Mixing and Matching Skin Care Products

As you know, there are literally hundreds of skin care products on the market. Selecting the right skin care product for your skin type can be overwhelming and frustrating given the wide assortment to choose from, especially true if you suffer with problem skin such as eczema, psoriasis, adult acne, skin rashes, dermatitis, or rosacea. Additionally, many people suffer from a combination of conditions such as excessively oily in one area and dry and flaky in another area.
Today, more and more people are developing skin sensitivities to artificial ingredients and harsh chemicals that our found in our skin care products. Not only are people becoming more sensitive to these chemicals, they are detrimental to our eco-system.

Another factor contributing to skin sensitiveness are diet, medications, the environment (free radicals), hormones, stress and your overall health. Slathering your face with various types of skin care products made from different manufacturers can cause skin sensitivity. A bottle of moisturizer from manufacturer A is probably not intended to work with a toner from manufacturer B. Two separate skin care products from different manufacturers are not formulated to work together.

For instance, let's look at pH level, the measurement of acids and alkali in the skin. The amount of acid in the skin determines the skin's resistance to bacteria. Each brand of skin care products is specifically tailored to work together to maintain an optimal pH level. The cleanser, moisturizer and toner all from the same manufacturer will set the pH level that compliments each product. When mixing brands, one company's pH balance range may be quite different from the pH balance range of another manufacturer. The skin works everyday at trying to maintain optimal level of oils and pH balance. When mixing different brands of skin care products, the results can be damaging to the skin. The skin becomes off-balance and even confused which leads to acne, allergies, rashes, and skin sensitivity to name a few.

Just as mixing common household cleaners together, which can be toxic, so can be said about mixing and matching skin care products. Although they may not be toxic, you can experience skin sensitivity in the future or experience breakouts, rashes, or topical skin dermatitis.

So if you are wondering why you skin care program doesn't provide the results you would expect, take a good look at the various types of skin care products you are using. Are they just a hodge-podge of products from different manufacturers?

I do realize that complete skin care systems can be quite pricey, especially when times are a little tight for everyone. However, what good is spending $20 or more for a toner only to have it clash with your moisturizer. You are not doing your skin any favor with a menagerie of products, and could be setting yourself up skin problems in the future.

The skin is a marvelous organ, the largest in the body and it responds quickly to tender loving care. Take care of your complexion and it will do everything naturally possible to be soft, clear, and healthy.

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

Essential Oils and Skin Care

The use of essential oils can be tracked as early as 4500 BC. They were used in spiritual rituals and possibly the first medicinal treatments. Today essential oils are commonly used in skin care products, the foundation of aromatherapy, and healing.

Oils are classified into two types: carrier oils and essential oils.
Carrier oils are usually derived from the seeds, kernels or nut, such as almond oil, apricot oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil just to name a few. Carrier oils have unique characteristics that can provide therapeutic value in skin care products, aromatherapy and healing.

Essential oils are distilled from leaves, barks, roots, flowers and other aromatic parts of a plant or tree. Essential oils are more potent than carrier oils and if applied to the skin undiluted can cause severe irritation or allergic reaction. Therefore, essential oils are mixed with carrier oils to dilute potency. Additionally carrier oils carry the essential oil too the skin, thus the term carrier oil.

Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. Whereas essential oils are created from botanicals, perfume oils and fragrances are chemically created and do not offer any therapeutic benefits.
In skin care, carrier oils are usually referred to as base oils, vegetable oils or fixed oils. Additionally there are animal based carrier oils such as Emu oil (from the emu bird) and fish oils. In general, aromatherapy blends do not include vegetable oils or animal based carrier oils.

Below is a short list of common carrier oils and essential oils and the therapeutic value of each oil:

Carrier Oils:
Sweet Almond oil: Effective makeup remover and moisturizer. It has a great effect on fighting wrinkles, as well as having an anti-bacterial effect on the skin.
Avocado: Moisturizes, reduces appearance of age spots, heals sun damage and scars. Additionally, avocado regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. Avocado increases collagen in the skin and therefore is an anti-aging ingredient in skin care. Avocado oil has superior moisturizing qualities.
Jojoba: Balances skin’s sebum, therefore beneficial for both dry and oily skin types. Also an eye-makeup remover rich in moisturizing properties.
Olive Oil: Contains natural anti-oxidants and vitamins and acts an anti-inflammatory in skin care products. Also used in scar treatments from acne, eczema and stretch marks.

Essential Oils:
Chamomile: An excellent skin cleanser. Good for dry and itchy skin, eases puffiness and strengthens tissues. Smooth out broken capillaries thus improving skin elasticity.
Geranium: A good overall skin cleanser. Wonderful oil for mature and troubled skin and brings a radiant glow and promotes circulation. Safety Precautions: Geranium essential oil is well tolerated by most individuals, but since it helps in balancing the hormonal system, care must be taken during pregnancy.
Lavender: Useful for all skin types as it promotes growth of new cells and exerts a balancing effect on the sebum (oil glands). Has a healing effect on burns, sunburns, acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Lemon: Brightens pale and dull complexions by removing dead skin cells. Has an effective cleansing action on oily skin. Note this oil is photo toxic; care should be taken to avoid exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet light and sun beds after application.
Neroli: Useful for dry, sensitive and mature skin as it helps with regeneration of cells and improves elasticity. Helps reduce the appearance of varicose veins, scarring and stretch marks.
Rose: Particularly good for mature, dry, or sensitive skin. As a tonic it is a soothing quality for inflammation and constricting action on capillaries. Consider substituting rose geranium as Rose oil is very expensive, or consider making your own rose oil, get the recipe at Complete Skin Care Therapy and click on the recipes tab, then essential oils.
Rosemary: Helpful for sagging skin as it is a strong astringent. Tones and tightens the skin. Has a stimulating effect on the uterus, so do not use if pregnant.
Sandalwood: A balancing oil and good for dehydrated skin, and dry eczema. Provides a softening affect and makes a great neck cream when mixed with cocoa butter.
Ylang Ylang: Has a balancing effect on sebum so useful for both oily and dry skin types.
Below are a few skin care recipes using the essential oils and carrier oils listed above:

Honey Facial Mask with Rose Oil
2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
5 drops Rose essential oil (very expensive, consider making your own essential oil, see my post - Make Your Own Essential Oils, or use Rose Geranium as a substitute)
1 drop Vitamin E

Mix honey, sweet almond oil and rose essential oil. Massage onto clean face and neck with fingertips in an upward motion. Allow to set on face and neck for 15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water. Gently pat dry and see the benefits.

Moisturizer for Normal SkinGeranium 1 drop
Lavender 2 drops
Sweet Almond Oil - 1 Tablespoon

Blend essential oils with Almond oil. Apply to face after cleansing and toning. Use a few drops of this blended mixture as needed. Note: when mixing your essential oils with the carrier oil or lotion, let set for 1 to 2 days so the oils can blend thoroughly.

Essential oils are fun to work with and offer so many benefits in skin care, healing properties, and in the home through aromatherapy. The above list is just a sampling of what essential oils can do for you. However, essential oils are very potent and care should be taken when using them. Additionally, a patch test is always recommended as with any new skin care product.
Essential oils are also eco-friendly!

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





Get your oils at:

What Goes First - the Moisturizer or the Serum? The Sunscreen or the Primer?

We all know that a good skin care program consists of cleansing, exfoliation, toning and moisturizing. However, what about all the other skin care products you use, such as: serums, sunscreen, primer, or even prescription products. Where do these fit in with your skin care routine?

Below is a summary of the proper sequence for your skin care products.


1: Cleanser - select a cleanser that is based on your skin type. Not sure of your skin type read my article What Skin Type are You?

Avoid foaming cleansers as they contain the chemical Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) which was originally used as an industrial degreasing; it is widely used in shampoos, bubble baths and other washing products to product foam. This chemical can irritate eyes, skin and mouth. There is a growing list of synthetic ingredients manufacturers are adding to their products every day which are or will be detrimental to your health sometime in the future. Consider natural cosmetics or even you're your own. Get some recipes at Complete Skin Care Therapy and click on the recipes tab.

2: Exfoliate - this is a method to slough off dead skin cells so that the new skin cells show through. Exfoliation can also promote circulation and bring about a natural glow. However, do not overdue your exfoliation treatments. Additionally, cleansing is not required if doing an exfoliation treatment. Get a free Oatmeal and Almond homemade facial exfoliate recipe at Complete Skin Care Therapy - Recipes and click on the recipes tab. However if you are allergic to nuts this recipe is not recommended.

3: Toner - the purpose of toner is to restore pH balance and remove any left over residues from your cleanser or exfoliate. pH is the measurement of acids and alkali in the skin and the amount of acid in the skin determines the skin's resistance to bacteria. Get a toner recipe that is customizable to your skin type at Skin Toner Recipes

4: Prescription - these products should be applied after you have cleansed and toned the skin. Your complexion will be more receptive to the prescribed product when the face is free of dirt, oil, etc.

5: Serums - If using an antioxidant serum this should be applied next. Antioxidant serums protect the skin from free radicals and the sun. If high priced serums are out of your league then there is a recipe to make your own at Complete Skin Care Therapy - Facial Serum Recipe

6: Eye creams - should be applied prior to moisturizing. Your moisturizer will lock in the active ingredients of your eye cream or serum. A good eye cream will contain antioxidants, SPF and has moisturizing qualities.

7: Redness reducer - if you are troubled with redness on your complexion, look for products that contain green tea (with caffeine), which is high in antioxidants and niacinaminde to constrict blood vessels and reduce redness. Use your redness reducer product and then a sunscreen, and there is no need to use a moisturizer. If you suffer from a red, blotchy or ruddy complexion avoid retinoid, scrubs and alcohol-based serums. If you suffer from redness here are a few homemade skin care recipes that can help, Complete Skin Care Therapy - Redness Reducer Recipes

8: Moisturizer - goes on before the sunscreen. Your moisturizer cream locks in the active ingredients from your eye creams, prescription creams, serums, etc. Moisturizers usually contain more oil than water so if you were to apply your moisturizer first; your lighter products would simply slide off.

9: Sunscreen - if you moisturizer contains a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and you are indoors most the day, you can forego additional sunscreen products.

10: Primer - a primer is used to fill in lines, hide pores, or just even out the skin tone. Primers are the last step, in a sense it is like waterproofing your skin.

Remember to take care of your skin and you will enjoy a healthy complexion for a long time.

Stay tuned for my next post on the proper sequence for your nighttime skin care routine.

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