On my way to a beach vacay!

The giant chin pimple update: it's pretty much gone. I think I can confidently say that aloe Vera is a foolproof acne cure and I highly reccomend anyone try it! I keep aloe plants around the house and cut off little pieces to stick to my face. I leave these little green bits on my blemishes until the aloe seems to have soaked into my skin and the leaf is dryer. 🍃The plant works better than anything bottled in my opinion. I've been exfoliating very gently with baking soda and water to cleanse my skin as well. Aloe Vera is antibacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory. Amazing!

I'm headed up north for a few days of boating, swimming and tubing. I'm excited to soak up some sun and channel my inner little mermaid! 👙🐚

Talk to you soon! 

Sunny wishes,

Emmy Jean 🌺

My Skincare Story

My Acne Story

A little over a year ago I had reached the end of my rope and couldn't hold on much longer. My confidence had dwindled to an all time low and I knew something had to change. I felt as if I couldn't be myself because I didn't feel like people saw the real me, I felt like I was wearing a mask of red bumps. I was contemplating the potentially dangerous prescription, Accutane, and decided to do just a little more research. I quickly discovered websites like my own, with success stories swearing by natural remedies. I discovered what is really  in those expensive cleansers and read about ancient medicinal recipes and modern day oils. Pretty soon I was in my kitchen whipping up DIY cleansers and testing countless all-natural masks. I began to feel connected to the environment and liberated from the firm clutch of the cosmetic industry.

Visit my natural skincare website, diyacnecures.com to learn my secrets!

Excersize Your Way to Clear Skin!

Physical activity is crucial to human health. Working out can not only impact your metabolism, weight and mood; but can actually clear your blemishes and prevent new ones from forming! Doing cardio and building muscle will improve circulation and bloodflow to heal the skin, and sweating is a great release of toxins. Always remember to drink plenty of water to rehydrate yourself. The mopre water you drink, the better you will look and feel. Drinking more water will cause your body to let go of excess fluid retention and water weight and replenish your cells.

Working out can be a hassle, but once you find the right activity for you it can become a passion! Here's How:

• Try Youtube! There are countless fitness gurus who post great workout videos that are short and you can do anywhere! http://www.blogilates.com/workout-video-index/ is one of the most incredible sources for quick workouts that you don't even realize you are doing!

• Turn on your favorite up-beat music and dance like a maniac!

• Check out your local parks or trails and go for a hike!

• Shovel some snow, rake your lawn, swim, canoe, get outside and enjoy some fresh air and fun!

Why you have to STOP POPPING PIMPLES!

Please everyone, STOP POPPING YOUR PIMPLES!

Picking at your face will cause scars, redness, broken vessels and more acne. trust me, It might be tempting to scoot up to the mirror and mess with your blemishes, but your face will be so much more prone to breakout and it can be very damaging to the skin. Most acne scars are from picking gone awry. Yes, sometimes it is just impossible to walk around with a big whitehead and your only option is to pop. There is a right way and a wrong way to pop a pimple if you must.


Dermatologists will tell you the following:

Clean your hands and the area. Don't use dirty hands, don't pop a pimple covered in makeup or oil.

Use hot water on a warm cloth to help open the pore.

Be gentle, and careful.

Pop only once. This is the most important rule. each time you go back and pick at the same sore you are increasing the risk of scarring and making the healing time much longer.

Apply a topical medicine or acne cream to the pimple.

Then leave it alone! Let your skin heal itself, and try not to touch your face. Keep it clean and drink plenty of water.

How To Wash Your Face The RIGHT Way

Is your skin raw, irritated, imbalanced and dull?
Do you wash your face religiously and still break out?

Here are some tips I've gathered from dermatologists and experience!

1. Choose a gentle cleanser that removes dirt and makeup. The key here is finding a gentle cleanser that does not further irritate the skin further! The skin our face is so sensitive- treat it like a baby's butt. I find that using  Gentle, natural cleanser or or one with no sulfates or parabens meaning it will not foam makes my skin balanced and naturally beautiful. Also using only my fingertips helps me to be gentle.

