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peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:39 pm


Hello, my wonderful fellow guildies!

Starz-N-Madness mentioned something of oil cleansing and grapeseed oil, and I thought it might be fun to get serious (and perhaps a little fanatic and creative) about natural skincare and the like.

Why organic? Oh, well, you know: pesticides, hormones, weird chemicals... “Would you like some skincare with your water?” Everything is absorbed into the skin, into the bloodstream, and, on the other hand, popular and most off the counter products aren’t worth the money. Going organic this way is not half as expensive as you may think.

Where do I get organic products from? I make my own by using essential oils and carriers from trustworthy companies (like Nautica and Soil), and purchase online from www.faithful-to-nature.co.za. They host a great variety of certified organic and eco/animal-friendly products, some of which brands are international (or at least European), so take a browse. If you like it, but can’t get your hands on it, try using the ingredients to invent something up on your own.

Even if you’re not using natural products, please share your reviews here. If you’d like to go natural with skincare and such, we can do some research and come up with something that is entirely tailored to your needs. If you have experience or knowledge of/with natural ingredients, please share it with us.
PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:44 pm


Possible Future Events:
-- Make your own Perfume workshop


Please feel free to make suggestions!

peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom


peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 5:07 am


Starz-N-Madness

Pickled Cactus


Let's talk beauty products and tricks here. ;D
PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 7:50 am


That is absolutely amazing. I am so glad you decided to make this page!
If you ever have questions about a specific tip or trick, feel free to ask =)

Starz-N-Madness

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peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:22 am


Starz-N-Madness


Actually, I do have a problem. I have acne. It's mild, now, months after the dermatologist said that it was a 3 on a scale from 1 to 4. The prescription ointments only worsened my skin, so I converted to natural remedies. I use a neem and lavender cleanser, a rose and chamomile toner, rosehip-based oil serums and an assortment of creams (mostly for sensitive skin). I've found that the rosehip healing serum works best at night, and the lavender and myrrh healing oil at day. It's summer now, so my skin is being weird. There are dry patches, some of which I made disappear with a DIY banana mask last week, and the smallest pimples (whiteheads and blackheads, they never become yellow) everywhere. It's a LOT better than it used to be, but I scratch and have great trouble shaking that habit. I feel hopeless. Any advice?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:48 pm


m i s s Rieux
Starz-N-Madness


Actually, I do have a problem. I have acne. It's mild, now, months after the dermatologist said that it was a 3 on a scale from 1 to 4. The prescription ointments only worsened my skin, so I converted to natural remedies. I use a neem and lavender cleanser, a rose and chamomile toner, rosehip-based oil serums and an assortment of creams (mostly for sensitive skin). I've found that the rosehip healing serum works best at night, and the lavender and myrrh healing oil at day. It's summer now, so my skin is being weird. There are dry patches, some of which I made disappear with a DIY banana mask last week, and the smallest pimples (whiteheads and blackheads, they never become yellow) everywhere. It's a LOT better than it used to be, but I scratch and have great trouble shaking that habit. I feel hopeless. Any advice?
I'm SO glad that you got off those perscription ointments. I myself have probably been on almost all of them, and same like you, they only worsened my condition. With that, they decided to put me on Accutane- it's a terribly strong pill and I got the worst side effects ever (depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, very dry skin and HAIR LOSS) At the time I was only 16. Long sotry short, now I have also been really into natural remedies with everything health related. In school, I even studied nutrition.

So for you, I'm glad you are using essential oils. By any chance, do you use a toner once you cleanse your face? A great natural remedy would be apple cider vinegar. It helps balance your PH level, kills off bacteria, which is probably causing the problem to begin with.

Another great mask to use is a cinnamon/honey mask. (two parts honey, one part cinnamon) Mix those up, and apply to your face and keep it on for about 10-20 mins. Cinnamon is amazing at killing bacteria and the honey acts as a great exfoliant and has amazing anti-biotic properties.

For those little pimples, I use a spot treatment of tea tree oil- it's super strong, but It helps dry them out without causing flakiness. It will help unclog your pores, and clean everything out.

Something I've always done, which works wonders for black/white heads, is a lemon scrub. Cut 1/4 end off the end of a fresh lemon, adding a few drops of natural honey directly onto the lemon then apply it directly to your face (avoiding your eyes). Rub the lemon in blackhead prone areas such as the chin and nose. Leave the mixture on your face for 5 mins. Rise it off with cold water.

