sea salt mask for acne

here's another thing which is cheap, easy, logical and worth trying if you suffer from acne anywhere on your body.

this was first 'discovered' when people with acne came back from a beach holiday with clearer, smoother skin. hmm, the sea salt water must be a natural exfoliating cleanser! and of course it is - it's highly anti-bacterial and exfoliating too, which helps eliminate the acne bacteria as well as leave your skin glowing.

i use a salt water rinse on my face every other evening, which seems to help reduce redness as well as making my skin a more even texture. and the areas where i had broken out are healing over quite nicely. i've been doing this for about two weeks now, and definitely notice an improvement in my skin.

for more success stories and reviews, check out: makeupalley, acne.org, healthboards, shimmer kisser, acne under control. the evidence is quite compelling in itself...

it's important to use good salt! don't go using fine table salt or anything, it needs to be good quality sea salt (i use Maldon). then all you need to do is dilute the salt in a little warm water and splash this over your face, or use as a toner with a cotton wool pad. leave it for 10-15 minutes before you apply your moisturiser. it may feel a little tingly, and be quite uncomfortable on open wounds (try to avoid this if you have sensitive skin)  but that's just it working properly.

♥ you could also try: adding a cupful of salt to your regular bath if you have body acne, making a scrub of salt mixed with honey, making a paste with a little water and using it as a spot treatment.

of course, if you have access to the actual sea itself, go swimming in that instead!

apple cider vinegar for acne and skin problems

apple cider vinegar is a relatively new thing to me. i found out about it on the blogosphere and bought my first bottle a few months back - i'm sure it was in some sort of haul video this last summer. but anyway, i first purchased it with a mind to use it on my hair, as i'd heard that this helps strip product build up and make your hair shinier. but after several repeat attempts, i still have not managed to make ACV work for my hair. i think my shampoo is just TOO good! ha ha.

so, i have been experimenting with using it on my skin. with really great results actually! which is why i thought it only fair to pass my information on to you guys ♥

firstly, if you want like 400+ positive reviews on it, check out the MUA boards, which completely rave about this for all sorts of things. and the acne.org boards for their shining reviews on using this for clearing your skin.

my own personal experience with this has been somewhat interesting. i started by using it as a direct spot treatment - which did not really work for me. i was literally putting some ACV on a cotton pad and pressing onto the infected area. i think this just aggravated it more than anything. so, i switched it up.

i mixed together in an old Neal's Yard blue glass spray bottle half of apple cider vinegar and half of rose water with a few extra drops of rosemary or lavender oil. i created my own anti-acne toner basically. which was so easy, and a really cheap thing to make too (added bonus!)

i spray my face with it once i've put my makeup on in the morning to set my makeup (sort of) and then once in the evening after cleansing. sometimes if i've gone out for an event and have lots of makeup on, i'll use this as a final cleanser/toner to make sure all the product is off and my face is really clean - i just spray a little onto a cotton wool pad and gently run it across my face. i make sure to shake it each time i use it too, just so that the product is evenly mixed.

i've finished almost two wholes bottles of this toner now, and i love it! the lavender and rose water calm down the strong scent of the apple cider vinegar, and it's less pungent. it's not too strong or direct an application to irritate my skin, though it is enough to help tighten my pores and even out my skin tone.

along with other things (which I'll talk about soon, i promise) this is really helping to clear up my acne around my mouth and jawline. thank goodness!

i've also been using it as a dressing on salads, which is yummy, and i'm sure helps the skin from the inside too.

radiant skin article

this article popped up on my bloglovin reader and i thought you guys might be interested to read it...

Radiant Skin 101 talks about the causes of breakouts in relation to diet. and i must say that i find this all totally true! since summer i've put sugar and milk back into my diet, by accident and laziness - not purposefully. and my skin has been breaking out like mad. i'm cutting it back out again now, and i'm already seeing much improvement... so please do read the article and follow it's advice ♥

circulation - the secret to good skin

i have to start by being really honest. i am not a great exerciser. there. you have it. i don't think i have ever grasped just how important it is though - maybe that's been the problem.

when i was at school i actually did pretty well - once exercise was no longer compulsory i joined the nearest gym - which i loved. you could run for ages whilst watching MTV, relax in the pool and steam rooms after a good session of cross training. and actually when i look back at photos of myself at that time...

Exhibit A:

i don't remember having any problems with my skin. i never worried about it - i was one of the 'lucky' few who didn't have a battle with acne or spots. i always thought it was just good complexion - and a pretty good diet that did it.

then when i went to uni i got more and more interested in healthy eating and food, and i ran every other morning throughout my first year. 

