Facial Scrub Recipe and At-Home Chemical Peel Recipes.

Good morning, beauties!

Prior to discovering this facial scrub recipes, there was not a single exfoliator that I could use! Every single thing I tried either dried my skin terribly or broke me out! So, I resorted to using a facial sponge and my facial cleanser. However, I have now found the most incredible exfoliator ever - it is so gentle and I cannot tell you just how wonderful my face feels afterwards! I use this as part of my evening routine. This recipe makes enough for 5-7 days - I just keep it in a sealed container:

1/4 cup oatmeal (grounded by my food processor) - yes, I'm a firm believer in the power of oatmeal!!!
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup mineral water (I like Perrier lemon sparkling mineral water)

*Mix all together and gently scrub in circular motions over your face for 1-2 minutes.

Now, if you've been following my blog this week, perhaps you've noticed how everything is tying in together! On Monday, I boasted the benefits of vitamins and minerals for the skin. I hopefully explained how amazing they are when included in your diet. Now, in this recipe, you will further benefit! It's recommended to avoid using tap water because the salts and calcium in it can dry your skin. Mineral water is believed to be better because its high silica content strengthens the spongy cells in between collagen and elastin fibres and plumps the skin. The lemon in this particular brand of mineral water brightens your skin and helps to fade any sun spots or uneven pigmentation. (*LOVE*)

Now, as promised, more information about light chemical peels!

Light chemical peels contain alpha hydroxy acids and/or beta hydroxy acids.
Chemical peels primarily containing alpha hydroxy acids may be referred to as “AHA chemical peels” or “ glycolic acid peels.” Glycolic acid is the most common type of alpha hydroxy acid used in skin care. Salicylic acid chemical peels are the most common type of beta hydroxy acid peel.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are derived from fruit, sugar, sour milk, and other natural sources. AHA chemical peels often contain:

Glycolic acid (extracted from sugar cane)
Lactic acid (extracted from milk)
Malic acid (extracted from pears and apples)
Citric acid (extracted from oranges and lemons)
Tartaric acid (extracted from grapes)
Beta hydroxy acids are simple organic acids derived from fruit. When a physician refers to “ salicylic acid chemical peels,” he or she is referring to a beta hydroxy acid. Though closely related to alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids differ slightly in their molecular structure, and rejuvenate the skin in a slightly different way.

The most common beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, has been used for decades as an acne remedy, and salicylic acid chemical peels are especially effective in eliminating acne. Beta hydroxy acids are helpful because they can exfoliate oily skin and deeply penetrate the skin with no irritation.

Regardless of the specific type, alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids gently rejuvenate the skin and encourage skin cell regeneration with little or no irritation or discomfort. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and other alpha hydroxy acids are so gentle, in fact, that they are common ingredients in home skin care products, and patients who undergo a light chemical peel may be asked to use such products to improve on their results.

A few at home recipes:

Alpha Hydroxy Skin Peel Recipe
Note: when using this peel for the first time, keep on the skin for only 1-2 minutes to make sure there is no skin irritation.

Ingredients: 1 cup fresh pineapple; half-a-cup fresh papaya; 2 tablespoons honey.

Preparation: Puree pineapple and papaya in a blender. Add honey and mix thoroughly.

Usage: Wash your face, and then apply the mixture to your skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for no more than 5 minutes (less if you have sensitive skin), then rinse with cool water. When done, apply a moisturizer. Don't use more than once a week.

More ingredients that can be used as remedies:

Malic acid: Apples, vinegar, applesauce, cider.
Lactic acid: Buttermilk, yogurt, powdered skim milk, sour cream, blackberries, tomatoes
Tartaric Acid: Grapes, grape juice, wine, cream of tartar
Citric Acid: Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruit, and orange
Glycolic acid: Sugar cane

All you need is about one half a teaspoon of liquid per face cleansing. You can freshly squeeze the juice of one lemon, for example, and refrigerate the leftovers for the rest of the week. Just dab some of the juice onto your fingers and pat on your face. Leave on for 10 minutes or so before rinsing. If you are in a rush, just cut a grape or strawberry in half-whatever you happen to have on hand-and rub it over your skin; let the juice set for a few minutes, and then rinse.

