Tag Archives: Skincare

Teas For Healthier Skin & Hair

There is nothing more relaxing than drinking a hot cup of tea after a long day.  The benefits to drinking a cup of tea are numerous.  Not only are you hydrating your body inside and out, many teas contain amazing healing properties for your skin and hair.

Green tea – Probably the most well know tea used for healthy skin and hair.  This tea is rich in antioxidants and usually used as a healthy substitute to coffee and caffeinated beverages.  Green tea can also be used for a cleanser, toner, face mask and hair care. 

Chamomile tea – Made from the chamomile flower, chamomile tea is known for its amazing healing power.  This tea is said to accelerate the healing of minor cuts, bruises and scrapes.  It has also been used as a skin bleach, which provides your face with a healthy, natural glow.  Like green tea, chamomile tea is loaded with antioxidants and can also be used to diminish acne breakouts.

Oolong tea – This traditional Chinese tea has been said to hold anti-aging benefits.   This tea promotes healthy, shiny hair and can prevent hair loss.  Also to be noted, Oolong tea has said to be associated in alleviating stress and mood swings, and promoting healthy bone development. 

Peppermint tea – This caffeine free tea can help those who experience frequent skin irritations.  It can also help to diminish bug bites, rashes and burns.  The menthol in peppermint tea also helps heal those prone to acne and oily skin.  Peppermint tea has also been used to help stimulate/promote hair growth.  Peppermint soothes the blood vessels at your scalp, which then boosts blood flow at the roots.

There are hundreds of teas on the supermarket shelves for purchase and each tea holds its own special benefits.  Just remember that many teas contain caffeine, so it always wise to exercise caution in how much is consumed. 

Sunburn Relief 101

So you did it…you burned yourself crispy.  You don’t need the guilt trip associated with three to four days of discomfort and several days of peeling ahead.  We have all heard that dreaded phrase “you should have used sunscreen” and hopefully you learned your lesson.  Now you need a course of action to prevent/minimize the pain and peeling associated with your sunburn.

Milk – Soak a small towel in cold milk and lightly pat the cloth on the effected areas.  This is probably the most cost effective and quickest methods to easing your sunburn pain, while simultaneously creating a layer of protein to protect your skin and help it heal.

Yogurt – Also milk based, yogurt holds large amounts of probiotics and enzymes that help heal a sunburn.  Be sure to use plain live cultured yogurt when applying to the burn.  Let the yogurt sit for five minutes on the skin before rinsing off with cool or luke-warm water.

Aloe Vera – This treatment has been around forever, but it still works as effectively as ever.  Aloe vera  cools and alleviates immediate pain, while also helping to remove the redness from your sunburn.

Cucumber Slices or Paste – Place cucumber slices on sunburned areas can help soothe burned skin.  This miracle vegetable not only helps to relieve the burn but is loaded with antioxidants to promote healing.  If you plan on making a cucumber paste in the blender you can also add some aloe vera to the mixture for additional soothing properties.

Hydrate – You literally just burnt your skin, so there is a good chance you are somewhat dehydrated as well.  Your sunburn has also dried your skin out.  Make sure you are drinking plenty of water during this time to heal your skin.

There are dozens of other ways to help limit pain and discomfort identified with your sunburn.  These are just a few of the treatments I have chosen today.  Potato, witch hazel, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar and mint are just a few of the others I did not have time to touch today.  Just keep in mind the true prevention to a sunburn is to apply sunscreen regularly.

 

Remedies For Oil Prone Skin

Many women struggle with controlling oily skin. On top of that, numerous over the counter products promise to minimize oil but just end up drying out your face. You would be surprised by some of the simple steps one can take to eliminate or minimize oil prone skin.

1. Apply milk to your face – It has been said that milk can assist in moisturizing your face, while simultaneously not creating additional oil production. Try dipping a cotton ball in milk and applying to your face. When the milk has dried on your skin, wash it off with cold/luke-warm water.

2. Try using citrus as a natural astringent – Lemon and lime juice, citrus essential oils have been used as a natural home remedy for fighting oil prone skin. However, to avoid any irritation make sure to mix your citrus products with water or lotion.  It is best to use citrus as part of your nighttime ritual and in the morning apply sunscreen if you are planning to be in the sun as citrus can make skin photo sensitive.

3. Washing your face regularly – I know it sounds simple but washing your face two times a day is important to control oil. Keep in mind that if you wash your face too much, your skin can react by producing more oil. And when washing, try using cold/luke-warm water which has been shown effective in controlling oily skin. You don’t need to necessarily buy an organic cleanser, as not all cleansing products are bad.

4. Drink lots of water – Another simple trick that will keep your skin hydrated. Staying hydrated can help regulate your skins oil production. Drinking water helps to moisturize your body, thus sending a message to your brain that oil is no longer needed.

As always, every product works differently on each person so it’s important to remember that you may have to try several different products/natural remedies before you find the right combination for you.

Beauty Benefits of Coconut Oil

From disease and sickness prevention, to skin care and beauty, there are hundreds of ways to benefit from coconut oil.  This super food has been used throughout the ages for its healing and nutrient rich properties.  Today I am going to list four ways to use coconut in your daily beauty routine.

1. The hair mask – Are you struggling with dry and damaged hair?  Try putting coconut oil on the tips on your hair 30-60 minutes before your shower.  Do this two-three times a week and you will notice softer and more manageable tresses.

2. Makeup remover – Instead of using harsh makeup remove towelettes, try using coconut oil to remove that stubborn eye makeup.  You will be surprised at home much easier your makeup comes off.  However, if you tend to have skin prone to breakouts be sure to use a cleanser after removing your makeup.

3. Lotion and body oil – Use coconut oil straight out of the shower on your body.  It helps to keep your skin soft for prolonged periods of time and it smells great.

4. Shaving cream – Traditional shaving creams tend to leave skin dry and irritable. However, using coconut oil in your shaving ritual leaves your legs feeling smooth and can help prevent razor burn.

If you do plan on taking up coconut oil as a regular part of your beauty routine, make sure you are buying organic extra-virgin coconut oil that is cold pressed and unrefined.

10 Benefits To The Green Smoothie

Are you feeling tired and rundown? Are you having a hard time keeping up with your day-to-day activities? I have been there. Which is why I had to make a change in my daily living habits. I could write for days on the benefits of the green smoothie, as I am a huge supporter of its nutritional value. I personally drink one every morning to start my day. But besides its amazing nutritional value, here are other ways the green smoothie is liquid gold (or should I say green).

1. A green smoothie a day keeps the sickness at bay. Green smoothies help to build a stronger immune system.

2. Drinking regular green smoothies leads to healthier skin, hair and nails.

3. Green smoothies can help accelerate your metabolism, thus helping to lose or control weight. This does not mean you need to live off a diet of green smoothies to lose weight. It simply means that a green smoothie can act as a wonderful addition to your diet.

4. The green smoothie has many anti-aging properties. It can help your body and skin stay hydrated, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

5. It can help improve joint and bone function.

6. Because the green smoothie requires limited digestion, all its nutritional properties are rapidly absorbed into your digestive system, while also giving your digestive system a rest.

7. Removes impurities such as carcinogens from our body.

8. When you are putting good fruits and vegetables into your body, your body will reward you. Thus why the green smoothie is a wonderful energy booster.

9. Fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer and heart disease, so adding a green smoothie to your daily routine can lower your risk for future diseases.

10. A regular diet of healthy foods will help naturally curb your cravings for junk food.