June 02, 2016

Is your deodorant toxic?


Click on the Deodorant tab above to see some chemical free options!


May 28, 2016

My skincare routine

A lot of people have asked me what my daily skincare routine is. You have heard me say many times in this blog, less is more. I truly think we use too many products on our skin. Trust me, I get it. I used to be the biggest product junkie of them all. The more products the better. Now I only use a few products on my skin and it looks the best it ever has!

Morning
I wash my face with my green tea face wash (every day)
Green Tea Face Wash
I exfoliate with my pink Himalayan salt scrub (every other day)
Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
I moisturize with jojoba oil (remember a little goes a long way esp. when you use oil in the morning)
Jojoba Oil

Night
I wash my face with activated charcoal bar from beauty counter
Activated Charcoal Bar
I spray my face with rose water
Rose Water
I moisturize with the following oils and switch them every night, apricot oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil.
Apricot Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Coconut Oil

Once a week I try to do a face mask. I switch between the turmeric face mask and the bentonite clay face mask Turmeric and bentonite clay masks

May 21, 2016

Rose Water

Rose water is exactly what it sounds like, the distilled water of roses. Dating back to early Egypt, rose water has ancient homeopathic roots. Cleopatra even used it! Rose water is versatile and can be used on any skin type making it a beauty secret.

Rose water is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, contains antioxidants and hydrates. It helps sooth, balance, rejuvenate, soften, tone, and revitalize the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties can help rid your skin of acne, dermatitis, eczema, and reduce redness. The anti-bacterial properties aid in healing scars, cuts, and wounds. The antioxidants help strengthen skin cells and regenerate skin tissue. Vitamins A and C and the antioxidants in rose water help repair sun damage. Rose water hydrates and moisturizers the skin. It helps maintain the skins pH balance and controls excess oil.

The best time to use rose water is at night. It helps clear all the impurities your face has collected throughout the day. It also helps you de-stress which can aid in better sleep.

Make sure you look at the ingredients and only buy pure rose water. Some have excessive additives such as alcohol and synthetic fragrance. While rose water has hardly any side effects, it can irritate the skin if it's not pure.

I spray rose water on my face at night after I cleanse and before I moisturize. I just spray a few times then immediately put on my moisturizer so it locks the rose water into my skin. I also keep a bottle in my desk drawer at the office. Whenever I need a little pick me up, I spritz some on my face. Below is the one is use. I transfer it into a glass spray bottle. The best part is its under $5!




May 16, 2016

The Coconut Oil Miracle

I'm a huge fan of coconut oil. I have done a lot of research on it and highly recommend reading The Coconut Oil Miracle Despite all the controversy with coconut oil, I highly recommend it. I use it in almost all of my homemade skincare products, I make my own body butter with it, and I oil pull.

Coconut oil has been used for over thousands of years in Polynesia with proven nutritional and cosmetic benefits. The Polynesians are exposed to the sun all day and thanks to coconut oil, they have the most beautiful skin. Coconut oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids which antioxidant properties help fight skin aging. It improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and cellulite. It can even eliminate acne, fungus, and yeast. 


Just make sure you buy the right coconut oil, unrefined, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil has been minimally processed and contains a higher nutrient content (refined oil has been deodorized and bleached). Cold-pressed involves pressing the coconut milk out of the coconut meat at low temperatures which preserves the greatest amounts of nutrients (expeller-pressed uses pressure and high temperatures to extract the milk causing a lot of nutrient loss in the process). 


Coconut oil is used as the base in all the scrubs I make. You can revert back to my 'why i'm in love with pink Himalayan seat salt' post to find the recipe for my pink Himalayan sea salt face scrub. I also make a really good body scrub that smells like a creamsicle, Orange Creamsicle Sugar Scrub. If you prefer a salt scrub instead of a sugar scrub try this, Coconut Lime Salt Scrub


I make my own body butter with coconut oil. I have tried several body butter recipes and this one is by far my favorite, Homemade Body Butter. It has only 4 ingredients and super easy to make. Note, I used almond oil (not olive oil) and I added Young Living lemon essential oil. I also threw it in my stand mixer and whipped it on high for about 10 minutes. My skin feels amazing ever since I started using it. I keep it in a mason jar in my shower. I put it on right after I dry off. You will feel slightly greasy after you apply it, but your skin quickly absorbs it. Just remember when using oils, a little bit goes a long way.

Oil pulling is an oral detoxification procedure where you swish coconut oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes then spit it out. It can help fight gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath. It can also help prevent tooth decay and cavities. My teeth are also noticeably whiter! Oil pulling works by cleaning the oral cavity. The bacteria and toxins in your mouth adhere to the coconut oil and are removed when you spit the mixture out. The process is very easy and should be done first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Take anywhere from a tsp to a tbsp of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Spit the mixture out in the trash as you don't want the oil to ruin your pipes. Brush as normal. I have to admit, when I first started doing this it was brutal. Now it's a no-brainer, I actually put the oil in my mouth right before I get in the shower. I swish it around while i'm in the shower and spit it out when I get out.

