The Best All-Around Natural Moisturizer?

What is the Best All-Around Natural Moisturizer? Many homemade beauty remedies suggest the use of Coconut Oil in one's beauty routine for skin care and hair care. Using Coconut Oil is an easy, affordable and natural alternative to other commercial products. As its name implies, Coconut Oil is extracted from the coconut fruit. Coconut Oil is most often used as a moisturizer or body butter, and because of the ease of absorption, it is also commonly found in natural shampoos, conditioners, hand lotions and other natural beauty products. Coconut Oil is very versatile. Let’s take a look at some common Coconut Oil treatments.

For Bath & Body:
In one the most practical uses, Coconut Oil is especially helpful on rough patches of skin, or skin affected by dryness or eczema. Just rub small amounts of this natural oil on onto your knees and elbows, or other areas of your desire, to soften and moisturize dry skin. Or, you can try adding a few drops to a hot bath for an intensive skin conditioning treatment. The use of Coconut Oil is also recommended to treat wrinkles and fine lines on the face and neck, particularly the areas surrounding the eyes and mouth. Also, its soothing properties make it ideal to use on chapped or dry lips.

For the Hair:
Other practical uses of Coconut Oil include applying it to the hair. This natural beauty aide can be beneficial for those suffering from hair loss and breakage, and those with dry, damaged hair. If you are in need of some critical hair repair, take some Coconut Oil and rub into the hair and scalp as a detangler and moisturizing pre-shampoo treatment. If you are looking condition  your locks, try a Coconut Oil treatment by applying a thin layer of Coconut Oil to damp, clean hair, cover with a shower cap for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Always check the label when buying to ensure that you’re purchasing Extra Virgin Coconut Oil as this oil is extracted from fresh and mature coconuts, and the purity of the oil is not altered during the process. No matter how it is used, a little bit of Coconut Oil goes a long way towards softer, smoother skin and stronger, healthier hair. But, can Coconut Oil be considered the best All-Around Natural Moisturizer? Well, yes and no. Though the benefits of Coconut Oil as a moisturizer are undeniable, there are other natural oils that can work just as well for certain purposes. 

Organic Skin Care- Your True Beauty

By now, everyone has heard about or can attest to the advantages of eating organic foods. What many people are now discovering is that Organic Beauty Care is every bit as essential. Mull it over: organic foods are the healthier option because foods that are free of pesticides and toxic matters are the ones being digested into the body. A Skin Care product also enters your body, making organic skin care products just as critical as eating organic foods.

There are various popular cosmetic brands that use chemicals- like Parabens, Propylene Glycol , and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- which may have known associations with various cancers or causing bodily harm. Since skin is the largest organ of your body, it is constantly confronted with pollutants in the air, and the barrage of products that are placed into it. Skin has no barrier or filter to keep impure chemicals out - which can place more stress on your liver and kidneys to try to purify your body. Before you slather cosmetic products all over your skin, make sure you check the label for organic or natural ingredients.

Remember, Organic Skin Care does not require that you sacrifice looking beautiful. There are many well-established Green Beauty companies on the market, and new Green Cosmetics companies are sprouting up all the time.  You can find these Organic Cosmetic products at your local whole foods or farmers markets. If you don’t have these options in your area, you can always jump online to find the right Organic Skin Care products.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net (photoexplorer).

Discover Your Natural Beauty Routine

Huge amounts of money are spent on conventional skin care and hair care products in the world on a yearly basis. Every woman wants sparkling eyes, healthy and shiny hair, and for her skin to produce a healthy glow with less wrinkles. The money is spent, but usually the result is minimal. Why? Because the ingredients in many traditional cosmetics can cause more harm than good. It is important for a woman to discover and develop her own strategy for natural beauty care. Your skin and hair need something special to thrive, and often times, that does not involve excessive chemicals and additives.

On a daily basis we are bombarded with a constant stream of information about different beauty products. These commercials and ads make a plethora of different promises, and many women actually expect these results with no consequences. We have to make smarter choices when it comes to what we put on our skin or in our hair. To get your perfect skin and eye-catching hair, you must pay particular attention to your cosmetics. If you're taking care to give your skin and hair the natural beauty care that it deserves, your body will love you back.

