Cosette's Beauty Pantry

Hi everyone! Whether you call them pimples, zits, or blemishes, there are  different types of acne  that affect teens as well as adults.   Knowing which type you have is essential to help you determine the right treatment.  When it comes to acne lesions, there are two main types.  There are non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions.  Blackheads and whiteheads are great examples of non-inflammatory lesions.  Below are the subtypes of acne under these two categories: Blackheads:  Open comedones; top of the pore stays open. Whiteheads : Closed comedones protruding from the skin; top of the pore closes up. Papules : Bright red or pink bumps that are tender to the touch. Pustules : Often filled with pus and have yellow or whiteheads on top of a red bump. Nodules:  Hard pimples that are deep underneath the skin. Cysts:  The largest form of acne that looks like red or white bumps, where the clog is further below the skin than nodules; painful to the touch. Note: It is

Hello everyone! Remember my " beauty secret " post?  In this post I'm about to share another "secret"; aka the type of thing that people do not understand when you tell them or think you are crazy, but somehow I feel compelled to tell you, my readers, anyway! That's a mouthful! So, my secret is... Here goes nothing... I use neat (undiluted)  organic apple cider vinegar   on my face as a sort of   all-natural chemical peel ! Here's exactly   how I use it : I cleanse, rinse and towel dry my face and then I apply the undiluted ACV with a cotton ball.   This step is crucial : I only leave the  organic apple cider vinegar   on for about   2 minutes , then I rinse it off with plenty of cool water.   Do NOT   leave it on for more than a couple of minutes or it will burn your skin!  However, it is completely safe to use for one or two minutes two to three times a week .  Why I use it : ACV works better than any oth

Hello everyone! Let's make one thing clear, pore size is determined mainly by our genes.  Pores may also become larger with age or excessive sun exposure.  However, pores can definitely appear larger and more noticeable when they become clogged with dirt, oil and dead skin cells.  An effective cleansing and exfoliation regimen is   essential to keep pores clean and minimizing their appearance. The most effective approach in minimizing pores is by keeping them clean and clear at all times.   Check out these blog posts to learn more/view additional   DIY beauty recipes to help you cleans and minimize your pores.  The beauty benefits of ice The holy grail of toners! DIY: Deep cleansing pore strips DIY: Enzyme peel mask Scrub your face with sodium bicarbonate! Baking soda beauty tips! Lemons for clear skin The amazing beauty benefits of honey Banana peel skincare?! Also , check out the i nfographic below:   The ultimate steps to cleansing and shrinking your pores .

Hello everyone! Most cleansers contain chemicals that can be harsh especially on  sensitive skin .  They strip away moisture from the skin making it dry or flaky.  If you have oily skin and use harsh cleansers, it will cause the oil glands to produce more sebum , making your face oilier.  Did you know that oil can be used for facial cleansing?  Oil cleansing can be used on all skin types and it is very beneficial to oily/acne prone skin.  It may sound strange to use oil on oily skin but in reality oil reduces sebum (oil) production and balances moisture.  If you’re suffering from acne, this method can work wonders for your skin.  The oil cleansing method can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne.   It also leaves your skin healthy, balanced and  moisturised . So what oil/s should you use? Some people use a mixture of oil is used like; castor oil, olive oil, grape seed o

Hello everyone! A few years back, I used to buy commercially available pore cleansing strips .  I eventually stopped using them because they were very difficult to remove once dry.  Luckily, it’s very easy to make pore cleansing strips at home.  Here’s what you’ll need: 1 egg white paper towel/kitchen paper (more resistant than tissue)   a bowl a whisk or fork Benefits of egg whites for the skin : Egg whites are a good source of  protein , and thus can be used to  heal and rebuild the skin .  The protein content in egg whites helps to  absorb excess oil  in the skin and can also provide a  temporary reduction in wrinkles  and give the skin a smoother look.  Besides, the enzyme Lysozyme preserves the skin's natural elasticity and  tightening pores . Method: Wash and steam your face to make blackhead extraction easier. Separate the egg white from the yolk and whisk the egg white. egg white Cut strip/s from a paper towel. I use 2

Hello everyone! My favourite gift this Christmas was a facial sauna .  For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s basically a facial steamer you can use at home. The benefits of facial steaming: Deep skin cleansing. Softens the skin and removes blackheads, dead skin cells and pollution.   Boosts blood circulation, which is essential for the reproduction of new cells. Can reduce acne. Unclogs  stuffed sinuses.  You don’t need facial sauna equipment  to give yourself a steam facial at home.  Follow these instructions to safely steam your face at home, using a bowl and hot water . ·          Pull your hair away from your face. ·          Wash your face with a mild cleanser, and rinse well. ·          Put 5 cups of distilled water into a large pot and bring to a boil. ·          Transfer the hot water to a large glass bowl.   ·          Place your face over the bowl of steaming hot water. ·          Cover your head with a towel.  If

Hello everyone! The   health benefits of lemons are countless , but did you know that they can be particularly beneficial to oily and/or acne-prone skin? What makes the lemon one of the best natural skincare ingredients? The lemon… Is rich in  vitamin C  ( one of the best skin vitamins)  Is a natural astringent Is a natural skin whitener Stimulates blood circulation Lemon juice can be used both topically and internally to achieve soft, smooth and clear skin.  Topical use: Lemons can help heal acne and acne scars.  Citric acid contained in lemon juice exfoliates the skin, which is essential to accelerate the healing of acne. It also acts as an astringent and dries the pimples.  Also, being a natural whitener, lemon juice reduces the redness of pimples naturally. You can dilute the lemon juice with water and use it as a skin toner .  I suggest adding pure lemon juice to a wet cotton ball.  If you have sensitive skin and think that diluted lemon

Hello everyone! Lately, the use of facial brushes seems to be gaining popularity.  There are various facial brushes available on the market; ranging from small manual ones, that look like a toothbrush, to larger electric ones with various attachments. A soft-bristle face brush is used to get a more radiant complexion by gently loosens dead skin cells and impurities while stimulating circulation.  Most brushes are gentle enough for all skin types.  Besides deep cleansing and softening the skin, facial brushing can also help r educes the appearance of acne scars and fine lines. How to use: Splash warm water onto the face and neck and apply your cleansing product.  Gently massage into the skin, using the face brush, in small circular movements, then rinse with warm water.  After use, splash your face with cool water and pat dry .  Follow with a toner and moisturiser suitable for your skin type. If you have whiteheads when using this, make sure to clean your b