Fight different kinds of Skin problems With Kunzea Essential Oil

There is an essential oil from Australia that is often compared to tea tree oil, and it’s called kunzea essential oil. Even though it is said to be just as powerful as tea tree oil in dealing with an assortment of skin issues, its smell is not as powerful as that of tea tree oil’s, something that many are not particularly fond of.

If you like to know more about kunzea essential oil, read on. Afterwards, share this article to get your essential oil-using family members and friends also introduced to this amazing volatile oil from Down Under!

Kunzea essential oil is obtained from the leaves as well as soft green branches of the kunzea plant via steam distillation. The said plant, which grows widely and abundantly in Tasmania and a few other areas in Australia, is also sometimes known as white kunzea, white cloud, ducane kunzea and tick bush.

The color of kunzea essential oil is pale yellow. Unlike some other essential oils out there, it’s not greasy. The fragrance of this volatile oil can be best described as something fresh, though with a very mild hint of spiciness.

As earlier mentioned, kunzea essential oil is preferred by many over tea tree oil, to which it is often compared, because of its nose-friendly smell. And because of the mild fragrance of this Australian oil, it blends very well with a number of essential oils. Some wonderful examples include sandalwood, lemon myrtle and eucalyptus essential oils.

Kunzea essential oil is not only mild fragrance-wise, but also chemical-wise — so much so that a drop or two of it may be placed directly on the skin even without dilution. Most essential oils out there that are used for dealing with various problems concerning the skin, including tea tree oil, have to be diluted first.

However, experts say that it’s still a good idea for you to do a skin patch test beforehand to make sure that kunzea essential oil won’t cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, mix it with your preferred carrier oil first.

Now that you know kunzea essential oil better, let’s take a look at the many perks it offers:

It Relieves Skin Dryness

A lot of beauty conscious women may count on kunzea essential oil for dealing with dry skin, as well as various other issues that it tends to bring such as flaking and itching. A couple of drops of it may be instilled into the bottle of your hand and body lotion. If you want, you may add a few drops kunzea essential oil to your bathwater.

It Alleviates Insect Bites and Rashes

Daubing a little kunzea essential oil on insect bites allows you to attain much-needed relief from the stinging, burning and itchy sensation. It helps get rid of the unsightly redness, too. You may also rely on this essential oil coming from Down Under for relieving red and painful skin rashes.

It Deals With Skin Infections

Kunzea essential oil is often compared to tea tree oil as both of them are excellent killers of bacteria and fungi that can wreak havoc on the skin. You may employ kunzea essential oil for keeping minor wounds and burns from becoming infected. You may also use it for treating ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch and others.

It Relieves Joint and Muscle Pain

Aside from various problems concerning the skin, kunzea essential oil is also well-known for providing relief from achy, stiff and swollen joints. That’s because it has anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s also known to speed up the repair of injured or damaged tissues. It’s also great for relieving muscle tension and cramps.

Refrain from using kunzea essential oil if you are pregnant. If you are diagnosed with a medical condition, tell your doctor about your plan on using kunzea essential oil for any therapeutic purpose.

You Should Never Apply Moisturizing Lotions with These Chemicals

Be wary of applying moisturizing lotions on your skin! A lot of them provide other things than just moisture, many of which can get to your different organs via the bloodstream once they are absorbed by your skin.

Ingredients that you find hard to read or pronounce are very much likely to be bad for you, and there are tons of scientific researches to prove that. So why do so many manufacturers of moisturizing lotions still use them? Simple: getting them is easy and pocket-friendly.

The best thing you can do is to steer clear of moisturizing lotions that contain ingredients known to be bad for your health. Carefully checking out the label helps you determine whether a product should be allowed in your shopping cart or placed back on the shelf. The following are some ingredients in a lot of moisturizing lotions that you should watch out for:

Parabens

On the current market, thousands of moisturizing lotions and other beauty products contain parabens — compounds that work as preservatives. What makes parabens frowned upon by many medical authorities and consumers is this: they mimic the action of estrogen, thus causing hormonal problems in the body. Parabens are also linked to cancer.

