Every new product launched seems to talk incessantly about skin glow, whether in the name or the product description. Brands go on to explain how that chosen skincare range or product will create that desired glow. Here is the thing: we all have a natural glow inside us; that is our spirit, soul and entity. Sometimes, it shines bright, and sometimes, it doesn't. When we use natural skincare products and support ourselves with a natural skincare routine, the chances of our internal glow shining out on our skin increase exponentially, and the benefits of natural skincare become apparent. And here it is: oily skin often gets a bad rap without appreciating the shine on the skin surface and how close it is to the desired glow current-day skin care rabidly chases.
While at the height of my yoga exploring days, travelling in Charleston, I went to a Jivakmuti yoga class, a method created by Sharon Gannon and David Life. It was a brilliant class, Rock Asana, in the evening, with all the lights down low, and the playlist was phenomenal, featuring The Who, Kiss, Beatles and ELO. It was wild, the closest I have come to being in a club without being in a club, all the highs without any of the challenging aftermath of a wild night out. As the class started to close off and we were cooling down and settling into stillness, the lead teacher talked about rubbing the sweat on our faces and body back into our skin. It stuck with me, and I wondered about it over the years. I have tried it occasionally, and while it feels strange and other, it's alright.
Recently, I have started thinking about this again, especially when I meet people who find their shine distressing and put a lot of energy into drying out their skin to prevent it from shining. According to the Ashtanga Yoga Shala Pro, rubbing sweat back into the skin is a real thing in Ashtanga tradition. The process is described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a yoga therapy manual written by the 15th and 16th-century Indian yogi Swatmarama. It states that sweat should be rubbed into the body instead of wiped off. Rubbing sweat back into the skin is said to make the body stronger, increase the amount of sweat, and make the detoxification process more effective.
One thing is apparent: sweating is healthy. It is a natural body function, and Ayurveda and modern science agree that sweat is vital for health. While Ayurveda sees sweat as a natural detoxifier, modern research highlights its role in lymphatic health. Sweating, mainly induced by physical activity, can stimulate the lymphatic system and contribute to overall health. The movement of lymph, facilitated by heat and muscle contraction, supports the immune system by enabling the white blood cells to combat infections effectively.
The other thing to consider is that oily skin is not limited to those with an oily skin type. While some of us are more predisposed to create a more luxurious shine, all of us can experience a breakthrough shine throughout the day. The causes of our shine may be a combination of internal and external factors. The internal factors can be several things. First is genetics, where some of us may have more active sebaceous glands, increasing daily oil production. Second is our internal reaction to the ubiquitous stress we experience daily. Quite simply, stress can bring about an unwanted shine, aka greasy skin. When we become stressed, it can trigger the release of cortisol and stimulate oil production in our pores. And finally, the reality of our hormones: during your monthly cycle, you may be more likely to experience breakthrough shininess by the afternoon hours. Pregnancy can also do this; I know I looked like a shining orb during both pregnancies.
Next up are the external factors. If everything is in synch, your skin produces oil when it feels dry. If you forget to moisturise in the morning, your skin is likely to react by trying to compensate for the lack of moisturisation with more of its natural oils—hello, shininess. When we aren't feeling well and need to take new medications, this can throw our body out of whack, causing the overproduction of skin oils. If you have tried out a new skincare routine, being too exuberant, you may have piled on too many products and treatments for your skin to handle simultaneously. Oiliness is often your skin’s reaction to stress, which it may be experiencing because of too many treatments—finally, climate changes. Whether you experience a weather change due to seasons or you travel to a different climate, your skin can react in an attempt to regulate itself.
