Nutrition in Skincare Products

With all the buzz around keeping our bodies clean and free of harmful chemicals that have become a standard way of life for many, nutritious skincare products were born.

All natural foods have nutritional value. Nutritional values found in these foods benefit the body tremendously; in fact, they are skin’s number one nourishment when eaten or even applied directly to the skin. Fruits are rich in antioxidants that effectively fight free radicals from damaging our skin. Aside from that, it is rich in vitamins and minerals needed by the skin to maintain its youthfulness and glow while encouraging cell renewal. When taken orally, fiber which is fruit’s main component acts as the digestive system’s cleaning lady—moves out all dirt and toxins trapped in nooks and crannies of the track. Fortunately, the power of nutritious foods is now harnessed by natural skincare advocates.

Organic beauty products flood the market today. Some of the popular nutritious foods for the skin are: grapefruit, acai berries, blueberry, pomegranate, and apple. Organic beauty products are those made without the use of chemicals, and other forms of growth interference. Popular skincare line includes body creams, exfoliating body scrubs, lip balm, lip scrub, and face and eye creams.

Producers swear that organic beauty products are selling well these days. Not only that, like stated earlier, major ingredients found in every jar of these natural products are rich in antioxidants which are absorbed well by the body. Take note that nutritious foods are natural to the body which means, upon application, your body will recognize it at once and process it faster that its very confusing, chemical-laden contemporaries. That alone will help you decide if nutritious skincare products are good for your skin.

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Olive Oil for Removing Eye Makeup And Shaving Your Legs!

Need a 100% organic, environment friendly and natural eye makeup remover?  Then your quest is over because we have one right here.  This recipe is easy to do and very quick to assemble.  Bear in mind that you will not need a chemistry degree to create our all natural, eco friendly and organic eye make up remover.  All you need is 5 minutes to gather the ingredients which can be found in any grocery store or at your cupboard!

You will need a tablespoon each of castor oil and light olive oil and two teaspoons of canola oil.  Simply mix all three ingredients together and store in a tightly closed jar, and voila! Your very own eye make up remover.  This mixture yields ¾ of an ounce which you can use for 6 month.   Use a tissue or cotton ball to apply and get rid of your eye make up including that hard to erase mascara.

Should you ever find yourself out of shaving cream then you can always look inside your cupboard and grab that bottle of olive oil.  Olive oil is actually a good substitute for shaving cream for when you want to shave your legs.  It has moisturizing benefits which will leave your legs smoother and healthier.  You can use most cooking oils too like canola, vegetable or peanut will do.  Your olive oil does not have to be the extra virgin kind since they both contain the same basic ingredients.  Keep in mind that oil is a very good moisturizer for very dry skin.  If you don’t want to smell like your kitchen though, you can try using some of your hair conditioner as your shaving cream.  Hair conditioners also contain moisturizers as opposed to shampoos which can sometimes lead to dry hair.

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What Is Organic?

What is organic?  Why should we buy organic?  How do we make sure that what we are buying really is organic?  What is the fuss all about?  With everything going on in the world today, do we really have to worry about what’s organic as well?  These questions are probably running through your brain every time you do the grocery what with the multitude of labels you see on various everyday products we use everyday.

To put it simply, organic are products which do not use pesticides, hormones or other chemicals during the manufacturing process.  You have to remember that not all natural foods are organic.  Natural foods may still have additives and preservatives added during the manufacturing process.  More and more people are looking into organic food nowadays especially since chemicals and pesticides used on our crops and foods are showing links to various diseases such as cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

And this is what the fuss is all about.  Organic foods contain no chemicals, preservatives or other harmful ingredients which may cause these life threatening diseases.  People are exposed to pollution, stress and chemicals found for daily hygiene purposes.  Do we really need the additional exposure to the food we consume as well?  While it is true that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to a healthy body, the quality of the food we shove down our throats should count as well.

Organic foods have to be certified by the USDA as organic.  They have 4 classifications so make sure that you familiarize yourself with them and only USDA 100% certified will have a seal with them.  These come in handy when shopping at a grocery store but at the local butcher’s you can ask the man behind the counter about their livestock practices since most of them raise their own stock.

