Even Out your skin tone naturally

As we get older, acne and aging occur, skin tone can become uneven and discolored. There are a lot of skin toning products out there, but there are less harsh, natural methods that can help even your skin tone as well.
Washing your face with a natural, organic cleanser like our traditional black soap is key. Look for a cleanser with a glycerin or castile soap base that cleans without stripping the skin's protective acid mantle.

Lemon Juice 

Lemons are fruits that are acidic, so applying lemon juice to skin can help maintain the proper pH, which is important for keeping skin tone even. The citric acid in lemons is a natural way to lighten and even out skin tone by applying the juice to skin for 15 minutes once weekly and then rinsing it off. One important thing to remember when using lemon juice is that if you have any cuts or scratches, it will cause them to burn. Using it as a toner is a perfect way of including it in your beauty regime. Fill a water bottle or other container with one part freshly squeezed lemon juice and five parts filtered water. Apply the lemon juice toner with a cotton ball and do not rinse off.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal can be a natural way to even skin tone because it can act as an exfoliating agent, that breaks up dirt and bumps on your skin for a more even surface and tone. Before applying oatmeal, mix it together with a bit of honey so that it is more of a paste. You should leave it on your skin for a few minutes before rubbing it with your fingers. Make sure to wash all the paste off and apply sunscreen.

Using a high SPF sunblock that contains vitamin C and E is your first line of defense in treating your uneven skin tone, and getting the bright, even skin you desire. Even if you don't believe the sun is the cause of your problem, sun will make the marks darker and possibly create more. If you don't have the time to make your own lemon juice, look for products containing vitamin C. Studies have shown that vitamin C exhibits skin brightening and bleaching properties. Vitamin E protects against damage from reactive oxygen-free radicals and UV rays, natural Shea butter has loads of Vitamin E.

Honey   

Honey can be used to even skin tone because it works as a moisturizer and has antibacterial properties that can reduce the size of acne scars and blemishes, it also has a bleaching effect on the skin. I suggest using natural honey because it has even more antibacterial properties than any other honey. The honey adds moisture thereby preventing your skin from drying out. 

Milk 

Milk is a great way to naturally soften and lighten your skin for a more even tone. It works on melanin to lighten the skin, diminishing the appearance of darker blemishes and scars. It also softens the skin, which is great for people with dry or flaky skin. Just dab a little on after cleansing your face with a gentle, natural cleanser, I'll recommend black soap any day, any where; and allow to sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off.

Natural Oils   

Massage your face with nourishing oils -- sweet almond, coconut, olive, shea butter and jojoba oils are good choices -- before going to bed, allowing oils to soak into the skin overnight can contribute to glowing skin in the morning. Apply the oil to the skin using your fingertips. Use caution when massaging the sensitive tissues around the eyes.

Mask 

Apply a homemade, natural face mask once or twice per week. Mash one ripe banana with one egg white and coat your face, neck and decolletage with the mixture. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Eat Nutritiously

If you want beautiful skin, you must eat nutritiously and drink plenty of water. Water helps keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, making it less prone to wrinkling and losing elasticity. Eating a healthy diet that includes a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods, and lean meats or protein sources, is very important. Foods that are high in antioxidants are especially important to eat, as they help fight the damaging effects of the environment that build up in the body and cause aging. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect skin from the sun, and is found in fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, blueberries, cabbage and raspberries. Vitamin E is another nutrient that is vital to skin health, as it helps skin maintain its vitality and youth while fighting the harmful effects of environmental pollutants. Good sources of vitamin E include spinach, turnip greens, peanuts, wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds, vegetable oil, coconut oil, Shea butter and whole grains.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Practice healthy lifestyle choices. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as they pump harmful toxins into the body that trigger stress and aging. Smoking causes wrinkles and sagging of the skin, and drinking alcohol depletes moisture in the skin and can trigger broken blood vessels and uneven skin tone. Develop healthy habits such as exercising regularly, which gets blood circulating in the body and stimulates skin cell growth, regeneration and moisture. Also use stress management techniques to reduce stress in your life, as stress can contribute to aging of the skin, breakouts and other skin imbalances. Manage the stress in your life by getting enough sleep, taking time to relax each day and slowing down your pace of life.

In order to see result from any treatment, it's important to continue using it for at least 3-4 weeks.

Making your own sugar scrub

Sugar is the generalized name for a class of chemically-related sweet-flavored substances, most of which are used as food. They are carbohydrates, composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. There are various types of sugar derived from different sources (sugarcane and sugarbeets).
Sugar is not healthy for you to eat, but these sugar body scrub recipes are great for your skin! Sugar cane produces glycolic acid, which is a natural alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. The roughness of the sugar also exfoliates and the oils moisturize and hydrate the skin.
Homemade sugar scrub, is extremely moisturizing and exfoliating and costs very little to make. These scrubs can be used on your face, feet or as a homemade body scrub.
These sugar scrubs can last for up to 3 weeks (You do not need to keep them in the fridge). They are all easy to make, just mix the ingredients in a bowl and store in a air tight container. Also keep your scrub away from water or bacteria to prevent it from going rancid.

