Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.
Life is different for every one of us. The joys, the struggles. Some folks have resources available to them and others do not. My dad bought me school clothes when I was fourteen but after he remarried, his new wife had other priorities and I lived in those same clothes through high school and early days of college. Teased by that step-mother about my scabby elbows at 16 (and so much more), I now know that the scaly skin was a sign of malnutrition. I received no dental care, haircuts or practically anything to augment my teenage health. As the first person in my family to go to college, I moved away and supported myself. With little confidence, self-esteem or an understanding of how I would survive, skin care was the last thing on my mind but it embodied the nurturing that I needed.
Anxious ridden, I was quite poor in college, but one thing was clear - I had better be able to care for myself. I set my intent and transferred from an art degree to a geology major. In my sophomore year, I left my cashier position and was hired as an Astrogeologic Technician by the US Geological Survey and began a stable 44-year career in the fields of geology, hydrogeology and hydrology. The salaried position provided me the security that I needed.
That need for security prompted a significant health decision. I knew that when I did not feel well, it was challenging to get through a work day. I made a conscious decision to do everything in my power to maintain my health. As a result, I’ve lived what mainstream culture may refer to as an extraordinarily healthy lifestyle throughout my adult life. This lifestyle provided an important foundation to my Do-It-Yourself (DIY) facial care.
After college, I was able to work full-time, year-round. Despite the steady paychecks for many decades my self-made bank was spread thin. I don’t understand why, but I could never drop the fear of being homeless and began planning hopefully for retirement. Did you know that 70% of women do not have enough money for retirement. Long story short, I spent my money wisely to pay bills, meet my child’s needs and save for my future security. I primarily purchased second-hand clothes, used cars, and minimal skin care. Due to my decision to pursue good health, I chose to purchase organic foods for the health of my daughter, the Earth and me.
Back to my DIY skin care beginnings. I do not care about this, but in college there were no cute clothes and styling, no make-up, hair-dos, costly fun activities or beauty products and not much carefree fun either. College was my chance at survival and my life consisted of classes, work, homework, study and household chores. Saturdays were cleaning and homework days. This is when my weekend facials began. I was compelled to give myself “kitchen facials”. I would apply a thin layer of plain yogurt to my face for an hour, followed by a smashed avocado mask, etc. These facials were inexpensive, easy and paved the way for a lifelong compulsion to practice DIY facial care on myself.
A lack of discretionary income drove my need to DIY many things, including skin care. My DIY skin care practice began small with the kitchen facials. I bought moisturizers and cleansers from the drugstore. I evolved my weekend facial ingredients to include vitamins and other health food store products.
My brain is wired to research. I tend to develop special interests and research them to exhaustion. In the beginning, my skin care references included library books (you could check out 21 books at a time) and used books.
Then came the internet and my love of research could not be satiated. I read skin care forums and journal articles for hours. That’s my brain.
My foray into advanced DIY facial care evolved slowly. I had little spare time and money and I integrated new DIY practices into my routine when I was able. Today, I am addicted to my own facial care products. Yes, I love them all, the DIY toners, creams, lotions, deodorants. Love, love, love. I don’t know, on some level it feels like I nurture myself deeply with these beautiful DIY nature-based skin care products and practices.
Over time, folks began to compliment me on my skin health and they asked me what I do to maintain my skin. When I told them about my skin care practices, most often they did not know what I was talking about. That is why I wrote and published my DIY skin care book in 2015. I compiled information for easy sharing to help others begin their own lifelong DIY skin and facial care practice.
As you well know, life can be exhausting. For an unknown reason, I developed a desire to care for my skin and now I think of these facials as a self-loving, rejuvenating, and comforting form of self-care.
I have no regrets as I dive ever deeper into my special DIY skin and facial care interests.
If you need more information, check out the local library, search the Internet, or check out my past Blog articles. Of course, it would be an honor to me if you purchased my facial care book. Thank you!
Take good care of yourselves!
XO Deborah
This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.