You wear sunscreen every day, exfoliate regularly, and never go to sleep with your makeup on. Still seeing troubled skin? It’s true: some healthy skin habits are too much of a good thing.

Taking good care of your skin and using healthy products is key in maintaining beautiful skin. But overdoing it can damage skin, cause irritation and blemishes, and speed up aging.

Let’s take a look at the top healthy skin care habits women tend to overdo.

6 Healthy Skin Habits You May Be ODing On

1. Over-cleansing: Didn’t know you could get skin too clean? Using a foaming cleanser has definite benefits, but using this product on skin that is dry or sensitive leads to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts. Curb your sudsing by washing skin only when it actually needs it (post workout, when it feels greasy…) and use a cream or oil cleanser the rest of the time.

2. Over-exfoliating: Another skin care technique that tends to get overused is exfoliation. We’ve all heard that this step helps with acne, and keeps skin fresh and glowing. More than once per week (twice if skin is not sensitive) is overkill, and can irritate and damage skin. The best way to exfoliate the face is with non-abrasive fruit acids, which remove dead cells without abrasive granules.

3. Using the wrong healthy skincare: Yes, going nontoxic with your skincare is the healthiest choice. But if you are using skincare that is wrong for your skin type it can be causing problems. If you are experiencing dryness, zits, irritation, or excessive oiliness, chances are you are using the wrong skin care products. Choose skin care designed for your skin type.

4. Going oil-free: For those who battle oily skin, steering clear of excess oil is essential in keeping the complexion clear. But did you know drying out the skin leads to breakouts too? That dry, flaky layer traps the oil your skin creates naturally and causes pimples. Choose products made with healthy natural oils that are formulated for oily and acne prone skin types, and skip the super drying potions.

5. Sticking with your tried and true: So you’ve found the skin care products you love and they love your skin right back. Great! Do you find they don’t work quite as well some months as others? To keep skin balanced and happy year ‘round, switch up your routine for the seasons. It doesn’t have to be a drastic overhaul, but a bit more moisture in the winter and lighter products in summer make all the difference.

6. Using chemical sunscreen: Wear sunscreen daily. We’ve all heard this precaution a thousand times. And you are applying your moisturizer with SPF every day like a good girl. But if that product is made with nasty chemical sunscreens you are doing more harm than good. Opt for a safe mineral sunscreen for face. You can even use a tinted moisturizer and ditch your foundation.

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Are Your pH Levels Causing Acne or Wrinkles?

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You’ve heard by now that face oils benefit all skin types, right? If you are still having trouble jumping on the skin oils band wagon, it’s time to take a look at one of your favorite food groups. Yep, fruit oils are a beauty bounty.

Those of us with dry skin have been neck deep in facial oils for some time now. But if the idea of applying oil to your not-at-all-dry skin still seems like a complete mistake, you are going to love this news. Fruit oils offer something for every skin type.

Oil extracted from seasonal and exotic fruits holds amazing beauty benefits. They have the ability to balance oils, moisturize, fire up a healthy glow, prevent premature aging, and ease inflammation. See, something for everyone.

The key in using fruit oils effectively is choosing the right ones for your skin type. Let’s take a look at the best fruit oils for skin and which ones are about to become your new jam.

Fruit Oils for Acne/Oily Skin

Passionfruit oil is anti-inflammatory, fights redness and irritation, and prevents blemishes. Watermelon seed oil is amazingly non-greasy while hydrating skin, super gentle, detoxifying, and calms irritation and breakouts. Schisandra fruit oil rids skin of impurities, protects against UVB damage, and brings a glow to skin.

Osmia Organics Facial Calibration Serum contains schisandra fruit oil and helps to balance oil production. Mix with your daily moisturizer for acne fighting benefits. Even though my skin is not oily, this stuff gave it an other-worldly radiance. Perfect for daytime use.