Some of my favorite natural sugar scrub recipes

Cinnamon brown sugar body scrub recipe
1 Cup brown sugar
½ Cup of jojoba oil
½ tsp of Vitamin E oil
½ tsp Cinnamon

Lemon brown sugar scrub recipe
1 Cup brown sugar
½ Cup coconut oil
½ tsp Vitamin E oil
½ tsp of Lemon essential oil

Vanilla sugar body scrub
1 Cup brown sugar
½ Cup Jojoba oil
½ tsp Vitamin E oil
1 tsp Vanilla extracts (extract from vanilla pods)

Eczema Mint foot & hand scrub
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup olive oil
½ tsp Vitamin E oil
5 drops clove oil which is antibacterial.
5 drops Shea butter oil, which has anti-aging properties
5 drops Wintergreen oil, which is good for treating skin diseases such as eczema and other skin infections.
10 drops peppermint oil

Peppermint body sugar scrub recipe
1 Cup white sugar
½ cup jojoba oil
½ tsp Vitamin E oil
5 drops of peppermint essential oil

Fresh homemade facial scrubs to be made as you use them:
Lemon, honey scrub
¼ cup brown sugar
1/8 cup of Grapeseed oil

1 Tablespoon of Raw honey
¼ tsp Vitamin E oil
A few drops of fresh lemon juice

Almond scrub
¼ cup white sugar
1/8 cup Almond oil
1 Tablespoon raw almond pulp
¼ tsp Vitamin E oil
2 drops of essential almond oil
(If you have leftovers, use it as a foot and body scrub)

Creating your own sugar body scrub recipe
You should add 1 part sugar with ½ part oil, I like adding vitamin E oil, because it is so good for your skin. Vitamin E oil is also a natural preservative. Then just add any essential oil of your choice.
Here are some ingredient options:
Sugar: Use either white or brown sugar, some like to use organic raw sugar.
Oil: Olive oil, Almond oil, Coconut oil, Jojoba oil, Grapefruit oil, corn oil, Peanut oil, Avocado oil, Shea butter or any other oil of your choice
Essential oil: Peppermint oil, Lemon oil, Lavender oil, Chamomile oil, Rose oil, Rosemary, Juniper oil (great for eczema) and many others.
How to use your sugar scrub:
How to exfoliate: Massage the scrub into your feet, hands and any other area; leave on while applying instead of rinsing off as you go along. Massage gently using your fingers or a face cloth in circular motions.
Use it as a shower scrub: You could get into the shower before-hand, scrub all over and then have a lovely wash, no mess no fuss!
Extra notes on sugar face scrubs
If you have oily skin, its best to use Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Sage essential oils, and jojoba oil as a base oil. You can also use less oil in the mixture, if you have oily skin, add just enough to moisten the sugar.

You only need to exfoliate with your homemade sugar scrubs, once per week to make a difference to your skin.
The ingredients in the scrub will settle, so they need to be mixed up a little before use every time.

Stretch marks? Get rid of it the natural way.

Can stretch marks go away? If you catch them while they are still healing, you can greatly reduce the appearance of stretch marks. There is no 100% natural stretch mark removal treatment, but you can help them heal much faster. 

Stretch marks, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, which over time may diminish, but will not disappear completely.
Stretch marks are often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or rapid weight changes. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding, hormone replacement therapy, etc.


Factors that may cause or contribute to getting stretch marks
•    One of the biggest causes of stretch marks is pregnancy. Pregnancy stretch marks and breast stretch marks go hand in hand sometimes (especially if Mom is carrying more than one baby).
•    Weight gain and weight loss.
•    Hormonal changes and puberty.
•    Diet and exercise.
•    skin bleaching or what we refer to as "toning".
•    Ethnicity: Darker skin individuals are less likely to get stretch marks.

Areas of the skin mostly affected
Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fats are stored. Most common places are the abdomen (especially near the navel), breasts, upper arms, underarms, back, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. They pose no health risk in and of themselves, and do not compromise the body's ability to function normally and repair itself.

How to prevent stretch marks:
•    Exercise: Exercise keeps your skin firm and helps in preventing stretch marks to a certain degree. Avoid excessive weight lifting, which can also stretch the skin.
•    Diet: Eat plenty of foods containing Vitamin C and E, which promote tissue growth. Moms who are expecting should try to keep weight gain to a minimal, this will help prevent stretch marks.
•    Oils: Keep your skin supple and hydrated by applying, coconut oil, tissue oils, Shea butter or vitamin E oil. Especially important during the last few months of pregnancy and when trying to lose weight.
•    Folic Acid: Moms who are pregnant are usually given folic acid tablets for the growth of baby, but folic acid can also help heal stretch marks from the inside-out.
•    Hydration: Keeping the skin moisturized by using natural moisturizers or cream, regularly and by drinking plenty of water daily, will keep skin hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and can also protect your skin from the sun.

