Hi, Valentina and Karen!
I just wanted to bump this up so that we could continue. We are all within years of each other: I am 27, Karen 27 and Valentina 29.
Valentina, we have the common thread of the oiliness and the sensitivity. I don't think my skin is getting thinner. I've just got more melanin guys:) I'm Native American (Cree and Cayugan), black (at least one African ancestor:)) and Mexican. If you looked at me you might think I was Hawaiian...some man asked me if I was from Guam recently..gee!
In terms of sensitivity, I do think Valentina that it is a hard combination with the oiliness and I can tell you that my skin looks better now than when I was in my teens. What I did was really simplify things and that has so helped. Regardless of the skincare system, it's important to find something which works and stick to it.
I don't know if you have tried the grapeseed extract Valentina, but it is extremely reparative to the skin. Remember I had noted a while back starting that with my pollen sensitivity. The stuff works. This is definitely one Perricone advocates.
Once I used the Aubrey skincare products for oily skin for a while, I really noticed how different my skin was. It just got so soft and not hypersensitive, but I was not trying different systems all around. Plus, the cleanser for oily skin is so mild. I'm not advocating Aubrey for you, because I just tried the stuff out of frustration. Valentina, I do not use any moisturizer cream. The Aubrey one for oily skin broke me out. That's where I started using a few drops of jojoba oil in the winter basically blotting it over my face in little dabs. It has really helped in terms of warding off sensitivity....I used to get my small breakouts in the winter time....just really irritated and little pimples...really yucky.
For skincare, that B-Complex is recommended. Same thing with the biotin and EFAs. You had asked about the C and your skin. Perricone uses an ester-C for topical application. You know he has a line of products himself. Other good skin supplements include a multi-mineral (did you realize that just as potassium makes your hair soft, it does the same for your skin), vitamin e, multi-carotenes, and the other one which I've read over and over again is NAC...n-acetyl-l-cysteine..good for your hair, too. It's a form of the amino l-cysteine. And, many would also say MSM...organic sulfuric compound. With skin, just as with hair, you look for collagen-producing nutrients, like the C, silica, etc. [I am going to go over to NaturallyCurly and hunt down a **LONG** post I made to a girl who was 19 and started noticing wrinkles..she was extremely fair. I remember going through a long shebang with nutrients and diet.]
One of the things I think all three of us might do is to purchase that book. How would you guys feel if we did that and then had an online discussion of some kind? It doesn't have to be tomorrow, but please think about this because I think it might be fun.
Karen, also Valentina, goatsmilk is wonderful for soothing the skin. I got some premium powdered goat's milk recently, reconstituted it into a paste, then used this after my regular mask which I use 1-2x per week..the Gary Null one. Anyway, what I noticed was that my skin was ultra-silky and soft. Plus, the milk acids are also a very mild exfoliator to keep skin tone even. I will be using this next winter. It's akin to using honey after a mask like Gary Null's.
Valentina, you sound very lovely:) What color is your red hair? Is it more strawberry, auburn or what? Do you find that, despite the freckles which I love, your skin tone remains fairly even?
Karen, I was pleased to have you 'butt in'...no way..you are always welcome.
Do you guys do facial masks, facial massages, steaming? I could not do the steaming...my mom always did this. It really irritated my skin. With the masks, with the sensitivity I have, I never wash my face before using the mask. I tried this on a lark and they've all worked better this way...no irritation, yet cleansing and polishing enhanced. I've not ever done a facial massage, but they are highly recommended for the circulation to the face.
Have either of you tried Erno Laszlo? My mom swore by Laszlo and used the line from the time she was around 14 or so. I found the products a bit harsh, especially the masks. I used the mud mask and soap for about two years and by the second year, that mask was like TOO harsh...made breakouts worse.
I would really like to continue this thread for as long as you guys like.
Cheers,
Jade
P.S. Valentina, you are in Finland...oh, wow:) As you can tell, I am sort of blown away by Scandinavian countries...I hope to visit..what a treat that would be!
Using Andre's system, 2b, very thick, heavy
hair, with two 1b patches in the back; currently just
below my butt 47", where I am
holding:), but started at shoulder-length.
Using Fia's system, 2cMiii, with those 1c
patches, no stray spirals, just wild waves:)
My scalp has a tendency to get oily; my hair
a tendency to get dry, especially in the
winter.
Like the natural and organic for me, try not
to preach too much. Enjoy the essentials,
herbs, veggie oils and plenty of homemade
conconctions using them.
Nickname given by kids I know: "Guardian
Angel of Tresses"