Exhibit B:

and now, although my skin is OK, it's nothing in comparison to what it was. it has more breakouts, and the 'glow' that you get from exercise isn't there naturally... i spend more time on it, put more makeup on it, and just generally fuss about it more.

so what do i learn from looking back at these photos? and what can you also take away with you?

 - exercise is important! 

and not just pilates and yoga dvd's, or a bit of gardening, or a short walk at lunchtime. no, it has to really get your circulation going. otherwise you stagnate. all those bad things in your skin can't get flushed away nearly as quickly, and so you skin breaks out because the circulation isn't working correctly to get rid of the dirt.

when you go for a run or a session on the cross-trainer, you boost your circulation, enabling your body to work at it's best level, it's cleansing level. you let out sweat (essential cleansing! - it's good for you) and if you drink water whilst you do this - which you NEED to - then you'll help the cleansing one step further too.

so that's what i've been doing. stagnating. sitting in my own grime. ew, it's gross, but necessary, because essentially that's what i've been doing. and i think that's probably why loads of people in their early twenties get breakouts more than at school - because they are less active.

obviously it can swing the other way, you can exercise too much! you need to be careful to exercise with a thoroughly cleansed face (with perhaps only a light layer of mineral make-up if you are really self conscious, and a little mascara) so then when you start to get warm and your pores open it won't let in any dirt that's sat on your face. finishing your exercise by jumping in water is usually a great idea, and sitting in a steam room (which gyms often have) is fantastic - or having a hot shower. i always wait until my face has returned to a regular-ish temperature before i rinse it off with water.

there are a few other ways you can improve the circulation without full hardcore body pumping exercise - although it really is the best, as you benefit from so many other benefits at the same time. you can go for a full body massage - it stimulates all the systems under the skin, especially the lymph system (aka, waste disposal unit!) and promotes a fantastic healthy glow. 

body brushing is another way to get this same effect - i've been doing this and have noticed a distinct difference. i once heard someone say that if you have time to brush your teeth, then you have time to brush your body. and it's so true. you just gently sweep the body brush towards your heart in long strokes, in the morning and before bed. it's worth a try, and should be really helpful for those with bumpy skin texture.

so, in conclusion, i think i'd better start running again, what do you think? well, we'll be getting a puppy next week, so soon i'll be forced out of the house to walk for at least 2 hours...perhaps i can break into a run halfway through.

honey and almond facial scrub

this homemade facial scrub is ridiculously easy to make, and incredibly simple and pure. i was trying to think of a scrub ingredient that wouldn't be too abrasive, and harsh on my skin - something that would even out the skin tone but not aggravate it...and finally i came across the idea of using ground almonds. i adore cooking with them, so we've always got some in the cupboard...

i mixed 1 teaspoon of raw honey with 2-3 teaspoons of ground almonds, just with my finger - but you can use a spoon if you want to be a tad more hygienic. i put it in an empty neals yard jar (the blue glass ones which really are exceptionally beautiful) and it keeps for a really long time, although you'll probably use it up within two weeks.

i used it a couple of times, and i felt cleansed and moisturised as soon as i rinsed it off. it smells delicious as well, and it can be as cheap/organic as you choose it to be.

i filmed a video with my brother about this homemade facial scrub which is perfect for men as well as women, i think it's pretty funny - there's some outtakes at the end, as well as a little how to watching jonny make the scrub!

why use honey and almonds on your face?
 - honey has great antibacterial and healing properties, as well as being very soothing and fighting redness and inflamation. it's also a fab humectant (moisture attractor) and hydrator
 - almonds have fab moisturising properties, and when soaked and then ground are gentle enough to use as an exfoliant for sensitive skin, it's also great for healing scars and is a fantastic emollient (moisture saver)

Note: moisture attractor + moisture saver = fabulously moist skin!

if you don't have ground almonds, you can grind some up or if you have a nut allergy then you could try using oats instead, that would be fantastic too - although best to grind them up in a food processor first! you could also try baking soda, rice, wheat germ or high quality salt.

* you could also use this recipe as a mask, just use about twice as much as normal, and leave it on your face for 15 minutes. rinse off with warm water, then splash with cold. divine.
*you could also try adding a bit of lemon juice for a bit more lightening, cleansing power if you choose to!
* if you don't want to use raw honey or you don't like it's smell, try exchanging it for yogurt, rose water or a drop of milk which are also super beneficial for skin.

i hope you enjoy experimenting with using honey as a cleanser, moisturiser and scrub, and all-round fantastic beauty ingredient!

if you haven't asked me a question yet, or you're interested in checking out my answers to some fantastically random and brilliant questions, then do check out my formspring, or use the box in the sidebar.

