Melanie Sidoti
“Stress Face”
“Stress-Face”
I don’t know what it is but sometimes when it rains it really pours. I’ve not been posting a whole lot because I have been trying to help one of our older sons get through a pretty bad break-up. Then we had our impromptu DIY kitchen renovation – meaning we ripped out an entire side of our kitchen the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
In the midst of all of this I tried to keep eating right and sleeping well and staying hydrated but despite my best efforts, I would find myself worrying, pacing the floor in the middle of the night, or rushing home to put the kitchen back together, all while scarfing down yet another greasy french fry or salty spoonful of Chinese takeout.
You can just imagine that my skin really began to suffer. My face started to become extremely dry in patches, my wrinkles more visible, and I believe my skin actually began to feel thirsty.
I’m not sure if the photo allows you to see exactly how bad my problem areas had gotten but I have circled them for you here.
3-ingredients = Pure, clean, face renewal
I don’t like to put a lot of chemicals on any part of my skin, but my face is especially sensitive. Most commercial products make my face red, irritated, and even drier.
Coconut Oil is absolutely amazing for maintenance moisturizing. I use it liberally and I use it often.
But I really wanted to treat my face this time and offer a little reprieve from the way I had been neglecting it, PLUS I wanted to eliminate the dry patches.
Enter two of my favorite ingredients to use on just about anything – Coconut Oil and Manuka Honey.
For your 3-
Add 5 drops of organic frankincense essential oil.
The coconut oil and manuka honey alone make a great healing and exfoliating mask but Frankincense gives it superpowers. Frankincense has the ability to strengthen and improve skin tone and elasticity. It helps defend against bacteria and blemishes, reduces the appearance of acne and helps heal dry, cracked skin.
Mix it up. Don’t worry about the chunks of coconut oil – it will melt on your face. It won’t look like much but a little goes a long way with this stuff, I promise.
If you end up with a little extra go ahead and rub it on your elbows. If they’re like mine, they could probably use a little love anyway.
Before you apply, you may want to make sure you have on clothing that you won’t mind getting oil on. Coconut oil soaks into the skin nicely but I have been known to mess up a shirt or two with it.
When you’re ready, apply the magic mixture liberally to your face and neck. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. When finished, remove the mask with a warm, wet cloth.
Because it felt so great once I got started, I took this 15 minutes to really, mindfully massage my entire face. Do it! Your self will thank you. Not only does it feel fantastic, but it will also increase circulation to the face and stimulate collagen production.
Helpful Tip: Apply the mask in the evening before bedtime. This will allow time for the skin to absorb the full benefit of these three powerful “Wonder-mask” ingredients.
There is a bit of disagreement out there about whether coconut oil clogs pores or not. My 14-year-old skin was as oily as my 41-year-old skin is dry and I’m not sure if it would have reacted the same but I have not personally had an experience with coconut oil clogging my pores or causing my complexion to become oily.
Coconut oil helps to naturally clear away dirt and dead skin cells while sinking deep into the cells to hydrate and soften.
Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and heal inflamed skin and eczema. The enzymes in Manuka honey produce hydrogen peroxide. This oxygenates and helps draw bacteria from pores.
Some people (myself included) may experience an increase in acne for a day or so after using this mask. This is largely due to the fact that the mask is drawing impurities out of the skin.
Don’t worry, it only lasts for a short period of time. Drink plenty of water and your skin will continue to improve in the couple of days that follow.
BEFORE
AFTER
I can definitely see that my skin is less red and puffy, and looks more supple and radiant after the mask. The photos do no justice when it comes to how refreshed, renewed, hydrated, and alive my skin FEELS after using my 3-ingredient “Wonder-mask”.
The Recap
Recipe:
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 tbsp Manuka honey
- 5 drops Frankincense essential oil
Application:
- Apply mixture liberally to face and neck
- Leave for 15 minutes
- While waiting, massage face and neck as desired
Removal:
- Remove completely with a warm, wet cloth
Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite natural skin care product or mixture? Please share in the comments.
Find out more about the benefits and other uses of Manuka Honey.