2. Gently exfoliate 3 times a week. Exfoliation is the process of removing dull, and flaky skin from the surface to reveal fresh smooth skin beneath! Try to find a gentle exfoliant or make one at home using baking soda and water. I reccomend staying away from washcloths to scrub the skin because these can harbor bacteria and be too rough. (If you are set on a cloth, try the Norwex Antibac Cloths.) Always follow up exfoliation with drinking a tall glass of water and applying an oil free face moisturizer.

3. Begin with warm water, rinse with cold water. It's as simple as this; warm water opens your pores to get bacteria out, cold water will constrict them and make them tighter to keep bacteria out.

4. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Again, be gentle when absorbing excess water and make sure your towel is clean and not contributing to acne. If your clean towels are still irritating, try a laundry detergent for sensitive skin or switch to paper towels.

 

The most important tip... Don't forget to SMILE!

Does Tanning Cure Acne?

Ever look in the mirror after a day at the beach to find your pimples have vanished and your skin is even and glowy?

 The sun can work wonders for our skin, bodies,even mood! It gives us essential Vitamin D and can also dry up acne and create the illusion of more even toned skin. The sun can heal acne, but not cure it.

The problem with tanning to cure acne is that the results are not long term. Over time, over exposure to sun will damage the skin and cause wrinkles, sunspots, dryness, even cancer.

Slather on some SPF and don't forget to reapply! The sun in moderation is so good for us and may even clear up some pesky zits. Remember to use a suncreen on your face that is oil free or noncomedogenic meaning it will not clog pores. If ingredients in facial Sunblock is still causing breakouts, look for makeup with SPF included. If you are outside all day and plan to be sweating, you are better off without makeup on your skin because it can run and mix with sweat and oil. Most drugstore skincare lines have a sunblock made specially for the face, neck and chest.

Stay away from tanning beds. The rays are more isolated and risk of burning is very high. The sanitation of sunbeds is also cause for concern and I have personally broken out on my back and shoulders from unclean beds. If you are going to lay in a bed, consider cutting down your time or using a bed with less rays. Always use a high quality lotion when indoor tanning and eye protection.

  

Miranda Kerr wears sunscreen ;)

Is Coffee causing your Acne?

Here's something to sip on before you have your next diet coke or cup o' joe: Your caffiene intake could be drying out your skin, increasing acne and deepening wrinkles!

Hydration is the KEY to resiliant, healthy skin. Water is essential to flush toxins and promote cellular regrowth. This means that drinking more water can help clear acne and heal blemishes quickly and naturally from the inside. Too much caffiene can dry out your skin. Although Caffiene is a diuretic, too much coffee can cause your body to hold onto excess water because of dehydration causing inflammation and puffiness.

A little caffiene never hurts, in fact, it can actually promote better circulation and increase your metabolism and energy. If you just can't kick the cup, increase your water intake as much as possible. A small cup of coffee light on cream and sugar or cup of green tea or earl grey is a great option to beat those morning blues... and continue to work toward  a healthy glowing complexion.

 

mmm... Don't forget to indulge from time to time. Coffee has a lot to offer! 

Things You Might Be Doing To Make Your Acne Worse

Acne can be caused by a host of different issues, one of them being bacteria. Dirt and oil can collect on things that touch your face and can cause major breakouts- without you even realizing it. Check out this list of things you may be doing to hurt your skin!

• Change your Pillowcase! Do this at LEAST once a week to keep bacteria from building up where you lay your face all night.
• Use clean towels to dry your face. It is so easy to use your bath towel- yeah, the one with conditioner and heavily-scented body wash- all over your face. This can cause serious breakouts. If you have problems keeping your towels apart, try using paper towels to pat your face dry. Paper towels are definitely not the most forest-friendly, but sometimes when you have serious breakout due to bacteria it is a good option.
• Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent can clear dry skin, body acne and face breakouts like crazy. Many times our harsh laundry detergents contain fragrance and heavy dyes that can irritate our skin and make acne much worse.
• Clean your phone and headset. Swipe your phone and headphones down with alcohol and a cotton pad to disinfect and remove dirt and makeup that can collect throughout the day.
• Make sure your hair product doesn't get on your skin. many people find hairspray and oils can break out their skin. be careful to keep hair products where they belong.
  
