This actually looks pretty interesting. I wonder if it works well with Rosacea? Normally anything that says “Enzyme” in it is too strong for my skin. The before and after pictures looks decent. And, I’ve heard that Aloette started by using a lot of Aloe in its products, so it might be quite soothing.

Any reviews of this product? If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your results.

I feel much better putting these ingredients on her lips:
Soybean Oil, Beeswax, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Shea butter, Vitamin E, Flavor Oil

I ordered the loco cocoa scent and it smells just like chocolate. The balm is smooth and goes on easy and definitely makes my lips feel much better than using Vaseline-based products.

Here’s where you can order:
http://www.marloquinn.com/special

Pros: Affordable ($5 for a large container), natural ingredients, smooth, soft, and smells yummy.

Cons: I’d prefer if it came in a tube instead of a jar.

Let me know if you try it!

Description: Burt’s Bees offers a lightly scented body lotion with Vitamin E and Aloe for normal to dry skin.

Review: I’m a big fan of all the Burt’s Bees products and the Milk and Honey body lotion is one of my favorites.

The lotion has a very light scent that is not at all overpowering and won’t interfere with your perfume, but is nice on its own. I like to use it all over my body when I get out of the shower, and even in the summer it’s not heavy. It is safe for both adults and babies. I love to use it on my babies after their bath.

Some may not like the fact that the lotion seems watery, but in my experience, it moisturizes just as well as thicker lotions.

If you are going on vacation and want to pack light, bring this lotion along. It’s great for all members of the family from young to old, can be used as a shaving lotion, facial moisturizer and I’ve found that it even works beautifully as a light leave on conditioner for my hair.

Sugar scrubs are comprised of several ingredients, the main being – you guessed it – sugar! The other ingredients in a sugar scrub may vary from company to company, but generally include deep moisturizing oils or butters such as Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, or Shea Butter. If sold commercially, the scrub will also contain a preservative of some sort, and usually fragrance and/or colorant.

The reason sugar scrubs work so well is because of their dual action. When you rub the scrub into your skin, the fine sugar granules gently slough off dead skin cells on the top of the skin while the oils and butters provide deep moisturizing. The result is extremely soft, silky smooth skin that is both renewed and revitalized.

There are a huge variety of sugar scrubs available on the market, with different ingredients and different packaging, but the basic action of the product remains the same. Sugar scrubs also have a huge price range as well, ranging anywhere from several dollars up into the $50 range You can even make your own sugar scrubs for use at home with common kitchen ingredients. These work just as well as high priced scrubs, but they don’t last as long (storage-wise), and may not have as exotic ingredients as some of the pricier scrubs on the market. Here are a few sugar scrub recipes you can make and use in your own home:

Ingredients:
1 handful ground almonds
5 tb. ground oatmeal
2 tb. brown sugar
2 tb. honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and blend well. Store in an airtight container when not in use.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2-3 tsp. fresh coffee grounds
1/4 tsp. Essential or fragrance oil if desired

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and blend well. Store in an airtight container when not in use.
makes approx. 1-8 oz.

Ingredients:
3/4 of cup of sugar
1/4 cup of grated coconut
1/4 cup of coconut milk powder
1/4 to 1/3 cup of Sweet Almond Oil
Coconut fragrance oil

Instructions:
Combine all dry ingredients and blend evenly. Add Sweet Almond oil a little at a time until sugar mixture is moist. Add a few drop of fragrance until you are satisfied with the fragrance strength. You can also add pineapple and/or strawberry fragrance oil for a nice tropical blend. Makes about 8oz.

As you can see, sugar scrubs are easy to make in your own home, or available to purchase if you want a longer lasting product. It is no wonder that sugar scrubs are such a fad right now, with the conditioning that they give to your skin! Be cautious using them if you have sensitive skin, and they aren’t recommended for use right before a big event such as the prom or a wedding, as the rubbing action of the sugar can cause redness when used.

So now that you know what sugar scrubs are, and how you can make or buy them, go treat yourself to a home spa experience with a sugar scrub!

Stephanie Davies is a 27 year old Missourian with a loving husband and an 8 year old son. She currently owns her own business, Mystickal Incense & More, and sells handmade candles, incense, bath & body products and more at www.mystickalincense.com

Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics and Skin Care Products 

By: Nicky Pilkington

Have you ever examined the ingredients listed on the labels of your cosmetics or other skin care products? Do you know what those ingredients are?

