Healthy Skin

Cucumber Juice for skin healthy
Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash your face and apply the mixture overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps the skin healthy

Banana For Smooth And Glowing Skin
Banana reflects the skin fabulously. Mash a ripe banana and add two tablespoon of honey. Prepare a paste and apply it on the skin. Leave it for getting dry and then wash with cold water. It will offer a radiant glow on the skin.

Apple For Oily Skin
Apples are very good for oily skin. To get rid of shine caused by oily skin instantly, cut a thin slice of apples and rub on affected area, leave it for 10 minutes and wash it after 10 minutes with lukewarm water.

Honey As A Facial Mask
Honey is perfect in curing acne by cleansing skin pores and it also doesn't allow bacteria to grow on skin layer due to its anti bacterial properties. While waxy part of honey helps kipping skin soft, smooth and glowing. You can apply pure honey directly to your skin. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse. Honey is also rich with antioxidants so regular application of honey also makes the skin look younger.

Baking Soda As A Facial Mask
Wet your face with cool tap water. Now dip your wet fingertips in baking soda and gently rub across your face and neck. The soda will exfoliate your pores and cleans your skin. If you feel dryness after exfoliation apply some moisturizer on your face.

Grapes For Oily Skin
For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes (softens your skin), lemon (natural cleanser) and egg white (tightens the skin). Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Honey And Cinnamon For Cure Acne
Make a paste by mixing honey and cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks.

Avocado Facial Cleanser
Take and egg and beat the yolk until it is light and foamy, add a half-cup of milk and mashed ripe peeled avocado. Now use blender or a food processor to mix it well and make a thin, smooth, creamy mixture. Apply this mixture using cotton balls or pads as you would any other cleanser. This cleanser is quite effective againts pollution and grime. Therefore, it's a very pure method of keeping your complexion free of pollutants, which can intefere with normal skin function.

Tips and Tricks for Making Your Perfume Last All Day

Indulging in perfumes can get pricey over time. Make the most out of your favorite fragrances by following these tips to making scents last.

Know What You're Wearing

When it comes to fragrances, be the best chemist you can be. There are a few details to know about fragrance chemistries when you're trying to make the most out of a perfume's scent.

Primarily, there are countless names for fragrances that you've probably heard of. The name of a fragrance will tell you the concentration of each. For example, a body splash contains a concentration of 1 percent  fragrance, and the rest is water. Meanwhile, an eau de toilette is 5-15 percent fragrance and a perfume is 20-30 percent. That being said, the spray with the highest concentration will last the longest.

Another thing to consider with fragrances is the notes, or the chemical makeup of each scent. It's not as tricky as you think -- there are top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the smallest molecules of a certain scent, middle notes are a little bigger than those, and base notes are the aroma that is sure to last the longest. When shopping for perfumes, pay attention to the notes as the base notes are what you'll be stuck with for the long run (the long run being all day). Not sure how to tell? Before you purchase, spray a sample card in the store. Carry it around with you and notice how it changes as the day goes on.

Store Correctly

Store fragrances in a cool and dry place, because humidity does a great job of interacting with essential oils and making your perfume go stale more quickly. Also, make sure that the cap is tightly sealed on your bottle at all times. Leaving the cap off your perfume or taking it off too frequently can lead to the oxidation of your fragrance, which will either dull the scent or create an unpleasant aroma.

Apply After Showering

The ideal time to put on perfume is when you're done showering and moisturizing and your skin is dry. This is important because perfume won't hold on to a perspiring body. Also, it's best to do this before you get dressed so your scent doesn't get lost in the fabric of your clothes.

Non-Spray Fragrances Work Wonders

Spray Your Hairbrush

Get a whiff with every hair flip by lightly spritzing your hairbrush with perfume before brushing your hair in the morning. Here's a hint: If you're using a blow-dryer, this trick will work even better because the heat from the dryer will diffuse into your hair faster. Just make sure you don't apply the spray directly to hair -- if the perfume is alcohol-based, you run the risk of drying your hair out.

