizer specially formulated for oily skin type helps to balance & treat conditions. SHOP the right Oil-balancing Moisturizer

• Choose natural Sunscreens

Similar to moisturizers, sunscreen is a must for all skin types, but finding the right formula is important. A sunscreen that is lightweight and non-comedogenic with zinc oxide formulas effectively helps to heal acne & blemishes. SHOP the right Oil-balancing Sunscreen

• Use translucent, talc-free face powders 

The final and most vital step in every skincare routine is applying mineral-rich clay-based translucent powders which are naturally absorbent, extremely gentle & safe, helping to keep your skin smooth and fresh all day. SHOP the right Talc-free Face Powder

5.  Oily skin pacifying diet

You are what you eat, and your skin is certainly affected by your diet. A well-balanced diet will result in your skin regaining a healthy glow. 

• Follow a regular detox to remove Ama aka toxins from your body. 
• Eating foods that are light, mildly sweet, bitter and astringent will help pacify oily skin.
• Some exotic herbs that are beneficial for acne-prone & greasy skin types (Kapha & Kapha-Pitta Dosha) are Triphala, Neem, Manjistha, Shatavari, Turmeric.
• Avoid excess of sour, spice, salt, processed foods, dairy products & sugar.

6.  Final Words 

The Ayurvedic Holistic way of tackling oily skin (Kapha & Kapha-Pitta Dosha) is a process that can take some time and requires us to be systematic and consistent. Above all we must pay attention to our bodies, and apply the best skin care, diet and lifestyle accordingly.

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