How to reduce stretch marks:
•    Half part jojoba and half vitamin E oil. Mix and rub into stretch marks at least once daily. This will help new red stretch marks, heal quicker and better.
•    Butters (Shea butter, cocoa butter) for stretch marks: These butters are known home remedy for stretch marks and will help reduce the appearance of them.
•    Almond and coconut oil is especially good for treating stretch marks because of its high vitamin E content. Vitamin E moisturizes and helps build collagen and elastin. They are also safe to use during pregnancy.
•    Lavender and chamomile oil is also often used for massaging the affected areas during pregnancy and lactation.
•    Some have found good results by scrubbing the stretch marks with an apricot scrub. Oats scrubs are also just as affective.
•    Rid stretch marks with Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains salicylic acid which helps remove stretch marks. You can place Aloe on the skin topically or put some Aloe Vera in a morning smoothie. Aloe can be mixed with some jojoba, olive or coconut oil for a great topical stretch mark treatment.
•    Take a daily vitamin supplement of Vitamin E and K.
•    Removing stretch marks via surgery and other invasive treatments like laser removal of stretch marks: This is a last resort and can be very expensive.

Caution
•    Fresh stretch marks usually get itchy when they start to heal. Do not scratch your stretch marks, you could do more damage. A warm shower and above mentioned oils should help with itchiness.
•    Avoid any skin products containing alcohol, which will just dry out the skin.

15 EVERYDAY USES AND BENEFITS OF SHEA BUTTER!!!

Soft, smooth and supple skin the desire of every beauty conscious woman, women from the beginning of time have sort for the secret to agelessness.
Olaa Shea butter moisturizes to help skin appear smoother, making wrinkling less noticeable. (i know, cause i use it) Shea butter also helps to even skin tone and eliminates rough, scaly, dry skin; making skin softer and supple.

 Shea butter is very good for dry and brittle hair and prevents breakage.       

Olaa Shea butter, Pure and unrefined.

How To Apply Shea Butter For Everyday Use!

Before application, melt completely by rubbing in your hands until butter is perfectly liquid, get yours HERE: Ewar studio, 25b Summola street Mende Maryland. Lagos.

Revitalizing Your Hair

Good for Revitalizing your hair, the day before shampooing, oil hair by massaging the points with a big rot of butter. Wrap your hair in a hot towel; your keratin will absorb all what is required.

Love Your Face

The face is the main beneficiary of the daily use of Shea butter especially for those with dry skin; concentrate on inner parts (lower part of the nose, the corners of lips). Massage about ten minutes.

Protect Your Body in Winter

All of your body parts that are exposed are attacked by the cold weather. The film that Shea butter leaves on your skin will screen and protect it for hours. Never forget that the fight against aging begins with protection. Order now!

Dry Hair Care

If you have very dry hair, ten minutes after shampooing, apply a little Shea butter to bring brightness and life to your hair.

 Moisturizing:

The superficial layers of the skin absolutely require an acceleration of blood circulation. The butter will penetrate deep into your skin, leaving a satin finish to the skin. The protection is real and will last a long time.
Shea butter helps diminish wrinkles by moisturizing your skin, promoting cell renewal, and increasing circulation.

Do you have Dry, chapped hands? You’re in luck!  I use Shea butter on my hands (especially after dipping my hands in soap)and they are smooth and wrinkle free.

Kissable Lips
Shea butter softens the lips and gives them a protective film against dryness and cold. Shea butter also helps irritated noses due to allergies or colds. A little Shea butter maybe applied in each nostril.

Relax Your Muscles
 Apply carefully on arms and thighs for instantaneous muscular well-being.

Aftershave

Applying Shea butter immediately after shaving or waxing will prevent irritation and to give your skin a lustrous, satiny look and feel.

Essential For Baby's Daily Care

Africans have been using Shea butter daily for centuries as a unique link between mother and child to prevent delicate baby skin irritations. Call 08020924020 to order yours now.

Shea butter is used for the management of sinusitis and relief of nasal congestion (it works like magic). This is due to its hydrating properties which help in relaxing the tension in the facial skin thus easing respiration.

To Regain Freshness

Apply butter to every part of your body after a warm bath.
Olaa Shea Butter Cream
I love it!

Your skin suffers during the whole summer. Regular use of Shea butter in addition to sun screen products, before and after sun exposure, leaves you with tanned skin and avoids peeling.

Uses For Men And Athletes
Lined skin has gone out of fashion for men. Use Shea butter after shaving for a healthy and younger feeling skin, gentlemen should at least once a week, apply a generous amount from head to foot, with special care for joint (elbows and knees), toes, heels and nails.

Shea Butter and Sport

Shea butter is particularly recommended for sportsmen. It has been used by Africans for centuries to relieve muscles tension and stress, Shea butter accelerates warm-ups, afterwards Shea butter helps drain toxins from sore muscles for a faster recovery.

Take note that Raw Shea butter offers the highest amount of anti-aging nutrients. This is Shea butter that has not been exposed to a refinement process. Order yours now! ) 08020924020, or send email to olaanaturale@gmail.com or bodylab.olaa@gmail.com or visit Ewars studio 25b Summola Street Mende Maryland Lagos. 

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Cheers!

