GET RID OF DARK CIRCLES!

🐼GET RID OF DARK CIRCLES!🐼

🙈do you have: Puffy under eyes? DARK CIRCLES? Wrinkles? then try these DIY eye patches- which will not only remove puffiness, but itll get rid of wrinkles over time and lighten up those dark Chanel circles.. HOW? more on that later.

👓to make the EYE PATCHES:
✅Boil 1/2 CUP WATER with CHAMOMILE Tea
✅add 1TSP of AGAR AGAR to thicken
✅WHISK until smooth
✅spread flat onto wax paper and let cool
cut horseshoe eyepatch shapes

💉to make the EYE SERUM:
✅1/2 TSP VITAMIN E
✅5 EVENING PRIMROSE OIL Pills
✅Mix together

🍔Apply the eye serum to the eye patches and sandwich them in pairs for both your eyes
❄️REFRIGERATE UNTIL USE - the COLD patches will reduce puffiness

🌚Apply to your undereye for 10-15 mins before bed
🌬Pat in left over eye serum

💥WHY THIS WORKS!💥
🌞CHAMOMILE tea NATURALLY BLEACHES dark circles to lighten and brighten the under eye
-it is also anti-inflammitory so it will help with the puffiness
💦VITAMIN E is extremely moisturizing, anti-aging, restores collagen, anti-oxidant and fades discolouration!
👶🏾EVENING PRIMROSE OIL is the secret to anti-aging! it is used in many expensive eye creams because its great for reducing wrinkles, dark circles and any under eye concern you may have because its HIGH in fatty acids so it keeps the under eye youthful. Prevents dark circles, and makes your skin more tight and firm.

Disclaimer: As with any skin care regimen, always do a test patch first to see if your skin is allergic to any of the ingredients. Everyone's skin is different, so result can vary from person to person. I can not vouch for any substitute ingredients. This post is provided for information and educational purposes. It is not designed or intended to constitute medical advice. Please discontinue use if your skin does not react well to the regimen.

THE SINGLE BEST WAY TO PREVENT CROW’S FEET

THE SINGLE BEST WAY TO PREVENT CROW’S FEET

"Creams and serums are terrific, but the best way to prevent Crow's Feet is to wear large, fashionable sunglasses as often as possible! The frames not only look glamorous, but actually block the sun from toasting you delicate under eye area. Be sure they offer UV protection!"

Why you should To Exfoliate Your Armpits?

In the hierarchy of skin-care priorities, tending to our armpits falls pretty low. Of course, if you asked us, we'd say that we like our underarms to be free of sweat, smell, bumps, and maybe stubble (if you choose to remove hair there), but then we'd have to admit that we don't spend very much energy on getting them there. Instead, we rough them up with razors, swipe a bit of deodorant or anti-perspirant across them, and will them to cooperate whenever we're hot, active, or stressed.




The problem with that plan? It turns out our underarms are a lot more delicate (read: needy) than we've been led to believe. So, if you want to get rid of pesky bumps, discoloration, and odor, you’re going to have to give them a little more of the same TLC you bestow upon your face.

Before we get into that, though, a brief lesson on the anatomy of an armpit: As dermatologist Jessica Weiser, MD, of New York Dermatology Group, explains, the surface of the underarm has two kinds of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are the ones you have all over your body that regulate your temperature. They produce clear, odor-free sweat when you’re doing things like walking down the street on a hot summer day, or doing circuits at Barry's Bootcamp. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are only found in areas with a lot of hair growth. They secrete fluid when the body is under emotional or psychological stress, and that fluid gets broken down by your skin’s bacteria to create what Dr. Weiser refers to as “an unpleasant odor,” and what the rest of us call BO.

But that’s not all. The hair follicles in the underarm can also get clogged with dead skin cells or residue from your deodorant. The most annoying part? Simply shaving the delicate area on the regular is enough to throw your armpits out of wack. Shaving is, yes, exfoliation — but it's a very aggressive form of it, and it makes it easier for dirt, bacteria, and irritants, like alcohol-based deodorants, to build up in the follicles. Not only that, it leads to ingrowns, which darken the area over time. And while there are plenty of creams that promise to lighten your underarms, Dr. Weiser says they often don’t actually get to the root of the issue. 

“

IT TURNS OUT OUR UNDERARMS ARE A LOT MORE DELICATE (READ: NEEDY) THAN WE'VE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE.

