Nectar Skincare

Hi Nicole!

The answer to your question is… no! Nectar is a gentle alternative to existing acne-fighting products. It was not created to “purge” the skin.

I hate that process! Why should my skin get even worse before it gets better? Where’s the logic in making yourself break out if what you really want is clear skin? Using the Nectar Skincare system, you can work your way towards clear skin without the risk of increased break outs and acne. 

• Nectar Skincare products are based in aloe vera. Aloe vera is a tried and true, natural skin-soothing ingredient. It is often used to treat everything from sunburns to skin irritations. Because of this, our products can actually calm enflamed and blemished skin. We build our products around aloe vera so we can include more effective ingredients with little to no irritation. 
• Our products are hypo-allergenic, made without harsh preservatives, free of synthetic fragrances, and paraben-free. Nectar formulas were made with sensitive skin in mind, so we avoided the harmful, comedogenic ingredients that make most people break out.
• You can use Nectar Skincare with prescription medications and topical creams or gels. Though it’s common for prescriptions to cause break outs before clearing the skin, the use of Nectar Skincare in conjunction with prescriptions helps to tone down these breakouts and enhances prescribed regimens. 

The Nectar System is a simple 3 step process:

1. Cleanse with Fresh Face Cleanser: Gently cleanse and naturally exfoliate the skin with this non-foaming gel-cream. Gentle cleansing is the best way to treat acne. Anything too harsh, like medicated cleansers, scrubbing beads, and products that claim to be oil-free can only irritate the skin more and cause more redness and breakouts. 
2. Tone with Skin Soothe Toner: Aloe Vera Juice, Cucumber Juice, and Witch Hazel make this toner especially effective for blemished skin. It is alcohol-free, so it doesn’t dry out the skin or cause the skin to create more oil, and it works as an antiseptic and antibacterial to keep bacteria from infecting the pores. Using an antibacterial product is essential to preventing break outs. You can also ensure less breakouts by using benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin gels after toning. These also prevent bacterial growth from causing pimples and acne. 
3. Moisturize with Day Elixir: When you have acne, it seems counter-productive to use moisturizer. On the contrary! Moisturizer may be what makes or breaks your skin. You need to maintain a good moisture balance in order to stop the skin from overcompensating for what it lacks. Moisturizer also provides a barrier between the skin and everyday environmental pollution, be it smog or makeup. Also, since our moisturizers are very light and aloe-vera based, there’s little risk of irritation.

I truly believe in my own products, and honestly, I haven’t had a breakout in months. I’m extra careful to keep my skin clean and balanced, and knowing what I know now, it’s always best to go gentle if you’re trying to avoid a breakout. :)

So, no, Nectar Skincare won’t make you break out before it begins to clear up your skin. However, it’s on you to take care of your skin on a regular basis!

Thanks for the question, Nicole! Talk to you soon!

Sincerely, Celeste

Questions, comments or suggestions? Leave a comment on our blog at nectarskin.tumblr.com/ask. For more from Nectar Skincare and to learn about our aloe vera gel-based products, go to http://www.nectarskincare.com. Articles and posts are not meant to replace the advice of licensed, medical professionals. If you have concerns, consult your doctor.

We oily-skinned types have it bad, don’t we? If anything, we’ll have great skin for a long time, even as we get older. My dad has very oily skin, and is 57 years old with not a wrinkle in sight. I always have him test my products for oily skin because 1) he’s a doctor, and 2) he is very, very picky about what works and what doesn’t.

Now, onto your question:

Natural things and remedies are great. This is how my interest in creating skin care products started, and I’m sure this is how it will always be. Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing exactly what you’re putting on your face, and understanding what it’s supposed to do. Here are my top 5 natural skin care ingredients; I have used every single one and have incorporated some of these ingredients into my skin care line because they work!

1. Grapeseed Oil, Tea Tree Oil – Grapeseed Oil is a nice, light oil with antimicrobial properties that is helpful for acne-prone and oily skin. This oil is also packed with natural antioxidants. I used to apply this daily, almost like moisturizer. After washing my face, I’d put some grapeseed oil on a cotton ball and just swipe it over my face a few times. Tea Tree Oil also has antimicrobial and antifungal effects, but I’ve found that it’s a bit stronger than the grapeseed oil, and not suited for daily use.
2. Honey – Honey is my holy grail of natural skin care remedies. It’s a natural anti-septic, which is essential for those who have oily and acne prone skin. You can use just plain honey as a facemask too, for healing. You can also add it to your bath to help your skin retain moisture, and you can also use it to create hair removal wax! Most of the time, I just slather it all over my face and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
3. Milk – Got milk? Bathe in it. 3 cups to your bath and you will see the difference! This is less for your face and more for the well-being of your body. Milk has lactic acid, which is able to break down the bonds between the patches of dead skin cells. After a milk bath and some light exfoliation, your skin will feel like new.
4. Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera is the cornerstone of most of Nectar Skincare’s products, mostly because it is super-gentle, hypoallergenic, and healing. If you’re looking for a good, natural moisturizer, Day Elixir Light is an Aloe Vera based cream with seaweed, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid.
5. Milk of Magnesia/Clay – Milk of Magnesia, when used as a mask, does a good job of taming oily skin and absorbing excess oil. You can use it every day or just once or twice a week, and trust me, you will see results. As for clay, whether it’s Fuller’s Earth, Kaolin, French or Umbrian, clay masks can also deeply cleanse your skin, draw out impurities and tone down oiliness.

So there you have it, my dear. Oily skin is totally manageable! 

Questions, comments or suggestions? Leave a comment on our blog at nectarskin.tumblr.com/ask. For more from Nectar Skincare and to learn about our aloe vera gel-based products, go to http://www.nectarskincare.com. Articles and posts are not meant to replace the advice of licensed, medical professionals. If you have concerns, consult your doctor.