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3 Face Mask Recipes You Can Make At Home

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face mask
If you walk into any local drug store, make-up counter or department store, you will find a numerous amount of face masks. Some of these masks can be quite costly and many of them have chemicals or other irritants that aren’t good for your body.
One of the best ways to combat this, is to take the matter into your own hands and make the facial masks yourself. With just a few ingredients, you can receive the same benefits of the masks sold at stores, without the hazards and extra expense. Just take a look in your kitchen cabinet and the basic ingredients for these masks will most likely be there.
No matter what skin type you have, there is an all natural mask recipe that you can easily prepare to make your skin look and feel its best. Even those with sensitive skin or acne can benefit from these natural facial masks.
Let’s take a look at some recipes for various skin types and conditions:

1. Oily or Acne Prone Skin Face Mask

The use of orange peel powder in face masks is excellent in treating oily and acne prone skin. This powder will soak up any extra sebum, which causes acne, on the skin.
You can get simple directions on how to create the powder here. When you combine it with just a few other ingredients, you will create a face mask that works wonders on those pesky pimples.
The following recipe will help reduce the excess oil as well as replenish with healthier oils that will keep skin from drying out:
2 tsp. – orange peel powder
1 tsp – pure coconut oil
1 tsp – milk (low fat or full fat)
Combine ingredients above into a small bowl or cup. Cleanse your face as usual. Place a hot towel on your face for a several seconds to open the pores, so they can absorb the mask.
The mask can be applied with the fingertips in a circular motion or with a hand held facial scrubber with a rotating brush. Leave the mask on for 15 – 20 minutes and gently rinse off with warm water, then pat dry with a soft towel.

2. Dry Skin Face Mask

This hydrating mask will plump your skin, smooth the texture and brighten your skin all at once. The avocado in this recipe is the perfect component for beautiful, younger looking skin, due to the healthy fats that it’s made of.
¼ of an avocado
1 TB – cocoa powder
1 TB – organic honey
Mash the avocado with a fork and gradually mix in the cocoa powder and organic honey until thoroughly combined.
Cleanse your face as usual and place a hot towel over it to open up the pores. Use your fingertips to apply the mask in a circular motion over the face. Allow the mask to sit on your face for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water until removed and gently pat try with a clean towel.

3. Wrinkle Reducing Facial Mask

This one ingredient pineapple mask is like an all natural, at home, mini facial peel. The exfoliation properties of pineapple, such as alpha hydroxy acid, will reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
All you have to to is cut up fresh pineapple into pieces and run them through the blender. Once the chunks turn into a fine pulp, strain the pineapple into a bowl. The juice can then be applied to your clean skin with a soft cotton pad and left to dry on the face for 20-25 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Conclusion
By using the above recipes on a regular basis, you should see an improvement in your skin’s texture and appearance. Although rare, you should always discontinue use if any rash happens to develop.
For further reading on how to keep your skin looking healthy, check out: How To Get That Non Surgical Facelift Without Using Product and What Foods To Eat More Of To Slow The Signs Of Aging.
Image: Flickr

How To Make Your Own Organic Face Creams

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Image: Karolina Mis

We all know that we need to moisturize. It keeps our skin soft, supple, and delays the signs of skin aging. But the problem is, choosing the right hydrating or moisturizing cream for our face can be tricky. For one, not all face creams are created the same. If you choose one that’s not suitable for your skin type, you’ll end up either having breakouts or with a dry skin. And second, there are face creams that contain ingredients that are too harsh for your skin. If you’re not keen on reading product ingredients, you’ll more likely to end up with skin irritation.

Making Your Own Face Cream

Making your own organic face cream can give you a peace of mind as you know what’s exactly in it. You can add more or less as you please and there are tons of ingredient mixture that you can play around.
Another reason for considering making your own face cream is the cost. Good quality store-bought organic face creams often cost hundreds of dollars. This can easily add up especially if you’re making it as part of your regular facial routine. When you’re making your own face cream, you can save thousands of dollars in a year as the ingredients are easy to find; oftentimes, they are the things you can easily find right inside your kitchen.

