The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Olive Oil
Posted by Erin (Tuttle, Ok, Usa) on 04/14/2010
★★★★★
I've been obsessed with skin care since I was around 16 (I'm 27 now). I think my obsession stemmed from the fact that my mother looks very old for her age due to years and years of smoking. So, I've used an eye cream day/night moisturizers for over 10 years now. I must say that my favorite moisturizer to use at night is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A very popular Japanese beauty/skin care company sells a tiny bottle of organic extra virgin olive oil for upwards of $40. I buy a large 17 ounce bottle of the same stuff at the grocery store for $6. It lasts forever. All I do is warm a dime sized amount in my hands and pat it on my face after cleansing before bed, concentrating on my forehead and around my eyes. I tend to get lots of compliments on my skin and although I drink tons of water and don't drink or smoke, I like to think that EVOO is really what's helping my skin.
Sesame Oil
Posted by Ratgirldjh (Austin, Texas, USA) on 11/20/2009
★★★★★
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!
Turmeric
Posted by Holly (La, California) on 07/27/2010
★★★★★
I've had acne since I can remember. I've been on every drug available pretty much, up to and including accutaine/isotrenin. I was fed up and about to go back for more Big Pharma when I found out about this site, and I have to say, this is probably my favorite remedy. I make a paste with about 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp hydrogen peroxide. I leave it on for about 10 minutes. Yes, it makes my face yellow, and yes, I have to work to get it off - I usually use a face scrub and more hydrogen peroxide - but it's worth it. My skin is more toned, smaller pores, acne flares dried up a little. And what's more, my turmeric is old and has been sitting in my pantry for a good 10 years or so, and I still get good results. Imagine if it was fresh!
Omega Oils: 3, 6, and 9
Posted by Teekup (Metrowest, MA) on 07/02/2009
★★★★★
I started taking two 1200 mgs capsules of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 (fish, flax & borage oils) this week. I noticed in just a few days that my skin was glowing! I have mild rosacea (looks like I have a permanent sunburn across my cheeks and nose), sensitive, combination skin. I usually have dry patches and the occasional pimple as well. It's frustrating to find any products that my skin can tolerate and make it look good! I usually just use castile soap to wash. I had no idea how fast my skin would turn around for the better! It's smooth, glowing (not shiny) with no dry spots and no new acne. I highly recommend the omegas for beautiful skin!
Omega Oils: 3, 6, and 9
Posted by Stacey (Abbotsford, Bc, Canada) on 09/08/2012
I've also noticed an improvement in my skin since taking Omega 3 oils. I wasn't really taking them for skin but I noticed that some old body acne that wouldn't go away was starting to recede. I've been taking them for a month now.
I'd recommend 2 things: 1- make sure you're taking a pharaceutical grade for best results. And 2- look into mega dosing. I'm on a 2 week kick of taking 10-15 grams of Omega 3's daily with no adverse affects; well some gas and bloating but I can live with it. North Americans are so deficient in Omega oils that I think it's beneficial to mega dose when starting out, unless your body has adverse effects. Then taper off to normal dosing after a while.
Olive, Coconut, Avocado Oil
Posted by Sarah (Vero Beach, Fl) on 04/15/2009
★★★★★
Beautiful Skin: There were scientific studies done in the cosmetic industry to determine the best oil for penetration into the skin. The 3 that were able to actually penetrate the deepest were Olive oil, Coconut oil and Avocado oil. I personally think Avocado oil is the best, it has the closest composition to olive oil though. However, I love coconut milk for my face as well.. it is baby soft and absorbs very quickly. Shea butter for the body is wonderful as well!
