Lifestyle Choices

PROBLEM SKIN: PIMPLES, SPOTS, ACNE

The most important aspect of skin care is diet. Drink lots of water, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and avoid fatty, fried foods, chocolate and refined sugars, flours, carbonated drinks, coffee, peanuts and iodised salt. Fresh salads daily, with lots of green, chlorophyll-rich ingredients in it, are essential.

There are certain herbs known as depuratives, which cleanse the system by purifying the blood, and this in turn helps ensure a clear skin. Borage and watercress are two depuratives, lemons and oranges are another two. Four common weeds which make excellent blood cleansers are plantain, chickweed, sow’s thistle and dandelion. The young leaves of these weeds can be finely chopped and added to salads. Also effective are infusions, which can be drunk or used as a wash. Lavender, calendula petals, sage, borage leaves and flowers, and dandelion leaves can all be used — 60 ml (1/4 cup) herb to 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful wash for problem skins as it helps to combat oiliness. Dilute 60 ml (1/4 cup) vinegar to 750 ml (3 cups) tepid water and use as a wash, or drink a little every day: 1-2 teaspoons in a glass of tepid water. This is, incidentally, a wonderful cooling revitalizer in the heat of summer, particularly after vigorous exercise. It can also be used as a compress, held over bad spots or dabbed onto the affected area. Dilute to the strength most acceptable to your needs. Many people find it too strong to apply neat.

Blackhead Remover

Herbal steam cleansers soften and penetrate, facilitating the removal of blackheads. Make a hot herbal infusion, using yarrow, comfrey, or nettle, with a little apple cider Vinegar. Pat almond oil onto the blackheads. Soak a towel in the hot infusion, wring out and apply several times as the towel cools. Then gently push out the blackheads. NB. Always be sure your hands and nails are scrupulously clean when touching spots on your face.

Blemish Controllers

Fresh cucumber juice or slices, crushed watercress leaves or juice, and crushed sow’s thistle leaves or juice are all excellent blemish controllers. Pat onto the affected area and leave overnight. Wash off next morning with clean, clear water. Another effective method is to make a decoction of myrtle leaves and rue flowers. Pat on, and leave overnight. Alternatively, make a paste using grated fresh horse-radish root mixed with a little apple cider vinegar, or elder flowers crushed with a little lemon juice. Smear onto the area and leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with a gentle astringent.

Brown Spots

Liver spots or age spots are often attributed to lack of vitamins B, E and C. It is unwise to treat yourself in this case as too much of a vitamin is as bad as too little, and you should rather consult your doctor. Include the following vitamin-rich foods in your diet:

Vitamin B: debittered Torula yeast (use in gravies, soups and stews), liver, wheatgerm, green peas, sunflower seeds, brown rice, eggs, lentils, soyabeans, bananas, raisins, yoghurt, cream cheese.

Vitamin C: oranges, lemons, naartjies, grapefruit, guavas, pineapple, green peppers, tomato, cabbage.

Vitamin E: Wheatgerm oil, nuts, dairy products, leafy greens. An old folk remedy is gently to massage castor oil into brown spots, and some people claim that this is indeed effective.

ASTRINGENTS

Astringents are pore closers and have a bracing and toning effect on the skin. They contract the skin, tightening and drying it. Astringents should be used after deep cleansing and steaming.

Cucumber

This everyday vegetable is a natural astringent — and incidentally contains an ‘anti-wrinkle’ hormone.

Egg White

Stiffly whisked egg white is a wonderful astringent. Pat on after deep cleansing the skin, and leave for 15 minutes. Wash off with clear, tepid water.

Strawberry

Excellent for reducing oiliness and bracing and toning the skin. Mash and apply to the face for a marvellous home facial.

Herb Decoctions

For oily skin: yarrow, chamomile For combination skin: sage, nettle

Boil up 1 cup leaves and flowers of herb in 1 litre (4 cups) water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the stove, cover and allow to cool. Strain off and bottle the liquid. Keep refrigerated.

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