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Pomegranate for A Healthy You

Although pomegranate had not been too popular until these recent years when researchers are exploring all possibilities and properties that can cure the ever-baffling cancer, pomegranate has actually been around for quite some time now, maybe even older than you and I—even the researchers themselves! Pomegranate was mentioned in mythology books such as that of Persephone’s story along with others; it was even suspected that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate and not an apple. The fruit was also used as symbols by different cultures and religions back then.

This golden fruit is considered as a miracle fruit by some people who experienced improved health after incorporating pomegranates in their regular diet. The most popular form you can find is the pomegranate juice but you can find fresh ones in supermarkets. Healthy benefits of the fruits come from drinking its juice or eating the seeds from the fresh fruit. This fruit is packed with health benefits particularly antioxidants that can boost your immune system, delay aging and help your brain function at its peak. It is also rich in vitamin C—in fact, it contains 40% of an adult’s daily requirement for the said vitamin.

Pomegranate has many uses aside from its usual juice form. The beauty industry is now welcoming pomegranate with open arms as they launch quality, natural beauty products by its name. Culinary-wise, the seeds of this fruit are often used for Indian and Iranian cuisine. Your favorite Grenadine syrup used for cocktails is made from the fruit’s seeds as well.

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The Joy of Using Natural Soap

Surely you are aware of all those buzz about going natural and organic these days. These are not just fads—they are a way of life now especially after knowing how great the health risks are if we continue on exposing ourselves to chemicals. Every bar of soap you can find in a supermarket isle is chemical-laden and rich in the ever famous triclosan—the antibacterial agent primarily used as pesticide.

These commercial soaps are drying and very unforgiving to your skin. They strip the skin’s natural moisture and alter its pH levels making your skin look lifeless and dull. Sometimes it even causes skin reactions such as rashes, redness and acne. All of which you can avoid if you are natural and organic soaps.

Homemade soap making is actually fun, if you try making them yourself but of course, you will need to experiment with it for a little while before you can finally perfect the art of natural soap making. The benefits of which are tremendous, not to mention there is a big market out there for organic and natural soaps. If you make your own natural soap, you will know what goes inside a bar you are using rather than guessing it out. You can also customize your soap according to what your skin demands. Natural soaps are best for those with sensitive skins.

In making your own natural soap, you will only need a melt and pour base such as organic palm or coconut oil, molds and essential oils. You can find more ingredients to use in an organic store. You can also check out organic soap making books for fun and exciting ideas.

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Organic Apple Skin Care

Of course, you have heard the lines, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” right? Well, it turned out that apple can really prevent not only the doctors but your dermatologist as well.

It’s true! Apples have many health benefits—inside and out. It’s a given fact that they are a good source of fiber especially with the skin on. They are also effective anti-oxidants and very rich in vitamin C. It was even said that apples can prevent Alzheimer’s disease from occurring to our elderly friends.

Apples are good for our skin as well. They contain alpha-hydroxy acids that are very effective in exfoliating your dead skin cells making it youthful and radiant. What’s more, you can make your own homemade apple skin care preparations such as facial mask and body exfoliants that are easy to make and quite delicious to use; surely you will have fun using these apple based homemade skin care preparations. Don’t forget to do a patch test first before applying these preparations to your skin to determine if you have allergies to some of the ingredients.

For the apple face mask which is a personal favorite of mine, you will need an apple, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tbsp oats. Mix them in a blender until smooth and apply to face. Leave the apple facial mask on for 10-15 minutes then rinse off with water. This is best done at night before sleeping to give your skin time to recuperate from the exfoliating session. Repeat twice a week to achieve and maintain a good looking skin.

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Organic Shampoo Recipe

Many people who are concerned about the stuff we dump onto our water works are now going organic.  Organic living simply means choosing everyday products which use materials and ingredients that are not harmful to our environment.  However differentiating between natural and organic may sometimes be difficult.  What with the terminologies and everything.  So to make sure that we stay organic, there are actually recipes out there which can allow us to make our own organic shampoo made from everyday over the counter materials which are all earth friendly.

The most basic ingredient of this shampoo is Castile soap.  This type of soap is colored white and originated in the Castile region in Spain and is made from olive oil.  For natural shampoo for normal hair add ¼ cup water to ¼ cup liquid Castile soap and ½ teaspoon sunflower or other light vegetable oil.  Mix the ingredients together, store in a bottle and use as you would a shampoo.