Vitamin C
Posted by Patti (Ewing, NJ ) on 03/26/2009
★★★★★
Vitamin C and youthful skin: I knew someone who used to take Vitamin C crystals several times a day. He looked so young and his skin was always glowing and healthy. He was 40 at the time and played sports so he was in the sun a lot. He told me the he took the vitamin C for a lot of reasons but a bonus was that it worked on the collegan in the skin. He explained it this way. If your skin is the bricks, the collagen would be the morter between the bricks. As you age the mortar (Collagen) breaks down and things start to sag. But the vitamin C works to keep that collagen firm. Naturally I started taking the Vitamin C right away. This was over 12 years ago. I take Ester C, and have gradually increased my dosage up to 5000 mgs a day. I will take 2 500 mg capsules upon waking, then with all three meals, then at bedtime. This amount works for me and I learned a lot about it from reading the works of Linus Pauling. I found that I was the one who didn't get all of the virus's and colds going around. I used to get sore throats all the time, no matter what the season, which sometimes led to wicked strept throat. No more. I'm sure this is because of the Ester C. I'm almost 51, and no one has guessed my age to be in my 40s yet. I keep my age to myself but not the benefits of vitamin C!
Tibicos
Posted by Angie (Claremont, CA) on 03/25/2009
★★★★★
Tibicos: (Chinese mushroom, kefir) cured my constipation, blemishes on cheeks .
I haven't heard of anyone posting anything on Tibicos also known as (Chinese mushroom, kefir)
Little bit of info: The Chinese mushroom was sent to Mexico by Mother Teresa from Calcutta with the desire to help to cure persons, especially those with few resources or living in remote places where there are no doctors or medicines. It is good for arthritis, migraines, cancer, heart, digestive system, liver, muscles, nerves, eyes, skin, lungs, kidneys, and blood. In addition it keeps body temperature regulated, and drinking it helps alcoholics to quit.
Well anyway, I gave it a try after my mom urged me to drink it. I drank the brew and noticed that my constipation that I had been dealing for months went away. It totally cleans out my system. I also noticed that the blemishes that I have had on my cheeks for many years are starting to fade. I could barely notice them now. I just started drinking the brew about 3 weeks ago. My skin looks radiant. A friend just asked me the other day what I was doing to my skin because it was just glowing. I've always had dry flaky skin and to get a compliment like that was just awesome. Anyway, just wanted to share what it did for me. I think that people should know about it.
Tomatoes
Posted by Veronica (Denver, Colorado U.S.A.) on 01/22/2009
★★★★★
Tomatoes (Remedy): I have recently been made aware of the benefits of tomatoes. For facial skin: I was told to cut a slice of tomatoe and rub it on my clean face before going to be and wash off in the morning. The results are amazing it is closing my pores, it has demolished the acne on my face almost inmediately, cleared my face tone and texture. I rub it all over including my mouth and eyes, my skin is looking fantastic.
For hair loss, shine and thickness and growth, I was told to puree fresh tomatoes and apply to clean hair, preferably leave it on overnite and wash off in the morning. It is really messy and I have noticed the first time lost of shine and less breackage, however it being so messy I have not stuck to the regimen wich should be twice a week.The person that told me about this had a problem with her hair thinning and acne, she swears by it and has beautiful hair and skin. Also was told drink it for overall good health, processing it through a juicer by itself or with other vegetables, I will do so, as soon as get the juicer and write back.
Veronica
Oil Cleansing Method
Posted by Saysouda (Nashville, Tn) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
For a few months now I have been using this method and it has really worked for me. My skin is softer, smoother, and is clearer. I have always have problem skin and now at 36 yrs old I feel like I have found something that really works for me and is less expansive.
In the morning, I clean my face with witchhazel using cotton ball; then use warm damp cloth over face and neck. Sometimes I use BORAX when my skin feels oily, just sprinkle a little and add water to make paste, then rub on face and splash it off with warm water. The borax paste also works like an exfoliant.
At night, I rub VCO on face and neck. Wipe off with tissue, then use warm/damp cloth.
After cleaning, I moisturize with jojoba oil both day and night. In the daytime, I add sunscreen to my routine.
Recently I have tried the mask using honey and milk (a recipe I found here on EC) and I love the way the mask makes my skin feels. Soft and the lines are less noticeable.
I used VCO as a moisturize and found it was not hydrating enough for my skin. But I love it a cleanser. I even take 1 TBSP VCO internally every day and I feel like I have more energy and my skin feels clearer also. Oh, one more thing, yes, I did break out during the first week of trying this method. I think it was due to the impurities coming out of my skin.
