tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83729230171463558072024-02-10T13:49:41.802-08:00SkindividualAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-9288475430847405572014-11-27T09:52:00.002-08:002014-11-27T09:52:59.664-08:00New Website<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey guys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so busy at the moment, and I completely forgot to post here about my new website.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will no longer be writing here, and instead all my posts have been moved over to:</span><br />
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<a href="http://skindividualblog.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://skindividualblog.wordpress.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so much happier with the layout and overall look of this page, and I hope you enjoy it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_y567XICJ1sOugpbwokDdp0XqCC8i5CRXr7i8hBkuHmEXf7eXw9MUVVfWZ2eNOwxd3_yywWTFfgbdaJkkOm_x-uRSQchVYRwUb-xLUoOhIqEGwiqP-_pDtBJNeQV4F-7eo2wtdihxHao/s1600/10387097_772622252800048_3703517372793378869_o+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_y567XICJ1sOugpbwokDdp0XqCC8i5CRXr7i8hBkuHmEXf7eXw9MUVVfWZ2eNOwxd3_yywWTFfgbdaJkkOm_x-uRSQchVYRwUb-xLUoOhIqEGwiqP-_pDtBJNeQV4F-7eo2wtdihxHao/s1600/10387097_772622252800048_3703517372793378869_o+(1).jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for upcoming posts over on the new site!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad x</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-59033258451831210062014-11-09T11:46:00.000-08:002014-11-09T15:16:26.619-08:00DIY Makeup-brush Cleanser<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Happy Sunday everyone!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday is always my favourite day of the week. I love to just relax around the house in my pyjamas, watch some documentaries, go for a nice walk, cook some food, and do some preparation for the week ahead. One thing I always do on a Sunday is wash my makeup-brushes, to have them nice and clean for the week ahead. For a long time, I was using store bought brush cleansers, but I was going through them quite fast and therefore the cost was beginning to add up. I became determined to create a simple DIY cleansing method for brushes and I finally have one I'm really happy with. It leaves my brushes soft, clean, and most importantly gets rid of any bacteria and build-up!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do we need to clean our brushes and how often should we do it?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This may seem a little obvious to say, but when you use your make-up tools bacteria, oils and dirt will build up on them if they are not cleaned regularly! If you continue to use the same brushes on a daily basis without ever washing them, this bacteria and dirt is getting transferred onto your skin, which can cause breakouts and/or irritation of the skin. I try to clean mine now every two/three days, and with this DIY method it's so simple that you can do it in a few minutes.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DIY Brush cleanser</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You only need two ingredients for this, and as they are two of the most common things found in the kitchen, the chances are you already own them!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you'll need </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Anti-bacterial washing up liquid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Extra Virgin Olive Oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Plate</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclmKQH_x7sWUqi8YhIyMGCaVdfJ8VQA_vpi-VCFKq5wP-PfKYkZ6rkbS2NHf9GIQNTtROs0Kk4jmxkRBSBuYQy5-xq4wc6Iw8T2hcvemFGkNvGnFGswJm56XqArz6RCYBz5DiuoK2SVrB/s1600/brush+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclmKQH_x7sWUqi8YhIyMGCaVdfJ8VQA_vpi-VCFKq5wP-PfKYkZ6rkbS2NHf9GIQNTtROs0Kk4jmxkRBSBuYQy5-xq4wc6Iw8T2hcvemFGkNvGnFGswJm56XqArz6RCYBz5DiuoK2SVrB/s1600/brush+2.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hVyzR69rMMcYtj3A6GvXqM2SLyA4K1gn7EVPwduBaRUl8KXAEx1zCSNn7Y7WdARobQbXv9IMWrwpl3ccPEr-BFWis1rM2cWbdWoiLEaZ5BdeaoJSnG7SvlMtwVXYAw2hjYtgq829bPap/s1600/brush+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hVyzR69rMMcYtj3A6GvXqM2SLyA4K1gn7EVPwduBaRUl8KXAEx1zCSNn7Y7WdARobQbXv9IMWrwpl3ccPEr-BFWis1rM2cWbdWoiLEaZ5BdeaoJSnG7SvlMtwVXYAw2hjYtgq829bPap/s1600/brush+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour equal measure of the washing up liquid and olive oil onto a plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swirl the brush/beauty blender around the plate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Massage the liquid into the brush with your fingers and then simply rinse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat with the same brush until the water runs clear, meaning the brush is completely clean.