As someone who’s been through her fair share of struggles with acne and tried almost every anti-blemish chemical-infested cream out in the market in her desperation to cure it, I realized (the hard way) that there is no true cure for skin problems and often, caking your skin with multiple layers of chemical-clad creams that are made of false promises actually hurts your skin more than helping it. Therefore, while still trying to keep my skin problems under control, in recent years I’ve switched to (almost) everything that is au naturale and after a few years of experimentation, I can safely say that these are some of my holy grails for skincare with sensitive skin.
- Tumeric
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This Indian kitchen staple has goodness written all over it! Its potent antiseptic properties help control the buildup of dirt and unwanted bacteria on your face due to any acne. However, since it could easily leave remnants of its bright yellow color and is known to create heat internally, it is best when incorporated into a facemask made of yogurt and honey, as it balances the heat to leave your skin with a cooling sensation.
- Honey
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As I am sure some of you may be aware, not only does honey leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized, but it also brightens it, leaving your face with a natural glow. It can also be used as an effective exfoliant when combined with sugar or salt.
- Coffee
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This one’s for all my acne-prone gal-pals! I was surprised to learn that the chlorogenic acids found in coffee actually help to effectively unclog pores and reduce any inflammation. So, the next time you need a quick fix for a stubborn zit, ditch your over-the-counter spot-treatment cream for some concentrated coffee!
- Coconut Water
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Here’s another ingredient that most people (including myself, until recently) did not know could help with skin concerns such as dark spots and scarring. The vitamins present in coconut water allow the skin to repair and restore itself more effectively, therefore reducing the appearance of scars over time.
- Coconut Oil
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In case you can’t tell already, I’m (clearly) a big fan of all things coconut and coconut oil is no exception to the rule! Not only does it moisturize your skin deeply, but it also helps boost collagen production, which in turn, could also help minimize scarring by binding new skin tissue together. As if that is not reason enough to make it a skincare staple, this miracle oil also makes your skin tone more even, which could help with scar-related redness and other hyperpigmentation.
I hope this inspires you to ditch the chemicals for a more natural approach to treating your skin. I’ve been doing it for a few years now, and there has been no looking back!
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