This is one of the easiest and safest way of getting rid of blackheads.This recipe also works on Whiteheads.

You will need

2 cloves of Garlic (crushed)

1 Tbsp. Ground Oatmeal

1 drop Tea Tree Essential Oil (optional)

2-3 Drops Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

Enough Honey to make a paste

Mix everything together and apply it to the affected area, leave it on for 2 minutes and gently exfoliate for a minute. Rinse off.

Do  this once a day for 3 days, if you have only a few blackheads it should clear up on day 1 itself.

Honey and Tea Tree for Acne

Take one teaspoon Honey and mix 2 drops Tea Tree Oil, apply it on your face and rinse off with lukewarm water after 15-20 minutes, followed by a splash of cold water. Doing this twice a week can help reduce acne.

Honey and Olive Oil for Dry skin

Winter is making our skin dry and rough so why not moisturize it with the ingredients that are natural and wonderful. Mix a teaspoon Honey with 1/3rd teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil and apply. rinse off with lukewarm water after 15-20 minutes, followed by a splash of cold water. You can use this recipe everyday to get soft and supple skin.

Honey and Cucumber for Skin Brightening

Cucumber is a wonderful skin brightener, it almost immediately brightens up your skin and give your skin a subtle glow when mixed with honey it makes a soothing, brightening and moisturizing recipe.

Grate a cube of fresh cucumber, squeeze the juice, mix it with half teaspoon honey and apply it on your face. Rinse off after 20 minutes.

Honey and Tomato for Sunburn

You can use this recipe during the summer when sunburn bothers you. Tomato is a cooling  agent and it helps reduce tan, when combined with Honey it makes a wonderful anti-sunburn recipe. Take one tbsp Fresh Tomato Pulp and mix it with one teaspoon honey and apply on sunburn, rinse off after 30 minutes.

Honey and Vitamin E for Scars

Vitamin E and Honey Combination is very good for Scars caused by Acne. Pierce one Vitamin E Gel Caplet and mix it with little bit of honey and apply it on the scars. Rinse off after 2- minutes.

Honey and Aloe Vera for Sensitive Skin

Honey is very soothing and so is Aloe Vera. Mix one tsp Honey with one tsp. Aloe Vera Gel and apply it on your face, it is very cool and soothing, it is good for Rosacea and Eczema prone skin too because it reduces redness and itchiness.

Announcement- Winners of our last 2 Giveaways

Winner of Stunning Multi Gem Earrings is Blueviolet, Comment no. 45 , Winners of  “The Art of Overeating” are Deb Anderson, Mineola and Susan Smoaks, Winners of CORE Vocal Power Audio Program are- cc, Gianna and Kayce.

Congratulations to all of you and thanks to all who participated!

Don’t forget to participate in our latest Giveaways here

Skin and Hair Benefits of Aloe Vera

Aloe plants have been used for thousands of years as a natural way to heal the body, prevent problems, and soothe skin. There are more than 200 varieties of these desert lilies, but Aloe Vera is by far the most popular and the easiest to find. It contains a dizzying array of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, natural sugars, anti-inflammatory agent and enzymes. This combination gives this miracle plant healing properties that simply cannot be denied. Let’s take a look at some of the skin and hair benefits of aloe vera.

Aloe Vera Reduces Acne

Aloe Vera’s anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the appearance of acne and the different enzymes have the ability to prevent acne from reappearing. Not only that, but Aloe Vera can also reduce the appearance of acne scars that may have formed from previous skin problems.

Aloe Vera Soothes Sunburns

One of the most well known uses for Aloe Vera is to soothe sunburns. The healing properties provide an undeniable soothing feeling to the skin and can also boost healing for any problem skin. While it will not completely treat sunburns on their own, it does an incredible job of simply making things feel better.

Aloe Vera Reduces Loss of Hair and Dandruff

One of the lesser known benefits of Aloe Vera is that it can reduce loss of hair and also help you get rid of troubling dandruff. The scientific evidence for the hair loss prevention is often varied, but there are thousands of people that rave about how much Aloe Vera has changed their lives, and their hair. In terms of dandruff it is believed the powerful enzymes soothe the scalp and that the moisturizing effects of Aloe Vera reduce dryness on the scalp and thus eliminates dandruff.

Aloe Vera truly is a miraculous, natural and effective solution for many problems. There are no proven side effects and the organic makeup gives it an edge over many other products that are available on the market. On top of all that it is more affordable than a number of other skin creams and lotions that can be found in every store and online.

I wanted to make some announcements about LashMantra Giveaway, LashMantra Tuesday Sale  and a Freee  Skin Care e-book.