The Essentials

Here are the things you need for making your own organic face cream:
Clean and well-lit working area
You don’t need a fancy working area when you’re making your own face cream. As long as it’s clean and well-lit, you’re good to go. In fact, you can make organic face creams in your kitchen, using your kitchen island or part of your countertop.
If you’re working with essential oils, it’s important to work in an area with good ventilation. These oils are highly volatile and combustible and hence, should be kept away from heat and sources of flame.
Utensils
The utensils for making face cream may vary with each formula. You can easily get started though with just the basic tools; most of which are things that you may already have at home. These include small to medium-sized bowls, a whisk, blender or food processor, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, small jars with lids, and lint cloth for cleaning up.
Ingredients
The ingredients you need may vary, depending on the type of face cream you’re making. Most ingredients in making a homemade face cream are easy to find; many of which can be found right inside your home.

DIY Organic Anti-Aging Face Cream

There are different ways of making your own organic face cream. Below are some variations of it:

  • All-Natural Face Cream from Inhabitat
    This face cream formula uses different types of oils including olive oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and drops of essential oil. It also uses beeswax pastilles, organic hydrosol, organic aloe vera gel, and vitamin E oil.To make this face cream, you need measuring cups and spoons, whisk, stainless steel or glass mixing bowls, stainless steel or glass saucepan, a double boiler, blender or food processor, a spatula, and several clean lidded jars for storing your face cream.
    Depending on the volume of cream you intend to make, you can cut back or add more on the ingredients stated in the recipe. You can also make this fragrance-free by opting out of the use of essential oils.
  • The 6-Ingredient Anti-Aging Face Cream from Livestrong
    This organic face cream recipe can be a good start if you haven’t tried making your own face cream before. It only needs six basic ingredients – organic beeswax, rosewater, shea butter, germ oil, sweet almond oil, and organic honey. You can add essential oils of your choice once the mixture has cooled.

    For the tools, you’ll only be needing a baking pan, glass mixing bowl, glass cup, hand mixer or stick blender, and small glass jars with lids for storing your organic face cream.
  • Carrot Face Cream from Organic Beauty Recipes

If you’re looking for an organic face cream that offers protection from UV radiation, then this carrot face cream is worth a shot.

For this face cream, you’ll need organic aloe vera juice, carrot seed oil, camelia seed oil, refined shea butter, beeswax pellets, and essential oils (carrot seed, lavender, rose geranium, frankincense).

As for the tools and equipment, you only need a double boiler, a whisk, and several glass jar containers with lids.

Does Anti-Aging Make Up Really Work? Dermatologists Have Their Say

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Image: Thomas Kohler

Anti-aging products are no longer new. They’ve been around for years, catering to the needs of those who want to look younger without going under the knife. One of the most recent addition to these anti-aging products are anti-aging cosmetics. From foundation to lipstick, these products claim to take years off your face. But do they really work?

What Dermatologists Have To Say

Whether or not anti-aging makeup work depends largely on what they’re consist of. Cosmetic products containing moisturizers can be good for your skin as dehydration makes fine lines and wrinkles more prominent.
There are different factors that contribute to skin dryness as we age. Aside from the loss of hormones, sun damage and decrease of cell renewal also contributes to dry, rough skin. Cosmetic products that also moisturize the skin can help in the hydration. A skin that’s hydrated looks plumper compared to one that is not.
Not all moisturizers though are created equal. Dermatologists suggest looking into products containing vitamin A (it helps prevent pigmentation and fine lines), retinoids, plant oils, shea butter, cocoa butter, and animal oils.
Another thing that dermatologists pointed out is the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) the makeup has. SPF refers to the ability of the product to block skin-damaging ultraviolet B rays. The SPF rating on products simply refers to the time it takes to get a sunburn when not wearing a sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend products with an SPF of 30. Products of higher SPF rating may offer higher protection but none of them can actually provide 100% protection from UVB rays.
Although most of these anti-aging makeup contain ingredients that promise to make you look younger, dermatologists still recommend using other anti-aging products to go with them. It’s the same thing as using sunscreen even you’re using a makeup with good SPF rating.

