Skin
Natural Remedies

Glowing Skin Remedies

Oatmeal

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Anon (Anon) on 09/06/2012
★★★★★

Oatmeal makes my skin smoother and softer. Just eating a bowl of uncooked oatmeal with calcium fortified soy milk. Seems to work overnight. Not cooking the oatmeal seems to make it easier to digest.

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Replied by Kitty
(London, Ontario)
03/26/2013

Little wonder, oatmeal is loaded with silica, very necessary for skin health. Externally, I have been lately washing my face with plain A----o ground oats, I find it makes a nice milky consistency, much nicer than the oats I grind myself. Leave it on a few minutes!


Oatmeal and Baking Soda Scrub

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Jk (Lorimor, Ia, Usa) on 05/14/2010
★★★★★

I have always had oily skin and small bumps on my face and neck. I mixed up some oatmeal and baking soda and use it everyday on my face. The bumps went away and so did the oily skin. I noticed that the more baking soda I put in, the less oily my skin is. Worked great!

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Replied by Tee
(Chicago, Il)
05/14/2010

This may be a silly question but did you cook the oatmeal before mixing it?Also did you use it as a mask and let it sit?

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Replied by Jk
(Lorimor, Ia, Usa)
05/15/2010

Tee, I just grab a handful of oatmeal from the box and mix in enough baking soda until it kind of looks good. I keep it in a container and when I'm in the shower I just rub this into my face like any facial scrub. I do this twice a day, but I have pretty tough skin and also very oily. If you have any acne, it may tingle a little. I love the results! I'm also trying it on my cellulite on my legs. We'll see?!?

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Replied by Jk
(Lorimor, Ia, Usa)
05/15/2010

Tee, I forgot! I don't let it sit on like a mask. I just rub it in good and then rinse off. Hope it works for you!


Oatmeal Scrub

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Jens (Stockholm, Sweden) on 12/18/2006
★★★★★

I used an oatmeal scrub for my skin. It works wonders, and after reading more of this lovely site (unlike all ignorant 16-year-olds, I always was a hippie, so I love to try natural recipes for curing myself from various diseases) I shall try the baking power one too (we buy baking powder more frequently than oatmeal in this household :D) Peace, love and so on


Oil Cleansing Method

10 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  50%
1 star (5) 
  50%

Posted by Anne (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 04/08/2010
★★★★★

I came across the postings here regarding Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). I also browsed the internet regarding OCM. Although there were few negative feedbacks on this method, but the Positive feedbacks weighed much. So, yesterday I tried the OCM for the very first time. Today is my 2nd night of doing it, and really to my amazement, OCM really works! I have big, clogged pores and bad facial texture due to my acne problem when I was a teen-ager. I'm in my mid 40s and from time to time, still getting pimples/acne. For only 2 nights, my pores are cleaner - like more than 60% clean. Since yesterday, I could not stopped looking at the mirror because I could not believed the result of this simple, yet effective method. I always have the white/yellowish-thing that covers each pores. No matter how much I scrab and do facial cleansing, my pores were still clogged with dirt and hardened oil. Why did I not learn this in my younger years? For those people who didn't have good experience with OCM, be patient, probably, you were doing the wrong formula or amount of oil. Each person is different. I am glad OCM works for me. I finally found a natural way to clean and have good facial cleansing/treatment. Anyway, I thank the people who always contribute good information. Your postings are the catalysts for me to research and learn more about things that interest me and benefit my overall health. Thank you Earthclinic for a wonderful job!


Oil Cleansing Method
Posted by Azg (Toronto, On) on 09/28/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Oil Cleansing Method for Beautiful Skin

I have always had perfect skin... and then I had my baby who's now 2 years old...and suddenly I have skin like a teenager. This has been pretty rough for me, considering I am over 30 years old. I've always had great skin and suddenly having to deal with this has been difficult.

When I became pregnant I more or less swore off all the store bought skin care. Which is ironic because I am a cosmetician and make-up artist.

