Skin Care

Fruits and vegetables for making facial masks are easy to find and can work wonders on the skin. They are loaded with nutrients and vitamins that will help make your skin look fresh and glowing.

Many store bought facial masks are full of chemicals and other harmful ingredients that can seep into the pores. These chemicals are absorbed by the skin and can contribute to allergic reactions and other unhealthy situations.

Natural ingredients are not only healthier to use, they are also much more cost effective. You can save a lot of money by making your own masks from things in your refrigerator and pantry.

Let’s take a look at several fruit and vegetable masks that you can easily make at home:

Avocados

The rich, creamy and nutrient rich avocado is the perfect choice for an all natural facial. Avocados are loaded with healthy fats and will do an excellent job of hydrating dry skin. This article suggests that it is also good for people who have sensitive skin.

What a great way to use up those over ripened avocados!

Avocado Hydrating Facial Mask

½ ripe avocado

½ cup cooked oatmeal

Mash avocado with fork and mix in cooked oatmeal until smooth. Apply to the face and neck and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.

Avocado Acne Mask

¼ ripe avocado

1 tsp plain organic yogurt

½ tsp raw honey

Mash ripe avocado with a fork until smooth. Mix in organic yogurt and raw honey until a paste is formed. Apply to face with a small brush or fingertips. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.

Carrots

This article suggests using carrot facial masks on normal to oily skin. It works well as a natural toner.

Other hydrating ingredients can be added to boost the moisturizing ability of the carrot mask. Consider adding a little honey, extra virgin olive oil or avocado for extra dry skin.

Carrot Antiseptic Mask

3-4 large carrots

2 TB raw honey

Peel and boil carrots until soft. Mash them in a bowl with a fork until smooth. Slowly add honey, ½ TB at a time until thoroughly mixed in and has reached a smooth and creamy consistency. Allow to cool and apply to face and neck with fingertips. Let sit for 20 minutes and remove with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.

Blueberries

Blueberries are chock full of vitamin C and antioxidants. They work well to even out skin tone and lighten dark spots. They are also great for treating oily or acne prone skin.

Below are some recommended blueberry facial recipes:

Blueberry Skin Brightening Mask:

½ cup steamed blueberries, crushed

½ cup plain organic yogurt

Blend blueberries and organic yogurt together and refrigerate until thickened to a mask consistency. Apply to face with fingertips or small brush. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.

Blueberry Hydrating Mask:

1 cup pureed blueberries (fresh or frozen berries that have been thawed)

½ cup organic whole milk

½ cup oatmeal powder (use food processor)

⅛ cup extra virgin olive oil

⅛ cup raw honey

Conclusion

As you can see, fruits and vegetables are beneficial for the skin when used topically, as well as when ingested. The skin on your face and neck will look brighter, smoother and more youthful if you use these masks on a regular basis.

For further reading check out: 3 Reasons You May Look Unhappy When You Look In The Mirror and Which Facial Exercises Should You Do To Maintain Firmer Skin.

Have you ever heard that fish oil can help your complexion? With all of the skin products, vitamin supplements and other gimmicks on the market, it can sometimes be confusing to know what really works.

Fish oil definitely has many overall health benefits, including heart health and increased brain power, such as memory. Not only is the body enhanced by taking fish oil, but your skin is positively affected as well.

Let’s take a closer look at how taking fish oil can help your complexion:

Reduces Inflammation

This study reveals that there is evidence that a connection exists between taking fish oil supplements and a reduction in moderate to severe acne. The reason for this, is because fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acid, which acts as an anti-inflamatory.

This article reports that one must ingest at least 1000 mg of fish oil per day to achieve the anti-inflammatory benefits.

Hydrates Skin

Not only can you topically treat your skin with your favorite toners, serums and moisturizers, but you can also treat it from the inside out.

Ingesting Omega-3 fatty acid, which is a main component of fish oil, is an excellent way to keep the skin plump and hydrated.

It is recommended that it be taken as a supplement, because topical application of fish oil will not provide as many benefits as direct consumption.

You can also eat things such as avocado, salmon and tuna several times a week to boost the power Omega-3 acid on the body.

Reduces Skin Sensitivity to Sunlight

A study mentioned here found that there is a link between taking regular doses of fish oil and the reduction of sensitivity to the sun. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 acids, help prevent sunburn or skin damage from UV rays.

Please be aware that this is not intended as a replacement for sunscreen. It is still advised that a minimum of 30 SPF sunscreen should be used when your skin is exposed to the sun.

The same study mentioned above, additionally discovered that a regular dose of fish oil also reduced sunlight induced-suppression of the immune system. This aids in the ability for the body to fight off skin cancer or infections.

Conclusion

With all of the benefits mentioned above, there is no question that fish oil can help your complexion. With regular use, you should see a firmer and more radiant appearance.

It is always best to incorporate a number of routines together to achieve maximum results.

In addition to taking fish oil supplements, focus on eating a low fat / low sugar diet, with plenty of green leafy vegetables. The vitamins and minerals in these types of foods keep the skin and the rest of the body in a less inflamed state.

It is also recommended to drink plenty of water. Doing so will help keep the skin and body well hydrated. It will also aid in flushing out any excess toxins that the body is holding onto.

If you are concerned about wrinkles or sagging skin, you can also add facial exercise into your routine. This is an easy way to firm your face and neck and help reduce fine lines. It doesn’t take up much time and can be easily done during everyday tasks. Multitasking at its finest!

For further reading, check out: How To Create The Perfect Skin Care For You and 6 Things You Can Do To Help You Look Younger.

Image: Flickr

Creating the perfect skin care routine will encompass all of the elements that will help you look younger. Your skin will be healthier and have fewer breakouts and wrinkles.