Additional Recipes containing Alpha Hydroxy Acid

Yogurt & Oatmeal mask
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. plain yogurt; 1 tbsp. oatmeal; 1 tbsp honey

Preparation: Simply mix ingredients together to form a paste. To avoid clumps, you may grind oatmeal into a powder before mixing it with other ingredients.

Usage: Wash your face. Massage face with the paste in a circular motion. Keep on for a minute or two then rinse off

Yogurt and aloe healing mask
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp aloe gel (or a fresh aloe leaf)

Preparation: Simply mix ingredients together to form a paste. (Aloe gel can be purchased in a health food store. Alternatively, you can take a fresh aloe leaf, remove the skin and mash the pulp.

Usage: Wash your face. Massage face with the paste in a circular motion. Keep on for a minute or two then rinse off

My Personal Favorite!!!
500 mg tablet of Vitamin C (pulverized to a powder)
2 Tbsp. honey
(Yes, that's all!!!)

Place the vitamin C powder in a small cup or bowl, add the honey, and stir until completely blended. Apply to your face, Use all of the honey mixture for one application. Keep this on your face no more than 10 minutes. Then rinse your face with cool water. Apply a moisturizer afterward.

I hope this info was helpful!!

Till next time, XOXO!!

Getting Gorgeous Skin From The Inside, Part 2

Good morning, beauties! To pick up where I left off yesterday, I wanted to go a little further into the discussion of the importance of vitamins & minerals and the skin benefits that they provide! Today, I'm going to dive into the "How much do I need?" and the "Where can I get them?", as well as a little extra side information. Please keep in mind that this info is just a guide. It cannot be used to treat or diagnose. If you have any questions regarding your health, please be sure to see your physician!

Vitamin C

• How much do I need? - approximately 60 mg


• Where can I get it? - Citrus fruits (lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit), papaya, broccoli, brussel sprouts, strawberries, cauliflower, spinach, and cantaloupe


• Signs of too little? - Anemia, sore gums, joint pain, nose bleeds, nausea.


• Signs of too much? - Nausea, diarrhea, and cramps. Extremely high doses can interfere with white blood cells ability to kill bacteria. High doses can cause scurvy (condition characterized by general weakness, anemia , gum disease (gingivitis), and skin hemorrhages ).

Vitamin E

• How much do I need? - approximately 15 mg


• Where can I get it? -Vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, nuts, fortified cereals, egg yolk, olives, and sunflower seeds


• Signs of too little? - Anemia, swelling


• Signs of too much? - Fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, and skin disorders

Vitamin A

• How much do I need? - approximately 4000 I.U.


• Where can I get it? - Carrots, broccoli, squash, spinach, kale, and sweet potatoes, fortified milk, butter, cheese, eggs, and liver


• Signs of too little? - Night blindness, diarrhea, abnormalities of skin and bone development


• Signs of too much? - Joint pain, skin rashes, severe headaches, constipation. Can stop menstruation

Vitamin K

• How much do I need? - approximately 60-80 mcg


• Where can I get it? - Leafy, green vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage, and soybeans


• Signs of too little? - Increases likelihood of bruising and bleeding


• Signs of too much? - Can interfere with some anti-clotting medications. Can cause liver problems

Selenium

• How much do I need? - approximately 55 mcg


• Where can I get it? - Beef, poultry (especially organ meats), brown rice, and whole grains


• Signs of too little? - Muscle weakness, and fatigue


• Signs of too much? - Fatigue, skin sores, hair loss, dizziness, nausea, and anxiety.

Copper

• How much do I need? - 2 mg


• Where can I get it? - Shellfish, nuts, seeds, liver, kidneys, and legumes


• Signs of too little? - May cause high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, anemia, fragile bones, and can increase the risk of heart attack.


• Signs of too much? - Stomachache, nausea, muscle pain

Zinc

• How much do I need? - approximately 12-15 mg


• Where can I get it? - Beef, pork, poultry, seafood, grains, and bran

What about B-complex?

