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Taking Care of Your Skin
Taking Care of Your Skin
Healthy skin daily secretes an important protective covering. This covering is called our "
acid mantle" because the secretions are acidic and it helps to protect our body from harmful organisms and harsh environmental effects.
To keep your skin healthy and your acid mantle functioning properly you should follow a daily regimen of:
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Eating a healthy, whole foods
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Eat essential fatty acids from fresh plant oils and fish oils
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Drink plenty of fresh water and most important
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Get regular outdoor exercise.
Essential Oils
The regular use of products made with pure essential oils and plant extracts also helps to keep your skin healthy. Most essential oils cannot be used directly on your skin but must be diluted in other natural oils and butters to get the most benefits from them. Essential oils and plant extracts contain nutrients and minerals that are essential to proper skin health. Our skin cells recognize these nutrients and will readily accept them in through our pores. Essential oils help to create health and balance to our system.
A Little Experiment
If you are not sure just how much your skin absorbs do a little experiment. Place a small piece of garlic in the toe of your shoe or in somebody else?s shoe [with their permission of course ;) ] and see how long it takes you to start tasting garlic! Our skin is the largest organ of our body and is exposed to all sorts of elements. Our skin protect us, but it also absorbs all those toxins we regularly put on our skin as cosmetics and skin care products.
Avoid Petroleum Products
Petroleum products, such as petroleum jelly, baby oil, mineral oil and artificial preservatives that are commonly found in store-bought lotions, creams and skin care products are foreign to our skin and clogging to our pores. They also attract dirt, bacteria and can become vehicles for these unwelcome substances. When our skin has to deal with this abuse, it ultimately weakens and breaks down. This is very evident with the rise in skin allergies, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin and skin cancer.
Daily Skin Care Routine for Your Face
Developing a healthy daily skin care routine can work wonders for your skin. The three basic steps to healthy skin are:
Cleanse
Avoid using soaps that are harsh to your skin. Many of the "Beauty Bars" and so-called moisturizing bars available in the stores contain detergents that strip your skin of nutrients and upset the acid mantle. These detergent-based bars should definitely not be used on your face.
Use a natural, botanical soap that contains moisturizing plant oils such as olive, almond, avocado, and jojoba ( Natural Soaps). Check the label for these products and be sure the label says "soap". Otherwise, even if it has some good botanical oils, the detergent it contains will strip the oils away and promote dryness.
Use lots of warm water and your finger tips in a gentle curricular motion. Avoid using scrubbing pads or abrasive cloths when you have acne. These can rupture pustules (pimples) and spread infection.
Tone
Toning helps to tighten and close your skin's pores which intern helps keep bacteria and dirt out and also creates a smooth appearance.
Avoid facial toners that contain alcohol. Alcohol is harsh and can destroy your skin. Instead use botanical waters (hydrosols), such as Lavender and Rose water, also dilutted fruit vinegars make excellent facial toners.
To apply, dab toner on your face lightly; using a pre-moistened cotton cloth or cotton ball. Or you can apply toner using a pump spray-top bottle. Mix distilled water and pure essential oils, shake well then spritz lightly on face (keep your eyes closed during misting). Allow to air dry or pat lightly with a clean, cotton towel. We will have recipes for toners in our recipe files soon.
Moisturize
The most important step! To prevent premature aging and wrinkling of your skin you must moisturize it.
Avoid moisturizers that contain alcohol, petroleum products (see above), and synthetic preservatives as they will rob your skin of vital nutrients and ultimately cause a mottled, wrinkled appearance to your skin.
Use moisturizers that contain natural, botanical oils such as jojoba, avocado, olive, almond, apricot and essential oils such as lavender, carrot seed, rosemary, myrrh and chamomile. Your choice of which essential oils to use depends on your skin type.
Acne/Oily Skin: Lavender, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Juniper, Ylang-ylang
Dry Skin: Chamomile, Geranium, Myrrh, Rose, Sandalwood, Neroli.
Sensitive Skin: Chamomile, Lavender, Neroli, Rosewood.
Mature/Sun-damaged Skin: Bergamot, Carrot Seed, Lavender, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Neroli, Frankincense, evening primrose, emu oil. Back to Articles |
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