Beat a spot with tea tree oil!

Every of us suffers sometimes from sudden spots and unwanted surprises on our skin. As I teenager, I had quite serious acne and living with it and treating it was quite a challenge, but that’s a part of growing up. I tried different creams, gels but became completely satisfied when discovered tea tree oil. As a big fan of aromatherapy and oils, that was a bit of breakthrough and I just went for it. Tea tree oil, extracted from the leaves, native to Australia is famous for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal anti-septic and healing  properties. I read that native Aborigines used crushed leaves  for cuts, burns and infections. It is very helpful in battling dandruff and perfect for treating all nail fungal infections.

So I treat the spots with the power of nature! As tea tree oil is strong on its own, remember to dilute it with some carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. Then apply it to the spot with a cotton bus and repeat throughout the day and before going to bed. It will simply dry out so don’t be tempted to scratch it before!

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Beat a spot with tea tree oil!

Every of us suffers sometimes from sudden spots and unwanted surprises on our skin. As I teenager, I had quite serious acne and living with it and treating it was quite a challenge, but that’s a part of growing up. I tried different creams, gels but became completely satisfied when discovered tea tree oil. As a big fan of aromatherapy and oils, that was a bit of breakthrough and I just went for it. Tea tree oil, extracted from the leaves, native to Australia is famous for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal anti-septic and healing  properties. I read that native Aborigines used crushed leaves  for cuts, burns and infections. It is very helpful in battling dandruff and perfect for treating all nail fungal infections.

So I treat the spots with the power of nature! As tea tree oil is strong on its own, remember to dilute it with some carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. Then apply it to the spot with a cotton bus and repeat throughout the day and before going to bed. It will simply dry out so don’t be tempted to scratch it before!

The oil cleansing method OCM

.I am a big fan of the oils and also essential oils. I love oils and really believe in using them to have glowing, well moisturised, young looking skin. The oil cleansing method advices using the combination of castor and sunflower oil and the percentage of them depends on your skin type, but more or less is about 30% of castor oil and the rest is sunflower oil. Castor oil has very strong properties and sunflower oil does all moisturising job.

So, the whole equipment you need is your oil blend, hot water and washcloth. The best time is evening, just before going to bed when your skin needs a good cleanse. First, massage your face with the oil blend in small circular movements. The oil will remove all dirt, make up and all impurities. Leave the oil to work on your skin, then cover it with a hot washcloth to let the pores open and leave it on until it cools down. Then, start removing the oil with the hot washcloths and repeat it few times. Remove and cover, remove and cover. If after, your skin feels dry, massage few drops of the oil blend and let it sink into skin. Your skin should feel clean, soft and smooth.

Aloe vera in skincare

I remember, we used to have aloe vera plant in a pot at home and my mum would chop a bit and use it to heal scars, wounds or burns. Indeed, aloe vera, a little magic plant is very beneficial when it come to skincare and any skin emergencies. It is soothing, moisturizing and restoring. It has got anti-flammatory, anti-fungal and cooling properties. It is also a rich source of vitamin A, C, B. It is helpful with acne thanks to its anti-bacterial properties. Aloe vera also reduces redness as it cools and calms the skin down. It promotes skin cells restoring activity and helps to reduce pigmentation problems. Finally,  it brightens your skin and makes it look healthy.

Even, if you don’t have aloe vera plant, you can still use aloe vera gel or juice and incorporate them into your face masks or cleansers. And how about this aloe vera face scrub.

Use dry chamomile flowers or chamomile teabags. Mix the herbs with 2 spoons of aloe vera juice or gel, add some plain yogurt and mix it all for a nice paste. Apply to your face and exfoliate by gently massaging the paste onto your skin in small circular movements. Rinse it off and follow with a toner and a cream.

 

 

Oat face cleanser

This simple cleanser is based on oats, which have great soothing and nurturing properties. I used to soak oats in water and them simply use them as a mask on my face. Works really well for all inflammations, irritations even for acne.

