Fall & Dry Skin ... Rescue Me, Shea

As if I couldn't find more uses for shea butter beyond my hair and body. Now I use a dab of it on my face along with my regular moisturizer. If you're like me and notice your skin getting drier as the season grows colder, perhaps a bit of shea butter is the answer for you! Other alternatives to eliminate dryness are olive oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil, and coconut oil to name a few. Choose your butter and/or oil wisely though. Coconut oil may be comedogenic for some, while an allergy to nuts could mean bad news with shea butter.

Battle your dry skin before it battles you!


LIST OF COMEDOGENIC OILS
DRY SKIN & HEALTH

Oatmeal Facial for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

All you need are ground oats, buttermilk, egg white, ginger essential oil, and lemon essential oil. For the full recipe and instructions, click here. I have personally never tried the facial, but the ingredients seem promising.



OTHER FACIAL SCRUB RECIPES

Baking Soda for the Skin

I never had acne issues until now in my mid 20s. Maybe it's hormones. Maybe it's age. Eh. Either way, the teenage years of a blemish-free face are long gone and the days of adhering to a solid skin care routine are here to stay.

My current regimen includes internal (e.g., drinking water, minimizing sugar intake) and external (e.g., cleansing twice a day, exfoliating regularly) care. Both are critical and one does not prevail over the other. However, if there is one component of my routine that I absolutely cannot do without it is the baking soda facial wash. Many of you have probably heard about this technique, but I never realized how powerful it was until I returned to it last week. Amazingly enough, baking soda a day keeps the pimples away ... at least for me. No other cleanser has come close to doing this, and believe me, I've tried a LOT of cleansers.

So what does the baking soda facial wash entail? Simply pour some of your regular cleanser into the palm of your hand and mix with about a teaspoon of baking soda. Apply the concoction to your wet face and wash as usual. That's it! I do this nightly to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that have collected on my face during the day. If you want to do without the cleanser and use the baking soda with water, go ahead. That method works as well. In addition to receiving a facial wash that is just as good -- if not better -- than your local store cleanser, you will save some change too. A box of baking soda is very inexpensive; I bought my recent one for about $0.47 at Target. Compare this to the $5, $10, or more spent on commercial cleansers!

The following link includes a simple recipe for a baking soda cleanser:
http://www.armhammer.com/mybody/body_tips.asp

Additionally, you can create a more intricate recipe involving baking soda, sunflower oil, and honey.

Black Skin and Sunscreen

Believe it or not, sun burn can occur in black skin of any complexion. This reality is especially likely when we travel to countries closer to the Equator where the sun is more intense. For this reason, it is important to pack the sunscreen! Even if you don't plan on traveling south of the continental United States, it is still a good idea to wear protection this summer. Oxidative stress caused by sun exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin, including early onset of wrinkles. "Black will eventually crack", and it will do so at a faster pace without UV protection. Shield that face this summer with a moisturizer containing a minimum SPF of 15 and broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB) protection. (Many dermatologists actually recommend a minimum of SPF 30.)  To repair any sun damage incurred during the day, be sure to apply a nightly moisturizer containing retinol. It is also imperative to eat foods (such as carrots, green tea, etc.) that are high in antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress.

*Though it is rare, black skin can develop skin cancer as well. This is yet another reason to wear protection in the form of sunscreen.

SOURCES:
ANTIOXIDANTS & OXIDATIVE STRESS
SKIN CANCER
SUN DAMAGE & AGING
BLACK SKIN & SKIN CANCER

Hyperpigmentation in Black Skin

Your acne or wound disappears, but you are left with a dark spot. This spot is the result of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation - darkening of the skin due to an increase in melanin after cells have been injured. Several dark spots or regions on the skin, particularly on the face, can impact one's self esteem and confidence. As a result, some people turn to concealer and foundation as a fix. Using makeup to hide blemishes is your personal choice, but understand that it may not be your only option. Here are some methods for treating hyperpigmentation that may work for you:

*Prevent/reduce acne via a good skin care regimen
*Use creams with skin lightening ingredients, such as soy, licorice, or vitamin C
*Use creams containing retinol, which is involved in skin renewal
*Try a homemade treatment using citric acid from lemons (see related story below)
*Wear sunscreen to prevent further darkening of hyperpigmented regions
*Exfoliate regularly
*Exfoliate with brown sugar
*Use microdermabrasion
*Get a chemical peel
*Act fast & speak with a dermatologist, especially for deeper pigmentation issues
*NOTE: try to avoid hydroquinone as a skin lightening agent; it may act as a carcinogen (see source below)

Many of these treatments take time to work before you notice visible improvement. Patience is key.

SOURCE & MORE READS:
HYDROQUINONE
CHEMICAL PEELS
MICRODERMABRASION
SOY, LICORICE & VITAMIN C
RETINOL
ACNE TREATMENT
Essence Magazine, MAY 2008 Issue
HYPERPIGMENTATION STUDY

Skin Care ... Homemade Blemish Treatments

HONEY & NUTMEG SCAR REMOVER
"This treatment is meant to help heal the scars caused by skin eruptions, skin accidents, and acne." Honey has anti-bacterial properties, and some claim it has scar healing characteristics as well.

Instructions: Combine 1 teaspoon of nutmeg with 1 teaspoon of honey, and mix them together. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with cool water. Use this honey and nutmeg scar remover twice a week. Click here for a video tutorial.

Additional notes: The above recipe may work best on fresh scars. You can also try mixing honey with cinnamon. Some people swear by this concoction for zapping pimples.


