Oil AND WATER - September 2018
Since Spring, 2016, I have been making changes to the way I care for my skin. The changes which began small grew more dramatic as my confidence in nature and natural products grew.
Jojoba oil
I love it, I am completely in love with the stuff. I no longer use face cream because one or two squirts of jojoba is enough to moisturize my face and my neck. It feels lush! I love it! I even give myself a little face massage sometimes because I enjoy the feel of the oil on my skin so much. It is pricey but one 250ml bottle lasts me 10-12 months.
Water
I love tea, black tea, all flavours, any time of the day. Because I drink so much of it I decided I needed to ditch the first tea of the day and I substituted it for water; cold in the summer, warm in the winter. However, there is something about warm water that seems ‘off’ I don’t know what it is but I just couldn’t get used to the taste or more accurately, the lack of taste. Nowadays I have warm water with a splash of apple cider vinegar in it, perhaps some vanilla essence, very occasionally a slice of lemon or lemon and honey. I have grown to enjoy my morning cuppa but it has not been something that came easily to me and I did need to persevere initially. I try and remember to sip water through the day regularly because I do believe it is beneficial. I try not to wait until I am thirsty to drink water. I try to keep water with me in a glass at home or an aluminium bottle when out and about.
If you are used to drinking squash, juice or something fizzy during the day and think that drinking water is too difficult don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that squash, tea and coffee contain plenty of water! If the lack of water you consume concerns you then make the changes slowly and keep them manageable. Perhaps alternate your drinks (one glass of water for every can of pop) or perhaps keep a day fizzy free. The changes you make really depend on what your goal is and where you are starting from. For me it was relatively easy because I find the sugar content in juice and fizzy is too much for me and my bad teeth but you are on a different journey to me.
Apple cider vinegar
I have ACV in the bathroom and use it on a piece of cotton (old pjs ripped up into squares) directly onto my face and this has evened out my skin tone better than anything else I have ever used. When my skin was very sensitive and still recovering at first I would put a drop of water on the cotton as well but now my skin is used to it so I don’t dilute it. I cover my whole face in the ACV, in light upward strokes, avoiding the eye area because it makes my eyes smart a little. The smell is disgusting, it is not something I have got used to, but the benefit has been so great that it is something I am willing to put up with.
I also use ACV in my bath water about once a month, just a splash, because I have heard it is good for skin pH or something. I am not sure and have not seen any huge benefit to the skin on my body but I am sure its not hurting anything.
Sugar scrub
Oh those plastic micro beads! Why did we ever think they were a good idea? Why did we ever think they were necessary?!? I found a little empty pot, filled it with brown sugar, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil and orange essence. I simply mixed it all together and use it as an exfoliator over my whole body. It is great, especially for elbows and knees. I have happily used it on my face, only once a fortnight, not too often and have not had any problems with it but if your skin is more sensitive or irritated in any way you may find the sugar too abrasive.
I have made other scrubs over the last couple of years using coffee grounds and different oils. The coffee grounds are definitely gentler on the skin but I like the abrasive sugar. If you need to go easy on your skin though coffee can be a good alternative. Salt is also a good substitute.
Future….
I have explored other oils, looked extensively into the ingredients of our toiletries and made drastic changes – much to the disruption and upset of my household! I will let you know of my discoveries in the next few posts. Stay tuned!