HEALTHY SKIN

1. Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter, cooler sprays. Long, hot showers strip skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool.
2. Check the dryness of your skin by scratching a small area on your arm or leg with your fingernail. If it leaves a white mark, your skin is indeed dry and needs both moisture and exfoliation (i.e., removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells).
3. Treat your neck and chest like an extension of your face. Your neck and upper chest area is covered by very sensitive skin, making it a prime spot for telltale signs of aging such as dryness, sun spots and wrinkles. To keep this area youthful, use facial cleansing creams that hydrate and cleanse gently rather than deodorant soaps, which can be drying. Top it all off with a good facial moisturizing cream. If this area is extra dry, use a facial moisturizing mask twice a month.
4. Run a humidifier every night to moisturize the air in your bedroom. Not only will it ease itchy, dry skin, you’ll be able to breathe the moist air more easily.
5. Keep your beauty products clean and simple, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Stay away from products with colour, fragrance, or those that produce bubbles or have “antibacterial” on the label. These can all irritate skin.
6. For soft, young-looking hands and feet, slather on moisturizing cream and then slip on thin fabric socks and gloves while you sleep.
7. Tone your skin with a sage, peppermint and witch hazel combination. Sage helps to control oil, peppermint creates a cool tingle and witch hazel helps restore the skin’s protective layer. Combine 4 ounces of witch hazel with 1 teaspoon each of sage and peppermint leaves and steep for one to three days before applying to your skin.
8. Use a loofah daily to keep ingrown hairs and scaly skin under control. While in the shower, gently scrub bumpy or scaly skin with a circular motion to remove dead cells. For extra-smooth skin, sprinkle a few drops of an alpha-hydroxy product on the loofah before scrubbing.
9. Use unscented baby powder to keep areas where skin meets skin—like the inner thighs, underarms, beneath large breasts—clean and dry. This is important to prevent a common skin condition called intertrigo, which occurs when such areas remain moist, fostering the growth of bacteria or fungi.
10. If you’re gearing up for a day in the sun, steer clear of scented lotions and perfumes. Scented products can lead to blotchy skin when exposed to the sun.
11. Smooth aloe vera gel over extra-dry skin. The acids in aloe eat away dead skin cells and speed up the healing process. Cut off an end of an aloe leaf, split open, and spread the gel on the dry area.
12. Plunk your rough, dry elbows into grapefruit halves. First exfoliate your elbows in your bath or shower, then cut a grapefruit in half and rest one elbow on each half, letting them soak for 15 minutes. The acid in the grapefruit provides extra smoothing power.
13. Go for a run, ride your bike, work out in the garden on a hot day—anything that gets you sweating. Sweating is nature’s way of eliminating toxic chemicals that can build up under skin. Plus, regular exercise maintains healthy circulation and blood flow throughout your body, including your skin. If you’re exercising outdoors, though, remember to wear a sunscreen on your face that protects against UVA and UVB rays, or a moisturizer with sunscreen protection.
14. Switch moisturizers every time the seasons change. Your skin needs more moisture in the winter than in the summer. So the same day you bring those sweaters down from the attic for the winter, buy a heavier moisturizer. When you trade in the sweaters for shorts, switch to a lighter one.
15. Avoid these three skin destroyers: Smoking, tanning salons and sunbathing. All three will age your skin prematurely.
16. For double skin protection, apply a cream containing vitamin C to your face over your sunblock. The cream helps prevent facial skin damage, dehydration and wrinkles. Also try skin creams containing vitamin E or beta-carotene.
17. Use a spritzer with rose, sandalwood or bergamot essential oils mixed with water. These oils are great for hydrating the skin. To create a herbal spritzer, mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a small spray bottle and spritz on your face whenever your skin needs a little boost. Your skin is more pliable when it’s hydrated, so a spray helps stave off frown lines and general movement wrinkles. The hydrator also keeps pollutants out and keeps your skin’s natural lubricants in. An added bonus: Your makeup will stay on longer and look more natural.
18. Clean your face and neck with a natural cold cream and follow with a rosewater and glycerin rinse twice a day to remove skin-damaging pollutants.
19. Keep your hands off your face! Because your hands touch so many surfaces, they are a magnet for dirt and germs. Rub your eyes, stroke your chin, cup your cheek and you’ve transferred everything on your hands to your face.
20. Stop with one glass of wine or one alcoholic drink. Overdoing it enlarges the blood vessels near the surface of your facial skin.
21. Never rub your eyes—apply compresses instead. The skin on your face is extremely delicate, especially under your eyes. So use a very light touch on your face at all times. If your eyes itch, apply a cold compress or washcloth to the area, or try a cotton pad moistened with toner or witch hazel.

