At home my skin is usually not a problem, I eat well, look after myself and have never suffered majorly with skin problems. Minus the inevitable hormonal break out, my skin is usually in good condition, but tends to break out quickly after heavy weekends so I knew to expect some change in Ibiza. While I was there I did suffer with my skin more than usual. A mix of excessive partying / drinking, eating bad and processed foods, change in atmosphere and many other factors will have played a part in this.
I will always look for the holistic route to fix the root cause of any issue. With something like skin I would usually look straight to my diet and lifestyle which was clearly out of balance and showing on my face. Although you can always choose to make healthier choices, at this time I wanted to indulge and enjoy myself.
Skincare doesn't have to be expensive to be good. In fact, most expensive skincare brands are full of chemicals and causing you additional health issues that you probably have no idea about. If you check the ingredients on a product and cannot pronounce them, it is likely not good for you. I have put together my list of natural skincare products to protect and cleanse which have worked for me. It's good to bear in mind that everyones skin type is different, and what works for me might not work for someone else. My skin tends to be quite dry and these have worked well for me, most of the products mentioned are suitable for mix skin types but always do your own research to be sure. I have linked the products too if you would like to have a look / buy them yourself!
I have been using vitamin E oil for a few years now, and I SWEAR by it! Any time I have a slight break out, it's my go to. When I first got to ibiza, I had a patch of some kind of dry reaction which I had never had before (I think it could have been eczema but I'm still not sure). For the first week this was sore and I didn't want to put any products or make up on my face. I decided to use the Vit E to see if it would help, and it did straight away. Not only does it hydrate my skin when it is dry, but it can be used as a cleanser for your pores, has healing properties and can help to clear up acne scarring. It can even help to reduce skin ageing and wrinkles, and soothe sunburn which is great when spending lots of time in the sun. It fights against free radicals helping to heal and prevent breakouts. The brand I use is Oleus and it lasts me for ages, but i'm sure all brands would work just as well!
2. Face Theory Vitamin C SPF Whip
This is another product I have been using for a while. I was looking for a daily moisturiser and happened to stumble across this recommendation on Yuka. It had a 100 / 100 rating so I decided to have a look. Now Face Theory products aren't fully holistic, however they are made using natural, vegan and cruelty free formulas. This moisturiser is free from harmful parabens and UV filter and when looking for an alternative SPF I found it to be a great option. It feels so nice on your skin and is perfect for daily use or just for your summer holidays. I didn't suffer any sunburn on my face using this twice daily, and It lasts so well I still have lots left.
3. Face Theory Freshening Face Wash C4
This face wash is stated for all skin types, so I bought it to test out for the first time in Ibiza. In my first week as previously mentioned I had an unusual reaction and when I tried this wash for the first time it felt like it was burning and made it worse. After 2 weeks, the reaction had healed and my skin was breaking out. I felt like it needed a cleanse so I decided to try it again. My skin instantly felt fresher and I noticed an improvement within a couple days. I used this followed by the vitamin C whip twice daily from then forward. You only need a small amount of product as it is strong but definitely does a nice job.
4. Sunlight & Sea
Now being in Ibiza I need to make an honorary mention to the Sun and the Sea. The sunlight is so good and so healing for all skin types. Do not believe what you are taught about the sun being bad for you. Of course sunburn isn't good for your skin, but you can take natural precautions against it. The sun is the ultimate healing and energy source for all life. It gives you essential vitamin D which is anti inflammatory if you are prone to break outs. I tried to spend some time out in the sun any time I felt a break out coming, and I promise you I would notice a difference by the end of the day. The sea I felt dried my skin out as it was already dry, but if I had any under skin spots brewing it definitely helped to calm them down. This combined with the Vit E oil after is a perfect combination to dry out the spots then rehydrate the skin.
5. Hydration & Diet
Now this I wasn't following myself so much, but I felt like it needed adding to my natural skincare list. The best way to cure your skin is through your diet. It goes straight to the root cause which is 9 times out of 10 fixable through lifestyle change. Staying hydrated with water and eating whole nutritious foods may seem like an obvious one, but is often over looked. I done some research to narrow down the best fruits for your skin, and this should work for all skin types. Starting with papaya, this kept coming up so I had to include it. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which can kill dead skin cells and cure impurities. You can even put the fruit directly on your skin to feel the effects. Another is oranges, lemons and anything else high in vitamin C, as it improves skin texture, clears blemishes and is great for anti-ageing. Watermelon is a good one because it helps to hydrate your skin as well as providing vitamins A, C and some B vitamins. Basically, anything with vitamin A or C is what you want to be eating, such as; apples, avocado, cherries, bananas and lots more!
6. Aloe Vera
I have saved my favourite until last, Aloe Vera has been a natural go to for me for years. It is so soothing, amazing for breakouts or sunburn. You can make it into an easy gel by blending it and it can stay refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. In the summer time I love to do this and then apply to my face and other areas of my body after sitting in the sun all day. You can leave it on for 20 - 30 minutes before showering and it works as the perfect natural after sun. You can also use this gel in your hair as a scalp mask if you suffer with dry or sunburnt scalp. I prefer to use it straight from the leaf as the pre-made gels you buy tend to have added chemicals. You can buy them at any fruit / veg markets nearby you or you can buy your own plant to grow and use.
That is all for my personal recommendations, I would love to hear any feedback on these products if you test them, or some of your own your suggestions to try! Just send an email to info@eclipsedworld.com.