Make your own Moisturizer

Your skin needs moisture, it thrives on it, Here is a natural organic recipe for a moisturizer that is beyond heaven. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut oil 
• 1 teaspoon liquid vitamin E 
• 5-7 drops lavender essential oil and/or tea tree oil 

Instructions

1. I warned you. This homemade moisturizer is simple. Here's what you do: combine the coconut oil, vitamin E or tea tree oil, and lavender in a bowl. Now mix. That's it.

If you’re making this moisturizer in the colder months, when coconut oil tends to be very solid (hard as a rock), you can whip these ingredients together with your hand mixer creating for a smooth, creamy product.

I use this moisturizer in the morning and the evening on my face. A tiny little dab goes a very long way. Avoid applying this wonderful moisturizer to your hair. Trust me.

I have very oily skin and find coconut oil provides my skin with the perfect moisture it needs without the greasy feeling I often get from store-bought moisturizers. The vitamin E and essential oil are both healing and refreshing.

A do it yourself Body Scrub, that is one of my favorites

Body Scrub: Brown Sugar, Honey and Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

This is a recipe that I developed in my own kitchen. I use it to exfoliate before shaving my legs. Because it is so moisturizing, I have found that I do not need to apply lotion to my legs if I use it before shaving.

1-1/2 cups Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 cup local, raw Honey
1/4 teaspoon of desired scent options: Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract, Lemon Juice, Lavender essential oil, Fresh ground coffee, Cinnamon or Clove

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together to form a paste. Add scent if you would like to, but it is not necessary. Store body scrub in a sealed container in your shower or by the sink. No need to refrigerate. To use, scoop some into the palm of your hand and massage skin as needed.

Let's talk Chemical Peels...

A chemical peel is a technique used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, neck or hands. A chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. The new skin is also temporarily more sensitive to the sun. Chemical peels can be dangerous, so please make sure you research a dermatologist or anyone that is going to do such a procedure on you!!  I have a good mild do it yourself chemical peel that you can use ingredients already present in your kitchen!! Here is the one I  like to use.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup white cane sugar
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 2 bowls
• Spoon
• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 1 cup water
• 12 uncoated aspirin
• Shallow dish
• Lemon juice
• Cotton balls

BHA Chemical Peel

Step 1

Combine the baking soda and water in a bowl. Stir to dissolve, then set aside. This is the neutralizer for the acid.

Step 2

Place the aspirin in a shallow dish. According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the talk show "Dr. Oz," aspirin is a source of salicylic acid, a type of BHA.

Step 3

Sprinkle the lemon juice over the aspirin. The role of the lemon juice is twofold; it adds the exfoliating power of citric acid, an AHA, and also helps dissolve the aspirin tablets.

Step 4

Use a spoon to crush the aspirin into a thin paste. If necessary, add more lemon juice.

Step 5

Use your fingers to smooth the peel over your face, avoiding the eye area. Allow the mixture to dry for 10 minutes, then wipe off with a cotton ball soaked in the the baking soda neutralizer.

Warnings

• Individuals with aspirin allergies should not use peels containing BHA.
• AHA and BHA peels can cause mild side effects like temporary redness and irritation. If symptoms persist or worsen, stop treatment immediately.
• Alpha and beta hydroxy acids can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Use a moisturizer with SPF to avoid sunburn and irritation.

Tips

• Select finely granulated white cane sugar; large granules may scratch your skin.
• Substitute brand name aspirin for its cheaper--and equally effective--generic counterpart.

WATER, WATER AND MORE WATER!!!

Ok folks, I have been noticing some of my friends have been looking kinda tired and their faces seemed more saggy and drab,  now of course I don't say that to them, I just say " you look tired, are you getting enough water?" and then they realize they really haven't been drinking enough water. Now as a nurse I push the value of adequate hydration form an over all homeostasis position as it is, homeostasis is the condition when the body is in balance. 

The fact is that skin is an organ, and just like any other part of the body. your skin is made up of cells. And skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. Without water, the organs will certainly not function properly or at their best.

If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.

As water is lost in large quantities every day, you need to replace it somehow. The unfortunate truth about drinking water and skin is that water will reach all the other organs before it reaches the skin. So, it's important to apply water to our skin and keep it there - this will not only show a visible difference in hydration, but it can prevent wrinkles, as well.

So what is the best way to add water to the skin?

• Apply a hydrating moisturizer within 2 minutes of leaving the bath or shower. The skin is still porous and is vulnerable to products that are applied following the bath or shower, allowing better absorption.

• Apply a product containing hyaluronic acid prior to your moisturizer, such as Skinceuticals Hydrating B5  Hyaluronic acid holds 1,000 times its own weight in water, thus attracting water to the skin and holding it there.