ask me anything

hiya! i hope your day is beautiful and the sun is shining...it's raining here with me at the moment, but i'm not letting it get me down ♥

i just wanted to mention to you all that i have started a formspring account where you can all ask me questions, and even post them anonymously if you want...

here's the link:

http://www.formspring.me/alissaevelyn

i will be doing a q&a video soon, as it's been requested a few times, and i thought it might be nice for you all to get to know a little more about me. so go ahead and ask a question, it can be anything, random, intelligent, personal...be creative and ask questions you really want to know answers to.

skin breakouts: the causes and cures

hello lovely readers!

so, i hope this is interesting to you all, i hope that some of the information is new, and helpful to all of you. i think most people can relate to this, as almost everyone has breakouts from time to time. and if you keep getting them in the same area, then this could totally help you! if you haven't seen the skin breakouts video yet, then don't forget to check it out.

if you know the cause of your breakout, then you might just find the cure...

basically, chinese diagnosis / face mapping would highlight that a breakout in a particular area is a sign of a particular organ not functioning as well as it could. so, here is my diagram showing which areas correspond to each other:

and here's a more detailed analysis of how you can help each organ to function better:

bladder - reduce the amount of sugar you eat, increase the amount of water you drink!

digestion - cook simple, nutritional food with clean ingredients, eat green leafy vegetables before a big meal, enjoy eating whole grains, chew your food really well and take time to enjoy it with friends,

liver - reduce your consumption of processed foods, switch to 'whole' foods that are as fresh and organic as possible. check for food intolerances with your doctor, eat more fiber, try to do a mini-detox for 2 days each month where you only eat fruit and veg, take a lipotropic supplement

kidney - drink lots of water each day (about 8 glasses), try eating more blueberries, eat cleansing green foods like celery, cucumerb and asparagus, eat lots of garlic, try a calcium supplement to help support your systems

lungs - keep your immune system in top condition (by getting enough sleep, eating well and not pushing yourself too hard), get out into the fresh air to exercise and get the stagnant air in your lungs removed and refreshed

hormones - eat a diet that's low in animal products to help reset your own hormones (as the hormones of animals can affect your own)

stress - chill out, relax and adjust your lifestyle; get a massage and take regular walks (see my healthy living tips video about this particular subject) - try all sorts of things to reduce the stress on all organs of the body for maximum beauty power!

other factors that can cause breakouts:
after a facial - stimulating the skin in a different way can help to unclog your pores, and in doing so it may cause a few spots or pimples to appear
during detox - when the body detoxes it lets out the toxins through the skin, so you may experience some breakouts at this point, but it's a really good sign of great cleansing action and it reminds you to not let too many toxins in in the first place!
comedogenic products - makeup and skincare products can often cause a breakout because it upsets the PH balance of our skin by often being too acidic/alkaline, choose a mild cleansing milk to avoid disruption and opt for sensitive products and breathable mineral foundations for using every day
oily hair - change your shampoo, and use one that doesn't have comedogenic ingredients.
bad skin-touching habits - be aware of how frequently you touch your face and where, and try to stop doing it! use phones on speaker, or keep them clean to stop breakouts around your jawline
illness - boost your immune system with anti-oxidants, and drink water regularly to flush out bacteria and viruses. take time off to rest and recuperate when you are ill, in order to get your body back into it's natural rythyms quicker
diet - fresh, organic, local and delicious food eaten with friends and family is the best way. try an elimination diet if you aren't sure about the effects of a particular food or food group. raw foodists have the most amazing skin ever, and this is a true testament to the power of fruit and vegetables in causing a glowing, youthful complexion
pillowcases -  change tand wash them regularly to stop the spread of bacteria. try silk cases and anti-allergenic pillows
poor circulation (to get the glow) - get some exercise!, try eating more raw fats from avocadoes, nuts and raw olive oil on salads, add more spices to your cooking to really get that blood going, avoid smoking/smokers and drinking too much alcohol, keep your anger under check


my experiences:
i usually get spots around my chin/mouth area each month due to hormones, and the only remedy for this is lots of good exercise and eating lots of fruit and veg so they heal very quickly and don't get too red.

i used to have breakouts on my forehead, although these have ceased since i reduced the amount of dairy and increased the amount of fresh fruit and veg i am eating. and i used to get frustrating ones around my hairline, which was partly due to shampoo/conditioner (which i changed) as well as habits of touching them which spread them all around the hairline.

i sometimes get bad spots around my jawline after i've been unwell (with diabetes), which are frustrating, and take a long time to heal - because after i've been ill my immune system isn't so good at healing!

i find that my skin is at it's best when i'm exercising and sleeping well. it glows and looks really healthy! it also looks way better after a trip to spa waters (i go to Bath spa, where the natural waters are full of beneficial minerals) which must help to extract toxins and clean out the system.