Over the course of the past ten years, my skin has gone from that of a fresh-faced teen to a ruddy, redness-prone adult. I was blessed with good skin for so long, that when issues finally did develop I assumed they were a result of a ‘flare up’ that would magically disappear in time; how wrong I was. It took me close to two years to finally realize that maybe my problem complexion was a result of something more than just adult acne. Not only was I broken out, but my cheeks, nose and chin were a permanent shade of red. When I started looking into what might be causing my issues, I realized that what I was putting in my body was as much to blame as what I was putting on it. I finally decided to try a more earth based routine, and I’ve never looked back.

While there are plenty of great, natural products on the market that help calm adult skin problems, what worked best for me was actually already in my kitchen. I started by combining ingredients from my cupboards to create cleansers, scrubs and toners, and then began eliminating certain foods from my diet. The results were exactly what I was hoping for! I now stick to a purely natural skin-care regime using products I create on my own at home. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Facial Cleanser – Part of the reason my face was always so irritated looking was because it didn’t agree with the harsh ingredients in the cleansers I was using. Switching to this honey based recipe made a big difference, and was very friendly on my pocketbook.
• Recipe: Mix ¼ cup of honey, 1 tbsp of castile soap and ½ cup vegetable glycerin together in an empty bottle. Use the mixture to wash your face morning and night, rinsing off with warm water and patting to dry.
• Facial Scrub – Dead skin cells are a major cause of whiteheads and other common skin issues, so it’s important to perform a gentle scrub every few days to get rid of them and allow new skin to breath.
  Recipe: Mix ¼ cup of baking soda, with 1tbsp of olive oil and massage onto face with a gentle circular motion. Allow to sit for 1 minute before wiping clean with a warm cloth.
• Natural Toner: Facial toners should be a daily part of your skin routine because they help balance your pH levels. One of the best natural products I’ve used for doing this is Witch Hazel, not only does help maintain proper balance, it has been proven to reduce redness.
  Recipe: Combine ½ cup of cooled white tea with ¼ cup of witch hazel and 5 drops of chamomile oil. Apply after cleansing using a cotton ball or pad and allow to dry before applying moisturizer.
• Moisturizer: There are a few different items that I rotate between for moisturizer, the first is Jojoba oil which feels like wax but sinks in very quickly, and the other is olive oil. Use only a small amount of either at first, adding more if required.
• Change your diet: What you put in your body has a huge effect on your outward appearance and not just in terms of weight – certain foods can have a drastic effect on your skin too. Taking a closer look at your diet should be one of the first things you do if you’re experiencing redness or other skin issues. The following foods have been well-known to negatively affect the skin – dairy, sugar, processed foods, alcohol and caffeine. It’s tough to eliminate all of these from your diet, but cutting back on the amounts you consume is almost as good. The simple solution? Eat clean, whole foods like fruit, vegetables, legumes and fish.

It took me a long time to learn that there is no miracle cream or fast fix for great skin. The secret is in giving your body the nutrients it needs, and the ones you benefits from most are the ones that come from the earth. To anyone who is currently suffering from redness related skin issues or adult acne, I encourage you to give these recipes a shot. I hope they make as much of a difference for you as they have for me. Good luck!

Jessi is a green living enthusiast who lives in Eastern Canada and works as a Community Coordinator and blogger for PartSelect.com.

If you told most people that Apple Cider Vinegar could be used as a beauty product, they wouldn’t believe you. In fact Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most important and powerful natural remedies out there. It’s been known to help with weight loss, sinus infection, allergies, arthritis and acne. It’s usually taken in water as a drink, but can also be used topically, which is what I’m going to talk about here.

When I was younger I suffered from acne and tried everything – creams, washes, pills, you name it. Back then I was naive – I didn’t realise that most external problems were symptoms of internal problems. I started to look at the things that I eat and the stress that I put myself under. I tested foods by removing them from my diet, such as milk, bread, eggs, pasta and rice. Not all of these made a difference, but some of them did, with highly noticeable differences (all positive) when I removed milk. After being tested it was indeed confirmed that I was Lactose intolerant. After doing some research into lactose intolerance I discovered that milk actually contains a lot of hormones that can make acne sufferers have worsened breakouts!

It’s safe to say that over the next few months I noticed improvements and eventually over the years, I started to grow out of acne. The thing is, I am now left with scars, as well as having the occasional breakout.

