Happy 4th of July

So while everyone gets ready for one of the biggest barbecue days of the year, don't forget one of the most important things. No it's not the ice or the propane, it's SUNSCREEN!

Be sure to apply your sunscreen of SPF30 or higher atlas 20 minutes before you plan on venturing out in the sun and reapply as directed. I suggest every two hours max. Be sure to protect the kids with sunscreen and hats to protect their young skin and scalps. Often we forget to sunscreen our ear and the back of our necks, so be sure to do that as well.

You want to make sure that the sunscreen you are using has a minimum SPF of 30 and that it is UVA/UVB/UVC protective (Broad Spectrum) and water resistant.

TEACHING MOMENT:

UVA - The wrinkle damaging rays
UVB - The sunburning, skin cancer causing rays
UVC - Most dangerous of rays but does not reach earth atmosphere. More man made, i.e. welding or in tanning beds.
NOTE: AVOID tanning beds. It's like sitting on the sun and giving an open invitation to cancer. "Hi Cancer. Come on in!"

Here is what we use in our house to protect our skin.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray

Babyganics Sunscreen spray with SPF50

It's very light weight and is non-aerosol, which is great for the kids and the environment.  We use it all the time and my kids have yet to ever burn even while being in the pool or sprinkler. It contains no PABA , Phthalates, paragons, nano-particles and is fragrance free. You can find it at your local Target, Walmart, Babies R Us or most local chain pharmacies. It comes in about a 6 oz bottle for approximately $9.

Personally, I like that it's non-aerosol. So many times I see moms spraying their kids with this, some directly in the face. I understand that it saves you a lot of time and fussing but your kids are inadvertently breathing this is. NOT good. So I prefer the fuss of rubbing it in over long term possible, we only pray not, problems.

J.R.Watkins Sunscreen

 J.R. Watkins SPF-30 Sunscreen

The adults in the house use this when we want a little color but still be protected.  You still need a little Vitamin D right? I love natural products and J.R.Watkins is known for this. 

Their sunscreen protects against all 3 dangerous sun rays, UVA,UVB and UVC. It goes on easy though you may find it initially greasy it absorbs quickly and is a great first layer to your make up. It contains all-natural titanium dioxide, PABA free, plant based Shea butter with environmental bonus of eco-friendly packaging. It's 95% natural. I'm okay with that. Also, it is fragrance free so you don't have to walk around smelling like a coconut or something else. 

These are my top two because I have used them for over 4 years nor I or my children have ever been sunburn while using them.

You don't have to use these suggested picks but PLEASE be sure to wear sunscreen. The sun still gets in, it just slows down the process of the sun attacking your skin. Reapply often. Wear sun protective clothing and hydrate, it's hot out there.  Most important protect the kids.

Have fun but be sun smart. Happy 4th of July!

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

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Working hard...

Where have I been? It's like I fell into a hole or something, right? Well I have been kept busy and working hard trying to raise a happy family, strong marriage and keep my sanity. Emphasis on sanity.

I would like to tell you that I have had time this summer to watch my flowers grow. That I sat back and relaxed. That would be a lie. I literally have to take pictures of my flowers so I can remind myself that I have a garden. Which is beautiful by the way.

My goodness I have been busy with these kids so much lately. Especially now that they have more going on during the school year. Tending to a million things and needs all at once. Sometimes I even surprise myself by the amount of work I can accomplish with them. However, I often forget myself and my needs in the process. I'm sure if you are a devoted mom (parent) you know exactly what I mean. You become a master juggler for sure. Daily tasks, doing your best not to drop a ball or in my case, a child.

That's where I am at theses days but I have taken some time to continue to tinker with a skin care idea I have. So that is in development and testing stage. I have a few people using it and at the end of 30 days, they will let me know what they think and if tweaking needs to be made. Then I have to pick a name, price out cost for production (at home) starting way small and then a push to build demand. I love it but I have to get all of you to love it too. 

Also in the works, is a children's book that I have written about twins. A great friend of mine will be illustrating for me. If all goes well, we might be able to put it up for sale by Christmas 2016. Fingers crossed!! 