Benefits of natural black soap

Black soap, or African Black Soap, has been used for generations as a natural remedy for acne, eczema, body odor, and for various skin conditions, it's the only soap that's good for all skin types. Its many uses include using it as a body soap for cleansing or lathering, as a shaving foam to prevent bumps, and using it as a shampoo--all with the main goal of using a natural product to keep skin looking its best.

History

Natural black soap originated in West Africa. Ose dudu, as it is called locally, is typically a combination of the cocoa pod (husk), plantain skins, coconut oil, palm oil and essential oils. Used for generations, black soap and its benefits have been a staple for the relief of skin blemishes and everyday hygiene. Although its roots are in Africa, black soap is now sold across the world and on the Internet, used by people of all backgrounds.

Identification

Natural Black Soap is whitish, greyish, brownish/black in color and texture would depend on the methods of processing, which are diverse. Because it is natural and unscented, it has more of an earthy scent, which is also beneficial for skin types that are irritated by fragrance. it's the only soap in the world that does not require lye but lathers more than any other soap without the cancer-causing laurel sulphate.

Uses

This multi-purpose, all-natural soap is used for issues ranging from rashes, eczema, acne to dandruff. Although it's most commonly used to keep skin blemish-free, other uses include as a shampoo, body soap and face wash, plus its highly effective in keeping your Ankara, Kampala and other colorful fabrics in top shape. 
Benefits

Natural black soap works for all skin types, from rough to sensitive, and is said to keep skin smooth and hydrated because of its high concentration of glycerin--but without increasing oily skin for those prone to it. It helps work against premature signs of aging and wrinkles, alleviates bumps and spots, is great for removing makeup, and is good for deep cleaning without drying out or irritating skin. Black soap also helps remove body odor and exfoliates skin.The plantain skins give the soap Vitamin A & E, and iron. Because the soap has the highest Shea butter content of any soap, it also offers UV protection. The soap is also good for sensitive skin, meaning its a good option for babies or the elderly.

Warning

The colour of Black soap vary depending on the traditional method of making it and the length of the roasting period . The fake black soap doesn't contain all of the natural ingredients and lye are always added to it.

To get your natural black soap contact us : olaanaturale@gmail.com or call 08020924020

Getting the best out of your oily skin

Compliments of the season beautiful People. It's been quite hectic and exciting for us all, preparing for the Christmas and New year holidays. But while we are at it we have to be mindful of our skin and how we treat it during these periods. I'll be telling us how to treat our oily skin so it stays beautiful throughout the holidays and ever after. So relax, and lets ride!!!
Oily skin conditions come on a level par as a problem for both genders.
People the world over have at some time experienced patches of either dry or oily skin, and still do for them who haven't found a solution to treat the problem.
Not that the mature man/woman is not affected with oily skin, it is primarily an issue we connect towards the younger individual where it affects 1 of every 2 teenagers (girl and boy.)

Why is your skin oily?
If you have oily skin, you may feel as though you're forever fighting a losing battle to remove the shine from your chin and forehead. Your sebaceous glands are pumping out an overabundance of sebum, the waxy substance that protects your skin. When there’s too much, skin looks oily, and that overabundance of sebum may contribute to acne You can probably thank your genes for the sheen: Overly oily skin is a problem that is often handed down through generations within a family.
Changes in hormone levels, such as those that occur during the teen years and early 20s, can cause skin to become oily and trigger outbreaks of acne.
Heredity plays a part: For instance, people with dark hair make more oil than fair-haired folks. But there are other contributing factors, including stress and changes in hormone activity. Pregnant women and those taking oral contraceptives are more likely to have problems with oily skin.
Sometimes due to excess release of sex-hormones skin appears to be oily in nature. The external stimuli such as certain environmental factors like pollution and change in weather. All this stimulate the internal stimuli and thereby causes oily skin problems. Several others include inappropriate diet plan and use of low quality oil based cosmetic products.

Sadly, just washing the face isn't enough, and over-washing is unhealthy. Remember, some specific oily skin treatments contain harsh chemicals so read the label carefully and follow instructions accordingly. Particular ingredients upset the delicate Ph balance of the skin or skin tone so take care, as we are here to treat oily skin "only" and not something derived as a result from using products that contained harsh substances. Un-agreeable elements used on your skin can cause serious skin concerns.
When looking for a solution for oily skin, then natural oils is naturally the best. There are women who cannot get there head round why, when you have oily skin how using "oils" is the answer. A lot of answers to our problems may not make sense or seem right; however the important thing is if it works and is safe then why on earth question the answers.
Look on the bright side: Oily skin tends to age better and develop fewer wrinkles than dry or normal skin. But it does require more attention, since you need to keep cleansing those over productive pores. The key is a firm but gentle hand. You want to wash away dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil without scrubbing so hard that you cause irritation. (Ironically, if you overdo the scrubbing, your skin produces even more oil.) 

Wash your face with warm water. It dissolves oil more effectively than cool or lukewarm water.  As anyone with oily skin knows, the oilier the skin, the dirtier the skin looks and feels. To help combat this feeling, it's important to keep the skin clean by washing it at least twice a day.

