Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Cleansing with Oil

So, I'm almost 30, and I still have acne. Maybe not as bad as I used to as a teen, but I still get breakouts and have clogged pores. I've tried it all but nothing really works, I just find a routine and see what keeps it at bay. In fact, I have two continents on my face right now so that brought me to write a post about what I have been using lately.

I have super oil skin, and I had heard that instead of washing your face with soap, the best way to wash the oil away is with oil. I know, weird huh? And since I wear make-up (I admit, I love me some eyeliner), I try to make it a point to wash it off at night. I've been using the Deep Cleansing Oil from DHC, and I really like it. It washes all the make up off and I don't feel gross like I used paint thinner on my face afterwards. There are a couple other companies that make a similar product, one is Shu Uemura, but who has $72 to spend on make up remover?

As much as I really like the DHC oil, I'm still looking for something a little more natural for it says in the directions to cleanse afterwards. I did a little research and came across the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). The idea is that oil dissolves oil. You can use this method for any skin type but I've read that it's a bit trial and error. After I run out of my face soap I'm going to try this method, then I'll report back the results after a few weeks!

The Oil Cleaning Method
Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil.
Directions:
1. Rub a quarter sized amount over your face for at least a minute- give it time to absorb and break up the oil in your pores.
2. Soak a wash cloth with hot water and place over your face. Wait till it cools off, wipe the oil off, and re-apply the hot wash cloth. Repeat this a few times till the oil is wiped off. This will remove make up, unclog pores, and exfoliate.
3. Once the oil is removed, pat dry your face. If your face is a little dry and tight, put just a little drop of the oil mix in your hands and rub it in evenly as a moisturizer.
This method should be done at night, and in the morning a water and washcloth routine should suffice. First start out doing this a few times a week for it can be a little overwhelming for your skin, then work your way up to every night. A recommendation is to also add a few drops of tea tree oil (it's my Windex!!) to the oil mixture for it is an antibacterial oil.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Hardened Cookies

Not sure how to describe them otherwise, but you know when you make a batch of cookies and in a few days they are hard? You don't want to throw them out because they are still good, they just haven't a lick of moisture left?

This is an easy fix- throw a slice of bread in with them, whether they are in a sealed Ziploc bag or Tupperware. They will absorb all of the breads moisture leaving it dry and crusty, and your cookies moist again. Coz who wants to throw away cookies if they can be salvaged???

Friday, October 2, 2009

Home-made Dishwasher Detergent

As well as clothing detergent, I also just made some dishwasher detergent! I have been using a good biodegradable detergent from Central Market, but it was approx. $7-$8, so if I can make a natural detergent from home for cheaper, then you know I'm going to! The ingredients are similar, but slightly different.


Natural Dishwasher Detergent

2 cups Baking Soda (not the same Washing Soda for clothes!)
2 cups Borax
1/4 cup salt
4 tbls. citric acid,
or 4 packages of Lemonade Kool-Aid
White vinegar (for rinse cycle)


Mix all contents together (except vinegar), then store in a sealable container. Put about a tablespoon of the detergent in each open slot in your dishwasher (I have one open one, and one that closes) and fill your rinse-aid slot with the vinegar (instead of using Jet-Dry, it does just as good a job). I have done one load so far and everything came out clean and sparkly, and I felt good knowing that I didn't wash any harmful chemicals down the drain!

Un- what?

"Un-shit your life"- to rid your life of useless shit. This blog is a collection of hints, tips, ideas and stories that I have gathered from my family, friends, articles, the internet, rumors and life experiences. Please share your own!
 

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