In any case, that is what I have been up to. Would love to hear from some of you? How do you manage to take care of your family and meet your own personal needs or goals? Curious.

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and subscribe to my posts. Thanks so much for coming by.

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

Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra's Milk Bath

Now I am not sure how much truth there is to this, as it was way before my time but it has been said that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt loved to take Milk Bathes. If we remember the movie with Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra, there is a scene where she is taking the famous milk bath. History or myth states that it was specifically,  Donkeys milk. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine some poor soul milking donkeys to benefit her skin. What could possibly have been the benefits of it and does it still hold up today?

Since I can't get my hands on donkeys milk (not that I want to) I decided to share information on another type of milk with perhaps not so well known facts. Buttermilk. We know that Buttermilk is used in many foods, especially a family favorite, pancakes. It is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and calcium. Rich in Lactic Acid and low in fat. Many people hear buttermilk and think that it is fatty but so not the case. Buttermilk is the remaining byproduct after making butter, so much of the fat has been removed for butter. It is a probiotic food that contains the type of bacteria which instead of being harmful, has great health benefits. So if you are lactose intolerant or have digestive issues, Buttermilk is a great option for you. I like to mix some in to my kids bottles when their stomachs are acting up. Works great. 

Buttermilk on your skin? Yes, used as a facial mask it softens, brightens and exfoliates the skin to give it a younger appearance. At the same time, the natural acids, work as an astringent. Lactic acid lightens blemishes, dark spots while tightening the sagging skin by boosting collagen. One company that stands out in its use of Buttermilk is Burt's Bees. Many of their lotions contain Buttermilk. 

Want to reap the benefits from this powerful ingredient, Make your own buttermilk Mask or scrub.

Buttermilk Avena Mask

2 Tbsp Buttermilk
2 Tbsp Oatmeal (Finely Ground)
1 tsp Honey

Mix into a paste, let dry on skin and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pat dry and follow with your favorite skin Toner. 

Buttermilk Coconut Scrub
(You want to make this as needed)
4 Tbsp Buttermilk
4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Raw Sugar
Mix in a bowl and off to the shower you go.
Rub scrub all over your body in circles moving upward to exfoliate skin and rinse.

NOTE: If you can manage, let it sit on skin for a bit before rinsing off. So when you jump in shower wet your skin and turn off the water. Apply scrub and shampoo your hair. By the time your ready to rinse your hair,  turn water back on and you can rinse away scrub as well. 

Hope you will make use of this fabulous natural ingredient. I promise that you will love the Buttermilk. You may not want to fill your tub with it but a mask or scrub is absolutely doable. 

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

Saving my pennies for...

So after having the twins, I have lost a good amount of weight. Still have 5 pounds to go but I feel great. For one exception, (Why is it that there is always an exception, right?)

My skin hasn't pulled back the way I had hoped, as it did the first time around. It's a self-esteem buster at times. Muffin top was one thing. You could get the right pants or top on and you wouldn't have to look at it. When you are naked it's fine because you can't tell, no pressure. However, Muffin top with shriveled saggy skin is an entirely different look. So what is a girl to do?

As an esthetician, I am constantly learning about the skin and new skin care products and treatments. I personally like to concentrate on less invasive procedures for myself and as recommendations to others. I support those who want to go under the knife to enhance their beauty but it's just not for me. I accept my body for how it is. Small chest, big bootie. I'm absolutely okay with my curves or the the lack of, it's what makes me, me. Plus, I have never had any complaints. HAHA!

However, it doesn't mean that I am just going to let myself go and be okay with certain things that can be improved on naturally or with a little advance technology. In an effort to be "Fit at 40", I am trying my best to eat right and find time to exercise more. This loose skin seems to be sticking around. Much like my cellulite but that has been an issue my entire life so lets not get into that.

In the case of my loose skin on my belly, here is what I have found and you can bet I am saving my pennies for this one. The Reaction High Frequency Laser treatment. Here is what they claim.

