Combating Oily Skin the Inexpensive Way

Do you suffer from over productive sebaceous glands, also known as oily skin? Although oily skin will show less signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles versus dry skin, the downside to oily skin is a shiny appearance, large pores, pimples, blackheads or both.

Genetics and hormones play a part in the amount of oil your skin secrets. Environmental factors and free radicals may also play havoc on the skin too. A free radical is pollution. For instance, if you were standing on a corner and a diesel bus passed you by billowing fumes of gas, then chances are you have been exposed to more exhaust pollution in that single minute than your great grandparents may have experienced in a lifetime. These free radicals are placed in the air by smoke, airplanes, and industrial and agriculture processes. The free radicals (dirt and pollution) clog the pores, thus stimulating the skin to produce more oil.

The most important thing you can do to combat oily skin is to keep the face clean and protected. However, combating oily skin with e harsh cleaners is defeating the purpose. The more drying ingredients you place on your face the more your skin will work to replace the oil you are trying to remove.

Oily skin care needs the same skin routine as all skin types, they are: cleanse, tone and moisturize. Additionally, occasional peels and masks can work wonders to absorb excess oil and freshen the skin. Below are a couple of mask recipes especially for oil skin:

Fuller Earth Mask - Commonly called a mud mask
2 teaspoons of Fuller's Earth
4 to 5 rose water to make a paste
Vitamin E capsule if desired
Mix all ingredients to form a mask and apply to face. Leave on 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Follow with a toner and an oil-free moisturizer

Cucumber Mask for Oily Skin
1/2 Cucumber
1 Egg white
1 T Lemon juice
1 tsp mint
Puree everything together and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water. Follow with toner and an oil-free moisturizer.

In addition to the mask recipes above, there are toners, exfoliation treatments, and moisturizers you can make for oily skin. Common kitchen ingredients like oatmeal, cornmeal, and baking soda can also be used to make facial masks and gentle exfoliates. Additionally, herbs and essential oils can offer so many benefits in your skin care program. Herbs used in toners for oily skin should be: Chamomile-especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and peppermint and sage, which is also good for its antiseptic values. Carrot seed, Jasmine, and Neroli oils are known to help reduce the appearance of scarring. However, herbs and essential oils are potent, so be sure to study the properties of each herb or essential oil. For instance, the essential oil of Rosemary is known to stimulate the uterus, therefore it is not something you would use if pregnant.

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Budget Friendly Skin Care in a Uncertain Economy

Job losses, store closings, market down, these are just a few of the headlines that we hear everyday on the news. It is no secret that people are spending less. They are spending less because they have less to spend and/or they are hanging on to the money they have. Does that mean we have to give up our obsession with purchasing our precious skin care products? If your budget is tight or you feel you just can not part with your hard earned money to purchase skin care products, there is an alternative. Why not consider making your own skin care products specifically to your skin type. The costs are minimal the benefits of all natural skin care products with essential oils and herbs are so beneficial to the skin.

Here are a few inexpensive and fun recipes.

Simple Body Scrub Recipe
1 cup sea salt (could also use Epsom salts)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup almond oil or olive oil
Mix all ingredients together and gently rub over damp skin. Rinse. Not recommended to use on your face.

A little Sweet - a little Spciy Brown Sugar Scrub

1 cup Dark or Light Brown Sugar
1 cup Pure Cane Sugar
3/4 cup almond oil
2 tsp. cinnamon, powdered
2 tsp.ginger, powdered
2 tsp. nutmeg, powdered
1 16 oz. glass container with lid
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and blend thoroughly. Break up all lumps. Spoon into glass container with lid. Usage: 1 to 2 teaspoons of scrub and massage in circular motion onto your skin. Leave on 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing off.


Mositurizing Mask for Hydration
2 Tbls plain yougurt
1 Tbls oatmeal, cooked and cooled
1 Tbl Honey
Mix all ingredients together, let sit to cool. Apply to face for 15 minutes. Yogurt gentaly exfoliates and cleanses while oatmeal and honey have moisturizer and hydrating properties.

Anti-Aging Toner
1/2 cup pure spring water or distilled water
2 teaspoons green tea leaves (or 1 green tea bag)
Bring water to a boil. Place the tea leaves or tea bag in a glass or bowl. Pour the boiling water over the leaves or bag and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain the green tea into a bottle, and let it cool. Apply to skin with cotton balls. Do not rinse. Apply moisturizer. Green tea provides antioxidants and protects against free radicals.

For more skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


As with any new skin care product a patch test is recommended.

Smooth Out Skin with Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure in which the outermost surface of the skin is partially removed by light abrasion. This form type of cosmetic procedure is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars and dark spots on the skin, smooth away leathery sun-damaged skin, and stimulate the production of new and healthy skin cells. Additionally, microdermabrasion can even out skin tone and diminish the look of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. In essence microdermabrasion is a form of advanced exfoliation, or skin resurfacing, in which the surface layer of the skin is removed and new skin cells are brought to the surface.

