So far I have implemented a new cleansing regime called the Oil – Cleansing Method. To visit the post click here.

A week has gone by and I have noted that my skin feels smoother with hardly any troubles.  I did get a bump on my chin area a couple of days after starting the routine, but keep in mind that any bumps, pimples, etc are usually the end result of a couple of weeks of oily activity under the skin.  It is the skin’s self-cleaning method.

I did however decided to use a blend of coconut oil (50%) and walnut oil (50%).  Why the change?  Coconut oil has a high cleansing property.  While using coconut oil may be too drying for some I decided to keep it at 50%.  That’s where the walnut oil comes in.  Since it has moisturizing properties and high Vitamin E content I feel that it will be a nice balance to the coconut oil.

Stay tuned for next week as I keep you updated on week number 2.

Your skin naturally produces oil to moisturize and protect itself from the elements. Although it would be easy to believe that adding more oil to your face would just make it oilier, the case is not true.  Vegetable oils or nut-derived oils have cleansing and moisturizing properties that your skin can benefit from. Castor oil for example has a high cleansing property.

I started a facial cleansing regimen on the 1st day of the year called the Oil Cleansing Method. The purpose is to use a vegetable oil suited for my skin type. I have combination type skin with a couple of fine lines already forming. You can use any oil that is appropriate for your skin type or you can use a blend of oils. A good place to start is using 25% Castor Oil and 75% Jojoba Oil.

In my case I used Walnut Oil. Walnut Oil (cold pressed) is said to have properties that are suited for dry and mature skin.  Your skin needs more or less 2 weeks to adapt itself to a brand new regimen.  It’s best to do the oil cleansing method at night as it will also help in the removal of makeup. I will follow this regimen for at least 2 weeks.

How to do an oil cleansing:

1. Steam your face for 5 minutes to open up  pores.  You can easily do this by boiling a pot of water on the stove.  Drape a towel over head and very carefully lower your head until you feel the vapors reaching your face. If it feels too hot pull away from the pot.
2. While skin is still moist, apply 3-4 drops of  oil and spread all over face using circular motions.
3. Take the liberty to do a quick facial massage always sweeping upwards towards the  forehead. Do not pull the skin down – we are trying to defy gravity here!
4. With a wet and warm cloth drape the cloth over the face. Allow the pores to open once again and let the oil sink in.
5. With the same cloth wet it using warm water and remove the oil off the face.
6. Splash cold water on the face to quickly seal up the pores and let the face dry naturally.
7. If your skin feels tight or dry dab 1 drop of  oil on your fingers and quickly spread over your face to seal in moisture.

My results (1/1/10-1/3/10):

My skin feels smoother with no dryness. My skin so far does not feel icky or dry when I wake up in the morning.

I will post my updates every 7 days and report any changes with my skin.

For more information and discussion forum regarding this cleansing method visit www.theoilcleansingmethod.com

grapeseed oil

One of the things that I love about Nature is it many uses.  Of them is grapeseed oil.  Although many prefer to eat the seedless kind, bare in mind that the seeds are very beneficial for everyday use.

Grapeseed oil is a vegetable oil and that is taken from the seeds of the grape plant.  The extracted oil is used in salads for its nutty taste but is also widely used in skin-care.  It is a lightweight oil and the skin can absorb it rather quickly.

I love using this oil mainly because how it feels on my skin once it dries and it is great for oily skin (which I have).  It is extensively used as a massage oil base and it is noted for its skin-repairing capabilities for the skin around the eyes.  I love to use grapeseed oil in bath bomb and lotion recipes and I find it to be a great alternative to sweet almond oil.

You can easily find grapeseed oil in the ‘oils’ section of the supermarket or online from skin-care suppliers.

For those that are scientifically-inclined it goes by the name of Frangipani but you wouldn’t know that considering that it is used most often by the Pacific Islands to make leis.

Considering that I prefer floral and fruity notes I wasn’t sure how I never gave this bad boy a chance. It’s tropical scent is heaven to my nose. A sniff of this scent and I’m imagining I am laying down in a bed of lilacs and that something else. And it’s sweet scent is not at all like those dessert smelly kinds either that you find in commercially-made products.

You can grab your fragrance on-line or at apothecaries. I bought mine from Bridge Apothecary on Jay St and Front St in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. They carry a variety of fragrance oils from Wellington Fragrances. So of course, I picked up like 9 different scents!

So whenever you’re sitting down at work and feeling down, grab your Plumeria and indulge in the tropical and heady scent. But remember to come back to earth and attend those emails!

Enjoy!

Consumers Warned Not to Use Clarcon Skin Products

Risk of bacterial contamination has led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to warn consumers to not use any products made by Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc.

The Roy, Utah, firm voluntarily recalled some skin sanitizers and skin protectants sold under a variety of brand names after a recent FDA inspection found that the products contained high levels of disease-causing bacteria.

What products are consumers being warned not to use?

Consumers should not use any Clarcon products. Examples of these products include

• Citrushield Lotion

• Dermasentials DermaBarrier

• Dermassentials by Clarcon Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer

• Iron Fist Barrier Hand Treatment

• Skin Shield Restaurant

• Skin Shield Industrial

• Skin Shield Beauty Salon Lotion

• Total Skin Care Beauty

• Total Skin Care Work

What should consumers do with these products if the have them?

Stop using them immediately and throw them away in household refuse.

What specific concerns does FDA have about these products?

Analyses of several samples of over-the-counter topical antimicrobial skin sanitizer and hand protectant products revealed high levels of various bacteria, including some associated with unsanitary conditions.

Some of these bacteria can cause opportunistic infections of the skin and underlying tissues. Such infections may need medical or surgical attention, and may result in permanent damage.

FDA finds the inspection results particularly concerning because the products are promoted as antimicrobial agents that claim to treat open wounds, damaged skin, and protect against various infectious diseases.

The inspection uncovered serious deviations from FDA’s requirements.

How can consumers report adverse events resulting from these products?

Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Date Posted: June 8, 2009

What is it good for you wonder?
It makes a great antiseptic, dandruff and antifungal topical ointment. By pressing fresh tea tree leaves on the affected area its curative properties work diligently to heal.

I first started using tea tree oil one summer as a result of mosquito bites on the back of my legs. The bites left ugly welts and dark spots on my fair skin. My mom suggested I apply tea tree oil everyday after I shower until the welts were gone. Listen to Mom! I say.
In a few weeks the welts and dark spots were gone which I was very thankful for since I had to wear capris for a long period of time.

I now apply tea tree oil on my toenails after the shower – it keeps the toes moisturized and looking pretty especially now for the summer and also as a hair treatment for my dry scalp.

Tea tree oil can be purchased at the drugstore in liquid form. It’s not expensive and a little  goes a long way!

As with any product – do a skin allergy test first. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not use tea tree oil – first consult with a doctor. Keep out of reach of children and pets.