From today LashMantra Tuesday Sale becomes LashMantra Weekend Sale(all the coupon codes are valid for Saturday and Sunday)

Today’s discount is Free Shipping on every order. Just apply the discount code “Freeshippingoct” to get $9 off your order. This offer is valid until Sunday night)

If you haven’t already entered LashMantra Giveaway, here is your chance, in fact you have 3 chances to Win LashMantra this month.

Win LashMantra and Stunning Yellow Sapphire Earrings

Win LahMantra, Sparkling  Peridot Earrings and Malibu Secret Anti-aging Body Cream on Beauty and Personal Grooming

Win LashMantra, Multi-Gem Sparkling Earrings and lots of other goodies on Viva Woman

Robin of Toxic Beauty Blog is giving away a Free e-book on Skin Care so feel free to visit her blog to download it.

Spirit of Nature Tea Tree Essential Oil

Treating Acne with Tea Tree Oil: Benefits of Tea Tree Oil for Acne

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of a plant that is native to Australia, the Melaleuca Alternifolia, and can rejuvenate skin in natural fashion and reduce the appearance of acne. This powerful essential oil can be found within a number of household products, such as toothpaste, shampoo and lotions, yet many people are unaware of just how beneficial it can be.

Tea tree oil comes with a very healthy amount of antimicrobial activity thanks to the existence of repinen-3-ol within it. It is this constituent that gives tea tree oil its ability to kill and prevent bacteria in order to reduce acne and prevent any propionibacterium acne from reappearing on the skin. While benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common ingredients within over the counter acne products, recent studies have show that tea tree oil brings with it many of the same benefits without all of the possible side effects.

Many popular anti-acne creams and lotions bring about burning, itching, stinging and even dry skin which can be more painful or annoying than the original acne. None of these issues are a problem with tea tree oil and it is much healthier and safer for your skin on the whole.  A recent study showed that close to 80% of people that used benzoyl peroxide complained of certain side effects while an extremely low number of people had any issues whatsoever when using tea tree oil.

When using tea tree oil for acne it is important to keep in mind that it may take longer to bring about noticeable benefits. Do not get discouraged when using it and try to stick with it continuously for a few weeks at a time.

The good news is that you should be side effect free and that the benefits are on their way, in an all natural and healthy way.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil For Acne?

You can use Tea Tree Oil for spot treatment or mix it with some carrier oil and apply it on acne. Tea Tree Oil is also good for fading Acne Scars so regular use will lighten scars caused by acne. Best thing is to avoid scarring by following good skin care regime, avoiding harsh sun rays  and not touching or picking on pimples.

You can use a drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil on the spots before going to bed. Or mix 5-6 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil with 1/3rd oz or 10ml Carrier oil(Grapeseed, Hazelnut or Evening Primrose Oil) and apply it on the scars.

You can also mix 2-3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil with one Vitmin E Gel Caplet for scar treatment, don’t use Vitamin E Oil if your acne is still red and your skin is acne prone, it might be too heavy for your skin type. You can use a Q tip to make sure that you apply it on old scars only.

You can pour 9-10 drops Tea Tree Oil into your Bath Water to treat back acne. Tea Tree Oil is also good for dandruff and itchy scalp so adding 2-3 drops in a mug of water and rinsing your hair will take care of dandruff and itchy scalp.

Buy Certified Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil here

Announcement: You can get a Free Bottle of 100% Pure, Therapeutic Grade Spirit of Nature  Tea Tree Oil  (1/3rd oz/10ml) with every LashMantra Order.

Offer Details:

LashMantra Tuesday Sale, October 13th

Discount Code- “essentialoil”

Offer- Get Spirit of Nature 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Tea Tree Essential Oil(10ml) with every purchase. Offer is valid for a day(October 13th Tuesday)

Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil for Skin

Frankincense is most commonly known as a gift that was suitable for god many years ago, and has continued to be one of the most sought after oils in the entire world. It is almost impossible to sum up all of the health benefits of frankincense oil in just one article, but it has incredible properties that can rejuvenate skin, administer a feeling of calm and serenity, and even relieve pain and stomach aches.

Frankincense is native to parts of Northern Africa and comes from a stunning plant known as Olibanum. The plant itself is incredibly large and surprisingly beautiful thanks to the white flowers and slender leaves that burst out from underneath. The frankincense originates as sap within the tree and becomes a dark gum type resin, and this is the point where it can be used for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. The term frankincense originates from the word Franc, which means pure, and the word incensum, which means smoke.

Frankincense belongs to the base note with a very different kind of smell, I can’t explain how it smells but it just takes me to another world.

In terms of the benefits of frankincense oil when it comes to skin, one of the most impressive aspects is the oils ability to prevent and even fade scars. The application  of frankincense essential oil(diluted with carrier oil) can reduce the appearance of marks from boils, acne, pox and even stretch marks. Essentially, any scar on your body or face can be treated and become less visible thanks to this miraculous essential oil.