Oil Cleansing has been AMAZING for me...it took a little while to find the right combinations of oils for my skin. I have pretty normal skin that borders on slightly dehydrated. I'm a make-up artist, so I wear make-up almost every day. I'm not a fan of concealer/foundations so I rarely wear those but I ALWAYS wear at least mascara and blush. I hate having to use a make-up remover and then a face wash - I want it gone in one step. I've also always had black-heads on my nose. Tiny little black/brown/grey dots on the sides of my nose...driving me crazy.

So my mix (in a 3 oz bottle) is approx. 40% Castor Oil, 30% Olive Oil, 30% Coconut Oil, a few drops of Rose Hip Seed Oil, 3 or 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, and about 10 drops of Sage Essential Oil. I put about 3 pumps of this oil onto my dry face and massage for about 3-5 minutes. Then I soak a washcloth in hot hot water and squeeze out the excess. I bring it to my face and let the steam rise up out of the washcloth and as the washcloth cools I bring it closer to my face until I have it pressed against my face while still hot (but not too hot). I leave it there for about a minute then gently wipe the oil off. I repeat this process another 2 times until all traces of oil are removed from my face.

The week before my period I will add an extra couple of drops of either Sage Essential Oil into the mix in my hand or a couple of drops of Lemon Essential Oil for extra deep-cleaning.

After I pat my face dry I will use ACV as a toner. I moisturize with a mixture of about 60% Jojoba Oil, 39% Coconut Oil and 1% Sage Essential Oil. I use pure Olive Oil or Jojoba Oil around my eyes, and then seal that in with an organic home-made lip balm (you can use a store brought brand, just make sure it's all-natural/organic and free of mint).

I am completely wrinkle free, have an even and bright complexion. I don't wear sunscreen (as I don't believe in those chemicals), except when I go to the beach, in which case I *may* wear an all-natural sunscreen that uses Physical Sunscreens (Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide) and a wide-brimmed hat.

The break-outs I've been dealing with are clearing up, THANKS TO THIS WEBSITE. I have been doing the Turmeric Masks, drinking ACV as well as using it as an astringent twice a day, I just started incorporating Blackstrap Molasses into my routine as well (internally AND externally). I just started with Organic, High-Lignan Flax Seed Oil from the refridgerated section. I am drinking at least 8 cups of water a day (I have been for a while) and am a pretty healthy eater...most of my meals are cooked at home from scratch and we rarely eat junk (we follow the 80/20 rule - healthy at least 80% of the time).

Thank you Earth Clinic (and everyone who contributes) for teaching me how to holistically take better care of me and my skin!


Oil Cleansing Method
Posted by Grace (London, UK) on 10/29/2008
★★★★★

POST DELETED

[11/21/2009: Editors Note: The author of Oil Cleansing Method just notified us that the entire post had been copied without permission from her website. For the original article on the Oil Cleansing Method, please refer to: http://beauty-treatments.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_oil_cleansing_method]

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Replied by Misha
(Binghamton, New York)
04/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆

I tried the oil cleansing method for about a month. It did not work for my skin, fairly balanced, normal skin with a slightly oily T-zone. I combined olive oil and castor oil (1/2 a drop of each), applied to my face, then steamed my face with a hot wash cloth for about 5-10 minutes. I then used the damp wash cloth to wipe away the excess oil. I did this process 1x per day at night and used olive oil soap in the morning. My skin absolutely glowed...for four days. AFTERWARDS, my skin broke out like never before! Hard cystic acne that hurt to the touch! Yikes!!! I actually contemplated going to the dermatologist it was so bad! I figured I was using the wrong combination of oils for my skin, so then I tried jojoba and castor oil for three weeks. This oil combination improved the condition of my skin, but not significantly.

I have since discontinued use of the oil cleansing method as I find it does not work for my skin. I have resumed my use of oil free cleansers and my skin is starting to clear up, however it still has quite a way to go before it returns to its "normal state"!

I still use jojoba oil as a light moisturizer for my face with good results.

