[lowcarbcrystal]

I thought I would share the best skin care secret I've found. Baking Soda! My son is 14 and starting to get some acne. I gave him some baking soda and he likes it. I've been using it as an exfolient and acne remedy for 7 years(every morning). You don't need cleanser in the morning unless you sleep in your make-up. Pour some in your hand, add enough water to make a paste and gently massage. I've tried lots of products but baking soda is the best. Your skin will feel soft and smooth and help control acne. You have to admit, you can't beat the price.

[wiccanmalenurse]

Also Crystal on that same note of acne. A supplement of Zinc will also do wonders to help alleviate breakouts as well! I have to admit though, I have never sen anything work as well as that proactiv and they offer a 30 day money back garauntee too! Just send the empty bottles back for a full refund if it doesn't work. I have never sent a bottle back yet as My daughter loves it. I will pass this tip along with some baking soda to my daughter. Thanks and take care,
David
_________________
Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
"Stella Styler for "Life"!"

[bluebetty]

Crystal, I don't have acne but dry sensitive skin on my face. Do you think exfoliating with it will bother my skin.

[lowcarbcrystal]

Casey- Lynn~I have dry sensitive skin too. Maybe try it once or twice a week.

David-I have thought about buying pro-active too for my son. I'll order some, thanks.
My husband had bad acne as a teenager(on his back, weird) and was put on acutane. It's tragic being a teen with zits but acutane scares me.

[crazywoman]

I've been using a Castor Oil/Olive oil combination for a few months now. I have dry skin, and it really helps. I told my sister about it a couple of months ago, and she loves it. She said she wishes she'd found about it 10 years ago.

I found it on another site.

Here is the post it was in:


OT: The Oil Cleansing Method

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Guys! Arlene mentioned this in the daily chat a few days ago & since some of you seemed interested I wanted to share the whole thing with you because it is just amazing! I had posted a thread asking what everyone's night time skin care regime was and below is Louise's (many of you know Louise from here) reply. I've added other info from later posts at the end.

This is for ALL skin types & I highly recommend it! You'll really be amazed at what it will do for your skin!

The Oil Cleansing Method

Well, my routine is very different than everyone else's, so I thought I'd post it. I use what is called the oil cleansing method to clean my face. I use a mixture of castor oil and olive oil, with a few drops of lavander oil as well. You'd think it would just make things worse, but it makes my skin look so nice! I have HUGE pores, and they were all full of blackheads. The last 2 times I had a facial, the lady said there was nothing she could do for me--my pores were just too clogged.

Here is an article on the oil cleansing method:

When cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it is imperative that you keep in mind that oil disolves oil. Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not cause you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads and whiteheads are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with, it is there for the benefit of your skin. It is naturally occurring. Oil helps lubricate, heal, protect, and moisturize your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing.

While I'm talking about the benefits of oil applied externally, I'd like to mention how important it is to moisturize from the inside as well. WATER! Drink no less than 8 glasses of water a day. If your skin has issues with blemishes, drink up! Water will help release and remove the toxins from within, leaving behind glowing, dewey, toned skin. Carry a bottle of water around with you throughout the day so water is always available.

Now, to the point of this article.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is used for moisture, while Castor Oil (CO) is used for cleansing. Castor Oil tends to be a bit on the thick side, so a mix of the two (EVOO/CO) is frequently used. This allows for the Castor Oil to really sink into the pores and draw out the dirt and grime to the surface. You can vary this ratio to match your skins needs. More EVOO for moisture or more CO for cleansing (25/75 EVOO/CO for Oily skin, or 75/25 EVOO/CO for dry skin). EVOO is incredibly high in antioxidants, while CO is excellent for drawing and healing. CO has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly "magical" healing properties. It only makes sense (after a bit of research) that one would use CO on their face to help treat blemishes and acne, or simply to make their skin look and feel better.

As quoted in The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, a country doctor (unknown?) states, "Castor oil will leave the body in better condition than it found it."

The Routine:
Massage a substantial amount (the cup of your palm, while hand is held open) of EVOO/CO into your face and neck.

This is to be done over makeup or any visible dirt. Take this time to give yourself a facial massage. Really work the oil into your skin. Take your time, breathe deeply, and relax. Sit down to do this if it helps.

You, of course, do not have to sit and relax, but keep in mind that stress isn't good for your skin and you should take any moment you can to destress and let tension float away.
Take a washcloth, terry cloth or flannel preferred, and soak it in steamy hot water. Wring it out and drape it over your face.

What we are doing is steaming your face as an esthetician would, but without the steam machine. You want to open your pores. This helps release any impurities from deep within your pores.
As the washcloth begins to cool, gently wipe the oil and dirt away. This will also help remove any dead skin cells that are stubbornly clinging on.
Rinse the washcloth out in hot water and wipe away any remaining impurities. You may have to do this two or three times more to remove any remaining dirt and oil residue, but it will come off leaving your skin with a beautiful, healthy glow. No additional cleansing is necessary.
After you have rinsed well, you can either splash your face with cool water to help tone and close your pores, or if your face feels tight, you can moisturize.
If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your EVOO/CO, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it into your damp skin. Massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Being prone to breakouts, myself, I've found that this is perhaps the most important step.
Your skin should glow now.

Within two times of doing this, my skin looked completely different. Usually I apply a little oil on my face at the end.

Louise

The above is the daily method, but once a week try actually doing the steam. When I said I wished my washcloth would stay hot longer Louise suggested doing the steam. It's a bit more time consuming & she does it once a week, which is what I plan to do.

