Tone, Tighten, & Brighten Your Complexion With White Willow Bark!

 [source]

Herbs, natural oils and Aloe Vera have pretty much replaced all of the commercial products in my arsenal of skin care products. They are easier on my skin [no more peeling and redness], easier on my pocketbook, and much more effective. With the right combination of ingredients, you can have four-star spa quality facial treatments at home several times a week. Here are a few of my favorite White Willow Bark treatments that are formulated to help brighten those dark areas, firm up the sensitive areas around the eyes, and tone your skin which results in an even; smooth complexion. 

White Willow Bark is an excellent additive for those with extremely oily skin, and those that have issues with acne, blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed skin. White Willow Bark contains high amounts of Salicin, which is the mother of Salicylic Acid [Salicylic Acid is derived from Salicin, and is used in most skin care products formulated to eliminate acne].  

White Willow Bark Facial

Ingredients

4 ounces of distilled water

1 tablespoon of White Willow Bark 

1 teaspoon of Kaolin Clay

1/2 teaspoon of honey 

To prepare treatment: 

Bring water to a boil; add herbs, then remove from heat. Allow herbal infusion to steep for about 10 minutes. Cool. Strain mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Add Kaolin clay and honey to strained mixture, and mix well.

Instructions for use:

Massage entire amount into the skin and neck area. Allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Recommendations: 

Use once weekly for acne prone skin; use bi-weekly as a preventative treatment for normal-combination skin. This facial can be used to clear up body acne as well. 

About this formulation:  

• White Willow Bark: Acts as a powerful antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent clearing acne, imperfections and dark spots. 
• Red Kaolin Clay: Kaolin Clay helps control oily skin, and the sulfur found in Kaolin Clay helps eliminate acne.<--Don't use Red Kaolin Clay if you have sensitive skin, use White or Rose Kaolin instead. 
• Raw Honey: Raw Honey doubles as a uber-moisturizer-extraordinaire and anti-bacterial additive that is very beneficial to your skin!

White Willow Bark Toner

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon White Willow Bark

4 ounces of distilled water

1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera Juice/Gel

To prepare toner:                                                                                                                                       

Bring water to a boil; add herbs, then remove from heat. Allow herbal infusion to steep for about 10 minutes. Cool. Strain mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Add Aloe Juice {or gel} to the strained liquid. Pour into clean, spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
                                                                                                                                                                     
** You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of White Willow Bark extract to your shampoo for those with dandruff, or psoriasis. You can even add 1/4 teaspoon of the extract to your favorite bottle of liquid body wash to combat body acne! 

Where do I find these ingredients?                                                                                                          

• You can find Red Kaolin Clay & White Willow Bark at select Health Food stores, or; you can find them online here: {Mountain Rose Organics} and here: {From Nature With Love}
• Alternatively, you can find the extract here: {From Nature With Love}  

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2 Simple DIY Facial Masks To Help Beat Hyperpigmentation

i love her hair. [source]

Hyperpigmentation occurs when patches of skin become darker than the areas around it. This happens due to an excessive production of melanin, and is usually your skin's way of trying to protect itself from damaging ultraviolet rays. Often, when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays for extended periods of time, your melanocyte cells [cells which produce melanin] go into overdrive producing melanin to absorb the rays from the sun. This excessive amount of production is what causes hyperpigmentation; those dark spots or freckles you may find on your face, arms and hands.

Before you spend several hundred dollars on microdermabrasion, bleaching creams, and chemical peels, try a simple yet effective facial mask [mask can be used on your body as well] that can help treat dark spots left behind due to hyperpigmentation. 

Lemon & Raw Honey Facial

4 Tablespoons of fresh Lemon Juice

4 Tablespoons of fresh raw honey

 

Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Apply to hyperpigmented areas. Cover with a warm towel for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse. 

 

About This Formulation:

Lemon Juice: The lemon juice in this formulation acts as a skin whitener and gentle exfoliant due to the amount of natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids found naturally in some fruits. An exfoliant is needed to remove damaged surface skin cells.

