Skincare Tips for Humid Weather

by Sabah Karimi

As the humidity levels rise, it might be time to pay attention to your skincare regime. Managing your skin during the peak seasons and shifts of summer can be a challenge, especially for those with extreme skin conditions such as acne or excessively oily skin. The heat and environmental toxins can all play a role in the overall look and feel of the skin, and humid weather can exarcebate a variety of skin problems.

Even though you can't escape entirely from the humidity, shifting up that skincare regime might be your best bet. Here are a few tips and strategies to help restore and balance your skin so you don't miss out on spring and summer fun!

Use a clarifying facial wash or cleanser. This can help to unclog pores that are working overtime during the hotter months as skin sweats more often.

Drink plenty of water. You'll need to flush out toxins as much as possible, and staying well-hydrated will improve the look and feel of your skin regardless.

Use an exfoliating scrub at least once per week. Try a walnut shell or apricot scrub to remove dull skin cells and increase circulation in the process

Use a toner with glycolic acid to help remove toxins and pollutants even further

Use a light moisturizer with SPF protection on a daily basis. This will leave skin supple, smooth, and well-toned. If you have oily skin, make sure you are using only a light coat of moisturizer, and apply it sparingly

Use an eye gel before bed. This can help reduce puffiness and any tenderness in the eye area, and will have you waking up with bright eyes and smooth, fresh skin each morning

Avoid direct sun exposure; not only will you get hotter, but your skin will be more at risk for sun damage

Use botanical products and essential oils that help you stay cool. Anything based in chamomile and lavnder will be soothing and cooling, while cucumber and aloe-based products can also be rejuvenating and restoring

Always wash off makeup before bed. Your skin needs to breathe overnight, and will even detoxify naturally without the blockages from makeup

How to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. They are portable and convenient to use, and most aromatherapy applications require only a very small amount of essential oil.

How to Use Essential Oils Topically

~ Massage: use essential oils diluted in carrier oils or lotions and rub into the skin (use 10-25 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil); sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or even olive oil are all good carrier oil choices

~ Alcohol rub: use essential oils diluted in ethanol or rubbing alcohol and rub into a sore or injured area; dilute essential oils 1-3% in the alcohol rub preparation

~ Salt rub: in the shower, use 2-5 drops essential oils added to a handful of Epsom salts and gently massage over the body to exfoliate and stimulate circulation; use several drops of a carrier oil added to the mixture to moisturize as well as exfoliate

~ Compress: use 1-4 drops essential oils added to hot or cold water, saturate a small cloth, and apply to an area of the body

~ Bath: use essential oils added to bath salts, bath oils, or bath milk, and pour into footbath or full body bath; use 1-3 drops essential oils for footbath, and 2-5 drops essential oils for full-body bath

~ Lotion & crème: use essential oils by adding them to pre-made or homemade lotion or crème bases; use 10-20 drops essential oils per ounce of lotion or crème

How to Use Essential Oils Via Inhalation

~ Diffusion: use a nebulizer to spray a very fine mist of essential oils into the air

~ Steam inhalation: use 1-4 drops essential oils added to steaming water, tent a towel over the head, and inhale the vapors

~ Vaporization: use essential oils in a lamp ring, oil burner, or aromatic vaporizer

~ Direct inhalation: drop essential oils onto a tissue or cotton ball for inhalation, or a couple of drops between the palms, then cup over the nose and mouth

Internal Use of Essential Oils

~ Oral use of some essential oils can be safe and effective, but should be done only by those who have thorough knowledge of essential oils, or under supervision of an experienced Aromatherapist

~ Essential oils can also be used in suppositories and douches, but should be done only by those who have thorough knowledge of essential oils, or under supervision of an experienced Aromatherapist

Article Source: http://wlnaturalhealth.com/aromatherapy-articles/essentail-oil-application-use

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Africa's Best Kept Secret!

Africa’s Best Kept Beauty Secret or should I say secrets are not just limited to Shea butter. What is the other secret you may ask? The Ghanaians of West Africa refer to this product as Anago soap or Alata Simena; the Nigerians refer to it as Dudu-Osun. Everywhere else it is referred to as African Black soap. African Black soap is made from roasted cocoa (chocolate) pods and plantain skins ashes mixed with palm oil. It is a natural source of vitamins A & E and iron. African Black soap is especially recommended for the very young and the elderly, or anyone with tender skin. The main benefits behind African Black soap are its superior antiseptic properties. Checkout the properties and main uses down below.

Properties of African Black Soap:

• Used on most skin types including rough and dry
• Helps clear skin of bumps & spots
• Helps reveal radiant, fresh & healthy skin
• Helps relieve acne, oily skin & other skin problems
• Great for removing make-up
• Helps against premature facial lines

Africans have also used this natural soap for bathing and washing their hair. It's excellent for removing make-up too. Black soap will leave your skin silky soft and clear. African people also use Black soap to rid the skin of rashes, ring worm, measles, and body odors. Finally, this product works very well with Shea butter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Constant

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