Glowing Skin Remedies

First of all, I really enjoy this website to find natural cures for everyday ailments. Thank you.

I wanted to share a tip I learned from your website. I wash my face with a mild soap. Once or twice a week, I exfoliate with a paste made from Baking Soda and water, rinse thoroughly. Twice a day, for a toner I use the organic ACV. For moisturizer, I use organic EV coconut oil. I am in my late 40's and my skin looks better than people much younger than me. Initially, I have been using Light EV olive oil for some five years, then switched to the above regiment since finding this website about two months ago.

Another tip I learned from your website is regarding athlete's feet: My husband has a re-occurring case. He's tried prescription meds and over the counter creams, but nothing has really worked. First I have organic ACV in a spray bottle, spray his feet and let it air dry. Then I apply EV coconut oil. Any rough areas I use a pumice stone. A noticeable difference can be seen within a few days. I made a believer out of my husband!

The following are some of the things that have worked very well for me in taking care of my skin from youth to now (age 45).

In my youth, my dermatologist prescribed 50,000 I. U. S of VITAMIN A per day for my acne. This worked well, but after a while I began to experience extreem hair loss (too much of a good thing). So I began to apply it topically, I had even better results.

Because my mom practically raised me at our local health food store, we followed the recommendations of the store owner, TEA TREE OIL, applied after cleansing. I loved this stuff and still use it on occasion.

Mom also steamed her face regularly with SENNA LEAVES, I also did this. However, I was young and not that smart... I thought the heat was what was helping my skin so I began to wash my face with extreemly hot water (do not do this! I broke a ton of blood vessels on my face and no, those never went away).

Later, I found facial cleansers with SALICYLIC ACID and this helped a great deal. Look for one that is natural.

Now that I am older (43) I do not have the acne problems, Just wanting to keep my youth. I rarely use cleansers (only when I wear makeup), I just exfoliate with BAKING SODA, then I use an ALGAE EXTRACT solution (this has algenic acid that helps to lightly exfoliate). It is important to exfoliate (we need to get the dead skin off so our skin can better ABSORB MOISTURE). Algae extract is also packed with minerals that also benefit our skin (when our skin is mineralized it can better HOLD MOISTURE). (I have used algae extract for the last 15 years and can truely see a difference in my skin and my girl friends' skin). I follow up with one of three oils: JOJOBA OIL (they say it is most like our skins natural skin "oils"), SHEA BUTTER (I use the unrefined stuff from Africa... this is great stuff for dry winters), or COCONUT OIL.

I am currently experimenting with applying powdered VITAMIN C mixed with a touch of water (Vit. C helps build collegen). And today I am starting to supplement with ASTAXANTHIN. After reading an article on how well it works for wrinkles. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/05/25/sunscreen-and-wrinkle-prevention-in-a-pill.aspx

I also just ordered a book on FACIAL EXERCISES (15 minutes a day... I can do this, I hope! ).

My mom is a HOT MOMA, I owe a lot to her, for her knowledge and her genes.

After browsing your site, I began giving myself honey facials. I just slightly dampened my skin, patted on some honey, let it dry, and then rinsed it off. I noticed that the deep creases in my forehead temporarily plumped out. So I added a few more steps. After I rinse off the honey, I splash just a little ACV all over my face, and rinse that off. Then I put just a little jojoba oil on my facial skin and let it soak in.

I did this last night, and this afternoon at nearly 4 p.m., the deep creases in my forehead are still plumped out! It's like Botox without needles, and a lot less expensive. So now instead of spending a lot of money on various facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and various anti-aging unguents, it only costs a few dollars for the honey, ACV, and jojoba oil.

Taking one tablespoon of flax seed oil (an omega 3 essential oil, meaning we cannot create it within ourselves) internally twice a day, and/or using ground flax seeds in smoothies, hot cereals, on salads and veggies will moisturize your skin from the inside out. It will take several months of taking it internally on a consistent basis to see a difference in your skin because your body will address its nutritional needs before it will address the skin. Beauty starts on the inside.

Be sure to store either the oil or the seeds in the fridge or freezer to prevent them from going rancid, which this oil does easily. This is also a good preventative against breast cancer.

Also, flax seed oil is an excellent moisturizer and healing agent used topically on the skin. I am experimenting with this oil in making my own lotions and creams. I remember using Noxzema on my face as a teenager and the compliments I got after using it to clear up a few zits. One of the main natural ingredients in Noxzema is linseed oil, aka flax seed oil.

Something else you can do is make a cream using shea nut or cocoa butter instead of coconut oil. Coconut oil is recommended as a moisturizer for those with oily skin. You can take 1 cup of nut butter, melt and add 1/2 cup of another oil like apricot kernal, rosehip seed oil, flax seed oil or jojoba oil plus a teaspoon of vitamin E oil as a preservative. Simmer only or use a double boiler so you don't destroy the healing properties of the butters and oils, then pour into jars for use. This thins the butter and adds other oils for more skin nutrients. The key in applying any cream or lotion on the skin is to apply it to damp skin to seal in the moisture.

Another thing to do that's highly recommended is to a body scrub with an oil and either salt or sugar or both added. In a container, add about 1/2 of the salt or sugar and add enough oil to cover about 1/4 inch above the mixture. This exfoliates the dead skin off so the water from bathing and the oils or creams applied after have a chance to penetrate into the skin. A few drops of an essential oil like rose, lavender, frankincense, carrot seed, or jasmine for dry skin will scent the cream and add healing properties to it.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of pure clean water to flush the body and rehydrate. Not drinking enough will lead to dry skin.

One last suggestion. Do an internal cleanse like Dr.Natura's Colonix internal cleansing system. I was amazed at what this product did for me, and I have written about this on a thread for heavy metal cleansing. The benefits go way beyond cleansing heavy metals. Getting rid of the accumulated gunk on your insides helps you absorb nutrients needed for your health and beauty. There are many testimonies on their website about hair, skin and nail improvements from this cleanse among many other things.

I love the suggestion about the AC vinegar. I've been researching homemade skin, body and hair care recipes and I would like to try that out. My only problem is that I do not have a bathtub. Would slathering it on my body with a sponge in the shower have the same effect?

Blessings and good luck!

A COMBINATION OF REMEDIES, learnt from this site, is ridding acne from my face. A problem I have struggled with for years is finally saying Bye-Bye! I have introduced my body to OIL PULLING; I alternate days by eating either 1 TOMATO or 1 tbsp MOLASSES first thing in the morning. I do the BROWN-SUGAR SCRUB twice per week. I use HYDROGEN PEROXIDE after washing face; wash pillowcase regularly; apply VIT E before bed; apply a different FACE MASK once per week; apply CLEAR TAPE over troubled areas and peel away dead skin cells once per week. I also drink water regularly (spring/purified/tap). Thank you Earth Clinic for alternatives, and thank you fellow readers for sharing your tips.