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Iy11xpkC5s4gXwWwA1ySaFhZTvLdo1ZSGqqwMmw08WvKkL6wohsNQAgG5yPejhF1zXHAs13ONIKF_PAa_6GKz6fM8rgK2boIQ6mwIvDzIE9176J0zLRph5zwXwtYbQQnEZOzfkGq4G6M/s1600/brush+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Iy11xpkC5s4gXwWwA1ySaFhZTvLdo1ZSGqqwMmw08WvKkL6wohsNQAgG5yPejhF1zXHAs13ONIKF_PAa_6GKz6fM8rgK2boIQ6mwIvDzIE9176J0zLRph5zwXwtYbQQnEZOzfkGq4G6M/s1600/brush+3.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAl36YqSsO9tBaA58x5LXIjTNwpydE_px26lDSDp_8j6c_wn2Ph4X_DBUfOmz3i0FTciTnn30HmCBqcFO8qmzvX8b19tuRPqQ3Nvkf-2KnXs8CwmbmtXwCsbeQIB5KVGWaaTja62AElBVE/s1600/brush+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAl36YqSsO9tBaA58x5LXIjTNwpydE_px26lDSDp_8j6c_wn2Ph4X_DBUfOmz3i0FTciTnn30HmCBqcFO8qmzvX8b19tuRPqQ3Nvkf-2KnXs8CwmbmtXwCsbeQIB5KVGWaaTja62AElBVE/s1600/brush+4.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiLQoZRhWke1CqRnZpPtOKNc1TE5M7_TBflHkPQM4VCc4zeLRHodYjnXbDUojuwJ06VqYWg-ix3-Og1faCcoftCwgtXCeGWxfbMMK45dUCax3ouwdaodZucfl-d0eJ1TiA3sY9eEkJl8o/s1600/brush+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiLQoZRhWke1CqRnZpPtOKNc1TE5M7_TBflHkPQM4VCc4zeLRHodYjnXbDUojuwJ06VqYWg-ix3-Og1faCcoftCwgtXCeGWxfbMMK45dUCax3ouwdaodZucfl-d0eJ1TiA3sY9eEkJl8o/s1600/brush+5.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After you've washed your brushed, simply squeeze the excess water out of them and leave them lying flat on a towel to dry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBQ4PdXP7c622hbjekHCzvg1I-9DNmqREZg9xqCEyEPN1UJhlh84M88BDynyda30UlmDXq_yvNOCU7jalBQHhzgY5QQ_QYpq99LbrFH33FIxIYiPW_jH_tAcSk2hT_C-EFRU1zcHMm-Td/s1600/10808242_10152843217137888_1414611370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBQ4PdXP7c622hbjekHCzvg1I-9DNmqREZg9xqCEyEPN1UJhlh84M88BDynyda30UlmDXq_yvNOCU7jalBQHhzgY5QQ_QYpq99LbrFH33FIxIYiPW_jH_tAcSk2hT_C-EFRU1zcHMm-Td/s1600/10808242_10152843217137888_1414611370_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The anti-bacterial washing up liquid will thoroughly clean the brushes and get rid of any bacteria and residue build up. Using olive oil ensures that the bristles will not dry up and are left lovely and conditioned.</div>
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Enjoy the rest of your afternoon!</div>
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<b></b><br />
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<b><b>Sinéad</b></b><br />
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<b><b>Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a></b></b></div>
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<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-77286296852322682652014-11-05T13:10:00.001-08:002014-11-05T13:57:28.551-08:00Food for Beautiful Skin: Turmeric<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you read my last post, about how to make your very own <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/10/turmeric-face-mask.html" target="_blank">turmeric face mask</a>, you will be aware of some of the reasons this bright yellow powder is so great for topical application on our skin! So now let's looks at it's health benefits and the ways in which it can improve your complexion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Can help to lower cholesterol</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously this is a big claim to make, and eating turmeric alone will not give you such benefits! But, if you include turmeric in your diet, as well as eating well and exercising, you can really reap these rewards as it has a positive effect on cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fights colds and flu</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turmeric is great for the immune system. Therefore, it's a great ingredient to include in dishes for the coming chilly months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Combats inflammatory diseases</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turmeric's natural anti-inflammatory qualities mean it may work as well as some anti-inflammatory meds, without the side effects. If you google 'turmeric and pain relief' or 'turmeric and arthritis', you will see a number of stories about how it has helped in cases of people having severe strain or pain in their joints. Pretty amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fights the symptoms of acne</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, because of it's anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is the perfect ingredient to include in your diet if you suffer from acne. Acne results in inflammation of the skin, so including turmeric in your diet (and applying it topically) can help to calm down this inflammation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Controls oil, brightens skin</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turmeric is great to include in your diet and apply topically to the skin as it both controls oil and brightens the skin, reducing any pigmentation marks or redness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now for my favourite part of this post, how to include turmeric in your diet! Recently, I've simply been adding it into many things I cook, such as stir fries, casseroles, soup, curries. Here is one recipe I've been absolutely loving that features this bright yellow gem!