14 Comments
Jun 13, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Thanks so much for this article Brooke. So timely for me, brilliantly written. For about 10 years now Iā€™ve mostly used ā€˜edibleā€™ products on my skin, such as olive oil and coconut oil - in the last year or so Iā€™ve whipped up a face cream with shea butter, olive and coconut oil (all bought in bulk), which is fabulous. More recently, as Iā€™m getting older (more wrinkles!), Iā€™ve found myself wondering if I should be spending more, buying products that promise the earth, blah blah blah (FYI Iā€™m not on any social media, and donā€™t watch a lot of TV, but adds still seem to make their way to me). Thanks for reminding me of all the reasons I use natural products, and for reminding me itā€™s ok not to have perfect skin! With so much gratitude xx

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

When I was a teen with painfully inflamed acne and blackheads, I tried every product out there, hoping for a cure. None worked, most made it worse I suspect. Somewhere I heard of using honey to draw impurities out. Iā€™d smear honey on my face, lay down for a while and then drape a warm flannel over my face before washing the honey off. It didnā€™t ā€œcureā€ the acne but it definitely made my skin glow and, unlike what the beauty industry offered, feel soothed. It felt healing and kind for my poor face.

Mercifully I grew out of the acne but sometimes Iā€™ll still use honey as a ā€œmaskā€. It still leaves me feeling nourished with health and kindness

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Jun 14, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

The warm flannel afterwards sounds lovely, definitely going to add this to the honey wash when I try it :)

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Hey there! My family likes to gently point out that one could cook with many of the bottles that are in my bathroom cabinet. šŸ˜Š

Yes, I use honey for my face but also olive oil to moisturize. On occasion, I will also use baking soda to brush my teeth. --Best wishes!

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Haha, I also keep a lot of Ā«kitchen waresĀ» in my bathroom cabinets: honey, sugar, himalaya salt, almond oil... Good to hear Iā€™m not alone šŸ˜‚

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Jun 12, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

What a fabulous idea! My skin is very sensitive so the less ingredients the better. I wish I didnā€™t have break outs still, but I do. I think theyā€™re diet-related rather then hormonal. But at 52, who knows?

I currently use a locally made NZ product that is the only product Iā€™ve found that keeps the moisture up to my face.

I might just add honey to the list so I can simplify. Thanks Brooke šŸÆ

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Jun 13, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Ooh, when my current bottle of cleanser runs out Iā€™m going to try this. I havenā€™t got any other natural skincare suggestions but have been using homemade citrus and white vinegar cleaning ā€œproductā€ at home and itā€™s great for all those same reasons

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Jun 12, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Hello all, yes jojoba oil most days all over my body as so far, 1yr on, it keeps my skin condition at bay.

Hallelujah to any natural product that lowers the toxic load on body/liver

Kindest šŸ’ž Joh

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Jun 12, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

Hi Brooke, I haven't tried the honey but I too simplified my skincare routine a few years ago when I came across Jojoba oil. I now use Jojoba oil as a make-up remover, moisturiser (face and body) and also run a very small amount through my hair when it needs taming. As you have said, the joy of avoiding so many questionable ingredients, simplifying another area of my life and turning my back on the slick promises from the beauty industry has been liberating. Can't wait to try the honey face wash.

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Jun 15, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

I haven't gone all natural with my skin care, but I have stopped worrying about anything other than "does it work for me." For example, I've wasted so much time and money on trying to find the perfect moisturizer for my aging dry skin living in a dry climate. Turns out I just needed to ignore the labels and use "night" cream day and night! I think I'll try the honey. It sounds like it might be exactly what I need for a gentle cleanser.

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Jun 16, 2023Liked by Brooke McAlary

I love this Brooke! Thanks for sharing... Iā€™ve been moving away from all the toxic chemicals found in products and only using the simple things that are edible! Itā€™s freeing and as you mentioned so much better on the wallet.

Iā€™m curious as to whether you or anyone else can recommend a clean hair shampoo and so forth and what you guys use :) thanks everyone!

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Thanks for this idea. Since I donā€™t wear makeup anymore I donā€™t use anything for removal. Iā€™m my skin was super dry years ago but I switched s d never wash my face anymore. I use infused oils at night. Iā€™m 50 so Iā€™m adding more oil to keep my skin moisturized more. Iā€™m going to try this and get back to you. ā¤ļø

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Honey is fantastic! Iā€™ve been using it every now and then for a few years, and I feel my skin is softer and not as dry as it usually is, especially during the winters here in Scandinavia. I sometimes mix the honey with macha powder and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes before I go into the shower.

My daily skincare routine consist of a Scandinavian brand cleanser, facial oil from an organic UK brand, and a local organic moisturiser. My night routine is the same cleanser and almond oil to leave on to the next morning. This is definitely a lot less than I used to have, and that feels good.

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I remember you mentioning that you were experimenting with simple/natural skin care. I have been looking forward to you sharing more about this! I feel like skincare is one area that Iā€™ll find hard to simplify/strip back. But I really want to.

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