Propylene Glycol

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because you may have encountered it over and over again on the labels of perfumes, deodorants, moisturizing lotions, massage oils and many other cosmetic products. A kind of alcohol that is used as a carrier of fragrances, propylene glycol can cause skin irritation and even problems with the liver and kidneys.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Grab a box or bottle of any cosmetic product that produces foam or bubbles and check out the list of ingredients — chances are it contains sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS. Used as a foaming agent, SLS is also a staple ingredient in so many moisturizing lotions these days. This chemical is known as a carcinogen and may cause skin irritation and hair loss.

Toluene

A chemical obtained from coal tar or petroleum and has a pleasing odor, toluene helps make some of today’s moisturizing lotions smell delightful. Who wants to smell terrific if both the liver and kidneys are placed at risk because of toluene? Experts add that the chemical may also lower your blood cell count and can cause problems with a developing fetus.

Acrylamide

There are so many moisturizing lotions for the face, hands and the rest of the body that contain acrylamide. This chemical is a staple ingredient in a lot of the mentioned cosmetic products as it serves as a binder and stabilizer. In large doses, experts say that acrylamide may cause cancer as well as nerve damage.

Phthalates

The spelling of these chemicals is a dead giveaway that they’re not good for your health. These synthetic ingredients are added to moisturizing lotions to keep them soft. Studies have shown that phthalates may have a negative impact on the hormones because it can mimic estrogen’s action. Also, experts have linked these chemicals to breast cancer.

Be careful because the moisturizing lotion you wish to apply may give you more than just hydrated skin cells. Make it a habit to read the label of any cosmetic product you are intending to buy to safeguard yourself from certain chemicals known to cause an assortment of health problems.

This Simple Turmeric Mask is very good for Dry Skin

This simple to do mask combines the skin benefit of turmeric with coconut oil to soften and moisturize the skin. All you need is to follow this easy steps on how to make it.

Turmeric is not only used to add taste to our food but also as a cosmetic. It is excellent for exfoliating skin that could help you defeat the signs of aging and dry skin. You can also combine it with other ingredients such as coconut oil.

How to make Turmeric mask.

You will need:

1 tsp. turmeric powder
½ tbsp. coconut oil (preferably Organic)

Procedure:

Combine turmeric powder and coconut oil and mix into a paste. Apply to the face, avoiding the direct eye area. Leave for ten minutes, then remove while washing your face with lukewarm water o a warm washcloth. Use a gentle cleanser to remove the rest of the mask, and then pat the face dry. Any yellow discoloration should clear up the next time you wash your face.

Do this every night before going to bed or in the morning before you take a bath and you will see the nice effect on your skin.

Notes: Know if you’re allergic to the ingredients listed above. Consult your doctor for further knowledge.

Orange Peels For Beauty Tips--for Acne, Skin Whitening and Toner

Are you one of those who toss orange peels in the garbage without a second thought? But, did you know that orange peels contain a powerhouse of nutrients which can help to make your skin bright, beautiful and glowing.

Orange peels contain phytonutrients and nutrients which are very beneficial to the skin. In fact, orange peel extracts is an ingredient in most beauty products today. This is because of its effectiveness in reducing acne and brightening skin.

1. Orange Peel for Acne

Oranges are delicious fruits to eat but their peels, which are often thrown away are more useful to your skin, than you have ever thought possible.

Both the orange peels and the juice can help with skin issues. This is because the peel contains more Vitamin C than the actual pulp of the orange.

Orange is also an AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acid, therefore it helps exfoliate your skin. Orange peels on the other hand, helps to clean out your skin by extracting dirt from deep inside the pores.

How to Use Orange Peels for Acne:
1. Remove a peel from an orange and wash away dirt and debris. Then gently rub over your acne.
2. You can also use the whole orange by squeezing a bit of juice out.Then apply the fresh orange juice to each spot, using a cotton swab.

OR

1. Alternatively, you can make the orange peels into a base for your face masks. Take the peel of an orange and put it under direct sunlight for at least 2 days.
2. This will allow the orange peel to dry.
3. Put the peel in the blender to make a fine powder.
4.You can add this orange peel powder as a homemade acne treatment for your DIY mask.

