Your skin is fitted with a wide range of functions aiming to protect your body from harm. The skin’s fundamental purpose is to act as a barrier between you and the outside world, monitoring what enters and what leaves your body. The skin is able to keep itself healthy by maintaining the perfect balance of oils. However, sometimes, too much oil is produced, leading to blemishes and breakouts. To prevent this, it is important to manage the skin’s oil production. 

Overseeing your skin’s oil production can be done in a number of different ways. There is one type of ingredient in particular that is found in both plant and cosmetic products preventing excessive oil production: astringents.
Astringents cause the skin to contract and react with tissue protein in order to form a protective surface covering. Imagine it as a substance that tightens and shrinks the skin’s tissue, typically drying up excessive oil secretions.

If you aim to be resourceful and to take control over your own skincare, start looking for natural produce and products that are highly astringent. Here are a few natural examples:

Lemon juice

The citric acid in lemon juice kills bacteria and decreases infections that cause acne. Also, the astringent properties will shrink the pores and tighten the skin.

Use: Wash face with warm water using a soft textured cloth to help remove dead skin cells. Slice a lemon and gently rub it over the affected area. Leave for 10-15 mins until completely dry, then rinse again with cool water.
Caution: not advisable after sun exposure.

Green tea

Green tea is an astringent also packed with antioxidants. It has proven to be effective externally and internally, with no negative side effects. Both drinking green tea and applying it directly to your face will lessen redness in break out areas and help reduce signs of aging by fighting free radicals.

Use: Steep a tea bag in hot water for 5 minutes, remove the tea bag and place onto affected area briefly. Enjoy a cup of green tea.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an antibacterial essential oil that can dry up and eradicate the microbes that have found a home inside of your pores.

Use: With a dropper, dab a Q-Tip with tea tree oil and apply directly to pimples. Only use the oil on effected areas, as it can be very drying and shouldn’t be overused.

Witch hazel plant

Both the bark and the leaves of witch hazel contain potent astringent properties, which tighten, soothe, and reduce inflammation. Witch hazel is also beneficial for varicose veins.

Use: Apply a small amount over the affected area and let dry.

Alternatively, you will find astringents in some of the following products:

Kimberly Sayer’s Botanical Astringent

The botanical astringent in this product contains Tea Tree, making it ideal for oily and blemish prone skin. It’s used to give a deep cleanse to the skin without over drying it. It minimises enlarged pores, leaving the face free from an oily sheen, while calming overactive oil glands.

Therapi’s Purifying Anti-Bacterial Facial Toner

This natural anti-bacterial toner is a mix of the astringent witch hazel, the purifying extracts of lemon myrtle, and grapefruit. The combination tones and refines skin to help keep it clear and unblemished.

Balm Balm’s Witch Hazel Toner

Containing only witch hazel, glycerol, and alcohol, Balm Balm’s simple recipe makes it a gentle natural toner. It minimises enlarged pores and combats oiliness, leaving your skin feeling fresh and toned.

For irritated or sensitive skin, you could try Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel.

This gentle gel contains French lavender and wild chamomile. The duo gives it powerful anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. It’s a good choice for treating troubled and inflamed skin that comes as a product of conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and acne. It also works well after hair removal or when skin is generally irritated and needs calming. It will leave the skin feeling moisturised. Organic aloe vera and witch hazel, two other powerful ingredients inside the gel, make it ideal after chemical peels or harsh microdermabrasion treatments.

Oily skin types can use the Organic Soothing Gel in place of a day or night cream as a moisturiser to promote a smooth and shine-free complexion.

With oily skin, breakouts are more present and acne becomes a more consistent problem. In conjunction with eating a wholesome diet, the topical application of astringent products can minimise oil production and reduce spots and pimples.

If you have areas where acne usually appears, try this homemade facial mask:

DIY: Lemon honey facial mask

• ½ organic lemon
• 1 tbsp. organic raw honey
• Mixing bowl and spoon

Prepare you skin for the mask by cleansing thoroughly, then by standing over a bowl of boiling water, allowing the steam to cover your entire face and open up your pores.

Mix lemon and honey in a bowl until it turns into a creamy consistency. Apply the mixture to your face, more liberally to affected areas, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15-30 minutes, less if your skin is sensitive. Wash off with warm water and then follow up with cold water to close the pores. Pat dry. Follow with a moisturiser or cream and avoid wearing makeup straight after.

Resources:

• Noah Daniels, 2014 Dealing with Acne Spots and Skin Break Outs, Book Rix.
• Acne Skin: Lifestyle or Genetic?