Layer, Layer, Layer

This is key to the longevity of your scent throughout the day. Using a soap, lotion, and perfume of the same scent will boost the aroma for your skin to flaunt. Not only that, but moisturizing your skin before applying a perfume will help lock in the scent. Just keep in mind that moderation is key -- instead of spraying perfume directly onto your skin, hold the bottle about ten inches away and spray for a perfect intensity of scent.

Bring Your Scent with You

Freshen up your perfume during the day without having to lug the whole bottle in your purse. Spray a couple of cotton swabs with your scent and stick them in a resealable baggie in your purse. When you feel like you need a "spritz", simply take a swab and rub it behind your ears and on the inside of your wrists.

Cleaning House Naturally

Cleaning house naturally is not any more difficult that cleaning it with harsh chemicals. It improves indoor air quality and is much safer, especially for children. We’ve switched entirely to natural cleaning products and our house is just as clean (or cleaner) and I don’t have to worry about the kids getting sick if they lick the floors (what, your kids don’t do that?) The other great thing about natural cleaning recipes is that it is safe for kids to start helping with cleaning jobs at an earlier age. I’ve found that 2-4 years is a great age to get them to really start doing regular chores as they naturally want to help at this age!
Here are a few easy and inexpensive natural cleaning recipes to use around the house:

1) Tile Grout Cleaner-

• Mix 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda mixed into a paste. Apply to grout and let sit, scrub with toothbrush, remove with sponge.

2) Cookware-

• Use sea salt or course salt mixed with a little lemon juice and scrub. Also, try baking soda and water made into a paste.

3) Fabric Softener-

• Mix 1 part baking soda, 1 part vinegar, and 2 parts water together. Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup during the final rinse cycle.

4) Toilet Cleaner-

• Use undiluted white vinegar, pour around the top of the toilet bowl, scrub until clean.

Mint Brownies

These Irish mint brownies I found at About food.com and suitables for the kids. You can enjoy these luscious chocolate mint brownies. They're perfect for bake sales, parties, potlucks, and showers too!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

cooling time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours, 48 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 19.8 oz. brownie mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 cup water 

Mint Layer:

• 4 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp. half and half of cream
• 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
• a few drops green food coloring, if desired

Chocolate Topping:

• 6 oz. chocolate, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. butter

Preparation:

1. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


2. Beat brownie mix, eggs, oil and water together until smooth. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Bake 23-28 minutes, until a knife inserted two inches from the edge comes out clean.


3. Let brownies cool completely, at least 1 hour.


4. Beat butter, sugar, half and half and peppermint extract together until smooth. Add green food coloring if desired, tinting the mint layer to desired color. Spread the mint frosting over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.


5. Heat chocolate and butter in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring until just melted. Remove from heat. Let cool 1-2 minutes. Spread over mint layer. Refrigerate immediately.


6. When ready to serve Irish mint brownies, bring to room temperature 5 minutes before cutting.

Makes 32 Irish mint brownies.

10 Common Beauty Products You Shouldn’t Be Putting On Your Skin

Not to freak you out or anything, but there might be horrible chemicals in practically every beauty product you use that could seep into your bloodstream and build up toxicity over time. If you’re even slightly the paranoid type, this information is enough to make you want to revamp that makeup drawer.  

You might actually be more likely to absorb dangerous chemicals directly into your bloodstream through your skin than if you were to ingest them (where enzymes can break them down). If you’re not convinced, the common occurrence of systemic side effects when using prescribed topically applied ointments is indicative of high absorption through the skin. Transdermal patches are becoming a common way to administer drugs because they “avoid the digestive tract completely and the drug is slowly absorbed across the skin directly into the circulation resulting in a long lasting effect.”

For many of these controversial ingredients, the FDA claims that the amount in products is not significant enough to actually do any harm, but with breast cancer rates up higher than ever, you can never be too safe.
 

1. Permanent and Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes (Especially Darker Colors)

Several studies have linked longtime hair dye use to bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Researchers found that rodents that were fed these compounds from coal-tar in certain hair dyes were more likely to develop cancer than rodents that were not fed these compounds. Read more about it here.