Home Remedies For a Beautiful Face: DIY Skin Care Products

Home Remedies for a Young Looking Face

A face is the mirror of a personality. People go to extreme lengths to gain that glowing skin and a beautiful face. They spend a lot on cosmetics to try and beautify the face, but if the results are too slow then they change the product or discontinue the treatment.

Try something which is easy to use and will also not result in any side effects. Here are some age old best practices to keep your skin as beautiful as a teenager.

   1) Take the juice of one lemon, 10 ml glycerin and 10 ml rose water—all the three in equal proportions.  Mix all the three constituents and keep it in a glass bottle. Apply this lotion on the face every night before sleeping. This mixture will remove the effects of pollution and stress, and will make your skin smooth and supple. Lemon juice has a property to clean the pores of the skin and that’s why it is especially effective for cleansing and pimple reduction.



          

2) Take three parts carrot, two part tomato and one part beet-- make a juice of the three together. Drinking this juice regularly for 15-20 days can make your skin free of wrinkles, marks, pimples, etc. and makes your skin beautiful. This can be replaced only by carrot juice or orange juice if other materials are not available though the above mixture is much more effective. Carrot juice also helps in acidity and removing stomach worms. Having this juice in the afternoon is best. It is better not to eat anything before and after the juice. You will see a splendid glow on your skin.

3) Mix lemon juice and rose water in equal parts and apply on the face with a circular and gentle motion of the hands. Wash the face with normal water after half an hour. This will help in the removal of pimples and any kind of a mark on the face.

4) Another method of getting rid of the pimples would be to rub the lemon peel on the face and washing the face with warm water. Excellent for oily skin.

Lemon Peel, excellent for getting rid of pimples and blackheads

5) Applying olive oil on the face daily helps you get rid of pimples, blotches, face marks and rashes.

Olive Oil

6) Take 5 very ripe medium size strawberries, 2 teaspoons of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of honey.  Mash the strawberries with a fork. Add cream and honey şnto the mashed strawberries. Apply the mixture over your face and leave it for about 20 minutes. Rinse with water and you're done!

Strawberry Mask

7) Applying 3 teaspoon of yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey will make your face super soft and smooth.

Yogurt and Honey Mask

Never forget: The nature’s medicines are your best doctors!

MINERAL MAKEUP: Healthy Makeup



MINERAL MAKEUP



Mineral makeup is a new cosmetic trend that emphasizes natural health and being eco-friendly by using organic ingredients. Mineral makeup is mostly made up of natural minerals. It does not contain any chemicals, additives, animal byproducts, talc, oil, synthetic fragrances, and other manufactured skin irritants. Mineral makeup is made by pulverizing sterilized minerals into a fine powder that is mixed with natural pigments to produce various shades.





Synthetic ingredients have a negative impact on the skin causing such problems as acne, blackheads, clogged pores, skin irritations, and dry skin. As well, some artificial colors are known as carcinogens. With natural makeup, there is a significantly reduced risk of allergic reactions and acne break outs. The minerals in the makeup consist of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide. Iron oxide gives color to the makeup. Titanium and zinc are a natural anti-inflammatory, and titanium dioxide is a natural sunscreen and provides an SPF of 15 to 20.




 

Most mineral foundations consist of a foundation, concealer, powder and sunscreen. It is great for women with sensitive skin as it provides enhanced skin care. Manufactured make-up tends to be heavy on the face and can cake up on the skin. Organic makeup’s texture is lighter, more natural, and allows your skin to breathe. It is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder that naturally nourishes and protects the skin.

Mineral makeup does not enhance wrinkles like traditional powders. If you have fine lines, wrinkles, or crow’s-feet, the minerals will not accentuate them, but instead, aid in smoothing and covering them up. As well, it is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and ingredients that hydrate the skin and conceal wrinkles. The result is silky, soft, smooth, and healthy skin with a youthful and glowing appearance.





There benefits of wearing organic make over manufactured mass produced makeup are numerous. It does not harm and aggravate the skin with damaging chemicals, oils and chemical additives. As well, it does not obstruct the skin’s pores or create a breeding ground for bacteria, and it protects the skin from damaging UVA rays. It provides the wearer with a natural appearance.