It’s time to reconsider your beauty routine. Most of the traditional beauty products include chemical compounds which can be harmful for your skin and your body as a whole. For many years, women maintained their beauty organically. These natural remedies are usually simple to find and economical. Try implementing these two organic products to start:

Water: Water is just about the most crucial requirement for maintaining beautiful skin. Water helps us flush and release our toxins. Water also helps get nutrients where they need to go inside the body. Be sure to get your 8 glasses a day!

Fruits: Fruits are among the best natural beauty. Many of them are low in calories, and can provide you with a whole lot of energy. More importantly, they can be utilized in skin masks and moisturizers, and hair shampoos and conditioners.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net (zirconicusso).

Make the Switch to Organic Beauty Care

There are many reasons to make the switch to organic beauty care.  Some organic products do cost more than conventional beauty care products since synthetic products often use inexpensive and harmful chemicals.  The extra cost, however, is well worth the savings to your health and the well-being of the environment. 

Slowly integrate organic or natural beauty products into your skin care and hair care regiment.  Traditional beauty products can leave your skin dry and can leave your hair weighed down with excess chemicals.  Some skin care or hair care products can actually do more harm than good to your skin. It is possible to obtain healthy and glowing skin as well as shiny and luscious hair by using organic and natural beauty care products. 

You are less likely to suffer skin allergies if you use organic beauty products.  The all natural components of these products are not likely to create dryness, itchiness or other forms of irritation.  Natural products are a good option for individuals who suffer from skin allergies and acne. 

Most importantly, true organic or natural beauty products will  not contain carcinogens, parabens or phthalates and therefore will not pose health risks to your body.

Video: Natural & Organic Skincare Regimen

In this video, Jenn Stazz from Youtube Channel BellaPepper53,shares a very detailed account of her organic & natural skin care regimen. She discusses both her day and night beauty routines and highlights the products that she uses. This is one of the most detailed breakdowns of a beauty regimen that I have come across, and she takes the time to outline every step that she takes in her routine.

All of the products that she mentions in the video are natural or organic. Here are a few of the products that sparked my interest:

•  Adara Coconut Virgin Oil (Naturopatica-$12)- Use for for eye makeup removal
• The Cleanser (Indie Lee-$25)- Gentle facial cleanser that can be used both night and day
  
• 100% Organic Moroccan Rose Water Toning Mist (Amal Oils-$21.50)-  Toning serum to be used after cleansing both night and day
  

Here's a nice picture of all the products that she discussed in the video. Click the pic to visit her website and get more details on the products!

Aloe Vera: Nature's Anti-Inflammatory Agent

When it comes to skin care, store shelves are full of products that claim to enhance natural beauty, but in reality there's little natural about it. Being a long term Acne sufferer, I was always looking for something to help my skin. I have been down the road of using standard Acne treatment gels and creams, only to leave my skin dry and irritated.

I began to seek out what the natural world could do to help my blemished face.  I thought I'd find that help within the walls of a health food store, with a high price tag to boot. Where I really needed to look though was to my grandmother's potted plants! And more precisely to the rather funny looking pointed Aloe Vera plant that had been growing for some years right under my nose.

Though long held as being good for your skin, the thought had never came to me to just pinch off a piece of the plant and rub it's sticky gel on my face. But after doing a bit of research, that's just what I did. I applied a nice layer of Aloe Vera Gel over my face and went to bed. Unlike when using traditional acne treatments, I found my skin to be quite refreshed and less red. Though not giving me a flawless face, the Aloe Vera helped to moisturize and soothe my blemished skin, while seeming to even out my skin tone by getting rid of some of the redness that comes with Acne.

You can find some natural gels containing Aloe Vera in health food stores, but I believe the best approach is to grow the plant yourself and put the undiluted gel on your skin. If you must buy it though, try to get a product with as much Aloe Vera as possible. Aloe Vera really is like nature's anti-inflammatory agent; so try it today and see the results for yourself!

