Need Help Switching to Natural Skin Care

[Kemara]

Hello all! I'm new here and I'm not a mom (I'd love to be one someday, though)...I hope that's OK. After reading tons of messages on these boards I've decided to try using natural skin and hair products. My doctor says I was "blessed with bad skin" meaning it either breaks out or dries out in reaction to every soap, toner, shampoo, etc. I've ever tried.

I just started the BS/ACV no-shampoo routine, and I really like the results so far. But can you recommend something for my face? I have blackheads like crazy on my nose, and I usually break out down my neck, chest and back as well as the T-Zone area. I walk to and from work every day and in the hot/humid Georgia summers I'm dripping – literally – when I get there. Could my breakouts be caused by sweat clogging my pores?

I keep cotton balls soaked in a combination of witch hazel and tea tree oil in my desk for a wipe down, but I can't use that on my face because it would take my makeup off. I'm sure THAT's not doing me any good, but my complexion is blotchy and scarred without it.

I have some essential oils: Rosemary, Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Clary Sage and Peppermint plus Sweet Almond oil. Can I make something with just them? Thanks for any help you can give me!

[arcenciel]

I have this great oil from Weleda, I don't know if you can get it but I think basically it's just some kind of carrier oil with citrus essential oil in it. (I see it's called Citrus body oil - never tried it on my body!) It's wonderful. I use it just like a cleanser - a bit on a cotton ball, smear it all over and rub gently so it kind of comes off. It's quite expensive, but I need so little I can see it lasting forever and I don't need anything else.

When I didn't have this I even tried just plain olive oil. Not nearly as weird as you'd think! Also you don't need moisturiser this way so I think that helps your skin not to be greasy in itself...

[peekyboo]

Kiss My Face has a great line of skin care, including an acne gel that I recommended to my bil (which has tea tree oil in it.)

I have used just plain old witch hazel on my face since my teen years btw and have always loved what it's done to my skin.

[care_a_boo]

You might like this thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ad.php?t=14397

Also, this is a neat recipe:
Pore Cleansing Strips


1T Knox unflavered gelatin
1 1/2 T milk

Mix together in small microwav-able bowl. Zap for 10
seonds. With a popsicle stick apply to clogged areas
on face etc. Keep away from eyes. Let dry for 30 min.
Will be stiff. When dry-peel off.

I've only used that once, but got good results.

I also like KMF soap, but am enamored of these soaps lately: http://chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/sopselect.htm I'm using the rose clay shea, but your skin needs sound different from mine, so something else may sound more appealing to you. The samples are a smart way to find our what works for you. I also like honey as a cleanser and aloe gel with a few drops of jojoba as a moisturizer.

[prana]

e

[Amydoula]

www.terressentials.com has wonderful facial cleanser that I use. I then use witch hazel for a toner.

Amy

[calebsmama03]

Your skin will thank you for switching to natural products!!! My skin is very sensitive and prone to breakouts and it is totally clear and soft now (even being 36w pg, which says a LOT!!)

I use this line
www.annabellina.com She is based in GA, not sue where you are but you could potentially visit her salon. I swear my skin turned a miraculous 180 after using her stuff Can't rave enough! I keep my routine very simple now but at first was using an gel to help with acne, a serum to help remove dead skin along with the cleansing stuff. Now I use an exfoliating cloth (from my makeup store, see below), her honey cleanser and neroli hydrosol as a toner. When I need moisture I use a shea butter based one I bought locally. The owner is fabulous and will take a lot of time to help figure out what is right for you. It isn't cheap, but it is concentrated and lasts a while.

For makeup, I switched to a good mineral line by www.monave.com They have plain minerals and have recently added some all natural liquid minerals. Again the owner is great and very helpful. They offer samles to help with color selection.

I'd be careful of any of the more commercially made "naturals". Other than Aubrey (which I don't care for) most that I've looked at contain synthetics and petrochemical preservatives (parabens, etc.). The Kiss my face stuff is made with sulfates and has parabens I'd definitely check out Anna belline and monave. I can't say enough good things!!!

[velcromom]

I've heard a lot of people say they have good results using a soap made with Dead Sea Mud for acne-prone skin.

You might also look up the Oil Cleansing Method, it's been discussed quite a bit here.

For essential oils, herbs, clays, and other natural ingredients, this company has just about everything - www.camdengrey.com - you'll want to look up some info on the essential oils though, no matter where you get them from - they are sometimes just as potent as synthetics and need to be used appropriately. Some have limitations to their uses and you really should find out before you add them to your skincare routine.

[Electra375]

[QUOTE=calebsmama03]
I use this line
www.annabellina.com She is based in GA, not sue where you are but you could potentially visit her salon. I swear my skin turned a miraculous 180 after using her stuff Can't rave enough! I keep my routine very simple now but at first was using an gel to help with acne, a serum to help remove dead skin along with the cleansing stuff. Now I use an exfoliating cloth (from my makeup store, see below), her honey cleanser and neroli hydrosol as a toner. When I need moisture I use a shea butter based one I bought locally. The owner is fabulous and will take a lot of time to help figure out what is right for you. It isn't cheap, but it is concentrated and lasts a while.

Thanks for the recommendation! I place an order this afternoon. I was searching around MDC for something to help me -- I always turn here first, like, where else is there on the web for information??? :LOL

I e-mailed the owner describe what my condition was and what I wanted and what I had been looking at on her site. She e-mailed me back directly and answer my questions, so nice!!!

I've also be researching new make-up options today, but no firm answer on what I'll go with there.

[tilly2321]

Anna bellina during pregnancy

Can you use the products recommended for acne during pregnancy?
Elle

[Electra375]

I don't see why not. Go to the web page and send an e-mail question, she was very quick in responding and so very nice.

[calebsmama03]

Originally Posted by tilly2321

Can you use the products recommended for acne during pregnancy?
Elle

I'm currently 38 wks pg and didn't find anything that was "contraindicated" for pg. I did, however, have to scale back my routine a LOT when I got pg since my skin went nuts - breaking out but super dry and SENSITIVE, so make any choices with that in mind. The other thing to keep in mind is that you may not have to use all "acne" products. SOmetimes it's just the ingredients you're using that are an issue and once your skin gets cleaned out you don't have "acne", KWIM? FWIW, I use the honey cleanser (YUMMY! smells like orange blossom, is more of a cream/lotion that doesn't lather but cleans great!) and a toner (either the orange blossom hydriance, which is pricier, or neroli hydrosol). I needed a lotion with more moisture and was afraid of trying coconut oil so I use a local brand but prior to PG I used several of her light lotions and all were great. I've also used the acne treatment stuff - the best is actually on her brother's site now (www.annabotanica.com) called "acnacea". It's light and not too drying, if a bit funky scented I've used some of her serums too (pore minimizing and smoothing, I think) to get rid of some fine lines and scars.

Definitely e-mail her - she's super sweet and very responsive to questions.

To the OP re: makeup - Seriously check out monave.. I love the dry minerals, but think that the newer liquids they have are acne safe (one may have coconut oil though?) and no artificial junk Generous samples too