NATURAL APPEARANCE WITH MINERAL MAKEUP





Organic makeup is fast becoming the new choice in beauty care as the ingredients benefit the skin. Most women report that wearing mineral makeup feels like they are not wearing any makeup at all. The minerals benefit the skin as they soothe and alleviate itchy, inflamed, red, bruised, and flaking skin. It also cools the skin and promotes quicker healing time. It will not aggravate your skin even if you sleep while wearing it. As well, it is an affordable way to nourish your skin and get the same quality of skin texture as you would in an expensive spa.

 

For people with sensitive skin or eyes, mineral eye makeup is an excellent option. In some cases people with sensitive skin or allergies have reported reactions to mica or bismuth oxychloride, so always check the labels carefully and either avoid these ingredients or get a sample to test before purchasing.

 

 

 

 

Benefits of mineral makeup

Mineral makeup doesn’t contain any magic ingredient that heals the skin. Its core ingredients, such as mica and titanium dioxide, are used in most makeup. However, it doesn’t have fragrances or binders that may irritate the skin. It may also be beneficial for people who have acne, since titanium oxide has anti-inflammatory properties, and it doesn’t clog pores. Titanium oxide is also used in sunscreen, so it does have some sun protection (but not enough that you don’t need additional sunscreen).

Mineral makeup’s powder formulation also makes it easier for women to choose (or at least mix) shades that approximate their natural skin tone.

 

Disadvantages of mineral makeup

Some people say that the colors can look ashy on darker skin tones. Others complain that it can dry the skin, and may accentuate wrinkles.

Additionally, mineral makeup isn’t something you can apply in the car. You need to pour a bit of the powder from the  lid of the container, and use a kabuki brush or a large fluffy brush to apply.





  

Mineral makeup has transformed the cosmetic industry. It used to be only available at chic spas, but now mineral makeup is available to everyone. In the past few years, mineral makeup has become extremely popular with women of all ages. Wearing mineral makeup will make you look and feel fantastic.

DIY Face Serums

                                   

• Making your own facial serum is really easy! All you need is a carrier oil (or oils!) and essential oils (or oil!) of your choice. Below are a few skin care/facial serum recipes using the essential oils and carrier oils listed above:
   

NATURAL SKIN CARE RECIPES:

1. Moisturizer for Normal Skin 

Geranium 1 drop  
Lavender 2 drops
   Sweet Almond Oil - 1 Tablespoon

Blend essential oils with Almond oil. Apply to face after cleansing and toning. Use a few drops of this blended mixture as needed. Note: when mixing your essential oils with the carrier oil or lotion, let set for 1 to 2 days so the oils can blend thoroughly.

2. Face Serum for Sensitive Skin

• 2 tbsp Almond oil
• 2 tbsp Jojoba oil
• 5 drops Chamomile essential oil
• 5 drops Rose essential oil

3. Face Serum for Mature Skin

• 2 tbsp Jojoba oil
• 5 drops Rosehip oil
• 5 drops Pomegranate seed oil
• 5 drops Carrot seed oil 

4. Antiaging Eye Serum

• 2 tbsp Wheat Germ oil
• 2 tbsp Grapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp Pomegranate oil
• 2 tbsp Carrot seed oil 

5. Antiwrinkle Moisturizer

• 60% Hazelnut oil/ Sesame Oil 
• 20% Rosehip seed oil
• 10% jojoba oil
• 10%2 Rose essential oil 

       


6. Nourishing face serum 

• 2 tbsp Almond oil/Pumpkin seed oil 
• 2 tbsp Rosehip seed oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Neroli essential oil

7. Antiaging Face Serum

• 20% Evening Primrose oil 
• 20% Apricot kernel oil
• 60% Avocado oil 

8. Face Serum for Acne

• 2 tbsp Hazelnut oil
• 2 tbsp Rosehip seed oil
• 5 drops Lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil/ Eucalyptus oil 
• 5 drops Geranium essential oil

9. Face Serum for Dry Skin

• 10% Evening Primrose oil 
• 10% Chamomile essential oil
• 20% Jojoba oil
• 60% Avocado oil 

GOLDEN TIPS

Oils are great for the skin. I learned that oil-based serums are actually wonderful for all types of skin, including mature skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, acne prone skin etc.  Face oils & serums are a wonderful way to heal, moisturize and protect your skin!!! 

