Again on this more natural kick I've been on, I've been trying to get rid of my very un-natural beauty products and go more natural. I already use witch hazel and rose water as a toner, and a natural, handmade soap from Salt Spring Island. However, I didn't have a moisturizer I was happy with, and quite frankly, I wasn't willing to spend big moolah on a natural, brand name product. So, as usual, I did some reading!
My favorite blog, Crunchy Betty, has a couple great articles on oil cleansing (which I plan on trying when I run out of my soap) and oil moisturizing. My mum has been using an olive oil cleanser for years, and while for some strange reason, that worked for me very well when I was pregnant, it now results in serious breakouts. I decided I'm ready to try the method again, after doing more reading and realizing that there are actually better oils than olive oil to use for this. To start of, I thought I'd take a baby step and see how oil moisturizing worked!
My favorite blog, Crunchy Betty, has a couple great articles on oil cleansing (which I plan on trying when I run out of my soap) and oil moisturizing. My mum has been using an olive oil cleanser for years, and while for some strange reason, that worked for me very well when I was pregnant, it now results in serious breakouts. I decided I'm ready to try the method again, after doing more reading and realizing that there are actually better oils than olive oil to use for this. To start of, I thought I'd take a baby step and see how oil moisturizing worked!
Don't be put off by the oil aspect of this technique like I initially was! Using oil (the right oil, albeit) on your face actually helps your skin balance its oil production, so you can combat dry OR oily skin with this method.
So far, just over two weeks in, I'm absolutely LOVING it! My skin is incredibly smooth and radiant and glowing and blemish-free. More of all the above than I ever remember it! As with all things I've tried since going more natural, I wish I'd done this sooner!
I would recommend reading this article - Simple Homemade 3-Ingredient Facial Oil Moisturizer - on Crunchy Betty if you're interested in trying this. While you're at it, browse through her blog for other great, easy home remedies! She also has a great article on Troubleshooting the Oil Cleansing Method.
So far, just over two weeks in, I'm absolutely LOVING it! My skin is incredibly smooth and radiant and glowing and blemish-free. More of all the above than I ever remember it! As with all things I've tried since going more natural, I wish I'd done this sooner!
I would recommend reading this article - Simple Homemade 3-Ingredient Facial Oil Moisturizer - on Crunchy Betty if you're interested in trying this. While you're at it, browse through her blog for other great, easy home remedies! She also has a great article on Troubleshooting the Oil Cleansing Method.
For myself, with combination skin, these are the oils I used:
Grape Seed Oil as the base - a lovely, mild scented oil that acts as a wonderful base for normal, oily or acne-prone skin. To start things off, I made a small batch of this, in case I reacted to it, and only used about 2 tbsp of this oil.
Tamanu Oil - I've wanted to try this oil for months and months, but it's expensive, so i've put it off. I decided it was finally time to splurge and bought a small bottle. I only used about a teaspoon and I find that's all I need. It's got a distinctive nutty, curry-ish scent. Sounds odd, I know, but I kind of like it! This oil is incredible! It feels amazing and is really good for scars and acne, both of which I have!
Evening Primrose Oil - Another oil i've been wanting to try for a while, both topically and internally, but it's not safe to take when you're pregnant. It is, however, safe and beneficial to take while breastfeeding (and is safe for baby's skin if your little one has dry skin like mine)! I bought a big bottle of capsules and put just one in my blend to try, and have been taking it daily internally as well.
Lavender Essential Oil - my all-time favourite essential oil. I use this for everything: sunburns, bug bites, added into coconut oil for dry skin or muscle aches or even congestion, put directly blemishes… the list could go on. I added 5 drops of this to my blend.
Lemongrass Essential Oil - I don't use this oil for much except deodorizing, but I decided to add it to my blend because of it's uplifting and brightening scent and how well it blends with lavender oil. I added 2 drops of this to my blend.
Grape Seed Oil as the base - a lovely, mild scented oil that acts as a wonderful base for normal, oily or acne-prone skin. To start things off, I made a small batch of this, in case I reacted to it, and only used about 2 tbsp of this oil.
Tamanu Oil - I've wanted to try this oil for months and months, but it's expensive, so i've put it off. I decided it was finally time to splurge and bought a small bottle. I only used about a teaspoon and I find that's all I need. It's got a distinctive nutty, curry-ish scent. Sounds odd, I know, but I kind of like it! This oil is incredible! It feels amazing and is really good for scars and acne, both of which I have!
Evening Primrose Oil - Another oil i've been wanting to try for a while, both topically and internally, but it's not safe to take when you're pregnant. It is, however, safe and beneficial to take while breastfeeding (and is safe for baby's skin if your little one has dry skin like mine)! I bought a big bottle of capsules and put just one in my blend to try, and have been taking it daily internally as well.
Lavender Essential Oil - my all-time favourite essential oil. I use this for everything: sunburns, bug bites, added into coconut oil for dry skin or muscle aches or even congestion, put directly blemishes… the list could go on. I added 5 drops of this to my blend.
Lemongrass Essential Oil - I don't use this oil for much except deodorizing, but I decided to add it to my blend because of it's uplifting and brightening scent and how well it blends with lavender oil. I added 2 drops of this to my blend.
After trying this out for two weeks, in conjunction with a thyme infused witch hazel toner (blog post to come), I found that while it worked wonders for my blemishes, and I loved the way it felt, my skin was more dry than I initially thought - my nose was starting to peel a bit. So I decided to add argan oil to the mix too. When I went out to get these oils initially, my mum came with me and bought some of this lovely oil and absolutely loves it. With her testimony and the reading I had done on it, I thought it would be a good addition. Again, this is another expensive oil, so I personally wouldn't use it as the base oil, but as an add-in. It can be used as a base though!
Argan Oil - Another lovely, nutty scented oil that's great for dry skin. I added only about a tsp or two and in a day, the dry skin on my nose was gone! And it's not overly oily, so I feel that this was a perfect addition to my blend! It's also great on it's own to put around your eyes to help with dark circles and lines!
So very much in love with my new moisturizer!
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