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Alyssarae
(Fort Wayne, In)
02/25/2016
★★★★★

I actually had very similar results with OCM as my skin looked fabulous for a week or so then out of no where it was break out city. It was worse than ever before. I find that when mixing organic jojoba oil with my essential oils - lavender, tea tree, geranium, frankincense or a combination -my skin is much more clear and radiant. I also use an organic facewash and ACV with equal parts water as astringent.

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Replied by Tee
(Chicago, Il)
09/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Well I wasn't so lucky with the oil cleansing method. I wanted to know is there any kind of tool or product that can just suck the junk from under my skin. I saw a pore cleanser advertised a few years ago any recommedations? The stuff is like stuck in my skin til i squeeze it out and it stinks bad. I also have patches of these tiny bumps they never seems to go away on there own. Is there a name for this condition or is it just acne?

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Replied by Ratgirldjh
(Austin, Texas, USA)
09/30/2009
★☆☆☆☆

the oil cleansing method did did not work for me either. it ended up making my skin drier (i guess it really does remove oil) and also gave me cystic pimples too.

what helped me a lot - was to start using a tiny bit of baking soda and a wet face to exfoliate. then i use very diluted ACV afterwards to balance my skin back out.

after a few days of this my cystic pimples started clearing up. some are taking longer.

i think that why the oil cleansing method doesn't work for everyone is that you are actually massaging the oil into the pores and some pores are too small for it to come back out very well...

even with the steaming hot washcloth i still has this problem :(

i thought about steaming my face to try and get rid of the cystic pimples and it did help when i did it with water alone or a little ACV over a pot and then used a washcloth on my skin - or did the baking soda afterwards...

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Replied by Twitch
(Nw, Ohio)
10/06/2009

For those of you that have experienced acne breakouts from the oil cleansing method, this is really a detoxing period or reaction brought on by doing the OCM. What is happening is the oils are pulling toxins and debris out of the layers of the skin. If you keep it up it will eventually subside because it will have pulled all the gunk out over time. Also, to the one who used soap in the morning and OCM in the evening...using the soap is just defeating the purpose of doing OCM. What I do is do the OCM in the evening which also helps remove any makeup that was worn, then I just use a warm wet washcloth in the morning. Overnight there hasn't been much to contaminate my skin to warrant using much else on my face and it doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils.

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Replied by Saysouda
(Nashville, Tn)
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.

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Replied by Ecfan99
(Everywhere, Usa)
06/23/2011
★☆☆☆☆

Same results as Misha - glowing skin for a few days, and then the worst cystic acne of my life... It took months to clear up. Was using Organic EVOO mixed with a little Organic Castor Oil.

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Replied by Insectc
(Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
01/18/2012

Be really careful with the oil cleansing method. It depends on what kind of skin you have. I have bad skin, always prone to breakouts and lots of oiliness. My skin just does not naturally slough off the dead skin cells and oil accumulation the way it's supposed to. I was really excited try the oil cleansing method. I used a mix of castor oil and grapeseed oil. For two weeks my skin glowed. Then disaster!

I had the worst case of cystic acne I've ever had in my entire life (take it from somene who's had to deal with zits her entire life, and still I have never had anything like this). It happened on my chin, along with lots of tiny little bumps elsewhere on my face. It took 4 months before the acne finally calmed down, and another 6 months for it to clear completely. It's now been over a year and I'm still wary about breakouts on my chin.

