Sweet Almond Oil

There are so many oils out there that are great to use on our skin. One that I have really fallen in love with recently is Sweet Almond Oil. While I have been using Jojoba Oil regularly for the past couple of years, I have slowly moved over to SAO and it is currently my preferred oil for use on the skin! I find that it penetrates my skin more than Jojoba oil and feels much lighter and more moisturising when applied. That being said, different oils work best for different people, so it's good to experiment with various ones to find out which oil is the right one for your own skin.
SAO is produced by pressing the kernels or nuts of the almond tree. It is a light and non-greasy natural emollient suitable for the most delicate and sensitive skin types. Rich in Vitamins A, E, and D, this nutrient rich oil can be seen as an ingredient in many skin and hair products.

So let's take a look at the numerous ways you can use this oil on your skin!

As a make-up remover
This is mainly what I have been using SAO for. It takes away all traces of make-up so easily, without having to pull or tug on the skin. You can remove makeup with this oil in two ways.

1. Put a few drops of the oil straight onto the face with your fingers and massage in for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, I like to just let the oil sit on my skin for another minute or two to make sure it really gets the chance to dissolve all of my make-up away. When you're done,simply take some cotton wool and rub the oil off in gentle circular motions.
2. Alternatively, you can simply place a few drops of the SAO on a cotton wool pad and gently wipe away your make-up. Repeat until you can no longer see any make-up on your cotton pads.

As a moisturiser
This oil is an amazing moisturiser for both the face and body. You only need 2-3 drops for your entire face and it seeps into the skin quickly, leaving it silky smooth. I can't stop touching my face when I use this as it really does make the skin feel like velvet! I prefer not to use this during the day if I know I'll be outdoors, as the sun penetrates the skin more when there is oil on its surface.

For younger looking skin
SAO protects the skin from the elements during the day, which is particularly effective on sensitive skin areas which are prone to development of wrinkles such as the forehead, neck and chest. Spread several drops in your hand and then apply gently to cleansed, moist skin. SAO is also useful in massages as it restores the normal PH of the skin and allows the skin to preserve moisture, therefore giving it a youthful glow.

For dark under-eye circles
Another reasons this oil is popular is due to its ability to lighten dark marks on the skin. Massage one drop under each eye before bed and allow it to work its magic overnight. Of course this won't cure dark circles in one night, but applied daily you should see good results in a month or so! The same can be said for any marks or scars on the skin. Massaging SAO into them daily will help lighten their pigment. You can also make a paste with SAO and Manuka Honey and apply it to any areas you would like to lighten for about thirty minutes before rinsing off.

For relaxation
SAO oil is well known for its ability to sooth and relax the mind, hence being one of the most popular oils for aromatherapy and massage. Massaging a couple of drops into your face before bed feels great. Or why not try adding it to a bath? Simply pour roughly a quarter cup of the oil into your bathtub and feel its relaxing effects!

Sweet Almond Oil is one of the best (and cheapest!) oils out there, and you can find it easily in any health food store. I usually pick mine up in Holland & Barret where it's often on special offer.

Sinéad

Protecting your skin from the sun: Chemical Vs Physical sunscreen

One of the most important things we can do to keep our skin in good condition is to protect it from the sun. Of course, being outdoors and getting a good dose of vitamin D does the body and mind wonders, but it's important that we are aware of how to adequately protect our skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. People have told me stories down through the years about how, in the past, they would use baby oil on their skin in hot weather so that the sun would penetrate the skin even more, producing a tan in a shorter amount of time.
Nowadays, people have a lot more sense when it comes to the sun. With the increase of beauty/health blogs and magazines posting articles about the negative consequences of excessive sun exposure on our skin, more and more people are aware that sun bathing really isn't safe or necessary.

The biggest threat of all, of course, is skin cancer. Personally, I know someone who has been affected by this, and to this day they admit that one of their biggest regrets in life is being so careless about how they handled their skin in the sun. You could argue that there wasn't always as much information about the dangers of sun exposure, but nowadays we really have no excuse to not protect our skin!

Premature ageing of the skin is also an issue with excessive exposure to the sun's rays. Fibres in the skin called elastin are damaged over time from exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is the breaking down of these fibres that cause the skin to stretch, sag and lose its ability to bounce back into place after stretching. The destruction of elastic and collagen tissues also cause fine lines and wrinkles and cause the skin to bruise and tear more easily, taking longer to heal. So, while overexposure to the sun may not be apparent when we are young, it will definitely show later in life.

Choosing a sunscreen type:
It's important to know that there are two different types of sunscreen, chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens use chemical UV filters, while physical sunscreens use physical UV filters. 