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sjTo2eg1of0OprAqvwZk2dCIrxNZB927A25fwEwsC7TsImXLyZMgXnrcc1R_d4URHjCgZk9N9kxI9hUV2QcVMTwB8L8Rajmq9xU57CEbNAKBZFU62nRkbHaO2YjfIaGENTG-wyraCa8W/s1600/10715963_10152835159152888_675979888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sjTo2eg1of0OprAqvwZk2dCIrxNZB927A25fwEwsC7TsImXLyZMgXnrcc1R_d4URHjCgZk9N9kxI9hUV2QcVMTwB8L8Rajmq9xU57CEbNAKBZFU62nRkbHaO2YjfIaGENTG-wyraCa8W/s1600/10715963_10152835159152888_675979888_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Coconut and turmeric veggie curry</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>What you'll need</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 can coconut milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turmeric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ginger</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomato puree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chopped tomatoes (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curry powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mixed herbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh chilli (dried is fine too)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">garlic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chickpeas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet potato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">peppers</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX-PXlk-EUYGm9FwzTHeAzzSSL9JraFL73EPXbJDg1pVeUvxLzh3m1N0VasHjg3d9QOruJwlLy6VtLfuoAdpCqEWjZeTfbcu_ncipvcZ3Tj1UG2ncBSXdS_4FhJ5F3uXUTzIdLt03t5f4/s1600/10501960_10153027505864316_3800840530310095143_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX-PXlk-EUYGm9FwzTHeAzzSSL9JraFL73EPXbJDg1pVeUvxLzh3m1N0VasHjg3d9QOruJwlLy6VtLfuoAdpCqEWjZeTfbcu_ncipvcZ3Tj1UG2ncBSXdS_4FhJ5F3uXUTzIdLt03t5f4/s1600/10501960_10153027505864316_3800840530310095143_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Method</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fry your onions and garlic in a large sauce pan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add in 2-3 teaspoons of turmeric and 1-2 teaspoons curry powder, stir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grate a thumb sized cube of ginger and add to the pot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, add your tomato puree and the chilli. I use a whole chilli (or two!) but add according to your taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shake the can of coconut milk and then pour into the mixture. Add in half a can of water too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once this boils, I like to add in a few tablespoon of chopped tomatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, you will have a bubbling saucepan of liquid. Add in chopped sweet potato, peppers and chickpeas and simply leave to simmer (not boil) for about 30 mins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can choose your own quantity for the veg and liquids, depending on how much curry you want to make. Its tastes even better the next day, so I recommend making a lot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serve with fresh basmati rice.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTQAb8nbDS8zxUbV5iJSfBlf-qt2BHVqLzRineczSdBFNElgmPkQIXRjAPEtrbtK2mAmRDsrq5EAgULFK_NeshtwEjk_04hI6bofe5i8qIIBuUuE7IvYc2qTTZVBS501ZQi0GeaQpv_WP/s1600/10754881_10152834295562888_745588217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTQAb8nbDS8zxUbV5iJSfBlf-qt2BHVqLzRineczSdBFNElgmPkQIXRjAPEtrbtK2mAmRDsrq5EAgULFK_NeshtwEjk_04hI6bofe5i8qIIBuUuE7IvYc2qTTZVBS501ZQi0GeaQpv_WP/s1600/10754881_10152834295562888_745588217_n.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This dish is truly delicious and it's the perfect healthy comfort food for when the weather is colder, like it is now. In fact, I'm off to make some!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sinéad</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-27808142585178919112014-10-25T08:33:00.003-07:002014-10-26T08:50:20.990-07:00Turmeric Face Mask<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Saturday everybody! I hope you are enjoying the weekend. I have such a busy schedule during the week teaching here in Barcelona. From Monday to Friday I am running around the city all day as each class I teach is in a different location, so by the time the weekend comes around, I can't wait to just kick back and relax. Today I am chilling out listening to music with my new favourite DIY skin recipe, my turmeric face mask!