Organic Bath Co. Enhance Face Oil is chock full of every fruit oil you’d ever want to use. This beautiful combo heals while preventing breakouts, is oh so smooth, and smells divine. Love!

Fruit Oils for Dry/Mature Skin

Cranberry seed oil hydrates and helps skin to hold in moisture, and is high in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. Blackberry seed oil is rich in vitamin C, brightens, boosts elasticity, and gives a glow to skin. Apricot kernel oil is rich in fatty acids, contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants, and feels light on skin. Acai berry oil is a super anti-ager, protects against UV and free radical damage, and reduces inflammation.

Kypris Beauty Elixir I – 1,000 Roses contains cranberry seed oil and is said to deliver rose petal soft skin.

The main ingredient in Odacite Acai Rose Serum Concentrate is acai fruit oil. A great way to get some anti-aging power to skin.

Hana Organics Rouge Lip + Cheek Tint is a plum-hued, apricot oil infused pot of dreaminess. What looks like imperceptible color on fingertips, brings face alive. There is a time and place for intense, creamy color, but this sheer, fall-flush enhancer is the bomb for the season.

Fruit Oils for Sensitive Skin

Red Raspberry softens, calms inflammation, and contains some incidental UV protection. Pomegranate seed oil soothes, hydrates, and doesn’t leave skin greasy or shiny.

Use Metta Skincare Face Balm, with pomegranate and red raspberry oils, to hydrate, soften, and calm upset skin.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil delivers soothing softness to skin, while protecting against environmental damage.

The pick of the crop for your skin type. Get in on the goodness of fruit oils.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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The post Why Fruit Oils Are Your Skin’s New Jam appeared first on EcoSalon.

Severe redness and pimples may be more than a serious case of acne. Maybe it’s rosacea. Natural remedies for rosacea are the best route to happier skin.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes skin to appear red, usually across cheeks, nose, and forehead. It can also present as broken blood vessels and pimples. While it is a chronic condition, it tends to come and go. Rosacea may not be dangerous to the health, but it can take a serious toll on the psyche.

Who is Affected by Rosacea and Why?

If you suffer from the skin condition, you may feel alone. But rosacea is actually fairly common, affecting approximately 16 million Americans. Women tend to see more occurrences of rosacea, but men who are afflicted often have more severe cases of the condition. Those with fairer skin tend to be more susceptible, it seems, but any skin type can have rosacea.

A 2007 study by Dr. Richard L. Gallo, chief of the dermatology department at the University of California, made some discoveries as to what may make rosacea sufferers more susceptible to the condition. Molecules, called cathelicidins, influence the vascular and inflammatory responses in the skin. The skin of people afflicted by rosacea tend to be higher in cathelicidins, possibly accounting for the broken blood vessels and inflammation.

Dr. Gallo concluded in 2013 that, while cathelicidin levels and how molecules in the skin react to outside influences is one answer to the question of why and who gets rosacea, “no single stimulus is likely to explain the disease in all patients.”

What Worsens Rosacea?

What causes rosacea to flare may be entirely different from case to case. Some tend to see outbreaks after vigorous exercise or sun exposure. Others link flare ups to alcohol, caffeine, or spicy foods. Still others seem to be aggravated by stressful life events.

We may not be certain as to what causes or exacerbates rosacea, but one factor seems to be consistent. And that is inflammation. We know that inflammation in the body causes health problems and discomfort, and can even lead to disease. It makes sense that rosacea could be an inflammatory response.

Natural Remedies for Rosacea

There is no cure for rosacea, but it can be managed with the right lifestyle changes. Take these things into consideration to minimize the severity of rosacea:

• Identify and avoid triggers, like sun exposure or a spicy meal, that spur your rosacea on
• Be diligent about wearing sunscreen
• Protect the face from sun and wind with a hat or scarf
• Use natural skincare that is free from harmful ingredients
• Steer clear of abrasive skincare products
• Ask your doctor about taking an anti-inflammatory supplement, like turmeric or ginger
• Keep stress levels low
• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet

Best Natural Skincare Products for Rosacea

Gentle skincare made with soothing ingredients is best for treating rosacea and warding off outbreaks. Check out these natural skincare products for rosacea.