Scary Scientific Fact:
Aside from cancer scares, you could build up a tolerance to the chemicals and eventually suffer from a scary allergic reaction, even if you’ve been using the same product for years. Just do a little Google image search of “hair dye allergies.” Shudder.


How To Avoid:
There’s always lemon juice for lightening and tea to cover up gray.

2. Compound Henna Hair Dye 

Despite the “all natural” ingredients, there are almost always metallic salts used as pigmentation lurking in any henna dye that claims to dye your hair any color other than “reddish.” These dyes are known as compound henna hair products, and many of the boxes don’t even list metallic salts as an ingredient.

Scary Scientific Fact:
 If you’ve dyed your hair with a compound henna hair product, you should wait at least a year or two before re-dyeing with any kind of chemical hair dye containing hydrogen peroxide. According to HennaForHair.com, your hair “may turn frog butt green or offshore sewage outlet black.” The chemical reaction could also cause your hair to SMOKE and emit a foul odor.
 
How To Avoid: Do a strand test by taking some of your henna-dyed hair from a hairbrush and testing the chemical dye over it. If something catastrophic happens, then you know you’ve got metallic salts in your henna. 

3.ALUMINIUM POWDER IN HIGHLY PIGMENTED EYESHADOWS AND EYELINER

It’s found in popular products like Nars eyeshadow, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Everlong waterproof mascara. According to the Environmental Working Group, aluminum powder allegedly shows strong linkage to neurotoxicity and cancer. However, the FDA has deemed it safe as an ingredient in cosmetics.

Scary Fact:
During the filming of the Wizard of Oz, Buddy Ebsen, who played the Tin Man, reportedly suffered a reaction to the aluminum powder makeup he wore. The powder had coated his lungs, and nine days later, Ebsen was hospitalized in critical condition and left the project.
 
How To Avoid:
Try Real Purity eyeshadow duos, which score fairly well on the EDW Skin Deep database.

 

 4. Vitamin A in Sunscreen

Government data shows that an ingredient called retinyl palmitate, or vitamin A palmitate (used in over half of sunscreens available on the market) causes cancer on skin exposed to sunlight. Retinol (an animal form of vitamin A) is specifically used in night creams because it should never be applied during the day.*
Another popular sunscreen ingredient, oxybenzone, is believed to be linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage.
 
Scary Scientific Fact:
Lab animals covered in a retinol-laced skin cream and exposed to just nine minutes of sunlight every day for a year developed tumors and lesions up to 21% sooner than animals coated in vitamin A-free block.**
 
How to Avoid:
Use sunscreens that don’t contain these two ingredients

 

5. Nail Polish

You’re probably aware of the toxicity of nail polish by the fumes, the flammability, and the fact that you should always apply nail polish in a well-ventilated area. The three offending chemicals are: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. Despite the fact that many big-name nail polishes have agreed to remove the “Toxic Three,” tests show that a majority of them still contain the dangerous chemicals.

How To Avoid:
Try a water-based nail polish like Acquarella or Honeybee Gardens.

 
Scary Fact:
Researchers who tested 33 nail salon workers found that they performed significantly worse on tests that measured attention and brain-processing speed. Maybe you aren’t exposed to as many fumes as they are, but if you’re pregnant or nursing, the chemicals inhaled could result in an actual effect on your child’s mental development.

 
6. Perfume

The average mainstream perfume product might contain up to 14 secret ingredients, but due to a loophole in the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, perfume brands are not required to list them. Some common perfume ingredients are chemicals that have been associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions. Many of these chemicals have also not been tested for safety.

Scary Fact:
Secondhand scent might be considered the next secondhand smoke. Smelly people who apply too much cologne or perfume can trigger asthma, migraines, and nausea in those with chemical sensitivities. Some lawmakers and employers are even considering perfume bans.
 
How To Avoid:
Well, there are always indie perfumes made from essential oils instead of industrial chemicals. And you should also probably avoid any product that has the generic umbrella term “fragrance” in its ingredient list. This sadly rules out pretty much every nice-smelling product you own. Goodbye, St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Chanel face cream.