CITRUS BLACKHEAD TREATMENT
"Removing blackheads can easily be done with lemon. Citrus naturally exfoliates, which makes lemon useful when it comes to fighting blackheads in your cleansing routine."

Instructions: Cut the lemon in half then rub it directly on your face before going to bed. You can also extract lemon juice with a citrus reamer, remove the seeds and then add 2 tablespoons of rosewater. Mix the lemon juice and rosewater together and your tonic will be more fragrant. Click here for a video tutorial.

Additional notes: The vitamin C in citrus fruits "can also fade brown spots" and even the skin complexion due to its antioxidant and brightening properties.


TOOTHPASTE PIMPLE SHRINKER
"Dehydrates the pimple and absorbs the oil." It works for me and may work for you. Beware if you have sensitive skin though; some people report increased redness and irritation.

Instructions: Before going to bed, wash and moisturize your face as usual. Apply enough toothpaste on the pimple to cover it completely. You may experience a temporary burning sensation. Do not rinse off until the morning. I have better results with creamy toothpaste over the gel versions. If I'm going out on the town, sometimes I do this treatment for about 10 minutes, and then wash it off with water.

Additional notes: "Be careful not to use a whitening toothpaste because they tend to have high levels of hydrogen peroxide that may irritate or burn the skin."

SOURCES:
HONEY & BACTERIA #1
HONEY & BACTERIA #2
NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
TOOTHPASTE & PIMPLES
HOME REMEDIES FOR ACNE
HONEY & SCARS

Natural Skin Care - On a Budget

Have you ever splurged on a name-brand skin care product only to find out that it doesn't work for you? Or have you always wanted to try that expensive natural skin care product, but its ... well, expensive? If you find yourself wastefully pouring cash into the skin care industry, or if you're wanting to try a natural skin care routine without spending much money, then read on ...

Here are just a few of several skin care recipes that you can whip up on your own for cheap:

Egg Face Lift Mask
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon of sugar

Whisk the egg yolks until the mass is firm and consistent. Add sugar gradually and mix well to combine the two. Apply on the face and leave on for 25 minutes. Wash off with warm water using a wash cloth.

Strawberry Mask for Oily/Problematic Skin
1/2 cup of strawberry
1/4 cornstarch

Mix strawberries and cornstarch together to make a paste. Apply to face. Leave for 30minute rinse off with cool water.

Cucumber and Olive Oil Mask for Dry Skin
3oz cucumber very finely diced
3tsp olive oil
2tsp live yogurt

Mix above ingredients into a fine paste. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes then wash off with cold water. Skin feels soft, conditioned and clean.

Other tips?
Instead of splurging on an exfoliating product at the store, buy some sugar or brown sugar for less, mix a bit with your regular cleanser, and like magic, you have a homemade exfoliant. The grains aid in sloughing off dead skin cells and dirt.

Want a deeper clean without having to spend some serious cash at the local store? Grab a little baking soda, mix it with your regular cleanser, and you have yourself a deep cleanser. Baking soda is a cleaning agent; its powdery texture also aids in exfoliating the skin.

Sources:
MORE RECIPES

Building a Skin Care Regimen

Bombarded with hundreds of skin product commercials. Overwhelmed with packed shelves in skin care aisles. Product labels screaming "fights acne", "anti-aging", and "even complexion". How is one to know where to begin? This post will be one in a series exploring skin care.

WHERE TO BEGIN - BASIC SKIN CARE REGIMEN -

DAILY and NIGHTLY:
- Wash face with a cleanser
- Apply moisturizer

2-3x a WEEK:
- Wash face with a cleanser
- Exfoliate with a scrub (if cleanser does not already contain exfoliants)
- Apply moisturizer

INNER HEALTH:
- Drink sufficient water daily - water cleanses the body inside out
- Don't eat too much sugar - studies suggest that sugars induce acne

Why wash daily?
Need I elaborate on this?

Why wash nightly?
As the day progresses, the face may accumulate dirt, oil, sweat, and bacteria. This buildup on the skin may clog the pores if not washed away. Additionally, beauty products (e.g., makeup) applied to the face may break down into chemicals and attract bacteria that can be damaging to the skin. They too should be washed away at night.

Why exfoliate?
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells -- which contribute to clogged pores and acne -- that regular cleansers cannot. There is the option of following up a cleanser with an exfoliating scrub OR using an exfoliating cleanser.

What cleanser to use?
This depends on whether your skin is prone to dryness, oiliness, neither, a combination of the two, or acne. Learn your skin first. Then find a product that caters to it. There is no one answer to this question that will work for every skin.

What moisturizer to use?
Again, this depends on whether your skin is prone to dryness, oiliness, neither, a combination of the two, or acne. Learn your skin type.
It also depends on the weather and your age. For example, during sunny months, target moisturizers that contain an appropriate level of sunscreen. In your 20s and 30s, target moisturizers containing retinoids to delay the onset of wrinkles and repair collagen. For those experiencing hyperpigmentation, target moisturizers containing soy, vitamin C, or other ingredients (stay away from hydroquinone) for even complexion. If you have vitiligo, you may want to stay away from even complexion products.

Are toners necessary?
Short answer: No, but debatable. Many dermatologists say that toners are unnecessary. (See article link below.) However, I have found toners to be especially beneficial on days that I've worn heavy makeup. See what works for you.

UPCOMING SKIN-RELATED POSTS: Natural Skin Care; Sunscreen and Black Skin; and more

MORE READS:
ADULT ACNE
TONER
RETINOID
Natural Health Magazine, May 2008
SKIN CARE FOR ALL AGES
Essence Magazine, May 2008
and more