Refresh your face with this cucumber-yogurt mask
Yesterday I noticed that my facial skin did not look up to par. So I decided that I would use an old fashioned recipe I know with the base ingredient of cucumbers. Now even though I’ve know of the wonders of cucumbers, such as its cleaning and cleansing properties which helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple, I’ve never really tried it till last night.
So here’s what I put in my mask:
Recipe:
1/4 seedless cucumber
2 tbls plain yogurt
1/2 tsp honey
Directions:
- First cut two slices of cucumber and set aside. These will be used to rest on your closed eyelids.
- Dice up the remainder of the cucumber and place in a food processor to blend. Blend till it becomes saucy like texture
- Pour into a bowl and mix yogurt and honey completely.
- Take some out of the bowl and smear gently on face, covering face completely.
- Lie down and place the two cucumber slices on closed eyelids and rest for 20 minutes.
- Rinse!.
When you rinse you will see how radiant your skin looks. While I rested, I played some soothing music to deepen my relaxation. Instead of water for my rinse, I used some cold chamomilemy tea to close my pores and extend my treatment. My face looked wonderful.
Try this recipe tonight and leave your comments!
An Apple a Day to Keep the Wrinkles Away?
Can Apple Extracts Give You Younger, Smoother Skin?
by Dr. Jessica Wu
Did you know that apples are good for more than eating? It turns out that an apple a day may help keep the wrinkles away. According to Swiss researchers, an extract from a rare apple found in a remote part of Switzerland has been shown to have potential anti-aging benefits. This variety of apple, called Uttwiler Spatlauber, was cultivated in the 18th century, long before the appearance of crispers and modern farming techniques. It was a popular fruit back then because it could be stored for a long period of time 
without spoiling. Some of these apple trees are still being grown in Switzerland, and researchers believe that the fruit’s longevity and resistance to spoiling result from the apple tree’s unusually long-living stem cells.
Recently, scientists have shown that an extract containing plant stem cells from the leaves of this apple tree could stimulate the production of human stem cells. In another study, subjects who applied a cream containing the apple extract saw an 8 percent reduction in their crow’s-feet after two weeks, and a 15 percent reduction after four weeks. While these initial studies are promising, I’m waiting to see more research before recommending skin creams containing this ingredient.
Apples also contain a compound called malic acid, which is related to glycolic acid. Malic and glycolic acids are alpha hydroxy acids, which help “unglue” dead skin cells and loosen clogged pores. This is why alpha hydroxy acids are popular in acne treatments. Malic acid tends to be less irritating than glycolic acid, so it may be a better option if you have sensitive skin. Malic acid has been popular in Asia for years; you can find it in M2 Skin Refinish serum, which contains both malic and mandelic acid, another alpha hydroxy acid that’s derived from bitter almonds (m2skincare.com).
Happy New Year!!
We are excited to reconnect with current clients as well as form relationships with new ones. We look forward to sharing bluebasins’ 2010 happenings with you. Keep up-to-date with us through our mailing list, twitter and facebook.
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Natural Skin Care Oils – What Natural Oils Are Best For Your Skin
Most of the companies in the cosmetics industry are not providing you with the natural skin care oils that you need in order to treat your skin effectively. These oils are all derivatives drawn from plants, and they contain a wealth of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that are necessary for the health of your skin. All natural essential oils are the best for your skin and without these compounds a product does not have much to offer. 
What most companies try to pass off as natural compounds are derivatives of a petroleum byproduct. In my mind anything that is unintentionally created by a man-made process is not really “natural”, and I am sure that others would agree with this. That is not important however, because the point is that these compounds offer nothing to your skin.
These pseudo natural skin care oils are known as mineral oil, and paraffin wax, and they are incapable of effectively penetrating your skin due to how dense they are. The substance that they are derived from is so incredibly dense that it regularly forces the repair of the industrial machinery on which it forms. A substance like this can only be broken down to a certain degree.
Mineral oil and paraffin wax are the result of a distillation process that skims the thinner oils out, but they are not as readily available to the skin as plant based oils are. These substances will remain near the surface of your skin, where the will form a dirt trapping film. They will interfere with your skin’s natural exfoliation process, clog your pores, and eventually cause your skin to become drier than it was before.
Plant derived natural skin care oils are very soothing to the skin, and they moisturize very effectively. These oils are able to penetrate deep down into the skin, because they contain properties that are very close to those of our own natural oil. The antioxidant properties that these components posses will even reduce your wrinkles due to their ability to repair the damage to skin molecules caused by free radicals.
