People with oily skin have over-active sebaceous glands that pump out excessive sebum from the skin pores. Sebum is the thick waxy substance that protects the skin against dryness. But overabundance of sebum may cause oiliness, acne and pimples. Some factors that contribute to excessive oiliness of skin are heredity, change in hormones, stress, use of oral contraceptives, etc.
Oily skin is more prone to irritation and breakouts so it requires special care. There are a few natural home remedies such as honey that can help to reduce excessive oiliness of the skin without making it too dry.
Is Honey Useful for Oily Skin?
- Being a natural absorbent, honey sucks away excess oil and other impurities from the skin pores.
- The humectant properties of honey keep the skin well-moisturized and prevent the sebaceous glands from becoming overactive.
- Natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties of honey helps to eliminate pimple breakouts associated with oily skin.
How to Use Honey for Oily Skin?
Here are the best ways of using honey to treat oily skin. You can choose any one of them and incorporate it into your regular skin care routine.
1. Honey Face Pack
- Wash your face with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
- Take a tablespoon of honey in a bowl and apply it all over your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process daily.
2. Honey and Curd Face Pack
Curd contains high levels of zinc that works as a mild astringent and helps to shrink the open pores and reduce sebum production. Lactic acid present in curd exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores.
- Take 2 tablespoons of curd in a bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and whisk it with a fork.
- Apply this face pack to your clean face and neck.
- Wait for 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
3. Honey and Tomato Face Pack
The acidic nature of tomato juice restores the natural pH balance of the skin and reduces sebum production. Salicylic acid present in tomato works as an exfoliant that removes toxins, excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin surface.
- Take a medium sized tomato and blend it into a paste.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it.
- Mix it with a spoon and apply it to your freshly cleansed face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water.
- Continue the process few times in a week.
4. Honey and Besan Mask
Besan or gram flour has natural absorbent properties that soak up excess oil from the skin and opens up the clogged pores. Its mild exfoliating properties remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells from the skin surface.
- Take 2 tablespoons of besan in a bowl and add some water to it.
- Mix it with a spoon to make a thick paste.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix it again.
- Apply a thick coat of this mask on your cleaned face.
- Leave it on till it dries on its own.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a week.
5. Honey and Cinnamon Face Pack
Cinnamon boosts circulation to the skin and helps balance the pH of the skin which in turn reduces sebum production by the sebaceous glands. Antiseptic properties of cinnamon prevent acne and pimple breakouts associated with oily skin.
- Take a tablespoon each of cinnamon powder and honey in a bowl.
- Mix it thoroughly using a spoon and apply it evenly to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.
- Repeat the process 2 – 3 times in a week.
6. Honey and Sugar Scrub
The combination of honey and sugar creates a gentle abrasion that works as a mild exfoliant. It helps to remove dead skin cells, dirt and accumulated oil from the skin surface and unclog the skin pores. In addition, glycolic acid and alpha-hydroxy acid present in sugar helps to maintain the perfect oil balance of the skin.
- Take 2 tablespoons of honey and add a tablespoon of sugar to it.
- Give it a stir and apply it to your face and neck.
- Massage it for 5 to 8 minutes with your fingertips.
- Leave it on for another 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a week until you achieve the results.
7. Honey and Banana Face Pack
Vitamin C present in banana helps to control oil production in the skin. Lectin helps to deal with pimple and acne associated with oily skin.
- Peel a medium-sized ripe banana and mash it with the help of a fork.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix well.
- Apply this face pack to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Continue following this process once in 2 days.
8. Honey and Milk Face Pack
Alpha hydroxyl acids found in milk opens up the clogged pores and helps to remove accumulated impurities from the skin surface. Natural antibiotics present in milk reduce the risk of pimple and acne outbreaks.
- Take a tablespoon each of honey and milk in a bowl.
- Mix it with the help of a spoon.
- Apply this mixture to your face and neck with the help of a cotton ball.
- Let it dry on its own and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process daily until you notice the results.
9. Honey and Turmeric Face Pack
The natural exfoliating and cleansing properties of turmeric removes sebum and dirt from deep inside the skin pores.
- Combine 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and add a few drops of water to make a paste.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to the turmeric paste and mix it with a spoon.
- Apply this paste to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Follow this treatment once in 2 days to get rid of oily skin.
Note – You can also use a teaspoon of freshly crushed turmeric root instead of turmeric powder.
10. Honey and Egg White Mask
Natural astringent properties of egg whites tighten the open pores while it’s drying properties draws out excess oil and dirt from inside the skin pores.
- Crack an egg and separate the egg white from the yolk carefully.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to the egg white and whisk it with a fork.
- Apply this mixture to your face and let it dry out on its own.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process 2 times in a week.
11. Honey and Lemon Face Pack
Vitamin C present in lemon juice helps to maintain the natural oil balance in the skin. The astringent properties of lemon juice shrink the pores and reduce sebum production.
- Take a tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Mix it thoroughly with the help of a spoon.
- Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it all over your face and neck.
- Let it dry out on its own and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a week.
Note – Make sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice to maximize its benefits.
12. Honey and Avocado Face Pack
The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocado keep the skin well-moisturized and prevent the sebaceous glands from becoming over-active.
- Take pulp of 1/2 ripe avocado in a bowl and mash it using a fork.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix it thoroughly.
- Apply this mixture to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Continue following this method 3 times in a week.
13. Honey and Oatmeal Scrub
Saponin present in oatmeal acts as a potent skin cleanser that soaks out excess oil, sebum and dirt from the skin pores without making it excessively dry.
- Add some water to 2 tablespoons of oatmeal to make a thick mixture.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix it with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture to your face and massage for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Leave it on for another 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat this process 3 times in a week.
14. Honey and Papaya Face Pack
Enzyme papain present in papaya is a powerful exfoliating agent that removes dead skin cells, sebum and dirt from deep inside the skin pores.
- Take 1/4th cup of ripe papaya cubes and mash it well to form a paste.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix it with a spoon.
- Apply this pack to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
- Repeat the process daily to get rid of oily skin.
15. Honey and Strawberry Face Pack
Strawberries are a rich source of vitamin C which helps to control oil production by the sebaceous glands present in the skin. The acidic nature of strawberries also removes the accumulated oil and sebum from the skin surface.
- Take 2 ripe strawberries and cut them into halves.
- Crush the strawberries to form a thick paste.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to it and mix with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a week.
16. Honey and Aloe Vera Face Pack
The natural astringent properties of aloe vera gel shrink the open pores and help to control oil production. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce the breakout of pimple associated with oily skin.
- Take 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel in a bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix it thoroughly.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
- Continue using this treatment daily to get quick results.
Tips and Precautions:
- People allergic with pollen should avoid using honey.
- Though these remedies are safe for topical application, it is recommended to perform a patch test before using them.
- It is best to use raw, organic honey or Manuka honey for effective results.
- Always wash your face with lukewarm water before applying these honey face packs. The warmth of the water helps to open up the skin pores.
- Use an oil-free moisturizer to moisturize your skin every day.
- Wipe your face with facial tissues or bloating paper whenever it feels oily or greasy.
- Reduce the consumption of oily, sugary, fried and junk foods.
- Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Say goodbye to oily skin with these natural remedies and let us know which remedy worked best for you. Share your experience and tips with us in the comments section below.
