Get Rid of Excess Oil with Soap: 10 Best Soaps for Oily Skin and 5 Reasons Why Your Skin Produces Too Much Oil!

You must have experienced a deposition of a waxy and oily substance on your skin, especially in the T zone of your face. This oily substance is sebum - a secretion of the sebaceous glands which are present on our skin. Sebum is vital for healthy skin as it moisturises it and prevents it from going dry, but an excess of sebum production is counterproductive as it leads to oily skin, clogged pores and consequent pimples and acne. Excess sebum production can be caused by many factors. The chief among them are as follows:

More often than not, you inherit oily skin. It means that if your parents or other closely related family member have oily skin, you are likely to have it too as oily skin is a trait that can be passed through genes. Larger sebaceous glands can produce excess oil which can lead to oily skin. It has been found that large sebaceous glands are a hereditary trait and can be passed down the family tree.

There are two things in our environment that cause oily skin. The first is climate and the second is pollution. The job of sebum is to keep our skin moisturised. In cold and arid climates skin tend to get dry so the sebaceous glands will secrete more sebum to counteract the dryness causing oily skin. It has also been found that hot weather and humidity increases sebum production. Pollution too stimulates the secretion of sebum.

Some of us adopt skin care routines without proper study and knowledge. Whether a skin care routine will work or not depends upon your skin type, the type of skin problems and the geography you reside in. There cannot be a generalised skin care routine and hence it is always better to consult a dermatologist before following a skin care routine. On the other hand, oily skin can also be a result of not following any skin care routine per se.

Oily skin and hormones go hand in hand. The hormone that is mostly responsible for oily skin is androgens. Studies have found that fluctuation in the levels of this hormone causes overproduction of sebum. Fluctuation in the levels of androgens happens during puberty, during pregnancy, just before menstruation and at menopause. Extra hormones can be released during illness and that can lead to the overproduction of sebum.

A poor diet is the cause of most of our illnesses, and it is not surprising that not eating the right kind of food can cause oily skin. Sugary food, food containing refined carbohydrates and certain dairy products might be delicious, but they are the chief reasons for anything that is not right with your body. Consuming these foods regularly, will cause overproduction of sebum and give your skin a dirty, greasy look. The two best friends for skin are water and fruits. Almost all skin problems can be solved by consuming at least one fruit a day and drinking an adequate amount of water. So, change your diet, consume less of unhealthy food and more of the healthy ones, and you would bid adieu to oily skin in no time.

Those who suffer from oily skin know what a nuisance that is. In all the skin care routines against oily skin, there is one term which is present in all, and that is cleansing. Since excess oil on the skin is the problem so the first step to counteract it is by removing this excess oil deposition on the skin. The best way to go about doing so is by using medicated face and body soaps containing ingredients in their formulas that specifically treat oily skin. There are many such soaps available for us. Follow this BP Guide to choose the best one for you:

This turmeric soap from Ayush is one of the best soaps to use on oily skin. It is a scientifically established fact that turmeric has antiseptic and antibacterial properties which help in skin healing. It is a unique herb that detoxifies and removes skin blemishes leading to healthy skin. Besides turmeric, the soap formula contains Nalpamaradi Tailam which is an organic oil made from Amla, Peepal and Vetiver. The result of using this soap on a regular basis is less oily, clear and glowing skin. Available on Amazon 5 bars of Ayush Purifying Turmeric Soap come for Rs. 110. Each bar weighs 100 grams.

Himalaya’s Cucumber and Coconut Soap is a must-have among the toiletries of anyone plagued by oily skin. As the name suggests, the main ingredients of the soap formula are extracts of coconut and cucumber. This soap effectively removes excess oil from the skin and the coconut extract moisturizes it to prevent the skin from drying out. The cucumber extract acts as an excellent skin conditioning agent that soothes the skin creating a rejuvenating feel. The end result is smooth and soft skin that feels fresh. A bar of this soap weighs 125 grams and comes at a price of Rs. 45 at Himalaya Wellness.