May 10, 2016

Why i'm in love with pink Himalayan sea salt

Pink Himalayan sea salt is the purest of sea salts and one of the best sources of natural minerals. Himalayan salt is unrefined, unprocessed and raw. It's mined by hand in caves that are millions of years old. The salt contains 84 trace minerals and is incredibly nourishing for the body.

I put the salt on my skin, I drink it, and I even have a salt lamp.

Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub
I make this scrub myself and use it on my face three times a week. You need fine grain pink Himalayan sea salt (I get mine at Marshall's/T J Maxx), coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and grapefruit essential oil (optional). You also need a glass jar, those little 4oz mason jars work perfect. Fill the mason jar 3/4 of the way with the salt. Melt some coconut oil and pour over the salt, make sure you completely cover the salt. Then add 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil. This is important because the vitamin E acts as a preservative and also prevents the coconut oil from hardening. I also add a few drops of Young Living's grapefruit essential oil. This step is optional but I love the smell! Mix everything together. You can add more salt and/or oils to get the consistency you want. I keep the jar in my shower and use it in the morning. Your face will feel a little oily when you get out of the shower but your skin quickly absorbs it.

Pink Himalayan Salt Sole (pronounced solay)
Salt sole is water that has been fully saturated with natural salt. This brine solution provides the body with electrolytes and regulates hydration. Himalayan salt contains sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. These minerals are all electrolytes that are necessary for proper functioning of the human body. Drinking salt sole can be very beneficial to the body. It improves digestion, improves quality of sleep, helps keep your skin clear, promotes hair and nail growth, helps hydrate the body, supplies vital minerals, detoxifies the body, boosts energy, improves blood sugar, improves bone health, promotes weight loss, helps with muscle cramps, and acts as a natural anti-histamine. I drink the salt water every morning. Click on this link to see how to make and use the sole. Salt Sole

Pink Himalayan Salt Lamp
These lamps are big chunks of the pink salt. They purify the air by pulling moisture from the surrounding environment into the salt. Heat from the bulb quickly evaporates the water back into the air, but any toxins that were previously carried in the cycled moisture are left behind, trapped by the salt ions. I got my lamp in Boston at a pink Himalayan sea salt specialty store. These lamps are popping up everywhere now and I just saw some at Bed Bath and Beyond. They also have tons of them on Amazon. I keep my lamp on my nightstand and I try to use it every night before bed.



April 23, 2016

Oils 101

Oils are really only thing I put on my skin. I use them to cleanse my skin as well as to moisturize my skin. I know you are probably thinking that i'm nuts to use oil. Who wants their face to be a greasy mess? Not me! Well what you might not know is that one of the most basic principals of chemistry is that 'like dissolves like.' The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like oil, is by using another non-solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse and moisturize naturally with oils extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit.

Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is extracted from the edible portion of the almond and has a slight nutty smell. It's a mild hypoallergenic oil that protects from UV rays and softens the skin. It has high vitamin A and vitamin E content which prevents blackheads and acne. It also provides the amino acids required for the formation of collagen.

Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is exactly what it sounds like, it is the oil extracted from the seeds of grapes. It's packed full of antioxidants, including skin brightening vitamin C. It treats acne, tightens skin, relieves dark circles under the eyes, moisturizes, and fights aging. It's a very light oil that quickly absorbs into the skin.

Apricot Oil
Apricot seed oil has a high level of B17 in the kernels, which is known to kill cancer cells and has been used as a holistic treatment in cancer patients. Apricot seed oil has also been used in ancient medicine to treat inflammatory skin disorders. The oil is made from cold pressing dried seeds. It's packed with fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and a ton of antioxidants. It's also a very light oil and smells great!

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is structurally and chemically very similar to the human sebum. It's actually the closest naturally occurring substance to sebum. Sebum is the oil your skin naturally produces. Despite its name, jojoba oil isn't actually an oil, its more of a liquid wax. It's non-toxic, non-comedogenic, non-allergenic, and antibacterial. I think this is the lightest of all oils and I use this in the morning as my skin absorbs this oil the fastest.

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal. It's protein rich, softens the skin, and contains a lot of vitamin E. Coconut oil has been praised for its anti-aging properties. It makes an excellent makeup remover or moisturizer. Just make sure you get one that's pure, unrefined, cold pressed, and 100% organic.

Castor Oil 
Castor oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of the castor plant. It's famous for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Castor oil reduces pigmentation, fades blemishes, and reduces acne. The fatty acids in castor oil help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. It aids in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and works especially well for crows feet.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. It is a brilliant moisturizer, helping to heal and nourish the skin. It also helps stimulate cell repair for firmer and smoother skin. It penetrates deep into the skin providing a long-lasting shield of moisture. It is best applied to damp skin, the dampness helps absorb it quicker.



