Homemade Oregano Toner

Dried Oregano

You ever wake up unsure what to do with yourself. Today was one of those days. I wanted to do something for me. Something I enjoy doing. I came up with the idea of making my own Acne toner. Why not  mix up a concoction while mine son was asleep.

This is how I began. I took some Oregano from my herb garden that had dried out and placed the leaves and the stems in a pot of boiling distilled water (1/2 cup). I let it come to a rolling boil, pressed the leaves and stems with a spatula a few times. After that I placed it on simmer  for about 3 more minutes. Pressed again with Spatula and recovered pot.  Then I let it steep for about 5 minutes after turning it off.

I had a glass container with top that I could use to place my finished product. With a strainer and a steady hand, I poured the hot mix into the little bottle. It will have little pieces that get through the strainer but I wouldn't worry about it.

Once cool, I placed in fridge for later use. It's great for spot treatments or for your full face if you get a great deal of acne. For the occasional breakout, which is what I deal with, it's great. If you have oily skin, this would be great to use as well. It dries and tightens skin. As well as being antimicrobial. You can rinse with cold water and pat face dry or leave on and let it dry on its own. I left it on my skin then applied a lotion after it dried.

The toner will have to stay in the fridge but can be used for up to 2 months. Assuming you haven't used it all by then.

If you aren't the "Susie Homemaker" type and prefer to buy something. My husband used the Burt's Bees Acne solution toner for awhile and seemed to have good results. Though he has since started using L'Bel's products. Or good old fashioned Witch Hazel for Oily skin. But this is a great affordable way to try and take care of your skin.

As always, Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

   

The Dreaded Imbedded Guest

Acne Cysts - The Dreaded Imbedded Guest

For those of you that are not familiar with Acne Cysts, consider yourselves lucky. They can be very painful and unsightly. Leaving behind scared skin, hyper pigmentation and leaving you feeling a bit self conscious. If not paranoid that every one is staring at the dreaded imbedded unwelcomed guest.

Recently, dealing with a client that was complaining of acne but noting it was painfu. The acne lesion itself just appeared as a dark bump on her skin. Slightly raised, red and tender to touch. Feels almost like a mass or ball in the skin. Having asked her had she ever been diagnosed, she mentioned a previous diagnosis by a dermatologist of Actinic Cysts or Cystic Acne.

The client mentioned that she tends to pick at her face out of habit. Anyone with acne knows that the touching of your face is a no, no but an unfortunate habit. A ritual created by trying to rid them faster by squeezing. What some people don't realize is that squeezing or popping the pustule "pimple" is the worst thing you can do. This will only make matters worse, spreading the bacteria over the skin and in the case of cystic acne, forcing bacteria within exasperating the problem. So if your wondering why that so called pimple keeps coming back it because your not handling it right.

Now there are many causes of acne. There's the foods we eat, the detergents we use to cleanse are skin, allergies, hormones, medicines, stress and exercise, etc. Seeing a doctor is yor best way to find out the cause or rule things out.

Actinic cysts are manageable with medications like birth control pills, injections of cortisone and topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or Alpha Hydroxy (AHA). Going to your dermatologist at least once a year is important but can get expense with treatments. Seeing an Esthetician for proper facial cleansing in between appointments is definitely recommended. However, there is still the expense to consider.

Here is an idea I recommended and I think it can help with some of you that deal with acne and acne cysts.

Step one: Use and oil free facial wash. A soapy cleanser is best. Wash face with look warm water. Pat dry.
Step two: With a cotton ball, clean face again with 3% Benzoyl Peroxide wait about a minute to remove. Cleanse skin with cold water. Pat dry.
Step Three: Use a toner formulated for oily skin tone or your basic witch hazel.
Step Four: If during the day moisturize, then SPF25 or higher.
If at night serum for eyes, and moisturize

Something I suggest is PanOxyl Bar 10%, which combines steps one and two. It contains Benzoyl Peroxide as one of its active ingredients. Plus, It can also be used on the chest and back for those that get acne on their body. They also make a acne foaming wash that is equally good. Roughly $6 a bar. Worth it! I also like the Differen line to treat acne and hyperpigmentation caused by the acne.

For toners, I of course love L'Bels toners that moisturize while toning but another recommendation I can make is Dicksonson's Witch Hazel for $3 or Aqua Glycolic Toner about $14. This will help to give your skin that added touch of clean that the soap may have missed.

Acne serums, I like Origins Super Spot Remover acne treatment gel. Just a little dab helps get rid of trouble spots faster. It runs close to $14. For hyper pigmentation "dark spots", I like L'Bel Clarifique Focalized Action Cream. It contains Kojic Acid, an active ingredient proven to lighten spots, cost $38. Also, a neat trick is to take cotton balls wet with Visine eye drops and freeze them. Place them on Papule a.k.a. pimple until thawed then discard. This helps with inflammation.

Moisturizers and SPF's, use an oil free product like CeraVe facial moisturizing lotion AM, dual moisturizer and SPF. Cost about $12. They have a PM that is great too. And Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF50 for the daytime. Cost about $15.

None of this is going to be a miracle cure, diet and healthy living plays its role too. Don't underestimate the importance of seeing your dermatologist for help. And an esthetician for maintenance. They have the knowledge and tools to help with whatever your skin issues maybe.

I do hope this helps many of you. Good luck and please feel free to share your personal experiences.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!