2. Orange Peel for Skin Whitening

Do you have dark spots or blemishes on your skin? Orange peels work as a natural bleach, whichcan help in lightening dark blotches and removing them with time.

Also, orange peels help to deflect harmful UV rays and lighten suntans.

Remember to dilute the orange peel paste when making a face mask. You do not want to burn your skin, as the peels contain lots of citric acid.

How to Use Orange Peels for Skin Whitening:
1. Combine orange peel powder with water to form a paste.
2. Scrub the paste onto one arm.
3. After 2 minutes, rinse it off.
4. Compare this arm with the other. The hand you applied orange peel to will be whiter, brighter and glowing compared to the other one.
5. Apply the same for your face to make it appear whiter and brighter.

3. Orange Peel as Skin Toner

The abundant anti-oxidants and vitamin C in orange peels help in preventing your skin from getting too dry or oily. When applied to skin, these orange peels work as a toner, by removing dirt, dead cells and tightening pores.

Additionally, the calcium in orange peels contributes to anti-oxidant production, which makes dull skin healthy and glowing.

How to Use Orange Peels for Radiant Skin:
1. Place some fresh orange peels in a stainless steel bowl.
2. Pour hot water on it. Then keep it as it is for at least 1 day.
3. On the next day, filter this liquid in a bottle and refrigerate.
4. Wipe your face using a cotton pad with the solution.
5. Leave on your skin to dry.

Easy Picky Way To Clear Pimples Fast with This Diet

We all know how tough it is to battle acne what with all the stress that we are experiencing nowadays. Add to this the environmental factors like dust, smoke, sun, and wind and you’ll feel like your skin is caked with thousands of particles that are irritating your skin. Truth be told, it takes so little for our skin to break out in acne especially when we are constantly working outdoors or are wearing makeup all the time. So if you are tired of having to deal with your acne all the time, you might want to check out this diet that can help clear your pimples up and fast.

Foods to Avoid

You might think that acne is caused by environmental factors only but this is not always so. Your diet can also cause your pores to get clogged depending on what food you are eating. If you want to minimize or prevent acne from getting triggered, you should consider eliminating these foods in your diet as much as possible.

Processed foods

Processed foods are high in saturated fats that are actually causing more oil to be produced by your skin. Unfortunately, this actually causes the pores to get blocked along with dirt, sweat, and makeup particles too causing inflammation on the skin.

Sugar

You should avoid sweets as much as possible because fluctuating blood sugar levels can also wreak havoc on your skin.

Fried and fast foods

If your diet consists mostly of fried and fast foods then you shouldn’t be surprised to find that your face is riddled with acne. The fats and grease that these foods contain can actually cause your skin to produce more oil which can lead to more acne breakouts. Stay away from these foods as much as possible. 

Foods to Have to Fight Acne 

Now that you have an idea on which foods to avoid, you also need to learn which ones will work in your favor in fighting off acne breakouts. The good news is that there are loads of food choices that will make your skin look healthier, smoother, and cleaner too with less acne breakouts to worry about. Sounds good? Here are the foods that will help clear up your skin fast.

Probiotic foods

If you want to fight acne, then you will need to make sure that your digestive system is working perfectly. One way to do this is to have more probiotic foods in your system which can regulate your gut flora. This way, your digestive system will be able to break down the foods you are eating so that the nutrients will be absorbed properly. Yogurt, kefir, and kimchi are just a few examples of foods that are high in probiotics.

Whole grains

You need carbohydrates too in your diet but make sure that you get a source that will not leave you gaining weight and acne prone. Whole grains are perfect sources for complex carbs that will settle in your stomach for hours.

Vegetables

There is no denying the power of eating vegetables when it comes to clearing your skin. For one reason it is packed with antioxidants that can fight off free radicals that are causing damage to your skin. Think dark, leafy greens as well as cruciferous vegetables for they are rich in fiber as well as liver-loving properties that your body needs to keep your skin smooth and free from damage.

Fish

Fish and other types of sea food should also be incorporated into your diet because of the omega-3 fatty acids that are present in them. These fatty acids not only protect your heart but can also prevent acne breakouts from occurring all the time.

