Ingredient Spotlight: Almond

We all know that almonds are a yummy, healthy snack that keeps you energized and feeling your best. But did you know that almond shells and almond oil are an awesome way to take care of your skin? Ground almond shells are a subtle but effective exfoliant for clogged pores, and almond oil has plenty of skin benefits as well...let's talk about them!

1) Almonds are an amazing source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is proven absolutely amazing for the skin (we'll talk about those benefits later on), so using products with almond oil is going to add that dose of vitamin E that's going to keep your skin looking beautifully radiant!
2) It can reduce wrinkles! Almonds have tons of antioxidants, which can decrease signs of aging. When ingested or applied directly to the skin, it is found that almonds can reduce the look and appearance of wrinkles on the skin's surface! (so weird how there's a natural alternative for everything, right?)
3) We know that working from the inside of the body can effect the look of the outside. Almonds, again, have tons of antioxidants. Ingesting almonds can actually help the radiance of the skin on the outside when you eat lots of them and digest them inside! It's going to leave you looking soft and radiant, because all of those free radicals are getting killed off from the inside, never giving them the chance to surface.
4) It is found to help clear up breakouts. Because of the vitamin E content, it can also be applied topically as an oil to clear up pimples and blackheads! Also, oils attract oils, so it will pull out excess oil and can then be wiped away for a radiant, clean complexion!

We should all eat more almonds, right?!

Oil-based Cleansers and Why They Work

So we're all a little confused when someone says "oh you have oily skin? Maybe you should use some more moisturizer!" or "try something oil-based!" Seems like it's defeating the purpose, right? If the skin is oily, do we really need to add more oil? I mean it's already keeping it hydrated, right?
Actually, it's true! The way it works is kind of like when you're cooking: if you're adding oil to something water-based, the oil sticks together. You stir it up, it separates, but eventually if you leave it alone, the oil will come back together. It works the same way on your skin! Oil attracts oil, so using an oil-based cleanser will pull excess oil out of your pores, and then when you wipe (not rinse) it away, it will take all the excess oil with it, leaving you with soft, healthy skin. 
Now, here's why you can't just rinse it away like soap-based products: the oil isn't going to dissolve in water the way ingredients in soaps will. It will remain on the surface of the skin, leaving you looking shiny, and you'll feel oily and no one wants that! What I like to do with my oil-based cleansers is to wet a washcloth with really hot water, ring it out until it's damp, and lay it over my face for a few seconds to steam it. Once I feel my pores open up, I wipe the cleanser away with the same washcloth, then I immediately use my toner and moisturizer.
Yes, you still need moisturizer! An oil cleanser is going to leave you feeling more hydrated, but not to the extent that your skin needs. As much as I hate to say it, if your skin feels too oily the first few days, you can skip your moisturizer (but I really, really don't recommend it!).
So here's what I use in my routine:
LUSH's Ultrabland (of course, if you read my blog religiously, you know I've been absolutely obsessed with this stuff.)

It has lots and lots of almond oil, rose water, beeswax...it's basically everything your skin needs to be soothed and beautiful.
Then I use my Eau Roma water toner water from LUSH as well, and I follow with Gorgeous moisturizer!
I was having serious trouble with my skin a few weeks ago and I think it was because I was stressing my skin out with tons of products. I downsized my routine to just 3 products twice a day (I do the exact same routine twice in one day, no product changes) and it has done wonders. If your skin just needs a break, try this routine and see how it works for you!
There are tons of oil-based cleansers out there, you don't just have to use the Ultrabland. Do some research and find out that sounds like it would be good for your skin type! Good luck beauties!