Coconut Oil & Your Healthy Skin

When you first begin looking for natural and organic beauty products, the choices are overwhelming. You can go overboard just as easily with these types of products as you can with traditional beauty products. One great way to maximize both your beauty dollars and the effects you will see on your skin is to choose products that can perform the tasks of multiple products. One such product and a terrific natural beauty tip is to use coconut oil in your daily skin care routine.

Moisturizing Properties
Coconut oil is naturally chock full of moisturizing oils. Unlike some other types of oil, coconut oil does not contribute to or worsen skin dryness. In fact, it can actually help with everything from simple dry, flaky skin to more severe conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. Coconut oil does not sting or irritate your skin, so if you have skin problems you do not need to worry about additional pain. Coconut oil is wonderful as a massage oil as well.

Antibacterial Properties
Scientists are not sure entirely what causes it, but coconut oil has naturally occurring antibacterial properties. Even though it is an oil, this makes it an excellent way to treat and to help prevent acne. Coconut oil can also help you to prevent other types of skin infections, especially if you have had a lot of skin problems.

Antioxidants
You don't need expensive beauty products to get all the benefits of antioxidants. Look for a natural ingredient, such as coconut oil, to get all the antioxidants your skin could need. Antioxidants work by keeping free radicals and other harmful ingredients from connecting with your skin tissue and settling in. These free radicals cause premature aging and sagging skin. Just by switching to coconut oil in place of your moisturizers or toners, you can maximize your antioxidant intake.

How Your Skin Can Beat the Cold This Winter

During the winter months, we are always trying to find ways to protect our skin from the harsh winds and weather. We are constantly in search of a moisturizer that is not heavy, but will shield against the cold temperatures. Women, especially, want a moisturizer that will be a barrier against the bitter cold while not clogging their pores causing unnecessary breakouts.

That is why when looking for a more natural way to moisturize your skin women tend to go with organic ingredients so that they can have a light feeling moisturizer with a heavy barrier. Depending on the skin type women can use a variation of natural ingredients. Women with normal to oily skin can use a light natural oil. Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil or Avocado Oil will be light enough on the skin to add a barrier of protection against the winds while not clogging the pores.

Women with dry skin may think they have to use a heavy oil to add extra moisture to their skin during these winter months. However, that is not the case when using natural ingredients as a moisturizer. Oils like Sesame or Olive Oil are rich enough that the skin absorbs just enough moisture; the rest is used for protection against the weather.

These natural moisturizers will keep our skin feeling soft while not clogging her pores, which can cause blemishes. Protect your skin from getting dry and rough this winter by finding the right natural moisturizer, and enjoy the winter months with your new skin care regimen!    

3 Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter Hair Shampoos

Nowadays, we are all being more conscious of the ingredients that are in our daily skin care and hair care routines. Many are looking for organic or natural hair care products that contain non-toxic elements. If you're looking for some natural shampoo alternatives, here are a few homemade recipes for you to try:

 Aloe Vera Gel:
Known for it's remarkable ability to cleanse and strengthen, Aloe Vera gel makes a wonderful alternative to over the counter shampoo. This gel is great for cleaning out your pores and making your hair stronger and smoother than it's ever been! It is also a great solution for anyone who suffers from dandruff or even hair loss.

Mayonnaise:
Who would have thought that mayonnaise could ever be used as an alternative to shampoo? Even though it may seem like a weird product for your hair, it's ingredients make it the perfect hair care solution. The vinegar, oil and eggs found in mayonnaise help to strip your hair from any build-up and give it a beautiful, healthy shine. The next time you take a shower, take a scoop of mayo, apply it to your hair and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it out.

Baking Soda:
Many people have been using this every day household item to help them keep their hair nourished, clean and healthy. Baking soda helps to get your hair back to it's natural, healthy state by removing all of the build up and residue left from other shampoos. You can simply put some baking soda in an old shampoo bottle, add a little water and use it as you would any other shampoo. You are bound to see results quickly and you will love not having to purchase and use those harsh chemical-filled products ever again!