FARM TO FACE: ORGANIC BEAUTY
I have always been in pursuit of beauty products that will help me look and feel better, younger, way more fabulous than I feel on any given Monday.
FRESH, CLEAN, ORGANIC GLAM.
Photo by Cate Scaglione, Life As Fine Art in New York City.
When it comes to cosmetics, I want to know what works BEST, with price as less of a factor. I've never really found myself looking at brand labels, but rather go by the recommendations of my cosmetically inclined friends like Miranda Richards.
Until one day, one of those cosmetically inclined friends, Petra, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember being on the phone with her when she first discovered the lump. The aftermath of that conversation was terrifying. In the months that followed, like many other women we know, she suffered through the effects of chemo and did everything in her power to stay strong and survive. She is a survivor.
One of her notable efforts, was her incredible discipline in adopting nutritional changes. She decided that if she was going to try to beat cancer, she would do it wholeheartedly. And so, without any half-assed'ness, she started an organic regimen with lots of fruits, veggies, mild herbs and other feel-good nutrients. After a tough, grueling, difficult battle, she eventually beat the cancer. I am no doctor, but personally I think her own Herculean effort was largely one of the reasons.
But one thing she made me very conscious of was not just the amount of chemicals we put INTO ourselves...but also ONTO ourselves. I started reading labels, and it was eye opening. Was my wrinkle-free brow worth the amount of toxins I was placing on my already over-toxified system (I have Lyme disease).
That's when I started thinking more organically about my skin care and cosmetics. Now mind you, I can never go cold turkey on my mascara, nail polish and such, but I do like the idea of having a daily regimen. And, one that is somewhat edible on my skin.
HERE'S THE LIST SO FAR...
Apple Cider Vinegar can be used as an awesome natural skin toner.
TONER:
Apple Cider Vinegar as toner! It smooths skin, decreases pores and reduces spots! Ask Scarlett Johansson... that's good enough for me.
MAKEUP REMOVER + MOISTURIZER:
Coconut Oil. Maybe it's all those trips to the Virgin Islands we took, but I am obsessed with all things coconut. It gently smears off the toughest makeup, while moisturizing the skin beyond compare, to baby-soft levels. It is also a great antoxidant for the skin, helping soothe infections and would-be breakouts. It is a weird kind of oil, without feeling greasy.
Beauty And Portrait Photographer's Tip: Pineapple makes an amazing exfoliant.
EXFOLIANT:
Pineapple Crush! I once read that Pineapple workers often lose their fingerprints because the acids in pineapples are so good at exfoliating the skin. I started this experiment on my chapped lips by applying a paste of crushed pineapple and coconut oil. Totally worked. Next I moved on to my face and wiped the juice of a freshly cut pineapple all over my skin. About 30 minutes later, I rinsed off to feel a freshly exfoliated face and neck. I don't do it as nearly as I should, but I am pretty sure this could remove my freckles if I tried hard enough.
Tumeric is an amazing anti-inflammatory herb. Used on delicate skin, it can help with dryness and redness.
DRY SKIN MASK:
I have always battled with my pale, dry skin. Being dry means I'm more delicate and prone to wrinkles, too so I am all over this. Turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and milk cream (known to soften and soothe) can make a great face mask for dry skin. Ingredients:
- Rosewater – ½ tablespoon
- Thick milk cream – 1 tablespoon
- Turmeric – A pinch
Make a paste by mixing turmeric powder with milk cream. Apply it and wait 2 hours, then clean thoroughly until the all the granules of cream goes off. You may also add rosewater to milk cream, for that glowy look! WARNING HERE: Tumeric can stain the skin to a yellow hue, so the cream is important. If you do find yourself getting stained, a sugar-water scrub will take care of this.
Dragon Fruit has a host of benefits for the skin including sun burn relief.
SOOTHE A SUN BURN:
Applying a pack made of dragon fruit can help soothe the redness and inflammation caused by the sun. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. A combination of vitamins E and C has been proven to protect your skin against UV rays and soothe sunburns (4).
What You Need
- ¼ dragon fruit
- 1 vitamin E capsule
Scoop out the pulp of the dragon fruit and mash it with a fork to make a puree.
- Puncture the vitamin E capsule and add it to the dragon fruit.
- Apply the pack to the sunburned area. Keep it on for 30 minutes for it to be effective.
- Rinse it off with cold water.
Have other farm-to-face tips? Feel free to comment and I'll add it to this post!
