Be an Eco-Chic Today!

When you hear the word eco-chic, you know that it has something to do with the environment and trendiness. The term indeed is for the environment but we hope it will last forever since trend, by definition, is a fad—bound to come and go.

Environmentalists still believe that environmental consciousness should be embedded deep within us. Everyone should make an effort to adjust their lifestyles according to what is right for the environment since it’s already showing signs of distress, and we are the ones to suffer if things get out of hand. Because of the overwhelming response to the environmental call, the concept of eco-chic was born.

Eco chic is not all about clothing and cosmetics, it encompasses all aspects of one’s life, even to the way you eat. From as simple as eco bags to as grand as designer furniture, eco chic must have it all just as long as it’s green and very environment-friendly. The idea behind this is to instill savviness in eco practices and hopefully encourage others to do the same. It is meant to bring out the beauty in saving the world and add a little spice into it. Trendsetters call it “being green without sacrificing style”. Basically, being an eco-chic involves a whole lot of lifestyle changes.

However, there’s a downside to this eco-chic practices, one of which is the tendency of people buying eco-chic stuff just to be “in” when in fact, it defeats the purpose of sustainable living. One should remember that embracing ecofriendly practices means consuming less and to consume less means to buy less too.

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Placenta: Is It Really Good for Your Skin?

Placenta usage for your skincare needs is still a debatable issue and an ongoing one. Manufacturers claim that they are as natural as it can get while critics stand firm in their belief that the product is not only unethical but poses a real health risk as well. Unfortunately, placenta creams are virtually flying off the rack these days as more and more users come out to attest to the product’s effectivity. Apparently, it also made a rift in green communities worldwide.

The main ingredient in placenta creams is of course, placenta, particularly the ones coming from cows and humans. It undergoes purification process and then extracted to be formed in creams, lotions and soaps. They are so effective they earned high praises from its loyal users. Placenta, by the way, is the lining of the womb that comes out along with your child when giving birth. In a nutshell, the placenta acts as the nutrient supplier to your developing child inside the womb. Naturally, a placenta is expected to be rich in nutrients by the time it comes out but do take note that it also acts as toxin reliever for the fetus inside since he or she is still unable to do this on his own.

Placenta is indeed natural since it is not man made but what shakes critics the most is that manufacturers claim their products to be natural when in fact, it is already processed and mixed with chemicals to stabilize the product and make it more attractive to use. Also, studies have found that placenta-based skin care products can be heavily laden with hormones triggering hormonal surge to humans making it very unsuitable for children’s use.

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Home Recipes for Organic Bubble Bath

Bubble baths are fun and very relaxing.  Soaking the warm water after a long day in the office is an ideal way to wind down and reflect.  Concocting a home made bubble bath is not only fun it can also help save money and even the environment especially if one uses environment friendly products.  Here are a few simple and earth friendly recipes for some home made bubble bath.

For a basic bubble bath, get 2 cups of almond oil, 2 cups of distilled water, 1 cup of grated soap or soap flakes, and 2 tablespoons of Witch Hazel.  Boil the distilled water and melt the soap in it. In another container, mix the witch hazel and almond oil together and shake well. If you have a blender, then use it for this step.   Then slowly add the soap mixture to the witch hazel and oil blend and again, shake or blend well. These amounts will make a large quantity of basic bubble bath mixture to which you can add the essential oils of your choice.  For example if you want a calming bubble bath, then add lavender as the essential oil or if you want to be reinvigorated then peppermint would be very good or if you want to feel refreshed then orange or strawberry are very good examples.

Another recipe also very good for relaxing is a mint bubble bath.  Mix together 1 cup fresh mint or ¼ cup dried mint leaves, 1 cup of finely chopped fresh bay leaves, a teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of almond extract.  Once ingredients are combined, put it in a mesh bag or cheese cloth.  Tie the cloth or bag to hot running water and enjoy.  For best results, chop your fresh mint finely to maximize on the effect.

These organic bubble baths are not only cheaper than the commercial kind, they are also safer on the environment because they are made of natural ingredients as opposed to chemical and synthetic ones.

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Anti Wrinkle Home Remedy Recipe

Anti-wrinkle creams are some of the more popular cosmetics available in the markets today.  The good brands usually sell anywhere from $50-$200 a jar.  And during these tough economic times, that amount seems too much to spend on vanity.  However, there are home made recipes available that may just help in preventing fine lines and wrinkles from forming.  Here are some of them.

