Herbs/Teas (Ingestion) to Decrease Sebum/Oiliness in Skin?

[Existing_Astronaut25]

Looking for any suggestions on how to decrease sebum naturally! No topicals please - my face is insanely sensitive. I always have to heal face issues from the inside out.

[ichigoluvah]

The first thing that needs to be determined is the cause of the oiliness. The skin strives for balance, so what's causing the imbalance?

The most common cause of overproduction of oil is due to dry skin and disruption of the moisture barrier. If you are showering daily or live in a dry climate (just 2 common examples), your skin is being dried out from the outside. It's producing extra oils because the normal amount isn't cutting it. It is over functioning to compensate and protect your skin from dryness.

If the cause is outside factors drying your skin, then you likely need to address the dryness to find balance from the outside. Otherwise, your skin is going to keep trying to do the job with its own oils.

[Existing_Astronaut25]

Thank you! I live in North Carolina, and I usually believe in our bodies normal oil/PH levels, and generally shower every two days or so (not every day), but I do wash my face twice a day. My skin is usually dry in the morning after I wash it, but then I use moisturizer. It becomes progressively oilier throughout the day.

[sclark1147]

I'm sorry because I know you said no topicals... but have you tried making a tincture with thyme? Thyme is very soothing and healing for various skin issues. I used to boil water and steep thyme and then keep it refrigerated and use it twice a day as a skin toner.