Choose the right cleanser. Whether you prefer bar soap or liquid cleansers, avoid products, like Dove, that have added moisturizers. Bar soaps are perfectly effective, though you can also use cleansers formulated specifically for oily skin (they’re likely to be more expensive). You can never go wrong with glycerin based soaps like the ever effective traditional African black soap.

Scrub it. Give your skin some exfoliation by scrubbing it with products made specifically for oily skin or other home remedies you find that work well. A good scrub can also help rid your skin of extra oil on its surface, but be warned, as just like dry skin, too much exfoliation will cause your skin into making more oil which again fails to help your problem.

Make your own toner

• After you’ve washed your face, soak a cotton pad in distilled witch hazel and dab it all around. Use it twice a day for two to three weeks. After the third week, apply it once a day. Witch hazel contains tannins, which have an astringent effect, making the pores tighten up as they dry.

• The herbs yarrow, sage, and peppermint also have astringent properties. To make a homemade skin toner that will improve the look and feel of oily skin, put a tablespoon of one of these herbs in a cup, then fill to the top with boiling water. Let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and let it cool before you dab it on your face. Whatever’s left over can be stored in a squeeze bottle. It will stay fresh for three days at room temperature, or five days if you keep it in the refrigerator.

• Hyssop, a member of the mint family, also makes an excellent herbal toner. In folk medicine it’s considered good for the complexion. Add 1 tablespoon hyssop to 1 cup water. Boil for ten minutes, then strain. Let the mixture cool. After cleansing your skin, apply the toner with a cotton ball.

• A combination of lavender and neroli essential oil (derived from orange blossoms) acts as a skin cleanser and toner. Pour some lavender floral water in a hand sprayer, and add a drop of neroli oil. Spray the mixture on your skin several times a day.
 

Wear a mask. No, this is not to imply you should go out into the world disguised or with a bag over your head. Wearing a mask, such as clay, for a few minutes of your day can do wonders to help soothe your skin and absorb extra oil.Giving your face a very light scrub can remove excess surface oil. Try this almond honey scrub: Mix a small amount of almond meal (ground almonds) with honey. Then gently massage (don't scrub) the paste onto your skin with a hot washcloth. Rinse thoroughly. You can also make a scrub from oatmeal mixed with aloe Vera. Rub gently onto the skin, leave on for 15 minutes, then wash off thoroughly. If you suffer from acne on your face, however, you should probably skip the scrub, since it can aggravate your already-irritated skin.

• Clay masks or mud masks reduce greasiness and help tone your skin and draw out impurities. The masks are available at most pharmaceutical stores. Or you can make your own using facial clay (like bentonite, available at natural foods stores and on the Internet) and witch hazel. Don’t use pottery clay; it won’t have the same effect. Add 1 tablespoon witch hazel to 1 teaspoon facial clay, and stir until they’re blended. If you like, add 2 drops cypress oil and 2 drops lemon oil for fragrance and to help control overactive oil glands. Sit back, relax, leave the mask on for 10 minutes or until the clay is dry, then rinse it off.

• Egg-white masks are said to firm the skin and soak up oil. Mix one teaspoon of pure honey with an egg white and stir well. Then add just enough flour to make a paste. Apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eye area. (Be careful not to ingest any of the egg mixture.) Let it dry for about ten minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

• Some Indonesian women use mango to make a face mask to dry and tone the skin. To make the mask, mash a mango until it turns into soft pulp, massage it into your skin, leave it on to dry for a few minutes, then rinse off. It is said to help unclog the pores.

• Lemon juice is used in another grease-cutting mask, along with astringent herbs and a chopped apple as the base. Place the apple in a pot, add water to cover, then simmer until it’s soft. Mash the apple, add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, then 1 teaspoon of either dried sage, lavender, or peppermint. Apply this mixture to your face, leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Astringent. Wiping your face with a good astringent can also be a good tool against oily skin. The astringent will help remove the oil and also can come as individual wipes that you can carry with you in case you need a quick swipe later on in the day. Keep it blotted. If you do not have any astringent wipes with you, you should at least carry around tissues or special oil blotters to help soak up any extra oil your face produces during the day. This way if you notice your face becoming too oily a quick dab can put you back on track. 

Moisturizing the skin is a vital element that should be practiced at every possible convenience in a woman's beauty regime.  A beauty conquest is incomplete without moisturizer. The skin loses its natural moisture's throughout the day and needs replenishing, and if moisturizer is not used - you face skin issues like roughness and the skin becoming irritated. Facial and body skin needs regular moisturizing and from this you will see fewer fine lines, a smooth texture, and less surface flaking. Honey is a natural moisturizer. Anything natural is good. Apply a thin layer of honey over the face. Yes it`s messy and sticky, but hey if it's the answer to your problem, then what is the problem. The honey glaze is easily removed with warm water after it had been left on for about 15 minute.

Ease up on the makeup. If you can go makeup free, then by all means do it. Makeup may only aid in the buildup of oil on your skin and become a clogging mess by the end of the day. Throughout the day, powder your face with loose face powder, which will blot up excess oil. Don’t use pressed powder—it contains oil and it may foster blemishes or make existing acne worse.

