Home Remedies for Oily Acne-Prone Facial Skin

Oily skin often leads to acne, so the first step in treating acne is reducing the oil. Heredity, stress and hormonal changes can all be causes for oily skin. To stop the shine on your skin and control breakouts, you don't have to shell out tons of cash on store-bought acne and oily-skin products. There are several home remedies that can help control the oil and ease acne-prone skin.

Wash oily, acne-prone skin twice a day to keep the oil at bay. (Image: tatchai/iStock/Getty Images)

Scrub Away the Grime

Make a homemade facial scrub by mixing 2 teaspoons dry, ground oats with enough witch hazel to create a thick paste. Massage it onto your face, then rinse with warm water. Another great oily-skin face wash is a combination of 1 teaspoon powdered skin milk with 1 teaspoon honey and about three drops of apple cider vinegar. Rub the mixture into your skin for about two minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

Tone Down the Oil

Astringents are used on freshly cleansed skin to deep clean pores, and the tannins in witch hazel work as natural astringents. After thoroughly washing your face and patting it dry, soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and smooth it all over your face. Do this twice a day for up to three weeks, then use it once a day thereafter for maintenance. You can also use herbs such as peppermint, sage or yarrow -- all of which have astringent properties -- by mixing 1 tablespoon of the dried herbs with 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the herbs and water to steep for 30 minutes, then strain the liquid. Apply the liquid to your face with a cotton ball. Store any remaining astringent in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days, or at room temperature for three days.

Make an Oil-Fighting Mask

Applying a mask to your oily, acne-prone skin once a week can help to absorb the oils and clear up any existing acne. Make a clay mask by mixing 1 teaspoon cosmetic clay with 1 tablespoon witch hazel. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil for a nice scent. Spread the mask onto your face, wait 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. An egg-white mask is also beneficial to oily skin because it soaks up the excess oils. Mix 1 egg white with 1 teaspoon honey. Add a pinch of flour and stir to create a paste. Spread the mask onto your face, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Another natural face mask for acne and oily skin is made with strawberries, which contain salicylic acid to help fight acne. Mash up three strawberries and mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt. Smooth the mixture onto your face, wait 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Clear-Skin Tips

Wash your face twice a day with warm water, which helps to dissolve the oil -- but don't scrub too hard when washing, as this can lead to further skin irritation and actually produce more oil. It's also important to wash your pillowcases and towels frequently. The oils and bacteria from your skin transfer to your towels and linens, and are then transferred back to your face. Keeping these items clean will help to prevent the grime from transferring to your skin. Additionally, avoid consuming greasy, fried foods too often, as well as unhealthy fats. Drink plenty of water -- aim for six to eight glasses per day -- and eat a diet high in fruits, veggies and fish. When your body is healthy, it is balanced and will produce less oil.