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.