I keep my favorite skin care products in the kitchen.
“Let food be thy medicine” the beautifully spoken words of Hippocrates.
Im going to update this statement to beauty and skin protocol for the sake of this blog. A modern day aesthetic philosopher, if you will.
Far before I ventured into the aesthetic industry, I integrated natural food products into my self care regimen. You see, this was not by choice, but rather a serendipitous discovery I made after years of dealing with breakouts, allergies, rashes, and all sorts of weird dermal activity. My skin is so insanely sensitive and irritable, even the most common beauty products such as bath and body works delicious smelling lotion, would cause me hours of itchiness and red bumps.
One day in my teenage years, after spending a little too much time at the beach (before I knew better) I purchased a bottle of suburn relief gel from the pharmacy. I applied the product to my neck and chest for about two days, and immediately broke out in a cluster of red bumps with little white heads on top. A quick trip to the dermatologist and I was told that I had folliculitis (infection of the follicles) and prescribed antibiotic ointment with a special cleaner. I was told to never use that sunburn gel again because I was allergic. Being that I lived in South Florida I needed to find another option for soothing my sun burnt skin. My investigating led me to a special little plant that would forever change my life. My first organic beauty love- the Aloe Vera leaf.
Since then I have discovered some of the best organic and holistic remedies for skin issues and beauty protocols. Listed below are my top 5
1. Castor Oil for long eyelashes - Castor oil is found to be effective in growing and thickening eyelashes and preventing them from breaking. The oil has vitamin E, fatty acids, and proteins that accelerate hair growth, while keeping the eyelid hydrated and healthy. I apply to an eyeliner brush and place along the lash line at night.
2. Turmeric for breakouts- Turmeric powder for pimples actually helps by removing the excess oil and destroying the bacteria. It is also an excellent antioxidant, which helps in treating pimples and the inflammation caused by them. I mix the turmeric powder with water and apply the paste to each bump, leave for 10 minutes and gentle rinse.
3. Coconut oil for soft skin - Coconut oil is my go to full body moisturizer. It is composed of medium-chain-length fatty acids which provides deep moisture. It helps strengthen underlying tissues and remove excessive dead cell on the skin’s surface. I lather up my whole body right after the shower to lock in moisture. I also use it as a makeup remover to take off mascara and lipstick.
4. Avocado for strong hair- The oil of avocado is easily absorbed into the cuticle therefore it goes well with dry hair. This creamy fruit is packed with omega 3 fatty acids which acts as an effective natural conditioner and heat protectant. I smash up an avocado and apply it to wet hair, and let sit for up to 30 minutes before I wash it out.
5. Baking soda for exfoliation/whitening- Baking soda aka sodium bicarbonate is a natural mineral dissolved in springs around the world. It’s an organic bleaching and antibacterial agent. I mix baking soda with my face wash to work as a natural scrub and also improves pigment over time. I also add it to my toothpaste to whiten up my smile.