Acne...we have all had it (or still have it) and we all hate it. Acne is caused by overproduction of oil, which becomes trapped in the hair follicle, causing bacteria to thrive, resulting in inflammation. Everyone gets acne for different reasons. If you google 'face mapping' there are tons of articles that explain why you get acne in certain areas of your face. I'm not going to lie, I never had a face full of acne during my teen years. I do however get zits every now and then. The older I get, the worse the zits are. They are big, hurt, and take forever to go away. Lavender and tea tree essential oils are my go-to when I get these zits.
Lavender oil - lavender oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties that can fight the bacteria that cause acne. Add a drop or two of lavender oil to your nighttime moisturizer. You can also apply a dab a drop of the oil directly on the acne as a spot treatment. Do this every morning and every night before bed as soon as the pimple appears. It will be gone in 2-3 days.
Tea tree oil - tea tree oil is known to be just as effective in fighting acne as benzoyl peroxide. The only difference is it doesn't leave your skin dry, red, and peeling like the peroxide does. Mix a few drops of tea tree with witch hazel. Apply directly to the acne with a cotton swab twice daily.
DIY acne fighting toner
2 Tbsp witch hazel
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
15 drops lavender essential oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
Mix all ingredients in a small spray bottle. Spray directly on the skin or on to a cotton pad and wipe your face. Shake before each use. Apply toner twice daily to fight acne.
DIY acne fighting scrub
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp coconut oil
7 drops tea tree oil
5 drops of lemon oil
Melt coconut oil and add baking soda, tea tree and lemon. Apply the scrub in circular motions to freshly washed skin. Massage the scrub on face for a few minutes then rinse with water.
March 30, 2017
March 23, 2017
Konjac Sponges
Have you ever used a konjac sponge? If you haven't, you really should. They are all the rage in Japan and Asia and I can totally see why. This little sponge will change your life..
What are konjac sponges? They are little round sponges usually white, black, red, or green in color. They are hard (until you wet them) and usually attached to a little string. The fibers of konjac, a starchy root vegetable native to Asia, are used to make the sponge. The sponges are handmade, 100% natural, biodegradable, and extremely gentle.
The sponges make an excellent exfoliator, makeup remover, and overall cleanser. As I mentioned above, they come dry and hard. You need to run the sponge under hot water until it's soft and squishy. You can use the sponge alone, or with your favorite cleanser. Use the flat side of the sponge in circular motions around your entire face for a minute or two, then rinse with warm water. I use my sponge with my charcoal soap and it leaves my skin super soft and glowing.
The sponges need to dry out between uses. Once you are done, rinse it with cold water, squeeze the excess water out, and let air dry. They only have a shelf life of a few months so be sure to discard as needed. The good news is they are cheap enough to replace several times a year.
You can buy them everywhere now, Sephora, Ulta, Target, Amazon, and even TJ Maxx. I found a two-pack at TJ Maxx for $4.99. Just be sure to read the label and make sure the sponges you buy don't have any dyes or additives.
What are konjac sponges? They are little round sponges usually white, black, red, or green in color. They are hard (until you wet them) and usually attached to a little string. The fibers of konjac, a starchy root vegetable native to Asia, are used to make the sponge. The sponges are handmade, 100% natural, biodegradable, and extremely gentle.
The sponges make an excellent exfoliator, makeup remover, and overall cleanser. As I mentioned above, they come dry and hard. You need to run the sponge under hot water until it's soft and squishy. You can use the sponge alone, or with your favorite cleanser. Use the flat side of the sponge in circular motions around your entire face for a minute or two, then rinse with warm water. I use my sponge with my charcoal soap and it leaves my skin super soft and glowing.
The sponges need to dry out between uses. Once you are done, rinse it with cold water, squeeze the excess water out, and let air dry. They only have a shelf life of a few months so be sure to discard as needed. The good news is they are cheap enough to replace several times a year.
You can buy them everywhere now, Sephora, Ulta, Target, Amazon, and even TJ Maxx. I found a two-pack at TJ Maxx for $4.99. Just be sure to read the label and make sure the sponges you buy don't have any dyes or additives.
March 14, 2017
Dry Brushing
What is dry brushing? It's exactly what it sounds like, brushing the bare skin while it's dry. You exfoliate your skin in the shower right? This is similar but without the water and with more health benefits. Dry brushing is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries to keep the body healthy. It only involves two things, your body and a brush. The benefits include:
Exfoliation - dry brushing helps slough off dead, dry skin. It's a very simple
and natural way to exfoliate. Your skin will feel softer after one brush and look
healthier after a few.
Reduces Cellulite - dry brushing is known for reducing cellulite. Cellulite is
basically toxic fat buildup under the skin that results in a wrinkling effect. Dry
brushing the area can help stimulate the skin and break up the toxic material.
Stimulates the Lymphatic System - dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic
system and aides in detoxing. The lymphatic system plays a major part in
moving toxins out of the body. Dry brushing can help move the waste along
through the lymph vessels below the skin
Boosts Circulation - dry brushing is similar to a massage. It increases
circulation and also feels good.