The Steam Method:[list=1][*]Heat up a large bowl of water (boiling or slightly below).[*]Put oil on face, massage in.[*]Get a towel, and drape it over your head. [*]Steam your face over the bowl, under the towel for 3-5 mins.[*]Apply more oil if needed, massage a little more.[*]Rinse as usual.[/list=1] You gotta kind of work it out so that the water is hot when you are ready for it. Sometimes I just stand there staring at the microwave with oil dripping onto my shirt. Other times most of the oil has soaked in by the time the water is ready......so you just have to use trial and error. I usually do this once a week.

Glad you like it!

Louise

FYI: Castor oil can be found at health food stores & in the pharmacy section of some grocery stores with the laxatives. (Nod to Beth ). Lavender essential oil can also be found at health food stores. It is optional added only for the scent. It's also nice to put a drop or two on your pillow or sheets.

Louise mixes 1 cup at a time & keeps it in a 20 oz, water bottle. I happened to have an old 8 oz. water bottle like they give you on the airlines & I used that.

Louise uses this in the evenings only because if it gets in your hair it will make it greasy. I've been doing it evening & morning both since I usually wash my hair in the morning anyway.

Deb's Results: I've been using this twice a day since Friday evening, May 7. A little over a week. After 1 use, the little blackheads on my nose appeared to be gone. I suppose there might have been 1-2 but I couldn't find them! They haven't come back either! My skin has this dewy, glowy look! Very cool! It was smoother. All those things are reason enough to try this but what totally blew me away is how it decreases lines/wrinkles!!! I swear they are getting smaller & less noticable by the day!

I really am extremely impressed with this & think everyone should give it a try. I mixed up a tiny bit first to see if I liked it but now I am mixing 1 cup at a time. It will last quite a while. I have combination skin & use a 50/50 mix of CO & EVOO with a few drops of lavendar oil for scent.


I don't do the steam clean method (or haven't yet), nor do I usually even put the hot wash cloth on my face. Usually just rub the mixture on my face, and then either wash off with a hot wash cloth, or in the shower.
I've also not gotten the Lavendar oil and put in mine.
_________________
Billie
4'8" Started LC WOL Aug 2003

BBcode

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

[lowcarbcrystal]

Awesome!!! My skin is dry, and worse in the Winter, dang it. I will give it a try. I am experimenting with something similar to wash my hair. Cleansing w/o stripping and damaging the hair and skin is great news.

Besides water, as you all know, eating fat(especially omega 3's) is great for the skin too.........and brain, heart, hormones, you know the drill.

[bluebetty]

I really should listen to my grandparents. My Grandpa (Italian) was so young looking and had beautiful skin and hair. One day he complimented how nice I smelled and I told him I'd started bathing in skin so soft. He told me he bathed in Olive oil....I laughed....then he told me the also washed his face in it and used what was left on his hands to slick his hair back......he told me...you do this, and drink a glass of vino every night and you will always look as young as me. LOL

Can't wait to try both. baking soda to exfoliate and olive oil to cleanse and moisturize

[missymagoo12]

i am going to try the baking soda to exfloiate my skin. sue

[Clipper]

I tried the oil mixture. I mixed a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture. Used it to take off makeup and clean face. Worked great for removing the makeup and mascara. Skin looks great. Not greasy like you would think. Also have used the baking soda exfoliant previously. I read that many of the spas use it in their services and it works great. Best of all it is inexpensive.

Thanks for sharing Billie.
_________________
Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself.

[crazywoman]

You are most welcome. Hope it helps.

My skin is dry, I use it at a 75olive oil/25castor oil ratio.

I may just have to start using the baking soda as an exfoliant every so often too.

After cleansing my face (or getting out of the shower, I smooth about 2 drops of almond oil on my face. I let that soak in as I'm brushing my teeth, doing my hair, etc. Then I use a coconut oil mixture as a moisturizer. I mix abou 1/1 coconut oil (maybe 2 parts of this), almond oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil, and aloe vera gel together in a small container. Any one of those extra oils can be left out of the mixture. They are all good for your skin, and I happen to have them all, so mix them in. But the coconut oil itself is a great moisturizer for your skin. And MUCH cheaper than the expensive stuff. I've been using it a little longer than the Olive oil/Castor oil cleansing combo.
They're working great on my skin.
_________________
Billie
4'8" Started LC WOL Aug 2003

BBcode

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

[lowcarbcrystal]

Thanks Billie, I am going to try that too. I'll let you know how my skin looks.

[wiccanmalenurse]

I just wanted to post a note that I am going to try this as well! Yes a man trying this! I need to look young for when Jane Seymour does come to her senses and shows up ere on my doorstep! I do eat a lot of almonds as she does and my Dial body wash is almond and soy milk. On a more serious note though, I would mention that at a point when I had hair, (and plenty of it! I cut off am 11 inch ponytail and donated it to "wigs for kids") I found a simple secret. To strip your hair completely and safely, add a spoon of baking soda in you hand along with the shampoo and lather well. The baking soda removes EVERYTHING that has built up on your hair. Call me crazy again if you want but the best thing I ever used on my hair to help keep it looking healthy (as if dead hair can look "healthy") and growing fast was to wash it in a shampoo for horses called "Mane and Tail" After that a good light dab of VO5 hair dressing from the tube kept it glimmering shiny and soft. Just thought I would share,
David
_________________
Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
"Stella Styler for "Life"!"

[Rodie]

David,

I just wanted to remind you (just in case you didn't know) that your girl Jane Seymour is on the new Dancing with the Stars,it starts Sept 24th!!!!

Get you Tivo set,

Hugzzz
Rodie