I get a lot of questions from clients.  They range anywhere from “How to get shiny hair?” to “ So, you’re telling me that soda is BAD for my skin?  Even diet?”   One of the questions I am asked most frequently is how to treat oily skin.  My first response is always to ask “What are you washing with and how often?”   Clients always feel very confident in their answer that they are using a very strong cleanser and wash 3-4 times a day.   This is the first mistake.  First, a cleanser that is too harsh will strip the skin of its natural oils therefore causing your skin to product more oil.  Great, exactly what you DON’T want.  The same goes for cleansing.  Cleansing the skin too much also strips the skin of natural oil and increases oil production.   So, my first advice is to STOP!  Use a soap-free cleanser and cleanse only twice a day, once when you get up and once before you go to bed.  That’s it.  Put the sponge down and walk away slowly.

     Next, pack some blotting paper in that super-cute handbag of yours to cut down on shine throughout the day.  And make sure EVERYTHING (even your make-up) you put on your face is oil-free.  While this seems like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised at how often we overlook the seemingly obvious.

     We’re going to have to stay away from fast food too.  Now before you stomp away in a huff, hear me out.  It’s not that the grease from the fast food that increases oil production but the iodine that will cause more blemishes in already-oily skin.  I know, I know…life just isn’t fair, but try to think of your skin like a glass.  You can wash the outside until it sparkles but if the inside is still dirty the glass doesn’t look clean, despite the gleaming surface.  Same with your skin (and this goes for all skin types), you can scrub, exfoliate and moisturize till the cows come home and if your diet is poor and you don’t get enough water, your skin will reflect that.

     And yes, the old trick of putting toothpaste on whiteheads really works!  Who knew?  But what to do about the painful red pimples?  Toothpaste can only take you so far.  Try dabbing Lavender oil on these and the inflammation will be tamed in minutes.

     Here’s a mask to try once a week for oily skin.  It contains fresh strawberries that are known for their astringent properties that help to deep clean oily skin.

     Blend ½ teaspoon Lemon juice, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon honey and ½ cup strawberries together.  Leave the mask on cleansed face for ten minutes.

Be sure to vist Moi (Modern Organics International) for outstanding natural beauty products today! Click here to visit