I have been asked by many friends and strangers who want to know my beauty secrets for softer or clearer skin, removing cold sores and many other remedies. I happen to be fortunate enough to have learned many useful tricks from herbalists, cosmetologists and of course, trial and error. I would be more than happy to share my secrets.
It should be said that many of the "cures" or "tricks" which are to follow in this article are simple and easy to do. In fact, many are so simple that you may feel silly for not realizing it sooner! For this article, I will only discuss the questions which have been addressed to me by readers, friends or family about skin care. If you would like my advice on a topic, please feel free to ask.
Disclaimer:
I would recommend that anyone who wishes to try these tricks at home check for allergies before attempting my methods so as to avoid any complications.
Baby Soft Skin
I have several tricks to getting soft and blemish free skin. I have highly sensitive skin and often cannot use harsh perfumes, soaps or shampoo and prefer all natural options if possible. Recently, the Green Revolution has provided consumers with more natural, environmentally friendly options, thus making these products more readily available. For those who prefer to save some money, or be extremely in control over the products which they use, I recommend some simple home made options that have worked WONDERS for me.
My first bit of advice for both men and women may seem a bit ridiculous at first, but I assure you, it needs to be said. Learn to Bathe and Shower the proper way! Many people of my acquaintance ask me about my soft and blemish free skin. It consistently shocks me each time someone asks how to have smooth skin. When I inquire about their showering habits, I am often amazed at how many people shower incorrectly. It may seem like there is no right or wrong way, but there is. I do not mean to say that these people are dirty! Many shower everyday, use two or three products and scrub with hot water and an abrasive cloth or sponge- and that is the problem!
Bathing and Showering
Water Temperature
Showering is actually a very simple act which requires only a few simple and mindful actions. Firstly, extremes of temperature are never a wise choice. Even in extremely hot summers or freezing winters, extremes should be avoided. If you bathe in very cold water, you could catch cold easily. Bathing in extremely hot water, especially when coming in from the cold, could easily burn or damage your skin.
Each time I shower or bathe, I try to begin with warm water and adjust as needed. Always try to add hot to cold instead of the reverse t prevent severe burns and damage to the skin. If your skin is bright red when showering, you are doing something wrong. I prefer to start with the water warm but not hot to open the pores for cleansing and after the shower is complete and I have rinsed well, a slightly cooler water to close the pores and keep dirt out. When bathing, test the water before placing yourself in the tub. I always recommend showering after a bath also to rinse any remaining dirt, or products from the skin.
Cleansers
Due to my highly sensitive skin, I prefer to bathe with no soap products. If I must use soap, I prefer all natural products which may be home-made very simply with natural ingredients. I do have my favorites. I enjoy using baking soda, lavender, tea-tree oil and other essential oils to cleanse my skin. I also enjoy using Soapwort. Soapwort is a plant which can be planted in your gardens at home. If the petals of this plant are bruised or boiled with water, it produces a lather which is effective for the hair, face and body.
I always love to add some scented oils to my bath. I enjoy lavender for the relaxing scent and antibacterial properties it has. Tea-tree oil is equally effective but less desirable to some who may find that it has a harsh scent. Both of these two oils are great for preventing skin infections, healing cuts, warts and burns in addition to acting as extremely effective insect repellent.
If I must use shampoo or soap which was commercially made, I prefer the brands such as Johnson and Johnson baby was or the JASON line of all natural soaps and shampoos.
Showering Process
Some people have found it customary to shower every day. This has also become the accepted social convention. I recommend daily showers if you are physically active, live in a humid climate, produce excess oil or odor, but showering everyday is not for everyone. Some people with extremely dry skin may wonder why they have a chalky outer layer or flakes. This is likely due to over washing. If you are constantly scratching your dry skin or finding cracks in your skin, try showering every second day. Your body may not be producing enough oils to properly hydrate your skin. Showering everyday will not only remove the helpful oils but cause your skin to become dry and cracked which makes you look older.
Harsh scrubbing can also remove the helpful hydrating oils from your skin. avoid any washing materials that feel scratchy. A good rule for finding your washing tools is whether or not you would wear the material. For example: If you find your cloth or sponge too scratchy to wear all day as a shirt, it would not be good to use as a scrubber on the majority of your skin. Harsh scrubbers are better left to those tough calloused areas such as feet and elbows.
If you have oil or acne prone skin, a wash with lavender or tea-tree oils will keep you freshly scented and act as an antibacterial agent. This cleans as well as disinfects. For serious conditions, I have recommended SpectroGel soaps and body wash, but you should always consult a physician or dermatologist. A thorough though gentle scrubbing for problem areas should prove effective.
After your shower, gently removed excess water from your hair (if it is long) by gripping the hair gently. Do not wring the hair to dry it. This causes damage. Lightly grip with the towel to dry your hair to prevent it from wetting the skin. Some people may choose to wrap their hair in a towel before proceeding.
