Weird, Healthy Skin Care Remedies That Work
We’re all looking for healthy ways to improve our skin’s appearance, whether it’s treating acne, reducing unsightly stretch marks, or preventing premature aging. There are a lot of ancient practices that are just now getting the recognition they deserve here in the West. But, who has time to research each of them to see what’s best for your skin type and issue?
I’ve put together a list of healthy skin care remedies that have been gaining popularity, but that sounds… well, weird. I’ve separated the wheat from the chaff to bring you the top weird healthy skin care remedies that actually work, all in one post.
Root vegetable sponges (Konjac sponges)
Rub a tuber all over your face? I know. Strange, right? But, the Japanese have been using Konjac potatoes as part of their beauty regime for a century. These sponges are made from vegetable fibers, and then various types of clay or bamboo charcoal are added to them. They are gentle exfoliators that massage away dead skin cells, impurities, and toxins that build up and dull your skin.
Konjac nourishes your skin naturally with lipids, fatty acids, vitamin A, B, C, D, and E, magnesium, zinc, iron, proteins, and copper. Konjac sponges also inhibit bacteria on the skin, which causes acne and breakouts. They leave your skin looking and feeling smoother, softer, clearer, and younger.
Clay masks
I know what you’re thinking, but there are some darn good reasons why I want you to consider putting mud on your face. Well, actually, clay. There are loads of clay masks on the market today. I personally have 4 different masks in my bathroom that I use and switch up as my skin needs. Here are the masks and why I use them:
- Charcoal Balancing Mask: to purify my skin and treat any blemishes. It also helps detox the skin. Activated charcoal minimizes the appearance of pores, giving skin a smooth, refined appearance while salicylic acid stimulates exfoliation.
- Plumping Mask: instantly gives skin a firm, toned look and more youthful appearance. Plumping peony root helps restore skin’s elasticity, while konjac root smooths the appearance of fine lines.
- Brightening Mask: to lighten any discolorations in the skin (this one works so well!!!) Reduces the appearance of dark spots.
- Seaweed Mask: this one works on many different levels. It detoxes, cleanses, lightens, and makes your skin SUPER soft! The guy who formulated it has quite a story behind it!
You can also simply mix Bentonite clay with water. Bentonite clay was formed from volcanic ash, so it’s full of minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and sodium. It naturally detoxifies the skin, which is important because our skin is our largest organ, and it absorbs a lot of toxins just from daily living. Plus, those toxins and impurities make our skin age at a much faster rate. ‘Nuff said!
When you mix water with Bentonite clay, it creates a negative charge, which is just one of the ways this clay detoxes your skin. There are many reasons to use Bentonite clay masks, including:
- Evens out skin tone
- Regenerates skin tissue
- Reduces appearance of scars
- Exfoliates
- Softens skin (due to its high silica content)
- Reduces abundance of oil that causes breakouts
- Unclogs and shrinks pores
- Detoxifies
- Safe for all skin types
Essential oils
Now, you know I love me some essential oils. I use them for everything, from getting rid of headaches to cleaning to improving my complexion. Essential oils are kind of like apps—if you need something, there’s an essential oil for it. There isn’t just one essential oil for all skin issues, and there’s too much to go into great detail here, so I will give you a list of my favorite oils for the skin! Click on each oil to learn more about them.
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Rose
- Myrrh
- Patchouli
- Tea Tree
- Ylang Ylang
- Carrot Seed
Oil cleansing
Put oil on my face to clean it? Are you crazy? Even though my skin is prone to breakouts, using the oil cleansing method is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my skin. Putting oil on your face does not make it greasier! It doesn’t cause zits, blackheads, or breakouts. This is because you use a blend of oils to nourish the skin, instead of using harsh chemicals to strip it of its natural oils.
To find out what’s best for your skin type, you’ll need to do a bit of research and experimenting, but it’s worth the trial and error phase. Most people use a blend of Carrot Seed and at least one other organic, cold-pressed vegetable, seed, or nut oil, like sunflower, safflower, or olive oil. These oils are full of nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids that rejuvenate skin. The castor oil is cut with the other oils because it’s too powerful to use alone. It’s a natural astringent that pulls out the toxins and impurities in the skin, while the other oils used in the blend help regulate the amount of oil the skin produces. Cool, huh?
Argan oil
Argan oil has been used for centuries in Morocco as a beauty treatment. It’s full of antioxidants, fatty acids, and Vitamin E, which make it the perfect oil to put on your face. The benefits of this oil are remarkable:
- Treats skin condition flare-ups, such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea
- Moisturizes without that greasy feeling
- Prevents premature aging
- Inhibits acne
- Increases skin elasticity
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, even around the eyes
- Tones skin naturally, without drying it out
- Good for all skin types
Skin brushing
I look forward to this remedy every morning. It feels great and does wonders for my skin. It naturally exfoliates and cleanses my skin pores. It’s just what it sounds like: you use a dry, long-handled brush to brush your skin. I also have a smaller brush for my face. Most people, like me, do it before showering. It makes your skin soft and smooth, plus there are other benefits:
- Improves lymph flow
- Increases circulation
- Energizes you
- Reduces cellulite
This ancient practice gets rid of old skin cells and encourages blood flow, making my skin glow with a healthy radiance. What’s not to love?
Infrared light bulbs
I’ve talked about my infrared sauna and its benefits before, but many people don’t have the space to get one. If that’s you, a lamp with an infrared light bulb offers many magnificent benefits for your whole body, including your skin. It increases blood flow and circulation, so it purifies your skin, evens out skin tone, and reduces the signs of aging. It also increases the amount of collagen your body produces and eliminates toxins from your pores. Using an infrared light bulb improves your skin’s elasticity and makes it look smoother, softer, and younger! It also:
- Speeds wound healing
- Repairs sun damage
- Fades scars and stretch marks
- Treats skin conditions, such as rosacea, psoriasis, eczema
- Increases skin moisture
Let’s hear it for weird, healthy skincare practices! I hope you’ll try all of these to improve the look and feel of your skin. It won’t just look better, but it will also be healthier, which is even more important.
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2 Replies to “Weird, Healthy Skin Care Remedies That Work”
My family has used clay masks for at least 30 years, they work, but that means I don’t really think they are weird. P.S. I just graduated nursing school! RN real foodie here too!
Yay, awesome Brittany! Spread the word about real food when you are working in the hospital. We need more crunchy nurses 🙂