Best Way to Use Lemons as Scrub for Your Face, Hands, & Body

The juice of lemon contains the highest amount of vitamin C, which makes it the perfect ingredient in promoting healthier skin with that natural glow. The citric acid that is present in lemon juice helps in removing the dead cells from the deep layers of your skin.

Also, the vitamin C in lemon juice helps in lightening your skin tone, reduces the pigmentation and dark age spots on your skin. Lemon juice is even considered as a natural skin bleaching agent that helps in lightening your skin tone in just a single application.

Now that you know about the amazing qualities of lemon juice, the face scrub recipes below are definitely a must try to get that smooth skin.

1. Lemon with Sugar Hand Scrub

Materials:

1/3 cup olive oil (or you can use any oil of your choice)
2/3 cup sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon (or about 1.5 tbsp)
Pinch of 2 lemon zest

Directions:
1. In a jar, mix together the sugar, oil, zest and lemon juice.
2. Place in the fridge with cover for maximum freshness.
3. You can use the scrub on your hands, elbows, feet, face, knees and body.

Notes:
– The finer the sugar you use, the less rough the scrub will be. You can use a fine white sugar, since those tend to be thinner and more delicate on the skin.
– For a body scrub, you can use a coarser sugar such as brown sugar or even a coarse sea salt.
– If you are using this on your face, make sure to use a cleanser afterwards to remove the oil.

2. Lemon Juice with Honey Face Scrub

Honey contains skin cleansing and skin moisturizing properties. This makes it the perfect food for smooth skin. Combining honey with lemon juice will help in lightening the skin tone, moisturizing it and will also leave it glowing.

Try this incredible remedy to have a glowing skin now!

Materials:

2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoon organic honey
Cotton ball

Directions:
1. Mix the lemon juice and organic honey.
2. Use the cotton ball to dip into the lemon juice and organic honey mixture.
3. Apply it all over your neck and face.
4. Leave on your face for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Wash your face with water and pat your skin dry.

Note:
This mixture can be applied at least twice in a day, for three weeks to have that smooth skin.

3. Lemon and Coffee Body Scrub Recipe

Materials:
Coffee grounds
Lemon zest
Epsom salts (or organic granulated sugar)
Organic coconut oil
Jar

Directions:
1. Put 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil into a microwave safe dish.
2. Put half cup of epsom salt into the coconut oil. Then mix well.
3. Add 2 tablespoon coffee grounds or as you desired.
4. Wash the lemon.
5. Use a zester to remove half of the rind.
6. Add to the coffee scrub mixture.
7. Mix well.
8. Place the mixture into the jar.

How You Can Naturally Reduce Veins in Your Hands

It’s not just those wrinkles on your face that can reveal your actual age, but also those veins in your hands. Unless you put on a pair of gloves all the time, it can be very easy for anyone to guess how old you are by means of your hands. Certainly for an age- and a beauty-conscious woman, having lots of veins in the hands can be bothersome.

While there are a handful of procedures that a cosmetic surgeon may carry out just to get those veins in your hands look less noticeable, each one of those do not come cheap.

Luckily, there are so many other things that you may try doing aside from consulting a cosmetic surgeon just to make your hands appear more youthful. They may not produce instant and dramatic results, but they can help shave off some years on your hands, especially if you perform them on a regular basis.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some all-natural remedies for those unsightly veins in the hands:

Witch Hazel

Known for its superb astringent properties, witch hazel is very good at shrinking the size of those veins in your hands. It’s important for you to apply it on a regular basis for superb results. You may also simply opt for hand lotion that contains witch hazel to moisturize your hands and at the same time shrink those veins.

Cypress Essential Oil

Making cypress essential oil an excellent reducer of those veins in the hands is the fact that it helps improve circulation. As a result, blood is kept from pooling in those blood vessels situated in your hand. Prior to application, dilute cypress essential oil with your preferred carrier oil. Coriander, ginger, cumin and black pepper essential oils work, too!

Vitamin C

One of the reasons why veins in the hands appear as you age is the reduction in collagen, a substance that makes your skin tight and firm. Your body needs vitamin C for optimum collagen production, and that’s why you should include in your diet vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers, kiwis, papayas, guavas and oranges.