This body soap is from the brand Biotique. The formula of this soap contains almond and coconut oil. This soap acts as a unique cleanser and removes excess oil from your skin leaving it fresher and younger in appearance. The formula is clinically tested and is hypo-allergenic. Regular usage of this soap will prevent skin diseases like scabies, ringworm and dermatitis infection. A bar of this soap weighs 150 grams and comes at a price of Rs. 90 on Amazon.

This soap is a must-have for the active professional. Working men and women have to go out at least 5 times a week exposing themselves to the dirt and pollution of the outdoors. This coupled with a hectic lifestyle takes a toll on our skin. A busy lifestyle and pollution cause skin stress which in turn manifests oily skin. This Nomarks Antimarks soap is ideal to be applied on oily skin. It's herbal based formula gently cleanses the skin of excess oil and moisturises it giving clear, blemish-free and glowing skin. The natural exfoliants present in the formula lightens marks and pigmentation. A bar of this soap weighs 125 grams and comes at a price of Rs. 40 on Nykaa.

The formula of Pears Oil Clear and Glow soap is enriched with pure glycerine and lemon flower extracts. The lemon flower extracts remove the excess oil from your skin while the glycerine acts as a gentle cleanser and preserves the natural moisture of the skin. Use this soap daily to get beautiful and young-looking skin. A bar of this soap weighs 75 grams and comes at a price of Rs.41 on Nykaa.

The SebaMed Cleansing bar should be among your toiletries if you want a potent solution against oily skin. This soap not only cleanses but also moisturises your skin to give you a healthy and youthful look. The formula contains vitamins and amino acids and has a pH balance of 5.5. It works best on both normal and oily skin. It gently removes excess oil from oily skin without drying out the skin and removing essential natural oils from it. A bar of this soap weighs 100 grams and comes at a price of Rs.199 on My Wellness Kart.

Turmeric and sandal have been part of India’s beauty routine for centuries. These two ingredients in Santoor Sandal and Turmeric soap provides clear, soft and smooth skin. The soap also imparts a long-lasting and energizing fragrance upon application. The sandalwood extracts treat dry skin, signs of ageing, reduces tanning and detoxifies the skin. The turmeric extracts keep the skin soft and supple. The soap also removes oil, dirt and grime off the skin to give a healthy and glowing look. This pack contains 8 soaps each weighing 125 grams and comes at a price of Rs. 300 on Nykaa.

The Oil Control Bath Soap from the Bombay Shaving Company is one of the best products to treat oily skin. This soap’s formula contains extracts of oatmeal and tea tree oil. Oatmeal is a natural exfoliator, and hence using this soap will remove excess oil from your skin and prevent acne. The tea tree essence and the oatmeal extracts also disinfect, soothe and moisturise the skin making it smooth, soft and glowing. This soap is handmade and weighs 100 grams. It comes at a price of Rs. 195 on Bombay Shaving Company.

The Avocado Face and Body Soap from Forever is an effective soap against oily skin. The soap formula contains avocado which is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E. Besides, the soap has antioxidant properties to combat free radicals. This product has a citrusy and fresh scent and has a rejuvenating effect after applying it. Perfect for oily and sensitive skin, this bar of soap comes at a price of Rs. 468 on Amazon.

This soap from Vaadi Herbals contains ingredients like neem, tulsi, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and tea tree oil. Neem is an antiseptic agent that heals bruises, burns, wounds and acne-causing bacteria. Tulsi is a powerful antioxidant as well as a good anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent that reduces skin ageing. Aloe Vera nourishes and moisturises the skin. Vitamin E acts as a sunscreen, and tea tree oil is highly effective against oily skin and helps in treating acne and pimples. Sourced from organic farms, these quality herbal ingredients will be beneficial to your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed with glowing and blemish-free skin. This handmade bar of soap weighs 75 grams and comes at a price of Rs.48 on Nykaa.

Cleansing is just one part of the solution. Just cleansing your skin with an appropriate soap will not treat oily skin. You need to be under a skin care routine of sorts. While an advanced skin care routine should only be adopted after a dermatological consultation, you can always adopt a basic skin care routine that focuses on keeping your skin clean and clear.