DIY: How to get rid of and soothe skin redness.

Good Bye Red!

Redness is something common when it comes to skin care. Although more common with those who have a cool undertone, it's just as common for those with a warm undertone.
Use of products with irritants in it ( that cool, tingly feeling is actually very bad for your skin ), as well as - alcohol ( Present in most toners ) and other skin care products, or just touching the face can make it turn a light shade of red.

Well - just as easy as it is to get a red face,  it's also as easy to calm it. 

This is friendly for those with rosacea, as well. 

Oatmeal for redness

Why is oatmeal so good for the skin? Oatmeal helps soothe the skin as well as moisturize it. Oatmeal is also known for it's ability to pull excess oil out from the skin. Here are some interesting facts in regards to oatmeal following a google search.  

Polysaccharides
Oatmeal contains polysaccharides, a type of complex carbohydrate. When polysaccharides mix with water, a gel forms. This gel softens and nourishes the skin. It also protects skin from drying out even after you’ve washed the oatmeal away.
Adding Moisture
Oatmeal contains healthy fats. When they come into contact with your skin, these fats help to add moisture to soften and repair your skin.
Natural Barrier
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against pollutants. Oatmeal helps to strengthen your skin’s defenses so it can do a better job.
Gentle Cleansing
The saponins in oats help to remove dirt from your pores. This effect, combined with oatmeal’s moisture-adding properties, gives your skin that soft glow after an oatmeal cleanse.
Inside Out
Oatmeal isn’t just good for your skin as a topical treatment. It also helps promote healthy skin as part of your diet. The fiber in oatmeal helps to control the release of insulin and the uptake of glucose, and good insulin regulation helps keep your skin taut and healthy.

For a mask/exfoliant ( Can be used daily ) * This is messy 

1. Grab a handful of oatmeal, it can be any kind. It can be instant oats or whatever you have readily available.
2. Throw some in the blender and grind it. Why should you do this? I found that using oatmeal without grinding it is a bit abrasive. The reason being is that I exfoliate using oatmeal, which I will explain in further steps how it's done.
3. In a container or bowl, using about a tbsp or more ( to the eye ) of raw organic honey ( it can be regular but you will reap more benefits with organic honey ) mix the two together.
4. Apply the paste to your face.
5. After 15-20 minutes or once the oatmeal hardens, in a GENTLE circular motion, massage your skin as this will make the oatmeal fall off AND exfoliate. If you do not wish to exfoliate simple run water on your face ( in the shower of course. )

As a cleanser

1. Grab a handful of oatmeal, it can be any kind. It can be instant oats or whatever you have readily available.
2. Throw some in the blender and grind it. Why should you do this? I found that using oatmeal without grinding it is a bit abrasive. The reason being is that I exfoliate using oatmeal, which I will explain in further steps how it's done.
3. Put in a container that you will hold your oatmeal in
4. Place some in your hand, closing your fist ( not too tightly ) as to moisten the grinded oats. 
5. In gentle circular motions, massage your skin gently using the oats. ( A good idea is to do this as soon as you shower. I like to leave it on and when I am done showering I will then wash it off so that it's kind of like a mini mask. )
6. In a gentle circular motion, remove the oatmeal. Or simply let the running water remove it from your face as to not exfoliate. 

- You can also replace the honey with aloe vera!!! 

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known for soothing irritated skin and healing wounds. It's something my mom would always apply on my face right after we came from the beach, especially since I love tanning in the summer. She would always go outside in to our garden, and break open the leaf and apply some of the gel the leaf contains on to her burns.  Aloe Vera can help treat all kinds of skin disasters, from flaked and dried up skin to hair & scalp problems and even eczema. 

Here are some interesting facts I found about Aloe Vera

1. It treats sunburn.  

Aloe Vera helps with sunburn through its powerful healing activity at the epithelial level of the skin, a layer of cells that cover the body. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. Because of its nutritional qualities and antioxidant properties, the skin heals quicker. 

2. It acts as a moisturizer. 

Aloe moisturizes the skin without giving it a greasy feel, so it`s perfect for anyone with an oily skin complexion. For women who use mineral-based make-up, aloe vera acts as a moisturizer and is great for the face prior to the application to prevents skin drying. For men: Aloe vera gel can be used as an aftershave treatment as its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving. 

3. It treats acne. 

Aloe vera gel contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Giberellin in aloe vera acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells. It allows the skin to heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring.
Aloe is soothing and can reduce skin inflammations, blistering and itchiness, while helping the skin to heal more rapidly. Additionally, in Ayurvedic medicine, Aloe is used to effectively heal chronic skin problems, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema. 

4. It fights aging. 

As we age, everyone begins to worry about the appearance of fine lines and the loss of elasticity in their skin. Aloe leaves contain a plethora of antioxidants including, beta carotene, vitamin C and E that can help improve the skin's natural firmness and keep the skin hydrated.
5. It lessens the visibility of stretch marks.
The skin is like one big piece of elastic that’ll expand and contract as needed to accommodate growth. But if the skin stretches too far, too fast (due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss) the elasticity of the skin can be damaged. That’s what leaves those unsightly stretch marks. These marks appear due to minor tears in the layers of the skin caused by sudden and excessive stretching. Aloe vera gel can help hide these stretch marks by healing these wounds. 

6. It's nutrient rich for good health. 

This solid material contains over 75 different nutrients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, anthraquinones or phenolic compounds, lignin, saponins, sterols, amino acids and salicylic acid. 

7. It soothes in periodontal disease. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, it's extremely helpful in the treatment of gum diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis. It reduces bleeding, inflammation and swelling of the gums. It is a powerful antiseptic in pockets where normal cleaning is difficult, and its antifungal properties help greatly in the problem of denture stomatitis, apthous ulcers, cracked and split corners of the mouth. 

8. It aids in digestion. 

The internal benefits of aloe vera are supposed to be just as amazing. The plant is said to improve the digestion and to relieve ulcers. Some people consider it a laxative, while others attribute that effect to its digestive qualities (which normalize the system and induce regularity). The juice is also prescribed for arthritis and rheumatism. To test any of these claims, steep the cut foliage in water or chew pieces of the fresh leaf.

How to use Aloe Vera: 

It's better off to either get the leaf from a supermarket or have one readily available from being grown. The reason being is that preserved Aloe Vera gel may not be as effective and it's performance is obstructed by the chemicals in it to preserve it and some as well contain irritants, like fragrance for instance. 

1. You can break off the leaf, and then slice it open. Inside will be the clear substance (it does not taste pleasant) in which you can gently massage on your skin.
2. Another fun idea might be to use aloe vera in conjunction with oatmeal! Instead of doing the above mask with honey, try aloe vera.
3. You can apply Aloe Vera after your moisturizer, but aloe vera is a humectant meaning it attracts moisture from the air. It will not work as well if you are using this on a cold, winter day. 

You can also purchase Aloe Vera Juice ( or make it if you know how to ) to use as a toner for your skin as well. 

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