”

The good news, according to Dr. Weiser, is that a healthy armpit will look and smell pretty good — and you only have to add a few simple steps to your routine to get it there. It's important to remember, says Dr. Weiser, that “above all, underarms should be treated gently, as the skin in that area is very sensitive and easily irritated."

You don’t have to actually give them a facial (phew, because holding our arms above our heads while a mud mask dries isn't exactly our idea of a good time), but she does suggest using a soft washcloth or a gentle scrub to lightly exfoliate in the shower two to three times per week. Most of us can get away with using a body scrub or a bit of plain sugar, but if your skin is especially sensitive, use your facial exfoliator. “For more severe congestion, try a glycolic- or lactic-acid cleanser to help chemically break down dead skin cells,” Dr. Weiser advises.

In her professional opinion, if you choose to remove hair, laser is your best bet to avoid irritation and discoloration, but she recognizes that it can be expensive and impossible for some skin types. “If you are going to shave, do it in the shower with warm water and a shaving gel or cream to soften the hair,” she says. “Change your razor blade every five shaves for best results, and keep your razor dry in-between uses to prevent bacterial and fungal growth on the blades. And don’t forget to shave in the direction of hair growth!”

Ideally, you should shave at night to allow your skin to heal and take a break from gels and creams, says Dr. Weiser. Then, consider the deodorant or anti-perspirant you've been using. If you suffer from uneven skin tone and dark patches, some brands, like Dove, make formulations designed to help soothe irritation and prevent future discoloration.

However, it's often alcohol, the primary ingredient in many traditional deodorants, that causes irritation in the first place, so Dr. Weiser suggests trying a natural crystal or mineral deodorant instead. Another option: an activated-charcoal deodorant, like the one from Kaia Naturals, which can help to absorb sweat, bacteria, and pollutants from the skin’s surface. Note that these products haven’t been studied enough to show consistent efficacy, but they’re worth considering if you want to make the switch from traditional aluminum-based anti-perspirants.

The most important thing you can do to maintain the health of your armpits is also the most important thing you can do for your face (aside from wearing sunscreen): Wash them every single day. You wouldn’t leave makeup, dirt, and grime on your face at the end of the day and expect it to remain clear and breakout-free, now would you?

Reduce your Sun Spots Naturally!

I am a child of the sun.

I spent the majority of my childhood playing outdoors under the warm California sun. Whether we were at tennis practice, hiking Jack London State Park, jumping waves in Bodega Bay, or simply playing in the field (country living, right?), the sun’s rays were a constant comrade. Back then, the sun would leave tiny freckles across the bridge of my nose and lightly dust my cheeks — sun kisses or sun freckles we called them. Now, many years later, I am still drawn to the sun as ever. Any free moment I have is spent outside hiking, swimming, or kicking back in the patio with a book and cold drink. The only thing that has changed is the trace that the sun leaves on my skin. Sweet sun freckles have been replaced with dark sun spots.

Though I wear sunscreen everyday, I am prone to hyperpigmentation, a common skin condition that occurs as a result of excess melanin production in the body and can cause uneven skin color and dark patches. Prolonged sun exposure, inflammation, acne, or hormonal imbalance can trigger excess melanin. Though my sun spots are mostly on my face, hyperpigmentation can also occur anywhere else on the body. For several years, I have tried expensive creams and fancy oils to reduce the look of dark spots but nothing has worked — anyone who also has dark spots knows how frustrating this can be.

I recently came across an article about the benefits of turmeric, a spice that is native to Southern Asia from the ginger family of plants. The stems — or rhizomes — of the plant are harvested, dried, and usually pounded to create a fine, yellow-gold powder. It is commonly used in cooking but has also been used to treat inflammation, skin wounds, and even liver disorder in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It also has a wide variety of beauty benefits, including reducing the appearance of dark sun spots.

Turmeric:

Acts as an antioxidant. Circumin, the yellow pigment and active ingredient in turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant that combats premature aging. An antioxidant protects cells from free radicals and environmental toxins that can damage cells over time, resulting in aging.

Reduces inflammation. Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Some people add a pinch of turmeric to their daily regimen to help reduce inflammation.

Has antibacterial properties. Not only can you combat colds and sore throats with turmeric, the spice can be applied to cuts and wounds to prevent infection.

