Anyone who knows me knows not only am I a health/organic/natural nut, but I also love makeup!...(Okay, well, on some days anyway. Ha ha!) We all know makeup has myriads of unhealthy chemicals, as do the removers. I try to stick with healthy makeup choices the best I can, such as Burt's Bees & Physician's Formula. Only thing is, it's been difficult to find a deep & effective makeup REMOVER. As much as I love my makeup, I love smooth, clean, clear, makeup free skin even more. Over time though, makeup build up in your pores can cause all sorts of problems & we ladies all know- we got enough of those! Little did I know the best natural makeup remover ever was sitting right in my kitchen cabinet. What was it?
Grapeseed Oil.
When I first found out about this, I was a little skeptical because I already have natural oily skin, so putting an oil on it didn't sound too appealing but I decided to try it anyway. Oh my gosh, am I glad I did. My makeup came off in an effortless breeze. My stubborn eyeliner came off, eye shadow, powder, blush, etc. When I finished removing the makeup, I then washed my face with warm water & then wiped my face with a Burt's Bee makeup remover wipe. Not one bit of makeup showed & anytime it ever has, it's just been in hard to reach places where I didn't want to put much oil on. My skin also started looking brighter, I felt more air coming to my pores & my skin felt baby bum soft. Grapeseed oil doesn't only just help your makeup routine though. Let's take a look at where grapeseed oil comes from & some of it's other stellar benefits:
What is Grape Seed Oil?
Grape seed extract & it's oil is derived from the seeds of a grape. Due to their nutritional & medicinal properties grapes, their seeds, & leaves have been used in many home remedies for centuries. Grape Seed Oil is a great source of polyphenols - flavonoids, Essential Fatty Acid - linoleic acid, vitamin E, & oligomeric proanthocyanidin. These great components make grape seed extract an asset in the treatment of many minor to severe health conditions. It has also been used in the production of massage oils and balms, hair & hygienic products, face & body moisturizers, as well as in sunblocks & sunburn ointments.
What are the Benefits of Grape Seed Oil?
Studies suggest that Grape Seed Oil & its Extract constitute anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-histamine, anti-aging, anti-allergic, antimicrobial, & adaptogenic activity. Therefore, it has been beneficial in the treatment of a number of health issues which include: arthritis, edema, dermatitis, acne, wrinkles, dry and itchy skin, age spots, sun burns, chapped lips, wounds, bruising, stretch marks, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, chronic venous insufficiency, premature aging, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), weight loss, stress, dandruff, hair loss, warts, cardiovascular diseases especially atherosclerosis, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, visual impairment, cataract, & macular degeneration. Studies also suggest that its free radical scavenging activity may strengthen the immune system & reduce the risk of developing cancer.
So, it turns out that that cooking aid is a lot more versatile than we first suspected! Here's a few tips I will leave you with:
- Always try your best to only use ORGANIC or NON-GMO grapeseed oil.
- When applying the oil to more sensitive areas such as the eyes, I recommend putting a sparing amount of the oil on a cotton ball. To get even more precise, dip a cotton swab (Q-tip) in the oil then use to remove eyeliner.
- Avoid putting the oil down the drain. Wipe your face off with tissues or a softer paper towel, then wash your face.
- If you don't want to always use the oil every time you remove makeup, I do suggest you at least use it once or twice a week for a deep clean for your pores.
Happy makeup up removing!
