Chaotic Times, Chaotic Skin: 6 Kitchen Remedies For Troubled Skin

There is no doubt about it. Most of us are experiencing some level of stress right now and some of us more than others. Stress needs an outlet and sometimes that outlet could be your skin. We all have our methods in which we try to “calm” our skin which can tie into your skin type.

Personally, my diet has taken the biggest hit during quarantine so my skin has been acting up. I have combination skin so my favorite go-to items are hemp products. Hemp has anti-aging properties, fights against inflammation, moisturizes the skin, and helps those of us that oily t-zone. I really enjoy products from CBDfx. They are my one-stop hemp shop, and you can soothe your skin with CBDfx products, too!

That’s just one of my favorites, and I love to switch my methods up and whip up a mask in the kitchen. I have quite a few that I use from time to time to calm my skin down. Take a look and see which one would work best for you!

Bentonite Clay & Apple Cider Vinegar

This is the mask I bust out when I see my skin starting to break out and act up. This mask is great for oily skin because it provides a deep pore cleansing, treats acne breakouts, evens out skin tone, and prevents blackheads. How is this super clay capable of all of this? 

Bentonite clay contains natural minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. And, it’s even said that this clay comes from the disbursement of volcanic ash and works by absorbing oil and dirt from the skin—hence—providing a deep pore cleanse. Don’t be alarmed if you feel your skin pulsating….that means it’s working!

Oatmeal & Honey

Did you know that one of America’s favorite breakfast foods is good for your skin? That’s right, oatmeal is loaded with nutrients and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. I had a friend who was experiencing some intense breakouts until she mixed up some oatmeal and honey and lathered it on her face a few times a week. Honey also has some great benefits on its own such as being a natural antibacterial (which makes it great for acne), it’s full of antioxidants (great for anti-aging), and a great source of moisture. Just cook one serving of oatmeal, add a tablespoon of honey, let it cool, and then apply an even layer on your face. Warning…you might be floored by the silkiness of your skin!

Banana

When was the last time you mashed up a banana and put it on your face? Probably never, but bananas are loaded with antioxidants, and I’m sure we all hear about how amazing antioxidants are because they release free radicals from your body. Free radicals are atoms within the body that can go left and create sickness or other ailments. Perhaps the most intriguing quality of bananas is that they contain silica (cousin of silicone) and can increase collagen production leaving your skin with youthful vibes. They also contain an array of vitamins and potassium great for wrinkles, acne, dry skin, and more! You can also mix some honey in to increase the benefits. 

Turmeric & Honey

If you haven’t heard by now, Turmeric is a superfood that is great for overall health, and that means your skin too! Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-bacterial so it can assist in calming down troubled skin with minimum effort. It also works to eradicate acne scars,  brighten the skin, and clear up psoriasis and eczema. It’s super simple to just mix a teaspoon of turmeric with one tablespoon of honey. One tip I would give is to try to find cosmetic grade turmeric because the one you find at the grocery stores will stain your skin yellow!  I’ve seen an influx of turmeric products on the market such as body butter and face masks lately. I guess the secret is out!

Green Tea

I’ve always wondered what all the green tea hype was about until I took a closer look at this ancient tea that is still making headlines. Green tea powder is a powerhouse element for the skin. It contains a powerful mixture of antioxidants, vitamins, and catechins that fight against those annoying free radicals and work to prevent skin cancer, fight those pesky wrinkles, and reduce redness and irritation. You’ll only need 1 tbsp of green tea, 1 tbsp of baking soda, and 1 tbsp of honey to get this mask whipped up and ready to apply! You can purchase a cosmetic grade green tea powder or use an actual green tea bag after you steep it. 

Avocado

Besides being loaded with vitamin e, avocados contain other nutrients that can calm skin and relieve inflammation while smoothing out acne scars (if you have them). Personally, because my distaste for mushy, green substances has followed me into adulthood, so I don’t eat avocados, but I will be mashing one up for my face. There are a variety of ways you can incorporate avocados into your skin routine. The simplest way is to mash up one avocado with one tablespoon of honey, but you can research it and find hundreds of different DIY avocado face masks. 

A while back I figured out that the natural approach really benefits the skin more because there are no harmful ingredients that you can’t pronounce with reactions you can’t anticipate. These are just a few ideas to get the metaphorical ball rolling but feel free to research natural skin masks that are geared towards your specific skin issues.