Sandalwood Powder, Soap, Rosewater

I stopped messing around with pricey face washes. I use now: dove beauty bar and sandalwood powder, and tone with rosewater. Best skin in years!
Sea Salt

Hi everybody. One month ago I started my quest to rebuild my facial skin. After years and years cleaning only the surface of my skin I had developed enlarged pores. Since I have freckles I usually didn't noticed them and nobody did. But one day I started to wonder if it was just a natural thing and wondered if there was somethign I could do. Of course I knew of those famous brands pore minimizers but I wanted a natural and cheap alternative so I never tried those products.
I begin researching and there was a lot on information on how to unclog pores and black heads, but not that much on how to shrink pores. Most websites said it wasn't possible, just make them appear less noticeable. I started to use the Oil cleansing method. I thought I had a clean face and just large pores. But when I started rubbing coconut oil I had to rub it for hours. And still a lot of stuff was coming out. Then I started using sesame oil (cold pressed) and castor oil.
The best way for this I found was as folows:
First wet my face with warm hot water.
Dry with towel.
Apply castor oil massaging for a minute.
Once again wet with hot water so the oil gets in the pores.
Now dry with a towel, apply castor oil right after and rub with your fingers in circular motion alternating clock direction and reverse.
You will see all the nasty stuff coming out your nose. The stuff you can't actually see but its causing the enlarged clean pores you get to see.
You probably will have to do this for a few days/week, morning and night. Spending between 30min and 45min each time. You won't believe all the dirt coming out of your pores.
When you are done with cleaning your skin inside out you will find yourself with a clean face but large pores. Now it's the time for shrinking the pores. If you try to shrink the pores before doing the oil cleaning method you will only make it worse.
So the best things I've found for shrinking your clean large pores are avocado and the best one Sea Salt water.
Honestly I still can't believe how good this works. I just mix a glass of warm water and 2 tbsp of sea salt. I apply it to the skin, massage a little bit, wait 5min for it to dry and wash it away with warm water. It will give you redness at first, but some time later you will see your pores disappearing. I'm amazed that with only 1 aplication its working this good. So my advice for large pores is- Oil cleansing method using coconut, sesame or castor oil for a few days. Sea salt water for minimizing the clean pores. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Sesame Oil

organic cold pressed sesame oil... wow! i have begun using this oil for everything!!!
my skin loves it - i use it for moisturizing and before i get in the bath - and massage.
it is wonderful to massage your whole body (face included) and then scrub with handfuls of epsom salts!!! then just rinse off the epsom salts and massage the rest of the sesame oil into your skin!!!
i also use this as nose drops - and it really helps my allergies!!!
and of course i use it for oil pulling!
i have tried VCO, EVOO, etc. and organic cold pressed sesame oil is the best for me!!!
try it if you have dry or aging skin - i promise you will love it. and if the smell bothers you a few drops of lavender or other essential oil fixes this!!!
YAY!
Shark Cartilage Oil

I've enjoyed healthy formulas for 30 years. I even made a product with vinegar. Vinegar bleaches and shrinks pores and sold it to 10s of thousands. The other is shark cartilage oil. Shrinks skin growth about 50% and tightens skin also. Stay healthy and peaceful!
(Los Angeles, USA)
03/20/2007
(Lemoore, USA)
03/29/2007
(London, Canada)
07/14/2008
(Toulon, France)
12/22/2010
Some species of sharks are being hunted to extinction to satisfy the needs of self-obsessed people like you with no environmental conscience. Don't increase the demand for products from WILD animals, are you sure you wouldn't like a bit of rhinoceros horn thrown in? Try and see a little further than you nose. The sharks taken for cartilage are not eaten just wasted.
(Manhattan, Ny)
12/23/2010
I will 2nd Mesems standpoint, (though with less rage).. There is no proven science behind Shark cartilage other than a silly marketing scheme that sharks don't get cancer. Don't waste your money on this stuff.. And yes, we are wiping our oceans of life from our own greed & ignorance.
Shaving
I have a relatively healthy complexion, but for whatever reason the skin on my legs is very sensitive. Whenever I shave, I always get razor-bumps and it almost looks like my razor is cutting into where some of the follicles are because I'll get tiny dot-like scabs along where the hair is suposed to grow. Is there any way to make shaving easier and to make my skin stop reacting so badly?
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
07/02/2011
I don't have such a big problem as you do but I notice that when I shave my legs in bath my skin feels a lot less dry afterwards and not shaved away like when I shave them dry. If you only take showers it might work as well, do it while your legs are under the water. Or else, maybe shaving cream will help!
(Crete, Greece)
06/20/2016
Hi Becki, I know your question about razor bumps is from 2011 but better late than never. Heck, you may have already found a natural remedy that works for you. I will tell you what works for me. After I shave my legs I apply ACV (organic apple cider vinegar), Make sure it says "with mother". ACV is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal remedy and helps close the pores after shaving. I use it also for when I shave under my arms. I also use it as a natural deodorant.
Hope this has helped. GBU!
Shaving
Hello,
I have had recent major rashes and bumps swelling up around where I shave my bikini line. I have always had some razor bumps in the past, but now I have constant large bumps that are sore and swelling that have not gone away for months. What can I do other than to stop shaving to clear up my skin? And why would this happen now? Thank you - Jessica
(Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
02/06/2011
Hi Jessica G, I was taught by a 15 yr old girl whose mother taught her this trick. She said always shave downwards not upwards and because it doesn't cut so close to the skin it doesn't leave bumps but it also means the hair grows back faster. So the solution is 'shave downwards every time you shower'. You probably need to wait until the bumps have gone away but if you feel that is not a nice idea then just start this way now. Hope this helps. Lily.
(Chicago, Illinois Usa)
03/10/2011