The power of prevention

Take 1 tablespoon of flax seed a day. While it may sound kooky to add oil to your diet, there’s good rationale. Flaxseed is high in essential fatty acids, which have been shown to help improve many skin conditions, including oily skin. You’ll find flaxseed oil in health-food stores. To protect it from light and heat, buy the cold-pressed oil in an opaque container and store it in your refrigerator.

Drink lots of water.

eat lots of fruits and vegetable. Remember, you are what you eat. Have a great holiday.

9 Unusual Uses for natural Oils

Pheww!!! How time flies, can't believe i've been gone for 5 weeks.  Its been an eventful 5 weeks, loads of things discovered in the laboratory, clocked the fabulous 40 and met loads of fantastic people. But i couldn't stop wondering how you, my beautiful friends have been keeping yourselves beautiful naturally. The harmattan or winter is around the corner and i'm sure a lot of people are dreading the harshness that comes with it; that is why i'm writing to remind us of how helpful the oils can be.

9 Unusual Uses for natural Oils

Natural oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil etc are all “healthy fats” and in moderation can help reduce your risk for all sorts of ailments, like heart disease and high blood pressure. We know that olive oil and coconut oil are both healthy for our insides, but did you know they have all sorts of other uses for you, around the home, and even for pets?

Let’s take a look at some uses for some natural oils beyond the kitchen, and I’d love to hear your unusual uses for natural oils in the comments!

1. Make your own sugar scrub

You can use natural oils to create a moisturizing, exfoliating sugar scrub that’s great for soothing dry harmattan and  winter skin. Just mix up sugar with enough natural oil to form a paste, add scent with your favorite essential oils, and you’re ready to rock. Massage the sugar scrub into your skin in the shower or bath.

2. Moisturize your hands and feet

To give those dry hands and feet some extra TLC this harmattan or winter, massage a small amount of natural oil into your skin after you take a bath or shower. Put on socks and gloves afterward to help that moisture absorb into your skin. You’ll notice results almost immediately!

3. Oiling your hair

Oiling your hair is a practice that’s been around for centuries. While some tutorials call for coconut oil to oil your hair, olive oil works just as well. Just put a few drops of olive oil onto your hands, massage into your scalp, then brush or comb to distribute the oil evenly. Let it sit for about an hour, then wash the excess oil away with your favorite non-toxic shampoo.

4. Unsticking a zipper

Ever gone to take off your boots, only to discover that the zipper is stuck? Free yourself by dabbing a bit of natural oil onto the zipper’s teeth to help it slide along smoothly. Remember: a little oil goes a long way.

5. Makeup remover

Store bought makeup removers and cold creams are often loaded with toxic mystery ingredients. You can skip the polysyllabic guessing game with olive oil instead. Use a warm, damp wash cloth or a cotton ball with a couple of drops of olive oil to remove makeup and moisturize your face at the same time.

6. Soothe a sunburn

You don’t want to put oil onto your skin the day that you notice a burn, but start moisturizing with a natural oil a day or two later to help prevent peeling and heal your damaged skin.

7. Treat a dry scalp

Forget the Head and Shoulders, which is full of mystery ingredients! Massage a small amount of coconut oil into your scalp to moisturize and fight those flakes.

8. Revitalize wood furniture

Whip up a mixture that’s 2 parts olive oil to 1 part lemon juice. Put a small amount of oil on a soft cloth, and wipe down your wood furniture. It will keep the wood from drying out and help hide small nicks and scratches.

9. Wash your face

Washing your face with oil may sound counter-intuitive, but many green beauty gurus swear by the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). Need some tips to get started?

I bet this only scratches the surface of natural oil’s many uses. How do you use oils when you’re not cooking with it? Let’s keep the ideas coming in the comments!

Unusual skin ingredients in your kithchen for dry skin

A cup of buttermilk. Half an avocado. Two tablespoons of honey. A dash of olive or coconut oil.
Hi Friends,
This might sound like a recipe for something you'd whip up in the kitchen (something that might not taste all that great, to be sure). But ingredients like these might actually have a better use in your bathroom during your morning or evening skin care routine. That's because they're all excellent natural moisturizers that get the body's largest organ smooth and glowing without the excess chemicals or high price tags found in many commercial products.

So the next time you're looking to banish dry skin, you might want to head to the supermarket instead of the drugstore -- armed with this handy guide to five of the most effective natural moisturizers, of course.

Buttermilk
"Skin like buttermilk" isn't a line from a corny Elizabethan poem; it's a compliment you might actually get by bathing your skin in the stuff.

That's because buttermilk contains lactic acid, one of the hyrdoxy acids. If you've spent any time looking for a skin-improving lotion, you've no doubt come across alpha-hydroxy and beta-hyrdoxy acids on the ingredients lists. These compounds act as exfoliants on the skin, breaking apart and removing dry, dead skin cells so fresher, younger, moister ones can come to the fore.