My mother suggested using Apple Cider Vinegar because as she said it, “It restores the acid mantle of your skin, so it heals quicker” and it’s all true (Parents really are the source of knowledge kids!).

The acid mantle is the skin’s first defence mechanism against invading bacteria. This defence layer develops at puberty, around the time that many teenagers will probably start noticing the symptoms of acne. Using face washes and creams like I did, can often damage and prevent this layer from developing as it should. This all happens as we start to produce hair on our bodies, and sebaceous glands cause changes in the skin’s pH. The pH of human skin usually settles somewhere between 4.5 and 6. But this often varies with age.

In our late teens and early twenties our Acid Mantle should be at its best. It should adequately protect against harmful external factors, heal extremely quickly and generally take care of itself. The skin’s pH value an overlooked, but major contributor to acne and various other skin problems. Propionibacterium acnes are bacteria that live on the skin and are actually found in everyone, regardless of whether an individual suffers from acne. 

However, the number of P. acnes is greatly increased in acne sufferers. Research has shown that the growth of these bacteria is very much dependent on the pH value of the sufferer’s skin and its growth is minimised with a skin pH of 5.5. In fact, even a slight shift towards the alkaline pH would create an environment in which it can thrive.

Nearly all soaps are Alkaline in nature and even the ones that are advertised as ‘good for your skin’, usually have a neutral pH of 7. When using soaps, we think we wash them off quite quickly, but there is almost always residue left behind. Over time, soaps start to change the pH of our skin away from its natural acidity, to a very unnatural alkaline state. It means that our skin will actually become dependent on these products as it is incapable of self-defence – certainly not a good state of affairs.

Apple Cider Vinegar works to return your skin to its natural acidity, reversing and healing the effects of soap. It works even better if you stop using soap all together, which may seem like a brash, decision to make, but it’s perfectly natural to wash with just water. In fact dirt plays no part in acne whatsoever and is actually a marketing technique used by many companies to make sufferers feel self conscience and want to buy their products, I could talk about this for a long time but I won’t. For now all I’ll say is, that if they’re products actually worked, you would have no need to buy them anymore – it is not in their interests to actually solve the problem.

The way to use Apple Cider Vinegar is to apply it to the skin. You can either apply it all over as a toner, or simply to the affected area as a “spot treatment”. In fact as well as rebuilding the Acid Mantle, Apple Cider Vinegar reduces the visible redness and inflammation. It’s important to note that some redness is normal and may last for about 10 minutes, with a slight burning or tingling sensation. If this feels too much, wash your face with water immediately, as you don’t want to rush your skin into anything. I would also suggest that you do not use it un-diluted, especially when you start using it. Many people find that they can, but it is usually something they have worked up to. I would suggest starting with a mixture of one part Apple Cider Vinegar, three parts water, slowly working your way to a 50/50 mixture. Here is a list of a few more things you should consider when using Apple Cider Vinegar:

• Start with a mixture of three parts water, one part Apple Cider Vinegar, eventually working your way to a 50/50 mix.
• Always buy Apple Cider Vinegar with the “Mother”. This is very important, because it is the mother part of Apple Cider Vinegar that is most beneficial. If you buy standard culinary Apple Cider Vinegar it has often been filtered and pasteurised, meaning most of the beneficial elements have been removed. The cloudier the better. My favourite brand is one called ‘Biona Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother’
• Avoid Apple Cider Vinegar that contains sulphites, these can be harmful to the skin.
• Uses cotton pads or cotton balls to apply. For best results a spray bottle works best. To be honest I use my hands.
• Apply to face when dry.

Apple Cider Vinegar is also very good for dandruff, when rubbed into the scalp, but it also intensifies the main drawback of Apple Cider Vinegar, which is the smell. The smell can seem very pungent at first and can make you feel a little self conscience when spending time around other people. You do eventually get used to the smell, and if you are using a diluted mixture, it tends to wear off quite quickly anyway (it takes a little longer if using it un-diluted). I find that I prefer to not use it before I do things like go on a date, or go to a club.

Apple Cider Vinegar doesn’t need to be something that is just for acne suffers too, it is also topically beneficial for:

• Insect bites and rashes because it reduces inflammation.
• General scar healing.
• Ingrown hairs.
• Razor Bumps.