Choosing the Right Makeup

For dermatologists, choosing the right anti-aging makeup is as important as how you use them. If your skin is dry, then you need to look for products that also moisturize the skin. For foundation, you can look for those containing humectants. These are substances added to products to help reduce the loss of skin moisture. Steer clear of makeup with salicylic acid as it can make your skin drier.
Makeup artists suggest that before you pick cosmetic products with moisturizers, it’s also best to look somewhere in the label if it mentions about “matte.” Most products promising matte finish can only make your skin look drier.
Vitamin A is another ingredient that you may also want to look into cosmetic products. It can come in different forms like retinol and retinoid. Vitamin A-containing products help in restoring the skin’s moisture, making the skin look more youthful. In one study, it shows that retinoid is one of the most promising anti-aging agents out there.
Skincare experts emphasize that even if you’re using makeup with this ingredient, you still shouldn’t quit your night creams with retinol or other vitamin A derivatives.
Peptides are other anti-aging agents that you may also want to consider when shopping for anti-aging cosmetic products. These are proteins that contribute to collagen synthesis.
Over the years, collagen production is reduced both as a result of intrinsic (natural aging process) and extrinsic aging (results from environmental factors like tobacco smoking and unprotected sun exposure). The loss of collagen results to more prominent fine lines and wrinkles. Hence, adding peptide-containing products can help in keeping one’s skin look more youthful.
On top of anti-aging makeup, doing facial exercises regularly can help in giving you the youthful look. These exercises aimed at “working out” different facial muscles to keep them from sagging. You can find different types of facial exercises depending on the area you want to work on.

Why Botox Isn't Always The Answer – What You Need To Avoid

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Image: Steven Depolo

Botox injections are among the most common options of people who have visible signs of skin aging. These injections are derived from different forms of botulinum toxin. This toxin is produced by a bacteria that cause food poisoning. When injected on the skin, it has a desirable effect, at least for those who would want to delay skin aging as it paralyzes muscle activity.

About the Botulinum Toxin

In high concentrations, the toxin can be dangerous. It can lead to life-threatening conditions like botulism. When left unmanaged, this can lead to respiratory failure and death.
However, in smaller concentrations, the botulinum toxin can be beneficial to humans when injected into the skin. It works by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When this neurotransmitter attaches to its receptor, it causes muscle contraction. By preventing the release of this neurotransmitter, there will be no muscle contraction on the area.
The paralyzing effect of the toxin makes it useful for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other visible signs of skin aging.

What Happens During the Procedure

Botox injection is a minor cosmetic procedure. It starts by diluting the substance in saline solution. It is directly injected into the neuromuscular using a fine needle. It usually takes between 24 to 72 hours for the toxin to take effect but in some cases, it may take more than 3 days for the toxin to take full effect.
The procedure would only take about a few minutes. Although there is mild discomfort, there is no need for anesthesia.
Botox injections are generally considered a safe procedure to get rid of the fine lines and wrinkles. Pregnant and lactating women are not advised to undergo in this cosmetic procedure.
Alcohol and certain drugs like anti-inflammatory medications should be avoided a week or two before getting these injections.

Risks and Side Effects of Botox Injections

Like many cosmetic procedures, Botox injections also come with certain risks. It can cause harmful reaction to those who are allergic to the toxin. There are also people who develop antibodies to the toxin that make future treatments with Botox injections ineffective.
In some cases, Botox injections cause mild pain, edema, headache, mild nausea, weakness, upper lid drooping, neck weakness, double vision, bleeding, blurring of vision, fatigue, dry mouth, wheezing, rashes, and swelling.

