Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it’s fast absorbing and lightweight. Honey and yogurt are also great (and cheap) ingredients to use in any DIY beauty treatment for hydrating and nourishing the skin.
The plant sterols active in argan oil have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which make it safe for all skin types and can naturally treat acne, eczema and other skin conditions.
This is a DIY beauty mask to add hydration to your skin, neutralize free radicals responsible for aging, and minimize the appearance of fine lines by boosting collagen and elastin.
Ingredients
1 tsp organic honey (draws and retains moisture)
1 tbsp organic yogurt (skin-nourishing natural fats and lactic acids)
1-5 drops argan oil (rich in Vitamin E, anti-age, reduce inflammation)
Directions
Microwave honey for 10 seconds in a microwave. Mix honey, yogurt, and argan oil in a small bowl. Apply to face, leave on 15 mins and remove with a warm towel.
Jurlique Skin Care is a great organic and natural skin care line and they also have several wellness day spas. I was invited to their spa on Madison Ave in New York to experience their signature aroma therapeutic facial. If you have a chance to visit one of their day spas; I highly recommend them and if you’re in NYC, ask to book with Elizabeth – she is fantastic!
The products that are used during treatments are all available for purchase for home applications. These were some favorite products used during my facial:
Daily Exfoliating Cream
A daily non-granular exfoliating cream, rich in oats, almonds and honey to loosen and lift away dead skin cells. Leaves the skin deeply cleansed, smooth and radiant.
Balancing Cleansing Lotion
A balancing cleansing lotion, rich in the living energy of rosewood and lavender to gently lift away surface impurities. Leaves the skin balanced and hydrated. Ideal for maintaining balance.
Intense Recovery Mask
A hydrating mask, rich in the living energy of herbs and precious plant oils to clarify and revitalize the skin, leaving the skin smooth, glowing and refreshed. Ideal for maintaining balance.A hydrating mask, rich in the living energy of herbs and precious plant oils to clarify and revitalise the skin, leaving the skin smooth, glowing and refreshed. Ideal for maintaining balance.
Balancing Day Care Cream
A light, absorbing moisturising cream infused with the living energy of daisy, chamomile and rose, and precious plant oils to minimise the visible signs of ageing. Leaves the skin with a smooth, healthy-looking glow. Ideal for maintaining balance.
Why are facials important?
Our skin is our largest organ and performs several key functions, such as protecting us from foreign substances and assisting in the release of toxins from our bodies. Facials are deep skin treatments that cleanse, rehydrate, rebalance, rejuvenate the skin.
Professional facials involve a cleansing procedure, massage, steam, and the application of a mask. Cleansing removes the dead, dull outer layer of cells along with pollutants. The massage helps blood circulation, which aids the removal of toxins from the body. Steam softens blackheads and whiteheads so that they can be removed easily. And the face mask tones and clarifies the skin as well as treating conditions such as dry or blemish-prone skin.
It is recommended to book a professional facial at least 4 times a year, as the seasons change. Estheticians are trained specifically to help identify your unique skin type and help treat and improve skin conditions.
Organic Apoteke is a skincare brand which is fair trade, certified organic, and has been given the Vegetarian Society approval. None of their products contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, petrochemicals, or synthetic ingredients. They also give 5% of the profit each year to charitable causes. Read the rest of this entry »
Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it’s fast absorbing, lightweight, and can be used in many homemade beauty treatments for hydrating and nourishing this skin. It also improves skin’s collagen and elasticity; which is why argan oil is great for preventing and reducing stretch marks.
The plant sterols active in argan oil have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which make it safe for all skin types and can naturally treat acne, eczema and other skin conditions.
For this treatment, I chose to use argan oil from Kahina. It’s 100% pure organic argan oil and is not formulated with parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dye, petro-chemicals, or phthalates. It also comes in a recyclable glass bottle.
Ingredients
1 part argan oil
1 part sweet almond oil
1-2 drops rose oil
Directions
Mix ingredients and apply locally to area twice a day (morning and night). Continue this treatment for as long as necessary.
Mineral makeup is often advertised as being a natural, safer, and more healthy, alternative to traditional cosmetics. The reality is that the majority of mineral cosmetics on the market are still heavily loaded with synthetic preservatives like parabens, dyes and fillers which may be harmful to your skin and health.
Argan oil is produced from the kernels of argan tree fruit. This oil is extremely rare, as the argan tree only grows in a few small regions, mostly in Morocco.
Argan oil is exceptionally rich in natural tocopherols (vitamin E), phenols and phenolic acid, carotenes, squalene, essential fatty acids (80% unsaturated fatty acids) and depending on the extraction method more resistant to oxidation than olive oil.
Directions
Mix ingredients together in a bowl until they are smooth. Apply the mixture to face and neck, leave on for 5-10 minutes, rinse with warm water, pat skin dry.
A fresh, relaxing, and soothing facial masque you can make in your blender.
Ingredients
1 red organic apple (high in antioxidants and other nutritious nutrients)
1 tbsp. organic honey (cleanses, softens, smooths skin)
sage (natural antibacterial)
Directions
Core and quarter the apple. In a blender, puree the apple, drizzle in honey, and add sage. Apply the mixture to face and neck, leave on for 5-10 minutes, rinse with warm water, pat skin dry
Great looking skin requires nothing more then a basic skin care routine designed for your skin type. How you care for your skin will depend if your skin type is more oily, combination, sensitive, or dry.
Here I outline a simple 5 step routine to properly care for your skin.
Step 1 – Cleanser
Cleanse twice a day (morning and night)
Find a simple and natural cleanser, you don’t need anything fancy
Normal/dry/sensitive skin type, try a milk cleanser
Oily/combination skin type, try a gel cleanser
Step 2 – SPF Sunscreen
Apply once in the morning
Find a light textured cream that doesn’t clog your pores
Try to find a make up that has an SPF in it
Step 3 – Moisturizer
Apply once at night
Everyone, no matter their skin type, needs to moisturize
Dehydrated/dry skin type, try a richer moisturizer
Oily skin type, try a water-based moisturizer
Normal/combination, try a water-based with a bit of oil (medium texture) moisturizer
Step 4 – Exfoliation
Exfoliate once or twice per week
Don’t scrub too hard
Thicker skin, use a granular scrub
Thinner skin, use a very gentle scrub
Acne skin type, don’t use a scrub try a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
Step 5 – Mask
Apply once or twice per week or once every 2 weeks
Here are 10 ways to improve your skin if you have an acne skin type and reduce the amounts of breakouts.
Have a basic skin care regime but remember to keep it simple. You don’t need a lot of different products. Use a natural gel cleanser and a water-based moisturizer on your skin twice a day. Exfoliate once a week with a light scrub and apply sunscreen every morning if your makeup does not contain an SPF.
Remove your makeup before exercising and before going to bed. Bacteria collects on your skin and can cause more breakouts.
Wash your hair regularly and keep it from touching your face. Hair has oils and can transfer them to your face.
Change your bed sheets regularly to keep sweat, dirt, and bacteria from transferring back to your face.
Use a new clean towel and pat dry your face, don’t wipe or rub your face.
Drink 8 glasses of water a day to keep your body cleansed; like you needed another reason to drink water.
Try not to touch your face with your hands. Your hands collect dirt and bacteria and you don’t want to put that back on your face.
Use a natural blemish stick for spot treatments.
Try to eat less preservative and more fruits and vegetables.
Look for makeup that is non comedogenic, it means it won’t clog your pores and cause more breakouts.