Ample Sunscreen

It’s also a wonderful idea for you to generously apply sunscreen on your hands if you want to reduce the appearance of veins on them. Aside from the process of aging, sun damage is also another reason why collagen depletion happens. When heading out during the day, reach for a bottle of sunscreen and apply.

Paraffin Wax

So many age- and beauty-conscious women swear by the effectiveness of paraffin wax treatments in reducing veins in the hands and also for making the hands look younger in general. Aside from getting such treatment at a local beauty salon or spa, you may also get your hands on at-home paraffin wax products.

Do you have family members and friends who are bothered by the large and highly noticeable veins in their hands? Then have this article reposted on your various social media sites to let them know how they could make those unattractive veins in the hands go away, allowing them to conceal their real age without problem!

Kind Of Exercises You Need To Do To Burn More Calories Compared to Running

Most people turn to running when they are trying to lose weight or staying fit, but the constant pounding on the streets can take a toll on your knees and ankles. Also, you may think that you are losing a considerable amount of weight with running but you might be surprised to find that it is going to take you a while before you see any results. Fortunately, there are other exercises that you can turn to that will you help you burn more calories than what you have expected with running. Here are some workout suggestions for you try.

Rowing

If you want to burn some serious calories without risking getting injured then you better try the rowing machine. You will need to go 200 watts for this machine to get a decent burn on your muscles. You will find that rowing machines have watts listed on them so you can get to choose the intensity of your workout. As an added bonus, you can get to work on your back muscles too. Not bad, right?

Kettlebell swing
Have you ever tried swinging the kettlebell? Well, studies show that you are burning 20.2 calories per minute with the kettlebell with the heart rate at 93% maximum in just 20 minutes of training. This explosive workout targets your glutes and quads with every swing that you do because you will need to control the weight of the kettlebell to avoid letting it fly. 

Indoor cycling
If you are looking for another workout that will help you burn more calories, try indoor cycling. You will need to go 200 watts or more on this indoor cycling machine to start burning calories. If your indoor cycling doesn’t have any watts posted on the display, simply turn the resistance to high to really give your muscles the challenge that it is looking for. You will feel a nice burn on your legs and you will be sweating your fats pretty soon.

Burpees
How about a little bodyweight workout to torch some serious fats? Burpees are one of the best ways for you to get your metabolism up and running. This exercise combines squat, kickbacks, push, up and explosive jumping all rolled into one. Do as many reps as you can in 1 minute and you will find yourself feeling out of breath and your muscles straining to complete each rep. You know you are getting a decent workout with this exercise pretty soon.

Kickboxing
Another possible exercise that will be good for your body and your weight is to do some kickboxing sessions. Just an hour or two of kickboxing is going to make you sweat tons but the best part is that you will be toning more than just your arms and legs but your core too.

If you are getting bored with running or you want to make your workouts a little more challenging to really get your weight down, then mix and match these exercises in your routine.

Amazing Beauty Benefits of Using Sea Salt

Sea salt is a well-known seasoning. It is also often employed as a home remedy for a wide variety of problems, ranging from oral sores to athlete’s foot.

However, sea salt is often despised by people with heart disease or those who want to evade it because it’s known to make the blood pressure increase if taken in high amounts. It is also something abhorred by individuals who want to be spotted with svelte figures because too much of it in the diet can cause water retention.

But there really is no need to shun sea salt out of your life provided that it is used sparingly. And if you’re someone who is conscious about the looks, you can actually make sea salt as a part of your various beauty regimens! Cheap and all-natural, sea salt can help you look amazing and feel confident.

So without further ado, here are some of the best sea salt beauty benefits:

Radiant Complexion
You can add a teaspoon of sea salt to a little olive oil, coconut oil or any other vegetable oil that you have easy access to. Gently massage the mixture on your face and neck for a minute or two, and then have your faced washed thoroughly with mild soap and water to make it look glowing. Just a couple of things to remember: do this sea salt exfoliation as gently as you can, and perform this no more than two times a week.