Chemical sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens are the most common sun protection and the one you will see dominating the shelves in the sunscreen aisle. These creams work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin. Chemical SPFs can contain the following ingredients: Octylcrylene, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Helioplex, 4-MBC, Mexoryl SX and XL, and Tinosorb S and M. These chemical filters often tend to be irritating to the skin. If they get in or around your eyes they can cause swelling or irritation. You may also find that if you are on holidays somewhere hot and you are wearing this type of sunscreen on your face every day, you may develop some temporary acne and/or iritation of the skin, even if it is marketed as specifically for the face. 

Some dermatologists have came out and argued that the chemicals used in these sunscreens can actually be harmful, causing disruption of some hormones and even causing cell damage. There are several suspected dangers associated with benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone, listed above). This sunscreen agent has been shown to penetrate the skin and cause photo-sensitivity. In some studies, the presence of benzophenone-3 has demonstrated an increase in the production of harmful free radicals and an ability to attack DNA cells. For this reason, it is believed to be a contributing factor in the recent rise of melanoma cases with sunscreen users. Some studies have shown it to behave similarly to the hormone oestrogen, suggesting that it may cause breast cancer (This would probably be fairly uncommon, but obviously there could still be a slight risk.) It has also been linked to contact eczema and allergies.

Physical sunscreen
Physical sunscreens contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a mixture of both minerals, which physically block ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This type of sunscreen provides broad protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Physical SPF filters act like millions of tiny mirrors on the skin's surface, which bounce the sun's rays back off the skin. Because they contain physical blocking agents and not chemical ones, they are especially useful for individuals with sensitive skin, and rarely cause skin irritation. As well as this, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are not pore-blocking, so neither of these minerals will cause breakouts of the skin, which is always a plus! They protect against the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. This is one reason why people who suffer with melasma (hyper-pigmentation of the skin) must ensure they use physical sunblock as they need this broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB. Chemical sunscreens, which absorb the light, can worsen this skin condition.
Because physical sunscreens are suitable for sensitive skin, they can be used around the eyes. People often forget to protect this part of the face with sunscreen but it is just as, if not even more important!

So while chemical sunscreens are cheaper and easier to source, in my opinion physical sunscreens are the safer, more beneficial option. In summary, here are some of their benefits!

• Provide a broad range of both UVA and UVB protection
• Do not clog pores
• Are non irritating and gentle on the skin
• Do not cause any free radicals
• Do not contain any dangerous chemicals that seep into the skin
• Protect melasma from worsening/prevent hyper-pigmentation

So if you read this and decide to opt for a physical sunscreen, all you have to do is read the back of the sunscreen label and look for either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. And remember, the suns rays are just as harmful in the winter months as the rays penetrate through the clouds, even if it's not technically sunny out! So be sure to protect your skin and wear an SPF all year round, and re-apply often!

Green People Ireland are an Irish company that do a great range of organic, chemical-free sun creams. This one, with SPF 25 is great for every day protection from the sun. 

Another great brand is Badger Organics, which you can buy online here.

Sinéad

Apple Cider Vinegar

Before I go on to discuss the benefits of apple cider vinegar for the skin, it is important to note that it is completely different to regular vinegar, which could cause some people major irritation if applied topically!

In recent years, ACV has been gaining in popularity due to its many health benefits, both internally and externally. While this is predominantly a blog about skin health, I feel the need to firstly speak about the amazing capabilities ACV has to cure a number of ailments from the inside out.

Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar as a tonic may not sound very pleasant, but the health benefits you can receive make it very tempting to try.

As a tonic: Add 1-3 tablespoons of ACV to 8 ounces of water. If needed, add some honey to sweeten the mixture. Below are some of the great reasons to give this tonic a try.

For an energy boost/fighting fatigue:

ACV balances our inner body system by helping our insides to maintain a healthy alkaline PH level. Research shows that higher acid levels (lower PH levels) can lead to a lack of energy and higher incidences of infection.

Exercise and stress can cause lactic acid to build up in the body also causing fatigue. The potassium and enzymes found in ACV can relieve this tired feeling. Try adding a tablespoon or two to chilled water.

Tummy troubles:

If your tummy isn't feeling the best, ACV can really help. As it is antibacterial, it will fight any bacterial infections. A healthy gut is also one of the most important things for healthy skin, so when our insides are feeling good, it will really show on the outside.

Great for the lymphatic system:

ACV helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. It helps to relieve the symptoms of allergies because of its abilities to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. The next time you feel a cold coming on, or if you suffer from allergies, try drinking a tonic of ACV 1-2 times a day to see if you can feel its benefits.