Hailed the “organic Cetaphil”, Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser clears away makeup and debris in the gentlest way.

Aloe vera and Willow bark mean Amala Hydrating Toner is super gentle. Use to calm and hydrate upset skin.

Reduce inflammation and redness with YULI Cocoon Elixir. This elixir includes calendula, rose, and chamomile hydrosols to bring irritated skin back into balance. Use throughout the day to refresh and hydrate.

Rosehip oil is anti-aging and ultra mild. Try Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend for added hydration and skin soothing benefits.

Let Dr. Alkaitis Organic Night Crème repair skin while you sleep. Contains anti-inflammatory St. John’s Wort and Marigold to calm and soothe.

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Seems simple enough, right? Get it clean and the job is done. Not so much. Do you know how to wash your face for best results?

You may be surprised to learn that your skin issues could be chalked up to improper cleansing. That’s right, mistakes in the product or method you use can cause acne, irritation, congestion, dryness, oiliness, uneven tone, flakiness…you get the picture.

So, what’s the right way to go about cleansing the face? The best first step is selecting the right cleanser for your skin. Most skincare products are formulated to suit a particular skin type. If you are unclear on your skin type, here’s a snapshot.

Another cause of imbalance is the use of chemical cleansers. Many women believe they have highly sensitive skin and realize, once they switch to natural skincare, that it was the chemicals causing upset. And did you know that chemical acne washes can actually cause acne? The harsh ingredients dry skin out, causing a flaky top layer that traps oil and causes breakouts.

Cleansers made with natural ingredients clean the skin, remove makeup, and balance oil production without stripping the skin of natural oils. Avoid products made with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). These ingredients are behind that luscious foam you get from conventional cleansers, but are linked to health issues and may contain harmful contaminants.

For Normal/Combination Skin Types // Those with this skin type enjoy naturally balanced skin, for the most part. A light cream cleanser works well. For excess oiliness or breakouts, try using using a blemish-control cleanser in the T-zone to avoid causing dryness on cheeks and neck.

For Oily/Acne Prone Skin Types // An antiseptic cleanser helps to keep pores clear and eliminate bacteria from skin. Be sure you are not over cleansing with a too-harsh product in an attempt to combat breakouts. Using a gentle cleanser designed to balance oil should do the trick.

For Dry/Mature Skin Types // These are actually separate skin types, but are often lumped together because mature skin tends to need extra moisture. Dry skin does well with cleansing oils and balms. Have you tried the oil cleansing method? If not, give it a shot. Plumps skin and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

For Sensitive Skin // If your skin tends to be easily upset be sure to use a cleanser designed for sensitive skin. Products free from fragrance ingredients are best for reactive skin. And if your skin isn’t dirty, don’t wash it. Over-cleansing or exfoliating can induce irritation. It is important to go to bed with clean skin, but you may be able to skip that morning cleanse if you don’t truly need it.

Now you know how to wash your face for max benefits. Here are our natural cleanser picks for each skin type:

May Lindstrom Skin The Clean Dirt

Lavera Basis Cleansing Milk

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser

Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser

Pai Camilla & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

One Love Organics Chia Whip Purifying Foam Cleanser

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Image of woman washing face via Shutterstock

The post How to Wash Your Face: Are You Doing It All Wrong? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Is the economy beating you up? It’s time to get creative. Next time you have an ache or pain, forget about a costly trip to the drugstore and test drive some of your grandmother’s remedies instead. It’ll save money and be gentler on your body and the environment. Recessionistas (and Gents), welcome to the DIY medicine cabinet.

Indigestion and Heartburn

It almost goes without saying – but consider why you’re getting heartburn in the first place. Did you overeat? Too much grease or spicy food? Eating late at night? Scout out the cause and try to stop this before it happens. Then, put down the antacids. The belching, bloat and heartburn caused by indigestion come about because you don’t have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.

