Better Skin Naturally
- love alliyah
- Apr 14, 2018
- 5 min read
There's no denying it, my skin up until recently had been either loaded with harsh chemicals, or neglected completely. due to lucky genetics, breakouts, really oily or really dry skin was something i successfully avoided until the past 12 or so months. in the beginning, i started pumping my skin with as many products i could find- anything that claimed it would make my skin clear again, i bought. I was stuck in this continuous loop of breaking out, slathering my face in products with chemicals and other strange ingredients in them such as Benzoyl Peroxide (used to treat acne) which left my skin feeling dry, red and sore and breaking out again. Then i stumbled across the wondrous world of natural skincare which was not only cheaper but actually worked...
I am no dermatologist, and i understand not everything works for everyone. However,i would love to share with you my cheap, all-natural, and hassle free skin care which has helped me achieve clear,glowy skin! All the products i talk about will be linked at the bottom of the page. x
Firstly, washing your face is key. As obvious as this seems it is often forgotten about but trust me, its UBER-important. i generally wash my face during my shower of a night time. For this, i swap and change between two products- 1. African Black Soap:originally from Ghana, it has been used by women for hundreds of years to gently cleanse skin and hair, with ingredients such as Pure honey, Shea butter, Osun (Camwood), Palm kernel Oil, Cocoa pod ash, palm bunch ash and Aloe Vera it is packed skin care benefits.
and 2. a super sugar exfoliant. Using sugar as an exfoliating base rather than microbeads is not only better for your face but also the environment. Sugar scrubs are relatively easy to diy, but i love the manuka honey sugar scrub from a company called romeo + madden. If you were looking to whip one up yourself some core ingredients to include are: sugar- raw is my favourite, virgin coconut oil or almond oil, manuka honey, and some optional extras (which i 100% recommend) are vitamin e oil, jojoba oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil- some of my favourites are eucalyptus essential oil, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil, rose geranium essential oil and juniperberry essential eil. The oil elements of the scrub ensures your skin will be left hydrated and silky smooth.
Secondly, opt for a natural toner- my favourite is witch hazel by Dickinson's(available at most supermarkets)- a product passed onto me by my grandmother, so it really has withstood the test of time.
Thirdly, dont be frightened of oils. in the past, i was under the impression that oils were a no go zone. Now, they are my most loved section of skincare and here's why,
1. because oils are lipophilic, they can penetrate deep into the skin, trapping water and other moisturising goodness in, while keeping toxins and other bad stuff out.
2. oils are the ideal antidote to dry, flaky skin and rough, rosy cheeks — and they can be much more effective at moisturising than your standard over-the-counter lotions and creams.
3. Many oils have anti-inflammatory properties as well, helping to quell irritated skin. As well as effectively deal with, and prevent breakouts. All while they reduce the appearance of wrinkles and shrink pores.
The oils i use daily are: turmeric and coconut oil- i whip this mix up myself and it is super effective. Turmeric is one of the greatest skin saviours ever known to man due to its amazing anti inflammatory qualities. Just add 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric to around 1/4 cup of organic virgin coconut oil melted down and you're good to go!I usually massage a couple of drops (less is more) onto my face, focusing in the T Zone and under my eyes (as turmeric also has amazing brightening benefits) just before i head to bed. WARNING: turmeric stains like wild! So be sure to use a tissue or dark coloured face towel to pat your face to avoid trashing your pillowcase.
I also love rosehip oil + rosehip oil moisturisers(go SPF 15 or above), and tea tree oil (for spot treatment). i opt for the gel version-Thursday Plantation is my go-to.
TIP: remove makeup with coconut oil for major time saving and skin care all in one.
Lastly, face masks and a few other miscellaneous favourites are what complete my routine. My relationship with face masks has been a rocky one, now, i only use one bought face mask, and the rest i diy. I use the romeo + madden antioxidant clay face mask- with white kaolin Clay, raw cacao powder, pink french argiletz clay & rosehip extract about 1-2 times each week. My favourite diy face masks,that i will sometimes pop on during a lazy weekend are:
FOR DRY SKIN: Avo & Cocoa Mask-
1/4 of an avocado, 1 tbs of cocoa powder and 1 tbs of honey, leave on for 10 minutes and wash off.
why use it? Avocado is extremely hydrating, cocoa is an excellent skin-soothing antioxidant, and honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
FOR OILY SKIN: brekky mask-
one egg yolk, 1 tbs honey, 1tbs olive oil and 1/2 cup rolled oats. apply for 15-20 minutes.
why use it? it helps calm and mattify oily skin, thanks to its mix of soothing oatmeal and tightening egg yolks
FOR DULL SKIN: Sunshine mask:
1 tbp honey, 1 tsp tumeric, 3 tsp of orange or lemon juice and 1tbs of natural yogurt. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
why use it? the best quick fix to give dull skin a bright, pretty glow by combining amazing brightening and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
NOTE: these recipes were inspired by numerous sites, which include:
My last 2 favourites are my Romeo + Madden (once again) multi-balm- containing organic unrefined beeswax, rice bran oil, virgin coconut Oil, jojoba Oil, vitamin e oil, eucalyptus essential oil, lavender essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil and chamomile essential oil. I pop this under my eyes, the high point of my cheeks, down my nose and on my lips every night to wake up super glowy. And finally, the Mario Badescu facial spray, with aloe, herbs and rosewater. I spritz this on my face first thing in the morning, straight after a shower and right before bed for super radiant skin.
We've come along way since the time of avid micro-bead use, and im sure i still have many more magic ingredients to uncover- but for now,my skin has returned back to its old state with the occasional pimple here or there which is TOTALLY normal,after all i am a 16 year old girl.
Hopefully this has been somewhat beneficial and i've loved sharing my skincare go-to's with you.
stay tuned for new posts weekly!
alliyah x
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