So long lather, rinse, repeat; hello emu

Lather, rinse, add toner, sunscreen, spot acne treatment and daily moisturizer, every day; forever!!!

It is a common misconception that all of these steps are needed to maintain beautiful skin. Actually, sometimes these routines cause more damage than repair. Think about it. Does acne really react well to harsh, strong scrubs and toners?

So what if we could eliminate at least half of the process? Well, something new is emerging in high end spas and beauty products that should help eliminate the need for that 6-step skin care routine.

Emu oil is one of nature's best kept secrets. It is a safe option for any type of skin, absorbs immediately into the skin and aids in the release of trapped oil, skin and makeup in our pores.

Not only is the oil an amazing natural acne fighter, it has been used to treat chronic arthritis, strains, sprains and other muscle related pains. In Australia, the natural habitat of the emu, it is actually used as a wound healing accelerate.

But, buyer beware! A lot of these new "emu oil" beauty products are not so bird friendly. Make sure to read the label carefully to make sure it actually contains emu oil.

Have you tried emu oil? In a spa treatment? In a cosmetic product? Let me know what you think?

Add some passion to your winter season

With the weather finally creeping up the thermometer, it is time to put some passion back into my winter.

The passion fruit has long been a staple of South American medicinal treatments and is now making its way into spas and cosmetics.

This powerful fruit is said to reduce cancer cell growth. Though research is underway, the phytochemicals in the fruit juice are considered to inhibit cancer cell growth. It also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium and tons of antioxidants.

Since I don't have time for an all-day trip to the spa, I thought I would light my Scandle (for my spa treatment) and make a Passion Fruitini (for my mind treatment).

Passion Fruitini:
• 1 cup lemon vodka
• 2 tbsp triple sec
• 12 oz white cranberry juice
• 12 oz passion fruit juice

Put in large pitcher filled with ice, and stir briskly. Pour into cocktail glasses while straining the ice.

What are you doing to keep the spring in your winter season? Let us know.................

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 :)

Fried foods = acne, fact or fiction?

How many times did your mom say, "Eating greasy foods will make you get pimples?" Mine sure did! So I am happy to say that this golden beauty rule is indeed a myth.

While I don't encourage you to down a greasy meal every day, it is safe to say it will not effect your complexion. There is no scientific evidence that fried foods can cause or worsen acne. But still, eating excessive amounts of fried foods is not a healthy waistline option.

However, there is strong evidence that if you work in a greasy environment your acne will get worse. If your skin is exposed to airborne grease from frying foods, you will need a good cleanser and astringent to fight the effects.

What is a "beauty golden rule" you now know to be a myth? Let us know......

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......

Red is the new green

Move over green tea, there is a new kid in town. Well, not too new.

Red tea has be around for centuries to soothe allergies, asthma and digestive problems.

Green tea has been hailed for years as one of the best ways to get your surge of antioxidants. But red tea is now making breakthroughs in the beauty industry. The antioxidant properties are 50 times higher in red than in green tea.

Red tea comes from South Africa and contains the highest levels of the most potent antioxidant, superoxide dismutase. These antioxidants are used in cosmetic products to reduce free radical damage to skin; more commonly to reduce fibrosis following radiation for breast cancer.

While many spas in the US are now serving up various red tea treatments, you can also consume the beverage daily, like green tea, to reap many of its topical benefits.


Got any red tea-rific treatments you have to rave about? Let us know....

Japanese beauty, a world apart

Whew! Just got back from Japan this week and had a great time. While I enjoyed time with family and friends, I could not help but notice some of the unique beauty products around me.

While all beauty differs around the world, Japanese beauty is definitely some of the most unique.

Japanese women are known for their longer-than-average grooming time. In Japan, a woman can easily spend over 2 hours getting ready every day. Well if you used some of these top sellers in beauty, it might take that long too!

If you are bothered by the size of your nose and need to do something about it, pick up a Hana Hana Nose Stretcher. This stretcher looks pretty much like an over sized clothespin. At less than $7 at the average Japanese drug store, this "natural nose lift" is a real bargain in place of the plastic surgery version.

Another popular item in Japan is the face mask that apparently shrinks your face. In Japan, a slim face is a mark of beauty. Put on this rubber mask and it supposedly massages and melts away fat from your face.

Along with these popular items, there are about 100 different brands or versions of serums, powders, creams or tools claiming to create eye creases. Some have rave reviews but most product enhanced eye creases last about an hour.

Got any unique beauty products we need to know about? Have you tried any of the treatments mentioned above? 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!

My lipstick has what???

