The skin covering your face is some of the thinnest and most vulnerable skin on your body. However it is exposed to the most products, toxins and environmental changes. It can be effected by environment exposure, poor diet, overloaded liver, stress, and inflammatory disorder, and genetics to name a few. It is also easily penetrable which makes it susceptible to irritation and allergies. This small patch of skin is noted for having a variety of skin types in one area. Knowing your skin type and the best product to use for it can help alleviate a number of skin issues you may be facing.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can appear red and inflamed, or healthy until products are applied that produce and inflammatory response. Holistically skin sensitivity is generally treatment soothing and nourishing products that focus on healing, and also contain anti-inflammatories. It is important to avoid harsh chemical and additives. Harsh or abrasive exfoliants and strong antimicrobials should not be used on sensitive skin.
Try:
Honey and Oats Cleasner
2 tbs ground oats or oat flour
1 tsp raw organic honey
1/2 tsp calendula oil
Use in place of traditional cleansers.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can refer to the skins lack of water or oil production.
Dehydration can result in dry, tight, flaky skin. For dehydrated skin moisturizing products with a high percentage of water would be more beneficial then a thick heavy cream.
Skin lacking sebum production may also appear tight, dry and rough. Sebum is the oily substance produced by the sebaceous glad which is responsible for keeping the skin looking soft and supple and also helps protect the skin against water loss. Sebum also makes up a portion of the acid mantle. The acid mantle contains sebum, lipids, and sweat which coats the skin with a pH of approximately 5.5 and helps protect it from environmental factors. This type of skin would benefit from the use of a serum. Serums are nourishing moisturizers with the consistency of a light oil.
Try:
Moisturizing Serum
1 tsp grapeseed oil
1 tsp apricot oil
2 drops lavender
1 drop geranium
Use a few drops as a evening moisturizing treatment.
Oily Skin
Oily skin often has an over production of sebum resulting in a shiny appearance and large visible pores. The pores often become clogged enabling tiny bacterial infection or blemishes. Conventional treatments often include stripping the oils from the skin, however, this can actually trigger an increase in oil production. Optimal treatment should minimize oil production without triggering an increase. This skin type would benefit from a gentle exfoliation along with a hydrosol spray in place of an all over moisturizer. Treatments such as anti-aging treatments or acne treatments should be limited to the affected areas.
Try:
Lavender or Rose Hydrosol in place of a traditional moisturizer