In 2007, I burned my face.
Squash I was baking exploded in the oven, and the scalding contents hit my skin like lava. At the ER, doctors told me the damage was permanent. “You’ll always have those scars,” they
said.
But something inside me refused to believe that.
I’ve always been drawn to healing. At age six, I told people I wanted to be a doctor. I became a CNA and phlebotomist at 16,
working in both conventional and holistic health. But this burn became a turning point—one I didn’t ask for, but one that changed everything.
I needed products that didn’t hurt my skin—and nothing worked. Even the “natural” ones left my face red, tight, and broken out. One day I remembered reading that Cleopatra used oils on her skin.
Something about that stayed with me. So I went to the kitchen, grabbed olive oil from the cupboard, and gently applied it to my face.
That simple act opened a door.
I began
researching oils, herbs, and how women through history cared for their skin. Eventually, I became a Master Herbalist through the School of Natural Healing. That’s when everything started to click. Oils weren’t just for moisture—they were for healing.
Cleopatra used botanical oils to maintain her glow. In the Bible, oils were
sacred – used to anoint, restore, and bring life back into the body and spirit. It felt like divine confirmation.
I started formulating my own blends using herbs like neroli, lavender, and frankincense—plants that calm the skin and soothe the soul. I ditched foaming cleansers and started oil cleansing instead. It didn’t just cleanse my
skin—it helped rebuild it.
Why Oils Work
Most store-bought cleansers strip the skin—removing not only dirt and makeup but also the protective oils your body creates. That outer layer, your skin
barrier, holds in moisture, regulates inflammation, and protects you from environmental stress. When it’s stripped away, your skin is left dry, irritated, and vulnerable to sunburns, rashes, and breakouts.
Oil dissolves oil—so cleansing with oils removes impurities without damaging your barrier. It
works with your skin, not against it.
An oil-based system like the one I created to heal my burns doesn’t just cleanse. It:
● Nourishes your skin
barrier, making your skin more resilient over time
● Supports your immune system with naturally antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory herbs
● Encourages lymphatic flow, especially when paired with dry brushing or gua sha
● Restores hydration, clarity, and glow by balancing oil production
● Protects against sun damage by rebuilding your barrier and offering natural SPF from oils.
Many people stop using sunscreen but forget to rebuild the skin’s defenses. Oils are
the missing link. They provide lasting protection by restoring what’s already meant to be there.
Oil cleansing is gentle enough for sensitive or acne-prone skin, and powerful enough to address scarring, inflammation, and premature aging. This is how we heal—from the outside and the inside—with what the earth already
provides.
A System That Heals
Out of this journey, I created what I now call the Healing Happy Method—a skincare system rooted in nature, aligned with the body, and designed to heal
skin from within.
It’s the same method I still use today—and the reason people are shocked when they hear about my burn scars.
I didn’t need chemicals.
I didn’t need Botox.
I needed nature.
And I needed to trust in my body’s ability to heal.
Want to Try It Yourself?
If you’re curious about the exact techniques and tools I use—including my healing oils, gua sha, and dry brushing—I created a free guide to help you begin your own journey.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll
share how I used the healing power of light – yes, light! – to take my skin’s recovery to the next level.
You don’t want to miss it.
-Shell
Michelle Gilbert is a Master Herbalist, Holistic Iridologist, Health Coach, best-selling author, speaker, and founder of The Healing Happy Method—www.thehealinghappymethod.com
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