Skin Care

I've been using Avon's Anew Alternative day and night formulas. I like it okay. But a friend turned me onto the Oil Cleaning Method (OCM) and I am giving it a try, because it's a more natural approach.

I've only done it twice so far. Basically I'm using a mixture of 2/3 extra virgin olive oil and 1/3 castor oil. Basically you massage the oil into your face, then steam it with a hot washcloth. My skin feels great afterward!

It doesn't seem like you should clean oily skin with oil, but it actually does make sense knowing that you use oil to remove oil (as we learned when Roscoe jumped in the oil pan and the only thing that would take the motor oil off was vegetable oil). I had also tried some olive oil products for cleansing and moisturizing that I got as samples.

You only do the OCM a couple of times a week. I'm not sure what I should use as a daily moisturizer. One thing I like about the Anew is the 25 spf. So when I was shopping for supplements on luckyvitamin.com I checked out their skin care as well and they have a large selection. I decided to try Kiss My Face's every day moisturizer, which is their olive oil and aloe moisturizer with 15 spf sunscreen added. I am anxious to try it. I think I'm going to moisturize at night with straight olive oil at least a few nights a week. I guess I have to experiment to find out what exactly works best for me.

I've also started using mineral makeup. Right now I'm using Physician's Formula face powder and Avon blush and eye shadow. I like it a lot so far. Although I may try a different powder, just because I read reviews after buying the Physician's Formula and I think it was L'Oreal that was rated very highly.

I'll let you know how all of this goes.

More on OCM:

"The reasons we have so much trouble with mainstream skin care products are numerous, but two reasons, in particular, lead the pack. These products strip the oil out of our skin, leaving our largest organ trying to repair itself by replacing the oil stripped away. This leaves us in a cycle of being tight and dry followed by the inevitable oil slick. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil. On top of the drying effects, these products are highly-scented. Fragrance is one of the top skin irritants and strangely enough, even the so-called "unscented" products usually contain fragrance. See for yourself and check the labels. Dry, irritated skin replaced by oily skin, inflamed and trapping debris?

If we know what our body is going to do and understand the process, we can then understand what it takes to control it and achieve the results we want. Clear skin is attainable.

Getting right down to basics, when cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it is imperative that you keep in mind that oil dissolves oil. Your skin naturally lubricates itself with oil, and as we are creatures of adaptation, one can believe that if this weren't the appropriate built-in care for ourselves, our bodies would have adapted to suit the need.
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Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads...these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously.
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The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production.

Choose vegetable oils for facial massage

We will need two oils. The first, and most importantly, is Castor Oil. If you don't have this medicine cabinet staple already, it can be found online or in the laxative section of your grocer or drugstore - usually bottom shelf. Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing on this oil as our primary oil. Castor Oil has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly "magical" healing properties. As quoted in The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, he states, "Castor oil will leave the body in better condition than it found it." Though it may be our most important oil, we won't be using it in the amounts that we will the other oil (or combination of oils for those who want to take this a step further). A little bit of Castor Oil goes a long way and too much will leave you, surprisingly, with dry skin.

Since Castor Oil is so thick and its cleansing properties so strong, we need to dilute it with another oil, thinner in consistency, but no less nurturing to the skin. Sunflower Seed Oil has become my personal favorite, though in the past, I've suggested Extra Virgin Olive Oil. "

Lots more info here: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/