Lighter and Smoother Dark Areas
Frustrated that your ankles, knees and elbows are so much darker than the rest of your body, not to mention really rough, too? Then you may employ the sea salt exfoliating solution mentioned above. Perform it twice a week before you take your shower or bath for best results. Remember to moisturize generously afterwards!

Improved Acne
Sea salt possesses antimicrobial properties, and that’s why it is often dissolved in water and used as gargle for dealing with oral sores, gum inflammation and sore throat. You may also take advantage of sea salt’s ability to eliminate bacteria if you suffer from acne. All you have to do is dissolve a teaspoon of it in half a cup of water, and use a cotton ball to apply to problem areas. After several minutes, wash your face.

Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles
The same solution above may also be employed if you want to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face and neck, or you want to make sure that none of them will show up. According to scientific investigations, minerals present in sea salt are actually capable of reducing skin aging by a whopping 40 percent!

Eczema and Psoriasis Remedy
Without any doubt, the presence of eczema or psoriasis can make you feel uncomfortable and less confident. Fortunately, any of the said skin conditions is something that can be managed in a super cheap and effective manner, and that involves the use of sea salt. Dissolve a cup of sea salt in your lukewarm bathwater and then soak in it for several minutes. By doing this on a regular basis, you can rest assured that eczema or psoriasis won’t bug you as much.

Accelerated Hair Growth
Earlier, it was mentioned that sea salt packs tons of minerals. It’s exactly for such reason why you may use the well-known seasoning and home remedy for various health problems in speeding up the growth of your hair. What you need to do is combine sea salt with coconut oil which, as everybody knows, is phenomenal for the hair. Gently massage the resulting mixture on your scalp while in the shower, just before you shampoo.

The Biggest Skincare Mistake You never Knew You Were Making

The question: Is exfoliating every day bad for your skin? The answer: Yes.

I first tested this hypothesis after experimenting with daily exfoliation for a week (I diligently swiped my face with Biologique Recherché P50 exfoliating tonermorning and night.) Why? A well-known British blogger/aesthetician said it left the skin smoother, more radiant, and it allowed for maximum product absorption of serums, oils, and creams. Hopeful as ever, I followed her advice—and, after just five days, ended up looking more like a sun-baked Tom Hanks in Castaway than a glowing goddess. In other words, my cheeks were rash-y and inflamed, and my complexion looked splotchy and red.

With this skin care misadventure in mind, I was determined to find out how often you really should exfoliate to stay on the right side of smooth, polished skin. My investigation led me to three skin care experts, who unanimously agree that two to three times per week will almost always suffice. Here's their breakdown…

Why is exfoliating every day bad for the skin?

"Exfoliating every day can strip the skin of its natural oils, which can cause breakouts," says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. "It can also cause irritation because you're removing the top layer of skin before it can heal."

Negative, long-term effects are also a concern. Says Shen Beauty aesthetician Carrie Lindsey: "Over time, it can actually thin the skin and cause it to wrinkle more easily. Plus, the skin is a smart organ and sheds dead skin cells on its own; if we exfoliate too often, it can actually slow cell turnover." Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., agrees. "Over-exfoliating can cause chronic skin irritation and inflammation, which can lead to accelerated aging," she says.

How often should you exfoliate?

"Two to three times a week for normal and combination skin, and once a week for sensitive skin," says Dr. Tanzi. (As a refresher, combination skin is oily through the T-zone with dry cheeks, normal skin has the same amount of oil throughout, and sensitive skin gets red and irritated easily.)

What exfoliants should you use if you have normal or combination skin?

According to Vargas, "a versatile exfoliant that is both mechanical (removes dead skin cells through friction) and chemical (dissolves dead skin cells using enzymes or acids) is best. It allows you to scrub your problem (oilier) areas and be more gentle with the drier parts of your face." The key is to look for an exfoliant that also contains calming properties to reduce inflammation from breakouts (her own Exfoliating Mask has the anti-inflammatory agents galactoarabinan). We also like Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub, which contains jojoba and bamboo beads that easily slough away dead skin cells, while cinnamon and apple enzymes gently purify pores.

What if you have sensitive skin?

