From The Organic Advisory Line December 2002 (with ammendments)

This is a collection of little secrets to help you protect your skin. Keep in mind, written mainly for people with acne, but there are many tips that absolutely apply to other skin conditions like wrinkles, puffiness, discoloration and much more. These suggestions can truly transform your skin into the soft, smooth, clear complexion you’ve always wanted.... Pass it on...

DRINK LOTS OF CLEAN WATER
Distilled is the purest water available, and if you use a good water filter this is also very helpful. Drinking water throughout the day will keep your body effectively flushing toxins through your kidneys instead of your skin. Remember, your body is around 70% water and if your cells get dehydrated, they will not be able to function well. You must have an abundance of water to perform every task the body requires which of course includes repairing damaged cells which will help your skin heal and keep it healthy.

DO NOT OVER-WASH YOUR FACE
This is the hardest thing in the world to do if you're broken out. But, if you're skin is very dry then your body will over-produce oils to replenish your overly-dried skin thereby causing acne. This becomes a vicious cycle whereby you have to wash your face to keep it clean, but washing too much can actually cause you to break out! It is very important to promote the natural balance of your skin by not washing more than twice a day and also using moisturizers and toners that don't clog pores.

GET AN ALOE VERA PLANT
If you have any scars or red marks on your skin just cut off a small piece of the aloe plant, break open the leaf and apply. This can be done every day. When done shaving, rub the gel on your skin and tender spots or cuts and same goes for your legs. Aloe Vera has been used for thousands of years and has been called a miracle plant for its healing properties. Watch razor burn diminish and cuts heal quickly.

YOUR SKIN IS BEGGING FOR NUTRIENTS
Make sure you are getting all the nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy. It is vitally important you are eating and drinking natural & organic nutrients all day long. An obvious one is Vitamin E - a great source for this is Unrefined Wheat Germ Oil (about 220% RDA of Vitamin E per serving) which you can get at any health food store.

ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND FACIAL MASKS
Once in a while, instead of using soap, moisturizer and/or toner, mix about 2-3 cups of distilled water with a 1/2 cup of raw, organic, unfiltered Organic Apple Cider vinegar. You can buy this at any health store and it is very cheap. Apple Cider vinegar is extremely anti-bacterial, alkalizing and soothing to the skin. You could also use a mask If you use clays, make sure they are pure and mix them with Apple Cider vinegar instead of water. This is a very deep cleanse and nourishing to the skin. Also, consider taking saunas, steam baths, or at home - very hot baths you will sweat out a lot of toxins and feel great. Afterward, cool off with a shower, and splash on some watered down Apple Cider vinegar.

EXFOLIATE DEAD SKIN CELLS
Use a small, soft loofah sponge to exfoliate all the dead skin cells and dirt which clog pores. Washing with just your hands may not be enough, because you will not scrub away some of the dirt and dead skin cells that can clog your pores. Scrub very softly with warm water and your face soap. One quick and easy scrub is sugar (or salt for a body scrub) and some organic olive oil. The salt scrub is more course but great for a body scrub. You just need to make sure you have no open cuts or sores. Sugar facial scrubs are great just before a shower to insure you are able to remove all the sugar from your face.

CLEAN OUT OLD WASTE
It is also vitally important that you clean yourself out so all of the toxins stuck in your body go out through your colon instead of your skin. Eat a lot more fibre as this will keep your colon clean and greatly increase your body's ability to eliminate toxins. You need to eat more organic whole grains (wild rice, brown rice, millet, quinoa), organic fresh fruits (blueberries, dates, figs, etc.), organic fresh raw vegetables chewed well, beans (not re-fried or with lard), and organic nuts (raw, unsalted). I think getting a colon cleanse from the health food store and cleaning the bowel once a year is also good body care for everyone.

RAW GARLIC IS NATURE’S MOST POTENT HERB
Use only raw organic garlic by putting at least 3 cloves in a blender with juice of your choice (I like carrot) and drink it down. It will make the drink a little spicy, that's all. Garlic is the best, most effective broad spectrum anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-fungal herb known. It kills all the bad guys without harming any of the good guys. In fact, in laboratory tests, it has been diluted to 1 part in 125,000 and still killed bacteria. So, yes, it’s great if you get sick or have a virus of any kind. It's good for your heart and blood - whole books have been written about it, but remember, it must be raw. Your skin will not break out as often if you have some raw garlic in your system.

GET A GOOD SHOWER FILTER
Filters will take out the chlorine, fluoride, copper, pathogens, viruses, dirt, and other horrible pollutants. Remember, you're trying to clean your skin and hair. The last thing you want to do is add in more toxins that will age your skin, dry your hair, and make you break out. Toxins like parabens in your shampoo and conditioner can also affect your skin. Use warm water and only organic soap when washing your face and body then cool water to rinse off and close your pores.

CUT OUT THE SUGAR
Some Researchers call acne "Diabetes of the Skin", meaning your body has great difficulty digesting sugar. Cut way down on sugar for a week or two and see if there's any effect. This includes soft drinks and every other food that contains a high quantity of sugar. It may seem like a tuff task but I have done it with several clients and they have seen the benefits first hand and wouldn’t think of going back to the white toxin that sugar should really be thought of. The highs and lows that sugar creates in your body has far reaching effects on all parts of your body function.

CUT OUT THE JUNK
You consume toxins everyday in processed foods, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, cheese, chocolate, cream, eggs, fried foods, hydrogenated oils, margarine, fish, meat, poultry, and butter. A lot of these foods are laced with antibiotics, poisons, chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, toxins. Eat with awareness and sensitivity so that you know what your body and skin react to the worst. Some of these foods are essential to good health but living primarily on one food group or if you are attracted to oils then consider adding beneficial oil like fish oil or omega 3 and 6 to your diet. You will find you crave less chips or fatty foods when your body has enough of the "good fats". Look for Certified Organic Foods if at all possible.

WASH YOUR PILLOWCASES AND TOWELS FREQUENTLY
There is a tremendous build up of dirt and oils from your hair and skin that ends up on your pillow and sheets. Anything that touches your face should be clean and fresh. Also do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets on anything that is going to touch your skin.

STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE
I know this is a hard thing to do but see if you can bring more awareness to what you are doing with your hands in relationship to your face. You will find acne developing wherever you scratch, rest your hands or play with your face. Watch carefully during the day and wash your hand if you find you are touching your face often.

USE ALL ORGANIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
Use skin-care products that don't create free radicals and attack your body with more toxins. Use products that will nourish, protect, and clean your skin with nutrients without causing irritation, dryness, acne, or any of the other serious problems associated with almost all commercial skin-care products.

BREATH
Your skin is the largest organ you have and it is closely related to the lungs. The skin functions, breaths and circulates oxygen and other substances like the lungs do. This is why using organic products is so important. When you breathe deep you help the skin do its work. (Oxygen in - toxins out)! Also breathing helps relax the body and requires little work on your part to give your body what it really needs to keep you healthy. Talk to your skin and let it know how important it is to you. Sounds nutty – do it anyway. You aren’t lying!