I use a simple oatmeal soap to wash with, I tone with alcohol-free witch hazel and I moisturize with a light cocoa butter moisturizer. I use a small amount of moisturizer, just enough to hydrate my face. My face is quite clear now. I try to drink lots of water. The oil cleansing method was just not for me. It's for people who don't need to wash their faces that often because their skin naturally sloughs off the dead cells quickly and for those whose faces don't produce excessive amounts of oil to begin with. All I felt after a couple of weeks was buildup on my skin. By this I mean I would be rinsing my face with water and when I rubbed it gently, it felt rough and grimy. I persisted with OCM, thinking that eventually it would help. It did not, it made things worse. Believe me, I used warm washcloths and steamed and wiped gently until all trace of oil was gone after each cleansing, and then showered after. So no, I did not leave traces of oil on my face. And I only did it three times a week, in the evenings so it wasn't excessive. The oil cleansing method is not for everyone. I definitely need to wash my face every day to take away a day's worth of makeup, dirt and pollution. Gentle cleansing is the key, not harsh soaps and alcohol loaded toners but not OCM either, at least not for someone with my skin type.

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Replied by Lady From London
(London)
04/11/2012
★☆☆☆☆

I tried the oil cleansing method using 50% olive oil and 50% castor oil. I started breaking out (where before I had not much of anything). It continues now even though I haven't put any oil on my face for the last 3 days. I woke up with yet another spot forming.

I wanted to try it because I used to use Ernest Laszlo's oil on my face ages ago. It left my face in such good condition - but it was expensive to keep doing that regime. I was originally pleased to find this method again, only that it really doesn't work - at least the oils that I'm using don't work. If anyone knows the oils that were in The Ernest Laszlo bottle, please let me know. Otherwise, beware!

Now, I just use ACV to target the spots, and it's taking time to deal with them. I didn't have so much before this oil cleansing - so I feel like I'm backpeddling big time!

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Replied by Lady From London
(London, Uk)
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!


Oil Pulling

4 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  100%

Posted by Gr8ful Gal in Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio ) on 12/07/2008
★★★★★

I just want to thank Earth Clinic for such helpful health advice. I was already using ACV. (*1/2 cup in the morning). But I noticed my depression worsening I was thinking of going to a therapist. When one night I was internet surfing and found this site. I also kept having migraine headaches. (of course) no doctor, or medicines helped. I ran across the oil pulling remedies. So, I tried it. The results are great!!!! The oil pulling (first thing in the morning) *1/2 a cup its the BEST THING I could have done. Its healthy for me and has no negative side effects. My depression has gone away!!! I sleep better, I am not restless, my mood swings have diminished. I have so much energy its ridiculous!!! I can feel and see the difference. I have also tried the BSS (Baking Soda Scrub) I add honey and a little water until it thickens to my liken. (I have oily/combo skin). I used ACV as a toner,(diluted with water on a cotton ball). VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) as a moisturizer. (very thin amount) My face glowed. I only do it 3x a week. It is so great to have all these resources at hand. And they are so inexpensive. Thank You so much!!! Earth Clinic.


Oil Pulling
Posted by Raquel (Los Angeles, CA) on 10/16/2007
★★★★★

I've been oil pulling for six weeks now and although I can't say I lost any weight, I'm eating more fruits and vegetables because I can now chew better. Also, the lines that run from my nose to my mouth have also diminshed and my dark circles have reduced significantly. I use extra vergin olive oil. At first, my breath stank but I stuck with it and my breath is now fresh and my teeth are strong. My cracked heels are gone and my BP has also dropped and has remained steady. Only question? Can I do this during pregnancy????

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Replied by Sasha
(Sav, Jamaica)
07/29/2009

Oil Pulling
Posted by CANDY (RIVERDALE, NY) on 09/06/2007
★★★★★

I started oil pulling with unrefined sesame oil 2 months ago, the inital results were great. My skin glowed exceptionally well. Then I read Ted's opinion on which oils work best, one of them being refined sunflower oil. I switched to sunflower oil and the results were unfavorable, my skin did not glow at all, as a matter of fact it looked quite dull. I stopped used sunflower oil and switched back to unrefined sesame oil. And my skin is glowing once more. I have been acne free since oil pulling and I've been sleeping soundingly too. I have recommended oil pulling to my sister who's had a loose tooth and the oil pulling has since reinforced her loose molar.


