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Kitchen Therapy by Gianna Paluso
When I hit a roadblock, in any aspect of my life, I hit the kitchen. I cook. Cooking is my escape. I have friends that think I’m crazy because cooking is more of a chore to them. I guess I’m fortunate that it comes so easily to me.
There’s something cathartic about chopping, measuring, mixing. Combining a few humble ingredients to create something else entirely different and spectacular.
As I was in “Kitchen Therapy” today, I got to thinking about how the recipe for great skin is not much different than today’s recipe of choice. They just call for different ingredients.
You could ask 100 people what their recipe is for the perfect pasta sauce and you would hear 100 different answers. The same is true for our skin.
There is a basic core regimen we all should follow: Cleanse, Tone, Treat, Moisturize and Protect. But it’s the ingredients within that regimen that vary from person to person. Like fingerprints, or pasta sauces, no two people are alike. Even if two individuals share the same skin concerns (acne, dry skin, sensitivity, etc.), their personal skin repair solutions can be entirely different.
My skin & I have had our battles – but that’s a story for another day – so I speak from experience. I received tons of recommendations from friends, family & co-workers on how to treat my skin. Everyone swore they used The Best product. And it probably was…for them. But for me, my skin just went further down the spiral. Until I found The Best…for ME.
That’s not to say that, like many women, my skin care concerns don’t vary with the weather. Right now, my recipe for perfect skin consists of products from Ole Henriksen’s line of goodies: Aloe Vera Cleanser, Grease Relief Tonic, Vitamin Plus Creme for daytime & at night the Invigorating Night Gel & Sheer Transformation Creme. Of course, when the dryness of winter sets in, that will probably have to be tweaked a little.
Year-round my favorite body products are Four Truffles’ Smoothers & Body Butters in Lime/Basil/Mandarin. Talk about combining humble ingredients to create something entirely different & spectacular! The Argan Oil from Morocco & African Shea Butter make a luxurious combination. My skin thanks me every day.
As with perfecting your favorite recipes, there is definitely some trial & error involved in finding the skin care products best suited for your concerns and needs. But like that first glorious bite, when you find the items that are perfect for you, your skin will be your greatest reward.
Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite recipes – for your skin or otherwise? I want to hear from you!
Posted Under: Beauty Tips | September 16th, 2009 | 15 Comments
For me, right now it’s Wexler skin care the Anti Aging Cleanser, the two step Microdermabrasion system, the Skin Regenerating Serum and either the Anti Aging SPF 30 Mousturizer or the Intensive Night Reversal Cream. I’m still searching for my perfect eye treatment cream. It’s not in that line.
As for a perfect pasta sauce, it’s anything with lots and lots of cheese!!
I use Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Clarifying Astringent, Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum, and Skin Perfecting Lotion. I love Astara Blue Flame mask or Murad Exfoliating fruit Enzyme Mask once a month. In the winter, I use Murad Hydrating Gel mask. For my body, I use Murad Acne Body Wash and Dove Body Wash, with Cocoa Butter or Murad Body Firming Creme.
I’m so glad that someone finally recognizes that one skin care line is not the “be-all and end-all” of the world’s face! I always felt a little guilty about not using a lot of products. One reason is that I always had pretty good skin naturally. Well, good meaning no wrinkles or blemishes. BUT in my “old” age my skin has become very, very sensitive. I used to use mostly Bioelements. I always bought things that were for sensitive skin, but it didn’t really matter. My face would rebel. Unless I want my eyes to get irritated and either look like I’m turning into a lizard person or swell up like I’ve just been in a prize fight with Mike Tyson (or both), I need to use…Cetaphil products. I know it’s not glamorous and that I will never go for a facial at the Cetaphil spa, but it’s been my saving grace. The best thing for me is the moisturing cream. I put it on at night before I go to bed and it’s glorious in the morning. So…that’s for my fellow sensitive skinners. Ooh OOH!!!
Shea butter for cracked feet and parched skin, cold cucumber slices for swollen tired eyes and and pomegranate lip balm!!!
I enjoyed reading this article. I have what they would call adult acne, not severe but I do experience frequent blemishes. I have gone from using everying from L’Occitane to Neutrogena. I’m currently using Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary, their whole line of Cleanser, Toner, and Oil instead of Moisturizer. It seems to be working. And I’ve also noticed my pores shrinking. Which is a good thing.
