Finding a Natural Skin Care Routine

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Skin care products can be a major source of toxins for many people. Most are packed with chemicals and artificial ingredients that might have a temporary positive effect on the skin, but will have negative long term effects. These artificial ingredients can also be absorbed in to skin and build up in the body.

The good news is that there are natural, simple and inexpensive options that actually work better than most commercial products without the harmful ingredients.

In general, the natural oil cleansing method is a great solution for any skin type, though the combinations of oils varies based on skin type (see below). See the full tutorial here.

The best combination of natural skin care options varies based on skin types:

Oily Skin

Switching to gentle and natural skin care options often goes a long way toward removing excess oil production, but in the meantime, there are some natural ingredients that can help prevent breakouts and remove excess oil.

To Exfoliate: A mix of equal parts sea salt and oil (like olive or almond) creates a natural scrub that will help remove impurities without stripping excess oils.

To Cleanse: Oil Cleansing is my go-to cleansing method for any skin type. The full oil cleansing tutorial is here, but in general, those with oily skin will need a higher amount of castor oil in relation to the other oils to keep skin from being too oily during transition. In general, a half and half mix of castor oil and olive oil or even a 2/3 castor oil 1/3 olive oil mix seems to work best.

Moisturizing/Toning: Those with oily skin will need less moisturizing as skin adjusts, and often, the natural oils from oil cleansing are enough. If not, a very light layer of coconut oil works, or for those who find that too oily, a diluted apple cider vinegar toner helps keep oil at bay. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water stored in the fridge works great…

Natural Make-up options can also help tone down excess oil.

Normal/Combination Skin:

I’ve always loved that term, because really.. what is “normal” skin anyway…

Those with skin that is not typically oily or dry and that responds well to different types of products and makeup usually adjust very quickly to natural skin care options. Those with this type of skin also usually can use a variety of different options and still have good results.

My skin was more oily when I was younger and as I’ve transitioned to natural skin care options, it has become more “normal” so these are the options that I use:

To Exfoliate: A homemade sugar scrub is a wonderful natural exfoliator. Here are some of my favorite recipes.

To Cleanse: Oil Cleansing is a wonderful option for every skin type, but is very balancing for normal/combination skin. Usually a mix of about 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 of another oil (olive, almond, etc) works great, but this can be adjusted to suit individual skin. Here is the full tutorial on oil cleansing.

To Moisturize: Those with normal skin tend to do well with most moisturizing options and often don’t need anything additional as a moisturizer. When needed, my favorite options are natural lotion bars or a tiny bit of homemade lotion. Even a dab of coconut oil or shea butter alone often works great for this skin type.

Natural Make-up options usually work wonderfully on this type skin as well.

Dry Skin

Those with dry or aging skin often benefit immediately from natural skin care options. Often, using natural oils on the skin helps the skin to balance oil production and stop being dry to begin with.

To Exfoliate: Often, exfoliating is not needed for this skin type, but a gentle homemade sugar scrub can be a way to add natural oils and gently remove dead skin. Here are some of favourite recipes.

To Cleanse: Oil Cleansing truly is the best option for all skin types (in my opinion) but it is great for dry skin since it doesn’t strip the natural oils at all. As castor oil is the more drying oil in oil cleansing, usually only a tiny amount is needed (about a teaspoon of castor oil in 1/4 cup of another oil like olive or almond).

To Moisturize: Homemade lotion bars, super-moisturizing homemade lotion, and whipped body butter are all excellent moisturizing options for dry skin types. Plain organic shea butter can also be a simple and effective option.

From a previous article… there are also some additional things that can help slow skin aging…

Natural Anti-Aging

There are a ton of anti-aging products available but the best options are the ones you take internally. All of the collagen products that are supposed to firm up skin don’t take into account that collagen must be produced internally and is too large to absorb through the skin.

To promote natural collagen production, I’d suggest using coconut oil as a moisturizer and taking Gelatin, Fermented Cod Liver Oil/Butter Blend and Vitamin C to support natural Collagen production internally.

Supplements for Skin Care

I’m firmly convinced that what you put into your body is just as important, if not more so, than what you put on it when it comes to skin health. I used to have terrible acne and since changing my diet and supplements, I don’t break out at all and my past scars have healed. The supplements that seemed to have made the biggest difference in skin health for me are:
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Fermented Cod Liver Oil- for the Vitamins A, D and K, Omega-3s and Antioxidants, all which are great for the skin.

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Gelatin – Which is a pre-cursor for collagen and has made my hair, skin and nails noticeably stronger and smoother (great for cellulite too).

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Magnesium- An anti-inflammatory and lacking in many people’s diets. Topical Magnesium Oil seems to be the most effective for skin health.

What is Oil Cleansing?

Though it sounds somewhat crazy at first, the idea of using natural oils to cleanse the skin gently actually makes a lot of sense. The basic idea of oil cleansing is to use natural oils in specific combination to cleanse the skin and naturally balance the skin’s natural oils. This produces much more nourished and moisturized skin that traditional soap and detergent based facial cleaners. As the website dedicated to the oil cleansing method explains:

“The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production.”

