The Skin Breathes... but it also purges

mount st. helens...purging

Recently I received an email from a woman who is devoted to turning around her skin's condition using our range of natural, holistic therapies. For many years she had been using a common OTC drug store brand cleanser and other similar products and attached a picture of her bathroom counter full of brands that are...well, not my favorites.

She writes that the natural scents and silky feel of our Oil Serums, hydrating and essential Facial Tonic HydroSouls, hand-made botanical Facial Moisturizers and fragrant, therapeutic Whipped Shea Butters have already contributed to bringing vitality, softness and suppleness to her skin.

But what also came within a week of her beginning her program of weekly applications of our sun-dried Clay Masks was small, localized break-outs. So she wondered if the Clay Treatments (which are actively detoxifying and drawing) and the Oil Serums were too 'much' or too rich for her skin. I told her to hang in there and allow her skin to purge and release (the skin literally exhales the impurities) the built up toxins from her previous skin care products.

She did, and wrote back within 2 weeks saying her skin had cleared almost immediately (!) after reading my answer and she was thrilled with her skin which is clean and clear. Patience is often our best friend when working with the natural, lunar rhythm of the skin.

The action of blocking, counteracting or suppressing is often how conventional skin care is designed to work, but it goes counter to how the skin is designed to work.

In my capacity as a holistic aesthetician I consider my role as an educator to be the most important. I want my clients and customers to understand from a holistic perspective why their skin is doing what it is doing, and to realize that if they follow the body's innate wisdom, trusting that the skin knows what it is doing and stop manipulating from the outside, that the result will be long term, authentic and lasting clean, soft, supple, glowing and ultimately properly functioning skin.

And who doesn't want that?

Monday August 17 2009

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9 comments

Mint said...

Hi Evan,
My face is like a roller coaster. Sometimes it's clear or sometimes it's broken out really badly. When I mean clear I don't mean nice smooth texture it still looks like there are bumps underneath the skin. I have been on medication, topical meds and tried everything on the market. I decided to give natural skincare a try. I went out and bought your blemish kit. Can I wear makeup while the skin is purging? How do i know if it's purging or if my skin just doesn't agree with natural skincare? Please advise.

Thank you!
Mint

Thursday August 19 2010 05:38 PM PDT

evan said...

Hi Mint,
Well that is a very good question. I encourage my clients in situations similar to yours, and you too, to allow some time for your skin to reestablish balance, and to release the suppressed toxins that the pharmaceuticals have been suppressing. The time will vary but 2 months is not unusual. Every body is different as to how long it will take your digestive system to release the metabolic impurities that have been suppressed - and to regain equilibrium. Your skin participates with your organs of digestion; it is also your external nervous system, and an organ of immunity. It has a lot of functions besides just holding your body together!

RE: Wearing makeup: it depends on how clean your makeup line is, and I haven't seen too many lines that don't contribute to congesting the pores. If you can just hang in there for at least 2 weeks without wearing makeup it will make a big difference. During this cleansing time, our CLAY Masks, either one, used at least once a week are your best friends - the Blemish Roll-On too. In addition, our Facial Tonic Hydrosols will add considerable oil balancing, antiseptic and purifying action to infected, congested and impure skin....Your diet is also important and plays a key role in assisting your body to detoxify. Hope this helps.

Cheers, Evan

Saturday August 21 2010 10:09 PM PDT

Michelle said...

Hi Evan,
I was on an intense regimen of benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin for several years. This definitely kept my skin acne-free, but I started to be concerned about the health of my skin and body. 2 months ago, I switched over to your products, which I love. I noticed instantly that my skin seemed healthier and happier! But about 1 month ago, I started to develop millia on my chin and forehead. The bp and tretinoin used to prevent this, but now its back. I'm using your full line, including the weekly clay mask. Any idea how to keep more bumps from appearing?

Thank you so much!

Monday November 8 2010 10:20 AM PST

evan said...

Hi Michelle
I am glad to hear that you have decided to forego the chemicals! Your skin and the health of your entire body will thank you in the long run. Blocking or suppressing the skin's inherent need to release toxins can lead to a build up of internal toxicity. The skin needs to breathe.

The skin will continue to release deeper toxins over many months. A 60-75 day cycle is not at all unusual and how long it takes to detox will depend on how long you were on the regiment and how your particular system was affected the pharmaceuticals.