What you may not realize is that many of the skin care products and cosmetics you are buying contain ingredients that are not only harmful to your skin, but also to your long term health. Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and are used by the cosmetic industry simply because they are cheap!

Harmful Ingredients Commonly Found in Skin Care Products and Cosmetics
The following are just some of the synthetic chemicals that have been identified by scientific studies to be harmful to our health.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Often described as being “derived from coconut” to disguise their toxic nature, these chemicals are commonly used in shampoos, toothpaste, foaming facial and body cleansers and bubble bath. SLS and ALS can cause severe skin irritation, and are easily absorbed into the body, building up in the brain, heart, lungs and liver, leading to potential long term health problems. SLS and ALS may also cause cataracts, and prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.

Paraben Preservatives
Parabens are widely used in cosmetics, deodorants, skin care and baby products to prolong their shelf life. They are known to be highly toxic and have caused rashes and allergic reactions. Recent scientific studies in the UK found a strong link between the use of parabens and the increasing rate of breast cancer in women. Researchers found a high concentration of parabens in 90% of breast tumors tested.

Propylene Glycol
Found in many beauty creams, cosmetics and cleansers, Propylene Glycol can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis, and has been shown to cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Isopropyl Alcohol
Alcohol is used as a solvent in many skin care products. It causes skin irritation and strips the skin of its natural acid mantle, promoting the growth of bacteria, moulds and viruses. It may also cause premature ageing of skin.

DEA (Diethanolamine), TEA (Triethanolamine) and MEA (Monoethanolamine)
These substances are harsh solvents and detergents that are used in cosmetics and face and body creams as an emollient. They can cause allergic reactions, and long term use of DEA-based products (such as Cocamide DEA) have been linked to an increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

Aluminum
A common ingredient in antiperspirants, aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mineral Oil
Derived from petroleum (crude oil), mineral oil is commonly found as a main ingredient of face and body creams and cosmetics. Baby oil is 100% mineral oil! It coats the skin like a plastic film, clogging pores and stopping the skin from eliminating toxins, which can lead to acne and other skin disorders. Other petroleum based ingredients include paraffin wax, paraffin oil and petrolatum.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
Used as a thickener in skin care products and cosmetics, PEGs interfere with the skin’s natural moisture balance, causing an increase in ageing and leaving the skin vulnerable to bacteria.

Talc
Talc is a soft mineral used in talcum powders and cosmetic powders. Scientific studies have shown that routine application of talcum powder to the genital area is linked with a three-to-fourfold increase in the development of ovarian cancer. Inhaling cosmetic powders containing talc may also be harmful to long term health.

How To Avoid These Toxins
Examine the labels of your cosmetics and skin care products carefully, and learn to recognize ingredients that are harmful to your skin and to your health. Many web sites have lists of potentially harmful ingredients in addition to those shown above (e.g. Environmental Working Group).

Don’t be fooled by the words ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ on the front of the label. Many products contain at least one or two natural or organic ingredients, but they may also contain harmful synthetic chemicals as well.

Whenever possible, choose products with 100% natural ingredients such as essential oils and herbs. Your skin will love you for it!

Find out more about General Health at healthandfinesse.com

1. Sleep well.
The average adult needs 8 hours of sleep. So get some shut-eye. If you have trouble sleeping, try meditation, deep breathing, herbal teas (chamomile) or aromatherapy (lavender and clary sage are the best).

2. Eat healthy.
A low stress diet (low in fat, starches and sugar) is essential. Eat six small meals a day and maintain a balanced diet. Supplement your diet with antioxidants such as CoQ10, Omega 3 and Vitamin E and energy boosters such as B-complex vitamins.

3. Have a sense of humor.
Laughter really is the best medicine. Read the comics. Act silly with a child. Watch a funny movie. Find something to “lighten ” your mood each day.

4. Try something new or wacky.
Treat yourself to something different! Take a belly dancing class or woodworking workshop. Visit www.learningannex.com

5. Keep your cool.
Self-control and patience are essential to living a stress-reduced life. You can not control what people do or say to you, but you can control your reaction.

6. Stay active.
Exercise not only keeps your body looking good, it also releases endorphins. Rejuvenate yourself daily by walking or engaging in a fitness program.

7. Maintain loving, supportive and positive relationships. Surround yourself with people who share your interests and are encouraging and non-judgmental. Toxic friendships and relationships are energy drainers.