And one more thing, last but not the least: while storing these oils, keep them in cool, dry and dark places and their bottles should better be in dark colors so that they are affected less by the sunlight!!!

Enjoy your own homemade serums :)))

Healthy Skin: What Your Skin Needs

SKIN CARE

 

Our skin is the outer most protective layer of our body and is a very sturdy layer. However, there are a few necessities of this integral organ as well, something we must never miss to provide.

Healthy Skin needs:

 

1.Water

The human body is full of water -- it's 55 percent to 75 percent of what we are. Water flushes toxins out of the body, allows our cells to absorb nutrients, and keeps our digestive processes moving smoothly.

But that water isn't a constant. The most basic bodily processes, like breathing and sweating, remove that water from our cells. So for our cells to function properly, we need to consume lots of water to replace what we lose.

The skin is no different from the rest of the body when it comes to needing hydration. Water helps to remove impurities from the skin that can lead to pimples, and it hydrates to keep the skin looking plump and smooth.

To keep the skin hydrated, you should drink at least half a gallon (2 liters) of water each day.

2.Cleansing

Cleansing is the most basic element of any skin-care routine. It not only removes excess dirt, pollutants and pore-clogging oil from the epidermis so it can remain blemish-free, but it also preps the skin for any subsequent products you'll be using, so active ingredients (like vitamins or sunscreen) can penetrate and be most effective.
But not all cleansers are the same. First, a facial cleanser should always be soap-free; the soap products you use on the rest of your body are typically too harsh for the face. And, as with most skin-care products, you need to pick one that suits your skin type. For very dry skin, you might want to go with a creamy cleanser. Dry and/or sensitive skin should always go alcohol-free, whether creamy or not. An oily epidermis can benefit from an acidic cleanser, like an alpha-hydroxy product, which does a better job of breaking up sebum -- the skin's oily secretion that can lead to clogged pores.
Whichever cleanser is right for you, be sure to massage it into your face for at least 20 seconds so it has a chance to do its job.
Cleansing is all about the surface of the skin. Up next, going a bit deeper…

3. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are widely believed to be beneficial for both cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. They're found in all sorts of foods, including fruits, vegetables, seafood and oils. Antioxidants' free-radical-fighting activities destroy molecules that can damage healthy cells, and as it turns out, they're as great for skin cells as they are for every other cell in the body.

While many different antioxidants can be beneficial to the skin, two in particular get lots of attention:

• Vitamin C -- Builds collagen for plump, tight skin. Find it in whole grains, apples and citrus fruits. Aim for 75 milligrams a day .
• Vitamin E -- Protects cell membranes and "boosts" skin-based nutrients that fight off UV damage. Find it in wheat germ oil, almonds, and peanut butter. Aim for 15 milligrams a day.

Other skin-beautifying antioxidants include selenium, thiamine, beta-carotene and zinc.

We should basically obtain antioxidants through our diet. Additionally, we can intake supplements or use antioxidant creams or oils topically.

4. Sun Protection

When you use sunscreen, you're not just helping to protect yourself from diseases like skin cancer; you're also helping to prevent the signs of skin aging that come from sun exposure. Skin that's left naked in the sun ends up more discolored and wrinkled and less elastic than skin that has been steadily shielded from UV radiation.

In fact, what most of us think of as "aged skin" is, more specifically, sun-damaged skin.

To protect your skin from the effects of the sun, you can choose either a chemical sunscreen, like avobenzone or oxybenzone, or a physical one, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Either way, look for one with a sun-protection factor (SPF) greater than 15, and apply it at least 20 minutes before you're going to be in the sun. That way, the active ingredients have time to take effect before the UV exposure begins.

If you go swimming or have occasion to sweat a lot, be sure to reapply afterward.

5.Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are an important component of any healthy diet. They help to build up the lipid-based cell membranes that hold in water and nutrients. In the case of the skin, those lipids also form an oil barrier that protects the skin from UV damage and pollutants.

Without EFAs, skin-cell membranes and that overall protective barrier can't work effectively. The skin ends up overly exposed, dehydrated and prone to produce a more harmful type of sebum, leaving it dry, inflamed and blemished.

The EFAs you need to keep your skin looking great are primarily omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 is found in tons of foods, including poultry, grains and cooking oils, so you're probably getting plenty of that. Omega-3s are somewhat harder to come by; you'll find those in cold-water fish, like salmon and sardines, along with flaxseed and safflower oils, kidney beans, walnuts and spinach. Some skin experts also recommend another EFA, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), for its anti-inflammatory effects. GLA is founds mostly in plant oils.

