Revivig Dull, Lackluster Skin with Reviva Glycolic Serum

Is your skin looking a bit dull and sad? Like she needs a bit of TLC to cheer her up? Well, the trick is all in a good exfoliating treatment.

Our skin is alive and it is constantly renewing itself and shedding tons of nasty dead skin cells every day, you just can't see it, they are microscopic. And sometimes, our skin needs our help in sloughing off those dead skin cells. When we slough off the dead skin cells, we reveal the treasure underneath...youthful, glowing, baby soft skin.

There are many great ways and products to exfoliate the face naturally. I recently found a great product during a trip to Vitamin Cottage by Reviva Labs and it is the 10% glycolic serum. The glycolic acid is composed of fruit acids that assist the skin in sloughing off dead cells and leaving the skin beautifully rejuvenated. My mom used this product and after one week, her skin was smoother and had a luminous glow. The Reviva labs glycolic serum is perfect for those with dry, dull, oily, acneic and mature skin types and it is not a harsh product at all, very gently. Those with sensitive skin, might want to take care and use less frequently to avoid irritation.

For those with dry, dull  and mature skin, it should be applied at night and followed with a rich moisturizing cream. For the oily and acneic skin types, it should be followed with acne and anti-bacterial treatment. In addition, the serum can be mixed with or applied before a skin lightening or bleaching formula and applied over dark spots for maximum effect. The exfoliating serum will enhance the effectiveness of the treatments because by removing the dead skin cells, the other products can penetrate the skin and work quicker with better results.

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Healthy Food = Beautiful Skin, A Michelle Phan Vid

Love this vid! Very Informative

Enjoy!

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Flaxseed Oil for Great Skin and Health

I was introduced to the great benefits of Flaxseed oil while browsing through a Whole Foods store by one of their representatives. I am always looking for natural health and beauty enhancing foods and supplements and while discussing with the rep, she pointed me in the direction of Flaxseed oil and she stated that the oil is loaded with alpha-linolenic, essential fatty acids that promotes healthy skin, hair, nails and even supports hearth health. Convinced, I purchased the 365 Organic Filtered Flax Oil and incorporated it into my daily routine. I take two tablespoons of the oil, it has a nutty flavor which isn't too bad, and it can also be sprinkled over salads and other dishes to absorb the taste.

After taking the flaxseed oil for about a week or so, I noticed a difference in the way my skin felt all over. It felt much more soft and silky than usual. After the third week, I noticed a more dramatic effect, my face had a very beautiful glow and the texture had greatly improved. For those with dry skin, flax seed oil, flaxseed oil can be mixed with honey and applied over the face for a great moisturizing treatment, oily skin types like myself might not like the oily feel of topical application but internally it does wonders for health and skin.

Flaxseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax plant and it is an excellent source of Omega 3s, essential fatty acids and lignans, chemical compounds that have been shown to provent certain types of cancers. According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, Omega 3 acids are essential to human health but it is not produced by the human body and has to be obtained from food. Omega 3 has been shown to prevent and treat conditions such as menstrual problems, HBP, heart disease, diabetes, skin disorders, eating disorders, certain cancers, bipolar disorders and others.

Here's to good health!

Enjoy!

info source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

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Chocolate Girl Guide to Deliciously Smooth, Dewy Skin

There’s nothing like the feel of baby, soft and smooth skin that’s dewy to the touch and radiates a healthy glow. Beautiful skin is healthy skin and healthy skin can be achieved with the proper beauty routine and maintenance.

Caring for chocolate skin requires regular exfoliation to slough off dead skin and rich, deep moisturizing to get rid of the dreaded ashy skin. Also knowing your skin type and purchasing the right products that treat and provides the right moisture is a big ‘Yes’ in having that creamy, brown skin
 
After years of experimenting with a variety of products, one thing I’ve found is the fewer products you use on your face, the better. Some skin types might require more than the usual to treat certain blemishes however use what you have to and do not get lured by the thousands of products that offer sexy promises. Find what works for you and stick to you it.
 
Let’s begin. What you will need: cleanser (African black soap), loofah, sugar and honey (equal parts of both mixed together), toner (with hazel), skin lightening cream, facial moisturizer and body cream (100% Shea body butter) and sunscreen.

Step #1: We begin with a cleansing treatment. A great natural cleanser that really deep cleanses skin is the African black soap. You can get it at most beauty stores and even drug stores. Apply the soap to a loofah or brush; this is necessary because it acts as an exfoliant, and massage all over your body. Rub the soap onto your palms and massage all over your face.

Next: while still in the shower, take the body scrub or a sugar and honey combination and massage all over the body in a circular motion. I do this once every day, but sensitive skin types might only do it 2x a week. Taking some of the mixture, apply in a gentler, circular motion to your face. Rinse off thoroughly. Towel gently to remove excess water.

After stepping out the shower or tub, apply body moisturizer while body is still damp. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer especially for our chocolate skin because it provides deep moisturizing. The Shea plant is unique to West Africa and is the secret behind the beautiful skin of many African women. Try to use natural Shea butter versus the processed one because they provide better moisturizing and is better for your skin. I also apply petroleum jelly all over my feet, elbows and knees because as we know these areas are quick to get ashy and require extra moisturizing.

