In my own quest for good skin care and suffering from sensitive skin issues most of my life, the following organic home remedies I have found work pretty well regardless of your skin type. Olive oil is extremely high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals. The oil of this miraculous fruit will guard your body and your skin... from the inside out.
Organic Olive Oil
For centuries, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and others took advantage of olive oil not just in food, but as a healing agent and anti-aging skin regiment. No wonder women from Italy have such wonderful skin. There are many ways you can use Olive Oil for skin. I use mine as a mask, I use about 1 teaspoon and spread on face, leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wipe off with wet wash cloth. Doing this about 2-3 times a week will help reduce redness--best for people with face irritation (rosacea and/or acne). Another way you can use this is as an everyday moisturizer, use about 1/4 teaspoon.
Other uses of olive oil include: Bath: For a moisturizing soak, add about ¼ cup olive oil and several drops of essential oil to your bathwater, Dry Skin: Gently massage a small amount of olive oil on extra dry areas such as elbows or heels, Feet: Apply a liberal amount of oil to feet at bedtime. Cover with cotton socks. Not sexy... but oh-so-soft feet in the morning!, Hair: For a simple oil treatment, warm several tablespoons of olive oil (again, not hot). Rub into scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap or small plastic bag. Leave on for 20-30 minutes, Lips: Alleviate chapped lips with straight olive oil. Dab on lips... especially helpful at bedtime. Also eating 1 tablespoon of olive oil a day will improve overall skin.
Organic Oat Flour
Oats can be very soothing to irritated skin. The key is to make sure the Oat flour is not bleached (organic) and does not contain any wheat or gluten as this can be very irritating to your skin. Mix oat flour with water to create a paste like consistency. Then spread on face, keep on for about 10 minutes and then rinse off. This also works great as a bath, but the results will not be as dramatic because the consistency will be diluted.
Calendula
Calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical. This lovely marigoldlike flower (although called pot marigold, it is not a true marigold) is considered a vulnerary agent, a substance that promotes healing. Calendula also has anti-inflammatory and weak antimicrobial activity. However, you have to be careful in identifying the correct type--any type of fat-based ointment or cream could cause further skin issues. You can either take this orally or find a organic skin care product with higher amounts. Best works with Linden, the two together provide skin healing agents calming in flamed skin.
**If you have any questions about any of these or would like recommendations, please email me.
