Microbeads no more!

When you cleanse your skin, you often use an exfoliant of some kind to help slough off dead skin cells. I use to love microbead exfoliants because they are softer on the skin then most scrubs. Especially scrubs that use nut shells or apricot seeds which can be so harsh on the skin. Here are some facts on why microbeads often used in skincare or toothpaste should be banned and has already been banned in some states. See attached link http://beatthemicrobead.org/en/science


Though they are gentler on skin, they pack quite the environmental punch. So try some of these listed alternatives instead.

1. BIORÉ ACNE CLEARING SCRUB

2. PHILOSOPHY THE MICRODELIVERY PEEL

3. MURAD AGE REFORM AHA/BHA EXFOLIATING CLEANSER

4. RENÉE ROULEAU MINT BUFFING BEADS

5. JAN MARINI CLEAN ZYME FACE CLEANSER

6. PERRICONE MD BLUE PLASMA

Or do it yourself with a simple DIY facial/body scrub that is super gentle on skin and easy on budget. 

1 tbsp Baking soda
1 tbsp Honey

Use immediately
Gently scrub skin in a gentle circular upward motion
Allow to sit on skin for 2 minutes 
Gently wash away with warm water
Follow with cool water or skin toner
Serum then Moisturize

There are also gentle washable exfoliating scrub pads that you can use to gently rub away dead skin cells on face and body. You can also buy disposable single use pads that come with or without cleanser, like Buf-Pufs. I like the washable scrub pads because they work great, are easy on the pocket and bonus good for environment. Win, win!

Hope you found this informative and that you make the investment for yourself and the environment. 

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

Christmas Prep time is here.

Christmas, Christmas Christmas is here!

Super excited this year to wake up in the morning and watch the kids dig into their gifts. They are finally old enough to start to experience the joy of the holidays together.

Since the little ones are still in destruction mode, I decided to skip the traditional tree to avoid precious ornaments being broken. Went with a "Frosty the Snowman" themed tree, thank you Pinterest. First I purchased a pre-lit white Christmas tree at Walmart ($40). Never thought I'd ever have a white tree. Then I spray painted some pouch caps and styrofoam rounds black (Walmart $3) for the "coal" and a cylinder orange for the nose. My little boy got at one of the buttons so there are only two belly buttons now. Couldn't find a large enough button for the nose. Improvised with the look of a carrot. Found the hat and scarf at Target in the discount section and used my own rain boots. Tossed some fluff and white tinsel on floor and "Ta da!" Done.

Our Tree version of Frosty the Snowman

Yes, he doesn't have arms. That's only because it's been raining so much here on and off since the flood that the trees haven't had a chance to dry out. And though I contemplated putting them on, I figured they would just end up on floor and kids would wack one another with it. Which is exactly why I am okay with that decision not to give him arms. 

Super glad I went this route for them. They touch the tree a bit to much for my liking. So all my precious ornaments that I have collected through the years or inherited will remain safe, at least this year.  My daughter is always trying to plug it in, screaming "Poopy tree light." I'll explain that in a minute. Or I will find the tree in the middle of the living room because my little boy has pulled it away from its original placement. Tinsel in another room or someone wearing the boots. It's all in good fun and I am glad to see them enjoying the tree even if it means they may play a small part in destroying it. 

I want to explain why my daughter calls the Christmas tree a "Poopy tree". She recently watched Charlie Brown's Christmas but for some reason she connects the movie only with Snoopy. She doesn't call snoopy, snoopy, she calls him "Poopy". And it's with this thinking that I believe that this is why she calls it not the Charlie Brown Christmas tree but the "Poopy tree". It's adorable but we are still teaching her how to say it right and she gets it right more often now.

This will be a quiet holiday as we spend it just our immediate family at home. Still working on what Christmas dinner will be. Not sure I will host Christmas brunch either this year do to some scheduling issues with my husbands job. Plus my time management is awful this month but I will do my best to make it special for them. Once they have gifts they won't care much about anything else anyway. So no pressure. 

If you would like to pamper yourself to release the stress of the holiday try this mask after cleansing. It is a mild exfoliant and humectant so your skin will fell soft and look bright. 

Ginger and Spice mask

1 Tbsp Organic Plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp Organic Pumpkin purée

1/2 Tbsp All natural Pumpkin spice

Apply thin layer to face. (I use a facial brush)  Let dry. Try not to eat it off your face. Wipe with lukewarm water and wash cloth. (Don't rub skin to hard. Gently cleanse away.) Any extra can be saved in fridge for next day. Or I like to use in my hair to brighten and nourish it, just add 1Tbsp Coconut Oil. Smells yum too. 

Hope you all are enjoying the prepping for the holidays. 

Please take a moment to comment, like, share or Google+ my post. Thanks so much.

And as always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!
#DIYSkincare #DIYskinmasks 

Father's Day discount on Freeman beauty lines.

Recommending Freeman products is easy because they have products that work really well and have a reasonable price point. Take advantage of this weeks discount and buy some of their paper masks or try the charcoal scrub to detox skin. They have a large option of things you can try as small samplers or the full size product. This way you are bound to find something that suites your skin care needs and beyond.

 Enter DADROCKS code for 20%off. 

https://freeman.mail.zingstudios.com/mail/click.php?314160188270937701

Sensitive Dry Skin

I was thinking about skin sensitivity for those with dry skin and here is what I want you to try. It may not be the products you use, so much as your regimen. 

1st drink plenty of water. Your entire body benefits from it, especially  your skin. You probably don't drink enough anyway, most people don't. 

2. Sleep with a cool mist humidifier so that the mist falls in the direction of your face. Not directly but in the vacinity. Use distilled water as it keeps the machine from getting corroded and reduces impurities in the air.

3. Cleanse & moisturize twice a day. Use an extra creamy moisturizer around smile lines, eyes & forehead at night. Include the serums that you like. Hyloronic serums are great or fesh aloe is a great hydrater and healer for the skin

4. Exfoliate once a week. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Baking soda and honey works well. Light upward motions from décolleté to forehead. 

5. For a calming mask try oatmeal and yogurt or chamomile and milk. Leave on for ten minutes after exfoliation especially. Gently wash away with Luke warm water. Removing with gentle upwards circular motion.

6. For an at home peel once a month that is safe and easy, try Apple Cider Vinegar. Apply to cotton then face in upward motions, working from outside in. Apply up to three coats two minutes apart. Let sit for ten minutes then rinse with ice cold water. 

I think sometimes that with sensitive skin the best way is the most natural way. Be sure to take short  warm showers. The warmer the warmer and the longer you are in the shower increases your potential for increased dry skin as you are stripping away the natural defense oils from your body. This can leave skin feeling irritated, itchy and ironically feeling dehydrated, as there are no natural oils (sebum) to keep moisture locked in. That's why a good moisturizer or oil helps keep skin calm and hydrated, preventing the skin from loosing more of its water and natural oils. 

Let me know if you have any questions or need some product suggestions. 

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