Now onto the face, using a cotton ball, apply toner all over face. Witch hazel makes a great, natural toner and they cost pennies at drug and beauty stores. After applying toner, dab lightening cream onto and dark spots and areas. Be careful using hydroquinone based products because many health studies have discovered that they can cause health problems. It is recommended that it is used on and off over several months.

Next apply facial moisturizer, sunscreen, and Shea butter to lips with petroleum jelly over it and Voila! Sticking to a daily beauty regimen of cleansing, toning, exfoliating, treating and moisturizing will have your skin looking so chocolaty smooth and delicious. For night time, I do the same thing except I replace the facial moisturizer with a night cream, I also apply a facial exfoliant after applying skin lightening cream for deeper exfoliation, and of course I skip the sunscreen ; )

Enjoy!

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Glowing Skin with Sugar!!

There's nothing more attractive than beautiful, glowing skin! Achieving glowing skin requires the right, daily skin care routine and the right products consisting of natural ingredients.

To achieve glowing skin, it is necessary to exfoliate at least 2x a week to help your skin shed dead skin cells and reveal the healthy skin underneath. There are many ways to exfoliate, and a simple and natural way to exfoliate is with....Sugar!

Yes, Sugar granules are gentle on the skin and will help slough off those dead skin cells.

What you will need

* 1 tbsp of sugar
* 1 tsp honey
* few drops of grapeseed oil (can be subsituted with other types of carrier or essential oils)

1) Combine all the ingredients in a bowl
2) Cleanse face thoroughly and wipe off excess moisture. You can also steam your face
3) Apply mixture gently all over face and neck in a circular motion (sensitive skin types, be very gentle)
4) Wait ten minutes
5) Rinse off and pat dry
6) Follow with tea tree oil and Shea butter.

Those with sensitive skin might want to do this twice a week.

Enjoy!

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Quick and Easy Natural Daily Detox for Healthy Body and Glowing Skin

The Lemon and Water Detox

Detoxing is a great way to cleanse the body internally and rinse off build up and toxins. Ridding the body of these toxins will leave you feeling healthier and refreshed and give the skin a glowing effect. Your body and your skin are interrelated and if one is happy, they are both happy and if one is feeling uder the weather, there are good chances that the other will too. So detoxing is a great way to keep your insides and out feeling refreshed.
There are many ways to detox. There are programs, pills, teas, diets and even the dreaded buttocks sucking. Well here is a simple, natural detox that can be used on a daily basis.

What you need:
* 24 ounce water bottle. Water is excellent for detoxing because it dilutes the toxins and flushes them out of our body.
* kettle and stove
* 2 organic lemons cut in half with seeds plucked out. Lemons are high in fiber and other antioxidants.
* 1/3 cup of pure clover honey. Besides tasting fabulous, honey has many health benefits, it is filled with antioxidants, and has antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Honey has been used for centuries in beauty treatments because it can leave the skin glowing.
* 2 tbsp Organic flaxseed oil (optional and can be purchased at natural foods stores). Flaxseed oil is high in fiber, about 6grams of fiber in 3tbs and it is also rich in omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty oil that will leave your skin soft and glowing.

1) To start, bring the water to boil and let it cool down to lukewarm temperature.
2) Pour the lukewarm water into the 24 ounce bottle
3) Take the lemons and squeeze into the water bottle
4) Add the honey
5) Put the lid on the bottle and shake vigorously until all contents are well mixed.
6) Now drink up and instantly feel cleansed and refreshed.
7) Follow by taking the flaxseed oil, it has a nutty flavor which isn't too bad. If you don't care for the taste too much, just add over cereal, salads or your favorite dish.
8) Follow this detox with a diet rich in natural fruits and vegetables. I also like to follow with green tea and honey.

Enjoy and Good Luck!

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Olive Oil, Beauty Secret of Mediterrean Women

For centuries Egyptian and women in the Mediterrean region maintained flawless, beautiful and glowing olive skin using the legendary olive oil. Legends such as Cleopatra were notorious for exemplifying beautiful skin and she was noted to use olive oil in her beauty regimen.

Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin E has been long used to treat dry skin, soften wrinkles and reduce the appearance of scars. Regular use of olive oil will keep skin soft and moisturized and prevent premature aging. Olive oil can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

If using olive oil for topical use, please use only extra virgin oil! Pure and light olive oil have been chemically processed and will not have the beneficial effect on the skin. Also, olive oil will work better for those with dry skin, as it might be too heavy for those with combination or oily skin.



How to use:

1) Apply directly onto face and body as a body oil and wipe off excess
2) Use in the concotion of masks. Mix with avocado and mud and apply to face for a hydrating treatment.
3) Rub over elbows, knees, sole and other rough, dehydrated parts of the body.
4) Apply over cleansed nails to keep them smooth and strong
5) Apply to cleansed, dry, damaged hair to moisturize and strenghten
6) You can also add extra virgin olive oil in bathe water along with sea salt and soak in it.
7) I also love to use 100% extra virgin olive oil soaps, which can be purchased at most health food stores, international stores or online.

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