7.Brazilian Blowouts and Hair Straighteners

Even if a label claims a keratin product is “formaldehyde-free,” many keratin-based hair straighteners were actually found to still contain substantial amounts of the cancer-causing chemical. Also, if formaldehyde is sprayed into the eyes, it can cause blindness. The FDA has only recently claimed that Brazilian blowouts can be dangerous, and has issued a warning rather than declaring a recall.

Scary Story:
  “Salon workers and consumers have reported a number of injuries to the FDA due to use of the products, including eye and nervous system disorders, respiratory tract problems, chest pain, vomiting, and rash,” according to WebMD.

How To Avoid:
Watch out for an ingredient called “methylene glycol,” which is basically just formaldehyde mixed with water. It’s how companies get away with calling their products “formaldehyde-free.”

 

8.“Natural” Products That Still Contain Harmful Ingredients

Always check the ingredients list and don’t be fooled. Burt’s Bees baby lotion contains phenoxyethanol. A bottle of anything by Kiehl’s could contain phenoxyethanol, parabens, PEGs, chlorphenesin (a neurotoxin that is restricted in Japan), triethanolamine, sulfates, and oxybenzone. Body Shop’s ingredient lists commonly include artificial fragrances and parabens. Tom’s Of Maine “Wicked Fresh!” mouthwash contains zinc chloride, which was recently classified as a possible carcinogen and corrosive chemical. If you’re nursing or pregnant, you especially want to watch out for these offending ingredients.

Sad But True Fact:
Many of the “natural” and “eco” products sold in drugstores or at your local Sephora are owned by giant companies like Colgate, L’Oréal, and Estée Lauder. These are the same companies that put lead in their lipsticks and triclosan in their toothpaste (which has been known to alter hormone regulation in animal studies).
 
How To Avoid:
Time to become one of those obsessive homeopathic ladies and make your own skin-care items and toothpaste.

 

9.Mineral Makeup

Iron oxides and other mineral pigments, although natural, are often found in association with toxic metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and selenium. When the FDA found lead in over 400 lipsticks, the common ingredients were mineral pigments. According to a Canadian study, “all mineral makeups tested had nickel, 96% had lead, 90% beryllium and the average mineral makeup tested had four of eight heavy metals.” In the U.S., your typical mineral powder foundation could contain iron oxides, which contains lead “at levels acceptable to the FDA.” Individual exposures to these metals in small amounts are unlikely to cause harm, but they can allegedly build up in the body over time and can increase risk for a variety of health problems.

Read why this organic skin-care company won’t be launching a mineral makeup line anytime soon.
 
Interesting Fact:
“The Government of Canada has implemented numerous measures to reduce the amount of heavy metals to which Canadians are exposed, including prohibiting their use in cosmetics. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, antimony and chromium are heavy metal ingredients prohibited in cosmetics sold in Canada.” Click here for a much more detailed explanation of the harms of heavy metals in cosmetics.
 
How To Avoid:
If you don’t want to wear synthetic chemicals and you don’t want microscopic metals permeating through your skin, you’re probably just better off not wearing any makeup at all.

 

10.Anti-Perspirants

Research has shown that high doses of the same aluminium salts used in antiperspirants have had devastatingly detrimental effects in mice, including ovarian lesions and reproductive failure, according to this study. There is also a possible link between aluminum and breast cancer, because deodorant is applied so closely to the outer-upper quadrant of the breast, where tumors are likely to appear. Breast tissue biopsies showed a “statistically higher concentration of aluminum in the outer as compared with the inner region of the breast.” And it’s not just aluminum that could have carcinogenic effects — most anti-perspirants also contain phthalates and parabens, both of which are banned in other countries.

Scary Scientific Fact:
  If you shave your armpits (increasing the chance of nicks and skin breakage) AND use anti-perspirant, you could be at higher risk. See the study here and here.
 
How To Avoid: There are many natural deodorants on the market which have very low toxicity scores on the EWG Skin Deep database. Unfortunately, many chronic perspirers claim the natural stuff just doesn’t work for them. 

