Using Sea Salt to fight Acne, my 6 month update.

In July I wrote about how I had started using Sea Salt to fight my daily acne problem, and I just wanted to do an update and share this information with anyone who didn't read it back then.

I've had moderate acne since I was about 10-11 (I'm now almost 21). I've used Pro Active and a lot of drugstore products but nothing reduced my acne more than 20% if I was lucky. In June I read about using sea salt on your skin to fight acne. I didn't really think it would work but since I already had loads of it at home I thought why not try it.

Within a week I could already see that I wasn't getting as many breakouts a day as I usually did. Old breakouts were healing more quickly and my foundation looked better because I was exfoliating my skin every day.

After about 6 weeks 95% of my acne was gone. I wasn't getting more than 1-2 pimples a week and they were usually half gone before I noticed them. After two months I generally only broke out the week before or of my period.

My skin still isn't perfect but it hasn't been this nice since before puberty. I'm not ashamed to go around my house at night after I've washed my makeup off and have my family see my skin. I still wear foundation every day but I don't have to wear as much of it. I get a pimple every once in a while (mostly just when I forget to use the salt) but they don't get as big as they use to and they heal more quickly.

How I use it:

Its so simple, at night in the shower after I've used my regular face wash to remove my make up I put 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in my wet palms. I then gently scrub my face for 10-15 seconds and wash it off. Sometimes I'll do this in the morning too. I'm actually saving money because I don't use face wash in the morning anymore like I use to.

If my skin is acting up I'll put the salt on and leave it for 5 minutes. You can mix it with honey or your face wash and use it as a mask if you want a more intense treatment.

Also I've gotten one of those small travel size spray bottles from Target and mixed a tablespoon of salt with water and I'll spray that on my face at night every so often. This is good if you have body acne and can't reach some areas like your back or shoulders. Sometimes I'll add 1/2 a cup of salt to my bath just because I breakout on my legs.

Generally its better to use Sea Salt rather then refined salt because it has more 'nutrients,' for lack of a better word, but refined salt will work in a pinch. Try it out, its cheap and doesn't take much effort. I hope it works for any of you who have the same problem I did.

Using Sea Salt to fight Acne

I've had constant moderate acne for about 8 years and I've tried a lot of different products. Most of them were quite expensive, and very few of them made any difference in my skin. Ironically the most effective thing is just about dirt cheap and has been sitting in my house all this time.

Why salt? Salt is a natural anti-bacterial. Its been used as a healing agent throughout history, and our bodies simply could not survive without it. Note: table salt is stripped of most of its healing minerals, and therefor may not be as effective. Sea salt, or salt crystals, is best.

I read about using salt masks to treat acne a few weeks ago. I started using it in the mornings as a cleanser/scrub, and when I can I'll use it as a mask in the evening. It can also be used as a toner over night, and as a body scrub if you have body acne (and even if you don't).

You can adjust the amount you use to whatever your skin needs, but I use

-1/2 teaspoon sea salt
-1 teaspoon water (warm preferably)
-cotton ball

I mix this together in a small bowl, soak it into the cotton ball and gently scrub it on my face. The first few times I used this it stung after a few minutes so I washed it off quickly, but after a few weeks it doesn't sting anymore and I can leave it on for a long time if I want a more intense treatment. If it stings a lot or you have sensitive skin use less salt in the beginning and wash it off sooner. Right after using the salt your skin will be a little red, but that's natural after using an exfoliant.

For overnight let the salt dissolve in hot water and apply it like you would a toner or put it in a spray bottle to spritz on your face. In the bath add half a cup to treat body acne (use moisturizer after). I also love adding this to St Ives apricot scrub, aloe vera gel, and a few drops of olive oil and scrubbing my skin (I do it quite hard) to make it super soft.

After 3-4 weeks of doing this my skin has improved a lot. I have very few breakouts, my skin tone is much more even, and my face is so much softer. Using it in the morning makes my foundation look better too. I'll need a few more weeks to see if this is 100% effective as my acne has good/bad cycles but so far I've seen good things and would recommend everyone try it.

