Hi Friend!
A lot of over-the-counter products promise results in 2-4 weeks, so I’ve embarked on a quest to find equally effective and readily available natural products to incorporate into my skin care regimen. I tested my skin’s response to my new regimen for 6 weeks, to give my skin time to adjust to the change, and to have a long time frame to document changes. My skin has always been a bit sensitive, but as time has gone on, it requires more and more TLC. I will still use some store-bought products that I have on hand from time to time, but my skin care will mostly consist of natural ingredients. I did not purchase new products during the testing period.
A lot of over-the-counter products promise results in 2-4 weeks, so I’ve embarked on a quest to find equally effective and readily available natural products to incorporate into my skin care regimen. I tested my skin’s response to my new regimen for 6 weeks, to give my skin time to adjust to the change, and to have a long time frame to document changes. My skin has always been a bit sensitive, but as time has gone on, it requires more and more TLC. I will still use some store-bought products that I have on hand from time to time, but my skin care will mostly consist of natural ingredients. I did not purchase new products during the testing period.
Here are the natural products I’m using:
Ground Oatmeal:
Made from old fashioned Quaker Oats.
I put a few tablespoons in the blender or food processor and grind it
into smaller pieces. It’s less messy to
use. I wet about ½ a teaspoon in my hand and stir it until the water is
“milky”. I then apply it to my wet face
and work it in. Sometimes I leave it on to dry and then wash it off once it
hardens. Benefits of oatmeal: Anti-inflamatory,
treats skin irritation, helps to remove dead skin cells, contains saponins
(cleansing agents).
Cucumber juice: Used as a toner after each wash. I grate ½ a small cucumber finely (including
the peel), and strain the juice. I store
the juice in a small bottle in the refrigerator. I keep it for a week before
making a new batch. Cucumber (grated):
I keep the gratings of the cucumber in the refrigerator as well, and use this
when my skin feels like it needs some extra cooling. It’s nice on very hot mornings and tightens
my pores and makes my skin feel plump and firm. Or i just eat it. Haha Benefits of cucumber: Anti-inflamatory, hydrating, Vitamin E, ascorbic
acid, strengthens connective tissue due to silica content, can help even skin
tone.
Whole Milk: I mix this with the grated cucumber and use it as
an occasional morning facial cleanser. Benefits
of milk: Contains lactic acid (mild exfoliant).
Cornmeal: Used as a scrub a few times a week to slough off
old skin. Cornmeal turns out to be an
excellent exfoliant on my skin! It
doesn’t irritate at all, and effectively gets rid of accumulated dead skin, making
my face much smoother.
Benefits of cornmeal: Gentle exfoliant.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil: I use this as a treatment
for my brows and lashes (when I remember; I’m really not consistent with this
part). Benefits of castor oil: Softens
brows and lashes and encourages hair growth.
I find it good for treating my lash line if my eyes have been irritated
by eyeliner or lash glue.
Grapeseed or Olive Oil: Used as an eye treatment
on lids and under eyes (I’m not consistent with this either). Benefits of grapeseed and olive oils: These
oils help to keep the eye area supple and lock in moisture around my eyes.
Unrefined Shea Butter: I’ve used this in the
past to help prevent sunburn on my skin, and it also keeps it from drying out
in the heat. I use this mostly if I am
going to the beach (from face to feet) or will be out in the sun for prolonged
periods.
African Black Soap: Makeup remover. This product is claimed to have amazing
spot-removing and skin-smoothing powers.
I find it to be too drying for everyday use, so I use it as a makeup
remover or if my skin feels extra oily.
KEY:
MB = Mario Badescu
CM = Cher-Mère
Skin Care
Experiment – Week 1
Day
1: January 8, 2013
Morning
-
Cleansed face with oatmeal
-
Applied one drop of castor oil after cleansing on
dry face
Evening
-
Cleansed face with oatmeal
Notes:
face felt dry, skin appeared to be peeling (may be due to sunburn), skin
appears to have a “crust”.
Day
2: January 9, 2013
Morning
(deeper cleanse and scrub)
-
Cleansed face with Mario Badescu (MB) Enzyme
Cleansing Gel
-
Scrubbed with Himalaya Herbals Walnut Scrub
-
Applied warm oatmeal (whole rolled oats) as a mask
and let dry, rinsed off.
-
Applied cucumber water
Evening
-
Cleansed face with ground oatmeal and left on until
dry, then rinsed off.
-
Applied cucumber water
-
Applied one drop of Entwine argan oil blend
-
Applied castor oil to lashes and brows
-
Applied shea butter around eyes
Notes:
Face felt much smoother after scrub.
Some scabs came off. Skin appears
smoother. No immediate reaction to argan
oil blend, but after an hour my face began to feel oily.
Day
3: January 10, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber juice
Applied
MB SPF moisturizer
Evening
Washed
with MB Glycolic Wash
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
drying lotion to pimples
Notes:
I swear the marks on my face are fading!
