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As teenagers, most of us suffered through hormone changes that affected our skin. As adults, this continues to be a problem for some. Products line the shelves in our favorites stores, touting the ability to clear acne, dry up oily skin or even erase fine lines for the older generations. 

These products contain ingredients from acrylic acid to charcoal. They come in many forms including hydrocolloid patches. These patches are something new that cover the acne to protect it while healing the spot of acne. Some patches are covered with microneedles to get the medicine from the patch into the acne faster.

The Call of Nature

Using natural ingredients in place of store-bought creams and cleansers can be easier on your skin. Many of these ingredients sit on shelves in your neighborhood grocery store. The list below is not all-inclusive.

• Apple Cider Vinegar used sparingly is a great exfoliant and deep cleanser. 
• Witch Hazel is a natural astringent and takes the itch away from bug bites!
• Coconut Oil is fortifying and moisturizing for the skin on the face and body.
• Olive oil (full of antioxidants) reduces the signs of aging.
• Aloe Vera is antibacterial and antimicrobial.

 

Each of these natural ingredients used alone or mixed with a gentle castile soap make a great cleanser. For example, if you mix ½ a cup of apple cider vinegar with half a cup of water into one cup of castile soap and add coconut oil, aloe vera, and a little vitamin E, you will have glowing, clearer skin with fewer fine lines.

Is your skin irritated? Create a warm bath with Epsom salt, baking soda, and oatmeal. These ingredients will calm the irritation and reduce redness. Aloe Vera is multifunctional in healing skin and reducing the chance of scars. Are your bug bites itching? Put a little mustard on it to suck out the irritants. Got heat rash under the boobs or belly? Rub a little vaseline over the irritated area to create a barrier and soothe the skin. Do you have dry, cracked feet? Put some coconut oil, jojoba oil, or hemp oil on them and cover them in socks overnight and your feet will be moisturized and softer by morning.

Is cellulite a problem? Rub with coconut oil or shea butter. It may take some time to disappear but, the two ingredients help. Are skin tags an issue? Put Apple Cider Vinegar on a cotton ball and cover. Skin tags will dry up and fall off after a few treatments. Got bruises or love bites? Put some ice on them to reduce swelling and redness. Did you run out of deodorant, or the store brands irritate your sensitive underarm skin? Mix some baking soda with corn starch for a natural odor and sweat deterrent. 

Is your skin stained from paint or hair dye? One way to rid your skin of this unsightly color is to use hand sanitizer to wipe the color away. Hand sanitizer has alcohol that may irritate sensitive skin. Another alternative is to use coconut or other types of oil to remove the dye while moisturizing the problem area.

Patch Me Up Buttercup!

I mentioned hydrocolloid patches earlier; however, they are not the only patch skincare available. Most women have heard of Biore'(TM) strips that clear out blackheads. Treating blackheads is different from treating pimples, right? Wrinkle patches are also a thing. 

One commonality of patch treatments is wearing the patches on your skin for various lengths of time. Some patches are used for 15 minutes. Other patches are used for up to 6 hours. Patch treatments are convenient in that they are placed on the skin and left to do their work.  

Creams, Lotions, Cleansers, and Serums, Oh My!

As we walk through the beauty aisles, we see a variety of products for cleaning, soothing, moisturizing, and protecting our skin. We also see products for acne, dry skin, aging, and undereye darkness. Celebrities and doctors have lines of products to add to the masses of items already available. 

From baby lotion to anti-aging serums, we are bombarded at the store and through social media with products that help the skin in some way. These products range from sensitive skin to dry skin. How do you know which product will suit your skin the best? Many times trial and error become the normal routine. Friend suggestion or recommendation is another way to decide which of the millions of products to try. 

Aside from the many products available in the store, you can search the web for recipes to make all-natural creams. Using beeswax, honey, oatmeal, and other organic ingredients is helpful for your skin. Oatmeal is a great additive for those suffering from eczema or other severe dry skin conditions.

These are the Fabrics of Our Lives

The fabrics we wear or sleep against affects our skin. Some fabric types, like cotton, are more breathable than others. Fabrics like wool can irritate the skin. Many fabric types can cause friction and dry out the skin as we sleep. Silk pillowcases reduce the amount of friction and heat to the face as you sleep. Flannel sheets are warm and cozy but cause friction that irritates the skin. 

In the heat of summer, cotton or cotton blends help keep the skin cool and allows more air through to the skin. Wool or other heavy fabrics are less breathable and can cause heat rash and other skin irritations in the hotter months. 

Knitted sweaters or socks are warm and cozy in the winter or cooler months. Some skin types are sensitive to the different yarn varieties and irritate. It is important to know what feels best against your skin depending on the temperatures outside. 

The detergent you use on your fabric items also affects how it feels and how your skin reacts. Mixing borax with washing soda makes a great laundry soap that is not irritating to the skin. Does your skin feel irritated or rough after a shower? If you pat your skin with a towel instead of rub, your skin will thank you. 

Let Us Get Some D This Summer, Vitamin D.

Summer is a great time to be outdoors and get some much-needed vitamin D into our skin. To protect against harming skin with sunburn, use coconut oil. If you happen to get sunburned anyway, rub it down with Aloe Vera for cooling the heat and healing the burn. Here is a fun hack, take a lukewarm bath with tea bags! You will essentially make yourself into a sweet tea! Moisturizes the skin while revitalizing it and healing the burn. If those remedies are not to your liking, most stores carry an after-sun lotion that also takes the burn out of the skin. 

Is chlorine drying out your skin? Shower after hitting the pool and moisturize to protect your skin from drying out. Saltwater and sand are great exfoliants while cooling off at the beach. Seasalt also has an antibacterial and healing quality. Swimming in the ocean is a great way to cool down and deep clean your skin; do not forget to moisturize so that the salt does not make your skin too dry.