To read more about the internal health benefits of salt visit WorldWideHealth.com

Target brand Up & Up Baby Wipes as Facial Wipes

If you are looking for some affodable but amazing make up remover or facial cleaning wipes check out the Target brand (now called Up & Up) unscented baby wipes.

-hypoallergenic real-cloth wipes
-alcohol free
-natural aloe and Vitamin E
-cushiony texture for superior cleaning

I saw this idea from someone else on a make up board and forgot about it until we ran out of baby wipes for my nephew. I promply thought of these and ran off to get them. I think everyone uses make up wipes at some point, but a lot of brands do run kind of expensive for these tiny packs of only 20 or 30 wipes, or super expensive for packs of 100.

The Target brand baby wipes comes in packs of 88 for $1.97. I believe there is a jumbo pack of around 300 for about $4 and small pack of 40 for $1.27. Each cloth is really long, one side is textured the other is smooth. The unscented kind have no smell at all. I've used them on my eyes with zero irritation. I've used them to take off lip products and there is no taste left over. What I love most is that there is no residue left over on my face. Any other wipe I've used leaves my skin feeling damp and tacky like I didn't rinse off my cleanser all the way. These Target wipes leaves my face feeling very clean like I just got out of the shower. I also use these to clean my make up brushes and wipe down any powder from my vanity area.

Review: Jane Aqua Ceuticals Sheer Tinited Moisturizer SPF 30

Quality: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: 1.5 oz
Price: $6.99
Where To Buy: Walgreens, Rite Aid
Will I Buy Again: Yes!

I saw it at Walgreens and just had to try it. I don't usually do inpulse buys but I figured since I've never use a TM before I could try this out and wear it to the gym at the very least.

This is the first tinted moisturizer I've ever tried, so perhaps I don't know what I'm missing but I love this product! I know I'm going to use it tons in the summer when my family has swim/birthday partys (which is very often May-August).

This product comes in 4 shades: Fair (very fair, pink or porcelain undertones), Light Warm Tones (beige or yellow undertones), Medium Warm Tones (mediterranean, tanned complexion) and Dark Tones (deep, warm complexion). I use the lightest which is suppose to be for fair/pink toned skin but its great on my light neutral/warm skin.



PROS:
-SPF 30, protects your skin
-paraben free
-has green tea and white tea extracts
-gives good light to almost medium coverage, I have huge pores, uneven skin, and breakouts but I feel ok going out in just this (i.e the gym, quick errands, or beach/pool)
-makes my skin a little glowy
-gives light oil control, not as much as my normal foundation but I can just rinse my face mid-day and re apply which is good because you need to touch up sunscreen anyways
-makes a nice base for regular foundation, my foundation goes on really nice over it
-you get a very good quantity for the prize, 1.5 oz for $7

CONS:
-strong sunscreen smell when you put it on and take it off, but I kind of like the smell of sunscreen

INGREDIENTS: Active Ingredients: Ethylhexl Methoxycinnamate, 7.5% Benzophenone-3, 6.0% Ethylhexl Salicylate, 5.0%. Other ingredients: Agua, Dimenthicone, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Stearate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Gylcerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iodopropynl Butylcarbamate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract. May contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

Review: St. Ives Mineral Clay Firming Mask

This mask contains a firming clay that lifts away dead skin cells leaving skin feeling firm without drying. Herbal extracts deep clean while stimulating collagen production so skin looks replenished and younger, not dry and dull.





Quality: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: 4.75 oz
Price: around $4
Where To Buy: any beauty supply store

This is my happy alternative to the Queen Helene mask. Its a lot more gentle but still leaves my skin feeling cleaner.

Directions: For best results, use in addition to your regular facial cleanser when you need an extra deep clean. Before using, cleanse face. Then apply a thin and even layer avoiding eyes, lips and hair. Once mask is completely dry (could take up to 10 minutes based on thickness of application), gently rinse with warm water. In case of contact with eyes, flush thoroughly with water.

PROS:
-Smells earthy, in a good way.
-Makes my skin feel warm, but not uncomfortable.
-Skin glows a little bit after using it and feels very clean.
-The mask is creamy and easy to squeeze out of the tube.