  

Aloe Vera makes Acne Disappear!

Use the ancient beauty secret, Aloe Vera, as a moisturizer, spot treatment or mask to clear acne and rejuvenate skin!

Aloe Vera is a succulent plant with rejuvenating properties. It has been used since ancient times to heal and protect the skin. It has natural antibacterial properties that clear the skin and provides healthy enzymes, minerals and amino acids.

I have a few Aloe plants arount the house, theyre beautiful and cactus-like, plus it's great to have all natural fresh aloe vera for my face whenever I need. An Aloe Vera plant would be a great addition to any home, but aloe can be bought cheaply at any drugstore. Look for a clear gel, one thtat contains no dyes or fragrances, just 100% Aloe Vera.

Honey for Acne

Turns out Winnie the Pooh wasn't a silly old bear after all. He's been right about everything; love, friendship, and most importantly, honey. The benefits of honey are endless and it is amazing for the skin. Honey is naturally anti-bacterial, hydrating and contains trace amounts of peroxide that can help lighten hyperpigmentation and acne scars! Here are a few recipes you can whip up at home to clear your skin and give it the wonderful benefits honey has to offer.



Mask 1. Acne Clearing
Mix 1 Tsp Honey (raw is best, I would use local Honey) and 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Apply paste to face or just blemish areas and you will wake up to new skin and smaller pimples.


Mask 2. Acne Scar Clearing
Mix 1 tbsp honey with 1tbsp nutmeg and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Mix well. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda and apply to face.

I found this easy skin reviving idea on Pinterest! I tried it and my skin felt silky-smooth afterwards, and my pores were definitely tighter and my skin looked more flawless.Great for a Summer day or to rejuvenate skin before a big day!


Mask 3. Blackead Clearing

Evening Primrose Oil- Hormonal Acne Remedy

Evening primrose Oil is the supplement every woman should be taking!

This supplement is made from the seed of the Evening Primrose plant and can be found in most drugstores. It provides essential and healthy fatty acids, and is a known treatment for acne, excema, dry skin, PMS and psoriasis. The benefits of this oil seem to be endless, alledgedly treating a host of other issues like bone deterioration and even schizophrenia.

I have noticed slight decrease in hormonal acne since taking Evening Primrose Oil, but I have only taken it internally. Some people find that breaking the gel capsule with a needle and using it as a topical treatment is beneficial. If you are someone who could benefit from essential fatty acids and think it could help your skin, give it a go!

UPDATE: A few weeks ago I began breaking open the capsules and rubbing the oil on my clean face at night. The results are pretty amazing, It really does work as a topical treatment. I did not have any irritation and any blemishes healed faster and stayed moisturized.

I came across a great blog with before and after pictures of acne clearing results from Evening Primrose Oil.



The blog is called Almost Exactly and has amazing natural skincare tips that I totally agree with. Check it out!

DIY Miracle Coconut Oil Facewash

 

Coconut Oil is a Miracle for Skin! Working it into your diet provides healthy fats that beautify, and using it on your skin provides moisture, protection and healing!

 

*Fun fact* Victoria's Secret Angel's use coconut oil in their diets for glowing, healthy skin. Check out a few of the amazing benefits unrefined, pure coconut oil has to offer!

 

 

 

This is a video I made teaching you how to make a DIY Coconut Oil Skin Cleanser at home. Good Luck!

 

  

 

 

Try coconut oil in hot tea, as a hair mask or even as a treatment for undereye lines. Coconut oil is truely skin-saver and contains essential fats that are crucial to a long, healthy life.

 

Coconut Oil will give you glowing, soft and youthful skin!