Did some online research and apparently cucumbers help fade marks. Hmmmmm…
Day
4: January 11, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber juice
Applied
MB SPF moisturizer
Afternoon
Washed
with Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Wash
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB drying lotion to blemishes
Notes:
I swear the marks on my face are fading!
Did some online research and apparently cucumbers help fade marks. Hmmmmm…
Day
5: January 12, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB SPF moisturizer
Evening
Washed
with MB foaming glycolic wash
Exfoliated
with Olay Microdermabrasion Scrub and Peel
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB drying lotion to blemishes
Notes:
Skin seems to be smoother and marks are fading!
There is no longer the “crust” on my skin and the tight feeling is
gone. Still need to find day and night
moisturizers. The cucumber water helps,
but it’s not enough.
Day
6: January 13, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB SPF moisturizer
Bare
Minerals Foundation
Evening
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Did
not apply moisturizer before applying makeup
Night
Washed
off Black Opal Makeup with MB Enzyme Cleansing Gel two times, using Clarisonic
the second time.
Notes:
Makeup went on nicely with just the cucumber water applied.
Day
7: January 14, 2013 (Made a new batch of
cucumber water by finely grating cucumber and straining into small toner
bottle. Refrigerated cucumber water and
grated cucumber. New batch of cucumber water is green. Old batch was clear.)
Morning
Rinsed
with Water
Applied
cucumber water (from old batch)
Applied
MB SPF moisturizer just before going out in the early afternoon.
Afternoon
Washed
with Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Wash
Applied
cucumber water (from old batch)
Evening
Forgot
to wash my face before bed. Oops!
Notes:
No new breakouts. I sometimes break out
a day or two after wearing makeup, but so far, so good!
Skin Care
Experiment – Week 2 – New batch of green cucumber water)
Day
8: January 15, 2013
Morning
Washed
with grated cucumber and Nestle full cream milk (green carton)
Applied
cucumber water
Afternoon
Applied
cornmeal scrub
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
castor oil to eyelashes and eyebrows (lash line was itchy)
Applied
cucumber water (some castor oil was still on my hands)
Notes:
The cornmeal scrub is amazing! My skin
feels very smooth and is not at all irritated.
I didn’t have a stripped, thin-skin feeling I get with the Olay Microdermabrasion
product I normally use for a deep-down scrub.
I like the new cucumber water better.
I will make it using the peel from now on. My skin feels a lot tighter (firmer). I’m not sure if it’s the “green-ness” of the
new batch or the cumulative effect of the cucumber on my skin.
Day
9: January 16, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Afternoon
(after workout)
Washed
with oatmeal (left on until dry, then rinsed)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
10: January 17, 2013
Very
Early Morning
Applied
MB drying cream (I picked at some little bumps. L Rinsed with water later in
the morning.
Afternoon
(after workout)
Washed
with oatmeal (left on until dry, then rinsed)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Forgot
to wash my face before bed.
Day
11: January 18, 2013 (Made a new batch of
oatmeal. Left it to grind much longer,
to make a finer powder that would be even less messy to use.)
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB SFP moisturizer
Afternoon
(after workout)
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with fine oatmeal
Applied
cornmeal scrub
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
Had a few small breakouts and they are healing well. Scarring from older breakouts is fading as
well. I picked at some of my little
pimples. Hope they don’t scar.
Day
12: January 19, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
13: January 20, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
(wore
makeup to church)
afternoon
Washed
with black soap (2 times, with Clarisonic the 2nd time)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with black soap (2 times, with Clarisonic the 2nd time)
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
Black soap is very drying, but I will continue to use it as a makeup remover,
since I don’t wear makeup very often.
Day
14: January 21, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Forgot
to wash my face
Skin Care
Experiment – Week 3
Day
15: January 22, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Late
morning (post-workout)
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, without rinsing oatmeal off first.
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
I had a few whiteheads when I woke up.
Day
16: January 23, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
17: January 24, 2013
Morning
(post-workout)
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
Getting some little pimples on the right side of my face.
Day
18: January 25, 2013
Morning
Did
not wash my face in the morning
Went
to the beach
Evening
(after taking mini twists down and oiling my scalp and hair)
Washed
with oatmeal, followed my MB enzyme cleansing gel
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
MB drying cream on forehead, temples and cheeks
Notes:
Pimples dried up overnight. Yay!