In terms of prevention, frankincense essential oil has been used for centuries as a way to keep the skin healthy. Frankincense oil can be used  in facial masks (at 1%)  to prevent the formation of wrinkles, smooth out the skin and provide anti-aging properties.

For centuries people have been using frankincense essential oil for a number of reasons. There are no known side effects and really no reason why you shouldn’t consider treating your skin to the benefits that this wonderful oil can bring.

Note: Never apply any essential oil directly on your skin(Lavender and Tea Tree can be used directly on the skin), mix a few drops with Carrier Oil and apply(at 1-3%)

You can buy Therapeutic Grade Frankincense  Essential Oil here

Today I am going to tell you how to be acne free in 7 days. Its not a zit zapper which only targets specific area if you follow this routine for a week without missing anything you can see your skin glow and acne go away . Once you get rid of those acne you can  follow this regime once or twice a week for maintenance. Doing this twice a week prevents acne and gives you a radiant skin.

Any harsh ingredient or treatment can only make your acne worse which results in scarring,  itchy and flaky skin.This recipe is gentle on skin however don’t use ACV neat on your skin, it needs to be diluted with water otherwise its too strong for any type of skin and can even cause redness and burning.

Morning Ritual-

Wash your face with raw organic honey or Manuka honey. Apply the honey and massage in a light circular motion for about a minute and rinse off with warm water.

Make an ACV-Honey Toner

Take one part Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Honey and 8 parts distilled water. Pour everything in a bottle and shake well.  Apply it on your face with the help of a cotton ball. Let it dry, no need to rinse. But if you are stepping out rinse it off after 20 minutes.

Follow with your moisturizer, sunscreen lotion/cream.

Night Time Routine-

Oil Cleansing

Take one tbsp. Hazelnut Oil(Use Grapeseed oil if you don’t have hazelnut oil) mix 2 drops Tea Tree Oil and follow the OCM Instruction.

If your skin feels a little tight after OCM use 2 drops grapeseed or jojoba oil. Don’t apply anything else.

OCM has to be done only on the first and seventh day. From second to sixth  day use this recipe in the night-

Take raw honey and use it as a cleanser, if you use make-up, remove make-up with jojoba oil and follow with honey cleanser.

Take 1/2 oz or 15ml Evening Primrose Oil mix 5-6 drops tea tree oil and shake well, store it in a dark amber glass bottle with a dropper. Use it as a night time serum for 5 days.

Thats about it, its simple and effective, you will love how your skin looks on the seventh day, clear, glowing and acne free. If you have old acne scars  it will fade slowly just stick to this regime to achieve Blemish free, glowing skin.

Note: Always use Certified Organic Essential and Carrier Oils, Organic Honey and Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother in it(Bragg’s a good brand).

For centuries apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy for ailments, a skin care treatment and even to promote healthy weight loss. Essentially there are five main benefits that come hand in hand with the use of apple cider vinegar on a daily basis, either in your food or applied topically. Here is some information on how and why Apple Cider Vinegar can help you live a healthier life, inside and out.

Joint Health

Arthritis is a common problem that affects a wide number of people and joint pain is something that will undoubtedly effect you at some point in your life. The good news is that apple cider vinegar can relive pain caused by arthritis. It strengthens the arteries and allows the body to heal wounds faster. It can also reduce the stress and tension in your body. The Malic acid found in apple cider vinegar combat bacterial infections and dissolves deposits of uric acid which can form around the joints and cause discomfort.

Benefits for Weight Loss

No one is truly sure what exactly it is about apple cider vinegar that benefits the body’s ability to lose weight, but it has been an effective supplement for decades. One thing that is known for sure is that apple cider vinegar plays a vital role in detoxifying the liver. A liver that is detoxified can promote healthy weight loss and help you reach your fitness goals even faster. It is also suggested that apple cider vinegar can boost your metabolism and burn a large amount of calories after meals. Often times you can receive the benefits by simply ingesting 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before meals.

Diabetes

Straight to the point, apple cider vinegar can control the glucose levels in your body. While the simple addition of apple cider vinegar to your diet will not only combat all the effects of diabetes or be a cure, it is a great help to people suffering from the ailments that come hand in hand with diabetes.

Applying Apple Cider Vinegar as a Hair Rinse

When combined with water and used as a hair rinse through topical application, apple cider vinegar can quickly get rid of any residual build up that has taken over your hair. The regular application of this vinegar can also control your scalp’s PH levels and get rid of and prevent dandruff. It is a very reasonably priced and effective alternative to all the other expensive products on the market.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne and Blemishes

Apple cider vinegar contains a very high amount of alpha-hydroxy acids. These acids can help destroy the fatty deposits left on the skin and cure scaly skin conditions. Essentially this leads to softer and smoother skin. In fact you can also get ride of blemishes on your face by patting apple cider vinegar onto your face before bed. If all goes well you could wake up with clear and beautiful skin in just a few nights.