Recently, the FDA conducted a study on the levels of lead in lipsticks. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) conducted one as well. The new FDA study found lead levels in all 20 lipsticks they tested and the lead levels were 4 times higher than the CSC test.

Lead in your lipstick is an extreme health concern, think about how many times a day you reapply your lipstick or lip gloss. Some reports state that we consume 4 to 9 pounds of lipstick in our lifetime.

Not all lipsticks are created equal. In the CSC test, 39 percent of lipsticks were lead-free, so there is no need for lead in lipsticks.

So check you labels and make sure you buy products with complete ingredient lists. Always know what you are putting in your body and on your skin.

Got any great lead-free lipsticks we need? Let us know...............

Peppermint holiday helper

By now candy canes are appearing everywhere from grocery stores to shopping malls. This edible Christmas time staple contains a valuable ingredient when it comes to skincare and health: peppermint

Peppermint oil's health treatments include: indigestion relief, help with respiratory problems, and relief from headaches, nausea, fevers and more. And it is also a stress reliever, making it perfect for the holidays.

However, be careful with peppermint oil if you are pregnant. It can be too stimulating for expectant mothers.

To relieve those tension headaches all too common during this time of year, add one to two drops of peppermint essential oil to your conditioner. Shampoo, then massage the conditioner starting at the base of your hairline and work your way around in circular motions.

Got any great peppermint treatments? Let us know............

Tea-rific Treatments

Tea has proven its staying power! Research shows the multiple health benefits you get from drinking a cup of green, black, chamomile, peppermint, etc.

Along with its inner beauty, teas can help with your outer beauty too!

For some outer uses, try out these at-home tea recipes:

For hair:

To add shine and bounce to a drab do, try a tea rinse. Blondies use chamomile, brunettes use black tea, and reds use an orange tea.

Boil around 2 cups of water and add 2 bags of your tea and let them sit for about 10 minutes.

Shampoo and condition your hair, then add your tea treatment.

Leave the tea in for 10 minutes then rinse with luck-warm water.

Towel dry, then style.

To keep hair looking holiday ready, use the rinse once a week.

For feet:

The holiday season is here. It comes earlier and earlier ever year. Get your feet in tip-top perfection so they won't betray you in the checkout line.

To rejuvenate tired feet and easy into shopping mode try a peppermint tea foot soak.

Brew a strong cup of peppermint tea and to a bowl of hot water. Add you favorite salt or soak (Scandle's Dead Sea Salt Soak and Scrub is perfect because it is odorless, no funny scent combinations) and relax.

Got a tea-rific beauty treatment we should know about? Let us know............

Pass the cranberries, please

Cranberries are a staple of the holiday season. They are used in candles, potpourris and sprays to enhance the "holiday spirit." And let's not forget the important part they play on Thanksgiving.

Along with these holiday season elements, cranberries are a great source of antioxidants in the form of vitamins A and C. These festive fruits have become a staple in sugar scrubs used in spas during the winter season.

To create your own at-home cranberry body scrub, follow the directions below:

• Combine 1/2 cup organic cranberries, 1/2 cup organic pomegranate airls (seeds separated from the pulp), 3 tablespoons almond oil and 1 teaspoon glycerin in a food processor or blender
• Lightly blend until the mixture has a thick consistency, avoid blending it into a paste.
• Pour the mixture in a bowl
• Blend 1/4 cup dry oatmeal into a fine powder
• Add 2 tablespoon to your cranberry mixture
• For an added spice, add 2 drops of an essential oil (such as, orange, rosemary or lavender)
• Massage the mixture into your skin and gently exfoliate, let it set for around 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Got any great cranberry skin treatments? Let us know...........

Add some spice to your routine

Cinnamon's essential oil is an antimicrobial food, which gives it the ability to stop the growth of bacteria and fungi. Cinnamon also contains slight astringent properties, making it beneficial for skin care.

However, it might be a little overwhelming for extremely sensitive skin types. Try to always combine cinnamon with other ingredients so it does not cause irritation. Cinnamon oil also has a stimulating, warming effect, making it a popular choice for massage therapy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used for its warming qualities and to provide relief when the onset symptoms of a cold begin.

To brighten up oily skin try out the facial below:

Cinnamon and Oatmeal Facial

• Combine 3 tsp. oatmeal, 3 tsp. powdered milk and 2 tsp. ground cinnamon in a bowl.
• Add just enough water to make a thick paste
• Stir in 1 tsp. vitamin E oil
• Apply the mask to your face, massaging in small circles
• Leave on for 2-3 minutes
• Rinse with warm water and apply a light moisturizer
  

Got any cinnamony treatments? Let us know about them!

