Lifestyle Choices

Apart from helping in your daily skincare, natural ingredients can also help in healing specific skin problems you may have. Here is a list of helpful remedies for the whole family:

Acne

More than just a spot or blemish, acne is an inflammatory condition often brought about by a sensitivity to androgen (male) hormones in the body. In mild cases blackheads and blemishes are present and in more severe cases you find inflamed pustules and cysts. Acne sufferers often carry a higher bacterial content on their skin and experts suggest that it could be this bacteria and its reaction on sebum (oil) levels in the skin that are affected when you are under stress, as stress seems to be a contributing factor.

Holistic help:

• Looking at the overall picture is helpful. The skin needs healing and strengthening.
• Overcleansing the skin is a common mistake and leads to more oil production and surface dryness (dehydration).
• Choose natural plant-based products for optimum healing. Use a gentle milky cleanser or gel, and do not use abrasive scrubs on the skin; soft absorbing clays and gentle peels are more beneficial.
• Let your skin breathe; fresh air and a little sunlight have immune-stimulating properties.
• Apply healing oils such as Tea Tree or Manuka, Lavender, Myrrh, Chamomile and Calendula. Mixed in a base of Jojoba and Rosehip carrier oils they encourage healing and have an antibacterial effect on the skin.
• Even oily skin needs oil. Often people are nervous to apply oil to an oily skin. Plant and essential oils are strongly anti-bacterial and promote new cell growth. This does not interfere with your own oil flow, as these oils are non-comedogenic, which means they do not congest or block pores. Instead they promote a balance in your own oil produc tion while healing your skin.
• Remember, skin grows from the inside out. Support your skin by supplying it with nutrients to strengthen and heal: eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink good water to support your elimination system. Vitamins and minerals of particular benefit to the skin are Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc.
• Avoid processed foods and excess sugars - these do not support your healing system.
• Deal with the stress in your life. Support yourself with natural remedies such as aromatherapy, homeopathy and massage. Physical and mental stress goes hand in hand.

Dry and Skin

There are two types of dryness: oil dryness and water dryness or (dehydration). will have a good balance of both, so it is definitely an inside-outside job.

Holistic help:

• Flooding the skin with essential fatty acids is the key. Flaxseed oil is a good way to supplement your diet with the essential fatty acids your skin needs. About one tablespoon a day will provide your body with the right amount of omega fats needed to promote healthy cell production. On the outside, pure Rosehip oil will do the same.
• Studies are showing Rosehip oil to be highly beneficial in repairing skin tissue. Use it under a good plant-based moisturiser during the day, and on its own at night.
• Protect your skin from dehydrating environments such as air conditioning and heating by regularly spritzing your face with an essential oil mist.

Eczema/Dermatitis/Psoriasis

Eczema and dermatitis are symptomised by dry, irritated and sometimes inflamed skin. Often those who suffer from eczema also suffer other allergies. Common break-out areas are in the creases of elbows, behind the knees, wrists and around the nose and mouth. Eczema can also be triggered by contact with certain irritants such as jewellery or perfumes. Psoriasis seems to be more genetic, and is characterised by patches of raised scaly skin, often pink and flaky. The cells overproduce and build up. This condition is often triggered by stress and damp conditions. The common drug prescribed for these conditions is hydrocortisone, but this only relieves symptoms temporarily and in the long term can leave the skin thin and weak.

Holistic help:

• Top up your essential fatty acids internally as mentioned under dry flaky sk help reduce inflammation and moisturise the cells from the inside. Stick to plant-based products, Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood, Oatmeal, Rosehip Calendula oil are all helpful in these conditions
• Seek help from natural therapies, for example homeopathy, naturopathy or Chinese medicine (see page 64) and address any stress in your life, making sure you are including good sources of Vitamin B in your diet.

Broken Capillaries

These are tiny red lines of capillaries that lie just beneath the surface of the skin, and are visible predominantly over the cheek and nose areas. Quite often they are not actually broken but rather dilated, as the walls of the capillaries are very fragile. People with fair and delicate skin are more prone, as is skin that has become thin through medication. Protection and strengthening are needed.

Holistic help:

• Internally boost up your Vitamin C levels, as Vitamin C (bioflavonoids) strengthens capillary walls.
• Make sure you are taking a good antioxidant to help prevent further damage by free radicals (see page 115).
• Never put your face under the shower; the pressure of the jets and heat of the water overdilate these fragile capillaries.
• Avoid overstimulation: hot spices, alcohol, coffee or extreme hot and cold water on your skin.
• Use essential oils to strengthen, such as Neroli, Cypress and Chamomile in a base of Rosehip oil. Rosehip oil is rich in carotene and bioflavonoids, perfect to strengthen and heal.
• Protect your skin from the elements with a good plant-based moisturiser, and natural sunscreen.

Cold sores (Herpes sirflex)

Cold sores are caused by a common virus, which produces a painful blister, which then turns into a sore, commonly on the lips or around the mouth. An outbreak is usually triggered by stress, sunburn and being run-down. The key to healing is to take good care of yourself and strengthen your immune system. This also helps prevention, always better than cure.

Holistic help:

• Increasing your Vitamin B levels is imperative to help your body deal with stress. If you wish to supplement, make sure you take a full B complex and buy the freshest (the one with the longest expiry date)
• Increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables and whole-grain foods also provides you with good Vitamin B sources and taking acidophilus yoghurt helps you create the beneficial bacteria needed in your gut to synthesise the Vitamin B.
• Taking a good antioxidant also helps keep the body more resistant to infection, and taking L-Lysine has been shown to combat a breakout effectively.
• Essential oils of Lavender, Tea Tree, Manuka and Myrrh promote antibacterial and antiviral relief — dab one drop of any of the mentioned oils neat onto the blister.
• Cold sores are highly contagious, so extra care should be taken around children and loved ones, in order to avoid contact with the blister.

Scarring and Stretch Marks

Given the right conditions your skin has an amazing ability to regenerate itself. After a cut or tear in the skin, the new tissue that forms can leave you with pigmentation or altered skin texture. With patience and good treatment, this can be minimised and in some cases completely corrected. You need to provide the skin with optimum nutrition to rejuvenate itself.

Holistic help:

• A good plant-based skincare is essential.
• Essential fatty acids are another necessity, internally as mentioned under dry flaky skin and externally with organic Rosehip oil

Our Favorite skin Repair Blend:

• 10 ml organic Rosehip oil and 4 ml Calendula oil Blend into it the following pure essential oils:
• 2 drops Myrrh
• 3 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Frankincense

Massage into the scar tissue twice a day. Allow at least four weeks to notice an improvement, then another few months to complete the healing process

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