Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Skin Care

Essential Items

In this down turned economy, many of us have been forced to set our sights on that which is necessary, and not that which is simply desired. I for one have definitely learned, thanks to a tight wallet, what my needs and wants are. Since a lot of my discretionary income goes toward toiletries, and my skin care items are a priority given how sensitive my skin is, I have quickly learned what I can and can't do without.

#1. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is critical to my skin care routine, even moreso than my cleanser because it is the final step in my cleansing process. True, my skin reacts better when I use a face soap formulated for my skin type versus ordinary bar soap, but using witch hazel as an astringent helps remove residue that face soap and bar soap can leave behind.

#2. Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Normally I like to use a facial scrub by St. Ives, but I recently purchased a cheaper knockoff by Up & Up…Target's brand of skin care items. Remember how I switched out my Aveeno face lotion for Target's (See Radiant Skin Moisturizing Lotion)? Well, I had to do the same for my apricot facial scrub because of the price difference. My forehead had become bumpy and scaly, and this scrub can do what no ordinary face soap can. I need the tiny granules in this product to assist in sloughing off dead skin. Just one use of this facial scrub with 2% salicylic acid and my skin was back to its baby fine self (okay, so it's not exactly baby fine, but you get the point :-)).

#3. Vaseline
Vaseline is essential to my regimen because it soothes extra dry areas in ways that no lotion can. Plus, Vaseline doesn't irritate my skin and is even safe to put over cuts or other skin abrasions. I use it around my eyes at night to keep the crow's feet at bay, and on my lips whenever I run out of chapstick.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Dear DPrincess28:

I really enjoy your blog and tutorials. I can see how much love and wisdom you are sharing with us. My only concern is your use of Vaseline, since you are following a more holistic approach to health and beauty. Vaseline have been show in scientific studies as a probable carcinogen. Petrolatum is listed as a probable human carcinogen in the European Union's Dangerous Substances Directive (UNECE 2004), and Vaseline is petroleum jelly. Here is a link to some research, http://www.health-report.co.uk/petroleum_petrolatum_health_concerns.htm

As a holistic health and nutritional councelor, I can recommend some safer alternatives, that you can create at home. All oils should be cold press and organic,for example the following oils are super emollient and healthy for the skin and hair: avocado oil, olive oil, rosehips oil, apricot kernel seed oil, jojoba oil, emu oil, grapeseed oil and cold press nut oils like almond and walnut. Also by adding a few drops of chamomile and rose essential oils you will have a very moisturizing oil with a great natural fragance. These oils even reduce skin inflammation and signs of aging. For an inside out moisturizing effect take fish oils or other kind of omega 3 and essential fatty acids, they promote healing in the organs and skin from within. They help even dry, sensitive, oily and combination skins and help eczema, acne and excess sebum. By the way there is a good book that teaches about the benefits of many supplements for our vitality, health and beauty and which products are detrimental to our health, longevity and bodies. The name is "The Truth About Beauty" by Kat James. I hope this helps. Thank you for such a wonderful website where you are teaching many to work with the natural beauty and foremost health.

With mant blessings,
Chethbeth