Winter wrap up

As the chilly weather begins to set in, it is important to remember to moisturize your skin. In colder weather skin needs extra moisture. Body wraps can get a little costly at treatment facilities but are a great way to keep skin nurtured. Here is a cost-effective, at-home remedy sure to keep the frost away, from your skin at least.

Depending on how much of your body you want to cover, your amount of each ingredient will change:

2-6 cups plain yogurt
1-3 cups honey
1-3 cups aloe vera liquid
Wrap material (plastic wrap, a small plastic garbage bag cut open, or a small damp, heated towel)
Blanket or large towel

Directions:

• Using an extra-large bowl, mix yogurt, honey and aloe vera in a ratio of 2-to-1-to-1
• Apply the mixture to your body, you do not have to cover your whole body
• Lightly wrap those areas
• Wrap up in the blanket or towel for 20-30 minutes
• Rinse with warm water or enjoy a soak in the bathtub

Tip: For best results, use the mask once a week until you notice results. Also, if you can, slightly exfoliate before applying the wrap. That way the treatment soaks directly into healthy, new skin.

If you have got a great body wrap mixture, please share with us...................

Milk, does a skin care routine good!

Milk is great for building strong bones but what about for great skin? When applied topically, milk actually calms skin irritation and gently exfoliates.

That's because milk is a natural anti-inflammatory and it contains lactic acid, which is great for exfoliating sensitive skin. The fat content also increases water retention, thus creating newly moisturized skin.

While skim milk is preferred for the waistline, whole milk is preferred for skin care treatments. It contains more hydrating fat proteins. For some great skin-specific milk treatments, try these out below:

• Irritation and Redness:

Fill a bowl with milk (preferably whole) and ice. Soak a washcloth in the mixture then apply to the skin until your towel is no longer cold. Repeat three times then let your skin naturally dry.

• Dry or Sun-damaged skin:

Freeze buttermilk in an ice cube tray, then rub them gently on your face. Be careful not to set them for a long period of time on one specific spot. One cube rubbed gently in circular motion should do for each treatment.

• Full Body Soak

Grab a box of powdered milk from any grocery store and add to warm water until the water is off-white. Enjoy a nice full-body, milky bath.

Pamper your post-summer paws

Summer affords us the opportunity to bare it all, well at least our feet. Now, as the temperatures dip back down, it is time to fix the damage summer has caused on our feet. Walking around barefoot at the beach, poolside or just inside your house can cause dryness, scaling and calluses on our feet.

To pamper your paws, use products that contain peppermint or menthol, they cool and refresh.

For an at-home pedicure, use an exfoliate first that contains sugar or salt and scrub lightly, making sure to focus on rough spots. Try Scandle's Dead Sea Salt Soak & Scrub.

Next, remove the scrub with a towel soaked in warm water.

Massage in your favorite moisture packed lotion or oil.

Cover with thick socks.

Be sure to check out Scandle's hands or feet treatment packs with new sinimay packaging and give your soles some much need love.

Body butter in the pumpkin patch

We have covered the cleansing treatments utilizing pumpkins, now add some heavy moisture before the chilly season sets in.

Body butters are a great way to revamp dry skin because they have sinfully rich ingredients working overtime to soothe your skin.


Pumpkin Body Butter

1/2 c pumpkin puree (cooked)

1/2 c solids from a can of coconut milk (coconut crème at the top of the can)

1/2 t cinnamon

Mix ingredients. Apply to skin, massaging gently. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Pumpkin Perfect

Pumpkins are high in vitamin C for all-around tissue building and healing.

This month Scandle is highlighting the many beautifying treatments utilizing this fall friend.


Pumpkin Pie Scrub

• 1/2 c cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1/4 t cinnamon

Combine ingredients in a plastic bowl. Apply to body and scrub gently using circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Don't forget to stock up on your limited-edition 10oz. Scandle Pumpkin Pie Spice, now 35% off online.

Tell us your favorite pumpkin recipe......

In a walnutty world........

Walnuts are one of ten "super foods." Super foods provide multiple disease-fighting nutrients and fill you up so you can enjoy plenty of food without excess calories. Walnuts are great because you can enjoy them in everyday meals.

Not only are walnuts a good addition to any healthy eating plan, the omega-3 essential fatty acids make them a good method for fighting inflammatory skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis.

Eating walnuts also helps improve skin smoothness because the oil contains lincolic acid, which maintains skin structure. Walnut shells can be ground up for a natural exfoliate ingredient. The leaf extract can also be used in skin care products for its astringent and conditioning properties.

Got any fave recipes or beauty products using this nutty classic?