Reaction™

The new generation in body contouring & skin tightening treatments

Reaction™ offers multiple treatment applications for the industry's most-wanted aesthetic treatments:

• Cellulite treatment (YOUR SEEING THIS RIGHT. BONUS!!)
• Circumferential reduction
• Skin-tightening for aging & lax skin on the face and body
• Skin tightening treatment for appearance of stretch marks

Can it do all of the above? I mean, if this is true...WOW! Women everywhere should be running to their local plastic surgeon or dermatologist/Aesthetician Laser centers, signing up for treatments. Does it work? 

I'm a "proof is in the pudding" type person but I don't just take the account of a person or company telling me it works. I do research and so should every consumer before they buy into any advertisement or story. So here is a link to a clinical study done on Radio High Frequency (RHF) lasers CLICK HERE. If you don't care about all the medical jargon, skip to Safety and Conclusion for found results.

After reading this, I would have to say, Yes, it does work. It works for the person who already takes great care of themselves physically and just needs a little help touching up. In my case, tightening up.  It boosts collagen,  helping turn back the clock. In addition to my research I have my own experiences with lasers. In the past, I worked at a popular Aesthetic Laser chain in New York City and the laser treatments for fat reduction, skin tightening and peeling worked fabulously. Clients always came back for their treatments wanting to look younger or slow down the effects of gravity.

There are risks. Clients can get burned and scared, so make sure you qualify for such procedures before you even walk through the door. Make sure you go to a reputable clinic with a Doctor on staff.  Some skin types can not use certain lasers because of the high risk of burning. I want to reiterate, do your research before you make any decisions on lasers and skin care treatments. The more you know the better.

For me, I qualify for this type of laser to reduce sagging skin after having the twins 18 months ago.   I've lost almost all the weight with just 5 - 8 pounds to go. Exercise can help with the pounds reduction but a laser like REACTION can help with the skins loss of elasticity. My skin is a #4  on the Fitzpatrick scale, medium brown, therefore I don't have to worry to much about skin burning (all though there is always the risk if you go somewhere with lack of training or care.)  Professionally, I would avoid using heat inducing lasers on skin types higher then a 4, as the potential risk  of burning is higher.

The pennies are going in the jar but I would love to hear from anyone that has used a laser like this one to reduce fat and or tighten skin. First hand testimonials are the best way to obtain information. Please share your experience below.

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

It's the most wonderful time to PEEL!

The holidays maybe the most wonderful time for kids but to us adults, it can be frustrating and time consuming. With all the planning, decorating and shopping one can get overwhelmed. So why not take the focus of the major To Do Lists and give yourself a pampering treat. The holidays are fine but I don't want to look broken down and aged. Who does, right?

With that said, I have taken sometime to give myself a gentle peel, twice in the past two weeks and am recruiting others in my circle. I peeled my husband for the first time ever. For the longest time, I told him "You are like my personal billboard. If you walk around with wrinkled, marked and pimpled skin, what will people think of my skills as an aesthetician?" Nag, Nag, he always refused, but I finally got him to do it. To start him off, I did a very gentle Salicylic peel with one pass. Not sure he could handle anything else. He has oily skin and enlarged pores so to start I thought this would be a great fit. It's still a struggle for him to wear sunscreen so I went easy to start.. He seriously doesn't get the importance of sunscreen. Trust me when I say, he won't leave the house without his Aveda Pomade in his hair, but sunscreen, always forgets. 

In any case, I am in peel mode. Planning to peel my sister in the next coming days. Already gave her a peel at the start of the season. She is brave and a seasoned pro to peels, so I am going full force on her. She will look like a twenty something soon enough. LoL! She looks younger then she is already so shouldn't be to hard. Maybe they will start carding us again M. (Small inside joke. HAHA!)

Now not everyone can afford to go out and get peels every month. If you have minor skin issues, for example small dark spots, fine lines starting to show, you can use items right out your fridge to give you gradual but effective results. 

Prefered brand for me.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PEEL

Ingredients:

1Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic is best)

1Tbsp Lemon Juice (Fresh is best)

Tools:

Small Clean bowl

Gauze, fan brush or cotton round (Either will do)

Mix and apply with gauze, fan brush or cotton round, starting from the neck up in a gentle upward and out motion. Avoid getting to close to eyes or using on open cuts, abscessed/ recently popped pimples. It WILL burn. 

