Food on My Face: Natural Face Masks for Acne

Taking care of one’s skin can be a costly and frustrating undertaking. Not having the kind of money beautiful skin seems to require can be frustrating and leave those of us who are skin-challenged wondering what can be done? It turns that all you have to do is get creative and look in your kitchen for  a ridiculously affordable way to bless your skin by creating your own natural face masks.

In my experiences with acne and other skin-related ailments, I found that, by putting food on my face, I can save money while nourishing and healing my skin with truly surprising results.

Here is one of my favorite combinations. In addition to acne, I have somewhat sensitive skin, and these ingredients have not only helped my acne, but are gentle enough to not irritate my skin in the process. I am absolutely amazed at the results I am getting!

Strawberries are a potent source of antioxidants and vitamin C (a half-cup of strawberries contain nearly 50 mg of vitamin C). They also lighten any pigmentation problems (such as scarring).

Raw honey has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. It also helps calm irritated skin.

Lemon is also full of vitamin C, and citric acid. Like strawberries, it will lighten pigmentation, and will help reduce oily skin without over-drying it.

Mustard powder is a natural source of salicylic acid, one of the most common ingredients in treatments.

Apple cider vinegar helps clean out pores from oil and bacteria. It is also a natural detoxifier for the skin when applied topically, and helps to reduce swelling and dry the skin from excess oils.

Cinnamon can help rid your skin of acne by both drying out the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the skin surface, which also helps plump skin like a mini collagen treatment.

Grape seed oil is great for sensitive skin, and actually helps reduce the oiliness of skin.  The antioxidants in grape seed extract have also been said to safeguard the elastin and collagen in your skin.

Lavender oil calms irritated skin. It also kills bacteria and reduces inflammation.

Strawberry Spice Mask (for acne and smaller pores)

3 strawberries (green part can stay on)

1 tablespoon raw honey

¼ lemon – squeezed

1 teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon grape seed oil (can use evoo if you don’t have grape seed)

Optional:

4 drops lavender oil

I prefer to juice my strawberries in a juicer then mix the rest of the ingredients with the strawberry juice. However, if you do not own a juicer, you can use a blender instead. If you use a juicer, the mask will be less chunky and easier to apply.

If you use a blender, add all the ingredients (with exception of the lavender oil) and blend until it is pureed and smooth. Stir in the lavender oil.

Spread onto your face, not getting it too close to your eyes, and leave on for 25-30 minutes. This mask will tingle and may slightly burn. Do not be alarmed! The burning will go away after a few minutes and will actually start to feel soothing.

Rinse off with warm water after 25-30 minutes and discard any unused product. Moisturize afterwards (you can even use a small amount of grape seed oil with a drop or two of lavender oil as a moisturizing, soothing serum).

Please comment and let me know how this worked out for you!

Veriditas Botanicals Therapeutic Essential Oils

Melissa Farris attended the California School of Herbal Studies in Sonoma County, California over a decade ago, and has never looked back with her medicine making ever since! She now owns www.VeriditasBotanicals.com which is an entirely organic line of therapeutic blends of essential oils. They smell amazing! Plus they actually work.

Essential oils are very precious remedies for our bodies and spirits. The sense of smell is evocative, supportive, and cleansing for the emotions as well. Synthetic scents, although initially pleasurable, are generally neurotoxic. Her natural combos are wisely constructed to work on common health challenges like eczema, sinus congestion, and menstrual cramps. The Mayo Clinic is currently doing case studies on three of the Veriditas Wellness Formulas.
Out of a concern for the earth all herbs used to make the oils are grown without pesticides, and the oils are free of adulterants. This is important as well because what we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bodies. Melissa says, “We believe that when we support small organic farms we are taking a revolutionary stand to promote healing of our bodies, the earth, and local economies.”

The oils are reasonably priced, considering the quality and effectiveness, and available online or at select

health food stores!

Clear Skin, Naturally

I used to take minocycline (a commonly prescribed antibiotic) for acne. It worked for a little while, then gradually became ineffective. Also, I definitely noticed the effects of antibiotics on my body long term. My digestion was off, I felt tired. The fact is, antibiotics are not meant to be used for long-term treatment; they are very aggressive.

Years ago, I spoke with a naturopath (herbalist) who suggested two herbal supplements in place of the minocycline: omega-3 fish oil, and a liver support supplement. It worked wonders for me. I could see the results right away, and it was more effective then the minocycline had ever been. In conjunction with a couple of topical acne products (benzoyl peroxide was in the morning, salicylic acne pads at night), it kept my skin totally clear. That was about 6 years ago, and I still use that same combination. On the rare occasion that I get a breakout, I just double the dosage for a day or so, and it clears right up.