Oil Pulling
Posted by Tumi (GC, Botswana) on 06/28/2007
★★★★★

Oil Pulling and ACV tonic: I just wanted to say thanks so much for your website. I started oil pulling a month ago after much trepidation. I suffered from chronic insomnia and just feeling lethargic most of the time. I had initially started the apple cider vinegar and had started sleeping really well from the get go. I have always had sensitive and really weak teeth and about 3 months ago had had a root filling and crown on a tooth on my left side and was due to fix the opposite one on my right side, so you can imagine my surprise after a couple of weeks when I noticed that I was actually chewing food on my right side the whole time I was eating lunch! No tingling feeling and just an overall healthy feel in my mouth. Although I have had a good skin, I get compliments everyday about the glow my skin has. SO what can I say.....I don't think I will ever stop my regimen as the rewards are getting greater by the day. I have even ventured in including Apple cider in a mask mixture I make. Basically mix:

half of ripe avocado,
tablespoon of honey,
heaped tablespoon of oat bran
tablespoon of ACV

Mix well, and take a dollop of the mix, rub over face, neck (avoid sensitive eye area) for about 10 min. This leaves my skin feeling tingly fresh as well as so soft and moisturized. N.B While face is still damp apply moisturizer (coconut oil, or a mixture of coconut oil and aqueous cream). This is essential as it forms a barrier and helps trap the moisture in your skin. I believe you should see favourable results after a week. I use the mask only at night through and about twice a week. Enjoy! I put any leftover mask mixture in a tight container and place in fridge, but for no more that a couple of days. It usually keeps. Funny enough I also started oil pulling at night before going to bed, and then brushing. This morning I woke up as I had just brushed my teeth!


Olive Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

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.

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Replied by Tee
(Chicago, Il)
04/15/2010

I want to start back using olive oil for my acne and scars. Does it really last forever?? Cuz I have some that I've had for about almost a year. I dont know how to tell if oil has went bad. I also have some old sesame seed oil that I want start back oil pulling with. But I dont knw if it's still good. How do you tell if your oils are no longer any good????


Olive Oil Facial Massage, Castor Oil Mosturizer

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Suem (Worden, Il) on 03/24/2012
★★★★★

I just wanted to share with all of you what I have been doing for my skin. I find that almost everything I use to cleanse my skin, does not help with blackheads or outbreaks. I've been fighting them my whole life. I watch what I eat and exercise, but as I'm getting into my golden years, I have to address sagging skin, age spots and wrinkles. But, to my delight, I came across an article on oil cleansing. The article said to use virgin olive oil, as it is close to the sebum in our skin. I give myself a massage for 10 minutes and then apply a warm/hot washcloth a couple of times to remove oil. I then apply cold pressed castor oil (warmed in my hands) to my face and massage lightly, then leave on overnight. Earth Clinic has so much information on "Castor Oil Cures" and so many contributors recommended using the castor oil as a moisturizer. I am so surprised by the results. My age spots are fading, no visible blackheads, my skin is healing and I have a brighter glow. I'm very happy with the results.

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Replied by Joyce
(Lansdowne, Pa)
03/26/2012

I too have been using the oil cleansing method for about three weeks now. I use grapeseed oil/castor oil or sweet almond oil/castor oil combination and then moisturize with sweet almond oil or castor oil afterwards. I did not have breakouts before and I did not pay much attention until last Friday I had to take a second look in the mirror. My face was glowing. My husband always told me that my skin looked wonderful but the oil cleansing method certainly made me take a second look at my face. I only massage the oil on my face for about 2 to 5 minutes maybe three times a week.


Olive, Coconut, Avocado Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

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!


Omega 3 Oils, Magnesium

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Natalia Olivia (Fairfield, LA) on 02/06/2018
★★★★★

I was experiencing a similar problem of old looking hands from sunburn when I was young until I started taking higher doses of fish oil and borage oil, as well as magnesium. A magnesium deficiency can impede healing of the skin. This trio has worked wonders for me.


Omega Oils: 3, 6, and 9

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

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!

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Replied by Stacey
(Abbotsford, Bc, Canada)
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.



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