The first thing you should do is determine the type of skin you have. Is your skin oily, dry or a combination?

The next thing to consider is if you are prone to allergic reactions and which products or ingredients aggravate the allergy. Read the ingredients on the back of the bottle, so you can avoid any adverse reactions.

Additionally, you should pinpoint your “problem areas”. Do you have crows feet, sagging around the jowl area or forehead lines? There are products on the market you can use to treat those issues.

With the above points in mind, let’s take a look at how you can create the perfect skin care routine for yourself:

Cleanser

Once you have determined your skin type, you should choose a cleanser that is designed for your kind of skin.

For instance, if you have oily skin that is acne prone, you would want a cleanser that is specifically created to treat that condition. The same goes for dry skin. You will need to use a cleanser and other products that hydrate the skin. If you use the wrong products on your skin, such as a cleanser, you could worsen the problems you are having.

Cleanse your face at night before you go to bed. This will remove all of the dirt that has accumulated on your face throughout the day. It is also a good idea to wash your face in the morning as well.

Exfoliator

It is beneficial to use an exfoliator once a week. This process will lift any dead skin cells that are clogging pores. It also allows fresh skin to appear after the dull cells are removed.

There are many facial scrubs on the market that are created for all skin types.

Toner

Always use a toner after cleansing the face. Doing so, will balance the pH of the skin and eliminate inflammation and breakouts.

This article reveals that there are toners specifically created for particular skin characteristics. For example, hyaluronic acid to plump skin and reduce fine lines. Rose water and green tea toners will help decrease redness.

Serums

Serums are very concentrated formulas that are chock full of nutrients for the skin.

If you are looking for something to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin, then try a serum made with retinol.

You may be looking to reduce dark spots from sun damage. If that is the case, choose a serum that is Vitamin C based.

Moisturizer

Always finish up your facial routine with a moisturizer. You should always use a moisturizer that contains a sunscreen. The sun rays will further damage the skin. SPF 30-50 are the best choices.

Conclusion

Once you have determined all of the issues and concerns with your skin and have acquired all of the products to treat it, you will be on your way to a more youthful look. This article states that it usually takes about six weeks of consistent, regular use of a product to see the effectiveness that it provides.

The biggest challenge that we have, is sticking to the routine. Using all of the products as directed on a regular basis, will help give you the results you are looking for.

In addition to a skin care routine, you also need to stay hydrated, by drinking plenty of water. Also, try to get a full eight hours of sleep at night.

Maintain a healthy diet with minimal sugar and fats. Eat a lot of vegetables, so that your entire body, including the skin, will benefit from their nutrients.

Incorporating facial exercise into your daily skin care routine will help tighten and tone loose skin on the face and neck. It will also help decrease and prevent fine lines and wrinkles on the facial area.

For further reading, check out: Doing These Facial Exercises Will Give Maximum Change and 6 Things You Can Do To Help You Look Younger.

Image: Flickr

An essential part of doing facials at home, is including steam into your regular routine.

Steam has many benefits when used with facials. For instance, it is an excellent way to open up the pores to release the build up of dirt and oil.

Opening pores also aids the skin in absorption of any products that are used on it. Additionally, steaming softens the skin and helps make extractions of blackheads or pimples easier.

Another benefit of steam, is that it improves circulation, which makes the skin look and feel healthier.

When doing facials at home, you have the option to include any extra ingredients that you like, such as herbs or essential oils. It is more cost effective to give yourself a facial at home that to go to a salon or spa and you will also know exactly what is put on your skin.

How To Do A Home Steam Facial:

Facial steaming couldn’t be simpler. Just find a large pot and fill it with water. Place it on the stove and bring it to a boil.

While the water is heating up, set up your area where you will be sitting. You will need a glass bowl, a large towel, a table to lean over and a chair. Be sure to protect the table surface from the heat of the bowl as well.

Once water is boiling, turn off the heat, pour into the glass bowl and add your herbs or essential oils.

Place pot on the table and put your face over the steam. Drape the towel over your head to keep the heat contained. Slowly breathe in the aroma of the fragrance and enjoy your relaxing steam facial,

After ten to fifteen minutes, lightly exfoliate with a scrub to remove any dead skin cells and impurities.

Let’s take a look at several home facial steam recipes that you can try:

Dry Skin

This article reveals that lavender and rose are two of the best herbs to use to hydrate dry skin. Inhaling the aroma of these herbs or oils will also relax you and help release the stress of the day.

For this recipe, you will need:

8 cups boiling water

½ cup of rose petals or 10 drops of rose essential oil

½ cup lavender blossoms or 10 drops of lavender essential oil

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Oily Skin

This article lists a number of various essential oils and herbs that work well for oily skin. For instance, peppermint is great for use as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, as well as eucalyptus, geranium and rosemary.

One of the best essential oils for oily or acne prone skin is tea tree, which is also called melaleuca. It is a powerful antiseptic, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient for home facials.

For this recipe, you will need:

8 cups boiling water

Lemon rind

10 drops tea tree essential oil

½ cup peppermint leaves or 10 drops of peppermint essential oil

½ cup rosemary or 10 drops of rosemary essential oil

Conclusion

When you take into consideration the benefits of home facials along with adding customized steam, it is obvious that you should give it a try. The ingredients are not expensive and many of them can be used for more than just facials.

To further enhance the health of your skin, incorporate a healthy diet into your lifestyle. This article states that you should also stay well hydrated and drink a minimum of 3.7 liters of water for men and 2.7 liters for women.

Facial exercise is another way to maintain a youthful appearance. This method can be done quickly and easily to help eliminate sagging and wrinkled skin.

For further reading, check out: Try These Three Home Remedies To Take The Years Off and 4 Herbs That Make The Best Facials.

Image: Flickr