Natural Skin Care

Natural Remedies for common skin issues

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I started washing my face with coconut oil awhile ago when I was told about it's natural anti-microbial properties along with it's moisturizing ability. I blogged about this practice in January of this year. I often get asked how my skin looks so good, and I tell people "If you can't put it in your face, don't put it on your face". Chemicals, and preservative agents haven't been used on humans for a long enough time to fully understand the long term ramifications of their uses. Store bought skin creams and potions often contain petrochemicals. If there's a 

rendering process that takes more than a couple of steps to create your favorite voodoo tonic, I recommend skipping that treatment and trying something natural first. Worst case scenario you go back to your expensive creams. 

Natural remedies: Witch hazel

If you've never heard of Witch Hazel it is a natural astringent or skin toner made from the Witch-Hazel plant and its leaves and bark. It was used by the Native Americans for its healing properties and is used for treating skin irritation, redness, swelling, swelling of the eyes, and bruising as it balances the PH of your skin without over drying as it locks in moisture. I recommend soaking a cotton ball or square with Witch Hazel and applying it after cleansing both day and night. You'll see any residual dirt or make-up removed after cleansing, and it will heal the redness and any dryness on the face, neck and decollate. I also use it on fresh tattoos as it helps reduce both swelling and redness while soothing.

Witch Hazel is widely available in both brand name and store brand varieties. It is often sold in the pharmacy area of your favorite mega store or grocery chain. Look for where you would also purchase rubbing alcohol or peroxide and there should be at least a couple of options for you to choose from. The average purchase price for 16oz's should be about $1.60 depending on what area of the country you're looking to buy. You should also find Witch Hazel at your local health food store or co-op. One bottle of Witch Hazel lasts me about 60 days and I also use it to make a natural eye make-up remover. 

Here are some more uses for Witch Hazel: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-227-WITCH%20HAZEL.aspx?activeIngredientId=227&activeIngredientName=WITCH%20HAZEL

Store Brand Witch Hazel found in the Pharmacy

Natural Remedies: Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is what it sounds like, an oil made from the leaves of the Tea Tree. It is often used to treat a variety of skin aliments. While it's not recommended that you ingest Tea Tree Oil, it is used to treat tooth and mouth infections so we're still okay with our beauty rule of thumb. 

Specifically you can use Tea Tree Oil to treat acne, ingrown hairs, cold sores, and allergic reactions. It needs to be diluted for proper application with another oil such as olive oil, avocado oil, or grape seed oil. The recommended dilution level is 5%. A good rule of thumb is 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil per 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil. You can store your mixture in a small jar, and apply with a cotton swab directly to any acne break outs or skin irritations. This mixture can also be used to heal "strawberry legs" or ingrown hairs. Use it instead of your moisturizer after shaving, twice daily until the problem areas have healed. 

Tea Tree Oil can be found at your local pharmacy and in some cases your favorite mega mart store in the vitamin isle. It will most likely run you about $11-$12 for a 1-2oz bottle. That sounds expensive, but you're only using a couple of DROPS to make a couple of weeks worth of spot treatment. Again depending on how many areas of the body you're treating a bottle of tea tree oil will last me several months. If you're concerned about budget for this item stay away from the health food stores and co-ops, I've noticed in my area that they charge a couple of dollars more than the pharmacy chains. 

I also use Tea Tree Oil to make my all natural, biodegradable multi purpose house cleansers. It smells wonderful and cleans and disinfects. I'll be sure to post that recipe soon.

For more information and uses of Tea Tree Oil: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-113-TEA+TREE+OIL.aspx?activeIngredientId=113&activeIngredientName=TEA+TREE+OIL&source=2&tabno=2

Vitamin Brand Tea Tree Oil, look for store brand varieties.

Natural Remedies: Baking Soda

I bet you just thought I was crazy when you read "baking soda" for your face as a natural beauty treatment. But if you aren't aware of the many uses of baking soda, allow me to enlighten you. Baking soda is the best natural exfoliant around. It's inexpensive, readily available and doesn't rip or tear your skin when used as an exfoliant. You only need to mix baking soda with water to make a paste to use for the entire body. It also helps alleviate ingrown hairs, and soften your bath water. 

I use baking soda for everything. Cleansing the sink, toilets, as a water softener and fabric softener, for heartburn (my favorite use by far) and for an exfoliant. Baking soda is SO CHEAP! And it's so good for such a large variety of uses that I purchase it in bulk. I'll go more in depth on the wonderful things you can use baking soda for in another dedicated post but for today I want to stress that if you're breaking out try exfoliating twice a week with baking soda paste and see if that doesn't expedite the skin healing process. 

For more information and uses of Baking Soda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate

As always if you have any questions in regard to the content of this post please comment. If you like the information please share! Elle