Alternative to Botox Injections

While Botox injections can be effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, they can lead to unpleasant effects like breathing problems and allergic reaction. Plus, they can be costly in the long run as these injections can cost between $200 to $500 per session.
Women who would want to stay young can still achieve their goal without spending too much or exposing themselves to unnecessary risks with the following alternatives to Botox injections:
Retinol
Many anti-aging creams have retinol in them. Retinol is one of the favorite anti-aging ingredients of dermatologists as it really works by pushing the skin cells up, promoting collagen production, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Over-the-counter retinol comes in different forms. When buying more aggressive formulations of it, make sure that it also comes with a substance that eases the redness or the skin drying.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is another good alternative to Botox injections. AHA pertains to a group of acids that are found naturally in citrus fruits, sugar cane, sour milk, apples, and grapes.
When applied on the skin, these acids help moisturize the skin and get rid of the dead skin cells. They are also used for treating acne, reducing the appearance of acne marks, and help in improving the appearance of photo-aged skin.
Facial Exercises
Facial exercises lie on a premise that facial muscles are like other muscles of the body. When you do not “work them out” regularly, they can lead to skin sagging and hence, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
There are different types of facial exercises you can try, depending on the facial area you want to improve. There are facial exercises to reduce the appearance of fine lines around your eyes, brow lines, and for the lines around your lips.
The good thing with facial exercises is that you can do them anytime, anywhere without spending more compared to Botox injections.
Botox injections may have worked well for many but don’t feel bad if it didn’t or you think it won’t work for you. Know that there are alternatives to these injections. Some of these alternatives may even be better than these toxin injections.

How To Find The Fountain Of Youth

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Image: Ken Witherow

The Fountain of Youth is an interesting topic in history. It is a body of water believed to have the ability to cure illnesses and reverse the aging process. It is believed that even Alexander the Great of Macedonia had been looking for the Fountain of Youth. But the most famous figure associated with the search for this fountain is the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce De Leon.
According to the stories, De Leon had heard about the Fountain of Youth while he was in the Caribbean. So, he sailed off to the coast of Florida in search for the mysterious body of water. However, digging into the documents revealed that there weren’t enough evidence supporting this story. It was found out that his journey is just really all about the search for gold and other richness for his country Spain.
Whether or not the story of the Fountain of Youth is true, a lot of people still believed that such thing really exists.

Modern Fountain of Youth

Although aging is normal part of life, a lot of us still refused to accept it. Even if the story of the Fountain of Youth is considered a myth, many still look for ways to extend their youth and live longer.
Thanks to science, we no longer have to look for the Fountain of Youth in faraway lands as the following claims to offer the same promise – a youthful look even if you’re already past the age of 30:
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Produced by the pituitary gland, the human growth hormone’s function is to support childhood growth and maintain tissues and organs all throughout a person’s life. By the time a person reaches the middle age, the production of HGH slows down.
In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of synthetic HGH to counteract the effects of aging. However, studies revealed that while the hormone supports muscle growth, it doesn’t necessarily translate to increase in muscle strength.
Aside from being expensive, HGH injections also pose some risks including the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, joint and muscle pain, swelling in the arms and legs, and for men, it can lead to gynecomastia or enlargement of the breasts.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant found in wine, fruits, cocoa, and some nuts. Some studies reveal that resveratrol provides several health benefits. It is shown to reduce the cholesterol level, prevent blood clots and damage to the blood vessels, and reduce the risk of stroke. But the most intriguing research on resveratrol is on its effect on the aging process.
In a study, it shows that resveratrol can affect the activity of enzymes called sirtuins. This group of enzymes are shown to control the pathways that are involved in the aging process. Researchers found out that resveratrol, a natural and synthetic sirtuin-activating compound, increases the activity of the mitochondria and it could be through this process that resveratrol can affect the process of age-related diseases.
Botox
Botox is considered to be a modern Fountain of Youth as it relaxes the muscles that cause facial wrinkles. Using a specially formulated toxin, Botox injections can lead to smoother and wrinkle-free skin. It’s an FDA-approved drug usually used by those who wanted a non-invasive procedure to get a youthful look.
As an anti-aging agent, it works on the nerve impulses that affect the muscle contractions that give way to wrinkles.
Facial Exercise
Also known as facial yoga, facial exercise is an easy and inexpensive way to get the desired youthful look. Unlike other facial treatments that require several sessions with a specialist (which can be an added cost on your part), facial exercise can be done right inside the comfort of your own home. You can either do it under the guidance of an expert or simply by following a tutorial from one. It isn’t invasive and can be done anywhere, anytime.
Advocates of facial exercise believes that the facial muscles are just like other muscles in the body. They need to be ‘worked out’ regularly in order to keep them from sagging.
Whether you’re bothered with frown lines or wrinkles around your mouth, there are specific facial exercise that can help you with that.
The Fountain of Youth may just be a myth but new discoveries and man’s curiosity have given hope that perhaps, this mythical body of water could be existing somewhere else; probably, in different form.