But you needn't soak in a bath of sour milk like Cleopatra used to do to see the benefits. All you need to do is wet a face cloth in cold buttermilk (regular milk will do also) and lay it on a dry or irritated patch of skin for about five minutes. Rinse gently, so some of lactic acid stays behind, and voila -- relief from your refrigerator!

 Butter

Shea butter, used as a moisturizer since ancient times, is produced from the nuts inside the fruit of the shea tree, found only in Africa. It can take one tree 15 to 30 years to develop mature enough fruit from which to harvest quality shea nuts. Fortunately, to experience its benefits you don't have to wait nearly as long, as your skin will feel moisturized the moment you apply it.

Shea butter is rich in vitamin A, which functions similarly to the natural fats found in the skin's upper layers. The vitamin not only helps alleviate dry skin, but can ease eczema, dermatitis, sunburn and insect bites. It also has high levels of skin-friendly vitamin F, which contains fatty acids that can aid normal cell growth and keep skin young looking.
When shopping for shea butter, it's important to look for a product that is no more than 18 months old, as the longer the moisturizer sits on the shelf, the less of a healing compound known as cinnamic acid (a cinnamon cousin) it will contain. It's also a good idea to look for varieties that are produced without the use of a dangerous chemical known as hexane in the extraction process. And be sure to seek out preparations that are 100 percent shea butter without any fillers.

Olive/ Coconut Oil                                                                                              Can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, lessen heart attack risk and fight several types of cancer. Studies have shown that it fights bone loss, lessens inflammation, keeps belly fat at bay and helps diabetics regulate their blood sugar. But the benefits of the liquid gold known as olive  and coconut oil don't stop inside the body -- it can work wonders outside as well, by helping to moisturize dry skin.

The ancient Greeks used to take baths in the stuff, but you can see benefits by simply dabbing a bit on dry skin patches (or you can add a little to a warm bath if you have a thing for ancient Greeks).

Olive oil contains a compound found naturally in our skin known as linoleic acid. This lipid creates a water barrier that prevents skin from losing moisture. The lauric acid in coconut oil works as a natural underarm deodorant by killing odor-causing bacteria. Interestingly, linoleic acid and lauric acid can't be manufactured by the body and must come from foods.



Studies have shown that olive oil is not only an effective moisturizer, but that it also can alleviate the symptoms of skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. It can even help reduce inflammation and soothe and heal burns. Most promising of all is that thanks to the high level of antioxidants it contains, olive oil has been shown to greatly reduce tumor frequency from UVB rays.

Avocados
The next time you're whipping up a batch of guacamole for a party, be sure to keep some pureed avocados on the side. Then, when you serve your dish people will not only compliment your star cooking ability, they might just notice your skin, too.

The oil found in avocados acts as an emollient, which means that it helps lubricate the spaces between corneocytes, the flattened cells that form the very outer layer of our skin. It also has superb transepidermal penetration capacity, which is a fancy way of saying that your skin likes to drink it up.

Avocados are also high in fats and vitamins A, D and E, the later of which helps the skin retain moisture and helps reduce wrinkles. That's the science of the fruit. For its practical beauty use, all you really need to do is apply some mashed avocado to a troubled area for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse. Just be sure to keep what you wash away separate from the dip and chips!

Honey
Sweetening your tea with honey and a little dripped on your hand? You might just want to leave it there.

Aside from being delicious to eat, honey has some pretty appetizing benefits for your skin. It's a natural humectant, which means that it has the ability to draw water molecules from the air toward your skin, helping to keep it moisture-rich. Honey also has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a viable option for helping with wound healing, which might explain why a prescription for it was found on a piece of clay dating from 2000 B.C.

To get the moisturizing benefits of the syrupy stuff, dissolve two tablespoons of honey in an equal amount of water and then add six more tablespoons of water. Apply to the skin, wait 10 minutes and then rinse. It's a sweet solution for dry skin.
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Lotion vs Oil which is better for your body?

For many of us, Harmatan or Winter means our skin starts looking like the desert, dry, cracked and dehydrated. If you're one for piling on lotion, but you don't seem to get the moisturizing results you'd like, it might be time to go the nature or should i say traditional way on your stubbornly parched skin. The trick is finding moisturizers that are truly nontoxic. Moisturizers are great at keeping the skin hydrated and healthy looking, and reducing the signs of aging; however, compared to other beauty products, moisturizers often contain the most amount of synthetic chemicals and petroleum by-products, many of which are linked to serious health concerns, Seeing as moisturizers work by deeply penetrating skin, it's smart to consider using green products, which contain fewer synthetic chemicals that may enter your bloodstream.

 Women are lotion lovers, but in Europe and other parts of the world, oil is actually the more popular option for hydrating dry skin. And there are differences between the two. Some manufacturers have to add all sorts of fillers and emulsifiers to create creamy lotion, while certain plant-based oils are super effective at keeping us hydrated and radiant without needing the added ingredients. Still, not all lotions are eco-evil. And when looking for a winner in the oil versus lotion debate, i think there is a place for both.
I believe oils and lotions have varying benefits and drawbacks, but both can be incorporated into a healthy beauty routine. Oils protect the skin's lipid barrier and are great at preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin. Some people believe applying oil, especially to acne-prone skin, will clog pores, cause breakouts, or leave a greasy film. The truth is, most natural oils are easily absorbed, not greasy, and are non-comedogenic, that is, they have a low potential to clog pores, which makes oils perfect for all skin types.
Body lotions, on the other hand, are designed to penetrate the skin, leaving it softer, hydrated, and younger looking. Lotions have the benefit of containing a number of beneficial ingredients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin D, shea butter, and keratin, i have a client who not being able to do without lotion, uses lotion in the morning and oil at night. All of these ingredients replenish the skin of its lost moisture, repair damaged skin, and can alleviate various types of skin conditions.