Knowing how oil production works on your face can help you understand and manage your skin more efficiently. It empowers you to embrace your shine and work with your skin to bring out its natural glow. Understanding the factors influencing oil production helps you choose the right natural skin care products and adjust your holistic skincare routine to meet your needs. It allows you to engage with natural skincare ingredient lists to meet your skin needs by selecting oil-free or non-comedogenic products if needed or, on the other hand, choosing ingredients that help balance your skin's natural oils, like natural skin products rich in Jojoba Oil. With all skin needs, whether dry or oily, always select natural gentle cleansers and move away from the drying, stripping feeling some cleansers create. This only strips your skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness, which can trigger the potential overproduction of oil as a compensatory mechanism. By understanding your skin's own unique needs, you can fit your natural skincare routine to create the sense of freedom being comfortable in your skin allows.
There isn't inherently bad or good about having oily skin or not. Having oily skin doesn't guarantee good skin ageing. However, as with everything, there are some advantages and disadvantages. Oily skin tends to be thicker, which can help cushion the skin and make wrinkles less noticeable. The natural oils in oily skin can help to retain moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Oily skin produces more sebum, which helps keep the skin hydrated. This can delay the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Oily skin often has a thicker epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and being thicker provides better protection against environmental stressors and premature ageing. While it may seem counterintuitive, oily skin is less prone to dryness. The excess sebum helps to retain moisture, preventing flaky, itchy patches.
Understanding skin's natural glow means knowing the sebaceous glands, tiny glands hidden beneath the surface. They're connected to hair follicles, the small openings where hair grows, and they play a crucial role in producing sebum, the oily substance that contributes to your skin's natural glow and hydration. Sebum is a mixture of fats and waxes that helps moisturise your skin and hair. It also has antibacterial properties that help protect your skin from infection.
Here are some of our do’s and don’ts if you feel like your skin’s natural shine is working overtime. Starting with the Do’s, If you know me, you know where this is going—ice bath for your face. Hear me out: cold water can temporarily shrink pores, reducing the amount of oil that can escape onto the skin's surface. The cold temperature can help soothe inflammation and help reduce redness and irritation. The ideal time to do an ice face bath is in the morning, as it can help reduce puffiness around the eyes and face, letting you feel refreshed and look more refreshed. Cold water can temporarily tighten pores, making your skin appear smoother, giving it a refreshing boost, and preparing it for the day. Paul Neman, I am showing my age I am sure, soaked his face in ice water; he said that he put a rubber tube into his mouth and stayed submerged for two to three minutes. And if you know, you know how great he looked.
Dry brushing is hugely beneficial and can help with balancing out your skin. Dry brushing helps to exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells that can clog pores, reduce the appearance of oily skin, and prevent breakouts. Dry brushing can stimulate circulation, which will also help to regulate oil production. Here, it is always important to remember that your skin and the kitchen floor don't need the same treatment; scrub the floor and gently cleanse and brush your skin. Excessive scrubbing can irritate the skin, so use a soft-bristled brush and avoid brushing too hard or too often.
Another big thing to do is drink water. There is no downside to keeping ourselves well-hydrated. When your body is well-hydrated, it can better regulate its oil production. Dehydrated skin often overproduces oil to compensate, leading to more than just a desired healthy shine. Water helps to flush out toxins and keep your skin looking clear and healthy, and drinking plenty of water can help your skin maintain a healthy moisture and oil balance.
Then there is always the always and forever “eat healthy and reduce stress”. We all know this, and it's real; bringing it into our lives is the challenge. A fabulous biokinetic I met told me that some days, we lay on the couch and eat carrot cakes; other days, we are Wonder Woman, exercising and eating like superheroes. The point is to be gentle, loving, and supportive of ourselves wherever we are, with the intent of always doing our best for ourselves.
Yes, the time has arrived to rethink our perception of oily skin and embrace our shine. And yes, it does come with challenges, as does everything in life. Yet, it also comes with unique benefits that we can explore—finding the positives of a natural shine to our skin and embracing where our skin is a journey towards self-acceptance and natural beauty. It's about recognising that our skin's unique characteristics, even if they don't fit conventional beauty standards, are a part of who we are. We can radiate and revel in our authenticity by embracing our natural shine.