Sore Throat

Sore, scratchy throats are usually a sign of a cold or flu coming on, so you don’t want to ignore this symptom, but you can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.

Sore Muscles and Bruises

After a hard afternoon of rowing with a friend, I resigned myself to a few days of burning muscles and soreness. But my friend saved the day with a tube of arnica cream. He rubbed it on my shoulders and voila, instant relief and absolutely no aches the next day. The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles and other general aches.

Stop Bleeding

You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

Ear Infections

Ear infections can become quite serious and cause permanent damage, so please see a doctor if your ear ache has become severe. But if you feel like your infection is mild and at the beginning stages, put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let those drops do their work. Garlic and vinegar create an environment that won’t support the bacteria causing the infection. Repeat a few times a day until the symptoms disappear. (If your symptoms last longer than a few days, you should definitely see a doctor!)

Burns

So you bumped up against the stove again? Ouch. Rinse first with cold water, but then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. For those of us who don’t have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment. If you can catch the burn immediately, mustard is also reportedly a great salve.

Athlete’s Foot

It’s a foot fungus, and it stinks. Air those piggies, then soak them in salty water, wash them with garlic juice, or soak them with diluted white or apple cider vinegar. All of these things will help kill the fungus. But you have to be persistent, consistent and diligent: no matter what treatment you use, do it a few times a day and stick with it until at least a week after you think the symptoms are gone! Fungus excels at hiding out and coming back when you least expect it.

Rashes and Allergies

Prescription and OTC antihistamines can cause some serious side effects. Before you head for the strong stuff, try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You’ll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.

Acne and Sensitive Skin

First you really have to look at your lifestyle, because imbalances in your health can show up in your skin. But in the meantime, wash your face with oatmeal. It’s a gentle exfoliant and draws out oil and impurities.

Flatulence

Some foods, like beans and raw veggies, are more likely to cause gas, but if you find flatulence to be too common of an occurrence, try taking a digestive enzyme with your meals. You can find these at any health food store. In the meantime, make use of digestive spices such as ginger, anise, peppermint, coriander and dill. You can make tea with these ingredients or incorporate them into your food.

Headache and Migraine

Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead. Feverfew is a good herbal remedy for headaches. Have a little caffeine by way of green tea, and don’t forget to use an ice pack for 20 minutes to dull the throbbing.

Dandruff

Have you looked at the ingredients in dandruff shampoo? It seems like they contain almost everything in the Toxic Ingredients You Must Avoid list. Better to try something natural first before resorting to chemicals. Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for 20 minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar. Try these remedies a few times before deciding if they work for you. Even dandruff shampoo requires regular use to see results, so give the natural stuff a chance!

Nausea

The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, if you like, but it’s so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.

Constipation. First (and we’ll spare you a picture), drink more water and eat more fruit and salads. You’re backed up for a reason and taking lots of laxatives is not the answer. Meanwhile, drinking a few teaspoons of olive oil mixed with a bit of orange or (diluted) lemon juice can help things get moving. Another surefire remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salts drunk in 1/2 a glass of water. Sometimes calorie restriction or avoidance of healthy fats (such as the good fats found in fish, nuts and avocados) can worsen constipation. And though it’s counterintuitive, some people relieve their constipation by actually cutting back on grain consumption! True, grains contain fiber, but some people don’t digest grains very well. Other causes of constipation include stress, depression, inactivity and nutritional deficiencies. If your constipation is chronic, it may be a sign of a more serious problem, so please seek medical advice and adjust your lifestyle.

Toothache. There’s nothing so bad as the shooting pain of a toothache. You don’t want to ignore a tooth problem, because an infection that close to your brain can be extremely dangerous if it spreads. But in order to reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties). This has always worked for me.

Give some of these remedies a try – and share your own tried-and-true treatments, too.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

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