Now that spring is peaking through the clouds, our skins changes with the season. Usually skin is drier in winter but with the stirrings of spring many things will start to awaken, including the sebaceous glands which excrete oils. Sounds nasty but its just your pores delivering all the (good) oils to the face. Often times glands produce more oils than necessary which causes blackheads etc. In order to change with the season, we change our routines, including our winter skin regimen which requires more moisturizing.
The best beauty secret for spring is black soap (aka African Black Soap). Black soap is typically made from dried plantain skins, shea butter, cocoa pods and various other natural ingredients. Its has Vitamin A & E, and iron. The soap is also good for sensitive skin, like mine. I started using early this season because my skin become oiler in February.
I use the Nubian Heritage brand from Wholefoods, costs about $4 (I can’t believe I used to use expensive products that caused harm to my skin and the earth). I have been using the same bar for over a month and its only half way gone. Rinse your face, rub the bar between your palms and create a little lather, wash your face for 15 to 30 seconds with a gentle circular motion up to the hairline, rinse and moisturize. The soap can be trying initially so start with a smaller amount on the face and work up to 30 seconds.
For moisturizer I like Alaffia Rooibos & Shea Butter Antioxidant Face Cream , $16. This is very gentle and my skin looks refreshed. I used pure cold pressed jojoba oil in the winter but this is lighter for spring. Its an earth friendly, free trade line of products. My black soap works really well in conjunction with the moisturizer.
The diet should start to lighten this season as well. Remember it this way: the more light in the sky, the lighter the diet, the lighter the psyche. The skin wears the inside of the body on your face. Drink water, drink or eat your greens (juice), cut back on refined sugars, dairy and greasy meat products. Eat to nourish as opposed to stuff your gut. Your skin radiates from your inside out so take care of all of you, emotionally and physically.
