Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask?

[MrsMike]

Anyone use this? I tried it many years ago when I was a teen and I remember it worked well enough. I'm experiencing a horrible breakout and I'm almost ready to give in on the honey and tea tree oil because I'm so frustrated. I know the QH mask is cruelty free and made in the US. I don't know if I'm too happy with the ingredients, which include parabens :

Distilled Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Methylparaben

I'm stuck between sucking it up and sticking to the TTO and honey or finding something else. I just wish my skin would clear up.

[fanniefarkle]

Haven't used this brand in a number of years. Maybe someone can comment on the ingredients.

Have you tried the oil-method of facial cleansing? I'm going to buy some castor oil tomorrow and start washing my face this way. Here's a link

[Mallori]

I don't know if this will help you, and i'm probably posting it all over (i'd like to shout it from the rooftops actually). But i'm in the middle of healing my third major breakout of the year. I finally found the connection: Fabric Softener. I put 2 & 2 together finally, and realized it coincides with my spring use of F. softener and line drying. It gave me horrible ruptures on my arms and one on my leg as well. My chin looks like crap.

I stripped my towels and sheets in hot water with some b. soda and blue Dawn dish detergent. I'm healing now.

My Charlies soap can't get here fast enough. It's vinegar in a new Downy ball all the way for me now. Not sure if it can help you or not, but I wish i'd known sooner.

[Mallori]

And now I'll post the mask that I currently love: all natural too.

1/2 to 1 tsp. Lemon juice ( i use reallemon in the bottle)
1 egg white
1 tsp. honey
1/2 c. strawberries. (word has it strawberries have salycilic acid in them)

Blend. Apply to entire face, staying away from eyes. Let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm/cool water.

I follow up with ACV diluted, let dry. Aloe vera, dry. then the tiniest smidge of jojoba.

[MrsMike]

I haven't heard of the oil method, though I think I might give t hat a try. Let us know how it works for you, sidshappymama.
Mallori, thanks for the mask recipe. I'm definitely going to try that. I still need to get myself some apple cider vinegar. Also, I have an actual aloe plant and I want to learn how to make gel from that instead of buying it at the store. I stopped using fabric softener 2 years ago when my son was born for a variety of reasons, mainly cloth diapering. I use A&H perfume/dye free, but I do want to switch to Seventh Generation or even make my own stuff and see if it makes a different. I have a feeling, though, that most of my skin problems are tied to hormones. Darnit.

[fanniefarkle]

MrsMike, I am in luuuuuvre with the oil-based cleansing method!!! I just tried it, and my skin has never felt better. Really. It takes much longer than just washing, but it's worth it!

[Mallori]

Also, I have an actual aloe plant and I want to learn how to make gel from that instead of buying it at the store.

No process needed. You just cut a slip from the plant, slit it open and rub the juice on your face. It's fantastic. I went to bottled stuff though, because I killed off one of my aloe plants rather quickly. Lily of the Desert brand is 97% pure aloe with some vit. E added. It has had the same effect for me that the plant did.