So, you can now see the multitude of benefits that can result from drinking an ACV tonic, but what about its topical use? 

Believe it or not, ACV works wonders when applied to the skin. I bought this about a year ago, and shied away from putting it near my face for a long time. I really couldn't understand how it wouldn't irritate the skin. But let me tell you that once I started using it, I never looked back! 

The benefits of ACV applied to the skin

• Balances the PH levels of the skin
• Reduces inflammation, making it ideal for use on skin that suffers from blemishes or psoriases
• Draws out toxins from the skin, leaving it toned and moisturised
• Fades a number of things on the skin, such as age spots, hyperpigmentation or scars.
• Evens out skin tone

How to apply ACV to the skin

• The trick with using this is to start off by using a very diluted mixture on the skin. I like to pour one small cap-full into a bowl, followed by about seven cap-fulls of water. The amount of water in the mixture should be significantly higher than the ACV.
• Make sure skin is cleansed well before applying the mixture. I like to do a cleanse with Jojoba Oil and then pat the skin dry.
• Take a cotton pad and soak it in the ACV mixture. Massage this in all over your face. You may feel a slight tingling but this is perfectly normal and actually feels quite nice! If you feel a stinging sensation, your mixture is too strong and needs more water - rinse off immediately to prevent irritation.
• The first few times you use this, you can leave the ACV on your face for 5-15 mins and then rinse off. As your skin gradually gets used to the mixture each time you use it, you can leave it on for longer, or even just allow it to completely soak in and follow with a moisturiser/oil.
• You may also find that as your skin gets used to the ACV, you can use a slightly stronger mix.
• Obviously ACV can smell quite strong when initially applied, so I avoid using this in my morning skincare regime. But it's perfectly suitable for night time.

The great thing about Apple Cider Vinegar is that is extremely affordable. The bottle is generally very big, and considering you only need a tiny bit at a time, it should last you a very long time. You can buy it online from The Health Food Store for only €4.09. But really you should be able to find it for a low price in any health food store. Just made sure it's organic, and free from heat treatment and pasteurisation!

Sinéad

Manuka Honey

When I was working in a health food store a few years ago, Manuka Honey started appearing on the shelves all of a sudden. As part of our training, we had to read up and study the facts about the products we were selling, and so I came to know all about this honey and its amazing properties.

So, how does Manuka honey differ to regular honey?
Manuka Honey comes from a strain of the New Zealand Manuka bush, containing an extremely powerful antibacterial activity that is much stronger than other types of honey. This delicious tasting dark coloured honey has become known worldwide for its anti bacterial healing powers and its high antioxidant nature. In parts of the world it is even used in hospitals to help wounds heal faster. When you see it in stores, you will notice different UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) strengths. The higher the strength, the higher the antibacterial properties.

Why is this honey is so great for the health of our skin?
Used topically, this honey will help to keep your complexion clear and bright and even out skin-tone over time. As honey is also extremely soothing for the skin, you will instantly notice how soft and smooth your skin feels after using it.
Because of its high anti-bacterial factor, Manuka Honey is great if you suffer from blemishes or psoriasis. It will help to calm down any redness, lumps or bumps, and will also get to work on any acne scars or hyper-pigmentation.
Regular honey is also great and soothing for the skin, but if you want that bit extra, Manuka Honey is your best friend because of all the uniquely amazing qualities listed above!

As a facial mask:
What you will need:

• Manuka Honey. (I usually use one with a strength of UMF 10+)
• A clean teaspoon.
• A soft clean makeup/paint brush. (optional)
• An old t-shirt. (incase of drips!)

Here are the steps:

• Make sure your hair is pulled back from your face. A showercap is ideal as there's nothing worse than getting honey stuck in your hair!
• Cleanse face. I like to do a double cleanse to make sure my skin is completely clean and bare. Pat skin with towel, leaving a small bit of moisture on the skin. The honey will lock in this moisture as well as getting to work on your face.
• Get some honey onto your teaspoon. Dip your brush in and paint it on to your face! Alternatively, you can dip clean fingers into the teaspoon and apply to the skin, gently massaging it in. Leave on for 30 mins.
• While honey is gentle enough for using under the eye, I avoid this area as washing this type of honey off takes a bit of effort, and this area of our face is so delicate.
• Gently wash the honey off of your face with water. It will take a few minutes but don't be tempted to rush it as you don't want to pull and tug your skin too much.