• Drink more water. Drinking at least 8 glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins. Everyone will not agree that water consumption will improve skin… but it certainly can't hurt. Many people often report that by increasing their water intake, their skin has a more radiant glow. Those who suffer from acne have reported the same results. Nothing will happen overnight, but even a good couple of weeks of increasing water intake should be enough for you to see how hydration affects your own skin.  

Natural Exfoliators

Exfoliating your skin will keep it younger looking and help to keep it hydrated, which decreases the rate of wrinkles!!  Here are some natural skin exfoliators.

Natural Exfoliators

A sugar/oil scrub is great for most skin types when extra exfoliation is needed. Just mix equal parts oil (coconut, olive, etc.) and sugar (white or brown) and use as a whole body exfoliator. For more oily skin, plain baking soda can be used to exfoliate skin and remove blackheads or dirt.

Honey isn't just good for sweetening your cup of chamomile -- it also makes a sweet addition to your skin care routine. Raw, unprocessed honey is a great topical antiseptic because it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal benefits, which means it helps to reduce the occurrence of skin infections, and it helps fight acne. It's packed full of antioxidants, which can help your skin better protect and repair itself, and it's been shown to reduce inflammation, too. Honey helps to speed up the natural exfoliation process and it has humectant qualities, as well, which means that it attracts moisture to your skin, making it great for a hydrating facial scrub.

Yogurt may be a good-for-you staple in your kitchen, but did you know it's also good for your skin? Yogurt contains lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (the same kind you'll find in prescription skin care treatments) but at a concentration so mild it's gentle enough to use on any skin type, face and body.

Yogurt (and milk, too) hydrates and exfoliates, has skin-smoothing and soothing benefits, and the lactic acid may also help to even out your skin tone as well. Apply plain yogurt as a facial or to larger areas of your body, let it set for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Add some lemon juice to it, to get a chemical peel effect. 

Skin care from the fridge and cabinets of your own home....

Hey Guys I am compiling some do it yourself skin care products that you can do from your home!! I hope these work for you like they have for me, remember with all things check the ingredients and make sure you are not allergic to any of them, and test it on a small area of your skin, I do so on the back of my wrist, or a soft spot on my arm. Enjoy :)

Cleanser

1

Blend 2 oz. grape seed oil, 5 tsp. sesame oil and 2 tsp. wheat germ oil in a small bowl.

2

Add 4 drops lavender and 1 drop chamomile essential oils, mixing thoroughly. Store the mixture in a dark-colored glass bottle with a secure lid, out of direct sunlight.

3

Shake the bottle well, and then pour a dime-sized amount onto your palm. Rub your hands together to warm the oils, and massage them gently onto your face using circular motions.

4

Wipe the cleanser away with a soft, moistened cloth. Rinse and wring out the cloth two to three times, and continue wiping until you remove all traces of oil. Splash your face lightly with cold water, and then pat dry with a clean towel.

Toner

1

Pour 2/3 cup distilled water and 1/3 cup aloe vera gel into a bowl. Mix well.

2

Add 2 drops each cypress and ylang-ylang essential oils. Stir to mix in the essential oils; pour the mixture into a glass bottle, and store it in the refrigerator.

3

Shake the bottle before using. Pour a small amount onto a cotton ball or pad to dampen it, and apply the toner to your entire face. Do not rinse; instead, let your skin air dry and follow with a moisturizer.

Things You Will Need

• 2 oz. organic grape seed oil
• 5 tsp. organic sesame oil
• 2 tsp. organic wheat germ oil
• 2 bowls
• Mixing stick or nonmetal spoon
• 4 drops organic lavender oil
• 1 drop organic chamomile oil
• 2 glass bottles
• 2/3 cup distilled water
• 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
• 2 drops organic cypress oil
• 2 drops organic ylang-ylang oil
• Cotton ball or pad

Tip

• For a weekly facial mask, mix 3 tbsp. honey with the juice of half an orange and leave on for 15 minutes. Massage your skin in circular movements, and then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Substitute rose water for distilled water in the facial toner recipe for an added soothing and softening effect.

Warning

• Do not scrub or pull unnecessarily on your skin to avoid aggravating problems, such as dryness, redness or broken capillaries.

I'm Baaaaack....( said in my best Arnold voice)

Ok you guys I am updating my blog, It has been awhile since I last posted, but I am back with a vengeance, lol. I am now embarking on a Social Media, Blogging career. If any of you out there have any input on this field please let me know!!!  I just had my second Grand Baby come into this world and greet me on November 21.2014 at 1:49 PM!! I am so excited. I will be posting pics soon.