Chamomile that dry skin away

When will it ever heat up again?????? It seems that every day is colder than the one before. Well maybe I am exaggerating a tad bit but this seems to be one of the harshest winters on my skin and the tightest on my wallet!

We are all pinching a penny but still need glowing skin in the dead of winter. I found this great recipe for a chamomile tea skin toner, many spas use it pre/post facial to rehydrate the skin and you can make it for just a couple hundred pennies :)

Chamomile Tea Skin Toner:

• 3 organic chamomile tea bags
• 2 cups boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and allow the tea to steep for a couple of hours (until the tea has cooled completely). Bottle the mixture in a spray bottle or toner bottle.

Use the toner throughout the day, especially on the really cold ones, to keep your skin hydrated and free from weather irritation. Discard the mixture after 7 days.

You can also use the bags from chamomile tea to:

• reduce puffy, irritated eyes: place warm chamomile bags over eyes for 10-15 min.
  
• relax your mind with its essential oil scent
  
• add to your bath to aid in healing sunburned skin and dry, chapped skin.

Winter skin advisory

It is snowing in Texas!!!!!!!! My hands are freezing, my socks are wet and my lips are chapped, but its snowing in Texas!!!!!!

When winter season is in full gear it is important to remember that although the snow and cold can look like a wonderland they can wreak havoc on your skin.

For a refresher corse on winter happy hair and skin, check out Keep Jack Frost from nipping at your hair and Dry skin: 10 best quick fixes.

Don't forget, even though its cloudy and snowy, daily sunscreen is still essential. And sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture.

Happy snowman making day!!! What do you do to keep the cold at bay? We could sure use the advise here in Texas :)

Argan oil - nature's new beauty gift

It seems like every month there is a new, wonder beauty product that will heal all that ails us, cosmetically speaking.

One new "wonder" product is argan oil. It is popping up in health studies, beauty articles and even cosmetic lines. But this all-natural oil is cause for praise.

Argan oil is made from a tree, which grows almost exclusively in Morocco. Beauty products claim that this oil can restore skin and has age-defying effects.

While there are many studies in effect right now, it is true that this oil is high in vitamin E, essential fatty acids and phytosterols, which are good for scar tissue repair.

Some studies already concluded show that people really did see a decrease in inflammation, it minimized the appearance of wrinkles and the oil can actually protect the skin from environmental factors.

The oil is ideal for all skin types.

What do you think? Have you tried argan oil or used any new products containing it? Let us know......

Vitamin supplements, myth or fact?

There continues to be a debate between topical vitamin skin care treatments and vitamin supplements taken by mouth. Vitamin deficiencies can make skin look lifeless.

In a recent study, patients who took nutritional supplements while also using topical applications of beauty products containing vitamins saw healthier skin, reduced sun damage and in some result it can even repair DNA.

Do vitamin supplements really improve your skin?

Well, health care experts believe that for people who follow a strict, daily diet that provides an adequate dose of vitamins and supplements, it may be unnecessary. But for those of us a little less on the daily strict diet program, supplements are a vital part of a balanced skin care routine.

Here are some vitamins and their skin healthy benefits:

• Vitamin A is a necessity for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue
• Vitamins C and E reduce the damage free radicals cause to our skin
• Vitamin B Complex is essential for the maintenance of skin, hair and nails
• Colostrum contains natural growth factors to nourish skin
• Omega 3 promotes a healthy cellular process

What other vitamins are good for your skin? If you know, let us in on it too!

Beauty in your fridge

Here are the last recipes from your kitchen and today's are good for all skin types.

• Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea help fight free radical damage. Green tea can be applied directly to the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Some research has linked green tea treatments to the prevention of skin cancer and signs of aging resulting from sun exposure.

For a powerful, antioxidant punch brew one to two tea bags for each cup of water, let it cool then apply to your face after cleansing.

• Salt and Sugar

Maybe not the best for your insides, but applied as a scrub, these two are great natural exfoliates. They help loosen lifeless skin cells that need to be physically removed. The glycolic acid in sugar, paired with its rough texture makes it ideal for exfoliation treatments.

Mix a teaspoon of sugar or salt with any cleanser and apply in small, circular motions. Rinse with warm water.

Beauty in your fridge

Today's cures come from your pantry:

• Honey

Considered to be one of the best natural acne fighters, honey is known for its antibacterial properties. It can actually kill the bacteria associated with the cause of acne. To reap the benefits of this great household product, massage a small amount of lightly heated honey onto your skin; or dab it on individual blemishes to speed up the repair time.

• Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed out of the several grades, and the best option for skin care treatments. You can apply EVOO to your face as part of a daily skin care routine. With continued use, it can reduce hyperpigmentation.

Another excuse to eat watermelon

During a hot summer day, the mention of watermelon can make anyone week in the knees. We all knew this summer fruit favorite was good for us but more and more research is emerging about its effects on our skin.

Watermelon is the lycopene leader in fresh produce, beating out any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene has been considered a potential agent for the prevention of some types of cancers. It also promotes cardiovascular health, and a two-sup serving of watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A, B-6 and C.

While consuming watermelon has great health benefits, new research is emerging in the topical spa treatment arena. Watermelon seed oil and watermelon extract are both highly sought-after ingredients in spa products and treatments.

Watermelon seed oil is rich in omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, it is highly moisturizing and helps dissolve sebum buildup and restore elasticity. Now, watermelon is commonly found in professional skin care products as well. It is often used in baby formulations, creams, lotions, soaps and eye treatments.

Watermelon extract also aids in protecting some cell structures from damage by UV-induced radicals and decreases redness after UV exposure.

Many spas this time of year offer different treatments involving the oils and extracts. Be sure to pamper your summer skin with a watermelon treatment before the chill of fall moves in.

So the verdict is in. Enjoy these summer fruits before their season is over. The watermelon does wonders inside and out.

If you have any great recipes or new beauty products utilizing watermelon, please do share.

Beauty Myth of the Day

Scandle Candle's beauty myth countdown

And now the moment we have all been waiting for...........................

Myth #1:

Facial exercises tone facial muscles and make you appear younger.

Truth:

Your face is the only part of your body where muscles attach directly to the skin. The face does not have any facial ligaments or tissue that can be "toned."

The opposite is actually true. Constant facial exercise and tugging can add to additional lines. Wrinkles often form along expression lines cause by facial movements.

Remember, just because summer is slowly coming to an end, these beauty tips should be used all year long. It is never too late to update a skin care routine.

Beauty Myth of the Day

Scandle Candle's beauty myth countdown


Myth #2:

Vitamin E minimizes scarring.

Truth:

It is true that vitamin E is an antioxidant, which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. Vitamin E also helps build skin, but there is no scientific evidence that suggests it has anything to help with scarring.