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When youre a self-proclaimed holistic goddess who practically lives in Whole Foods, theres nothing you havent tried before.
Courtesy of Courtney Leiva
Go ahead, judge me if youd like.
But before you write me off as one of those obnoxious foodie types, hear me out.
Some of the strangest delicacies double as the best DIY beauty remedies.
Courtesy of Courtney Leiva
These products really brighten up the skin, leaving it super hydrated and supple.
So deciding follow the DIY route, I brewed my own kombucha strictly for skincare purposes.
Probiotics are a key part of digestive health.
Courtesy of Courtney Leiva
They are a healthy bacteriafound in fermented food and drinkslike kombucha, kimchi, and kefir.
Regular consumption of these live active cultures helps keep the bad bacteria out of your gut.
New research from theAmerican Academy Of Dermatologystates that topically applied probiotics can have a positive effect onskin health.
Courtesy of Courtney Leiva
And the antimicrobial properties have been effective in treating skin conditions like acne and rosacea.
The unique fermentation process breaks down the ingredients, making them more potent.
Botanicals, fruits, and herbs can be fermented and then used in skincare, says Yoon.
The process also packs in the nutrients, making the ingredients more concentrated and potent.
From a dermatologist standpoint,RealSelfcontributorJoel Schlessinger, M.D.
But does probiotic-rich kombucha have the same benefits?
Courtesy of Courtney Leiva
Black tea kombucha mainly contains acetic acid, glucuronic acid, and gluconic acid, she says.
Per instructions, I started with a big batch of sugared black tea.
Covering the kombucha keeps the insects away, allowing the good bacteria to grow and flourish.
However, where you store your kombucha tea is also key.
Its best to find a dark and warm place to ensure a faster and more effective ferment.
A good brewing temperature is around 75 degrees.
So, I stored my mason jar in a dark kitchen closet.
The hardest part was actually waiting for the tea to ferment.
Even though I didn’t see any red, itchy irritation, a few breakouts did pop up.
My skin tends to be on the temperamental side, especially when I try something new.
So seeing the angry pimples on my chin didnt entirely surprise me.
But not being able to use any zit-shrinking products frustrated me more than the zits.
After the first few days, my acne finally started letting up a bit.
Even when I went to sleep at night my face wasnt sticky, rough, or unbearably dry.
I was also keeping other parts of my routine light.
But once I removed the SCOBY, my skin felt smooth and had a natural shine.
Yes, washing my face with vinegary tea felt weird.
But using it daily makes me feel like I am treating my skin to a cleaner, non-toxic formula.
However, chemists like Wells still believe that kombucha is more effective when consumed as a beverage.
So, will I be using home-brewed kombucha for skincare purposes in the near future?
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