For this cleanser, soak oats for about an hour. You need an egg, almond oil and lavender essential oil. First, whisk an egg yolk, then add a drop of almond oil at a time – use about 3 spoons of almond oil. Add few drops of the lavender essential oil. Now, strain the oats and squeeze all the oat milk slowly into the egg mixture. Blend it all gently so it has a lotion consistency.

It is a great soothing wash for your skin, oats combined with almond oil enrich and moisturize the skin, the egg yolk nourishes it and lavender oil gives a lovely, subtle fragrance as well as it has calming properties.

Hemp oil

I am in Amsterdam for a short post Easter break. Beautiful, old city with boats, canals, coffee shops and just watch these bikes!
Coffee shops where you can legally smoke marijuana or hash, are on every corner. That gives me an inspiration to write about hemp oil.
The oil is rich in fatty acids and works as an excellent moisturizer and helps to fight results of anti-aging. It also helps  to ease skin inflammation. It is not only good for your skin but good in your diet too. I add few hemp seeds to my home-made muesli as they are high in fibre and they work for your beauty from within.

Refresh yourself

It is Easter Monday today. In many countries, the tradition allows people to splash themselves with water to remove all problems, worries and be ready for a new time. So in this mood I encourage you to take a refreshing nice bath or shower. Light the candles in your bathroom. Add few drop of your favourite essential oil to the bath; I recommend rose, lavender, ylang ylang.

I am a shower person more than the bath one. You can still use a bit of aromatherapy in your shower. Once you are in, use few drops of an essential oil under running water and massage  it over your body. Wrap yourself in warm towel and relax for a bit. Then massage your body with the favourite body lotion or oil.

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter became as popular as Shea butter and I am a big fan of both of them. Cocoa butter is a natural emollient softening and smoothing skin. It absorbs and sinks into skin quite easily. It helps with eczema and stretch marks or scars as it is so rich. It brings relief from skin irritations. It keeps skin hydrated and promotes collagen production. Little wonder!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I usually buy a chunk of pure cocoa butter and melt it before use. I read also about shaving it with a knife which could be also very useful. I use melted cocoa butter in a massage, just add few drops of your favourite essential oil or leave it pure and simple. Both ways, it feels gorgeous! You can also take a piece of cocoa butter with you in a shower and it will just melt under stream of hot water or simply drop a chunk into your running bath. You can skip moisturizer after that treat. I use a bit of cocoa butter on my lips before going to bed. They feel silky after waking up, just for a morning kiss!

Papaya face mask

Papaya face mask

I always like using fruits or vegs in my home made cosmetics and masks. Apples, carrots, cucumbers, bananas. All fruits are great for your skin as they contain natural exfoliating enzyme which removes all dead cells and make skin smooth and radiant.

Papaya – what a beautiful fruit it is! Rich in colour, full of potential. Packed with vitamins C and E and beta-carotene which is very beneficial for the skin. I felt very inspiring after reading all good things about papaya at blog http://prakritiherbals.wordpress.com/ and decided to include papaya not only in my beauty treatments but also in my diet as it helps with digestion.

 Again, a very simple mask. Mash and blend ripe papaya with some honey and a bit of yogurt, not too much as it will go all runny. Apply to your face, neck and decollete. I do it even on my shoulders! Rinse with lukewarm water. It leaves your skin smooth and glowing.

Yogurt face mask

Yogurt, not only yummy and healthy, is also good for your skin. It works as a natural moisturiser. It improves skin colour and texture, reduces pores and nourishes the skin with all essential minerals and nutrients. Yogurt contains also lactic acid which smoothes all lines. It helps with acne too.

For this mask, mix half of the cup of yogurt with 2 spoons of lemon and orange juices, add squeeze of honey. I tend to use soya yogurt as it is my favourite, but diary one will be great too. Apply to your face, neck and décollete, rinse it off after 5-10 minutes. Your skin will be fresh and young!