Day
19: January 26, 2013
Morning
Rinsed
with water
Afternoon
Washed
with Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Wash
Evening
Fell
asleep with makeup on. I know, I know…
Day
20: January 27, 2013
Morning
Washed
twice with black soap (2nd time with Clarisonic)
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
Cher-Mere Anti-Aging Night moisturizer
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal and allowed to dry as a mask before rinsing off
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM night moisturizer
Notes:
Some small bumps are on my forehead and cheeks
Day
21: January 28, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM night moisturizer
Evening
(post-workout)
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal (applied without rinsing oatmeal off first)
Applied
Cher-Mere Aloe and Oatmeal Mask
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer
Notes:
Skin Care
Experiment – Week 4
Day
22: January 29, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
23: January 30, 2013
Morning
Rinsed
with water
Evening
(post-workout)
Washed
with black soap and Clarisonic
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM anti-aging night moisturizer
Applied
MB Drying Cream to pimples on forehead, temples and cheeks (which I picked at)
Notes:
Skin on cheeks is less congested with very few clogged pores, but I notice more
clogged pores on forehead. Pimples are
much smaller and short-lived. Need to
find a way to resist the urge to pick at my face.
Day
24: January 31, 2013
Morning
Rinsed
with water in early morning
Washed
with oatmeal later in the morning (allowed to dry, then rinsed)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Did
not apply moisturizer as I was going out.
Used Black Opal Oil Blocking Mattifier as a primer under my makeup.
Late
night
Removed
eye makeup and lipstick with grapeseed oil
Washed
with black soap (2 times – 2nd time with Clarisonic)
Applied
thin layer of aloe and oatmeal mask and rubbed in for a minute before rinsing
off
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM anti-aging night moisturizer
Notes: Picked at the pimples again this morning L
Day
25: February 1, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk paste
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM anti-aging night moisturizer
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Applied
CM anti-aging night moisturizer
Day
26: February 2, 2013
Morning
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
I have some small clogged pores
Day
27: February 3, 2013
Morning
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Afternoon
Washed
face twice with black soap
Applied
cucumber water
Late
night
Washed
face twice with black soap (2nd time with Clarisonic)
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
I picked my face!!! Ugghhhhhh! I hope this doesn’t scar.
Day
28: February 4, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Rinsed
and scrubbed with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask and let it dry
Rinsed
and applied cucumber water
Notes:
I’m really enjoying the feel and scent of the wash with the milk added.
Skin Care Experiment
– Week 5
Day
29: February 5, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal and milk
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal and milk
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
The areas where I picked my face are healing very well! Small scabs are forming. The one on my forehead is flat and I think it
may heal without getting too dark. There
is dead skin peeling off the one on my chin already. I’m not sure if it’s the oatmeal or the
cucumber but my skin is healing very quickly with this regimen. Yay!
Day
30: February 6, 2013
Morning
Rinsed
face with water
Applied
Coppertone SPF 50 (I was going out for a run)
Late
morning
Washed
with oatmeal and milk
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal and milk
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Notes:
Skin looks more even, but this may be due to the tan I got from running in the
sun earlier in the day. No new pimples
or clogged pores. I have some very tiny
bumps but I will be a good girl and leave them alone.
Day
31: February 7, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal and let dry
Rinsed
and scrubbed with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
My skin keeps healing well. I noticed a
few more tiny bumps so I did another scrub.
I haven’t been drinking enough water the last few days. That may have something to do with it.
Day
32: February 8, 2013
Morning
Rinsed
with water
Applied
Coppertone SPF 50 (was going for a run)
Late
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal and milk and let dry
Rinsed
and applied CM aloe and oatmeal mask to pimples only
Applied
cucumber water
Afternoon
I
picked the pimple again. It’s already
getting dark. Sigh.
Applied
MB drying lotion to pimple on my jawline as well as other small pimples.
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal and milk
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
I picked at a pimple! Ughhhhh!!! It felt like a cystic pimple and I wanted to
get the clog out of the middle. It’s
slightly painful. I know better. SMH
Day
33: February 9, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
34: February 10, 2013
Morning
Washed
twice with black soap (2nd time with clarisonic)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
35: February 11, 2013 (Carnival Monday)
Morning
Washed
face with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
3 times with black soap (3rd time with Clarisonic)
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Note:
had a cystic pimple/large clogged pore on my chin that I had to squeeze. I think everything came out; it immediately
went down.
Skin Care Experiment
– Week 6
Day
36: February 12, 2013 (Carnival Tuesday)
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
twice with black soap
Scrubbed
with cornmeal and oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Notes:
Pimple on my chin was slightly painful in the morning and still raised. I left it alone. It went down by itself.
Day
37: February 13, 2013
Morning
Didn’t
wash my face (was sick)
Evening
Didn’t
wash my face (was sick)
Day
38: February 14, 2013
Early
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
39: February 15, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
40: February 16, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Scrubbed
with cornmeal, oatmeal and milk
Applied
CM aloe and oatmeal mask
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Fell
asleep with my makeup on. I knowwww….
Day
41: February 17, 2013
Morning
Washed
twice with black soap (2nd time with Clarisonic)
Applied
cucumber water
Evening
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
Day
42: February 18, 2013
Morning
Washed
with oatmeal
Applied
cucumber water
 |
| My skin has come a LONG way since October! Yay!!! |
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