Use an all-natural bristle brush. I got one with a handle so I can reach my back, but the handheld brushes with the strap are great too. Start out with gentle pressure on the brush and over time you will be able to use more pressure. Don't forget to clean your brush. Wash it once a week with soap and water and let hang dry, preferably in a sunny area.
The best time to dry brush is in the morning. I actually get in the shower, dry brush (so the dead skin falls into the shower and not on my bathroom floor, ewwww) then turn on the water and shower. You should always brush towards the heart. Start at the feet and brush up. Brush several times in each area but always remember to brush towards the heart.
Don't brush too hard or for too long. It's not supposed to hurt or break the skin. Don't brush your skin if you have cuts, burns, or rashes. You might not want to dry brush if you have super sensitive skin. I read a few reviews from women who successfully dry brushed for years, had hormonal changes to their skin, and could no longer dry brush. So listen to your body ladies, dry brushing might not be for everyone.
I personally love dry brushing. I have noticed a huge change in my skin. It's one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get glowing, healthy skin.
Exfoliation - dry brushing helps slough off dead, dry skin. It's a very simple
and natural way to exfoliate. Your skin will feel softer after one brush and look
healthier after a few.
Reduces Cellulite - dry brushing is known for reducing cellulite. Cellulite is
basically toxic fat buildup under the skin that results in a wrinkling effect. Dry
brushing the area can help stimulate the skin and break up the toxic material.
Stimulates the Lymphatic System - dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic
system and aides in detoxing. The lymphatic system plays a major part in
moving toxins out of the body. Dry brushing can help move the waste along
through the lymph vessels below the skin
Boosts Circulation - dry brushing is similar to a massage. It increases
circulation and also feels good.
Use an all-natural bristle brush. I got one with a handle so I can reach my back, but the handheld brushes with the strap are great too. Start out with gentle pressure on the brush and over time you will be able to use more pressure. Don't forget to clean your brush. Wash it once a week with soap and water and let hang dry, preferably in a sunny area.
The best time to dry brush is in the morning. I actually get in the shower, dry brush (so the dead skin falls into the shower and not on my bathroom floor, ewwww) then turn on the water and shower. You should always brush towards the heart. Start at the feet and brush up. Brush several times in each area but always remember to brush towards the heart.
Don't brush too hard or for too long. It's not supposed to hurt or break the skin. Don't brush your skin if you have cuts, burns, or rashes. You might not want to dry brush if you have super sensitive skin. I read a few reviews from women who successfully dry brushed for years, had hormonal changes to their skin, and could no longer dry brush. So listen to your body ladies, dry brushing might not be for everyone.
I personally love dry brushing. I have noticed a huge change in my skin. It's one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get glowing, healthy skin.
March 05, 2017
Laundry Detergent
What you wash your clothes with is very important. Clothing is in constant contact with the skin. Our skin absorbs what we put on it, especially when we sweat. We all want our clothes to smell fresh and feel soft. In order to obtain this, the manufacturers use chemicals, and lots of them. These chemicals help remove stains from your clothes but they also leave behind toxins that seep into your skin. So is your laundry really clean if it's been saturated with chemicals after it's been washed?
I struggled with making my own laundry detergent. I tried dozens of recipes and didn't love any of them. I finally found one, and it was the easiest to make out of the dozen. It doesn't foam, which took me a while to get used to, but it does clean my clothes and contains only two ingredients.
Homemade Laundry Powder
3 bars of coconut oil soap - Kirk's Castile Soap
6 cups of Washing Soda - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Grind the bar soap into powder (I cut the bars up and threw them in my Ninja because I don't have a food processor)
Combine the soap powder and washing soda into a large container
Add 2-3 Tbsp to each load
Helpful tips
- when washing in cold water, add the powder first to hot water so it dissolves then switch the water back to cold
- add a few drops of essential oil directly into the water as it fills the machine. Lemon is a great degreaser and lavender's deodorizing capabilities can work wonders on your laundry
- fill your fabric softener compartment or Downey ball with white vinegar. It softens and fluffs naturally
I struggled with making my own laundry detergent. I tried dozens of recipes and didn't love any of them. I finally found one, and it was the easiest to make out of the dozen. It doesn't foam, which took me a while to get used to, but it does clean my clothes and contains only two ingredients.
Homemade Laundry Powder
3 bars of coconut oil soap - Kirk's Castile Soap
6 cups of Washing Soda - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
Grind the bar soap into powder (I cut the bars up and threw them in my Ninja because I don't have a food processor)
Combine the soap powder and washing soda into a large container
Add 2-3 Tbsp to each load
Helpful tips
- when washing in cold water, add the powder first to hot water so it dissolves then switch the water back to cold
- add a few drops of essential oil directly into the water as it fills the machine. Lemon is a great degreaser and lavender's deodorizing capabilities can work wonders on your laundry
- fill your fabric softener compartment or Downey ball with white vinegar. It softens and fluffs naturally
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