The skin, like our body, is constantly changing and adapting us to our inner and outer environment. As the seasons change, so will the skin. The challenge with 'controlling' the skin's eruptions (releasing impurities) is that this very necessary activity should not (and can not) be controlled - the skin is an interactive, reflective and diagnostic organ that reflects ones internal state of health such as: digestion (elimination/assimilation), respiration, hormonal balance, stress, genetics etc...Along with the lungs and the kidneys it is one of three major pathways your body uses to release metabolic impurities.

The skin will clog/congest if you are using *any* products that contain pore-clogging ingredients: the two primary culprits are #1/ makeup (foundation mineral powders are *not* problem free) and #2/ sun block and/or protective creams and lotion. Examine ingredients for petro-chemicals such as mineral oils, bismuth oxychloride, petroleum products, synthetic fragrances and preservatives.

I am glad to hear you are using the CLAY MASKS. They help the skin do the job of releasing and purifying the pores.
Clay exhibits some of the most effective drawing (it draws congested material in the pore to the surface, allowing it to be released) and detoxifying actions of any substance known. A weekly Clay Mask Treatment, (just water and clay!) prefaced by cleansing and either a series of hot steamy washcloths held over face (caution on too hot!) or gently steaming with a facial steamer - will soften and loosen the congestion of milia and/or blackheads in the pores. Follow with an application an Oil Serum, Rose or Blue Day Moisture or my new Light Moisture Replenishing Fluid.
Hope this helps!
Cheers, Evan

Monday November 8 2010 11:04 AM PST

Yoanna said...

Hi Evan,

Thank you again for your amazing products and helpful blog.

I recently went off the birth control pill (after three months) because I felt awful on it. I also developed what was diagnosed as acne on my chin only. I was prescribed a lotion which made my skin there dry and very flaky. I stopped using it after three days. I have been using your blemish stick and green clay mask. So far, these red bumps which only have clear liquid and are hard, small and red haven't improved. Does that sound like acne to you and do you have any advice for me? Th rest of my skin is normal and a bit dry in the winter and I am using the blue line.

Thank you!!

Tuesday November 30 2010 07:23 AM PST

jo said...

may i know if purging follows a certain pattern or it differs from person to person? Does it get worse and worse before it gets better? as right now i don't know if my skin is really purging or it is irritated. lastly, is it possible for the skin to be irritated by organic products? thank you

Tuesday March 22 2011 10:08 PM PDT

evan said...

Hi Jo
RE: your question about whether skin can be irritated by "organic" products, sure they can. There are plenty of organic ingredients such as an "organic" fruit enzyme or an "organic" sugar or fruit acid that can burn the skin, this is very common. Just b/c an ingredient is organic doesn't mean it can't be an allergen or an irritant.

And yes, everyone's skin and skin condition is particular and unique to them...No two skin conditions, or activity are ever exactly the same.

If you are asking if purging always happens when skin is cleansing, in my experience, no, not always. But I can tell you that the skin condtions that DO purge are, in my experience, skin that NEEDS to purge, release and detoxify congestion in the pores.
Often previous skin treatment lines will have contributed to impure skin, ie, skin that is not getting thoroughly cleansed.

Irritated skin vs. purging skin usually will have two distinct appearances, but (not to be confusing) not *always* or necessarily! Again, everybody's skin condition is different.

Irritated skin is often touch and heat sensitive and may not always appear to be releasing impurities.

Purging skin will be releasing toxins - pimples/pustules or cysts are often a sign of purging.

Our Oil Serums, Facial Tonic Hydrosols and Clay Masks are essential to help skin release and activate deep pore cleansing.

Hope this helps.....Evan

Wednesday March 23 2011 05:50 PM PDT

Anne-craig said...

Hello Evan and Team. I just had to write to REJOICE about this wonderful cleanser!

I have spent 20 years and had varying levels of success taming my sensitive/reactive skin but never before have I stood before a mirror and felt a cleanser actually soothing and softening my skin while I am using it. Rather than a ruddy afterglow, this milk leaves a soft glow to my face. I don't wear makeup but I do use a tinted moisturizer and this cleanser removes it better than anything I have ever used.

The wonderful Lavender Hydrosol was my intro to this line and this cleanser has convinced me to try other products. Thank you for these treasures!

Saturday April 16 2011 07:27 AM PDT

evan said...

Hi Anne-craig
Sorry to take so long getting back to you, I just saw this comment!

Thank you for your kind words! I really appreciate your testimonial.....warm regards, evan

Monday May 9 2011 04:52 PM PDT