After showering or bathing, drying off correctly is key in maintaining healthy skin. Use the same methods as above (selecting scrubbing tools and wash cloths) for selecting towels. Once you have your towel in hand, it is recommended that you carefully dry each foot before stepping out of the tub/shower, though I prefer to do the following steps inside the boundaries of the tub to prevent dripping on the floor.
Begin by lightly patting excess water off the surface of the skin before drying sensitive areas such as the underarms and genitals. Dry these areas well to prevent skin problems, infection or odor. Afterwards, wrap the towel around your waist and sit on the edge of the tub. Take this time to allow the air to gently dry the remaining moisture from your skin. Your skin, after patting it dry should not be soaking wet.
Some women like to use this time to examine their skin or bodies. Check for new blemishes. The spread of skin cancer is growing, especially in young people. Check your skin thoroughly (with a mirror if needed) for new moles or spots. If something has changed, grown or seems abnormal. Consult your doctor. Also, both women and men should take this time to examine themselves for specialized cancers such as testicular or breast cancers. If you wish, you may also use this time to stretch,pumice your feet, apply any product you may choose such as scented essential oil or brush your teeth. When you feel dry, hang your towel and get dressed.
Face and Body Treatments
The way we eat can affect our health so naturally it would affect our skin. I won't be the one to lecture you about staying away from chocolate and sweets, though anything in excess is never wise. Eating fruits and vegetables can not only give your skin a healthy glow but eating fruits can often give you sweet smelling skin. I am often surprised at how wonderful my vegan and vegetarian friends look and smell in regards to their skin. Try eating 5-7 fruits daily. Staying hydrating is also important for skincare. Not only will it keep your skin from drying out but staying hydrating reduces the need to sweat. Decreases perspiration can lead to less blemishes and odor.
Sunscreen should be worn each day in the summer and during long outdoor winter activities. Apply once every two hours or every hour if swimming. It is advisable to prevent burning and skin cancer to use at least SPF 50. I recommend Aveeno and Ombrelle. If you are overly concerned about skin cancer or have a risk, you will need a sunscreen with Zinc Oxide.
Exfoliate
It is important to remove dead skin and excess dirt from the face. I usually do not use harsh, expensive products to do this. Many people use blackhead strips by Biore or other brands to remove tough dirt and clogged pores. If my pores become clogged, I use the following recipe followed by a gentle wash of the face and patting dry.
1tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon UNFLAVORED gelatin
Mix together in microwave safe cup
Microwave 10 seconds
Test temperature on back of hand
Brush onto skin with old makeup brush (that you don't care about)
Wait 10 minutes until dry
Peel off and see results!
No paper or fabric is necessary!
Another method I use to exfoliate my skin is to gently scrub my face with granulated white sugar... That's right! Sugar is good for your skin! Simply buy a bag of sugar and wash your face with warm water and no soap. After your face is wet, roll a generous handful of sugar in your hand, apply it to the face and scrub. Be sure to stop scrubbing after the sugar dissolves. Rinse immediately in warm water and make sure that all of the sugar has been washed away. Follow the rinse with a few splashes of cold water to close the pores.
Many people prefer to use this method with salt but I find that salt dries the skin. Another alternative is to use sand; sand can cause scratching of the skin and may have contaminants depending on your source for the sand. I find that when done properly with sugar, your skin will be noticeably softer and clearer within three days! The sugar not only gives you a healthy, youthful glow, but a sweet scent. Another healthy alternative is used tea leaves. If you decide to use tea leaves, try green, white or herbal tea which has been boiled at least once and then cooled to prevent burning or coloring of the face.
Cold Sores
There are many sores on the market for cold sores but they still take almost a week to work. As soon as you feel that familiar tingle in the corner of your mouth, apply some milk to a ball of tissue or cotton and hold it to the area for 10 minutes. Do this every 2 hours for the first day and each morning/evening every day after. If you catch it early, the cold sore will not even show up. The secret cure is found in the milk fat. There is a chemical called Monocaprin which has been found to kill the virus. Since the cure is related to milk fat, whole milk works best followed by 2%, 1% and skim.
Make-up and Removers
I find it best for me to wear unscented make-up made with natural materials. However, make-up is an individual choice and so I think it best to simply advise how to remove it. I recommend removing makeup after each use, before bed and washing thoroughly. Many people use make-up remover pads with a high baby oil content. This causes breakouts. I like to use Physician's Formula make-up remover liquid. It is the same compound as the pads but I can control how much I use. This is safe for the face as well. The products by this brand are generally hypoallergenic and made with all natural materials. Many of the natural oils in these blends such as lavender and orange oils are conditioners for skin, lashes and brows and safe for everyday use. You could even use this to remove make-up and face paint used for children's costumes. I find that you get plenty of use from these products and they are worth the extra money and within normal price ranges. I find that even their makeup cleans and conditions my skin.
True Beauty
Always remember that true beauty always is found inside your shell. What lies deep inside you and takes years to perfect is what people will truly value and find beautiful. Love yourself for who you are: a unique and beautiful person. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. Be confident in yourself and remember that it is only when we crack open the oyster do we find the beauty of the pearl.
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