Always go for Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Manuka Honey UMF25+

Manuka Honey is probably the best Natural Facial Cleanser I have ever used. There’s no doubt that honey is an excellent cleanser but Manuka Honey is even better.

So what exactly is Manuka Honey and How does it help our skin?

What Is Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is taken, manufactured and produced from bees that consistently feed on the Manuka bush. This particular bush is more commonly known as a variation of the tea tree plant and is found in Australia and New Zealand.

While Manuka honey is rather unknown in some ways, a number of healthcare and skin benefits have already been proven. Let’s go over just a few of these benefits so that you can have an idea of just how great of an impact Manuka honey can have on your overall health.

Benefits Of Manuka Honey For Skin

Manuka honey has specific properties that contain antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These benefits can be used to fight infection, speed the healing process and help skin fight off any ill effects caused through excessive bacteria.

The honey can also speed up the healing process for fresh wounds. It creates moisture that allows new skin to grow much quicker than it would on its own. On top of this, Manuka honey prevents infection as it destroys bacteria and can repair previously damaged skin.

When applied to parts of the body that may be affected by fungal disease, such as jock itch and athlete’s foot, Manuka honey uses its anti-fungal properties to cure you and relieve pain. The pain relief is provided from the anti-inflammatory effects the honey supplies.

Possibly the greatest aspect is that Manuka honey offers all these benefits in an all natural and organic way unlike many other treatments on the market. While some treatments are simply examples over overmedication, this honey has no known or proven side effects in any way.

What is UMF or Unique Manuka Factor?

Before you go running off to a retailer to purchase Manuka honey, there is something very important that you need to be aware of. Not all honey is considered to be “active”. In order to be designated as “active”, Manuka honey must contain an antimicrobial property that is not found in any other types of honey.

This form of measurement is labeled as the Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF. The honey must pass some stringent laboratory testing to be labeled as “active”. Therefore, before making any purchase of Manuka honey, you should do your research, understand what UMF is and make sure that the product you are investing in is worth what you are paying. So make sure you are using Manuka Honey which has UMF 15+ (at least)

I am currently using the one with UMF 25+ which I bought on ebay(it came directly from New Zealand) and its $35 for a 250gm jar and trust me it lasts really long.

All I do is take some honey, spread it on my face, gently massage in a circular motion for about a minute and rinse off. It makes my skin clean, soft and glowing. It is good for all types of skin, specially beneficial for acne and aging skin, it is often known as anti-aging miracle. You can also use Manuka Honey in your facial masks and exfoliators to reap its wonderful benefits.

Natural Remedies For Blackheads

Blackhead Removal

Blackheads can be really annoying and embarrassing and everyone wants to get rid of this nuisance either with the help of natural remedies or through strips or some extraction method (which can have adverse effect if not done correctly). I had written about blackhead removal remedies sometime back, you can use fresh Garlic(I know it stinks but if you can bear the smell you don’t have to worry about blackheads), Lemon(some people are allergic to citrus fruits so its not a good option for them), Fenugreek are some of the safest natural remedies for blackheads. Luckily, I don’t really get blackheads, I guess its because of my skin type which is normal to dry but my hubby’s skin is oily and acne prone so I try these natural recipes on him. People with oily and acne prone skin find it very irritating because it keeps coming back so the best way is to use these recipes on a regular basis instead of waiting for the blackheads to come back.

I will tell you how you can prevent and get rid of blackheads with these 2 simple steps.

How To Loosen Blackheads

Before trying out any recipe, loosening these blackheads will make the process super easy and very effective. When they are loose they tend to come out easily.

Take 16oz (400ml) water and boil it , add some fresh or dried basil leaves. Once it is boiled add 2-3 drops Lavender oil(you can use any essential oil that helps you with acne some examples are tea tree, rosewood,sandalwood). Drape a towel around your head and take a steam for a few minutes so that the pores open up. People with sensitive skin, be extra careful not to burn your face.

Now your blackheads are ready to be removed.

Mix one tbsp. Baking Soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply it on the blackheads and keep it on for about a minute or so and gently scrub. Rinse it off with warm water and finish this process by splashing some cold water so that the pores are closed.

By now, your blackheads would have gone. This simple process also makes your skin soft and smooth. Some people are allergic to baking soda(specially people with sensitive skin) so your skin might become red for a few minutes.

P.S- You can use these ingredients on a regular basis but make sure that you don’t steam your face very often because too much of steaming can make your face dry.