Give this mask a go and see if you like the way your skin feels afterwards! You will find that the smoothing effect is instant. In terms of blemishes and skintone, give it a few tries to see the results. This mask is gentle enough to use everyday but I think it's just as effective to use it once or twice a week.

So it's a great addition to a skincare regime, but can it be used in other ways?
Yes it can! Manuka honey is also effective for the treatment of gastric ulcers, gastritis and other digestive problems, due to its anti-inflammatory and probiotic properties.
These antibiotic, anti fungal and antiviral properties also make Manuka honey really effective for sore throats, colds, sinusitis, acid reflux and heartburn, etc.
If you are suffering from any of the above ailments, try eating a teaspoon of this honey twice a day.
When I was working in the health food store, a customer once came in and told me about his son who suffered from a very weak immune system. He was always picking up colds and sore throats, but when they started to give him two spoons of Manuka honey a day, he wasn't picking up any colds or anything like that any more. It was the first time I had heard of this honey working internally like that and was astonished to learn it could work so powerfully!
It also works great for burns or cuts. Simply cleanse the area, apply a small amount of Manuka honey over the area and cover with a band-aid, changing the dressing twice a day.

The one obvious downside to this honey is that it can retail at a high price. You will see that the UMF ranges anywhere from 5UMF to 22UMF. I don't really think there's a need to go to the highest factors so I generally buy the UMF 10, which retails at around €17.99. Or if I have a little more money at the time I will go for the UMF 15, which retails at around €23.75. Even a small jar will last you a long time as a little goes a long way. You can shop around to see what stores around you/online stores have the best deals. I generally find that Evergreen usually has the best prices, but if you've sourced yours for cheaper, please leave this in the comments below!

Sinéad

Oatmeal- A Natural Cleanser

After reading so much about the benefits of oatmeal for your skin, I started to incorporate it into my beauty regime about a year or so ago, with amazing results! It's so gentle to use, and because my skin can sometimes become very sensitive and easily irritated, it really soothed things out for me.

Using oatmeal for your skin is simple and beneficial for any skin type:

Acne Sufferers 
Oats contain natural cleansers called saponis. These absorb and remove excess dirt and oil from the pores without causing irritation. Many products aimed at oily skin strip the skin of all oil, which actually causes our skin to fight back and produce even more oil to protect itself! While it might be tempting to go and exfoliate your skin when you see it becoming oily, a natural gentle exfoliant like an oatmeal cleanse is a hundred times more effective and skin friendly!
Oats also have strong anti-bacterial properties, so if you are suffering from blemishes, cleansing with them will help to calm down your skin and prevent further outbreaks.

Dry Skin
Oats have the power to sooth dry, flaky, or itchy skin. They are so beneficial to use on any kind of skin irritation, even rashes. This is due to the anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties listed above, and their effectiveness at moisturising the skin. You will notice how smooth your skin feels after cleansing with oats. Because of this exfoliation it will be silky smooth to the touch, glowing and bright.
If you ever experience small bumps on your skin after waxing, try soothing the area with an oat cleanse. It will sooth and calm the raised area.

Uneven Skin Tone
Cleansing with oats on a regular basis will help to really even out skin tone. The soothing properties calm down redness and bring hydration into the skin. And because oatmeal will naturally buff away any dry/dead skin cells, skin will be encouraged to regenerate, leaving a nice glow over time.

Ageing Skin

Because oats are packed full of antioxidants, they also help to fight against free radicals, which are believed to cause premature ageing of the skin. (such as sunlight, which can cause destructive oxidation, causing skin to age prematurely)  Of course, we must also fight free radicals from the inside out with a diet rich in antioxidants, but we can also fight them topically.

Steps for an Oatmeal Cleanse

• Before you start, wear an old t-shirt and make sure your hair is pinned back from your face. Nobody wants oatmeal in their hair. It hardens quickly, and believe me when I say it is a pain to remove!
• Remove any make-up from your face using your preferred make-up removing method. (Why not try using a natural oil, such as Jojoba oil, which I mentioned in a previous post)
• For the oatmeal cleanse, it's best to use organic oats (avoid the 'instant' kind), which can be found in any grocery store for next to nothing! One bag will last you a long time, even when used both for eating and cleansing.

• Next, cook the oats in water on a hob. When eating oatmeal, some people like a thick consistency, but for the purpose of cleansing you can have it a little more watery.
• Pour some into a little dish/container, cover with cling film and allow to cool. Once cooled, you can pop it into the fridge for a refreshing cleanse, or just allow it to cool to a tepid temperature if you prefer a little heat.