CONS:
The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have anything that fights breakouts. Also this makes my skin a little more oily too, but not as much as the Queen Helene mask.

Ingredients: Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Bentonite, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract (Sunflower), Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract (Matricaria), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary), Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Caffeine, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Phenoxyehtanol, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance (Parfum), Blue 1 (CI 42090)

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Mint Julep Masque
-Helps dry up acne pimples
-Rinses away blackheads
-Helps shrink large pores

The original natural home treatment, developed by a dermatologist, that will actually dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and even help shrink enlarged pores.

Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your face and neck. Within minutes it firms and hardens, as its suction action draws out waste matter from the pores. Minutes later, rinse the masque away with warm water and a washcloth. After the masque is removed your skin will feel clean...refreshed and smooth.

Even for people who are fortunately free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that relaxes tired muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck.

No animal testing. No animal ingredients.

Quality: 1 out of 5
Packaging: 1 out of 5
Price: $4
Where To Buy: Walgreens, Rite Aid, other beauty supply stores.

Directions: Cleanse face and neck thoroughly. Apply masque generously and allow to dry for about 15 minutes. Leave on problem areas overnight, if desired. Remove with warm water and a washcloth.

I thought this stuff was going to be ok, but I'm not very happy with it. I've had it for a long time and each time I go to try it again I'm disappointed.

CONS:
-First off, it looks, smells, and feels like tooth paste. Thats not a good thing for a face mask, really.
-Secondly, the first time I used it it burned like hell, I spent five minutes fanning my face before it got to be moderately ok. Every time I've used it its burned, and my skin isn't even sensitive.
-Third, I saw no difference in my skin or pores afterwards.
-Fourth this makes my skin 3x more oily then it normally would be, and that will go on for at least 2 days after using it. Since I'm already very oily this is BAD.
-Its also a major pain to get out of the tube. I have to literally crush this against the counter with my fist to get anything out. Its very thick.

PROS: I can't think of even one. I know this works for a lot of people, but it does nothing for me.
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Methylparaben

Review: Olay Ultra Moisture In-shower Body Lotion

Olay Ultra Moisture In-shower Body Lotion with Shea Butter
Infuse your skin with nourishing moisture at the ideal moment for moisturizing skin.

Replace your ordinary lotion with a revolutionary rinse-off body lotion! Olay Ultra Moisture In-Shower Body Lotion works with the warmth and humidity of your shower to reveal soft, smooth skin after just one use. Daily use will improve hydration of dry skin in five days!

After cleansing with your usual body wash or bar soap, and while still in the shower, smooth onto wet skin, then rinse. Step out of the shower and experience softer, smoother skin.

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Price: $5.99
Cruelty Free: No
Overall: 4.5 out of 5

In case you didn't know, Summer is coming. With that arms, legs, and various other long covered body parts are making their way out from under the layers we wore during the winter. For me this means is time to start moisturizing, something I don't do too often because it takes too long and I don't like my skin being sticky under my clothes. In addition to that I don't want my lotion to leave stains on my clothes either. So, I remembered getting two of those small travel sized tubes of Olay's in-shower body lotion last year, and I loved them so I decided to try it out again. Of course they re packaged and/or re formulated, but the new stuff is just as good.

PROS: You use this lotion in the shower. Just rub it on then rinse it off. No hassle. After that you just pat dry and you're good to go with super soft skin and you don't have to wait for it to sink in before you can dress. This really does leave my skin really, really soft. You notice it almost immediately. It does have what I call the 'Olay' smell, but its not too strong and I like it. I could see it being too strong for some people though. This also comes in an Age Defying formula.

CONS: For some reason they put a hole at the top of the bottle, I guess so you could hang it up on your shower. Honestly I think its a waste of space and the bottle is kind of heavy so it could break whatever its hanging on. Also the biggest concern to me is that Olay does test on animals, but I couldn't find anything like this by a cruelty free brand. Please don't hate me, I really tried to find a substitute!

This is available at Target, Wal Mart, Rite Aid, anywhere. Target is the cheapest place to get it. Its in the body wash sections, not the lotion section. There are two sizes, the smaller is $2.99 at Target and I think the larger is $5.99.