An interesting concept of skin recipes.
By the way, the link for marinara is the same recipe I use. Good taste, so yummy! But I put a little more parsley.
So true, what works for you, may not work for me. Right now it’s just cleanse and moisturize. I’m addicted to epicurean products. I’m sensitive to the smells so if it doesn’t smell good on your face at night how can you possible sleep. What about the day…well this is a must. We must smell good to ourselves. Epicurean products make my face glow. Love them.
I have to be very careful with my skin… especially now that I have reached the “50″ mark!!! I have found that the BEST thing for my skin is plenty of “beauty” sleep… it really does work!! If you deprive yourself from sleep – everything suffers! Get your zzzzzzzzzzs everyone!!!!
cold tea bags to take down swelling on the eyes is very good ,
I have to say that Cocoa Butter is a godsend for my dry skin; I even a use a Cocoa butter lip balm. For me, my skin routine starts from the inside out, which means drinking lots of water (at least a gallon per day), and taking supplements like Flaxseed Oil which help greatly to balance my various skin issues. If I have a patch of irritation, I find that Apple Cider Vinegar (or flaxseed oil) work wonders.
As far product lines go, I use the Epicuren Gelle Cleanser for my face, followed by Bioelements Equalizer and their Quick Refiner. I use the Body Shop’s Vitamin E moisturizer for day (with SPF) and for evening on my skin. It seems to do the trick for me.
This is good stuff ladies…I’m gonna jump right in!
Since we did so much walking in New York, my face and feet need serious loving. So last night for my face, I put on my dead sea mud mask and once all the grime was off, I applied argan oil with hydroessential rosemary oil. This morning when I woke up, my face was so fresh and had a nice glow.
As for my feet, I am going to Whole Foods in a bit for some organic almond milk. Warm it up and pour in a basin, soak my feet for a few minutes, apply our rosemary peppermint foot smoother and exfoliate away. As a final touch.. apply our foot butter to keep those heels hydrated!
I am still in search of the perfect skin recipe…for my face, at least. At this time of year, we heat our home with a wood stove, and it just sucks all the moisture out of the air faster than anything I can do to humidify it. We all get crazy dry skin. From the neck down, my skin is happy with slathers of body butter, cocoa and shea butter melts in the tub, and dry oil sprays (Skindecent is one of my favourites!). But my face breaks out like crazy at even the thought of moisturizers.
First of all, everyone contributed lots of great information and tips so a big Thank You to all for participating!
As promised, we do have a winner….!!! It was tough ’cause everyone’s tip was sooo great but we’ve selected Bridget Bivens for her skin recipe and also for adding an extra tidbit about the marinara recipe! We will email you to get your ship to address and send you a 6.2 oz Lime Basil Mandarin.
There’s more good news though…ladies we’re building our blog site and encourage you and your friends to join us so as a Thank You, we will send the rest of you some free samples. We really appreciate everything and hope you will continue to check in and tell your friends about FourTruffles.
Our customer service department will contact you to get your ship to info.
with love, hope, faith & eternity,
the FourTruffles family!
I found your blog inspiring in two ways. I should think more about what I do for my skin. I am absolutely diligent about
moisturizing, but I tend to do what is quick!!! I loved the suggestion about personalizing my skin care, will give that
more thought.
As for your marinara, loved the suggestion. Very much like my time own time tested one, a combination of family,
cookbooks and friends.
Can’t wait to see what your next blog holds for us.
Thanks!!!!
My complexion has always been, I feel, one of my worst features, after all it’s the first thing everyone you meet sees! My skin has been difficult since the teen years. I have tried everything and spent lots trying to figure it out but my sensitive skin reacts with almost everything, including Oil of Olay. With a true combination skin of light acne, dry spots, oily spots and ingrown hair it feels like a never ending battle. I too have finally settled on the unglamorous yet effective Cetaphil line. I appreciate everyone’s input; I can use all the help I can get. My young child also has sensitive skin and uses the same skin care as I.
P.S. I have even heard that mayonnaise is a great night time moisturizer!?
Post is helpful for me to select the viable product.
Thanks 