8. Be honest.
Lying means always trying to keep up and remember the lie. This can become a major cause of stress.

9. Think positive.
Our negative thoughts and fears can be overwhelming. Living with past regrets, guilt or resentment is detrimental to your health. Try changing the way you think, it’s difficult, but not impossible. A good resource is www.tamingyourgremlin.com

10. Love yourself.
Work on your self-image and self-esteem issues. Stop comparing yourself to others and embrace your uniqueness!

This article provided by:

Marie Magdala Roker is a Personal Development Coach who challenges women to get from where they are in life to living the life they deserve.  Her Successful Thinking Program is a coaching program that offers unlimited support, motivation and encouragement to achieve long term goals.

Drink Plenty Of Water
Your body needs to stay well hydrated for your skin to look its best. Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. It will help flush toxins out of your system and give you the fresh, youthful look you are looking for.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Veggies
In addition to plenty of water, your body also need the proper nutrients to keep your skin elastic, give you a healthy glow and overall feel great. Fruits and Vegetables contain antioxidants who can slow down the aging process and protect you from illnesses including certain types of cancer. They also contain other micronutrients your body needs to look its best that you can not get anywhere else.

Get Your Beauty Sleep
I know it sounds very cliché, but getting a good night sleep really does do wonders for your skin. Think about it, when you don’t get enough sleep, your eyes are red and puffy and dark circles develop under your eyes. Plenty of rest each night will avoid this and have you feeling better all over. Sleeping also allows all the muscles in your body, including facial muscles to relax.

Daily Gentle Cleanser
Clean your face each day (preferably morning and evening) with a gently cleanser and plenty of clean warm water. Stay away from harsh solutions that will irritate and dry out your skin. A mild cream-based cleansing cream or milk is a good solution.

After your skin has dried completely, follow it with a moisturizer that includes sunscreen to keep your skin protected all day. Always wash your face at night before you go to bed. You don’t want to be sleeping with old make up clogging the pores of your skin.

Weekly Mask
Nourish your skin with a facial mask each week. I prefer homemade masks from natural ingredients to commercially bought products. Treat yourself to a mask that’s just right for your skin type each week. A mask will not only give your skin the deep nourishment it needs every once in a while, but will also help remove dead skin cells and other stubborn particles that are not removed by your daily cleansing routine.

Article by:

For homemade beauty mask recipes visit www.mybeautyrecipes.com and for more beauty tips as well as information on women’s health go to www.healthandbeautyinfo.com

1. Do not pick, press or rub your pimples. These actions actually increase the sebum production and rupture the membranes below your skin. The infection and sebum will spread underneath your skin and cause more pimples. Also, you risk increasing the chances of leaving scars on your face.

2. Wash your face twice a day using a mild soup. It is even better if you can buy sulfur-based soap especially for acne. If your skin is too oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide. Do not use rough sponges, brushes, or anything similar on your face. You shouldn’t, however, over-wash your face because it
will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum which will increase your acne.

3. Check if it is because of the food. For many people, food allergy can cause very serious acne condition. You should avoid eating too much oily and spicy food. Recent studies have shown that acne can also be caused by milk which contains hormones as well as seafood with relatively high levels of iodine. If possible, cut down on those foods. Other foods you may consider avoiding are: sugar, dairy products, deep-fried food, meat, nut butters, etc. On the other hand, it is believed that green vegetables, vegetable juices and foods rich in zinc can help alleviate acne condition.

4. Drink more water every day. “Eight glasses of water a day can keep acne away.” says Jennifer Thoden, a respected acne expert. The reason is that water can carry waste material out of our body and it really helps heal and prevent acne flare-ups.

5. Do not wear makeup if possible. Makeup products can clog your pores, cause more blackheads and pimples. If you have to wear makeup, make sure it is water-based. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and cleanse your skin before you sleep.

6. Do not use oily products. Avoid products such as hair pomades, intense oil-based facial moisturizers, and oily cleansers.

7. Keep your face clean. Do not rest your chin on your hands or constantly touch your face. Regular shampoo your hair and keep it off your face, especially when you sleep.

8. Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and elimination of toxins.

9. Stay stress-free. Studies have shown that stress not only worsens acne flare-up, it also worsens the overall skin condition. Talk to your friends, listen to your favorite music, or take a walk in the park. There are many things you can do to be stress free.

10. Get Sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine stimulates vitamin D in the body, an essential vitamin for healthy skin. Fresh air and sunshine can also reduce stress (tip #9) and increase oxygen to the skin. Don’t get burnt in the sun though. Burnt and heavily tanned skin forms a layer on the skin that doesn’t
exfoliate quickly enough and can lead to blocked pores.

