Grapeseed Oil: Nectar From Above

Grapeseed oil is my number one favorite oil. Checkout all the benefits this oil can do for you!

Fun Facts

• Full of antioxidants which help to slow down the aging process
• It helps to stop some of the enzymes that destroy collagen, elastin and other connective tissue
• Packed with vitamin E as it's good for topical use and ingesting
• Natural heat protectant for your hair
• Cholesterol free
• Has linoleic acid and omega-6 acid
• Has one of the lowest levels of saturated fat 
• Helps to clear up acne! It won't clog pores and is great for sensitive skin and oily skin
• Locks in moisture for both skin and hair
• Grapeseed oil is a great undereye "cream" and anti-wrinkle "cream"
• Good for the circulatory system and  helps to reduce varicose veins and spider veins
• Can be used to fry, bake, lubricate a squeaky door, etc. 
• Can be used to remove make up

How I Use Grapeseed Oil

• I use grapeseed oil to moisturize my hands after I wash them with handsoap. While it's still wet I rub it all over my hands and then pat dry. Who needs lotion? 

• Sometimes I store it in the shower and apply it to my wet body. Layering lotion or a body butter afterwards will provide amazing moisture especially in the winter months.

• Oil in the shower can be dangerous so a good alternative is to add about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil to your lotion or body butter (per application) for extra hydration.

• When I'm removing my makeup I slather grapeseed oil on my eyes and wipe away with a soft tissue. Like magic, my heavy eye liner melts away.

• I add grapeseed oil to my leave in conditioner when I detangle my hair when it's wet. I also use it to lubricate my hair when I'm unraveling braids or twists. It adds great shine and softness.

• Because it's a natural heat protectant, I add a little oil before blowdrying and before flat ironing. It's also fabulous at taming flyaways. Check out my post on how I straightened my hair.

• At night, sometimes I seal all of my eye creams and eye serums with a dab of grapeseed oil . When I wake up my eyes seem more perky and definitely hydrated. 

Grapes:  Photo by Dan

Bottle of oil: Photo by m_bartosch

Clearing Up My H-Zone Acne

I went to Florida in August for a conference and when I returned I had the worst acne of my life. Not even in my adolescent years had I endured such a break out. My previous skin care routine was literally doing NOTHING which made my acne worse. My skin has always been acne prone with deep scarring issues; I couldn't stop the outbreak and once the acne finished it's course, it left a scar which was pointless to treat since new pimples were forming.

After a month of panic and jumping from product to product, I have found a regimen that has FINALLY worked and it has to do with the Asian technique of layering products. (Asian products are designed to layer and absorb quickly. Sometimes using Asian products with other products may result in products conflicting with one another and caking up but this isn't always the case. It is important to make sure a product has absorbed before moving on to the next product.) My acne is down by 80%. As you can see in the picture, I still have acne but it's minimal compared to just a month ago. Most of you have heard of the T-zone but I have an H-zone. Acne and extreme oil production occurs on my cheeks and nose. Surprisingly, my forehead and chin are quite dry. I can't imagine that I am the only person in the world who has this kind of skin so maybe my experience will help someone.


My morning and night routines differ slightly and they are listed briefly below. There have been product reviews of a few of these items and there will be more product reviews added periodically. I will also include other products I've used that were okay but no Kubasian cigar! .-_-

In the morning I need something that is gentle while controlling oil production and treats the acne and scarring. Sun protection is also important as is hydration without clogging my pores or fighting against my makeup. (A makeup post is coming up soon!)

Morning Routine

Oatmeal Wash or Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser

Korres Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Serum

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Shiseido Senka Facial Lotion (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Unt 50spf Cream

Eos Mint lip balm
Makeup

At night I like to deeply cleanse to remove the makeup and build up during the day while still treating the acne and scaring. The skin repairs the most at night, so it's important to incorporate products that aid this process. I also want to focus on firming as I want to preserve my skin so it appears youthful for as long as possible. Nighttime is also the time I do any specific treatments like masks.

 

Nightly Routine

Grapeseed oil (eye makeup removal)
Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser (remove remainder makeup)

Naruko Tea Tree Acne Clay Cleanser

(Mask if necessary)

Komenuka Bijin Eye Moist Jell

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Naruko Tea Tree Night Jelly or Naruko Magnolia Night Jelly

Eos Mint lip balm

Treatment is an important step in clearing up acne and general skin care. Periodically your skin needs extra exfoliation, hydration, firming, brightening, and/or pampering.

Treatment

Naruko Tea Tree Blackhead mask (removes and/or loosens blackheads)

Homemade Pore Strips (unclogs pores)

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (tightens pores and dries up acne)
Aztec Secret-Indian Healing Clay (tightens and purifies pores)

My Beauty Diary Strawberry Yogurt Mask (hydrating and brightening)

Silk Whitia Whitening Mask (hydrating and brightening)
Honey Scrub (exfoliating)

Hope you enjoyed this post. More posts on acne prone skin to come.

***Please note that this is only my experience. Every one is different and every skin has needs that are unique. This regimen worked for ME.