There are various methods of microdermabrasion: they are crystal microdermabrasion, diamond microdermabrasion, and at-home microdermabrasion.

Crystal microdemabrasion is much like sand blasting the skin. It involves spraying the skin with the crystals. This method can be somewhat uncomfortable around the nose and mouth due to their sensitivity. After the spaying of the crystals, the technician or dermatologist will vacuum away any remaining crystals.

Diamond microdermabrasion uses an exfoliation tool. During the treatment the technician or dermatologist will rub the diamond tool against the skin to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. The diamond machine will then vacuum the surface. This type of microdermabrasion stimulates collagen and elasticity which promotes stronger skin and it stimulates blood flow to give a healthy glow to your complexion.

At-Home microdermabrasion kits are widely available and range in price and effectivness. What once was a spa procedure can now be done in the comfort of your home. Spa treatments would range from $75 to $200 per treatment. Most at home kits use the same crystals as used in the spa. Depending on the kit; the crystals are applied to the skin with your hands or a cloth, or applied with a massager. At home kits are available as a full body treatment or kits just for the face. Naturally the facial microdermabrasion kit will offer a much gentler exfoliation. Home systems contain active ingredients that are focused on skin renewal, and to acceleate the rebuilding of collagen skin cells.

The benefits of microdermabrasion are many. This non –invasive treatment will gently remove the epidermis – the outmost layer of the skin, and bring new skin cells to the surface leaving a more even toned complexion. . Additionally, microdermabrasion will stimulate blood flow, and reduce the signs of aging, eliminate white and blackheads, reduce the appearance of large pores and provide visibly brighter skin.

Microdermabrasion however may not be for everyone. If you suffer from Roseacea, open sores, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and/or other skin conditions. Additionally, for those that suffer from diabetes, skin cancers, broken capillaries or are using blood thinners should not use a microdermabrasion skin treatment. Do not use if you suffer from Vitaligo, Lupus or hypopigmentation and if you are using Acutance, Retinol, Retin-A, Glycolic or Salicylic Acid or other topical or prescription medicines. Note that the above warning list is not inclusive of those that should not use a microdermabrasion skin treatment. As with any new skin care product always do a patch test first.

Get your microdermabrasion kit
* Gently exfoliate rough, tired skin
* Volcanic pumice and natural sugar cane, citrus, apple and green tea
* Invigorating, exfoliating experience
* Reveals your original youthful complexion
* Leaves skin feeling polished and smooth


For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Recipe to Make Your Own Essential Oil

Essential oils are the oils obtained from plants by various methods, such as distillation. They are called essential oils because it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. The use of essential oils has a history dating back at least a thousand years and has been used for medicinal uses, skin care and aromatherapy.

If you are fortunate enough to have an herb and/or flower garden, or have access to fresh cut herbs and flowers, you can make your own essential oils quite easily. Sweet almond oil with Vitamin E will be the base of all your essential oils. Vitamin E will act as a natural preservative. You essential oils will last 6 to 12 months if kept in a dark, dry, and cool place. Remember to sterilize your containers and start with clean utensils.

Ingredients: Day 1, Repeat for days 2 through 4

1/2 Cup Sweet Almond Oil
couple of drops of vitamin E
1 Cup packed fresh herbs OR 1/4 cup chopped fruit peel, such as orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, etc. or 1cup freshly cut flowers. Rinse herbs, fruit or flower petals thoroughly.

Day 1
Every day for four days place 1 cup of flowers or 1/4 cup herbs or chopped fruit peel in the plastic bag.

Close the bag securely and lightly tap the materials in the bag. Do not beat them to a pulp, as this is a gentle process.

Add the sweet almond oil and the flowers, herbs or citrus peel into one wide mouth glass jar. Close and shake gently to distribute the almond oil thoroughly. Place bottle in warm place.

Day 2:
Transfer the materials in the jar into a cheesecloth or gauze and strain the oil into the second glass jar. Squeeze as much as possible to extract all the oils. Discard material.

Day 3, Repeat Day 1

Day 4, Repeat Day 2

On the 4th day, when all oils have been extracted into jar strain the oil one last time. Pour into pretty bottle

Below are some fun recipes.

Scented Rocks (A Nice Alternative to Potpourri)
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 tsp. essential oil in your favorite scent
2/3 cups boiling water
Food coloring, if desired
In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.) For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients and form balls. Allow stones to dry. Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room.

Oriental Nights Perfume
4 drops sandalwood
4 drops musk
3 drops frankincense
2 tsp. jojoba oil
Mix all the ingredients together and shake well. Allow perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

LUSCIOUS BODY POLISHER
2 C. plain yogurt
1 T. wheat germ
1 T. honey
1 T. almond oil
Omit almond oil if skin is acne-prone.
Mix all ingredients. Dampen skin in shower and massage mixture all over. Rinse with warm water. Rinse immediately with cold water to boost circulation.

Lemony Lavender Toner
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops lavender oil
3 teaspoons of distilled water
Use a soft cotton ball to massage mixture into the skin after cleansing. Follow with a moisturizer if desired

For skin care recipes and skin care articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy


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