My Natural Skin Routine!

I've settled into a skin routine that seems to be working for me.  Ever since I was a teenager (and now I am in my 40's), I have had problems with acne.  I thought it would go away when I got older, but it didn't.  I have tried so many different things to combat my problem skin, and I finally found some products my skin loves - and they came straight from the kitchen.  It's so simple.  Coconut oil, baking soda and apple cider vinegar.

Morning
First thing when I wake up, I do something called oil pulling (link below for more information).  It's where you put oil in your mouth and swish it around.  You don't gargle, or swallow the oil.  It's a traditional Ayurvedic treatment that detoxifies the body and aids oral health by cleaning the teeth and makes them whiter.  You can use different kinds of oil, but I use coconut oil - raw, organic, virgin coconut oil (I put in about a teaspoon full).  When you first put it in your mouth, the oil is not liquid.  I let it melt in my melt and then start swishing it in my mouth.  It feels really odd at first, but you get used to it.  I keep swishing the entire time I'm in the shower, and then spit it in the trash can when I get out of the shower.  I follow it up by rinsing my mouth up with water and then brushing my teeth.

Before I get into the shower, I sprinkle a little bit of baking soda (about 1/4 tsp) into my hand.  I use this to wash my face.  A friend had told me about using baking soda to help combat breakouts.  My skin has really loved this.  The baking soda exfoliates gently, leaving my skin very smooth.

 After the shower, I use a toner made with Apple Cider Vinegar.  It is recommended you use an organic, unfiltered brand, such as Bragg's.  In a little bottle (I used an old prescription bottle), I poured in 1/4 ACV, then filled it almost to the top (leaving about an inch to the top empty) with water.  I filled it the rest of the way with rosewater.  This last part is optional, it just helps with the smell.  I apply the toner with a cotton pad, and then rinse the pad before putting in the trash to keep the trash from smelling like vinegar.  I can't say enough good things about the ACV!!!  If you have any breakouts, this will clear them up pretty much overnight.  I even had a scratch on my face from my dog, and it healed it.  It burned a little, but it healed it very quickly.  Love, love, love!

Then, I moisturize my face with a moisturizer made from coconut oil and essential oils (I use Young Living Essential Oils).  I mix 1/2 cup coconut oil with 5 drop each of frankincense oil (anti-aging) and lavender oil (moisturizing).  I mix well with a fork and put mixture into a 4 ounce mason jar.  I know it sounds crazy to moisturize with oil - especially if your skin is as oily as mine, but my skin LOVES it!  It's never looked better, and actually feels less greasy then it used to.

Evening
I wash my face with coconut oil, and rinse with warm water and a wash cloth.  It gets all of my make-up off and my skin always feels so amazing afterwards.  I following by using an anti-aging moisturizing (right now I am using Olay Total Effects Night Firming Creme).  I was just using the coconut moisturizer I'd made, but worried I needed more aging care for at night.

So, that is what I do.  But, some of this might be changing soon, because I have ordered a Clarisonic Smart.  I will update when I settle into that routine.  Post and let me know what you've tried.  Do any of these work for you?  Have you used the Clarisonic?  What products do you use with the Clarisonic?  Are there any natural products you can use with the Clarisonic?

Information on Oil pulling.  http://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html
Information on Young Living Essential Oils.  youngliving.com