Products That Really Cure Acne

Products that Cure Acne:

 

 

I have had major success with these products and want to share them with anyone struggling with acne or skin irritations!

 

 

Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser is the first step for many people to clearing acne. The non-foaming version is great for people with dry skin and the face by antibacterial bar soap for face by Cetaphil is ideal for people with oily skin or who do heavy physical activity. The bar soap is great for body acne on everyone. Cetaphil has been recommended by many dermatologists, (including a few of mine.) The cleansers are amazing. Although the idea of a non- foaming face wash may be unsettling, it really does get your face clean without disrupting breakouts and sensitivity.

 

 

The elf Zit Zapper is a seriously amazing treatment for spots. It is only $1 and can be found at target or online. The elf Zit Zapper contains natural ingredients that are proven to work like witch hazel and tea tree oil to treat pimples.

 

 Cera ve non-comedogenic Moisturizing Cream is a miracle for raw, dry skin. If you have tried every possible moisturizer and your skin is flaking off and will not stay hydrated, this cream is one amazing cure. It contains ceramides to restore the skin and is non-comedogenic meaning it wont clog pores. This cream should be used sparingly unless you have very irritated and flaky skin. I have found that it makes a great spot treatment on unhealed scabs and pimples, It heals them in a flash.

 

 

St. Ives Collgen- Elastin Moisturizer is great for most skin types and helps to maintain healthy, young resilient skin with ingredients that encourage cell turnover. It doesn't clog pores, has a very light scent and works well under makeup. May not be ideal for someone with very oily skin, but can be watered down. It is very inexpensive and comes in a large tub. Dr. Oz is a big fan of this one.

 

 

Neutrogena Active Naturals Spot Treatment is hands down incredible. It just does what it days it does. It heals acne and when used correctly really gets rid of pimples quickly. I dot it on pimples at bedtime to soak in overnight, or during the day before going out to reduce swelling. It smooths out bumps and isn't over drying.

 

Why Less is More- Acne Tips

Less Is More;  How to Cure Your Acne

 Hormones, excess oil production, bacteria along with a host of other things can cause imbalances and acne. It is easy to think that more washing, more medicines and topical creams, more picking and popping will keep your skin clearer and cure acne faster. It can be especially difficult to use less makeup when dealing with breakouts.

To cure your acne for real, you have to focus on balancing your skin and detoxifying your body.

I struggled for years with acne. Starting at 10, my face broke out horribly and I spent years washing, picking and using countless topical creams and chemicals on my skin, then packing on makeup to cover my blemishes. I have spent so much time, worry, energy and money on trying to fix my skin that I many times I forgot to have fun or focus on my good qualities. As I grew older and began to explore health and wellness, something happened. The second I shifted my focus from fighting each pimple to balancing my skin from the inside and outside, it began to clear.

Use Natural Products when possible.

Health food stores, co-ops and Whole Foods sell great natural face washes that are free of harsh chemicals. You can find great skincare products in drugstores as well. Refrain from being swayed by fancy advertisements and flashy packaging. Look for products that are free of parabens, talc, dyes, mineral oil. Look for products that are non-comedogenic or oil-free meaning that they wont clog pores.

Citric acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are great acne fighting ingredients. The last two tend to dry the skin and cause flaking for many people so use products minimally and apply creams and medicines in small amounts directly on the zit.

Lastly, and most importantly I learned to drink more water...WAY more water. I immediately noticed my skin clearing. Incorporating healthy foods rich in antioxidants also fights those pesky pimples.

Be Gentle!

 

 

The truth is, being gentle is a major key to clear skin. The goal is to balance the skin to produce just enough oil, and keep bacteria off of your face.

Most times when people struggle with acne they are too harsh with their skin. So many times we are taught to think more equals better, and naturally it is easy to think that more scrubbing, more topical treatments and more washing will make the acne go away faster.

Clearing away bacteria gently from pores is the first step, the second is to find ways to balance the skin from the inside and out. Try to treat your skin like you did before you had acne, but remember to keep it clean.

