While our deep desire for flawless skin may be assaulted by the slings and arrows of genetics, pollution, weather, age, the country we live in and whatnot, we can find some solace in protective measures, such as DIY face masks, by our daily homegrown skincare routines. In a worst-case scenario, there are a slew of skin care clinics and dermatologists to whom we can reach out.

Oily skin results from excess oil sebum produced by the tiny oil glands found at the base of the hair follicle; this can lead to shiny skin, pimples and acne from clogged pores. Dr Parul Khot of Skin Ace Clinic suggests that one should have a daily skin cleansing routine with the right products to mitigate these conditions. 

When filling the bathroom cabinet with lotions and potions for one’s skincare routine at home it’s important to remember that our skin requires a certain amount of naturally secreted oil to keep it soft and supple; so when choosing an ingredient to reduce the oiliness don’t go over the top, else the skin can become too dry. If you have oily skin, you will probably have it throughout your life, says Dr Parul. Avoid stripping away the natural oil; your body will only produce more oil, she cautions. So, when you choose a face wash or a mask, you need to be alert to this. An over dry skin comes with its responsibilities.

As suggested by Dr Parul a daily skincare routine at home should be de rigueur, especially for oily skin. The first step is to get a face wash with salicylic acid which acts as an exfoliator to unclog the pores that are blocked with dirt and impurities, controls oil production and stems pimples and acne. It also hydrates the skin. Salicylic Acid is our saviour for cleansing the skin, de-clogging pores and giving new zest to the skin cells, shares Dr. Parul while endorsing its powering-up abilities in our skincare routines. 

Wash your face with warm water and pat dry gently with a soft towel. Rubbing means you are over-stripping your face, which can induce more oil formation. A toner helps in also removing excess oil. It needs to be dabbed on gently with cotton wool. Your face mask should contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which combats oiliness. Charcoal and kaolin masks are good for the deep cleansing of oily skin. Using a light moisturiser, after washing off the face mask, is essential as it hydrates the skin. Dr Parul also cautions that one’s skincare routine needs to be in sync with one’s age; so, what you followed in your 20s may not work as effectively when you hit your 40s.

Your kitchen is your best friend for making your face masks. Our great grannies and grannies were well-versed in what wonderful things could be done for the skin, with simple everyday veggies, milk products, and spices–sometimes with recipes that were family secrets, never to be divulged to rival frenemies! They may not have been able to deconstruct the workings of these ingredients, but the results were pleasing enough for them to be passed from generation to generation.

In these days of chemical body wraps, India’s time-worn wedding ritual of all-body Haldi liptan to beautify the bride on that special day is a classic example of homegrown beauty treatments.

Face-saving DIY Face Packs

• A face mask put together with egg, white cucumber and mint are perfect for drawing out the benefits of salicylic acid, which along with anti-bacterial properties is naturally present in mint. While the egg white tightens the skin, absorbs the excess oil and tightens the pores, the oil-busting, water-saturated cucumber, which is loaded with vitamins A and E, provides the cooling touch

• Chickpea flour or besan, turmeric and yoghurt are stalwart friends which beat back oiliness with no side effects. Turmeric, with its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, is a healing agent which combats acne and stems further from skin eruptions. Chickpea flour is great as an exfoliation and restorative ingredient that helps maintain the pH balance of the skin. The yoghurt, which comes with antifungal and antibacterial properties, locks in the natural moisture in the skin to keep it soft, healthy and supple. The zinc in it also controls the sebum production

• Oatmeal and Honey form the perfect team to battle oily skin. You should spread this paste liberally all over the face as it’s packed with healing properties. The oatmeal blots away excess oil, clearing blocked pores and helping treat acne; the combined forces of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in oatmeal and honey rid you of dead skin cells, keeping the skin supple, moist and oil-free. Honey, which can balance the skin's pH level also moisturises the skin but doesn’t make it greasy

A couple of takeaways: Contain your enthusiasm and confine your face mask routine to once or twice a week, depending on how oily your skin is. As recommended by Dr Parul, make skin cleansing a daily routine. If the oiliness and acne flare-ups can’t be handled with this, it’s time to visit a dermatologist for professional advice.