For dry hair mix together ¼ cup liquid Castile soap, ¼ cup aloe vera gel, 1 teaspon glycerine and 1 teaspoon avocado oil.  Glycerine is one of the most basic ingredients of soap and is used to add lubrication and will make the hair smoother.  For maximum effect, let the shampoo set in the hair for a few minutes and rinse with cool water.

Making organic every day personal care products such as shampoo is easy.  Not only does it save the earth from the pollution shampoo causes we can also make sure that the products we use are healthy for human consumption.

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Natural Organic Facial Care

Our skin is the body’s biggest organ and is sometimes the most neglected.  Whoever said that beauty is only skin deep must be very beautiful indeed because our skin is sometimes the best indicator of what is going on in our body.

Our skin is susceptible to infections like acne, rashes and other skin ailments.  Most skin care products contain chemicals which do not only do more harm than good to our skin but to our environment as well.  However, there are herbs which help alleviate pimples and rashes and can help our skin look young and fresh looking.

Aloe is a very good herbal medicine for acne and wrinkles.  Aloe contains alpha hydroxy acid which nourishes the skin and reduces wrinkles.  Aloe also soothes skin irritated by acne.  For best results wash the face with warm water and vinegar.  Apply aloe to skin and leave over night.

For a severe acne break out, use tea tree oil.  Mix the tea tree oil with a carrier like unscented white lotion or jojoba oil.  For best results clean the face an pat dry.  Apply the mixture twice daily.  Some people may be sensitive to tee tree so a skin test is recommended.  Apply on a small spot and wait for 24 hours.

For puffy eyes, you can use the old stand by of cucumber slices or chamomile tea.  Let the chamomile steep in a cup of hot water, let cool and then soak some cotton balls.  Apply on puffy eyes.

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Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are referred to plants which have medicinal properties.  Almost all plant species on earth have medicinal properties and are used in medicinal researches.

Aloe Vera is perhaps one of the most popular herbal medicinal plant in the world.  The species originated in Africa and papyrus found in Egypt as old as 16th century BCE show that the plant has been used for healing even during the times of the pharaohs.  Aloe Vera is known for soothing burns.  Studies have shown that topical application of Aloe Vera for 1st to 2nd degree burns promote faster healing.  It is also effective for genital herpes and psoriasis.

Bamboo is usually associated with Asian culture.  Medicinal use of bamboo is prevalent in Asian countries especially in Chinese medicine.  The Chinese use the bamboo for curing infections.  It is also a good source of nutrients and is sweet to the taste.  The siliceous concentration found in the bamboo stem is known in the west as “bamboo manna” and is used to clear respiratory infections.  Bamboo shoots are also a significant ingredient in Asian cooking.  However caution is observed when eating shoots from the giant bamboo as it contains cyanide.

The Lavender yields a fragrant oil that is used in not only in herbal medicine but also in cosmetics and perfumery.  Essential oil of the lavender has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.  During WWII it was used to disinfect clinics and hospitals.  Lavender has a soothing effect and is widely used in aromatherapy today to promote a good night’s sleep.  Rubbing lavender on the temples can soothe headaches and insect bites.  Clumps of lavender are said to ward off mosquitoes

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is dubbed as the healthiest oil on Earth due to its many health benefits including hair care and skin care. It also aids in weight loss and proper digestion. This tropical oil has many applications under its belt such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial. Coconut oil showed such great potential in curing HIV and cancer, two of the most baffling diseases to hit mankind.

Coconut oil has lesser calories than any other oil in the market today and its fat content is easily converted to energy thus eliminating the possibility of fat residue clogging the heart and arteries. It also boosts energy and endurance among athletes.

These oils are derived from fresh coconuts found in tropical areas around the globe and they are used as alternative remedy to many health concerns. For hair care, coconut oil is topically applied to the scalp and hair giving it a lustrous glow after washing. It will also help eliminate dandruff and lice while encouraging hair regrowth.

Coconut oil is very soothing hence a good stress reliever used for massages. It is also an effective moisturizer for all skin types due to its moisturizing effect and can also be used in treating skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema and other skin infections.

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