Free Dermatologist Approved Skincare Routine

Free Personal Skincare Routine: Dermatologist Reccomended

Step 1. Morning Routine for Acne



Wash face with a gentle cleanser, your skin should be mostly clean from washing before bed, but it is important to wash your face in the morning to clear away dirt and oil that has collected overnight. This is especially important if you plan on wearing makeup, it will create a clean, smooth base and ensure your makeup stays on all day, and Isn't trapping germs in your pores.

Gently Pat dry with a clean towel. Switch your towel out every few days and do not use the same towel that you use to dry your hair or body.

Apply moisturizer to face and neck. It is important to use a moisturizer that says oil-free or non- comedogenic on the label, and the moisturizer must be meant for your face. Moisturizer will help to hydrate the skin and heal acne and scabs from picking. It is easy to think that moisturizer would make skin oilier and cause more acne, but when using the right one your skin will become smooth, hydrated and balanced. If you have severe acne try experimenting with moisturizers that are dual- action, with ingredients like salycilic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can find great moisturizers for less than $10 at all drugstores.





Step 2. Daytime

Apply oil free or non-comedogenic makeup. Wash makeup brushes using a gentle soap or face cleanser once a week. bacteria can easily build up in makeup brushes and this can be a major cause of acne. refrain from touching your face throughout the day without washing your hands first. Do not reapply makeup over and over throughout the day. This can be hard if you rely on makeup to cover your acne. Letting skin breathe and keeping pores free will help your skin clear faster, so you'll need less makeup in the long run.







Step 3. Bedtime Routine For Acne

Wash face gently, removing all makeup, dirt and oil from the day. if wearing makeup, it is good to wash a second time gently to ensure that all makeup is removed. remember to be gentle and use a cleanser that works with your skin type.

Apply moisturizer. This will keep your face hydrated throughout the night. If you have oily skin it is easy to think that more moisture will cause oilier skin. The trusth is, once your skin adjusts to the moisture, it will produce less oil and become balanced. Use an oil-free moisturizer without fragrance or mineral oil.

Apply topical acne treatment *optional* Acne clearing topical medicines will soak in overnight and clear pimples while you sleep. Try to use as little as possible. Medicines like these can be very drying, but also clear spots like a miracle.

THE BASICS- Get to know your skin.

The first step to taking care of our skin is understanding it. The skin on our face is more sensitive than most of the skin on our bodies, bears important organs like our eyes, and is most exposed to extremities. Pollution, wind, sun, and cold can cause premature aging and even acne. Taking care of the skin on your face can make a huge difference in the longevity and elesticity of your skin.

What's My Skin Type?

Dry- Dry skin is easily disturbed and usually sensitive, often times acne-prone. Dry, dead skin can flake off and clog pores causing blackheads. Dry skin can cause overproduction in oil that becomes trapped under the skin causing hard pimples like keratosis pilaris and under-skin whiteheads that are hard and persistant. people with dry skin should protect themselves from the sun using hats and sunscreen that says non-comedogenic or oil-free on the label.

Oily- People with oily skin get shiny during the day, can wipe excess oil off the skin, will notice a slickness around the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin.) While oil production is important to keeping youthful, healthy skin, excess oil can clog pores and cause acne.

Combination- People with combination skin will experience both dry skin and oily skin. Sometimes at the same time, such as oily cheeks and frehead with a flaky dry nose. Other times a person can have inconsistant skin that is dry one day and oily the next. In this case it is important to treat skin accordingly and try to restore balance.

Normal-
Or as I like to call you, the lucky-ducky. These are the people that have baby soft milky skin and wash their face with bar soap. If you are one of these people, take care of your skin! protect it from the sun and moisturize it to keep it beautiful for many years to come. If you don't have this skintype, don't sweat it! Most people struggle with acne at one point or another and real results are possible with balance and patience.

This image may be able to help pinpoint where your acne stems from, though I am not sure how accurate this chart is.