Acne happens. Blemishes happen. Dark spots happen. Scars happen. Healthy skin isn't the easiest thing to come by, especially when it's pushed in our faces by photoshopped models and perfect-looking actors and actresses. But this doesn't mean that it is impossible. There is a way to bring your skin back to the healthy glowing beauty that it has the potential to be.
About three years ago, my skin flamed up into an unfortunate mess. I had acne on my forehead and no idea how to fix it. Dark spots and scarring appeared. Having had pretty much perfect skin throughout middle school and high school, I was beside myself. I had no idea where to begin, so I did some research. Although not all of these ingredients got rid of my skin problems, they definitely helped. And today, as I return back to normal skin, they help my natural glow to thrive.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice was very surprising to me. You don't need too much, but rubbing it on your dark spots or scarring from acne at night can do wonders. According to an article on LiveStrong.com, lemon juice may lighten scars, not completely get rid of them, but is recommended if you don't have the money to spend on expensive remedies or treatments. Apparently, the hydroxy acid, which is found in most citrus fruits, have healing properties for our skin. According to the author, Jim Thomas, "The AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) in lemon juice removes dead skin cells, helps new cells grow and gives skin some of its elasticity back."
This was definitely true when I tried it, so much so that I felt comfortable not wearing makeup on my forehead. Personally, I only kept the lemon juice on my scars for around 10 minutes and then cleaned my face. Be careful and wear sunscreen when you go outside after doing this, as lemon juice makes your skin "photosensitive."
2. Coconut Oil
I didn't find coconut oil until recently, and thank God I finally did! After spending obnoxious amounts of money on skin moisturizers that seemed to only make my skin drier, I have finally found a product that will keep my face moisturized for more than 24 hours. This year, Coconut oil has been found in the spotlight for many reasons, but this reason especially.
Honestly, there is no reason it shouldn't be talked about. Coconut oil is jam-packed with nutrients for your skin. According to Organicfacts.net, coconut oil contains saturated fats, lauric acid, Vitamin E and proteins; all of which help to smooth your skin and protect it from nasty bacteria. And all of these nutrients are pretty much great for everything: your face, body, hair and even for skin disorders.
Because it is so popular in the market, there are currently a lot of different coconut oil products from which to choose. Personally, I use Virgin Organic Coconut Oil from an all-natural nail salon in Philadelphia called Mi Cumbria.
3. Olive Oil
It seems like a contradiction to put olive oil on your skin. Why would you want to put oils onto your skin if oily skin is something that you try to prevent? Or at least this is what I thought.
Olive oil contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols and phytosterols. All of these are great for your skin. Of course, you shouldn't put olive oil on your face every day of the week, but it's definitely something to try. According to the globalhealingcenter.com, olive oil leads to antioxidant protection, non-clogged pores and exfoliated skin. This means that it can protect from premature skin aging, ultraviolet light and also provide smooth-to-the-touch skin.
When I tried this, I saw a difference in the way my skin looked. My skin wasn't too oily, and it gave it a great shine. You can either dab on the olive oil with a cotton ball to selected areas, or do what I did, and use it as a mask. When buying your olive oil, be sure to buy one that is all natural so that you can take advantage of all of the benefits. Need another reason to buy a bottle? It also does wonders when used as a hair mask.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is not as well known in everyday skin products. It is becoming more popular, but for some reason is still not being used in as many products as it should be. According to bodyecology.com, tea tree oil is filled with anti-viral and anti-fungal benefits. It also can help specific skin conditions, such as acne, cuts, scrapes and dandruff.
Tea tree oil was a last resort for me. Not because I didn't trust it, but because I honestly had never heard about it. To this day, it is a product that I use in my daily skin care routine. If you get a concentrated version, it makes your skin smell like a spa, and really works magic. I've used it for scars, drying out acne and even for adding a glow to my face. It truly does it all. Just be careful, as tea tree oil can discolor pillow cases. So make sure you're OK with having your solid-colored pillow cases turning to tie-dye.
5. Evan Healy Skin Products
Evan Healy Skin Products are my life savers (besides a small bottle of Epiduo). The founder, Evan Healy, is a holistic aesthetician and skin educator. After studying aromatherapy in Europe in the 1990s, she created her Evan Healy products in 1999. And then the adventure began. Her products are based off of the idea that "the skin breathes," and uses ingredients such as tea tree oil, whipped shea butter and flower essences.
Her skin care is also certified organic, and apparently all of her products are made by hand. According to the website, "each step of [their] production is done by hand. From the fields and forests where the plants that become our hydrosols, oils, and butters are harvested. To our production facility where we hand-blend our formulas, hand-label and hand-package each bottle."
What I found so convenient about this product, is that she sells trial-sized packages that actually last a pretty long time. Depending on which one you choose, the packages provide different skin routines. This way, you know which products from the routine you like and of which you want to buy full-sized bottles.