For skin that irritates easily, Dr. Tanzi recommends "very gentle, smooth bead exfoliants (just make sure they're not plastic beads, which can harm the environment) because they gently remove debris and aren't overly harsh." As someone with sensitive skin, I am attached to Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with orange extract, which contains tiny silica microbeads that aren't overly abrasive. Plus, the orange extract is super-invigorating and wakes me up on those mornings when I am especially sluggish. I use it in the shower once a week, and always emerge with a brighter, more luminous complexion.

What should you use after you exfoliate?

Vargas suggests a serum (we like Odacité Vitamin C Serum) "to really soothe and penetrate the skin right after exfoliation so the skin gets an instant vitamin boost." If you are in need of hydration more than a radiance boost, Tanzi follows up with a moisturizer "to replace any lost oils from the exfoliation process." As far as toners go, according to Vargas and Dr. Tanzi, if you have sensitive skin like I do, it's best to use exfoliating toners like P50 one to two times a week. Otherwise, every other day at the maximum for normal and combination skin types. Now that I have found my sweet spot with P50 and a twice a week exfoliation, my skin has evened out and the splotchiness has abated. Even better, it's got that glow!

Do-It-Yourself Face Masks for Skin Problems

Our face can become dry at times, causing flakes to appear. There are times when it is too oily for comfort that we just want to halt our skin’s oil production just to have clear looking skin. We all have experienced different types of skin problems at one point in our lives, and because of this, many of us have relied on face masks to relieve them as much as possible.

But why spend a lot on commercially made face masks when you can make your own? There are several DIY face mask recipes that you can try depending on what kind of skin problem you need to fix. Here are some examples of face masks recipes to take advantage of.

Avocado oatmeal mask

If you have dry and flaky skin, you can make your own face mask by mixing some avocado and oatmeal together. Avocado is a common ingredient in many beauty products as it is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E which is important in rejuvenating, repairing, and nourishing the skin. The oatmeal, on the other hand, can help exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells while reducing inflammation and redness. Mash half of an avocado and mix it with a cup of raw oatmeal until you create a paste. Apply on your face and massage for a few minutes. Leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse afterwards.

Nutmeg and honey mask

Acne problem affects millions of people regardless of age. Fortunately, you can alleviate this problem by preparing some nutmeg, milk, and honey. Mix the three ingredients thoroughly then apply on your face. Massage gently then leave it on for half an hour. Rinse afterwards cold water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Cucumber, aloe, and oat mask

Large pores on your skin can invite dirt, oil, and sweat to clog them hence it is always a good idea to use a face mask that will help reduce their size significantly. One particular face mask that you can make is the cucumber, aloe vera, and oatmeal face mask. The cucumber here can help stimulate your skin while shrinking the pores. The oatmeal, on the other hand, exfoliates the skin while the aloe vera can help soothe and repair damaged skin. Peel the skin off a cucumber and process it until smooth. Add a teaspoon of aloe vera or honey to the pureed cucumber. Grind some oatmeal in a coffee grinder and pour the powder into the mix then blend thoroughly. Apply the face mask on your face using circular motion then leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash your face afterwards and pat your face dry.

Aloe, coconut oil, and honey mask

If you are worried about the wrinkles and other signs of aging that are starting to appear on your face, you can prepare a face mask that uses aloe vera, coconut oil, and honey. Harvest the gel from an aloe vera leaf and mix it with some honey and coconut oil. Smooth the mask on your face and leave it on for half an hour. Wash the face mask off using lukewarm water.

Coffee and cocoa mask

We all drink coffee to perk us up in the morning but did you know that you can also use it to wake your skin up? Another plus to using coffee on your skin is that it beats back inflammation and reduces puffiness too. Cocoa, on the other hand, contains plenty of antioxidants that can help heal your skin. For this DIY face mask, you will need ½ cup of ground organic coffee beans, a cup of unsweetened milk, a tablespoon of honey, ½ cup of organic, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix the coffee grounds and cocoa powder in a bowl then add the milk. Stir completely until you create a paste. Fold in the lemon juice as well as honey then apply on your face. Leave it on to dry then wash afterwards.