Since it is now summer for you, out skin goes through changes when the weather/season does too. It could also be hormonal. Are there specific areas of the face that tend to break out more?

Make sure you keep moisturising your face. The grapeseed oil should help too.

Starz-N-Madness

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Pickled Cactus

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PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:40 pm


                thank you for the quote! these have been great tips so far, and organic remedies are something i'm definitely more interested in now. will try and get back to you guys on that. (;
PostPosted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 1:52 pm


Pickled Cactus
                thank you for the quote! these have been great tips so far, and organic remedies are something i'm definitely more interested in now. will try and get back to you guys on that. (;
Aww, no problem! Please do! I'd love to hear about what you have learned and tried yourself!

Starz-N-Madness

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peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:01 am


Has anyone ever tried using rosehip oil? This is my go-to oil to fade dark spots and scars, and even freckles, mind you!

[url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/rosehip-seed-oil-benefits_n_3375871.html]Huffingtonpost[/url]

We often come across the words "rosehip seed oil" while reading the ingredients list on skincare products. But it wasn't until former Victoria's Secret Angel Miranda Kerr name dropped it as the secret to her radiant complexion that we explored further.

Harvested from the seeds of rose bushes predominately grown in Chile, rosehip seed oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines. With beauty benefits like these, we believe rosehip seed oil has the potential to become the next coconut oil.

Kerr told PopSugar Beauty: "I like to wear rosehip oil at night. It’s full of that many antioxidants and it really works on a cellular level too to rejuvenate the skin. I put that on at night and I wake up glowing." (Full disclosure: if we woke up in bed next to Orlando Bloom, we'd probably glow, too.)

Actress Rose Byrne is another famous Aussie who credits rosehip seed oil for keeping her sensitive skin under control. You don't have to take our word for it, the proof is in these pictures.

Before you start slathering rosehip seed oil on your face, we asked Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of the eponymous salon and skincare collection, and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, to explain why this skin savior is so great.

It's been used for generations

"Rosehips were a remedy that was used by the ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans all because of their healing properties -- the oil can be made by cold press or by slow-cooking it," according to Vargas. "I think the beauty industry is turning more and more to these healing ingredients as an alternative to the chemicals we have relied on in the recent past."

Though it's more expensive, cold-pressed is best as it hasn't been altered by heat and retains more nutrients.

It's non-greasy and super light
Unlike heavier oils that are commonly used on the face like jojoba and shea butter, rosehip seed oil absorbs easily. Dr. Tanzi recommends using it as an addition to lotions and creams, as it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, which helps to decrease environmental damage and soothe the skin.

It's a natural acne and eczema treatment

"The essential fatty acids found in rosehip seed oil also work wonders for dry scalp and itchiness due to stress and chemicals in shampoo," says Vargas. "It's what the skin needs for hydration and skin sensitivities."

It's better than Botox (in our opinion)
With skin rejuvenating properties like vitamin C and lycopene, rosehip seed oil is a safer solution to repair the skin's surface, restore elasticity and protects against sun and pollution stressors that can lead to wrinkles.

So: Does this convince you to try rosehip seed oil? Or are you already a fan?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 3:08 am


So being stereotypical I actually know very little about skincare and all that. What I do know comes from angélique though, and the few products she's bought me to use has been very helpful smile

Two especially stands out, the first is neem oil, I have it in the form of a soap, this stuff is amazing for acne and scar removal/healing. I only use it on occasion seeing as it can be expensive but I almost always notice overnight results. Be careful though as it can dry out the skin a little, but because I have generally oily skin I don't notice it that much, but I suppose a moisturiser after the facewash would solve that problem. Comparing it to zimplex salve I've previously used I'd say 1 vs 0 for the neem oil.