I found a great remedy for after shave skin bumps and I used to get them all the time:
I keep the razor submerge in the rubbing alcohol, the whole time it just sits there. I have a small glass for that and replace it with a fresh alcohol as needed. Never had a one bump ever since. and is very cheep..
Silverbeet

I read that Silverbeet reversed sun damage to the skin.. So for the past three months ive been taking a serving everyday without fail.. Its absoulutly true! .. The little liver spots have dissapeared. And one crusty scab type thing has cleared up with no scaring. The thing is?.. If it reverses the uv. damage it must be stiching back up the dna?.. So could it be added to anti ageing treatment as well?
(Houston, Tx)
03/05/2011
For the Americans reading this, silverbeet is known here as chard or swiss chard.
(In The Valley, Ca)
03/06/2011
(Teaneck, Nj)
03/06/2011
(Birmingham, West Midlands, Uk)
03/06/2011
(Monganui, New Zealand)
03/07/2011
I usually buy it from the supermarket in a plastic bag.. After cutting the top off the bag I pull it (the bag) down leaving the tops exposed.. Then with a pair of sissors cut the amount for a serving. This keeps it fresh for days if you pull the bag up and pop it back in the fridge. Then I just sweat it a bit in the wok, usually with some garlic and ginger, and pheraps some tomatoe.. When its done I then fry some bread in olive oil and then put a fried egg on top, but all the rest is optional. Its been about three months, and my skin has never looked so good.. So I'm sure if you do the same you should get similar results.. Of course you could just eat it in a sandwich raw.. but its more pallatable sweated in the wok.
(Monganui, New Zealand)
03/08/2011
Smiling While You Moisturize

Make a big smile while cleansing, and moisturizing your face. There is something about the massaging effect of your face while it's in a smiling expression that makes it give off a beautiful glow. Also, smiling at your reflection while giving tender loving care to your skin somehow has a positive mental effect on your complexion, and your entire day!!
Soaps

What keeps wrinkles at bay. I have Ehlers_Danlos Syndrome and most people with this condition have very youthful looks. I definitely wouldn't recommend a genetic defect to keep you looking young but it does help ;) No, but seriously, make your own soap, I do, and everybody who uses it always comes back for more. I only use sunflower oil or olive oil to make it with, far better than the animal fat they use commercially. Also home made soap still has the glycerin left in which commercial soap doesn't . Namaste x
(Roxas City, Phil)
01/24/2009
Soaps

1. Wash face with glycerin soap only. 2. Use witch hazel as astringent. 3. Use Oil of Olay as moisturizer. Have been doing this for many years and I look 20 years younger than my age. Don't forget neck shoulders and chest. Also use vaseline on feet and hands at night.
Soaps

I use as little as possible any invasive soaps on my face. I like Basis and I wash my face in warm water and ALWAYS finish with very cold water. I am told that i look 10 to 15 years younger than my actual age 52.
Soaps

Clear Dry Skin . I'm a 42 year old female, often mistaken for 28 years old. I've suffered with dry skin, growing up but if you used only pure mild soaps with moisturizers and cocoa butter it will work wonders on dry skin.
Stephanie's Remedies

I am amazed people! I had old depressed acne scars on my face and was very discolored. Four days after doing the first of five Fraxel laser resurfacing treatments, I broke out in new acne and sandpaper type bumps under the surface of my skin. I stopped using the creams the Doctor gave me and went to this routine:
I wash my face in plain baking soda, then I put raw organic honey, cinnamon, sea salt, a splash of lemon juice and a splash of ACV in the palm of my hand-mix it together and spread it on my face.I leave it on ten or so minutes while I drink a Tbls. or so of ACV in water, rinse my mouth in baking soda and brush my teeth. Then I rinse my face off in tepid water and dry.
I have a spritz bottle that I filled half with lemon juice and half with ACV and a little distilled water so it wouldn't sting and I spray my face with that.
Then I have another bottle filled with Lavender, tea tree, grapeseed and helychrisum oils that I spray on and let air dry.
I cannot tell you people what a miracle this is! My face is looking beautiful! It cleared up the acne and surface bumps in less than two days. I wake up to tight, smooth soft skin. My tone and texture are amazing. I never wear makeup anymore. I swear by this stuff!!! I love also what the fraxel is doing for my scars and color. I have only had one treatment so far and the results will take longer to be complete, but I will never use anything on my face again that you can't eat. I go in for my next laser treatment this week, and the first thing I will put on my red swollen face when I get home is honey. Honey, ACV and Lemon juice are fantastic! My teenage daughter is doing this same routine and has gone from a pimply to perfect complexion in under a week. We love it!
(Calgary, Ab)
12/06/2009
Sudo Cream

When I had dry skin I mixed some Sudo cream with vaseline and rubbed it on my face and left it over night it must be during the night because it makes ur face look really oily and white. Then in the morning I washed it off and my skin had improved it looked more radient. At the moment I have spots and dry skin so I am trying another remedy I mixed one drop of toothpaste with some mose foundation and a drop of sudo cream my face feels fresh. Next time i will mix two drops of oil to make it smooth. If u are a person with really oily skin then apply talk to ur face over night as this will dry the oil and purify it too.
Sugar and Coconut Oil Scrub

A few times a week I take a few spoonfuls of sugar and add virgin coconut oil to create a scrub, it exfoliates and hydrates the skin very well. I don't have exact measurements, just however much you want to add. Hop in the shower and scrub! Baby soft skin!