Credit to: wellnessmama.com

How To Get Rid Of Pimples And Blemishes

How to Get Rid of Pimples and Blemishes

Pimples, blemishes and acne are the most universal skin care complaints and can be a huge source of embarrassment. Contrary to common belief, this problem is not exclusive to teens and adolescents. Adults often experience acne problems after years of clear skin.

Treatment of pimples is somewhat tricky. While there's no quick cure for those unsightly blemishes, putting a stop to major breakouts will greatly reduce your discomfort and chance of scarring.


Prevention

Keep your face clean and don't overscrub it. This will only irritate your skin and make you more prone to breakouts. Wash your face twice a day with antibacterial soap, three times a day for acne prone skin. To avoid aggravating pimples, stay away from harsh soaps and fragrances.

To avoid transferring bacteria and germs, clean your pillowcase, washcloths, towels, make-up brushes and applicators frequently. Try washing your make-up applicators in antibacterial soap or clarifying shampoo. Keep your hair clean and out of your face. Along the same line, keep your phone mouthpiece and writing instruments away from your chin and clean them often.

Avoid wearing heavy make-up and always wash it off before going to bed. Buy make-up specifically designed for your skin type and throw it away after it's expiration date.

Wash your hands frequently and make a conscious effort to avoid touching your face during the daytime hours. This is when you're most likely to do it and you may not realize that it's a habit.

Any correlation to diet and blemishes is a myth. There is no proof that greasy food and sugar will cause your skin to break out, however too much junk food can lead to health problems down the road -- so keep your diet healthy.

It's best to keep your anxiety level down and get your beauty rest. When you're under stress, do not neglect your skin care routine. Take the time for preventive maintenance or your pimples will return with a vengeance.


Stopping Pimples and Blemishes

Acne prone people are still going to experience pimples and blemishes, even after the best skin care routine. After they appear, knowing how to get rid of them quickly and sensibly reduces your chance of scarring.

Use the preventive maintenance above, along with some pimple drying techniques to shorten the life of your blemishes and breakouts.

If your skin is oily, use an over the counter cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to start the drying process. If you're experiencing one of those painful "under the skin, cystic" pimples, put a warm compress on it to drain it first, then dry it up with benzoyl peroxide. Sometimes putting a small piece of tape on your blemish overnight will help draw out the fluid and infection.

Another overnight home remedy for zapping a zit is to put a dab of toothpaste on it to help dry it out. You may need to test this on a short-term basis to make sure it doesn't irritate your pimple. Calamine lotion will have the same drying effect.

It's not recommended to squeeze a pimple, but the jury is still out. While doing this makes you more prone to scarring and skin discolorations, sometimes it's the only fast way to drain it. If you're at the point where you feel the need to squeeze, consult your dermatologist for treatment.

If blemishes persist, scarring needs to be prevented and there are many useful products to put a stop to recurring acne and pimples. If your blemish is gone and you have some discoloration but no scar, don't fret. Chances are, it will fade with time.
Makeup Advice
When it comes to cosmetics, makeup is the the fun part. Applying makeup is a learned art. Start by putting on foundation with a sponge, blending it from the center, outwards, into the hairline and neck. Cover your eyelids and lips as well for solid base. You can set your foundation with loose powder and a large cosmetics brush.

Apply eye shadow to enhance your eyes. Three shades are ideal to shape and define with the darkest color on the lid and the lightest just beneath the brow bone. Mascara lengthens lashes provides fullness.

Blush adds color to cheeks and a youthful glow to your nose forehead and chin. Bronzing powder can double as blush and can be used for shading or hide a double-chin. Blend in well for a more natural look.

Define luscious lips with a lip liner similar to your own lip color or one that matches the color of your lipstick. To create fullness, dust on some white eye shadow to the center of your bottom lip. Keep lips moisturized at night with lip balm or traditional petroleum jelly. In the sunlight, use balm with a SPF to block the sun's dangerous rays from damaging your precious puckers.