Vitamin C is a very good source of anti-oxidants plus it is also a very good exfoliant.  Oranges and other fruits rich in Vitamin C can help reduce wrinkles by helping renew skin by speeding up the peeling process of the dead upper layer of the skin.  Simply dip a cotton ball on some pure orange or pineapple juice and apply liberally onto the skin.  Let the juice stay for about 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

To get rid of puffiness around the eyes, place a metal spoon inside the freezer overnight.  Press the back of the spoon directly on the eye to help reduce puffiness.  This also helps minimize lines around the eye area as well as dark circles.

For an anti-wrinkle toner, mix 2 table spoons of vodka, 1 table spoon fennel seeds and 2 tea spoons honey.  Let the concoction sit for three days before initial application.   For best results, use twice a day.

For an anti-wrinkle facial mask, mix ½ oz yeast with warm milk (for normal skin) or olive oil (dry skin) or 3 % hydrogen peroxide (oily skin).  Whip in one egg white and the juice of half a lemon.  Add a pinch of salt to the mixture and apply on the skin in layers.  Leave on the skin for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water.  A full course is 20 masks.  This yeast mask is full of Vitamin B which boosts blood circulation in the skin.  It also clears pores and is recommended for dry or wrinkled skin.

All these concoctions can be made from the comfort of your own home with materials readily available straight from the kitchen.  These recipes are inexpensive,  natural and safe.  But to err on the side of caution, apply these mixtures in a small area first before applying to a big area like the face to make sure that there are no allergic reactions.

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Fight Acne by Eating Right

In truth, there is no known connection between the food you eat and acne. There’s no proven diet that can clear up your face as well as those that can aggravate its already worst condition. Young adults are always reminded not to eat oily and sugary foods but experts say it bears no difference at all whether or not you choose to eat them.

On the other hand, nutritionists the world over strongly support eating right to fight acne. Eating healthy will keep acne at bay. The key to keeping your skin healthy is giving your skin everything it needs to maintain optimum health and radiant glow. Aside from that, one should be aware that toxins inside your body are also a suspected cause of acne so as much as possible, rid the body of these acne-inducing substances. Here are some foods that can give you all the essential nutrients your skin will need:

·    Water. Keep yourself hydrated all the time. When your body lacks the hydration it needs, the first to giveaway is your skin. The recommended daily intake is about 8 glasses, more if it’s a hot day and you perspire a lot.
·    Fiber enriched foods. They act as brooms inside the digestive tract. When you maintain a healthy, daily dose of fiber-enriched foods, rest assured that toxins won’t live long in there to accumulate and cause acne. Munching on fruits and vegetables in your snack time instead of junk foods and empty calories would be your best move.
·    Since acne is closely associated with hormones, it is but natural to seek low-glycemic diet to help stabilize your insulin levels.
·    Lastly, anti-inflammatory substances such as vitamins and herbal products may help in naturally calming down skin breakouts.

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Do Without Cosmetic Testing on Animals

In an effort to bring cosmetic products that are safe for humans, animals suffered tremendously worldwide. These animals were killed, mutilated and tortured just to make sure that your cosmetic needs are met accordingly. But, seriously, can we afford such cruelty?

Every year, animals are bought in batches by cosmetic companies and taken into testing sites. From then on they will be the main objects for measuring levels of toxicity, skin irritation and eye tissue damage in which the key ingredients may incur. These are very painful procedure and some of these animals actually die during the process itself—if they do, lucky for them, their bodies will just be thrown out back to the wild but those who unfortunately, survived these experimentations are left to live with the damages for the rest of their lives. These tests are simply inhumane, not to mention, they could never be accurate since these laboratories are not testing a human reaction, only that of an animal. In short, animal experimentations are not essential to cosmetic products since they can still cause adverse reaction when applied to human skin.

Organizations for animal rights never said that the war against cosmetic testing would be easy; especially when cosmetic companies find it easier to butcher these animals than seek other testing alternatives that won’t use live ones. Aside from the cosmetic products we apply directly to our skins, these animals are used for testing household cleaning agents as well. Just imagine what these animals would have to go through just to ensure that these products are safe for us to use. On the other hand, animal rights activists strongly recommend banning those companies who still practice these procedures and go for organic and natural products instead since these products don’t need to be tested anymore.

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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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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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