One of the best natural skin care oils for reducing wrinkles is avocado oil, because it has actually been found to promote the growth of new collagen. It is compounds such as this that your skin needs, and not some compound that comes from crude oil.
About the Author:
Sharon McCarthy is a health enthusiast and a dedicated researcher of natural skin care products. Visit her website now http://healthy-skin-care.info and discover proven cutting edge skin care products that protect your skin and slow down the aging process.
Women put 515 chemicals on their faces
By James Mould
Some women are putting more than 500 different chemicals on their face when they apply their makeup, according to a new report which suggested that people could be placing themselves at risk.
Bionsen published the study, which claimed that typical women use 13 different products in their skin care regime and there are more than 20 different ingredients in them, some of those being chemical-based.
Charlotte Smith of Bionsen told the Sun: “The new ‘wonder treatments’ contain more chemicals to be able to achieve better results, which means that women are more at risk.”
Lipstick contains an average of 33 ingredients, with body lotions being made up of 32 and mascara 29, which could interest fans of natural skin care.
The Daily Telegraph recently reported on the rise and benefits of mineral makeup, which it said can feel nicer on and soothe the complexions of people who suffer from sensitive skin.
The Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract
Did you know that olive leaf extract and the leaves themselves have been used for a variety of medicinal purposes for thousands of years? It is one of the few medicines referred to in the Bible. It has been mentioned in medical texts from the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians and other ancient cultures. But, why do we need it, today? We know that used alot in Turkey is well.
Alot of olive trees on the Bodrum Milas Highways and locals has a olive oil factories. Its very popular in Milas and surronding areas. Olive is the main business for farmers in Milas, Bodrum, Gemlik and many other places in Turkey. Pharmaceutical researchers and scientists from all branches of study have always looked at the medicinal activity of plants.
If the work was being done for a pharmaceutical company, an attempt would be made to change the naturally occurring molecular structure of the active components, in order to patent and synthesize them. Since we have a multitude of drugs available, many people wonder about the point of taking herbal remedies.
They aren’t covered by their health insurance policies. They are mostly recommended by alternative, not mainstream practitioners. So, what are they really good for?
Well, one example is in the area of antibiotics. The overuse of prescription antibiotics has led to the formation of stronger, more resistant bacteria. Oddly enough, these bacteria respond to natural antibacterial agents.
When it comes to skincare products, those containing olive leaf extract have natural antibacterial activity, which is beneficial for healing acne blemishes and reducing the risk of further breakouts. The oils, derived from the pits are beneficial, as well.
Many women say that their continued youthful appearances are due to the regular use of olive oil as a moisturizer.
Modern researchers have been able to isolate the active compounds and make them even more effective for reducing wrinkles, improving the skin’s moisture content and fading scars. So, it is possible to improve on what nature has done, without causing problems. When it comes to a supplement that you take orally, the best choice is an all natural olive leaf extract.
It can be used to speed recovery from colds and other infections. It may be beneficial for acne and skin diseases, in which inflammation is involved. Skincare products, on the other hand, must be properly formulated, or the oils will not penetrate.
They can cause greasiness, clog the pores and, in general, don’t feel nice. So, from a naturalist’s standpoint, it may seem that using well-designed skincare products is a “no-no”. But, as long as the manufacturer does not use artificial preservatives, added fragrances or artificial colors, you’re safe. We need olive leaf extract, today, because it works better than the plastic compounds created by petrochemical companies.
If taken orally, it supports immune system health. If applied topically, in the right form, it nourishes the skin’s cells and layers. Petrochemicals are not nourishing and they may contribute to our risk of cancer. Everyone’s risk increases with age, but there is reason to believe that exposure to petrochemicals, throughout a person’s life, greatly increases their risk.
So, avoid petrochemicals, including artificial preservatives and fragrance ingredients. Take some olive leaf extract or a multi-nutritional supplement that contains it and look for skincare products that contain the active compounds found in the oils.
You’ll feel better and look better, too.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/the-benefits-of-olive-leaf-extract-1556407.html
Trick or Treat….Treat!
Happy Halloween everyone! bluebasins bath and body wants you to have a treat this halloween! Come on into bluebasins.com and purchase whatever you want to treat yourself with then enter promo code treat09 and receive 30% off at checkout!
