Everyone who knows me super well knows that I am obsessed with cosmetics, especially skin care. What many people wouldn’t guess, though, is that I used to have a very nasty case of acne that wouldn’t heal without heavy medication. If you’ve been through the same, you are familiar with the pain and frustration that comes with trying to find a cure. Perhaps, like me, you kept taking antibiotics again and again, just to have the problem return within weeks after the last pill. Eventually, I was prescribed isotretionin, which cleared my skin completely. What a joy! I know the drug is somewhat controversial and I would advise anyone to think carefully before taking it but I also know that it changed things for me in a huge way.
My skin has been quite good since. Not perfect but good enough. I have learned a lot about the triggers for fits of zits. I’ve realized how harmful sugar is and how beneficial eating greens and fruit is. Furthermore, I’ve found the benefits of natural skin care and really think my skin is much clearer without all the weird synthetic things in ’regular’ products.
The first thing to know about organic products is that not everything that’s labeled ’natural’ is as good as gold. Without eco certification (signified as ’eco cert’ label on the package), you really cannot be sure unless you’ve educated yourself on the mysterious ingredients on the inc list. Secondly, there are big differences between different lines, just as in regular products. Best skin care is not necessarily super pricey.
I’ve found that my skin in my thirties is way dryer than in my twenties. Winters, in particular, are harsh on my skin. After some experimenting, I’ve found a few favorites, completely organic, listed below.
- Coconut oil (Puhdistamo, 200 ml, 5,95€). This product has been very trendy for a couple years now and for a reason: you can use it from head to toe, to treat you hair, your skin and to relieve itching. I love natural oils in general and also mix them with creams and lotions when my skin needs an extra boost of moisture. This brand has a nice, mild scent, so it’s good for cooking as well.
- Mádara Pihlaja Daily Defence multifunctional cream, 60 ml, 14,80€. Mádara is one of my favorite skin care lines and I can’t imagine living through a Finnish winter without this cream that protects my face from the cold and other weather hazards. Moreover, it is not very expensive and can be used elsewhere in body, such as dry hands.
- Hurraw! Lip Balm in Chai Spice flavor, 4.3 g, 6 €. This lip balm worked better than it’s doubly priced equivalent from another brand. It’s creamy, effective and comes in yummy, fun flavors such as that of my favorite winter beverage, chai latte. My lips this winter were a disaster before this.
- Urtekram Aloe Vera Renewing Body Lotion, 245 ml, 7,90€. I think this product was even cheaper than the listed price when I got it from Prisma. For this price range, I think this lotion does a great job! Aloe vera is wonderful for dry, itchy skin. The scent is also pleasant, not disturbingly strong. I also like the line’s unscented lotion.
Hope these tips help you also through the remaining weeks (hopefully not months) of winter 🙂 Have a great week!
Mrs Hakrama 