Even Acne.org explains the benefits of oil cleansing:

“Fact: Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: Other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”

But Does It Work?

This is the part I’m most excited to share! Even in third trimester of pregnancy, when my skin usually goes a little hormone-crazy, I have ZERO breakouts, red pots, or splotches! For the past two months, I’ve been using only oil cleansing (and occasionally, a plain antibacterial microfiber cloth to remove makeup if I don’t need to completely cleanse skin again).

When I first started using Oil Cleansing, I had an adjustment period where my skin got worse for about a week. Most resources I’ve seen suggest that this is a detox reaction as impurities are pulled from the skin, and this is definitely what it seemed to be for me. After that, my skin gradually improved and by 3-4 weeks of using only oil cleansing, I had no excess oil, no dry skin, and no blackheads…

I cringe when I think of the dozens of chemical laden products I used, especially in high school, to try to keep my acne under control! The skin care industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it seems that the best solution is one of the most simple, inexpensive, and easy!

I asked several friends and family members who now use the oil cleansing method how it has worked for them, and they seemed to have the same results. Some even noted that the combination of oil cleansing and taking Gelatin daily has been the best anti-aging treatment they’ve discovered!

What You Need:

Want to try Oil Cleansing and see the results for yourself? All you need are a couple of natural oils and a clean wash cloth!

The most common oils used are Castor Oil and Olive Oil, though any natural oil can be used. Castor Oil is naturally astringent, so it helps pull impurities from the skin, making it ideal for oily or combination skin (and even dry skin in lesser amounts). Castor oil should never be used undiluted on the skin, and I always add at least twice the amount of other oil as Castor Oil when making an oil blend.

There is some controversy over the growing practices for Castor Oil (the harvesting and manufacturing exposes workers to a compound that can be toxic, but it is removed in processing), so many people choose to avoid this oil. The finished castor oil is not toxic, so there is no concern there, but for those who don’t want to use it due to its un-sustainable growing practices, hazelnut oil works wonderfully in its place.

My favorite other oil to use is Olive Oil, though sunflower, safflower, or even coconut oils work great.

I get all of the oils I use for oil cleansing from Mountain Rose Herbs, though many local stores might carry them as well. Just look for oils that are cold pressed, organic and pure.

What to Do:

If you are new to oil cleansing, it may take a couple of tries to figure out what blend of oils works best for you. Personally, I use a mix that is 3/4 olive oil and 1/4 castor or hazelnut oil and it is perfect for my skin. Other articles I’ve seen and friends who also use the method recommend these ratios:
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Oily Skin: 1/3 Castor Oil or Hazelnut Oil and 2/3 Olive, Sunflower or other oil

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Combination Skin: 1/4 Castor or Hazelnut Oil and 3/4 Olive, Sunflower or other oil

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Dry Skin: All nourishing oils like olive oil, or a very small amount of Castor/Hazelnut Oil added to the nourishing oils.

To find out the best blend for you, I recommend starting with the suggested amounts above for your skin type and adjusting if needed. When I started, I mixed up very small batches (1 teaspoon castor oil to 2 teaspoons olive oil, etc) until I figured out the right blend for me.

I’ve also found that even pure coconut oil works great once skin has adjusted, though it can be drying on some skin types. One friend uses a half and half mix of coconut and olive oil that she blends in a blender to create a cream, and this works perfectly for her.

To Wash Face With Oil Cleansing:
1.
In the shower or at the bathroom sink, pour about a quarter size amount of the oil blend into your hand and massage into the skin on your face (don’t wet skin first). Use smooth circular strokes and let this also be a gentle facial massage. Massage for at least a minute (two minutes is better) or until you are sure that the oil has saturated your skin. This will also remove make-up very effectively, so there is no need to remove make-up first. You can even leave the oil on the skin for up to 10 minutes to really deep clean pores.

2.
Place a clean washcloth under very hot tap water (or shower water) until it is completely soaked and quickly wring it out. Open it and place over your face. This will create steam against the skin to remove the oils and any impurities in the skin. Leave the wash cloth on for about a minute, or until it cools. Repeat if needed with the other side of the washcloth and then use the corners of the washcloth to gently remove any remaining oil. There will still be a thin layer of oil on the skin and this is beneficial.

3.
Typically, no moisturizer is needed after the adjustment period, but if you still have dry skin, try reducing the amount of astringent oil and using a tiny bit of homemade organic lotion to moisturize skin.

Notes on Oil Cleansing:
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It is normal for it to take a week or so for skin to adjust, and you may even see more oily skin or more breakouts during this time as impurities leave the skin. If you can, resist the urge to use harsh soaps or facial cleansers during this time, as it will make the adjustment period take longer.

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You will likely have to experiment some to find your perfect ratio.

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If you do this in the shower, make sure to clean your shower floor regularly so it doesn’t get slippery!

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