Many people don't know this about me but I went to esthetician school (gosh, 11 years ago already). I mostly only made money from waxing but took away so much knowledge about skin care and make-up. You can say that I take my skin care regime very seriously and NEVER miss a step, never. It doesn't matter how tired I am, I make sure to go to bed with clean skin.
Now, I've used so many different products over the years to help with dry skin, wrinkles, dark spots, hair loss, acne...you name it, I've probably tried it. And here's the thing, I have combination skin (both dry and oily) and most of these products might help with one problem but cause other issues that I have to find a fix for.
For the last few years, I've turned to a more natural and simple skin care plan, which even while pregnant helped my skin improve so much. Over the past 6 months, I've used these four products every night, and boy have I seen some major improvements in the health of my skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar as an Astringent: I'm sure by this point most of you have heard of all the wonders provided by ACV. Not only do I take a shot of ACV every morning for internal health, I also use it on my skin. It makes for an amazing astringent because it balances the natural pH of the skin, exfoliates, and clears away oil, dirt and make-up, essentially clearing and opening pores. Some other benefits I've noticed are the lightening of dark spots from age, pregnancy and the sun, and a major decrease in acne and red marks from acne {which was huge during my pregnancy}. And it is so much cheaper than other expensive astringents because a little goes a long way.
How to use it: I use it straight, meaning I just put a small amount on a cotton ball and apply all over my clean face. I will say that it takes time for the skin to build up a tolerance to straight ACV. So to start, only use every other day and dilute with a little water. Remember never to use on the sensitive skin around the eyes and be careful on cuts dry spots.
*Because I can get dry skin easily, I always apply a moisturizing toner after the ACV.
*Bonus! Since using ACV on my skin, I've noticed an increase in the length and fullness of my eyebrow hair. I was an over tweezer back in my youth and have tried for the last 10 years to get the thin spots to grow in. I can now say that just in the last three months or so my eyebrows are completely grown in and I know it has to do with the application of AVC every night while I clean my skin.
Aspirin as an Exfoliant: When I learned about this a few years ago, I was over the moon. This is one of my all time favorite skin care tricks because not only is it inexpensive, it really works. Using a dissolved aspirin as an exfoliant makes skin feel so soft and leaves pores clean from dirt, oil and make-up. This is another trick where a little goes a long way.
How to use it: Get 1-2 aspirin wet with a couple drops of water and let sit in your hand for a minute or so. They should start to dissolve and turn into a light paste. Apply to damp skin using tips of fingers, remembering not to press to hard into skin; over exfoliating can cause an overproduction of oil. Gently massage skin and then rinse with warm water. You'll feel and see instant results.
*Bonus! Applying a small amount of the paste onto a pimple and leaving it as a spot treatment for up to 10 minutes can help reduce the size and clear the pimple after only a couple treatments.
Petroleum Jelly {Vaseline} as an Eye Cream and Moisturizer: This just happened one night because I ran out of eye cream and can't stand the feeling of dryness around my eyes. Well, let me tell you, I haven't bought eye cream or oil since {yes, oil because I did use vitamin E oil around my eyes}. The light and non-greasy wonder that is petroleum jelly has become one of my go to skin care products for all things dry skin and around my eyes.
How to use it: Apply a small amount around eyes and over eyelashes. For dry spots on other parts of the face, on or around the lips, or on other parts of the body, gently rub until the dry spot feels moisturized.
*Bonus! PJ has a wide range of uses, such as a lubricant {great for nursing moms}, and hair care. I've noticed my eyelashes have grown in nice and thick since applying PJ on them every night. (I lost most of my lashes and major chunks of hair after #3 came).
Coconut Oil as a Moisturizer and Conditioner: Coconut oil is everywhere these days and for good reason. I've been using coconut oil for years for various skin care and hair issues. My favorite? Hair conditioner and skin moisturizer. There are so many benefits to using coconut oil internally and topically. For skin care, it helps treat various skin problems including psoriasis, eczema and skin infections. It also helps fight against premature aging and wrinkles.
How to use it: As a hair conditioner, apply to hair 30 minutes before a shower and wash and rinse as normal. As a skin moisturizer, rub gently on dry spot like lotion, daily, until healed.
I really hope that if you're looking for something that is sure to help make some positive changes in your skin care routine, you go for one {if not all} of these amazing products. They are cost efficient, natural and easy on the skin; yet, provide so many great benefits. I can tell you it's hard not to use them once you start.