B-Complex actually refers to a collection of 8 B vitamins: thiamin(B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), cobalamine (B12), folic acid (B9) , pantothenic acid (B5) and biotin. Each of these perform individually and each have their own purpose within the body. Check out this website for some really good information regarding B-complex: www.acu-cell.com/bx.html

Now, if your head is spinning as much as mine was when I was going through all of this information, you can do as I do - try to eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, take a multi-vitamin, and call it a day! I just like knowing that I am a little more informed of the importance of what I put in my body!

Till next time, XOXO!!

Getting Gorgeous Skin From The Inside, Part I

Happy Monday lovelies! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, as well as a good week last week! My trip to the beach was extremely relaxing and I was not exactly eager to return to normal life! What is it about vacations that just leave you wanting more? Ahh, yes - the escape! :) During my trip, I stopped by the nail salon and had a french manicure done, so no Nail Polish of the Week this week. I would show you the Strawberry Margarita OPI polish I have on my toes, but feet disgust me and I just would not do that to you guys! And now, as summer is coming to an end, I wanted to spend some time discussing skin care and perhaps reversing some of the damage that's been done while basking in the heat of the summer sun - and, yes, I fall victim to that as well! So, let's talk skin care!

Just like the rest of you, I'm all about searching for the perfect facial wash, skin cream or lotion, etc. that will give me the flawless complexion that every product claims to offer. I have what I like to call "moody" skin - some products will work wonders, some will do more damage, and some will work for a while then stop. The one thing that remains consistent in helping my skin is what I put into my body, not always what I put on it.

In addition to the mantra of 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, there are important nutrients that feed your skin and keep it looking its best:

• Vitamin C - Vitamin C has been shown to counter the effects of sun exposure. It works by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals destroy collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. Defnitely not what we want to see any earlier than we have to! Include in your diet plenty of vitamin-C rich foods (citrus and vegetables, among others), which can replace the loss of the vitamin through the skin. You can also take vitamin C supplements, up to 500 to 1,000 milligrams of per day. Combined with vitamin E (see below), vitamin C supplements can also protect skin from sun exposure.
  You can also try a topical vitamin C cream to encourage collagen production. Use a formula containing the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C, the only one that can penetrate skin layers and do the job.


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  Vitamin E - Like vitamin C, this potent antioxidant helps reduce the harmful effects of the sun on the skin. Taking 400 units of vitamin E daily appeared to reduce the risk of sun damage to cells as well as reduce the production of cancer-causing cells. Some studies show that when vitamins E and A are taken together, people show a 70% reduction in basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
  Vitamin E can also help reduce wrinkles and make your skin look and feel smoother. (Be aware, though, that some recent research warns that large doses of vitamin E can be harmful. Stay with 400 international units per day or less to be on the safe side.) Used in a cream, lotion, or serum form, vitamin E can soothe dry, rough skin. I have personally found it useful on scars! I will open a capsule and rub the oil on a fresh wound and it decreases the scarring tremendously!


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  Vitamin A - Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin A, so if you keep an adequate intake, adding more won't do much. But, if your level drops just slightly below normal, you could see a drier, flakier complexion. Yuck!
  Topical vitamin A is the form that makes a real difference in your skin. Medical studies show a reduction in lines and wrinkles, good acne control, and some psoriasis relief, all from using creams containing this nutrient. The prescription treatment is called Retin A, and it's used primarily as a treatment for acne. The less potent, over-the-counter formulations are sold as retinols and used as anti-aging treatments. Good stuff!


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  Vitamin B complex - When it comes to skin, the single most important B vitamin is biotin, a nutrient that forms the basis of skin, nail, and hair cells. Without adequate amounts, you may end up with dermatitis (an itchy, scaly skin reaction - something that I have, but not related to vitamin B levels) or sometimes even hair loss. Even a mild deficiency causes symptoms. Your body makes plenty of biotin, and the nutrient is also in many foods, including bananas, eggs, oatmeal (the wonderfood, in my opinion!), and rice (preferably brown).
  Creams containing B vitamins can give skin an almost instant healthy glow while hydrating cells and increasing overall tone at the same time. Niacin, a specific B vitamin, helps skin retain moisture, so your complexion looks more plump and younger looking. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe dry, irritated skin. In higher concentrations it can work as a lightening agent to even out blotchy skin tone.