Article by:

Christina Ahern is an expert in skin care and the webmaster of AcneFreeForever.com. Get free tips and info on acne care at www.acnefreeforever.com

1. Smile… it will brighten your day and others around you will feel your energy.

2. Stretch… cats know that total body stretch does wonders. Follow their example and roll up slowly out of bed and stretch gently. (For more tips on stretching here is a great book: AM/ PM Stretch for Health.)

3. Exercise… at least 20 mins of any continuous activity will boost your energy level and reduce bad stressors. You don’t even to pay a membership fee. The key is continuous like a 20min walk or even mopping your floors. You will look and feel better.

4. Drink water. No other liquid is quite like it. Clear your system. 8 glasses are recommended daily. Your skin will radiate.

5. Rest… you need to take breaks during the day and sleep at night. Takes breaks away from work space to keep fresh and focused. Make sure you are getting sufficient sleep at night since your body regenerates while you are sleeping. If you are constantly letting your mind wonder make a conscious decision to put away thoughts till morning. It is amazing how good your subconscious mind listens to your conscious mind (so be careful what you tell yourself)

6. Do good. When you do something for someone else without expecting anything in return you benefit in ways unimaginable. (the key is don’t expect anything in return)

7. Exchange… the money you spend on junk food for food that will enrich your body and soul. Start with a simple plan of exchange. Because some think healthy foods cost more, find out your spending pattern by making 2 lists:

. foods you like that are healthy that you normally don’t buy

. foods you like that are “junk food” that you normally buy

calculate the cost of the 2nd list then use this amount to fund your “healthy” purchase. (of course you have to say bye-bye to the “junk food”)

8. “Stop and smell the roses”. Look for good in everything. This is a toughie because most of us are “trained” to look for faults, errors, shortcomings, defects, etc. Begin with yourself. List all your assets (not just physical). Then realize all the good in being you. Move on to other things around you. Work on this consciously every day till it becomes a habit. There is something good about everything and everyone. Once you realize this you will be finding good everywhere without even trying.

9. Learn… something new every day. Pick up a book. or search online. Learn to do something you have always wanted to do. You can even start for free by researching online. Search the subject and start stimulating and enriching your mind today.

10. Reward yourself. Set financial and personal goals and tag them with rewards for accomplishing them. (this one may be something special you have always wanted to do. and not necessarily a purchase.. But if you have done all the above maybe go ahead and splurge a little. You deserve it!

Marie Gervacio is founder and editor of SimpleBeautyTips.com , ArticleBlender.com and ShineYourStar.com Discover more simple beauty tips today at SimpleBeautyTips.com.

If you have sensitive skin you may find that many of the treatments you try are too harsh for your skin. While other women are buying skin care products with vitamin C or anti-oxidants, you are using the mild brand with no anti-aging benefits.

So, what can you do about it? How can you, with your sensitive skin, get the same anti-aging effects that other women are getting?

Rather than applying expensive anti-aging products on your skin, you can eat them. Now, of course, I don’t mean for you to eat your expensive night cream or any other store-bought skin products, but you can eat the effective ingredients in them. Since your skin is your largest organ, the benefits of eating the ingredients will be similar to applying them directly to your skin.

Here are some ingredients you can start with.

Green tea: There are plenty of skin care product now that contain green tea. You’ll hear about green tea everywhere and it’s now in many brands of skin care. However, if you have sensitive skin and can’t use those products, then you can drink green tea and have the same effects on your skin. Plus, the bonus is that you’ll be benefitting every other part of your body as well. Some of the other benefits of green tea are weight loss, lower cholesterol, and possibly a lower risk of cancer.

Cucumbers: An increase in fruits and vegetables in your diet can have a positive effect on the overall appearance of your skin. Increase your vegetable intake and your skin will thank you. The side effects of this option? Well, you may lose some weight and feel more energy, but that’s not such a bad thing, is it?

Vitamin C: Take a supplement or increase your intake of oranges and other fruits. The anti-oxidants in them are wonderful for your skin.

Remember, your skin is your largest organ. Take care of it by feeding it well, whether you’re putting products on it, or feeding your body with nutritious foods. And, for those of us with sensitive skin, we’ll be saving a fortune, avoiding those expensive jars of cream and instead heading straight for the grocery store produce aisles.

Tina Titas is a columnist for several health-related publications. She recommends www.EasyNaturalRemedies.com/skin_care.html and www.MyBeautyRecipes.com for natural skin care that you can make with ingredients in your kitchen cupboards.