I hope you try Apple Cider Vinegar and see some of the benefits yourself. Good luck on your adventure.

Thom Milson is a writer who is all about the natural and likes to blog amount many of the amazing things he discovers. Read another of his articles amount the health benefits of certain foods here

Baking soda is very important for the skin. If properly used, it is really effective.

What is baking soda?

Baking soda is a chemical compound called sodium bicarbonate. It is a fine crystalline powder which is found in almost every kitchen and used for foods such as leavened cake. When the sodium bicarbonate reacts with acid in some foods, produces carbon dioxide and water.

How does it works against acne?

Sodium bicarbonate is a fine crystalline powder that works as follows:

• Exfoliating Agent
• Neutralization of acidic environment

Exfoliating agent:
Acne pushed up due to various reasons, but all the causes leading to obstruction of hair follicles. Hair follicles normally clog with bacteria width excessive sebum mixed.

When the hair follicles clogged and sebaceous glands produce sebum continuously, it breaks hair follicle. If the sebum remains inside the skin and a bump appears, called a white head and if it is pop out of the skin, it is called comedones.

Exfoliation is a process of scrubbing the skin with a fine powdery substance that removes dead cells from the surface of the skin and allow the sebum to come out freely. When sebum continuously keeps on discharging from inside, it ruptures neither the hair follicles nor does it produce inflammation.

Neutralization of the acid environment:
You can develop acne due to a bacterial or fungal infection of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Most unicellular organisms have their outer cell walls of cellulose or other substances that may be damaged by sodium bicarbonate. Thus, the sodium bicarbonate help damaging harmful bacteria cell walls, therefore, the bacterial colonies die.

In short, say, baking soda works in two ways First, the exfoliation of dead skin cells on the other hand, neutralizing the acid environment that is conducive to bacterial growth.

Is it safe?

Depends on its proper use. Sodium bicarbonate is safe unless it is used to a certain amount. However, if you are allergic or you have a history of any health problem, please do not use it up unless you consult a doctor.

How it is used to treat acne?

Baking soda is used orally and topically. But remember, you can not use it orally unless you consult your doctor. For the treatment of acne, only topical use of sodium bicarbonate is effective and proven.

Take a bit of water in a bowl and pour some baking soda that it makes a cream like substance. Apply to affected areas where you’re having acne and to the whole skin if you want a smooth skin.

Conclusion:
Baking soda is an effective topical anti-acne remedy that works exfoliating dead skin cells and other particles clogging. It is used topically to remove pimples and points blacks, and smooths and softens the skin.

About Author:
Helen has been an expert in skin health writing specifically on the subject of acne. Her work has been published on various websites and magazines and provides insightful advice for skin disease, acne home remedies sufferers.

This guest post is written by Benjamin Castillo

The next time you gaze at your reflection in the mirror, take a minute to think about all that goes into making the unique and attractive person that is you. Clothing and accessories may be the icing on the cake, but your true beauty is an outward manifestation of who you are and how you choose to live your life. Yes, as trite as it may sound, anyone who has gone to one of the many found cooking schools online can confirm you are, at least in part, what you eat. All of us want to enhance our physical appearance as much as possible, as well as maintain our natural gifts. What we feed ourselves are the foods that our bodies use to replenish our constantly changing cellular structure. Therefore, it makes a great deal of sense to eliminate the destructive and accentuate the beneficial. To this end, here are ten of the worst offenders. Steering clear of them can help you make the most of your appearance, as well as your overall health.

1. Sugary drinks. According to the Mayo Clinic , a 12-ounce can of non-diet soda contains about seven teaspoons of sugar and has 140 calories. Although sugary carbonated beverages and iced teas may taste good, they contain no nutritional benefits. Instead, they can lead to weight gain, suppression of the immune system and skin breakouts. You’re much better off hydrating your entire body with a delicious glass of water.

2. White bread. When you gnaw on that fluffy, soft piece of white bread, you are definitely soothing your hunger. However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, eating processed grains such as those found in white bread is actually depriving your body of the many benefits that eating whole grains can bring. Instead of getting the fiber found in whole grain bread, you are settling for a pale imitation that does not include disease-fighting and beauty-enhancing fiber.

