SOUNDBYTES...
bottomline: The skin is actually an organ of the body and as such, it is frequently an outer reflection of what's going on internally. Whether you just want to take good care of your skin or you are looking for solutions to skin problems, both internal and external factors must be taken into consideration. People often think of topical treatments first when it comes to problem skin, but what you do internally is often even more important.
don't: get discouraged if you have persistent skin problems and you have seemingly tried everything.
do: be persistent in your quest to heal your skin. There is helpful information here for general skin care and problematic conditions, giving attention to both external and internal factors.
also: refer to Preventing and Reversing Disease, as this information applies to your skin as well.

NATURAL SKIN CARE...
external factors:

There are two major categories to be considered when talking about caring for the skin externally:

1 - skin care products: can mean the difference between healthy, radiant skin and severely troubled skin. Products that contain harsh chemicals, artificial colorings and fragrances at the very least exacerbate problem skin conditions, and are often the actual cause (see Harmful Ingredients for more information on what to avoid). Considering that 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream, toxic ingredients can have long term health consequences as well. Botanically based, pure and natural skin care products are always your best bet. It is amazing the skin, hair and scalp conditions that clear right up after switching to pure, natural products.

MY FAVORITE...
pure & natural products:
~ for your face: for years I have taught a class called Natural Beauty from the Inside Out and as a part of that, I have researched and tried a multitude of natural skin care products. There are a few other nice products out there, but my absolute favorite products for the face are from botanically based skin care products. I really liked them the first time I tried them, but as a part of my ongoing research and just the fact that I'm a woman, when I got to the bottom of the jar, I tried something else. I did this more than once, until finally I came to the conclusion that there is nothing else out there that compares and I was wasting my time and money looking.

These products are botanically based, have no artificial colorings or fragrances and have less than 1% preservatives. These products are safe, natural and beneficial to the skin. I have shared them with friends, family and clients with various skin problems, such as teen/adult acne, eczema and rosacea, with excellent results. It's important to get the right line for your skin type and for that I offer a FREE consultation. Samples of the these facial products are available through The Wellness Store for FREE ($6 shipping and handling fee). Try the botanically based skin care products, I guarantee you'll love them - and if you don't, which rarely happens, send them back. They have a fabulous make-up line as well.
~ for your body: I have two absolute favorite body care products. First, are any of the body care products from Young Living Essential Oils. They are all really delicious. And second, are products that I customize for myself. I get fragrance-free lotion and non-soap body wash at the health food store and then I add a few drops of my favorite Young Living Essential Oils - yummy! These are really the best because you get to indulge yourself with your favorite oils. You can also make up different ones for different moods such as relaxing, uplifting or any specific theme you might be working on at that time in your life.

Young Living Essential Oils are therapeutic grade oils and are therefore very healing and beneficial to the body. There are many oils available at retail stores, but they are very low grade (usually perfume grade), frequently adulterated, and therefore, do not have the same beneficial qualities as the Young Living Essential Oils. There's really no comparison and I personally wouldn't waste my money on them.
~ for hair & scalp: one of my favorite hair care lines is by Products of Nature. It is currently featured in the Favorite Things section. My other favorite hair products are by botanically based Skin Care Products. (What's really nice is you can get them as bonus items for only $5 when you place an overall order of $60 or more.) Once again, they have no harsh chemicals, artificial colorings or fragrances and are just really great for your hair. Like the Products of Nature line they are also a God send for anyone with scalp conditions. It's the harsh chemicals in the bulk of products that causes most of these conditions in the first place.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS...
regarding products:
~ skin type: even if you are using pure and natural skin care products, they must be suited to your particular skin type or you may encounter problems. For example, it is very common for people to mistakenly use products for oily skin when their skin is actually dry, causing clogged pores and acne. This occurs because the products are drying out the skin causing the sebaceous glands to produce more oils to make up for the lost moisture. When products are replaced, giving the skin the moisture it needs, there is a reduction in oil production, the pores clear and acne disappears. Of course, this is not always the case, but it happens quite often and demonstrates the importance of knowing your correct skin type and using the appropriate products.
~ skin care lines: it is estimated that out of the entire budget for a particular big name retail store skin care product, only 10% goes toward the actual ingredients. The other 90% goes to advertising (super models, magazine ads and T.V. commercials are very expensive!), packaging, and all those generous give away promotional items (you're paying for them one way or another). As a result, the quality of the ingredients is compromised. Lots of cheap, often toxic fillers, such as mineral oil and acetone, are used to bulk up the products. The best place to purchase skin care products is from the health food store or independent distributors (such as botanically based Skin Care Products, Young Living, etc.) that offer botanically based, natural lines. I completely stay away from products at department and drug stores.
~ take it back: skin care products can be costly. So, always keep your receipt when trying out a new line. And if you are not satisfied with any products you have purchased, especially if it is a whole line that has amounted to a major investment - take it back! Don't let unwanted, unused products accumulate under your sink. It leaves you feeling resentful and reluctant to spend more money trying something new that may work for you.
NOTE: That's one of the features I love about botanically based Skin Care Products. They are really good about exchanges and returns. Given that there are 5 lines to choose from, it is common for clients to try a couple different lines to find the one that is just right for them. Knowing this makes it feel safer to give them a try. As mentioned, sample packs make this process even easier (go to The Wellness Store to order).

2 - environmental considerations: are the other major factor to consider when talking about external influences on the skin. This includes anything that comes in contact with your skin:
~ pollutants in the air can clog pores and irritate skin giving good reason to cleansing your skin morning and evening, followed by a toner or freshener appropriate for your skin type. Impurities and chemicals added to water, such as chlorine, are also very irritating to the skin. Water purifiers are really helpful in clearing skin conditions and protecting yourself from other health dangers associated with impure water.
~ cleaning products which come in contact with your skin should be non-toxic whenever possible or they may cause irritation. Especially laundry soaps. There are many brands available at your local health food store that are non-toxic and fragrance free or naturally scented with oranges.
~ bed sheets & towels can be irritating for many people with sensitive skin, due to the toxic chemicals used to treat them. Organic cotton or untreated sheets and towels are your best choice - and a must for anyone suffering from eczema, asthma, severe allergies or multiple chemical sensitivity. Go to www.simplelife.com for more information on organic cotton as well as a directory of companies offering organic cotton and untreated bedding, etc.

Changing your pillow case every night is also a great help to those with acne, as bacteria and oils can collect and exacerbate the condition.

NATURAL SKIN CARE...
internal factors:

Whatever applies to general care of the body, also applies to the skin and is dealt with throughout this site. Following are some specifics to keep in mind for healthy, radiant skin:
~ Eating for Health: is one of the most important things you can do for your skin - in particular:

THINGS TO...
avoid and/or eliminate:

THINGS TO...
consume abundantly:

~ natural progesterone: is another very important element, especially for women, when it comes to healthy skin. There are many brands available. I recommend Phyto Prolief by botanically based Skin Care Products. Go to Women's Wellness for more information on this topic.
~ keep things moving: this includes both exercising regularly and keeping your bowels moving healthfully. Optimal colon function is very important for good health in general - and especially for anyone with skin problems. Eating for health is essential. Pro Fiber EFA is also very helpful when included as a regular part of your diet. The Colon Health Care Handbook is an excellent resource for more information on this topic.
~ self esteem: how you feel about yourself and your life can really affect the condition of your skin and your entire body. Problem skin can certainly damage one's self esteem, so it's especially important to take measures to build it back up. Affirmations are an excellent way of overcoming the psychological factors that can take a toll on your skin and help in other areas of your life as well.