I would appreciate any and all advice, even i I am unable to try all of it. Thanks for reading, I tried to put in any info that will help!
My face has a lot of pimples, blackheads, and blotches, plus it is dry and I don't know what lifestyle remedies or natural products might help. I want to stop wearing makeup but I have not been able to, I am too self conscious about this. I only wear foundation, and maybe eyeshadow but not even that very much.
I am not 100% raw yet, though I have been vegan for nearly 10 years and have been transitioning to raw for a few months (other psychological health issues unfortunately slowed me down - they are gradually healing). I still eat plain, fat-free, low-or-no sodium cooked vegan foods maybe a few times a week: things like steamed or baked potato, winter squash, other root veggies. Very rarely, bread or pasta, no fatty toppings. Otherwise I have tons of bananas, dates, citrus, etc., and a large lettuce/other tender green salad as often as I can afford, at least 4-5x/week, with blended fruit dressing usually. I have overts (1/2 avocado or 1-2 brazil nuts, for selenium) about twice a week. My intake tends to level off at 2000+ calories, and this satisfies me physically and mentally: I'm a relatively small female (under 5'4") so even though I NEVER restrict fruit cals, I don't feel desire or need for more.
Obviously my diet could still be much improved, but the thing is, my diet HAS improved a lot from when I had terrible bulimia as recently as this past fall and even in December. But as my diet improves, my skin gets worse! I cannot be detoxing this quickly; my transition has been far too gradual.
I try to get over 2L of water per day, but I really cannot handle much more, as I already go to the bathroom at least once per hour and as a busy person it's hardly practical already ...
I exercise in the gym (running/cycling and strength training) 3x/week and I walk a lot every day, as it's my only form of transport :) .
As for sleep, I'm still trying to heal my insomnia. I tend to wake up after only a few hours and have trouble getting back to sleep, so even if I go to bed on time (which I generally do), it's hard to get 8+ hours sleep.
I do live in a chilly Canadian climate, which could account for the dry skin, but even with a moisturizer cream it's flaky and gross.
I know I'm far from perfect, but I'm getting better, and I would appreciate your advice!
Replies
Hi Amber! I know EXACTLY how you feel.. I've never had perfect skin by any means, I'm 18 and I've been wearing foundation since I was 11 years old. Needless to say, it's done a number on my skin. Before going 801010 it was manageable, a pimple here, a pimple there - not too crazy and nothing concealer wouldn't cover. Then after about 4? months 801010, my skin FREAKED OUT. I had cystic acne all down my jaw, on my EARS, around my mouth..it was so nasty and so embarrassing. At first I blamed the fruit - I mean, who wouldn't? I was very upset by it. But I continued 801010 and I tried to stay positive - thinking, better out than in? All that infectious goo must've come from somewhere. I just figured I'd try it for a couple months and figured it couldn't get much worse..
Months went by and nothing changed. It was still gross and still bad and makeup just wasn't covering it. I was still wearing makeup everyday all day, I couldn't even look people in the eye if I didn't have it on...
I took off my makeup with coconut oil at night and washed with a scrub.
I went to my mom and she suggested that I stop washing with the scrub and I started using an oil based wash. That idea scared me because oil = acne, right? wrong. My skin was still bad, but at least now it wasn't inflamed. It looks a lot better when your face isn't all RED and irritated! I put essential oils on at night before I went to bed and my skin healed some, but it was still pretty bad. I needed to go the extra mile.
Amber, nix that makeup. Lock yourself in your house for three days (what I did lol) and just let it all out... you will be amazed at the difference.
Makeup is so bad for your skin, it really trashes it. I still can't leave the house without it, but I'm getting there and as soon as I get home I take it off and use essential oils (frankincense, myrrh, etc) and let me tell you - my skin is healing so fast. It's unbelievable! I cried when I saw how it was healing. It's such an amazing feeling.