Some people believe that turmeric is an effective ingredient in treating acne and sun spots due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. I wanted to put it to the test so I researched different ways to safely apply it to my skin in the form of a mask:

Turmeric Face Mask

Ingredients:

Pinch of turmeric. I recommend starting with a small pinch and gradually adding more as you see fit. The turmeric will make your mask a yellow-to-orange color. Personally I use a small portion of turmeric so my mask is a lighter yellow.

2 Tbsp organic plain yogurt. Yogurt is a gentle ingredient that evens out skin complexion and brightens skin due to the lactic acid.

Juice from half of a lemon. Lemons contain citric acid which helps to lighten dark spots. They also act as a natural exfoliator. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend using much less lemon or skip the lemon altogether.

2 Tbsp cucumber juice. Cucumbers bind collagen and help firm skin. Cucumbers also have an incredible cooling effect.

1 Tbsp aloe vera gel. Aloe vera works on hyper-pigmented skin due to the mucilaginous polysaccharides in the gel. It removes dead skin cells and promotes regeneration of new skin cells. Aloe vera also has natural salicylic acid that keeps skin clear.

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Once it is mixed, it should be a little runny. You can either apply to the affected area or to your entire face. Because turmeric stains, and might leave your fingertips a shade of yellow, I recommend using the back of a spoon or a brush to apply. I also recommend wearing a shirt you wouldn’t mind staining if the mask accidentally drips onto it.

Keep the mask on for 15-20 minutes. If it dries and feels tight, try adding more yogurt next time.

Rinse with warm water. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen after!

After the mask, my face feels soft and has a much brighter glow. I am anxious to see how my sun spots reduce in a few weeks!

There are many different turmeric face masks out there so I suggest researching a few to find one that is best suited for your specific skin type.


Source: blog.freepeople.com

Freedom from Acne - Clear Skin from your pantry & Refrigerator!

Acne is a common skin problem that affects all ages. This is more often seen in teenagers due to their increased hormone levels in their body. Apart from hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, wrong usage of products, unhealthy eating habits, hectic lifestyles also cause breakouts on your skin.

Remember there no definitive cure for this for all skin types. However, home remedies, botanical and organic products are always best to try. We never know which one suits best and when it comes to skin be sure you try out the right ones that have zero reactions. 

Let me tell you some proven home remedies that can help you prevent or reduce the problem, which are definitely available in your pantry or your refrigerator.

1. Toothpaste 

This is one of the easiest home remedy for acne. The regular toothpaste that we use to clean our teeth can be used to reduce acne.

Directions: Apply a small amount of white tooth paste (Note: I am talking about white ones, not the gel toothpastes) on the affected area and leave it over night. This will help reduce the swelling and gets the acne dried. You should see the difference in a day or two.

2. Lemons

This is well known fact that Lemons are high in acidic property and hence these are very useful to treat acne. Lemon juice will help clean out the dirt from the pores and will harden the sebum.

Directions: Rub a slice of lemon on the affected area and leave it for sometime. You can also try mixing lemon juice with rose water and applying on the affected area. (Note: If you feel it is over drying your skin, use it 2-3 times a week instead of daily)

3. Honey & Cinnamon

Yes, you read it right. We do wonder sticky and spicy cinnamon on face? True, they make a killer combo when it comes to acne reduction. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties that will help those acne bacteria out.

Directions: Mix two tbsp of honey and one tbsp of cinnamon until they blend and form a thick paste. Apply this mask on your face or just on the spots and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off completely and pat dry. (Note: This is a sticky mixture so make sure you have enough paper towels handy)

4. Tea Tree Oil

This is yet another popular remedy for acne treatment. This acts as an antiseptic and disinfects the pores. It also kills the bacteria that caused the acne at first place.

Directions: Just apply a drop of Tea Tree Oil on the affected area three times a day. (Note: highly concentrated ones may cause irritation to few skin types, if so, take 5% concentrated one and repeat the process)

5. Orange peel paste

Thanks to vitamin C, astringent properties and citric acid present in oranges. Vitamin C promotes the growth of new healthy cells keeping the skin in better condition

Directions: Grind two orange peels and make a paste by adding little water to it. Apply this on face or just on the spots and leave it for 20 minutes. Ideally it should become dry and then wash your face with water, pat it dry.

6. Oatmeal

This is very beneficial to skin because it cleanses your skin and also absorbs excess oil present on the face. Hence this best suits for oily skins. 

Directions: Mix 1tbsp of honey, lemon juice from half sliced lemon and a cup of cooked oatmeal. Rub this mixture on your face and leave it for 30minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water and pat dry. Do this twice a week for best results.