Summer Drying Your Skin Out?

While visiting some family these past few weeks, I ran out of my moisturizer. I went a few days without any and wow was my skin totally reacting to the lack of extra moisture. With no time to place an order for L'Bel USA, I decided to do some product hunting and share the results with you.

A local beauty supply store, Sally's Beauty Supply Store, had a variety of skin products all claiming to do many things. My skin is normally dry but it is super dry from the climate and the water here. I have been scratching at it and rubbing trying to find relief.

I tried using fresh Aloe to calm and hydrate my skin but that didn't take care of it all. It reduced a majority of the redness and bumps from inflammation I had developing on my skin but I was still dry and itchy.

So while at the store, my eyes focused in on one product and its straight to the point label "face fix mix: Hydrating Skin Quencher" by Claudia Stevens. Nothing fancy about the packaging and no major promises of turning back time. Just a simple facial moisturizer. Fix my face indeed! For approximately $6, I was willing to try it out.

I applied it on my clean, damp skin and felt my skin gobble it up very quickly. I reapplied throughout the day as needed. After two nights, I felt the itch starting to calm as well as the redness from scratching my skin. This cream works really well with Vitamin E oil which I put on prior.

A week has passed now and my skin is back to its healthy self. With the face fix mix, Vitamin E and plenty of water to drink, my skin is back where I want it to be. For $6, I couldn't be happier with the product. As a humectant, it refreshes the skin without any harsh oils and blends well with extracts or oils. I would recommend it to clients for sure. Face Fix Mix has other products available as well but I haven't yet tested those out. You can order online or pick it up at your local Sally's Beauty Supply Store and to try it out for yourself.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Acne prone skin. Oregano can help.

Wild Oregano leaves

If I were to ask many of you what you could use Oregano on, few would say your face. Pizza, pasta sure but your face...how's that right? Did you know that Oregano can be used on your skin?

Oregano, specifically Wild Oregano, known as Origanum Vulgare has wonderful benefits. 

BENEFITS: 

- Antifungal, antibacterial, anthelmintic and antiseptic

- Antioxidant

With these great benefits it's great for the skin topically. However, it is a very potent extract so you do have to use it with caution on its own. I would not even suggest using it alone. Many products contain Oregano or an element of oregano. Dilution is always necessary. So it is mixed with a carrier oil to protect the skin, otherwise it would irritate your skin in its purest state. Carrier oils recommended are Almond oil, Olive oil or Safflower oil.  Active ingredient will show Origanum Vulgare with Thymol and Carvacrol. 

How do you use the product on the skin and who would benefit from it?

USES:

- Spot treatment for breakouts

- Acne

- Facial masks

- Foot creams

- Skin toners

For spot treatment and acne, I like Origins Spot Remover Anti-blemish Treatment Gel. I've mentioned it before. I really think it's a great product and it's way easier then mixing up your own batch and risk irritating your skin any worse. For foot cream, you could use what ever lotion you use normally for your feet and add 2 drops of oregano oil to it. That will help kill any bacteria on your feet.

If you want to try making your own treatments try either or both recipes below.

FOR A MASK -  1/4 cup Aloe Vera, mashed Cucumber and 1-2 drops oregano oil

I would recommend that you start off with 1 drop to see how your skin reacts and work your way up to 3 drops. NEVER exceed more than 3 drops to avoid skin irritation.

FOR A SKIN TONER - Here's a quick recipe for you to try on Youtube. It's really easy from Green Living! Toner Recipe

When dealing with acne don't go it alone. Seek help from your dermatologist in conjunction with your Esthetician. And don't be afraid to ask questions or push for more natural treatments. Good luck!

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

   

At Home Skin Mask that Helps Dull Skin

Being a Esthetician, I subscribe to many newsletters and magazines regarding the skin care industry. With that, I received lots of information and ideas on skin care. 

Recently a friend discussed with me how she was unhappy with her skin and that she wanted to start a new skin regimen and would like to know what I recommend. I provided her with some L'BelUSA recommendations as well as some natural treatments. This is great for dull, lifeless skin. So I wanted to share another at home recipe for you all that like to try your own hand at making your own skin care items naturally. As for my friend, you know who you are and this is definitely for you to try.

Here is a recipe that I received from Rena Levi Skin Care in which she calls it her "Secret Homemade Mask". If it's a secret it must be good, right? Well it is. 

Here's why I know it helps.

Carrot Juice

- has Vitamin A, which is essential for tissue growth in the body

- has Vitamin C, which helps with collagen production in the body

- fights sun damage

- helpful for treating uneven skin tones due to pigmentation

- helps in eliminating and preventing acne

Lemon Juice

- Vitamin C - see above

- Citric acid, a peeling and exfoliating agent great with dark spots and acne

- B Vitamins, slow down the signs of aging and provide added moisture to skin

Beer Yeast

- rich source of B complex vitamins

- brewer's yeast can improve acne

p.s.- "Holistic Online.com notes that when these deficiencies are added to the diet as with brewer's yeast, the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis have gone away."

Yogurt

- Lactic Acid, Lactic acid helps to eliminate germs, toxins and dead cells from the skin s surface

- helps to maintain the skin's pH level.

- B Vitamins, See above

Olive Oil

- Vitamin E, improves the elasticity of the skin.

- Oleic acid, helps to soften the skin

Here is the mask for you to try. Enjoy!

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Home Mask for Healthy Skin that Glows:

2 teaspoons carrot juice

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon beer yeast

1 tablespoon yogurt

1 teaspoon olive oil (do not use if your skin is oily)

Mix together and apply generously to cleansed skin; leave on

for 10-20 minutes then rinse with cool, clear water. Allow to air dry.