The brand of supplement makes a difference. They are not all the same, both in terms of quality, and in terms of formula. The two specific brands that I use are Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, and Solaray Liver Blend SP-13. The Ultimate Omega is effective because it is a very potent, comprehensive formula. As far as the liver support supplement goes, I’ve tried many different brands, and I’ve found the most important ingredients when it comes to the skin are milk thistle, dandelion, and burdock. The Solaray supplement has all of these. It also has kelp and peppermint, which can be very helpful in keeping your body cool. I would recommend Omega-3: 1, 2x daily—Liver Support: 2, 2x daily. So, in the morning and at night. If you already have a breakout, start with 2 Omega-3 caps, and 4 Liver Support caps. Once it clears up, go back down to the initial dosage.

Start investigating more natural avenues to treat your physical ailments.

Your body will thank you.

Childcare goes Green

Jessica Alba has started an online company for green childcare products. For $85- $100 you can have a month’s green diapers and wipes delivered to your door. Depending on where you live and what age your baby is, the average price of buying disposable diapers from the store for a month is about $80, cloth diapers washed by a service every month costs approximately $80, and cloth diapers washed at home for a month is around $20.

So Jessica’s company is economically comparable, the products are innovative and high-quality, and the philosophy logical. A free trial is offered to experience the products and service. The company is called www.honest.com and it also offers other convenient green baby products like baby shampoo, body balm, laundry detergent etc. A portion of proceeds from sales is donated to www.baby2baby.org which provides childcare basics to those in need in the LA area. Jessica’s product is in the higher price range, but wipes are included, the environmental and health impacts are positive, and the product is delivered directly to the customer’s door every month.

The Beauty of Nature

Josh Rosebrooks all-natural, organic beauty line is not only a healthy approach to anti-aging, but also amongst the growing number of authentic products making an impact on a market rife with body-disruptive chemicals.

How did your beauty journey begin?
I was fascinated with taking care of my skin since I was about 18. I loved the fact that if I did a few things every day, over time, I would always look younger. I began reading the ingredients on the skin care products, researching and testing them on myself. I was always finding ingredients and products that I thought were working and researching to understand why. I have always been fascinated with plants and herbs. It is so amazing to me that these botanical extracts and essential oils contain such mind blowing properties for health and anti aging. All the bases are covered in nature and it is absolutely complete with the highest forms of all vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes, proteins and nutrients…

LA Hair Just Got Hotter

I cannot rave enough about my experience at Fred Segal Salon with the owner Matthew Preece and the Formula LA shampoo and conditioner I was gifted! I had my hair cut and colored on February 23rd, yes February 23rd, and it still looks amazing 14 weeks later – incredible!

A Chemical-Free Bottle for Baby

Parents now have an alternative to the toxic plastic bottles, which research has shown leaches the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) into food and drink.

Jen Moore, founder of Pura Stainless, has developed an electro-polished stainless steel bottle thats BPA free, hygienic, lightweight and durable. Best of all, it wont leach chemicals into the drink inside.

Beauty Maven Meets Eco Beauty

What Rachel Avalons seminar taught me about the beauty industry…

Whether its dipping into latest Sephora finds or scanning through celebrity looks, my heart has always fluttered just that much more when it comes to beauty. And with being an eco writer, I figured I pretty much knew all there was to about eco beauty.

A Book for Holistic & Haute “Pregantistas”

Olympic volleyball gold medalist and “haute” mamma-to-be (for the second time) Kerri Walsh, actress and holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty, and Tastybaby founders Shannan Swanson and Liane Weintraub gathered at the W Los Angeles in Westwood last night to host the launch of celebrated author Amy Tara Kochs new book, Bump It Up: Transform Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement.

Koch, who is a renowned style expert and journalist, showed off her new book at the swanky hotel as guests received exclusive styling tips on how to be a fashion forward, conscious “pregnantista” without breaking the bank. With silhouette-based line drawings by several of todays top fashion designers such as Nicole Miller, Isaac Mizrahi, Diane Von Furstenberg and Milly, along with advice culled from editors at Vogue, Lucky, and W; Bump It Up is being touted as the modern pregnancy style bible. We headed poolside to chat to Amy (above) about her new book.

Anna Getty (above) also shared tips on how to be green and glam as well as the lowdown on Pregnancy Awareness Month, an empowerment campaign to help women feel comfortable as they move into motherhood.

Why I Don’t Wear Sunscreen (and Never Will)

I don’t wear sunscreen and never will.

I stopped using sunblock the moment I stopped being a beauty editor a few years ago. A combination of gut feeling and research told me what I was being told to “protect” my skin with was little more than a poison (and poisonous it is).

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