Take a long bath with on of our bath melts:
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Our Sensual essential oil synergy blend enhances your sensuality. If you have a hot date, take a bath with this, and your night will be even better. Your skin will be smooth all night. Great moisturizer! |
Treat your feet:
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Have beautiful feet with our creamy foot butter. This thick butter leaves your feet soft and supple all day long. Great for those with dry cracked heals. Best used after a shower or anytime in the day to keep dry heal syndrome away. Use as part of our Perfect Pedicure Routine. |
Massage your face….whatever you want to treat yourself for this halloween.
bluebasins bath and body
Taking care of what you wear everyday!
What skin care manufacturers don’t tell you
Here’s a great article by Dr. Lorne Brandes from Toronto’s CTV news station writing on the hidden ingredients manufacturers won’t tell you about. Results found that a lot of the rejuvenating creams have contained significant amounts (up to 0.61%) of estriol or estrone, two potent forms of estrogen!
Skin care products and cancer: What manufacturers don’t tell you
by Dr. Lorne Brandes
On a recent visit to a department store cosmetics counter, I was amazed at the number and variety of “rejuvenating” skin creams and lotions for sale — and not just for women!
“How much did all that cost?” I asked warily as the smiling clerk handed the Visa card back to my wife.
“If they help my skin look younger, it’s worth it,” was all she would say.
It now appears that her faith in the products she bought may have been misplaced: a new report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) warns that an ingredient in some skin creams may have serious long-term health consequences for women with, or at risk for, breast and uterine cancer. The offending substance? Estrogen!
The story began with an alert by an oncologist. He observed that… Read on.
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Here at bluebasins bath and body our skin care product ingredients are all natural. We only use what mother nature has provided for us to create our products. Check out our ingredient list.
Better to be Natural with Your Lips
Here’s a great article from Toronto’s Now magazine discussing why natural skin products are the way to go when caring for your lips.
Check out bluebasins bath and body’s natural skin care lip products.
Natural Face Masks Pack on Goodness
A Potent Make-it-Yourself Face Mask for Radiant Skin
by: Sheryl Walters
Face masks are a good way to thoroughly cleanse and nourish the skin on a deep level. There are many natural skin care facemasks on the market, but you can easily make your own at home… and you will probably find that it is even more nutrient dense and chemical free than what you can buy in the shops.
Here is a powerful facemask to nurture and pamper your skin, making it smooth and vibrant. It is packed full of antioxidants and beautifying properties to ensure radiance.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient number 1…Chocolate
Chocolate has recently been rediscovered to be one of the most nutrititous foods on the planet. Raw chocolate in its purest form has the highest amount of cancer fighting, disease busting, premature age destroying antioxidants on the planet.
While chocolate used to be known to cause acne, it has since been recognized that the milk in chocolate (or a whole list of other ingredients that make up your average chocolate bar) is the cause of acne. In fact, it has recently been discovered that putting milk in powerful foods such as tea and chocolate keeps the antioxidants from being absorbed.
The Mayans and the Aztecs called chocolate the food of the Gods. In addition to its high levels of antioxidants, it contains ingredients that regulate mood, increase libido, and leave us feeling peaceful, relaxed, and full of love.
If you can get raw chocolate powder, it is best. If you can’t get it, simply use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 2…Avocado
Many anti-aging skin care products use avocado oil for its anti-aging properties that create youthful, glowing skin. It defends against carcinogens and other elements that can cause disharmony in our skin.
It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is anti-inflammatory (inflammation is one of the biggest causes of aging) and is a potent moisturizer. Avocados increase the elasticity of the skin.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 3… Green Tea
Green tea is consistently being hailed as a powerful antioxidant, and is one of the people of Okinawa Japan’s secrets for longevity and vibrant health. Putting it on directly on the skin is equally potent.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 4…Honey
Honey is a great anti-bacterial agent, will open up the pores, and will deeply cleanse and detoxify the skin. It will also make the mask sticky.
If you want your mask to be strictly vegan and raw, you can use agave nectar, which has similar properties.
Natural Skin Care Ingredient Number 5…Oatmeal
Oatmeal naturally exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, leaving it soft and smooth.
Oatmeal is also well known for its healing properties.
Mix them all up
Mix one mashed avocado, 3 tablespoons of raw chocolate powder or cocoa powder, 2 dessert spoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of oatmeal. Infuse green tea in a small cup of hot water and let it cool. Add a splash to the mixture, or enough to make it into a paste.
Treat Your Skin
Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.
