A skincare expert and author of 100 Organic Skin Care Recipes shares her solutions for beating breakouts
Photo courtesy of Jessica Ress, Diane Harrison and Adams Media.
As the seasons transition from hot, humid summer to cool, dry fall, our skin can suffer if we don’t take some easy preventive measures. Helping the skin find balance is key. Skin often needs a little damage control from enlarged pores, blackheads, blemishes and overexposure to the sun.
Treat yourself to a home-spa facial once per week to help mitigate the changing seasons. An easy at-home facial can help control breakouts and keep skin happy. Start with a light exfoliating cleanser, followed by a hydrating facial steam made from soothing, astringent herbs. The herbal steam—with soothing chamomile, antibacterial lavender and healing rose—will help to gently purge the pores of accumulated toxins and buildup.
Soothing Herbal Steam
Yield: one pint
¼ cup dried lavender flowers
½ cup dried chamomile flowers
¾ cup dried rose petals
½ cup dried comfrey leaves
Place all of the herbs in a mixing bowl and toss until you have a uniform blend. Transfer to a jar, label and cap tightly.
To store: Store jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and use within two years.
To use: Boil four cups of water, then remove from heat. Stir 2 tablespoons of herbs into the water. Cover and let stand for five minutes. Clean your face. Bring the pot to a table, and make a tent over the pot and the back of your head with a towel to create a mini-steam room. Hover over the steaming pot at least eight inches away with your eyes closed. If the steam is too hot, let some of the steam out and move your face a bit farther away from the steam. Breathe deeply, relaxing for five to 15 minutes.
Note: Facial steams are not recommended for cystic acne or rosacea or inflamed skin conditions.
Excerpted from 100 Organic Skincare Recipes Copyright © 2014 by Jessica Ress, founder of Angel Face Botanicals and published by F+W Media, Inc. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
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Buy It & Try It
If you don’t have time for DIY, here are some great natural products that will help balance oily skin and clear up breakouts and blemishes.
Angel Face Blemish Soother Organic Acne Spot Treatment Serum
Argan oil regulates oil production, with tea tree oil, clary sage and other cleansing essential oils. $16; angelfacebotanicals.com
Amala Purifying Blemish Treatment
A gentle gel that unclogs pores with willow bark extract, witch hazel, blue lotus, white tea extract and tea tree oil. $32; spiritbeautylounge.com
Shamanuti Activated Charcoal Cleaner
Activated charcoal is an amazing ingredient! It absorbs impurities and neutralizes the skin’s pH. It keeps acne-causing bacteria at bay and it is gentle enough for sensitive skin. $36; shamanuti.com
Suki Purifying Acne Serum
If you are prone to breakouts, this super-duper serum contains salicylic acid, herbs and fruit enzyme extracts to reduce redness, oiliness and blemishes. $51; sukiskincare.com
Yum Gourmet Skincare Citrus Paradisi Cleanser
Loaded with mildly astringent citrus ingredients—bergamot and citrus essential oils—along with apple cider vinegar and witch hazel to balance out excess oil, and organic extracts of burdock and echinacea to heal inflamed skin. $39; yumskincare.com
—Rona Berg