Raw Honey: Hydrates and softens the skin. Raw honey also helps protect from bacteria, thus reducing your bouts with acne as well.

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Yogurt & Green Papaya Mask

3 Tablespoons of fresh squeezed Lemon Juice 

1 Tablespoon of Organic Yogurt

3 Tablespoons of crushed Green Papaya 

Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Apply to hyperpigmented areas. Cover with a warm towel for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse. 

About This Formulation:

Lemon Juice: The lemon juice in this formulation acts as a skin whitener and gentle exfoliant due to the amount of natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids found naturally in some fruits. An exfoliant is needed to remove damaged surface skin cells. 

Organic Yogurt: The lactic acid found in yogurt also acts as a skin whitener and gentle exfoliant. Think of this ingredient as a low-grade chemical peel without all the nasty side-effects. 

Papaya: The enzymes found in Papaya gently exfoliates damaged/dull surface skin cells, tones the skin, and removes toxins.

 

Tips for those experiencing bouts of Hyperpigmentation:

Minimize your use of essential oils that cause photosensitivity. Photo-sensitivity means that you will be more receptive to light and ultraviolet rays, which will increase your risk of sunburn. Here's a list of photo sensitive essential oils:

Ginger

Lemon

Lime

Lemon Verbena

Lovage

Angelica Root

Cumin

Cassia

Melissa

Avoid using products on your face, arms, hands [and any other areas that are exposed to sun for long periods of time] that contain alcohol or mercury, as these are also photo-sensitivity causing agents as well. 

For those with chronic hyperpigmentation, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50, while treating the affected areas. This can speed recovery and will also help prevent the same areas from darkening again, as a single day of unprotected sun exposure can undo months of treatment.

 

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Natural Skin Care Quick Tip: Do Away With Dark Knees And Elbows With This DIY Exfoliating Knee & Elbow Scrub

My knees and elbows have always been "problem areas". They were always darker than my normal skin tone, sometimes rough, and super unsightly. The skin in those area tend to produce less oil versus the rest of your skin, which is what contributes to it's dryness. Also skin in the area around the elbows and knees can be a little on the dark side due to the buildup of dead skin cells. 

The remedy to this issue is an heavy duty exfoliating scrub coupled Alpha Hydroxy and fruit acids to gently remove layers of dead skin. While this may seem like something that may require a plethora of complex ingredients, you can actually make this at home with a few easy to find ingredients! Exfoliating is essential for removing dead skin cells, and helping the skin renewal process; revealing smooth skin.

Exfoliating Scrub Recipe:

1/2 Cup Cane Sugar

1/4 cup Orange Peel Powder

8 Tablespoons Jojoba Oil  

To Make:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Transfer mixture into a clean container and store in a cool, dry, place. Mixture keeps well for up to four weeks [provided you don't introduce water into the mixture].

Benefits:

Cane Sugar: Helps to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, protect the skin from toxins, and gently exfoliate superficial skin cells.

Orange Peel Powder: Helps remove dead skin cells, brightens skin tone, and protects skin from toxins. Orange peel powder can be found in Health Food stores and in most Indian Grocery Stores. It is also available {here}

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba Oil nourishes and hydrates the skin. Jojoba is also very similar to the structure of the skin's sebum therefore it penetrates the skin quickly. Jojoba Oil can be found in Health Food stores, or online {here}

To Use:

Twice weekly, exfoliate your elbows and knees in a circular motion by applying a dollop of your exfoliating mixture to a gentle loofah. 

Moisturize your knees and elbows with a thick moisturizing cream or lotion while skin is still damp. 

For extra benefits, try a lotion formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acid, as it will continue the exfoliation process while providing hydration. Here are a few lotions that fit the bill:

Body Lotions & Creams by Jergens
Body Cleansers at Walgreens

[photo source]

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Skin Care Quick Tip: 5 Reasons To Eat These Five Healthy Foods

What you put in your body can actually be more significant than what you apply topically. It is for this reason that I am trying to be more careful of what I eat. My snack-time selections runs the gamut from chips, to candy, sometimes shakes, and other things I'm not proud of; but as of late I have made some healthy substitutions.