So, will lotions lose their luster? One company that thinks so is Bodylab, a nature loving body-care sector, which hopes to turn our women on to body oil as a moisturizer.

Want to try using oils as moisturizers? Keep these points in mind as you shop around for dry skin soothers:

• Be expert on extraction. It's important to know how your oil is extracted because you don't want it exposed to high temperatures, or extracted using harmful chemical solvents. Cold pressed is ideal, but CO2-extracted oils are also allowed in certified-organic products. As a rule of thumb, always stay away from synthetic fragrances, sometimes listed as "parfum" or "fragrance" on the ingredients label, and instead opt for unscented, or scented with cold-pressed essential oils.

Avoid this oil. Avoid beauty-care products containing mineral oil. This is a processed petroleum product, and who wants to wear that? Look for products with the fewest amount of ingredients and those that do no contain fragrance, parabens, petrolatum or petroleum jelly. Women, in general, have a misconception that skin care and beauty require fancy products with lots of ingredients to work better. The reality is that an inexpensive bottle of sweet pure coconut oil will likely work just as well as an expensive bottle of the latest big-brand moisturizer lotion to hydrate your skin, give it a healthy glow, and reduce the signs of aging.
• Wear the winners. Coconut oil is an excellent choice for body moisturizing. I always  prefer Olaa Naturale products. At cooler temperatures, coconut oil solidifies, but if you scoop a bit into the palm of your hand and rub it between your hands, it will turn into a smooth body moisturizer, and its also good for the face. I love jojoba, sweet almond, olive and avocado oils too.

The taste of a Natural Woman

Hello fellow bloggers.
Trust you had a great weekend and wishing you all a fabulous week ahead.

Todays post is particularly interesting and i guess it's what a lot of people out there want to know and i have received a lot of mails regarding it. So, here i am writing about how natures woman should smell and taste.

Vaginas taste the way they taste because of a combination of factors — your body's natural sweaty smells, whatever detergent you use on your underwear,the smell of any soaps you use, the smell of the your vagina's juices, so the obvious first step to having a fragrant, delicious pubic region would be to thoroughly wash and wear clean laundry that you wash in soap that doesn't contain dyes or fragrances that will clash with your body's natural scent. Your vagina taste has a lot to do with what you eat.  Of course, you need to stay hygienic to have a good vaginal flavor, but beyond that there are a few specific foods you can eat to make sure your vagina tastes fresh and mild.

 Pineapple juice, lemon, Cinnamon, red grapes and honey

Men and women both consume these fruit juices in order to improve the taste and odor of their secretions.  A glass or two a day should do the trick.  These juices work because their flavor and scent are strong enough to linger even after drinking it, but  they also contains antioxidants to cleanse the body.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great food to help your vagina taste, not so much because the flavor is strong, but because of how beneficial it is to vaginal health.  A healthy vagina will taste fresh naturally.  The live cultures in yogurt can help maintain the balance of bacteria and fungi in the vagina, and make it difficult for yeast infections to develop.  It’s an all-around good choice if you’re looking to add some vagina healthy foods to your diet.

Apple cider vinegar

This is another one that improves your vagina taste through good health rather than affecting the flavor.  The pH of apple cider vinegar is right around what the proper pH of your vagina should be.  Consuming apple cider vinegar, if you can stomach the taste, can help even out your vaginal pH if there’s a problem.  When your pH is balanced, the taste of your vagina shouldn’t be strong or sour at all.  Apple cider vinegar is best when diluted with water and honey.  Drinking it without diluting isn’t the best idea as the acids can irritate your throat.



  Water

People often underestimate the power of water when it comes to having a good vaginal flavor.  Staying hydrated is, first of all, a good way to keep your vaginal discharge thin.  Thin discharge means any odor is more dispersed and therefore milder.  Second, drinking water flushes toxins and impurities from your body.  Sometimes, these toxins and impurities can make your vagina taste and smell poor.  Removing the toxins and staying hydrated means a fresh, nice tasting vagina.

 No Smoking

Smoking (anything) will contribute to an off taste, dairy (milk and cheeses), red meat, sulfur based foods (like broccoli), onion, garlic, coffee/caffeine drinks, and alcohol are all things you should avoid to taste better.

No douching!
 Don't do that. Keep it gentle, keep it minimally fragrant. Try taking a bath, if you've got time. Cotton panties (or, if you hate the word panties, "skivvies" or "pantaloons") are better than less breathable fabrics, since your crotch is sort of like an armpit between your legs.

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