These are great tips, thanks. I've been taking apple cider vinegar to help balance my internal ph , but never knew it was good for the skin.I love using natural products when I can. Pinning this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pin! Isn't ACV amazing! Please try on the skin...if you like internally, you'll love what it can do for your skin! xx
DeleteI am hearing so many good things about apple cider vinegar, but this is a new one!
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil is my favorite for so many things! Although the only time it didn't work great for me was on my hair. How do you make it so your hair is not incredibly greasy? Mine was greasy for days! Otherwise coconut oil never fails me. :)
So, I use coconut oil before I take a shower, leaving it on for about 30 mins. Then I wash and condition as normal. I once used it as conditioner but it left my hair too greasy. For days when it is really dry, I will apply at the tips with conditioner and leave in.
DeleteThank you for stopping by! xx
Love this - I will definitely give aspirin as an exfoliant a try! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteI love these tips! I'm always on the lookout for natural and cost-effective alternatives to the expensive things we purchase, especially hygiene items!
ReplyDeleteThank you or sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Thank you!
DeleteThese are some really good tips!! I might have to try the aspirin trick! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I will pin this later!
ReplyDeleteThank you for pinning! xx
DeleteSo much yesss to this post. I am trying to transition all of my skincare to all-natural items so this is great. Is there a brand of coconut oil you recommend? The one pictured or something else? Also, is the aspirin something someone who is expecting or nursing could use? Thanks for sharing at #MommyMeetUpMondays!
ReplyDeleteFor coconut oil, I use pretty much whatever is on sale and refined. I used aspirin while I was pregnant and use it now while nursing, however, I would ask my doctor before using it as a mask bc the skin will absorb it.
DeleteHope this helps and thanks for stopping by!! xx
Great tips! We also take ACV internally for all the amazing benefits. Have you done that? xo
ReplyDeleteYes I take AVC every morning and love it! I put it in smoothies, too! Thank you! xx
DeleteOh my goodness---I read every single word with full attention---these are such great tips! And I am grateful for the explanations on how to use each one. Super helpful to me (a non-esthetician :). I want to implement every one of these. All I need to buy is aspirin, everything else is already in my house. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and I hope it all works out for you! I love each item and couldn't have a great routine without them. Let me know how they work out for you after using them for a couple weeks! Good luck! xx
DeleteGreat tips, thanks! I'm a dedicated user of petroleum jelly for dry skin and lips. It's the only thing that really works in the winter for extremely chapped skin and doesn't cause some other weird side effect. I've not tried the ACV or the aspirin.. that's next!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Please do try! I hope it goes well!! xx
DeleteI will have to try the aspirin. I have some serious acne going on right now, I wonder if it will help.
ReplyDeleteOh for sure it will help! Give it a couple days but you will see a difference! You can do a spot treatment or you can make a whole mask...it will make your skin smooth, pores small and redness decrease. Let me know how it goes for you! xx
DeleteOh, I've never tried the asprin! thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThese are good ideas... I use some of them... the coconut oil and ACV... wonderful products. :)
ReplyDeleteWOAH. Mind blown over here! I had no idea about the aspirin or ACV (though I have heard that it's good for intestinal health so I try to add about a tablespoon to my salad dressing whenever possible). Thanks so much for sharing these tips!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope they work well for you. Nothing has ever worked so good on my skin like ACV!! xx
DeleteThis post rocks. I love outside the box skin care ideas.
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteI need to try the aspirin thing when I get the stupid big pimples on the side of my nose. Anything to get those painful jerks to go away faster!
ReplyDeleteYes, do try! And you can also use baking soda for your nose!
DeleteReally good tips! I swear by all these products!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing these tips, Ashleigh. I love making my own skin care. I have a recipe on my blog for Olive Oil Cleansing Lotion if you or your readers are interested in checking it out. I love that my face feels moisturized after cleaning.
ReplyDeleteI JUST stepped out of the shower where I used ACV to rinse my hair, but I didn't know that it works as an astringent, too. It is great stuff.
Aspirin sounds intriguing as an exfoliant. I usually use baking soda for that. I wonder if there are components of aspirin that are good for the skin. Something to look into.
LOVE coconut oil for my face and hair, but I haven't tried it as a conditioner before a shower. Thanks so much for that tip.
Pinning this!
(Visiting from the SHINE Blog Hop!)
Thanks so much Heather! Yes, I also like using baking soda as a scrub! Thank you for pinning! xx
DeleteI need to try these. I wouldn't have ever guessed to use these as beauty products. Thanks for the tips! I have really sensitive skin, any tips?