Try substituting some of these healthy snacks throughout the day and see the difference it makes in your skin!

Berries [Strawberries, Blackberries, Cranberries]: Berries are chock full of antioxidants! Antioxidants helps to protect your skin from harmful free radicals, gives your complexion a radiant glow, and fights the molecules that damage skin cells which leads to premature signs of aging . Berries also help the body produce collagen which keeps skin, soft, youthful and supple.

Nuts [Walnuts, Brazil Nuts]: Walnuts & Brazil nuts are high in Fatty Acids, so they help lend a supple, smooth appearance to your skin. Brazil Nuts are high in Selenium which helps fight free radicals and also improves the elasticity of the skin.

Oily Fish [Prawns, Tuna, Salmon, Sardines]: The Fatty Acids present helps to prevent dryness, clogged pores, and improves skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis due to healthier cell membranes. Fatty acids regulate the health of the cell by keeping toxins out, and allowing nutrients in. Healthier cell membranes means that your cells are able to retain more moisture, and more moisture means younger looking skin.

Citrus Fruits [Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruits]: Citrus fruits contains high levels of Vitamin C [otherwise known as Ascorbic Acid] that is instrumental in keeping your skin health and youthful. Vitamin C [often found in most anti aging serums and treatments] is a water soluble vitamin which means it cannot be stored by the body. This is why it's important to consume at least a few servings of Vitamin C daily. The Vitamin C found in Citrus fruits acts a powerful antioxidant that aggressively fights free radicals while keeping your skin smooth and firm.



Dark Green Vegetables [Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Watercress]: Like many of the foods mentioned before this food group, dark green veggies are high in antioxidants. The Vitamin A present in green veggies also helps regulate the production of sebum, which is good news to those with oily, acne prone skin. Vitamin A strengthens the cell membrane and also regulates the release of toxins from the cells.

[photo source]

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Mixology Quicktip: Make Your Own Anti-Aging Serum

Nia looks absolutely wonderful in these photos. However I was floored when I found out she was knocking on 40's door. Granted her budget may allow for more pampering and R&R, but don't count out youthful just yet. - You can make spa quality treatments at home minus the preservatives, pretentiousness, and high price tag with just a few ingredients. 

Here is a simple anti-aging serum formulation that will tone, tighten and bring that youthful glow back to your skin!

You Will Need:  

A scant pinch of Hyaluronic Acid [in powder form]

A scant pinch of L-Ascorbic Acid [in crystal form] 

1/4 cup of Aloe Vera Gel 

To Make: 

Add Aloe to small bowl and drop in Hyaluronic Acid & L-Ascorbic Acid. Mix well until H.A & L.A is well blended.

Transfer mixture to clean container with a secure lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

To Use:

Apply a small amount of this facial serum on your face and neck nightly. Allow your skin to soak up the properties of the serum for up to 15 minutes before applying a moisturizer.  

Where to purchase ingredients?

All ingredients can be purchased at The Herbarie or via your favorite raw ingredients vendor.

About This Formulation:

• Hyaluronic Acid is found in healthy, supple skin. As we get older our levels of HA tends to drop. Adding Hyaluronic Acid to this formulation will increase the skin's ability to retain moisture, and will also keep skin soft, smooth and supple.

• L-Ascorbic Acid also known as Vitamin C is one of natures best natural anti-oxidants. The L-Ascorbic Acid in this formulation will help soothe and protect your skin.

• Aloe Vera Gel is filled with regenerative properties that help soothe and protect the skin [AVG is filled with anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties]. Aloe Vera Gel is also chock-full of skin loving nutrients and enzymes that will impart a radiant glow and fade blemishes if used regularly.

[photo source]

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