April 18, 2016

Why I love turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant. It's been around for centuries and widely known for its healing properties. It contains a yellow colored chemical called curcumin. Curcumin is the key to turmeric's healing power and used to color food and cosmetics. Turmeric is common in Asian food, the main ingredient in curry, and gives mustard it's bright yellow color. It's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and rich in antioxidants.

When applied to the skin, turmeric can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea, and aids in skin rejuvenation. Regular use of turmeric can soften the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Turmeric has an amazing ability to reduce acne and scarring. It helps correct uneven skin tone, reduces the appearance of dark circles, and provides great relief to aging skin. It helps stimulate new cell growth and keeps the skin's elasticity intact.

Since I mentioned above it's used as a dye, it can temporarily stain your skin. Don't let this scare you. I have been using turmeric for a year and it's never stained my skin. I do, however, have a friend that experienced some some staining on her face and hands after using turmeric. It all depends on your skin tone. If you have lighter skin, you may notice slight staining. If you have a darker skin tone, like me, you may not notice anything but a radiant glow! If you do notice staining, simply wipe it off with a toner. Preferably an all natural toner like witch hazel. If you are still scared, just use turmeric at night before you go to bed.

Below are my favorite ways to use turmeric:

Turmeric Face Mask
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp raw organic honey
1 tsp milk
Pour the turmeric in a bowl. Add the honey and then the milk. Mix ingredients together until you get a paste like consistency. You may need to add more or less milk to achieve the paste. Turmeric stains EVERYTHING so make sure the paste is thick and not going to drip off your face. Apply the paste and leave on until it dries, about 20 minutes. Wash off with water.  Turmeric and honey both contain lots of antioxidants as well as antibacterial properties. Milk contains lactic acid, which is a form of alpha hydroxy acid, the same ingredient in most chemical exfoliants. The lactic acid in milk brightens and exfoliates the skin. It also treats breakouts. Don't forget that turmeric stains! Make sure you are very cautious of your clothes and whatever else you come in contact with while using turmeric.


Botanique Neem and Turmeric Face Wash 
The Vitamin Shoppe carries this Neem and Turmeric Face Wash. Neem is a plant found throughout India. It's great for anti-aging as neem oil contains vitamin C. It's also has antiseptic properties to help those who suffer from acne. The neem and turmeric together make a great face wash.

Stay Gold Hydrating Face Mask 
Perfectly Posh sells an amazing face mask called Stay Gold. Skin brightening turmeric will give your face the Midas touch while shea, milk, and honey calms, soothes, and hydrates.

Whiten Teeth with Turmeric
Wet your toothbrush and dip it in the turmeric powder. Brush your teeth as normal but instead if rinsing, allow the turmeric to sit on your teeth for 5 minutes. Rinse and brush again with your regular toothpaste. Your toothbrush will be stained yellow. If that does not bother you, use your normal toothbrush. If it does bother you, keep a separate toothbrush when you use turmeric. I noticed a significant differnece the first time I tried this.


April 13, 2016

My obsession with activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is my new best friend. About a year ago, I bought some activated charcoal capsules at the Vitamin Shoppe. I bought them because I was looking for a natural teeth whitener and activated charcoal was one. I took a capsule, opened it up, and poured the black powder in a dish. I wet my toothbrush and brushed my teeth with the powder. I left it on my teeth for about 10 minutes swishing it around. The results were instant. I was shocked to see my teeth noticeably whiter.

Activated charcoal has been around for years. Its a fine black powder that is orderless, tasteless, and non-toxic. It's used in hospital emergency rooms for patients who overdose on drug and alcohol. It removes toxins from the body. The charcoal is "activated" because it is produced to have a very fine particle size. One 50-gram dose of activated charcoal has the surface area of 10 football fields. Activated charcoal traps chemicals and toxins to prevent absorption. It helps reduce the instances of acne and other skin impurities and works wonders for completely removing makeup.

My favorite activated charcoal products:

Charcoal Cleansing Bar by Beautycounter - Charcoal Cleansing Bar
Currently I'm washing my face with the charcoal cleansing bar. This bar detoxifies and absorbs impurities in your skin without drying it out.

Gender Bender Bar by Perfectly Posh - Gender Bender Bar
This was my first experience with activated charcoal. I received a sample of this bar was I was hooked after the first time I used it. This can be used on the face and body.

Whole Lava Love Exfoliator by Perfectly Posh - Whole Lava Love
This is a mix of charcoal powder, sugar beads, and volcanic ash. This exfoliator leaves your skin feeling amazing. Exhilarating natural tea tree and mint fragrance make this ash as good as it gets!

Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge from Sephora - Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge
This pillow-soft sponge is infused with bamboo charcoal. It cleanses and exfoliates to detoxify the pores. The sponge should be replaced every two to three months.

Activated Charcoal Capsules from the Vitamin Shoppe - Activated Charcoal Capsules
As I said above, you can whiten your teeth with these capsules. You can also add the powder to your existing face wash. Either way, just BE CAREFUL. This powder form of charcoal gets everywhere!