Why You Need To Commit To A Daily Facial Routine

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Image: Martina Rathgens

The skin is the largest organ of the body yet we often neglect it especially when we were younger. But as our age advances and as the signs of aging start to become visible on our skin, we begin to realize the value of having a daily facial routine and staying committed to it.
Having a facial routine is a way of pampering our skin. Besides, it’s our first line of defense against the harmful UV rays, bacteria, and pollutants. They are basically exposed to harmful elements 24/7. Without commitment to a facial routine, it would be easier for these harmful elements to break into the skin, causing damage not just on the outside but also on the inside.

Creating Daily Facial Routine

Every woman’s facial routine is unique. It largely depends on one’s needs, choice of products, and commitment. A woman in her 20s who works at home basically has a totally different facial routine from someone in her 40s and is a top executive of an international company.
While there are differences on what makes up a woman’s facial routine, there are basically four (4) things that comprise these routines. These include cleansing, protecting, exfoliating, and moisturizing.
Cleansing
Cleansing is one of the most basic parts of a woman’s facial routine. It helps keeps a woman’s face fresh and clean as it gets rid of the bacteria, pollutants, excessive sebum, and dead skin cells.
When cleansing, make sure to choose a non-soap cleanser and water. This is because soap-based products tend to clog the pores, causing breakouts.
Protecting
One of the reasons why you should commit to a daily facial routine is to ensure protection from the skin-damaging UV rays and other environmental factors. Hence, part of the routine should be the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. The product to use should also have a critical wavelength rating of 350nm or higher. This ensures better skin protection from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applied every hour or more frequently when perspiring or when swimming.
Exfoliating
Exfoliating products are typically used at night to get rid of dead skin cells that cause uneven skin texture. Exfoliating three times a week using products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) like glycolic acid helps get rid of the top layer of the skin, making it highly useful for women with dark spots.
Moisturizing
Each time you wash your face, you are stripping away your skin’s natural moisture, making it look dry in the long run. A dry skin is more prone to damages. It also makes the signs of aging more visible.
A way to hydrate the skin is through using moisturizing products in the morning and in the evening. Moisturizers make fine lines appear less obvious, control oil production, and prevent skin sensitivity.

Making Facial Exercise as Part of Facial Routine

There may be creams available to keep your skin young-looking but nothing beats the natural way of doing it. If the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet are bothering you, then facial exercise should be part of your facial routine.
These exercises can easily be done at home or with the help of an expert. Unlike expensive night creams, incorporating facial exercise in your facial routine doesn’t require you to spend a lot of money.
Some of the facial exercises that offer anti-aging benefits include the V which is good for drooping eyelids and crow’s feet, the smile smoother for sagging skin and cheek lines, the flirty eyes for drooping eyebrows and eye hollows, smooth the brow for the horizontal forehead lines, and the giraffe for loose skin on the neck.
Every woman who values their skin should have a daily facial routine that they can commit to. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 50s. Having a facial routine is a way of expressing gratitude for the amazing protection provided by our skin.