3. Processed lunch meats. We’re not just talking about the bologna or ham you may buy at your supermarket’s deli counter. Your breakfast bacon and sausage also fall into this category. Unfortunately, these foods are very high in fat and sodium, meaning that they may well lead to unwanted weight gain, heart disease or a spike in your blood pressure. When any of these get out of control, your entire system suffers, including your self-esteem.

4. Salty snacks like chips, crackers and french fries. Even if the label proclaims your snack to be low fat or trans fat-free, you should still avoid consuming the product. All of these temptations contain loads of empty calories, unneeded salt and often fat as well. Your best bet is to ban them altogether from your house.

5. White rice. Remember what we said about white bread? The same applies to rice. It is a nutritional lightweight compared to brown rice, its whole grain cousin. Avoiding white rice can help you decrease your risk of type II diabetes. Moreover, switching to a whole grain alternative can boost your daily fiber intake, which can lower your chances of heart disease, hypertension and digestive troubles.

6. Sugary fruit yogurt. Yes, yogurt can be a healthy alternative to high-fat delicacies such as ice cream, but you are much better off enjoying the plain variety. Most of the fruity types contain fat and sugar that will undermine your healthy eating intentions.

7. Canned tomatoes. Although it may come as a surprise to you, the linings of the cans used to hold these products contain a synthetic estrogen chemical that has been linked to several disturbing medical problems, including reproductive issues, heart disease and obesity. Over time, these chemicals can accumulate in your system, eventually reaching dangerously high levels. Using fresh tomatoes or those in glass jars will help you avoid this health threat.

8. Microwave popcorn. There are times when convenience makes sense, but not in the case of popcorn. According to Shine some of the chemicals used in the lining of your microwave popcorn bag have been linked to fertility problems in humans and various cancers in animals, including liver, testicular and pancreatic. Since many of us consume a fair amount of this crunchy, salty treat over several years, the detrimental effects could be cumulative.

9. Farm salmon. Not all salmon are created equal. In fact, there is a huge difference between farm-raised and wild salmon. Did you know that so-called cultivated salmon are fed a diet of hydrolyzed chicken feathers, poultry waste and soy? Needless to say, this is far from their natural diet. As a result, eating farm salmon not only gives you less of the vitamin D you need, but also exposes you to a number of unhealthy contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), flame retardants and pesticides like DDT.

10. Fried foods. Whether it is a doughnut for breakfast, Chinese food for lunch or fried chicken for dinner, it’s hard to get away from fried foods in our culture. Yet, according to the Mayo Clinic as well as just about every board certified doctor practicing medicine today, they do you nothing but harm. A diet high in fried foods is highly correlated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, your complexion can even take a hit if you over-indulge in this way. Increasingly, restaurants and grocery stores are recognizing the detrimental effects of fried foods on American consumers, making it just a bit easier to find healthy choices.

It is these daily choices, made one at a time and through the use of a great deal of will power and a dose of education, which can help you take control of your eating habits. Believe it or not, these choices will also be vital in promoting your physical beauty, your mental keenness and your overall sense of well-being. After all, a healthy person is strong, confident and has self-esteem to spare. Making the conscious decision to avoid foods that are bad for you and replace them with beneficial ones will help you to radiate your beauty, confidence and glowing health to everyone you meet.

Valentine’s Day is coming soon and that means many of us may already thinking about romantic surprises for their loved ones.

My favorite online shop MountainRoseHerbs which sells exceptional quality certified organic products already worried for us and gathered the best sensual and sedating essential oils in their Lovers Essential Oil Kit.

This kit was created specifically to incite feelings of love, passion and attraction. This collection of sensuous and arousing aromas is sure to kindle flames!

Lovers Essential Oil Kit

Contains:

1/8 ounce vial of organic Clary Sage, organic Ylang Ylang, organic Palmarosa, organic Sandalwood, organic Patchouli and a 1/24 ounce of true Rose. All this oils known for their ability to give your seductive mood as well as they are very relaxing.

Add some drops of any essential oil from this kit or combine all of them to create your loving blend. As an idea add some drops to the bath for your lover or fragrance your home with seductive smell by dropping some of oils on aroma lamp.

Lovers Essential Oil Kit comes beautifully packaged in a gift box for yourself or a loved one with printed usage guidelines on the back of the liner tray.

Lovers Essential Oil Kit regular price is $69.00, but now you can get it with 15% discount just for $58.65. Click here to get it with the discount.