ReplyDeleteAll these products work well with sensitive skin...use water with the ACV though. I would try Witch Hazel as a toner as this works really well for clearing sensitive skin. And the Vaseline is always a good choice. xx
DeleteThese are great tips. I am using coconut oil right now. I have really dry skin and the coconut oil has really helped.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI use Vaseline, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil all the time, but never thought of using aspirin as an exfoliate.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post I have been using the aspirin, Vaseline and apple cider on my face and I absolutely love all of them. I have to say that the vinegar smell bothers me a little.
ReplyDeleteI use waterproof mascara and I am currently using baby oil to remove the mascara, but do you have any other suggestions? can you recommend me something to wash my face before I exfoliate my face? I'm trying to lose weight would the apple cider vinegar help me?
wow.. great tips here. I will try the ACV as a toner.. if I can take the smell! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, the smell is strong but so worth it ha. My husband hates it and always make fun of me!
DeleteThanks for all these great ideas! I need to try the coconut oil. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? I hope you will join us again this Monday!
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteLove this! I use ACV once a week on my hair to get all the gunk build up from hair care products out. It works great! I really need to try Aspirin on acne spots. And coconut oil is another favorite!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us!
Thank you!! Glad they work for you! xx
DeleteThank you for these useful tips! Pinning on Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying the ACV tonight. I feel like I'm a teenager lately. I have been working out late in the afternoon, but then I break out like crazy along my hairline. Thanks for the tips. I'll be featuring this post tomorrow at the Thoughtful Spot!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you could use ACV on your face too! I'm going to have to try that tonight!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes when my hands get bad in the winter I use petroleum jelly. Thanks for posting. Hello from Busy Monday.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of using ACV as a face cleanser. Do you drink it straight each morning or do you mix it with anything? I've heard of mixing it with water and honey but I almost think that might make it worse. I take it sometimes when I can remember.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the great tips! Using ACV as a face cleanser is new to me, going to try this one tonight! It also reminded me of coconut oil as a moisturizer! Pinned
ReplyDeleteAmazing Ashleigh, loved your posts...on natural things. Keep posting. Adding you in my circles.
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never heard of most of these!!! I will definitely be giving them a try! Thanks Ashleigh! xox Christine | Amidst the Chaos
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm going to share this :)
ReplyDeleteAspirin for skin care is a new info for me...
ReplyDeletecoconut oil is the best for hair care
I love ACV and coconut oil! I dab some ACV on when I have a blemish and it clears up really quick. And I love coconut oil for so many things! I am always searching for new uses for these natural products, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI will have to try ACV next month. The BC I am on does wacky things to my hormones and I break out horrible each month the moment I take the patch off.
ReplyDeleteI use all these products except Asprin. I use the coconut to clean my eye makeup off and to whitened my teeth. The ACV I was as an astringent diluted with water on a cotton ball, and the vaseline I put on my lips and brush them lightly with a soft toothbrush to exfoliate them. I love your tips, too. I 'll try the eye one tonight.
ReplyDeleteYou are a woman after my own heart! I've used all of these for health/beauty stuff and I'm glad to see others are going in a more natural direction. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei LOVE coconut oil you can use it for so many things! in my hair, on my skin and even teeth! great list! also love apple cider vinegar - super healthy for your gut!
ReplyDeletewww.footnotesandfinds.com
I absolutely love coconut oil! It's so moisturizing and non-irritating. I love it mixed with sugar for a scrub, too!
ReplyDeleteOooo I didn't know that about ACV! Thanks for the great tips! I am all about using cheap, everyday items for beauty care!
ReplyDeleteHI!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and site! I found you on FB GYB page. Let me know if you'd like to collaborate, be a guest writer, or get together to do a giveaway with some other bloggers, just support each other in some way. My site is www.4hourbodygirl.com.
All the best,
Heather
Hi Heather, thank you for reaching out! I'd love to work with you some how... giveaways are always great! Let me know if you have anything planned or we can set something up! Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from you!
DeleteI'd heard most of these and totally agree. The aspirin one is new but will have to try it (wish I'd seen it before my date last night). Thanks for sharing! I love your site Ashleigh
ReplyDeleteAwesome tips. I love using coconut oil.
ReplyDeleteLove those tips! I use crushed aspirin once a month with my shampoo to remove buildups in my hair. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!! This is the best blog I ever found. Now I'm easily moisturizing my skin by using Sakare skincare moisturizer. I'd recommend to all my friend.
ReplyDelete