• When you're ready to cleanse, scoop the oats up a little at a time with your fingers and massage all around your face for 2-3 mins. The more time you have, the better! Take your time and massage in slowly. This can be a bit messy so I put my head over the sink while doing this, making sure the stopper is in the drain so that I can collect the spilled oats afterwards.

• The above picture shows the consistency of the oats being massaged into the skin.
• Once you rinse your face, towel dry, leaving a little moisture on the skin, then pop your moisturiser on straight away to lock in all of the oaty goodness!
• Lately my skin has been very dry so I've been mixing a little organic honey in with the oatmeal before cleansing. This gives it an extra hydrating boost.

When you cleanse with oatmeal you will have satisfaction in the knowledge that you are cleansing and exfoliating without the use of any harsh chemicals on your skin, which is always a plus.

Enjoy the oaty goodness on your skin!

Sinéad

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Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil has to be one of my favourite natural skincare products. There are countless things you can use this oil for. And because you rarely need more than three or four drops at any one time, one bottle is going to really last you a long time.
This amazing multi-purpose oil is the liquid produced in the seed of the Jojoba plant, native to Southern Arizona, Southern California, and North West Mexico. It is a clear golden liquid with a slightly nutty odour.
A lot of products catered to skin and body now include Jojoba oil in their ingredients, because of its many benefits for our skin.

So let's take a look at some of the ways it can be incorporated into anybody's beauty regime!

Regulates oil production

A lot of people are scared to use oils on their face, especially when they suffer from acne or already have oily skin. But Jojoba oil has a composition similar to our skin's natural sebum and this actually regulates the oil production in our skin! A couple of drops is plenty and you can massage this into your face alone or else under your moisturiser. Jojoba Oil will not clog your pores either, so that's another reason for those of you with oily skin to give it a go!

Promotes Healing

Centuries ago, Jojoba oil was originally used for healing wounds. This function of the oil is great for those of you who suffer from acne/scarring as it will help to clear up blemishes and marks on the face. By no means will this work overnight, but incorporate it into your daily skin regime and you will really see the results in a couple of weeks.

Makeup Remover

I adore using this as a make-up remover. So many cleansers I have tried which claim to be 'gentle' have irritated my skin or dried it out. (All those nasty additives/chemicals can really strip your skin of moisture). 

All you have to do with this oil is place a few drops on a cotton ball/pad and gently wipe your make-up away. The oil instantly dissolves it so you won't need to pull and drag on your skin. Keep placing a few drops onto your cotton pad and continue the previous step until all your make-up is gone. Before putting any water on your skin, massage a creamy cleanser onto it for a few seconds and then rinse. This will effectively remove the oil off of your face. You'll notice how soft your skin feels afterwards!

Jojoba oil is gentle enough to be placed around the eyes, so it also makes a fantastic eye make-up remover. There's nothing more annoying than having to pull and tug at your eyes with an eye make-up remover, only to leave them stingy and sore. Jojoba oil won't sting or irritate your eyes and does a really good job at getting eye-liner, eye-shadow and mascara off (even the waterproof kind!), with a few gentle swipes on cotton wool.

Moisturiser

If you want skin that is oil controlled yet hydrated, this oil is for you. After I cleanse my skin at night I put 2-3 drops of this on my finger and massage it all over my face and neck. You definitely don't need any more than this as a little really does go a long way. If there is a lot of greasy residue left behind on your skin then you have used too much. Using the bare minimum will ensure that the oil will absorb into your skin quickly and completely and not cause any breakouts.

It is also amazing as an all over body moisturiser. I like to use it on slightly damp skin so it can lock in even more moisture. Your skin will feel silky smooth afterwards!

I avoid using this as a daytime moisturiser/under my moisturiser. The main reason is that I don't want any oils on my face when I'm exposed to UV rays. Oil attracts the sun and this will only invite harmful rays onto your skin.

Other Uses:

• As a leave in conditioner. Place a few drops onto the ends of dry hair before you shampoo-makes hair silky and soft (only use a few drops to ensure it doesn't leave your hair greasy)
• Great for a dry/itchy scalp (massage into scalp before shampooing hair)
• Prevents cracked heels when applied regularly to feet
• When applied before shaving it will prevent razor burn and leave your skin nice and smooth

I buy mine at Holland & Barrett. While the price has gone up recently, at €20.99 it is still fairly reasonable as it is a large bottle and lasts a long time. As well as this it can also replace a number of expensive beauty products, thus saving you money in the long run. You'll only ever be using a few drops at a time! Plus it's lovely to know that the product you are using on your face/body/hair is completely natural and free from any harsh chemicals/additives.

Why not give this versatile oil a go and see what you think!

Sinéad