When I put makeup on now, I immediately break out...doesn't matter what brand, if it's comedogenic or all natural, your skin can't do what it's supposed to do and it's gonna react!
So my tip for you is to wear foundation as little as possible, use an extremely gentle cleanser, essential oils and try to keep your hair off your face.
Good luck!! :)
Your comment literally made my day! I'm reflecting tons of light & love back to you, Mari :) x0x0x0x
I'm nearly 22, but I expect my hormones are still out of whack from years of off-and-on disordered eating. :( I'm definitely doing the allotted time for that crime! I am enjoying my oil wash at the moment but I will keep the charcoal soap, mud and EV coconut oil in mind too! Thanks! :)
tea tree oil is a great antibacterial. when i start getting a pimple that's the first thing i put on it. and i havent had any develop into what they used to be with out it!! :) for a plant based face peel maybe try a warm rag on your face and then use agar agar( mixed with hot water, till it dissolves and turns into a thick gel) its like those biore strips. let it dry and then pull it off. (did u ever do elmers glue on your hands and peel it off?? lol ) this works wonders to pull out black heads,white heads and even things you didnt see!!! lol i LOVE this.
i second the coconut oil. i use it in everything for 'normal' beauty replacement. instead of lotion i use coconut oil and jojoba and vit e whipped together. for my face i use coconut oil and a drop of tea tree oil rub in hands and then on face. i use coconut oil in my natural deoderant..ect.... :) i love my coconut oil!! lol oh and a lil on the ends of my hair. give it time, you'll be amazed when you get enuff water and quit using makeup.
oh, when i was a teen i went to a skin dr. he said if i absolutely couldnt go without to use a waterbased foundation. i dont remember the name (almay??) but u had to shake it up before u used it. and it was light and didnt clog my pores. your doing great! and keep it up!
and one more thing, make sure you wash/change your pillowcase once a week at least. wash in a natural laundry soap (or just baking soda or dr B's) and dont use fabric softener on it! you can use vinegar in the rinse tho. :) that will soften it nicely.
Wow, all that is fantastic! I really gotta get me some coconut oil! =D heehee. I also used to use tea tree oil, but I think I just forgot it when I left home and didn't get more. Good reminder! That stuff is amazing and I even rather like the smell of it :3 I didn't know you could use agar as a face peel, that's awesome. LOL I do remember doing that with white glue!! Hm ... I have regular old Covergirl, or Maybelline, and I think they're water based but I must double check. Thanks also for the pillowcase tip! You've really got this down! :) Thanks for all the great info!
Thanks so much, Poodle Doodle. That oil cleanser looks really fantastic. I will try it and report back to you! :)
Also, another thank you: I may sound paranoid here, but I was a little worried when I posted this that people would be extremely critical for my not drinking heaps of water or being totally raw yet. So your openness and understanding about ED recovery means A LOT to me. I have had both anorexia and bulimia on/off for about 10 years. It has taken a long time to learn not to restrict my calories or, on the other side, "eat my emotions." Raw 811 is the ONLY thing that has truly helped me. If I stick to it most of the time, get enough rest, etc., I am finding I can still eat some cooked vegan and be okay. Anyway, I didn't mean to rant a lot, but I just appreciate your kindness. Peace & love :)
Lots of Brown sugar + tsp coconut oil + tsp sea salt + water = fantastic scrub
adding essential oils (peppermint, lemon, grapefruit, etc) is great too
Thank you, George! I will try that to replace my current cleanser (which is not the worst, but not totally natural either). Mmmm I would love to smell like peppermint!
just trying to help. i really think using simplest/less products is easier/best on your skin. definitely use very little coconut oil as it is very potent but it truly was a miracle for my skin. and my mom's. and my aunt's. if that's saying anything. and i agree with Poodle Doodle about diets with lots of rules. i think stress can be a huge factor, having to constantly worry about what you can't have detracts from all the things in our lives we should be focusing on, leading to stressed looking skin.
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