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  Vitamin K - As the nutrient responsible for helping blood clot, it won't do much for your skin from the inside. But studies show topical vitamin K does work well to reduce under eye circles as well as bruises. (Am I hearing cheers out there?) When combined with vitamin A in a cream or serum, vitamin K can be even more effective for those dark circles.


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  Selenium - Scientists believe this mineral plays a key role in skin cancer prevention. Taken in supplement form or in a cream, it protects skin from sun damage. If you do spend any time in the sun, selenium could reduce your chance of burning, lowering your risk of skin cancer. The best dietary sources of selenium include whole-grain cereals, seafood, garlic, and eggs.


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  Copper - Together with vitamin C and the mineral zinc, copper helps to develop elastin. While a copper deficiency is rare (doctors caution that supplements can be dangerous), topical applications of copper-rich creams can firm the skin and help restore some elasticity, according to some study results.


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  Zinc - Very important for those who are acne prone. In fact, sometimes acne itself is a symptom of a zinc deficiency. Taken internally or used topically, zinc works to clear skin by taming oil production and may be effective in controlling the formation of acne lesions or help those already on your skin to clear sooner. Food sources of zinc include oysters, lean meat, and poultry.


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  Alpha-Lipoic Acid - A powerful antioxidant, hundreds of times more potent that either vitamin C or E, alpha-lipoic acid may turn out to be a super boost for aging skin. It has an amazing ability to penetrate both oil and water, affecting skin cells from both the inside and the outside of the body. Most other antioxidants can do one but not both. Pretty cool, huh? Like vitamins C and E, it neutralizes skin cell damage caused by free radicals. Some studies show it can repair the damage to skin's DNA, thus reducing the risk of cancer. Health experts say it also helps other vitamins work more effectively to rebuild skin cells damaged by environmental assaults, such as smoke and pollution. You can take a daily alpha-lipoic acid supplement or use creams that contain the antioxidant.


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  DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) - Another powerful antioxidant, this nutrient has one of the strongest appetites for free radicals. It works mostly by deactivating their power to harm skin cells. It also helps stabilize the membrane around the outside of each cell so that assaults from sun damage and cigarette smoke are reduced.
  It also prevents the formation of lipofucsin, the brown pigment that becomes the basis for age spots. As with alpha-lipoic acid, you can take DMAE in supplements and in topical creams.


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  Hyaluronic Acid - Made by the body, this nutrient's main job is to lubricate joints so that knees, elbows, fingers, and toes all move smoothly and easily. But now doctors say it also plays a role with skin cells, acting as a kind of glue that helps hold them together, keeping skin looking smoother and younger. Another plus is its ability to hold water, up to 1,000 times its weight, which means more moisture in each skin cell.
  Top skin care lines now include creams with hyaluronic acid.


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  Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) - If your skin is dry, prone to inflammation, and frequently dotted with white heads and black heads, you may be lacking essential fatty acids, nutrients that are crucial to the production of skin's natural oil barrier. Without an adequate supply of EFAs, the skin produces a more irritating form of sebum, or oil, which can result in problems.
  The solution may be to balance two of the key EFAs, omega-3 and omega-6. While most get plenty of omega-6s (in baked goods, cooking oils, poultry, grains, and many other foods), omega-3s are often lacking. They're found mostly in cold-water fish, including salmon, sardines, and mackerel, flaxseed, and flax and safflower oils. Taking supplements, such as fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil, may also help keep your skin smoother and younger-looking.

**Most health experts agree that most of us don't need to supplement our mineral intake. This is even more true if you drink spring water, which often contains healthful, natural supplies of important minerals. Studies show that washing your face with mineral water can help reduce many common skin irritations, and the mineral content may help some skin cells absorb the moisture better. Stay tuned for my awesome facial scrub recipe using mineral water!

Till next time, XOXO!!