Good luck and hang in there if you do break out some. Your skin is just detoxing itself.
Oil Cleansing Method
Posted by Lady From London (London, Uk) on 04/11/2012
Active Phelityl Oil is one of Erno Laszlo's original products and was formulated by himself. It consists of ten different oils with different properties, I. E.
Chaulmoogra Oil = calming, anti-inflammatory
Safflower Oil = mattifying
Apricot Kernel Oil = Omega 3 fatty acids
Lecithin = anti-oxidant
Avocado Oil = Vitamin A
Grapeseed Oil = Vitamin E
If anyone else knows the other oils, do let us know. Thanks!
Honey
Posted by Gina (Gulf Coast, AL) on 10/09/2008
★★★★★
I have been using honey on my skin and my skin is really glowing and looks tighter. I just have been putting a thin layer of honey on my skin, letting it sit for however long I have time and wash it off.
Anti-Aging Remedies
Posted by Cayita (Welland, Ontario) on 08/18/2012
I went exactly through the same experience. I read that after you are done with your turmeric mask (it doesn't really matter what else you put in it) you need to apply gram flour ((also known as besan flour, chickpea flour and garbanzo flour) on your face. It will take all the turmeric residue away. You can also put it within the turmeric mask, it won't stain that way :)
Anti-Aging Remedies
Posted by Sandy (Il, Usa) on 02/26/2015
I will tell you how to use the turmeric. I grew up with this herb, being an Indian.
For mask:
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric (you will find it any indian store) but you will be better off buying organic from any health food store
- 2 tsp of milk cream or any heavy milk cream or 1 tsp of sour cream
- 1 tsp of chik pea flour(you will find it any indian store.
Mix it and leave it for 10 minutes
In India, even the new born is given this scrub everyday before while shower. Do not add any oil to this. Leave it on your face for 10 minutes. First wash with cold water. You will still find your face bit yellow then, make a paste of 1 tsp of chikpea flour and two tsp of any milk and again gently scrub your face and wash with cold water.
Anti-Aging Remedies
Posted by Barbara (New York) on 10/29/2016
What is VCO? Thank you
EC: VCO - Virgin Coconut Oil
Anti-Aging Remedies
Posted by Wendy (Hemet, Ca) on 09/07/2020
Thank You so much for sharing your remedy 🙏 I'm 54 always have looked younger, thank God🙏 My face is fine but the skin on my body is horrible😩 I cry everyday, I'm embarrassed, won't wear shorts or a bathing suit. I cover them up all the time. I sufferEd of autoimmune problems, was very ill and close to death.. Recovering was a tremendous experience.😢 it destroyed my skin. My body looks like a spotted leopard. All of this appeared through my sickness and now decided to stay. It has put me in sever depression. I want my beautiful flawless legs back 🙏 I don't know if anyone who is or had experienced the same thing? Please help me, any natural remedies that I can try? Anything Please.
Anti-Aging Remedies
Posted by Nina (Philippines) on 09/11/2020
Hi there, this worked for our family. There's this white fungus mushroom that we buy and we add it to our soup or other dishes twice a week. Also make sure to make a stock from beef bones or chicken bones with all the cartilages included. Consume the broth and the mushrooms. They are both high in collagen. Keeps the skin tight and supple.
EC: Hi Nina! Are you referring to common white button mushrooms? Thank you for your great post!
Water, Spinning in Circles
Posted by Holly (Big Pine Key, Florida) on 08/05/2008
what do you mean by spinning in circles? sorry for my ignorance of the matter, but I want to be sure I understand. so I ask..
Castor Oil
Posted by Troy (East Coast, United States) on 03/13/2012
Carole Maggio has a facial exercise program called "Facercise" that I use that made me look amazing. I'm in the entertainment industry, so you have to look your best at all times as people are cruel and merciless LOL! You can buy her book at her website for 10 bucks or so and most libraries have it.