You might find it helpful to take an omega-3 or GLA supplement to improve your skin health. You'll find those in most grocery stores, and definitely any natural-foods store.

Additionally, you can add gla containing natural oils like borage seed oil or evening primrose oil into your skin care regimen. 

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GOLDEN TIPS FOR GLOWING, GORGEOUS AND HEALTHY SKIN

A good skin takes a few weeks of proper care, attention and regime to revive it. Above all one needs to relax. This will keep you in the pink of health, mentally as well as physically. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body with a healthy skin. For this, a proper and balanced diet is the foremost requirement. You need a proper night's sleep for a healthy body with a healthy skin because this is the time when the body revitalizes and rejuvenates. Lack of proper sleep could invite stress and all other sorts of psychological problems which obviously will affect the skin's health as well.








Some Fast Facts About Our Skin

 
• Skin is considered the largest organ of our body
• It is composed of three layers, namely - the epidermis, the dermis and the sub-cutis
• Sub-cutis is the layer of the skin that accumulates fat
• Our skin cells renew itself almost every 28 days
• The finest layer is on the eye lid
• The amount of pigment melanin in our skin defines the tone of the skin.

Tips for Shiny Healthy Hair

Healthy Shiny Hair

Great hair doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You don’t need to spend money on expensive high-end products, or even go to the salon every month. All it takes is a little tender loving care to get your hair back to its natural health and shine.

 

 

 

Here are 10 Tips for Shiny Healthy Hair:

 

 

Tip#1

Choose the right shampoo and conditioner according to your hair type.

 

 

 

Tip #2

Preventive Care: Don’t let your hair be a victim to the environment. Protect it by deep conditioning once a week or using a hair mask. This will fortify your strands, making them much healthier and easier to manage. So treat your hair to some spa time every week and within a month, you’ll definitely see a difference!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #3

Skip the Heat: I cannot tell you how important it is that you skip the blowdrier/straightener/curler as much as possible! On your days off where you’re not leaving the house for example, why not let your hair air dry to its natural state? The more heat you put on your hair, the more you dry out the strands, leaving your hair weak, brittle, and not very healthy. If you must blowdry every day, make sure you do it at the lowest heat setting possible. Yes, it does take a little longer, but especially for those with thin hair like mine, it can make a world of difference! Also, don’t forget that ceramic irons are much more gentler on your hair than non-ceramic ones, so be sure you use the best kind.

 

Tip #4

Don’t rub! After getting out of the shower, pat your hair dry and then wrap it in a towel. But under no circumstance should you rub your hair dry since that causes breakage which will eventually lead to split ends.

 

Tip #5

Brush With Care: The way you brush your hair is very crucial to its health. Never pull on it too hard – you’ll end up pulling out strands! If your hair gets easily tangled, brush it slowly and with care starting at the ends and working your way up – especially if your hair is wet.

 

 

Tip #6

Skip a Day: One of the best advices I was given by my hairdresser was to not wash my hair every day. Sure, it may sound a little gross, but washing your hair every single day strips it of its natural oils, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. Instead, wash your hair every other day to retain essential oils.

 

Tip#7

Natural Oils: Apply a few drops of castor oil, argan oil or coconut oil all over your hair, especially to the ends after shower before combing your hair. You can apply jojoba oil into the scalp. They all add strength as well as shine to your hair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip#8

Cut your hair every 8 weeks: On average, hair grows at a rate of about one-half inch (1.25cm) per month.This means, between cuts, the hair should have grown about an inch (2.5cm). If your hair is already the length you desire, this means you have an inch to spare, and that inch is the part of the hair that has been the most abused, most mistreated, and most damaged. In short, that inch is ready to retire.

If you are trying to grow your hair longer, this means you can lose the least

healthy half-inch of hair with each trim and still gain 3 inches each year. It may seem like slow progress, but you'll be happier with the results in the end. 

Removing split ends is one of the ways to healthy hair.

 

 

Tip#9
Healthy diet is a must: Dark green vegetables, fish (especially salmon), chicken and turkey, beans and nuts should be consumed. Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color.

Tip#10
Avoid hair dying: If you dont have grey hair, don't dye your hair. Dyes ruin the hair's chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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REMEMBER: A woman's hair is her crowning glory!!!!