Best Zit Cream I've ever used...

Ok, we're going to get real about some acne treatment. A lot of people get zits, pimples, breakouts, whatever you want to call it and we want a miracle cream to make them disappear over night, right?! I found the miracle cure! No, kidding, sorry, I didn't but I do know something that will help you in your pain.

I have dealt with acne ranging from really bad cystic acne to just occasional small outbreaks and most anything in between. And while there are many viable treatments for acne I want to suggest one thing that has really been working for me - benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil.



Tea Tree Oil is a natural plant by-product that is similar to eucaliptis oil. The benefit of this lovely and strong smelling thing is it is a natural anti-septic - it kills all the germs without being too drying. Benzoyl Peroxide is a not so natural but effective combination of clay (dries up oil helps with swelling) and peroxide (anti-septic). When you put these two together you have a magical potion that cleanses, reduces swelling and doesn't try out the skin and damage it.

In the past I used benzoyl peroxide acne products (like ProActiv) and it worked for a few days, then my skin dried out and then it broke out more. So, I needed an acne treatment that didn't turn my skin to leather. That's where the tea tree oil comes in!

So, here's how you can use it:
Buy all natural 100% tea tree oil at a supplement store and even a lot of grocery stores have it. Buy a tube of benzoyl peroxide (the brand is less important than the % of the product, America is allowed to sell a 10% potency but lesser %'s are available if you need it, Canada only sells 2%, just fyi). After cleaning your face put some tea tree oil on a cotton ball and rub on your zit or affected breakout area. While its still a little wet add some benzoyl peroxide. Then sleep on that. You may experience a little burning because of the tea tree oil but if you can stand it just keep going. Then clean your face in the morning.

I have found this to be a very effective treatment for my breakouts. This can also be a preventative treatment and you can use tea tree oil with some regularity as an astringent or you can occasionally treat an area of your face that breaks out regularly with the tea tree/benzoyl combination.

Also, if you have the money honey, DDF sells this product already mixed for you:



It was actually this product that got me hooked but I found that my DIY version is a little more affordable but this DDF product really works and just to throw in my 2 cents, DDF is a great skincare line - available at Sephora :)

Ok, so if you have issues with breaking out give it a try. And while its not a miracle cream that will make zits disappear over night, it will help and you will see results :)

Skin getting dry in the winter?

I had a great question from a friend last week. She asked me about her skin getting dry in the winter and what she could do about it. It's a great question and lots of us deal with our skin changing because of the seasons. So, if you have that issue - here is my recommendation:

Do a moisturising skin mask. I recommend a mask rather than changing your moisturizer because the need is seasonal and changing so answer the problem with a temporary but effective solution. If your daily moisturizer is working, keep it and just add a mask so that when summer comes you don't have to switch products yet again.

Masks can do different things - exfoliate, cleanse, brighten. And they can moisturize. So you can do 2 things: buy a mask or make one.

Here's my recommendation for buying a moisturising mask:

The Boots No. 7 Intense Moisture mask for only $19.99 at Target or Ulta:



Philosophy Lasting Hope Mask $20-$25 at most department stores, Ulta and Sephora: (I feel the need to speak up and say how strange it is they named this mask after Jesus, The Lasting Hope for real)



These are good price points and you'll keep them throughout the winter season. Depending on how dry your skin gets I would recommend using the mask twice a week and then see if you need more or less moisture. Of course, make sure you are also using a moisturizer daily during the winter.

If spending $20 ain't yo thang, then do a mask of full octane mayonnaise or avocado or both. Clean your face and then cover it will mayo (not light mayo, not miracle whip - I mean full fat, old fashioned mayonnaise) or mash up an avocado and spread it on your face and leave some left over for snacking or mix them both together and put that in your face (but don't add salsa, that is better for chips, not your face). Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse off. The fats in the mayo and avacado are absorbed by your skin and some of the proteins in the mayo can help your skin as well.

So, don't let winter dryness drag you down, just mask it! And remember to gently exfoliate regularly and use your moisturizer every day.

Hope this helps!

~Linds