A few months ago Kari had written a thorough post about the skin-care routine that suits her sensitive skin. She had mentioned using jojoba and tea-tree oils and sounded so positive about her experiences. It was the final push I needed to try something that's been on my mind for at least five years - I have first come across the concept of using pure essential oils when I was pregnant, five years ago!

I gave them a try. I have already been at the stage when I was using Weleda's Calendula Face Cream from the baby care line, which was the purest product I know of, and had no idea what to use next as I had run out of all other products from the known and unknown brands - none was ever good enough for me to stick to them. Just before Christmas, at a local craft fair, I have spotted a stall where one lady was selling face care oils, basically mixtures of essential oil in jojoba oils base.

Around that time the post about Kendall's skin care had still been fresh on my mind, especially the mention of the electrical skin cleansing brush and I had bought myself a small face brush. Manual

So, my new skin care regime had started: taking the eyes make-up off and washing the face with the gentle facial cleanser, followed by gently massaging in slow circular movements with the brush and finally applying the oil. As Kari had mentioned, I would leave it for a few minutes, then wipe the excess oil off.

I had immediately noticed how my skin absorbed the oil and was so soft and nourished. As a bonus, it smelled so nice.

Within a week I had noticed something else - my skin started feeling a bit tight. It also looked a bit flaky, but I kept massaging it with the brush and applying the oil. I think it must have been some transitional phase and the top layer had simply been replaced by the new skin.

Over the next few days I continued with this simple routine, occasionally using pure tea tree oil and absolutely loving the results. There was nothing unusual happening any more and I was very happy with what it looked like throughout the whole day.

My skin used to look dehydrated and tired from 2pm onwards regardless what moisturizing creams or serums I was using. But now, that feeling is completely gone. My skin is soft and nourished the whole day. The best proof I am on the right track was at the recent holiday - I used to have break-outs, eczema or dry patches which would all happen at the same time and during traveling due to stress and long journey across Europe in an air-conditopned car in winter, but this time none of that happened. When i mentioned how different my skin is, Mr. O said "Yes, it is completely different." I was surprised he had noticed 'before' and 'after'

While jojoba oil feels nourishing, tea tree oil feels so refreshing and cleansing. Every time I put it on I keep staring at my face - it's almost like my skin tone evens out before my eyes, the oil iseems to instantly calm down any random redness that might have been there before.

Also, I do occasionally use gentle scrubs, but that's become pretty irregular now. Before, I really felt my skin needed deep cleansing, and I now I attribute it to my pores feeling clogged. With natural oils and gentle facial massage the need for scrubs had gone.

It's worth saying that I've been using mineral foundation for over a year now and really love how breathable and light it feels on my skin. I think I might be on the same track with regards to the overall skin care.

I am attaching a photo of my entire skin-care kit. From left, clockwise:
1. Eye make-up remover, gentle and really does the job;
2. Facial cleanser, suits my skin and does not leave it dried out or tight after washng;
3. Jojoba oil mix ( it had cost £5 or around $8 and I haven't used 1/10th of it yet)
4. Tea tree oil
5. Facial brush (£3 or under $5)

Sorry for the long post, but I too wanted to share my experience as I definitely think natural oils are well worth a try.