Castor Oil
Posted by Jholl (Kentucky) on 03/20/2014
You can also use castor oil as a base for makeup. Even though it is thick, you can apply it thinly on a clean face. Give it a minute or two to absorb, then apply makeup. You can even blot it a bit if it still feels too thick. I think it helps with overall complexion and possibly keeps some of the "questionable" makeup ingredients from absorbing.
Facial Exercises
Posted by Rhonda (Providence, RI) on 06/11/2008 1 posts
EC: We were looking for something like this, thanks! Looks like a great site...
Lifestyle Choices
Posted by Soph (Los Angeles, Usa) on 02/16/2011
The best skin softner, virgin coconut oil. I take flax seed oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Which does wonders. I think inner peace and low stress in life is important. I have a yoga ( which reverse aging process according to my teacher) & meditation practice. Studies indicate stress is known to be one of the main reasons for premature aging and disease. Womens health is compromised when under stress. Studies show that men benefit more from marriage, than women. The generalized statement, "you haven't lived till you have had kids, " is not applicable in this day and age. Studies show higher the education of a women, the less likely women are to have children perhaps education opens doors to new found opportunities that once remained shut to women. Many times these thoughts may not enter your mind about the worlds carrying capacity being exceeded and social responsibility.
Until you travel to places where the population has exceeeded the billionth mark. And you see children living in filth, poverty, uneducated, begging and having to work in factories. I once worked in field where I saw a high percentage of people that should NEVER ever be allowed to have kids. I will not go into the details but the end effect was children suffering. Children are beautiful gift and they deserve love, stability, security, and both a mother & father that are healthy, employed and present.
It is an interesting fact that a new generation of women are not choosing marriage or motherhood. Many are focusing on building meaningful lives in other ways. I think to me life is all about making the right choices for all of the right reasons. Women are very fortunate today that we now have choices, it wasn't that long ago that are choices were severly limited
Monoi Oil
Posted by Emme (Toronto, Canada) on 04/09/2008
★★★★★
When I was in Brazil I bought a wonderful oil called Monoi oil. I was said by locals that it's been used for centuries as a secret to beutiful all over moisturizer and hair. My skin was so soft that i couldn't stop touching it. Can anyone tell me ( and I am sorry if I am going off the subject here), how to make this wonderful oil. I know it is coconut oil mixed with flowers. Please help.
Monoi Oil
Posted by Whitby (UK) on 06/03/2008
Monoi de tahiti gardenia infused pure coconut oil might be what you are looking for. There is some on ebay or just google for it :) hope this helps.
Mayonnaise
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 04/03/2011
Veronica, be careful with the sunscreen, they are known to cause cancer!
Fountain of Youth Mask
Posted by La'ali (St.louis, mo, Mo, Us) on 11/24/2012
does black seed oil with honey erase dark spot on face in two month?
Vitamin E
Posted by Brenda (Middletown, Ohio) on 02/13/2008
★★★★★
I use Vitamin E Oil or Emu Oil on my face, neck, and hands. Its wonderful as I have dry skin. I do not use soap of any kind on my face. I just turned 60 and one clerk thought I was her age(48). I get many compliments.
Soaps
Posted by Tilly (Sussex, UK) on 01/25/2008
★★★★★
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
Soaps
Posted by Luvey (New York, NY) on 12/08/2007
★★★★★
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.
Honey
Posted by Jaki (Southwest, New Mexico) on 11/12/2007
★★★★★
Nearly a year ago a friend told me she only uses honey to wash her face. I tried it, and it's wonderful. I had been using a very expensive cleanser, but now I pat 1 tablespoon of honey over face, throat, and upper chest, let it sit while I brush my teeth, and rinse it off in the shower. My skin looks years younger, and buying local honey is better in so many ways than commercial, chemical-laden cleansers. It also seems to banish break outs within 24 hours.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Annie (Kingston, Jamaica) on 11/02/2007
★★★★★
2 Tbsp black strap molasses daily and up my intake of h2o to ten cups Gorgeous skin all over, no acne outburst before my period and did not have any PMS, the period showed up unannounced. I've only been using the molasses for 3 weeks. Thanks a lot. I found simplicity lasts longer.
