Category Archives: Skincare

Treating Yourself to an At-Home Facial

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Jurlique Organic Facial 2” by FoundryParkInn is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I’m a firm believer in taking time to engage in self-care rituals that help me to slow down and enjoy the little pleasures in life. I usually give myself a facial every Sunday evening. There’s something about that deep-skin-clean feeling that gives me a little boost of confidence and prepares me to face the workweek ahead. If I find myself eating a little too much sugar or sodium, or perhaps having a few too many glasses of wine, my skin starts appearing dehydrated, dull, and more prone to blemishes. There’s nothing like a facial to jumpstart my skin and give me that little bit of motivation I need to get back on the healthy bandwagon. Beautiful, healthy skin comes from the inside out! Nothing helps me look more radiant than a clean diet, lots of water, and plenty of sleep.

Here’s how to give yourself an at-home facial:

Step 1: Double cleanse

Use an oil cleanser like Vitamin B One Love Organics and massage into face and eyes while skin is dry to loosen any makeup, oil, and dirt. The oil in the cleanser works with the your skin’s natural oil to dissolve clogged pores. Take a hot washcloth and wipe away the cleanser. Then use a second cleaner such as my favorite Shamanuti charcoal cleanser on wet skin. Using a second cleanser further helps deep clean into your pores.

Step 2: Manual Exfoliation

While your skin is still sopping wet, use a facial-scrub such as my personal favorite Brand New Day by One Love Organics. I love this scrub because it is super gentle. You want to scrub VERY gently in circular motions. Scrubbing too harshly can damage your skin’s acid mantle, causing it to become more vulnerable and irritated. You want to scrub just enough to remove any dead skin that can contribute to clogged pores. Rinse and pat dry.

*If you have active acne, you may want to skip this step since scrubbing blemishes can open up them up, and intereferes with your natural healing. It’s the same as picking a pimple – which can lead to scars!

Step 3: Steam

Use a facial steamer such as this one by Conair or heat up some water in a pot over the stove. Not only will the steam help clear your pores, but its great for clearing sinuses! Sit with your face over the steamer and a towel over your head to trap all the steam. Steam for at least ten minutes to give the steam enough time to open your pores. You can get creative by putting some rose water, a few drops of lavender essential oil, or green tea in the hot water to infuse the steam. Breathe in slowly and deeply – and relax!

Step 4: Facial Mask

Use a facial mask to further chemically exfoliate your skin and provide it with skin-happy ingredients! Chemical exfoliation occurs when natural acids or enzymes loosen dead skin cells so that they can be easily removed. Some masks can be quite harsh so be careful and test a small patch of skin before applying it to your face. My skin does not always react well to stronger masks or peels. I have tried many masks and finally found one that is both gentle and very effective in cleaning deep into pores, exfoliating, and healing blemishes. I really like using Refine clay mask by Blissoma. You can also use organic yogurt or sour cream. The lactic acid in the dairy will exfoliate and make your skin glow!

Step 5: Tone

Use an organic toner to remove any remaining bits of your face mask and tighten up your pores. I use a homemade toner with one-third apple cider vinegar and two-thirds rose water. No other toner has worked better for my skin!

Step 6: Moisturize

While skin is still a little damp, use your favorite moisturizer, balm, or oil to seal in moisture. I use rosehip seed oil by Pai. Rosehip seed oil is excellent for diminishing the appearance of discoloration or scarring left from acne.

And voila – Gorgeous, healthy skin is revealed! I have had facials at salons in the past – even ones considered to be organic and for sensitive skin. I always left feeling like my skin was attacked – feeling irritated and raw. Doing at-home facials has given me far better results than any salon I have been to. I hope you find these tips helpful!

 

 

Shamanuti – My Holy Grail Cleanser


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I have been using Shamanuti’s Activated Charcoal Cleanser for several months now, and it is by far the best cleanser I have used to date (and believe me, I’ve tried many cleansers – both mainstream and organic). It provides a deep, powerful clean yet somehow remains incredibly gentle on my skin. I have a history of combination, blemish-prone skin, and this cleanser has helped my skin remain clear while reducing redness and irritation. I tend to get breakouts around the time of my monthly cycle, but after using this gem of a cleanser, my breakouts have significantly reduced! I am convinced it has also helped minimize the appearance of my pores – no more blackheads!

The cleanser provides a gel-like consistency with a light lather. It does not leave my skin tight and dry like previous store-bought cleansers I used to use with harsh sulfates. This cleanser does not strip my natural oils. The scent is hard to describe – “perfumey” yet subtle. The scent must come from a combination of the sweet orange and chamomile ingredients. I use this cleanser every morning, and couldn’t be happier with the results I’m getting!

Have you tried Shamanuti’s cleanser? What is your holy grail cleanser?

 

 

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