Leave on for about 10 minutes. You will feel a tingle on your skin. If you feel pain, remove at once with warm water. If your face still has a "burning" sensation you can use water and baking soda to stop the acid effects. (1 TBSP baking soda to 1 cup Water. Stir and apply.)

It is the holidays, why not drink a cup of Hot Apple Cider while you wait for those ten minutes to pass. The aromas of the Cider will help you forget how stinky the vinegar is too. Always follow with a serum or moisturizer. Do I have to remind you to wear your sunscreen? Wear your sunscreen unless your going to bed of course. 

This should leave skin tight, glowing and will gradually shed within the next few days. You can repeat ever two weeks or until you have achieved the results you are seeking.

However, if you a results now kind of person see your dermatologist or Aesthetician and see what kind of peel they recommend for you.

Happy Peeling and happy holiday prepping.

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

Cloth diapers? They are not your old school diapers.

When I mentioned to my sister that I would be cloth diapering, She was all "Your crazy! Why do that to yourself." Now I absolutely knew where she was coming from. I mean cloth diapering is no easy task and even harder to keep up with when you go out. But with twins, I really felt it would save me a huge amount of money and it was a healthier option. I was committed to trying.

My plan was to do it only when we were home. While I was pregnant I began my search. I was thinking I would have to get pins, diaper cloths, covers,  inserts and etc. but because cloth diapering has become so popular, it was a bit pricey to start out, so  I hit the internet.

To my surprise Diaper clothes have really come a long way. The new cloth diapers come with snaps, velcro instead of pins. Friends of mine have used the BumGenius diapers but they were to expensive per kit. They even have these really cool pin less fasteners if you really wanted to brave the folding cloth diaper method. I decided that I wanted to go with the snap fasteners figuring that it would be harder for kids to pull them off or slip out of. Again, major brand names were expensive. How I saved a ton? EBay. I placed bids on diaper cloth sets, inserts and covers. Eventually, I spent only $50 to cover the cost of diapering them daily.What one kit would have cost me with G Diapers or BumGenius, I spent have to cover two. Granted I would have to run a load every night for the first few months of use until they start to use less diapers around one but well worth it.

I went with 100% cotton (Organic for most) and the covers came with snaps and a pocket for inserts. I also purchase off Ebay and Amazon these thin disposable cloth liners. These are key for when baby poops in cloth diaper and she want to avoid the poop mess on cloth. The cloth inserts last longer this way. With my oldest son we had bought a sprayer attachment for the tub to shower him. I use that to spray off any poop that my end up on cloth directly into toilet before tossing in pail. Oh and you will need a pail too with a wet bag.

The babies came and unfortunately the diapers didn't fit my little ones until they were 6 months old because they were so tiny. On and off, I alternated between cloth and disposable. Never really committing to the cloth diapering outside the home. It really worked well. Until night time when I switched them to a disposable diaper because it really holds in the wetness. In recent weeks, I have been cloth diapering daily. I had to re-waterproof them as the urine was getting through. I dry them on the line but I dry the inserts in the drier unless they are discolored, I bleach and dry in the sun.

Now with my son having a reaction to the diapers, if he keeps a diaper on just an hour he gets a rash. I keep him in cloth diapers most of the day or slip a cloth insert into his disposable diaper so that his skin never touches the disposable. It has worked great in keeping rashes at bay.

I know this isn't my usual talk about skincare but I really wanted to share this with my readers. If your considering cloth diapering, I say, do it. It really works well for us. And though I have days where I surrender to the disposable, especially if I have to leave kids with their dad, I am happy with it. If you have to clean a tush either way, I say go with the cloth diapers. It's best for your kids as their skin can breathe better, environmentally friendly and easier on the wallet.

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Until next time,...

Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Bioré charcoal heating mask review

Wow, is all I can say to parenthood. Adding the twins to our lives certainly has left very little time for the things I love or even like to do. With three kids under three it's been a real challenge some days to even get dressed but I am getting the hang of it now and starting to find some time to write again. 

Recently on one of my diaper purchasing outings, I seen this product and wanted to try it out. Hopeful that I would be able to share my review with you. Two months later, here it is. Hope you find it useful.

Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask 

Can't say a bad thing about this product. From the convenient individual packaging to the brand, this self heating mask made with charcoal works great for mild/average follical (pore) issues.  Here's why...

Charcoal works great on the skin because it absorbs excess oils, detoxifies by pulling out toxins from the skin and tightens skin. When the pores get clogged with oils, make up residues and whatever else, pores get stretched out. Over time your skin loses it's elasticity and the pores will keep the new stretched out skin. Scarring. However, a charcoal base mask or product can help by expelling all of that build up,  allowing pores to appear smaller. 

Earlier I mentioned that it's great for mild/average pore issues. What I meant is that it works for anyone with no acne to a mild cases of acne. If you have excessive acne (chronic) it will help detoxify skin some but you will still need some stronger treatments to reduce bacteria growth in pores. See past posts on Acne for more suggestions and ideas.

St. Ives had a heating a mask that I tried and used for a while but I never was able to get through a tube with out the remainder hardening and rendering itself useless. The fact that Bioré has thought of individually wrapping each treatment mask makes a whole lot more sense to me. It reduces over use of product by providing consumer with exact amount for treatment and reduces waste of product as well as your money. 

My skin tends to be very dry so while following instructions I start and focus on my T-zone for a bit. Rubbing in gentle circles and then working product to outside of my face. Leaving it for a about 2 minutes or so. Then removing as directed. Followed by a toner and moisturizer. This is great for a once a month treatment to detoxify and tighten skin. Perfect for in between facial treatments or for at home pampering. 

Professionally, charcoal is used all the time to detox skin. In treatment rooms, it is considered an add on treatment. That means they charge you an additional $10-$20 depending on spa for its use. It definitely works so it is worth it if your looking for the extra pampering time. However, if your wallet is looking to save for your rainy day fund, this is a great product for at home.

Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask in packets of 4 cost about $6 and can be found in most pharmacy stores, Target stores and online. I purchased my box at my local CVS for $5.99.

Again, I really like this product and I think that if you give up a latte for the day you can buy yourself a box and see. Just how well it works. Test it out for yourself and let me know what you think. 

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

Tweet from Elizabeth (@SkinYourIn)

	Elizabeth (@SkinYourIn)
2/18/14, 10:14 PM a traveling Wife: DIY Eye Makeup Remover atravelingwife.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-ey… I use distilled water so that it last longer so the water does not go bad.

Sunblock, Why reapply?

We all have heard the importance of wearing sunblock but still so many of us don't adhere to the rules to prevent sunburn or the potential risk of skin  cancer. 

Recently, my sister was on vacation and came home to tell me about a women hanging out at the pool. She applied sunblock to her kids and then proceeded to lather herself up with baby oil. My sister stated that she wanted to grab the woman and knock some sense into her. I would have to agree. I'm often baffled by how people seemingly know better but still make bad choices. She knew enough to take care of her children but not herself. Don't people like this wonder, "If mommy/daddy dies of skin cancer, what happens to my kids?"

So here I am again pleading with anyone who will listen. Sun protection  is a great way to prevent sunburn and potential future skin cancer. Apply sunblock often, every day to areas that will be exposed to sun. That includes the winter months as well. Use protective clothing, eyewear and hats.

Not convinced, here is a great article by SkinCancer.org that breaks down the importance of sunscreen for you.

Still not convinced? The  American Cancer Society has reported "Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 76,600 cases of skin cancer in 2013." SkinCancer.org reports "An estimated 3,170 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers will occur in the US in 2013. An estimated 9,480 people will die of melanoma in 2013" These are alarming numbers. 

So why are so many of us still going to the beach/pool/ tanning beds with out a thought or care to what will happen long term. When you wake up in the morning and give thanks for that day. Also remember to protect that in which you are grateful for, your life. It may seem silly but a simple lotion applied regularly can keep your entire family protected from at least this preventable illness.

To the lady or ladies, even dads, like the mom at the pool lathering up with oil, does your family not deserve you in their life for as long as they can have you? That should be the question you ask yourself before deciding to put on that suntan oil. Or if I had a choice, would I want to die from skin cancer when it could be prevented?

I realized this sounds grim but I have seen what cancer in general can do to a family with members of my own family. The pain it causes not only the person dealing with the illness but the family and friends as well. My best friend once had a friend, D,  who loved to worship all things sun especially the tanning salon. The woman was always tanned or red. When she became pregnant with if I recall correctly her third child, she was diagnosed with cancer. She only lived long enough to hold her baby in her arms for a few short months and died shortly after her birth. That child, was robbed of ever knowing her mother as well as the other siblings and could have been prevented. Her husband and family members robbed of her presence.

If this doesn't work, let me appeal to your vanity. To much sun exposure can lead to early wrinkle, skin spots and hardened skin. That skin that looks like a leather strap. Why would you want to look like a piece of suede?

Let me leave off by saying this, skin cancer can be prevented. You don't have to become a statistic. Empower yourself with knowledge and do your best to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's the simplest of cancers to prevent but lethal if not. Don't fear the sun, just protect yourself from it.

I like to recommend Aveeno Baby SPF 55 for kids 2+ , Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50  and No-Ad or Panama Jack SPF 35+ for body. Always look for where it says UVA/UVB protection. Enjoy the sun but please, don't forget to read the directions and reapply regularly.

Here are some helpful links below to enlighten you.
 

Link:

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

Informational links:

http://m.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts

http://www.skincancer.org/

http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/skin-cancer

http://www.melanomaprevention.org/

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful!

 

Pregnancy and skin concerns

When your pregnant some things are a given.
1. You will gain at least a few more pounds i.e. baby weight, water retention / basic body fluids
2. You will be hormonally driven at times. i.e. Cry, laugh, scream or in some case all 3 at once.
3. Your skin will either react kindly or unkindly to the hormonal changes occurring. i.e. "The Glow", breakouts, Melasma, stretch marks etc.

Really, I could go on with a few more but these are the most common and why bore you or scare you with the other stuff. Since I focus on skin majority of the time, I will focus on point number three. Your skins response to being pregnant.

Keratosis Pilaris "Chicken Skin"

So far I have been lucky in the sense that my face hasn't had to many breakouts or Melasma a.k.a. "The Pregnancy Mask." Yet, I am not exactly giving "The Glow" either. What I am dealing with is the makings of stretch Marks on my belly and Keratosis Pilaris (K.P.)  a.k.a. "Chicken Skin" on my upper arms. When I was pregnant the first time around I only developed a small amount of stretch marks on my hips and they are light. After I gave birth, some exfoliation and peels, I managed to keep them from getting worse. For the K.P. I used a topical cream, Urea, prescribed by my Dermatologist which helped a great deal.  However, now pregnant with TWINS!! I know, right. They have both returned with a vengeance. I'm stretching to maximum capacity and my arms are plagued with K.P.

With that said, I have taken a different approach this time. Since I can't use peels or Vitamin A capsules or even Urea, I exfoliate my arms regularly with either an Almond scrub or Baking Soda (1 tsp) and Honey  (1 Tbsp) mix. Any scrub will do really. You just want to be able to scrub away the dry skin that develops over the trapped hair follicle. Then you want to follow up with a moisturizer to keep it from getting rough and bumpy again. It won't go away completely but it helps minimize the appearance.

The added bonus is that the same lotion I use to moisturize my arms, I use on my belly for the stretch marks. Now for the stretch marks, I have accepted that I will have some more added to my war stories of motherhood. But it does help to moisturize and to do it often. I apply about 3-4 times a day, minimum. You could very gently exfoliate the belly with Baking soda and honey as well to try help the skin regenerate while it stretches but I am not sure how well that works. I have done it a few times but I wont know the real results until post-partum. Note: If you scrub to hard you could actually make it worse because skin is so delicate while pregnant. So not to hard. My hope is that they wont be super noticeable like the first time around. If so, I may consider Fraction Laser treatments for the stretch marks.

In any case, I want to share one of the recipes I use to make my own body lotion. Through my many web surfing searches for skin care recipes and books, I found this one. I regret, I don't remember where I found it but I am using it and I love it.

Here is the recipe:

Coconut Whipped Body Butter

What you need:

1 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
a few drops of your favorite essential oils for fragrance (optional) I skip it. Pregnancy makes oders stronger for some. I'm one of the some. 

What to do:

1. Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl. (You do not have to melt the coconut oil first.)

2. Mix on high speed with a wire whisk for 6-7 minutes or until whipped into a light, airy consistency.

3. Spoon the whipped coconut oil body butter into a glass jar and cover tightly. Store at room temperature, or in the refrigerator if your house is so warm it melts the oil.

Tip: An electric hand mixer will work, I used my Kitchen Aid mixer. It whips it up like egg whites.

Note: Your whipped coconut oil should stay relatively soft, even at colder temperatures. I noticed mine beaded into a froth of tiny coconut oil pearls that melt right into my skin.
Also try, 1/2 cup Virgin Coconut oil with 1/2 cup Natural Shea butter for a thicker consistency.

You'll notice that it may become a bit liquid with sweat like beads. That is fine. The liquid oil will soak right into your skin and the beads will melt right in as well. Trust me, this is so great for the skin. It goes on feeling greasy but after your skin eats it up you'll be impressed. I do hope that you try it out and like it as much as I do. Either way, let me know.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful! 

Pumpkin, it's not just something to eat

It's that time of season when pumpkin is in high demand. Did you know that Pumpkin is great for your skin? It has a number of benefits ranging from wrinkle-fighting properties that help slow down the aging clock. Its rich in antioxidants and vitamins C, E, and A that cleanse, nourish and hydrate your skin.

Below is a Pinterest article on a wonderful Pumpkin Sugar scrub for the body.

http://www.tothemotherhood.com/2011/09/pumpkin-sugar-scrub-recipe.html?m=1

Also, here is a yummy Pumpkin facial mask by Bethenny Frankel. So good you'll want to eat it and the best part is that you can.

Bethenny Frankel's Pumpkin Mask

2 cups canned pumpkin

4 tablespoons Greek yogurt

4 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Combine ingredients. Smooth onto face. Rest for 10 minutes, then rinse off mask.  Follow with normal toner and moisturizer.

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

October means the start of peel season

October has arrived and for many, Autumn is beginning to show itself with cooler temperatures, changing foliage and falling leaves. NaturalSkinShop.com is celebrating the season with their Octoberfest celebration and 20% OFF ENTIRE PURCHASE, Now - October 10th. My viewers are sure to "fall" for Natural Skin Shop's glycolic acid & salicylic acid peels that renew and revitalize the skin. NSS offers quality skin care treatment such as: vitamin C treatments, skin lightening, anti-aging formulas, Botox-alternatives, acne treatments and at-home microdermabrasion.

I want to prepare you my readers for the change of seasons by promoting Natural Skin Shop on my blog and Twitter.

Though I don't recommend you trying a harsh peel on yourself, I do recommend you try the scrubs, serums and moisturizers. See attached links for the Octoberfest promotions.

Celebrate Octoberfest at NaturalSkinShop.com by Saving 20% on Entire Purchase. No Coupon Code needed. This saving ends on October 10th.





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

Move into the next season

With Fall here and Winter fast approaching, it is time to prepare your skin for the current season  and coming winter season. After a long summer of taking in the sun and lounging at the pool, one should consider repairing their skin from possible sun damage received and prepare for the coming cold season. So how does our skin benefit from the season changes and what to do to prepare your skin to move into the next season?

Fall is absolutely Exfoliation season. The leaves shouldn't be the only thing shedding, you should shed some skin too. You can exfoliate in a few ways. You can get a professional treatment that exfoliates by Microdermabrasion, Laser, DermaPlane, Chemical Peels, etc. You can make or buy your own scrubs at home which is cost effective and in some cases less evasive. Exfoliation is important because it prepares the skin to absorb serums and lotions to hydrate and repair skin by shedding old dead skin cells.

For clients that have dry skin, I recommend microdermabrasion, mild chemical peel (Glycolic), a gentle scrub or using an exfoliation puff. The last two can be done at home daily/weekly. Reducing minor wrinkles and hyper pigmentation.

For Oily skin, I would add to the above options a Chemical peel (Salicylic/Jessner), which can be more aggressive but more effective in treating the appearance of large pores, hyper pigmentation and fine lines. As well as using at home exfoliants like a microdermabrasion scrub or exfoliating puff.

Now the second thing you want to be diligent with is moisturizing. For dry skin complexions you want to use a cream rather then a lotion. You are going to want to keep moisture in and a thicker cream can do that for you as the winter approaches and through out. For Oily skin, it is still very important to moisturize. But you want to be sure that you use an oil free lotion with oil control. Both should contain humectant ingredients that allow moisture absorption like Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E.

Lets not forget the importance of serums. They can add a boost to your skins needs that are easier absorbed into skin just after exfoliation and prior to moisturizing. There are also serums that focus on specific needs like fighting wrinkles, redness, acne or hyper pigmentation.

Speak to your skin care therapist or dermatologist for more treatments that will work best for you.


An all-star cast of the cosmetic industry's top peeling agents team up with the power of nature to create the ultimate exfoliation experience.

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

Skincare routine step by step

The most important thing to do when it comes to your skin is to follow basic routine. I call it Mr. C.TEMS. this acronym helps me remember the basic steps to taking good care of my skin on a daily basis.

If you can remember this acronym it will certainly help change your routine and eventually the way your skin feels and looks.

Mr. = Make-Up Remover - Part of your Evening routine.  NEVER sleep with make up on.

C = Cleansing - This should be done at least twice a day (AM & PM) depending what you are doing. Especially after a work out so you may find that you are doing it 3 times a day.

T = Tone - A simple Witch hazel will do or a presoaked pad like the one Noxema makes with 2%Salycilic Acid.

E = Exfoliate - You can use a gentle scrub with Jojoba beads. Avoid harsh scrubs for face with nuts or seeds as they can damage the skin.

M = Mask & Moisturize - Day time skip a mask but use your serum and moisturizer. At night, Use an anti-aging or hydrating mask on face.

S = Sun Protection - Clearly you only do this during the day every day, 365 days a year.

Never use hot water when washing you skin or cleansing face. Some steam is okay but too much will just dry you out especially during the winter months.

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

Should your skin care routine hurt?

So while on Twitter, I seen a tweet that said that someones personal motto for skin care was that if it burns it's working. I was disturbed by this idea. I mean, would you have the same idea if you were talking about your vagina. Why do people treat their skin like a doormat?

I understand that some treatments can be uncomfortable,  for example lasering, waxing or even some chemical peels. And that pain tolerance varies by person to person. However, the last thing I would recommend is that you use a product that burns your skin. Definitely not on a regular!

Now granted, I don't know what context it was said in but it did make me wonder, how many people feel this way about their skin care routine? 

So you tell me, do you think that your skincare routine should involve some discomfort? Giving into the old adage, beauty is pain. Or do you believe that there's plenty of products, treatments and routines that can be just as helpful in maintaining healthy looking skin minus the pain?

You can tweet me your thoughts at @SkinYourIn or comment below. Curious to know what you all are thinking. 

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

Elizabeth J

Pure Saffron Skin Benefits

Saffron flower

Check out this news article about the benefits of Saffron and how it is now being used in skin care products. Because of it's powerful antioxidants, one company is incorporating it into their skin care line.

http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/09/20/4277278/pure-saffron-benefits-produce.html

Saffron threads after harvesting

Link to You Tube video host that helps

As a professional, I am constantly looking for new ideas to tell my clients, friends and family. I often use YouTube as a way of finding information from other professionals who post videos. Something I myself need to start working on. NOTE TO SELF: GET TO IT!

Any ways, while trolling through YouTube, I found a simple video on a Strawberry Yogurt mask. The young lady hosting, Jennisse, really caught my attention. Very bubbly! Because of her personality, I decided to check out more of her videos. She has a great page and I wanted to share her YouTube link, JennisseMakeup, with you. This way you can watch her video tutorials on skin care and make up.

She is fun to watch and the tutorials are easy to follow. You're welcome!

Have a great day all!

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