Oily Skin: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Oily skin, characterized by an overproduction of sebum, often leads to clogged pores, acne, and a greasy complexion.

Caused by hormonal imbalances, genetics, and environmental factors, oily skin can negatively impact overall health by increasing the risk of infections and skin cancer. Herbal remedies, such as tea tree oil, aloe vera, and chamomile, can help to balance the skin's oil production and reduce inflammation.

However, it's essential to use these herbs under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as some may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of oily skin, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of oily skin?

The main causes of oily skin are hormonal fluctuations, with an increase in sebum production during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy, triggered by the release of androgens such as testosterone.

Overactive sebaceous glands, primarily located on the face, can also contribute to oily skin, producing excess sebum as a result of genetic predisposition. Additionally, certain skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema can lead to inflammation and increase sebum production. Environmental factors such as humidity, pollution, and climate can also exacerbate oily skin, as can using heavy or oil-based cosmetics.

Furthermore, a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and dairy products can lead to inflammation and increase sebum production, contributing to oily skin.

• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalance, particularly high levels of androgens such as testosterone, can lead to the overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands, resulting in oily skin.
• Genetics: Genetics play a significant role in determining an individual's skin type, with some people being more prone to oily skin due to their genetic makeup.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollution, humidity, and temperature, can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, leading to oily skin.
• Diet: Diet can contribute to oily skin, with a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and dairy products leading to inflammation and increased sebum production.
• Stress: Stress can cause the body to produce more cortisol, a hormone that can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, leading to oily skin.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as birth control pills and anabolic steroids, can cause hormonal imbalances and lead to oily skin.
• Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation can disrupt the body's natural hormonal balance, leading to increased production of androgens and resulting in oily skin.
• Aging: As people age, their skin's natural ability to regulate sebum production can decline, leading to increased oiliness.
• Sensitivity to Products: Using products that are too harsh or contain comedogenic ingredients can cause irritation and lead to increased sebum production, resulting in oily skin.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Underlying medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders, can lead to hormonal imbalances and increased sebum production, resulting in oily skin.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for oily skin?

The main medicinal herbs used for oily skin are Melaleuca alternifolia, Aloe barbadensis, Calendula officinalis, Aloe vera, Cymbopogon citratus, Lavandula angustifolia, Salvia officinalis, Saponaria officinalis, Cinchona officinalis, Silybum marianum.

Melaleuca alternifolia, also known as tea tree oil, has antimicrobial properties that help to reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Aloe barbadensis and Aloe vera are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to calm and reduce redness associated with oily skin, while Calendula officinalis has been shown to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects that can help to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass oil, has been found to have antiseptic and astringent properties that can help to reduce oil production and tighten pores.

Salvia officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Saponaria officinalis, Cinchona officinalis, and Silybum marianum have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help to soothe and protect the skin, reducing the appearance of oily skin.

• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia, also known as tea tree oil, helps to control oily skin due to its antimicrobial properties that reduce the presence of bacteria that can cause oil production.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, is used to treat oily skin because of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can reduce redness and irritation, thereby minimizing oil production.
• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, is applied to oily skin to reduce inflammation and promote cell turnover, which can help to unclog pores and control oil production.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera, also known as Aloe barbadensis, helps to control oily skin due to its ability to regulate the skin's natural moisture barrier and reduce inflammation, which can help to minimize oil production.
• Cymbopogon citratus: Cymbopogon citratus, or lemongrass oil, is used in oily skin treatments due to its astringent properties that help to constrict pores and reduce oil production.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, or lavender oil, is applied to oily skin to reduce inflammation and promote relaxation, which can help to decrease oil production and minimize pores.
• Salvia officinalis: Salvia officinalis, or sage, is used to treat oily skin because of its antiseptic and astringent properties that help to reduce oil production, minimize pores, and prevent bacterial growth.
• Saponaria officinalis: Saponaria officinalis, or soapwort, is applied to oily skin to reduce inflammation and promote cell turnover, which can help to unclog pores and control oil production.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or Peruvian bark, is used to treat oily skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and minimize oil production.
• Silybum marianum: Silybum marianum, or milk thistle, is applied to oily skin to reduce inflammation and promote liver health, which can help to regulate oil production and minimize pores.

What are the main herbal preparations used for oily skin?

The main herbal preparations used for oily skin are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Gel, Capsule, Salve, Essential Oil, Poultice, Balm, Ointment.

Decoction of herbs such as burdock root and dandelion root helps to detoxify and balance skin pH. Tincture of herbs like tea tree oil and sage is applied topically to reduce sebum production and prevent breakouts. Topical applications like Cream or Gel made from aloe vera and green tea help to soothe and calm the skin, reducing oil production.

Capsule or Salve preparations of herbs like saw palmetto may be taken internally to reduce androgen hormones that contribute to oily skin, while Essential Oil of bergamot can be added to skincare products to reduce anxiety and sebum production.

• Decoction: Decoction, a medicinal herbal preparation made by boiling roots or bark, such as those found in the plant Gentiana lutea, helps with oily skin by releasing its active compounds, including gentiopicroside, which can help to regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation in the skin.
• Tincture: Tincture, a concentrated liquid herbal preparation made from plants like Aloe vera, helps with oily skin by allowing the active compound aloin to penetrate deep into the skin, where it can help to reduce inflammation and regulate sebum production, thereby reducing the appearance of oily skin.
• Cream: Cream, a topical herbal preparation made with ingredients like Calendula officinalis, helps with oily skin by providing a physical barrier that protects the skin from environmental irritants, while also delivering anti-inflammatory compounds like triterpenoids and phenolic acids, which can help to soothe and calm the skin, reducing the appearance of oily skin.
• Gel: Gel, a lightweight topical herbal preparation made from plants like Plantago major, helps with oily skin by providing a non-greasy texture that won't clog pores, while also delivering anti-inflammatory compounds like aucubin, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
• Capsule: Capsule, a medicinal herbal preparation made from dried and powdered herbs like Taraxacum officinale, helps with oily skin by releasing its active compounds, including taraxasterol, into the body, where they can help to regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation from the inside out.
• Salve: Salve, a topical herbal preparation made from plants like Echinacea purpurea, helps with oily skin by providing a protective barrier that soothes and calms the skin, while also delivering anti-inflammatory compounds like alkylamides, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
• Essential Oil: Essential oil, a concentrated liquid herbal preparation made from plants like Lavandula angustifolia, helps with oily skin by being used in a diluted form as a spot treatment, where it can help to reduce inflammation and regulate sebum production with compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate.
• Poultice: Poultice, a topical herbal preparation made from crushed or powdered herbs like Plantago lanceolata, helps with oily skin by applying a paste-like preparation directly to the skin, where it can help to draw out impurities and reduce inflammation with compounds like iridoid glycosides.
• Balm: Balm, a topical herbal preparation made from plants like Chamomilla recutita, helps with oily skin by providing a soothing and calming effect on the skin, while also delivering anti-inflammatory compounds like flavonoids and terpenoids, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.
• Ointment: Ointment, a topical herbal preparation made from plants like Hypericum perforatum, helps with oily skin by providing a protective barrier that soothes and calms the skin, while also delivering anti-inflammatory compounds like hyperforin and hypericin, which can help to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin.