Homemade Facials: Strawberry and Honey + A Banana and Molasses Facial

A few years back when I first got into homemade beauty and skin care my first ever facial was a strawberry and honey facial. It was my go to for face masks and it always left my skin feeling ultra soft and clear. Now that strawberries are in season I decided to revisit my favorite face mask. It’s been a while since I have done a strawberry/honey facial so I decided last weekend to give myself a treat.

Strawberries are not only delicious when in season, but it’s very beneficial for those with oily skin thanks to it’s natural astringent qualities. Strawberries also contains Salicylic Acid (one of the AHA’s/BHA mentioned here) which naturally exfoliates the skin of dead skin cells leaving you with soft and glowing skin.

Strawberries and Your Skin

Combats excess oil

Helps ligthen skin

Helps clear acne

Tightens pores

although not skin related…..Strawberries also helps whiten teeth naturally.

Honey of course is a natural moisturizer and a natural antiseptic keeping pimples and blemishes at bay. Which is why I like to use this facial when I have pimples. So now that they are in season put them strawberries to use.

I also discovered a new snack, honey dipped strawberries, ultra satisfying for my hard to manage sweet tooth……..

Banana, Honey and Blackstrap Molasses facial

So I had a half eaten Banana lying around the other day which I saved for a facial. I love Banana facials because it gives my skin this amazing glow and ultra soft feel.

So I took it out of the peel and it was perfect for a facial.

You can just add the honey for it’s rich moisturizing benefits…..

But I decided to add Molasses too.

Molasses contains Glycolic Acid which is also a natural AHA. It naturally exfoliates your skin allowing for new healthier skin cells to take over.

I just mixed the honey, molasses and banana together and left it in for about 15 mins. I rinsed and was left with soft glowing skin.

I tend to do one or the other facial once or twice a week, especially before a big night out since it tends to make my makeup look 10 times better. You can easily try these facials as well as add a wide variety of ingredients, like yogurt, milk,essential oils or whatever your skin may need.

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Revisiting Dry Brushing + My Current Skin Care Regimen for Soft Glowing Skin by Spring

My poor little loofah…….. Soon as the cold weather came around I have basically abandoned it. Which has really been a shame considering how dried out my skin has been this winter. But now that the warm weather is approaching it will make a much welcome come back into my skin care regimen (along with my body scrubs and new found love for body butters).

Everyone is familiar with the bath loofah, however like I mentioned in my last post not all loofahs are created equal. I won’t get into too much detail in this post but you can check out the post here where I elaborated a bit on it.

I use my loofah while in the shower but every now and then I like to dry brush. Dry brushing not only exfoliates your skin leaving it soft and supple, but it can also benefit your health in many ways.

The Many Benefits of Dry Brushing

Tightens Skin

Stimulates Circulation

Helps with Cellulite

Strengthens Immune System by stimulating The Lymphatic System

Aids the body with Detoxification

Benefits the Nervous System

Promotes Skin cell renewal essential for soft and healthy skin

You don’t necessarily need this type of loofah to dry brush, so long as you find something with natural bristles. I’ve seen exfoliating gloves and brushes at my local drugstore and natural health store so look around and see what you find. It’s recommended to dry brush in the morning since dry brushing tends to stimulate you, but I have found that it helps in the evenings as well. So it can be a great way to get your day started feeling invigorated and refreshed.

For more info on dry brushing check these sources out:

Jash Botanicals

Natural Health Techniques

Healing Lifestyles

So right after dry brushing I jump in the shower and grab my homemade body scrub I make every couple of weeks. As you all know Vanilla Oil and I have an amazing affair and I still can’t get enough of it, using it in everything.

What I Used

1 cup of Brown Sugar: Contains Glycolic acid which gently exfoliates and dissolves dead skin

1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil: Contains antimicrobial and anti oxidant properties also softens and moisturizes the skin

1/2 Tsp of Sweet Almond Oil: Moisturizes, soothes and softens dry skin

1/2 Tsp Grape seed Oil: Antioxidant, Antinflammatory, Astringent and antiseptic (ideal for oily acne prone skin) Tones and tightens skin

1/2 Tsp Vanilla Essential Oil: used for scent which helps relax

1/2 Tsp Vitamin E Oil: Antioxidant and used as preservative

In my empty container I added the brown Sugar Followed by Coconut oil

Then I added the rest of the oils about 1/2 tsp of each

I just mixed it all together and started scrubbing away……

For an even more ultra amazing silky feel I followed up with my home made body butter. This time around I whipped it which left me with a very nice texture.

This batch came out a lot better and I got the consistency and texture I was looking for after about 20 minutes of non stop whipping, by hand! It was worth it though because I just loveeee how soft and smooth my skin feels. Definitely posting my tutorial soon.

So basically that’s my routine now, Dry brushing, exfoliating and experimenting with body butters, soft glistening skin just in time for summer!

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Review: Moisturizers and Tinted Moisturizers Concha de Nacar, Sonia Kashuk, Aveeno and Aloe Vera Gel

I have been meaning to review several facial moisturizers I have been using and eliminating from my regimen. Here are a few I have tried for a while and recently have given a try.

Concha De Nacar Chamomile Vitamin E

One of my favorite skin care line and facial moisturizer while growing up has been Concha de Nacar. You usually find them at beauty supply stores or Caribbean specialty stores throughout NYC. 

I used this chamomile and Vitamin E moisturizer about two years ago until the place I usually got it from stopped stocking it. So this past summer I purchased it again after a long hiatus. This facial cream contains Vitamin E and chamomile and is very moisturizing. I did not use it much this time around because my skin was a bit on the oily side this summer when I repurchased it, but other than that I never had any complaints.

However there are several questionable ingredients (like parabens, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA and a whole bunch of other stuff). Not too much to my liking considering I’m trying to keep my skin care regimen as natural as possible. But it’s been kind of hard trying to find what’s right for me at this point.

Despite the ingredients I really like this facial moisturizer. It’s under ten bucks great for the winter time and  it always leaves my skin very hydrated. There are also other products this line features like the bleach cream I stumbled upon last winter. Which I gave to my sister shortly after since  she was dealing with many dark spots on her forehead since having her baby (hormones maybe). I asked her recently how it turned out and she said it helped as far as giving her a smoother and clearer complexion and she liked it was a scrub as well. As far as bleaching/lightening the dark spots the verdict is still out on that one.

I have been upset lately…..

because after many years using Neutrogena’s Tinted moisturizer faithfully for so long, Neutrogena decided to change the packaging (and I strongly suspect the formula too).  Unfortunately I was unable to compare the ingredients with the old one since I cut it up to get the most product out of the old design, and of course cut the ingredients away too. Not thinking much of it I used it up until August, All summer long I kid you not I was dealing with major breakouts until I finally figured out it was my TM causing my break outs all summer.

Neutrogen Tinted Moisturizer (medium)

 The damage it was doing to my skin was insane but I never gave it a thought. I had eliminated a whole bunch of things from my regimen and even thought it was health related. But then Neutrogena’s TM was the last product from my regimen to eliminate (I was in denial) and lone and behold it was my holy grail causing such ugly nasty breakouts. So I have been on a whirlwind. I don’t understand what happened, this TM made my skin look sooo nice for yearssss, it was the right price and perfect for my complexion and oily skin type! Then suddenly bam! nasty breakouts. I’m thinking either my skin changed or the product…. Oh well…. On to the next….

Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer (Tan)

I was in despair since I don’t ever wear foundation and feel like a TM is able to help balance my skin tone without the overdone feeling of a foundation. So I went out to Target and purchased Sonia Kashuk’s TM for 12 bucks. I’m not too crazy about this. It has this rather chalky feeling and kind of gives me this matte look which I don’t know if I like too much sometimes…but it tends to work considering my oily skin and I like the coloring. The formula is a bit watery but for know it will do.

Aveeno Tinted Moisturizer (medium)

So in between my bad experience with my HG tinted moisturizer and Sonia Kashuks’ not so fabulous TM, I went out in my product junkie mode I get into sometimes and purchased Aveeno’s TM. Straight off this thing is horrible! Makes me look like a ghost, the formula is way too thick and the coloring is horrible. Did not like it and returned it after I gave it 2 chances…. the only thing I did like was that it covered the redness around my nose but other than that not an ideal tinted moisturizer for me. 

Too thick and the color is way too light.

This stuff is aight and I say aightt because I neither hate or love it. I don’t have a go to cream for the evenings right now so I’m using Aloe Vera gel Straight from the plant at night or sometimes this clean and clear dual action moisturizer. It’s oil free and contains salicylic acid (one of the AHA’s mentioned here) which is ideal for those with acne prone and oily skin types.

When I use this at times I feel a tingling sensation which is most likely the salicylic acid at work. It moisturizes, although I feel like it just sits on my skin and it feels oily sometimes which defeats the purpose as to why I got it in the first place. So I don’t know really about this one. I paid just 5 bucks for it and find it does not do too much for me. If anything my Aloe Vera Gel works better….

 I was a bit skeptical about this one, but left with no other choice I squeezed a good amount of aloe juice from this plant and put it on my face like a mask. However this time I did not rinse. I let it dry for a couple of minutes and used it as a moisturizer. Now I use it every evening and morning followed by Sonia Kashuk’s TM.

 I have noticed it makes all the black heads on my nose almost squeeze them own selves out. And my complexion is much clearer. Definitely worth the try considering Aloe Vera Gel has a lot of great benefits when it concerns the skin. It moisturizers, heals and it’s natural.

Not only am I getting a natural hair regimen down, but also a skin care regimen based on natural organic products. As far as my hair, things are coming along but the skin can be tricky. So I was browsing organic products and came across Derma E.

I got this free sample pack I just paid the $4.95 in shipping. They are all natural, paraben free and they have all types of serums, cleansers, moisturizers and treatments for all skin types imaginable.

They even have moisturizers for hot flashes and all the skin related stuff it entails. A microdermabrasion sample and a few other interesting products and ingredients as well. I’m actually overwhelmed since I don’t know what product would work best for my skin type. I’ll keep doing a bit of research on it. So far I’m liking the tea tree cleanser. Helps with my oily skin but smells too much!

So hopefully I will have a regimen I’m most comfortable with. Especially limiting the amount of products. One thing I can’t do without Is a good Tinted Moisturizer. So right now I’m on the hunt.

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Common Skin Care Terms You Should Know

While researching skin care products and ingredients, I have come across several skin care terms I have not been too familiar with. You read and hear about them all the time but do you know what they mean?



Google Images



Here are a few common skin care terms I have become familiar with:

Astringent: Used to remove skin surface oils and to temporarily help appearance of pores.

Antioxidant: Ingredient helps eliminate free radical attack.

Free Radicals: Environmental molecules that break down skin cell structure that helps cause skin to appear to age.

Dermabrasion: A procedure in which the skin is sanded to improve its texture. Microdermabrasion uses a type of sand to abrade the skin, usually done by an esthetician or a cosmetic doctor.

Collagen – A protein that forms the chief constituent of the connective tissue and bones. It gives skin strength and durability. Age related declines in collagen production cause thinning of the skin, wrinkles, and sagging. Cosmeceuticals such as vitamin C and eating foods rich in amino acids stimulate collagen production.

Elastin – A protein component of skin that helps maintain skin resilience and elasticity. When elastin is abundant and undamaged, the skin regains its shape after being folded or stretched.

Antiseptic: A substance that stops the growth of bacteria

Comedogenic: Capable of triggering non-inflammatory acne lesion (comedones). A product and/or substance that promotes acne.

Comedone(open): Black Head
Comedone(closed): White Head

Cyst: A deep-seated mass filled with liquid or semisolid material (puss) and surrounded by a capsule.

Regenerative: Restores and revives tissue growth

Sebum – The semi fluid secretion of the sebaceous glands, consisting chiefly of fat, keratin, and cellular material. The oil naturally produced by ones skin to help protect it.

Antiseborrheic:  A substance that controls the excessive secretion of sebum, and reduces oiliness of the face and greasy scalp, a condition that is most common in adolescents.

Acid Mantle: A protective oily layer on the skin’s surface which functions as a protectorate against environmental impurities and helps regulate moisture loss and water retention.

Antiseptic: A substance/property that stops the growth of bacteria.

Cicatrisant: Helps heal and fade wounds, scars from acne

Fungicide: Kills fungus



Google Images



These are just the most common, check out the Sources/Links below for more Information and Terms:

 
Beauty Glossary A-Z
 
Essential Day Spa: Dictionary of Terms A-Z
 
Skin Care Ingredients Glossary
 
Glossary of Skin Terms
 
Skincaredictionary.com
 
Mimi.hu Beauty Index

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Amal Oils: Moroccan Argan Oil Giveaway (CLOSED) + Sugar Cane Syrup Face Mask

Earlier in September Jalila Bouchareb of Amal Oils (100% Organic Argan Oil), a company founded by Jalila, contacted Hell Notes for Beauty to sponsor not only a review but a fabulous giveaway to a lovely reader as well! Amal Oils is a fascinating company considering it stands on the foundation of Jalila’s sensational entrepreneurial spirit and her strong connection with the women of her native country, the beautiful Morocco.

Argan Oil (argania spinosa) exclusively known to Morocco, has been all the hype lately, especially in hair and beauty products. Coming from a tree that can live for up to 200 years, withstand droughts and overall difficult conditions, it is of no wonder why Argan Oil has been used to also withstand and tackle the ravages of aging skin and dry hair for generations.

 Amal Oils 100% Organic Argan Oil has been a great treat because when I started hearing all the rave about Argan Oil I was rather discouraged because most products were made with Argan Oil. It wasn’t the Argan oil itself. I wanted to try the oil itself, not products infused with it.

 This is why I was excited that Jalila had contacted me because not only did she have the highly talked about Argan oil from Morocco, but 100% organic, free of parabens, toxins, preservatives and fragrance. I finally had the main ingredient itself not just a product with the oil, which is usually found at the bottom of the ingredients list anyway.

  Argan oil also possesses a variety of culinary and health uses as well, not just cosmetic. For generations it’s been a part of Moroccan cuisine as well as known to help with cholesterol levels making Argan Oil even more interesting. However, Moroccan women use it for a variety of beauty regimens and here are some of the reasons why:

 
***
Antioxidant properties

High Vitamin E content

Anti inflammatory

Improves skin elasticity

Gives hair and nails strength and shine

Softens skin

Anti aging qualities

Eases skin issues such as dry skin, eczema, psoriasis 

Heals sun burns
Reduces excessive skin oil production

Treats acne
***

Amal oils (hope in Arabic) is dedicated to not only the preservation of beauty and youth but also preserving the livelihood of poor Berber women. In turn this ensures that the women who help produce this oil are fairly compensated for their very hard work by donating a portion of sales back to the women of Jalila’s country. It’s great that Amal oils is part of a cooperative that prides itself in helping women take part in their local economy. This gives poor Berber women hope through health care, education and overall woman power in a largely male dominated society.

I have tried several products that contain Argan oil and in fact have had great experiences with them, however as a lover of all things natural, I had to give Amal Oils a try and the first thing I started off with since receiving the oil 3 weeks ago was with my hands. I use about 5 drops for my hands and cuticles and my hands feel so velvety and soft I almost feel guilty using such a luxurious oil on my hands.

 I also incorporated it into several deep conditioners I have been meaning to get rid of. I’ll have a hair review coming soon in the mean time here’s a face mask I did using:

Read more to Enter the Giveaway and see how you can make you own fabulous Argan Oil facial using

Sugar Cane Syrup (melao in Spanish )

Amal Argan Oil

Plain Greek Yogurt

Banana

Leave mask on for 15 minutes until it dries
I like to use it maybe once or twice a week especially before a special night out, party etc.

This is a great facial mask because it contains 3 of the 5 main Alpha Hydroxy acids I mentioned in my earlier post.

Bannana (Malic Acid)

Bananas contain antioxidants as well as a variety of vitamins protecting and nourishing the skin. Malic Acid is also found in bananas which helps increase collagen production, minimize fine lines and tightens pores.



Plain Yogurt (Lactic Acid)



This is my first time trying Greek Yogurt and have to say its so much better because it’s so thick, feels like a cream and smells like vanilla even though it’s plain! I love using yogurt because the Lactic Acid that yogurt contains helps sooth the skin and refine pores. Yogurt’s antibacterial properties are also ideal for oily and acne prone skin types.



Amal Oils Argan Oil (external use only)



Argan Oil contains a vast amount of Vitamin E ideal for softening the skin and treating scars.

Argan oil is also great for those who deal with eczema or severe dry skin. For oily skin types Argan Oil also reduces excessive oil production.

Sugar Cane Syrup (Glycolic Acid)

Last but not least, Sugar cane which contains Glycolic Acid. Glycolic acid helps exfoliate, soften and even skin tone as well as promote collagen production essential for supple skin.

I’ve always loved adding bananas to my face masks because when you put it on you feel a tingling sensation which lets you know the ingredients are working. This was one of my first facial mask I experimented with when trying out natural facial recipes, I usually add honey but lately I’m using Argan Oil for most of my facials and love how soft and clear my skin has been feeling.

Amal Oils Argan Oil is stored in a glass bottle, similar to the bottles most of my essential oils are stored in which helps preserve the oil much better. It has a very light, almost faint scent which you have to really stick your nose into your skin to catch it’s light nutty scent. Which I prefer, since I tend to be a bit sensitive when it comes to scents.

It also has a handy built in dropper so you use just the right amount you need.

So it’s finally time that you try this oil out for yourself. This is why One lucky reader will go away with a 2 oz bottle of Amal Oils 100% Organic Argan Oil!!!!

******

Rules

*Must be a Subscriber of Hell Notes for Beauty

*Open to US and Canada Residents Only

*Follow Amal Oils Via:

Twitter

and

Facebook

*Simply leave a comment telling me you have done the above mentioned……

*****Giveaway Ends Friday October 22*****

Hell Notes for Beauty is my personal Blog. The product was sent for review purposes only. Review of this product is based purely on my own experience and opinion. I’m in no way paid/work or am affiliated with Amal Oils.

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What are Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids?

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids are found in many skincare products especially for mature and acne prone skin types. AHA’s and BHA’s are naturally found most commonly in fruits, beneficial for the skin (fine lines, sun damage) and in some cases health as well. Alpha Hydroxy acids are mild exfoliants that help break the bonds that holds dead skin cells together aka dry skin, leaving you with smooth, moisturized and renewed skin.

The skin is made up of many layers but the two main layers we are most familiar with are the epidermis and dermis. Alpha Hydroxy Acids exfoliate the top layers of the skin (epidermis) helping promote the growth of healthier skin cells by way of the dermis (second main layer). The second main layer of the skin (dermis), is where most of our moisture, collagen and elastin exist.

Collagen is what helps structure the skin while elastin helps the skin stretch and take form. Naturally derived AHA and BHA’S, as well as synthetic types that professionals use in higher concentrations (such as chemical peels), are ideal for treating wrinkles, fine lines, dryness, acne, sunspots and helps even out your skin tone.

However, you can make your own natural and mild exfoliants using Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids by simply using natural products you can easily find in your house and local food market.

*Please make sure that you are not sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients mentioned. Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids can cause sun sensitivity and irritation, especially in higher concentrations.*

There are five types of

 Alpha Hydroxy Acids:

1.Glycolic Acid:

Glycolic acid is one of the most familiar acids. It’s derived from sugarcane and naturally exfoliates the skin. Ideal for mature skin and fine lines, scars and hyperpigmentation.

2.Lactic Acid

Found in milk, yogurt, tomato juice. Like glycoic acid, lactic acid naturally exfoliates the skin while also soothing sensitive skin types. Lactic acid also lightens dark spots left over from acne or scars in general. Yogurt is also astringent ideal for those with oily skin while also moisturizing at the same time.

3.Malic Acid

Bananas, apples, nectarines, pears all contain malic acid which is an antioxidant helping reduce wrinkles and allows the skin to retain moisture while clarifying. Malic acid is great for not only the skin but overall health as well. It’s essential for energy production in the body and is said to be beneficial for those who suffer with fibromyalgia, helping maximize energy levels while reducing pain.

4.Citric Acid

Pineapple, oranges and lemon juices, helps lighten and brighten the skin getting rid of old dead skin cells, also astringent.

5.Tartaric Acid

Found in grapes, apples, pears, tamarind. Improves wrinkles, evens skin tone and sun damaged skin.

Beta Hydroxy Acids (Salicylic acid)

There are several types of Beta Hydroxy Acids but in skin care only salicylic is known to be used which is a very familiar ingredient for those who deal with acne and oily skin as well. Salicylic Acid, the only Beta Hydroxy acid used in dermatology, is known to get deeper into the pores and is found mainly in willow bark and aspirin. Unlike the Alpha Hydroxy acids, Salicylic acid penetrates through the skin’s natural oils (sebum), thoroughly cleaning out clogged pores that causes blackheads and breakouts.

Here I will make a simple facial using yogurt (Lactic Acid)

Read More so you can see how it’s made…

Even though summer is nearly drawing to a close some have to deal with oily skin year round. So I usually do this quick and easy homemade face mask which always does the trick for me.

Yogurt (lactic acid) naturally cleanses and exfoliates the skin ridding it of old dead skin cells, it’s also a mild astringent (controls oil, closes pores), and antibacterial, ideal for keeping pimples and blemishes at bay. Oatmeal also tackles dryness and it’s known for dealing with eczema, sunburn, and soothes the skin while also cleansing the skin of oils and dirt.

For this facial you just need 2 basic ingredients:

Regular plain oatmeal and regular plain yogurt, no sugars or flavors

(If you can get Organic Greek yogurt, go for it )

Yogurt usually has a bit of water on the top, use this “juice” to moisten your mask to your liking. To thicken it just add more oatmeal. Leave the mask on for 10-15 mins or until it dries completely.

 Honey is naturally antibacterial and moisturizing making this facial an even more fabulous hydrating facial.

I ‘ve been using essential oils in my facials lately and it has become a very interesting and welcoming addition to my regimen. I like to add 1 drop of lavender oil or 1 drop of ylang ylang to this very facial. Lavender oil helps heal the skin while providing you with antibacterial properties ideal for pimples and acne prone skin, which oily skin types deal with on a regular basis. Ylang Ylang is great to help balance any skin type great for oily or dry skin as well.

This Face mask leaves my skin glowing and helps minimize my pores. I can truly see how great the results are when I apply my makeup. You can make this mask with just the yogurt and oatmeal or just add any ingredient ideal for your skin type. Strawberries are also astringent great for oily skin types while a banana can give you an extra boost in moisture.

Sources:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beautiful Skin By Marsha Gordon, Alice E. Fugate
Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice By Leslie Baumann

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Homemade Body Scrub: Lavender, Vitamin E and Almond oil

Every couple of weeks or so I like to try different types of homemade body scrubs. Usually my body scrubs always contains honey (to preserve), but this time I decided to skip honey and use oils primarily instead.

You will need:

Brown Sugar helps to exfoliate while the naturally occurring Glycolic Acid from the sugar helps open pores, smooths the skin, fine lines, also helps minimize ingrown hairs.  

Vitamin E is a great antioxidant ideal for wrinkles, fine lines and sun damaged skin.Vitamin E is also great for scars, is an ideal moisturizer and also helps preserve this mix.

Sweet Almond Oil is a very light oil with a variety of benefits especially for those with dry itchy skin. Helps bring a natural and soothing glow to the skin

Essential oils: I love oils they are very versatile and each one possess an array of benefits. Here I’m using Lavender oil which helps give the the scrub a light sweet scent known to relax. Lavender oil also helps regenerate new skin cells ideal for soft glowing skin. *Lavender oil can be photosensitive meaning that your skin combined with lavender oil and exposed to the sunlight can cause irritation* So when using Lavender oil for your skin care needs use it 12 hours prior to sunlight and always DILUTE your essential oils.  

You can get any type of container. The one I use for my scrubs is from a left over container from a deep conditioner.

Simply add your sugar to the container (I used about a cup and a half) followed by 1 teaspoon of almond oil, 2 teaspoons of Vitamin E oil, and 1-2 drops of essential oil

I love this body scrub, it’s very fluffy and light

This scrub lasts me about 3 days, I put it in the fridge just in case the vitamin e oil is not enough to preserve and I always make sure I close the lid tightly to prevent bacteria, usually honey helps prevent bacteria for my mixes but since I skipped honey I opted for Vitamin E to help preserve my small batch.

So there you have it a scrub that will leave you with smooth glistening skin. I usually always Dry Brush (review here) before I do my body scrubs and have to say my skin looks so much more moisturized and feels very soft and silky.

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Aubrey Organics facial skin care review

For a very long time now I have been looking into limiting the harsh chemicals some beauty products I use have especially the ones I tend to use on a daily basis like cleansers and moisturizers. So this past winter I went out and purchased a few Aubrey Organics products starting off with their Rose hip ( Rosa Mosqueta ) moisturizer for dry skin.

When I first tried this I was surprised to see how thick this moisturizer was especially for a facial moisturizer. It was winter and with all the artificial heat my skin was exposed to I thought the extra boost in moisture would not hurt. I paid $15 for a 4oz bottle at my local natural food store. I really love how creamy this moisturizer is and how it instantly absorbed into my skin with a light, soft and sweet scent. Unfortunately soon after, I started breaking out and was dealing with major breakouts. Knowing my skin hardly breaks out I immediately stopped using it. I have read that rose hip tends to be comedogenic meaning that it tends to clog pores especially for acne prone oily skin types, so I suppose that may have been one of the reasons why I may have reacted to it.

 Despite my not so well experience with the moisturizer I decided to still give Aubrey organics another try this time using their Sea Buckthorn facial cleanser. I purchased this in combination dry skin since at the time I could not figure out my skin type which was kind of dry but then oily if that even makes sense. Like the rose hip moisturizer this cleanser is also very thick and creamy. At first I was a bit wary of a creamy cleanser because I tend to have a better experience with foam or gel cleansers. Once again I noticed that my face was breaking out along the hair line so after 2 weeks I stopped using it. This cleanser did a decent job at taking off my makeup on those light makeup days. This also took off most of my mascaras, however eyeshadow with primer would not come off as easily, so I would use olive oil first to wipe off most of the eyeshadow then use the cleanser. This is a very nice cleanser for those who wear light to moderate makeup. This cleanser is too creamy for my liking and skin type but if your skin is very dry this can be an ideal cleanser for you.

So last month after I ran out of my Dickinson’s toner I decided to purchase Aubrey’s Blue Green Algae Toner for combination oily skin and their sunscreen. So far I like this toner, no breakouts at all and my skin seems to be back to normal. I don’t see any radical or spectacular difference though. I would buy it again but the price is a bit steep for a toner ($8) that I can get for a cheaper price and basically provide me with the same results. So once I run out of Aubrey’s Blue Green Algae toner I will just go back to Dickinson’s toner or if I’m brave enough will finally make my homemade toner. We shall see.

I finally believe I figured out what the problem was with my skin and both the moisturizer and cleanser. I believe the coconut fatty acid base most of Aubrey Organics products are made up of is just too thick for my skin type which basically tends to be oily.

I did not think too much about the coconut fatty acid base but then realized that the sunscreen did not break me out, so I compared the ingredients and noticed that the sunscreen did not have the coconut fatty acid base like the cleanser and moisturizer did.

 This sunscreen is SPF 20 and is ideal for both the face and body and I’m really loving this. So far It does not break me out nor does it contain the coconut fatty acid base my skin tends to dislike.  Usually throughout the years I would go without sunscreen and would burn and get really red (I have the sun spots on my face to prove it), but with this sunscreen I got a real nice tan and no redness or burning feeling at all. I have tried this on my bare face and over light makeup and it absorbs quickly. However if you get heavy handed with it can get white at times. It has no scent I could capture and it almost feels like a moisturizer.

This is what most of the products looked like. Very thick and creamy, except for the sunscreen it’s not as thick and tends to have a watery consistency as well.

Overall I really like Aubrey Organics and will continue to try their products. Right now I’m curious about their eye cream and of course hair conditioners. The problem with my skin and Aubrey’s products is perhaps I just couldn’t quite figure out my skin type at the time and/or the coconut fatty acid base most of Aubrey’s products are made up of is just too thick for my skin type. I have been using the sunscreen almost daily and no breakouts at all so I’m sure it was the coconut fatty acid base breaking me out in which the sunscreen does not contain. I will give the Rose Hip moisturizer to my mom since she has “mature” skin and her skin tends to be dry at times. The cleanser will also be donated to her since it tends to be way too creamy for my liking and see how well it works out for her. So basically I’m back to square one in terms of my search for a truly natural skin care regimen. I’ll just stick with my oil of olay facial cleanser until I figure something out.

I was in no way compensated for this review. All products were bought and paid by me.

 Check out Aubrey’s dictionary of Common terms and find out what most of their products are made up of.

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Loofah & Dry brushing: A Review

Growing up my mother always had this weird thing in her shower. It was a loofah and a weird one at that. As a child you don’t really worry about exfoliating so knowing my mom would intentionally scratch her skin with that thing confused me. But little did I know what this thing actually was. The real original loofah is not that plastic mesh we are used to seeing. It’s actually natural and a vegetable in fact. The Loofah is a vegetable in the cucumber family and when it eventually dries out it becomes a sponge and exfoliant at the same time with a wide range of uses. The loofah vegetable is very popular throughout African and Asian cooking. As well as a very interesting vegetable to grow.

Not only is the loofah great for exfoliating, but can also make a great natural dish washing scrub as well. Many people grow and use their own loofahs which makes it the more interesting and useful. I wont be growing any, but I have been interested in dry brushing and what better way to put my mom’s weird bath tool to use.

 So last week I decided to buy one. It took me a couple of days to find it but I finally found it near my sister’s house at her local Indian shop. I got this big Ol’ loofah and started laughing when I saw it. The lady just looked at me but it was just a funny looking thing. It cost me $3 which was a great deal considering how many sponges and uses I could get out of it.

I was curious about using this loofah and had been contemplating on dry brushing for quite sometime as well. Which was the main reason why I purchased this type of loofah. Dry brushing is a technique used to not only help make the skin smoother and softer but also helps rid the body of toxins.

Here some of the great benefits to dry brushing:

– Helps with cellulite

-Helps boost immune system by stimulating lymphatic system

-Helps rid body of toxins

-Improves circulation

and many more important benefits

Dry brushing is just that, brushing your skin dry before you shower. To get the best results you must not wet your skin or the loofah. At first this was very weird but once I read the benefits to dry brushing I thought why not give it a try.

I of course cut the big piece of loofah with a knife and put the rest away in a bag where it would not gather dust. I cut a nice piece and there were seeds in them which you can see in the photo above. I left them in since they don’t interfere whatsoever. It is recommended you start right before a shower, start with your feet, exfoliating upwards towards your heart.

Below is the video I watched to give me an idea which is pretty simple:

I keep my loofah by a window to prevent mold. I have been dry brushing before my showers about every 2-3 days but you can dry brush everyday if you would like. When I first tried it I noticed my skin shining as if I had just polished my skin. And that was before the shower. Also my skin felt tingly which was very interesting. When dry, the loofah feels coarse but not that rough either and my skin felt very smooth afterwards. I either use shea butter to moisturize or coconut oil and so far my skin is feeling and looking great. Not only is this great for the immune system but also helps with cellulite as well as stimulates the body to naturally detox. You can also use this loofah wet which I love to use on my elbows and feet. So far I will be adding this to my skincare regimen especially with the added health benefits.

 For more information on growing your own loofah and dry brushing check these websites out:

How to make and grow a luffa

Benefits of dry brushing

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Exfoliate! Shea Butter Scrub

Lately I have been reading about many types of butters (not regular consumption butter but for cosmetic use), like mango butter, apricot butter, Aloe butter and many more exotic ones. One of the main butters that I have always heard about besides cocoa butter, is Shea Butter. The Shea Karite tree, from which Shea butter is derived is original to certain parts of Africa and is very popular for it’s moisturizing and protective qualities for both the skin and hair.

There are two types of Shea butter, refined shea butter and unrefined Organic shea butter. I have never tried refined Shea so I would not know how it compares to organic Shea. However, organic shea is my new best friend. Organic Shea is expeller pressed and free of harsh solvents and chemicals. Shea butter has this very light scent, however some people can’t tolerate Shea’s natural earthy scent. To me it’s a soft scent and reminds me of palm oil in terms of scent (although some yellow shea contains palm oil too). In the jar, my Shea butter seems hard but once my hands get on them it starts to get really soft and melts right into my skin. Typically unrefined organic Shea will have this smooth feel along with its vibrant yellow color.

Refined Shea butter however is odorless and has this white Ivory color. Refined Shea butter is extracted using using toxic and harsh chemicals, bleached and also contains many fillers. Most of the cosmetic products that claim to be infused or made of Shea butter are using refined Shea butter which most likely lacks all the proteins, vitamins and minerals pure Shea can provide. However there seems to be a huge debate and confusion as to which kind of shea butter is really which or better. Some shea however , depending on the region the shea nut is derived from, can vary widely from color to potency.

Shea Butter is a rich moisturizer great for wrinkles, blemishes, scars, wounds, eczema and a host of skin problems. Shea butter also protects against harmful sun rays, as well as containing the same moisturizing properties produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin. Shea also restores the skin’s elasticity making it a great anti aging moisturizer.

So with all that being said I decided to put my Shea Butter to good use. Despite Shea butter being a great moisturizer and treating blemishes and scars, my  face considers Shea to be too heavy and at times Shea breaks my face out pretty bad. So if you tend to have oily or acne prone skin take precaution when  using shea on your face. I tend to use it mostly for my body scrubs and recently as a daily moisturizer and soon with deep conditioners. I ‘m not a fan of lotions but these past few weeks I have been using shea on my legs and thighs and my skin feels so much smoother. A few years back I got the bright idea of shaving my thighs, and as a result have had a lot of problems with blemishes and just stubborn stubble which will not go away. But so far I have noticed shea has helped improve my stubbly thighs drastically these past days. The dark prickly spots I had on my thighs are basically smoothed out. So I’m loving shea for the summer and as a daily moisturizer.

My favorite exfoliant for the body is brown sugar (regular sugar is fine also) you can use it with basically anything such as honey, olive oil and essential oils. I usually use it with coconut oil but this time I added Lavender oil and of course Shea butter. This smelled heavenly and my skin felt extremely soft and silky. I tend to focus on my knees and elbows and I have to say the rough dark patch I had on my elbows are smooth as ever.

I try to do small batches with honey and or 1 drop of tea tree oil to minimize bacteria. Not only does honey works as a great humectant but it also works as a great preservative against bacteria as well. Honey is a great anti bacterial agent doubling up as an on the spot pimple treatment. Just dab a little honey on your pimple and honey will work it’s natural magic.

Ingredients:

Brown Sugar

Coconut oil

Shea Butter

1 drop of Lavender oil 

Honey/ and or 1 drop of tea tree essential oil

I keep this for about a week or less and keep it in my fridge, depending on how frequently I may use it.

 For More info on shea check these out:

The Complete Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Smart Beauty

http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/sheabutterexp.htm

White shea vs. Yellow

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