The second is tea tree oil, I've been using organic hairshampoo for a while with this in for a while, and in comparison to various different non organic shapoos I've used previously my head feels less itchy and there a lot less dead skin. That's it for now. Cheers

W0LFKING

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peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:13 am


W0LFKING


*feels special* That soap wasn't expensive, though. I'm sorry, Ed. *innocent grin*
PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:52 pm


m i s s Rieux

Actually, I do have a problem. I have acne. It's mild, now, months after the dermatologist said that it was a 3 on a scale from 1 to 4. The prescription ointments only worsened my skin, so I converted to natural remedies. I use a neem and lavender cleanser, a rose and chamomile toner, rosehip-based oil serums and an assortment of creams (mostly for sensitive skin). I've found that the rosehip healing serum works best at night, and the lavender and myrrh healing oil at day. It's summer now, so my skin is being weird. There are dry patches, some of which I made disappear with a DIY banana mask last week, and the smallest pimples (whiteheads and blackheads, they never become yellow) everywhere. It's a LOT better than it used to be, but I scratch and have great trouble shaking that habit. I feel hopeless. Any advice?


I have never understood the whole pushing of external acne treatments for a problem that is usually caused by something internal.
Of course it is important to keep skin healthy (I will make a thread of my natural beauty recipes later maybe) but the best way to keep skin healthy is by keeping the rest of your body healthy.
For me, the cause of my acne is a combination of hormone imbalances, insulin resistance and bad digestion.

So my advise:
You may want to see a doctor and get your hormones tested.
Some herbs that can help balance hormones are:
Maca (I might make a tread for my maca smoothing recipes as well)
Vitex
Licorice (Be VERY careful with licorice and do not use if you have high blood pressure or on pretty much ANY medication)
Please remember that most herbs are not yet properly researched and it is best to check with a doctor before trying any herbs.

I also advise cutting out all added sugar and getting plenty of fibre in your diet. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and seeds.
A probiotic in capsule form (your stomach kills most bacteria making probiotics that aren't protected by a capsule pretty useless) may help.
Inulin is a soluble fibre and prebiotic so it can be helpful to your digestive system. It is found in foods such as: Jerusalem artichoke, onions, leeks and garlic as well as chicory, burdock or dandelion roots.

Also a squeeze of lemon juice in warm water first thing in the morning can help cleanse your body.

These are all things that I have tried and personally found useful. They may not work for you (every body is different) but hopefully you are able to find out what's up with your body and find ways to fix it. 3nodding

P.S. Sorry for the essay sweatdrop

Esselean

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peinture avec angelique

Feral Phantom

PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:30 pm


Esselean


Thank you for your thorough and very informative answer! *excited*

I'm currently taking supplements containing black cohosh, organic soy bean extract, motherwort, dong quai, astragalus, standardised agnus cactus extract, and a bunch of antioxidants. I also take evening primrose oil when I remember it. The licorice root tea that I have taste terrible and not very sweet at all. Then again, I'm a little stingy because it was pretty expensive. And I've no idea what to do with maca powder! D: I have a sample, but the stuff tastes terrible. lol Can't wait for those smoothie recipes!

*sips from a cup of chicory* The medicinal mushrooms probiotics that I currently have burns my tum a bit, so I don't take it very often. Do I need to take it often? I have stomach problems and thought it would fix them, but it didn't. *sighs*

Have you ever tried stinging nettle tea? It's a blood purifier and mild laxative and doesn't taste half bad. (Any excuse not to take dandelion tea again haha.)

What is Vitex?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:12 am


m i s s Rieux


Vitex is the same as agnus cactus.

I only take probiotics when my digestive system is angry at me from having too much junk or if I have had to have antibiotics. I guess is more important to nurture your gut bacteria with rather than add more. Once you have plenty good bacteria growing a probiotic isn't really necessary.... Just feed those little guys up with a good diet and some prebiotics. xd

I have tried nettle tea in the past and I am not fond of the taste at all (I think I prefer dandelion lol)
Burdock can be a good blood purifier which is good because I love burdock. I also love parsley and that is a good blood purifier as well.

I get sliced dried licorice root from one of the local asian food markets at a very good price. I have had some that are lovely and sweet and others that just taste like nothing.

I will post my maca smoothie recipes shorty. I agree that maca by itself is very strong and sickeningly sweet. Warning: what they say about maca increasing libido I found absolutely true! blaugh

Another thing I forgot to mention is chlorophyll. I started having taking it to help detox heavy metals... turns out my digestive system loves it! In fact, my whole body loves it. I get the liquid sodium magnesium chlorophyllin. It is so green it is almost black and it makes your tongue green for a while but totally worth it!

Esselean

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Healthy Living

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