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_miV5I0n7-yfz5zD6xMVhDCi22u0DOFjWKVFBNaNGvBiSazyOiFwPFj6N8tdGRsGxcXO39n-Y5dyzAMlUh_EVvfx0qT2ODbHdNk3omnZY4DsIroPCt0EV6DKlxvvsxhWuVlpwbamH8Gc/s1600/10519652_10152996489339316_6695772405830419556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_miV5I0n7-yfz5zD6xMVhDCi22u0DOFjWKVFBNaNGvBiSazyOiFwPFj6N8tdGRsGxcXO39n-Y5dyzAMlUh_EVvfx0qT2ODbHdNk3omnZY4DsIroPCt0EV6DKlxvvsxhWuVlpwbamH8Gc/s1600/10519652_10152996489339316_6695772405830419556_n.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My next post will delve deeper into the reasons that turmeric is so great for us, but for now I will simply tell you that it is amazing to include in a face mask for the following reasons:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turmeric is antiseptic</span></li>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has anti-inflammatory properties (will help to heal and reduce acne, rosacea, and any redness/irritation of the skin</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It helps to lighten pigmentation marks/scars</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It controls oil </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So let's get to it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>What you'll need</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Turmeric powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" target="_blank">Sweet almond oil</a> (you can also use coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Cooked oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Organic honey (use <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/manuka-honey-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Manuka honey</a> if you have it!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Small Plastic container/glass bowl</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Teaspoon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQgbwnk13XrMIQZ6JLs8RIF6ZsaPc8K334Gise3FgRTiP96r72gD24LYgV82i_y0sqlcah44pd_WRvaKXwNNtJfJEz7D37mP2R3t3lR1uGAeW7BVgZiJW0dFSDYkMipz_uWrSDWrzMHZA/s1600/63961_10152996478709316_3157192062892894766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQgbwnk13XrMIQZ6JLs8RIF6ZsaPc8K334Gise3FgRTiP96r72gD24LYgV82i_y0sqlcah44pd_WRvaKXwNNtJfJEz7D37mP2R3t3lR1uGAeW7BVgZiJW0dFSDYkMipz_uWrSDWrzMHZA/s1600/63961_10152996478709316_3157192062892894766_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of sweet almond oil to your
container. Mix well. Then, add in two heaped teaspoons of cooked oats.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo9HYaG7CEedmAp0rDFEEKWP2AakqUA9FVN6NJVuHkQPX1bXWT-FEnCzUWFcQcvqcztJGT1UrjrVv4D455hSy7Iz1AhHMQTTTfwEtyhyphenhyphenupNI0dqK6L03AXUw3ZaGkNHQVX6lfhGpHWP7c/s1600/10613036_10152996478474316_5131423540609244605_n(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo9HYaG7CEedmAp0rDFEEKWP2AakqUA9FVN6NJVuHkQPX1bXWT-FEnCzUWFcQcvqcztJGT1UrjrVv4D455hSy7Iz1AhHMQTTTfwEtyhyphenhyphenupNI0dqK6L03AXUw3ZaGkNHQVX6lfhGpHWP7c/s1600/10613036_10152996478474316_5131423540609244605_n(1).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDg2W5dR8j4o_OtWXespVAzgn-C9TpDUxOHtlnXeP_ZBsGEb6CDBjTMuoIUG-vUO7WdQKWeypz_hqz0zLlqYjCuUHlGIbF8R9iNQJzsYYzQlo_oUVj_tOqFw9z2qPm0jMOWQHqcgS-APD/s1600/10154054_10152996478164316_293692600577874810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDg2W5dR8j4o_OtWXespVAzgn-C9TpDUxOHtlnXeP_ZBsGEb6CDBjTMuoIUG-vUO7WdQKWeypz_hqz0zLlqYjCuUHlGIbF8R9iNQJzsYYzQlo_oUVj_tOqFw9z2qPm0jMOWQHqcgS-APD/s1600/10154054_10152996478164316_293692600577874810_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top this off with a teaspoon of turmeric and mix everything together really well. The mixture should be more on the thick side. You don't want this to be runny as turmeric will stain everything! If your mixture is too liquidy, add more cooked oats. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCeoEhxtNRDUnQLg1MOdueLxwcxaU8_93r9vOkpLaOVF9Qv_We-sCwAlc6OpYpCsalRDfXT9c3CoOomaSIiph3cRZZwm6j-rOlnDhsd2rtCLTcL1xFZf5jaSqgbcXbWQUzRbhoW9JVnjT/s1600/10711030_10152996477919316_6920977284131157095_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCeoEhxtNRDUnQLg1MOdueLxwcxaU8_93r9vOkpLaOVF9Qv_We-sCwAlc6OpYpCsalRDfXT9c3CoOomaSIiph3cRZZwm6j-rOlnDhsd2rtCLTcL1xFZf5jaSqgbcXbWQUzRbhoW9JVnjT/s1600/10711030_10152996477919316_6920977284131157095_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_miV5I0n7-yfz5zD6xMVhDCi22u0DOFjWKVFBNaNGvBiSazyOiFwPFj6N8tdGRsGxcXO39n-Y5dyzAMlUh_EVvfx0qT2ODbHdNk3omnZY4DsIroPCt0EV6DKlxvvsxhWuVlpwbamH8Gc/s1600/10519652_10152996489339316_6695772405830419556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_miV5I0n7-yfz5zD6xMVhDCi22u0DOFjWKVFBNaNGvBiSazyOiFwPFj6N8tdGRsGxcXO39n-Y5dyzAMlUh_EVvfx0qT2ODbHdNk3omnZY4DsIroPCt0EV6DKlxvvsxhWuVlpwbamH8Gc/s1600/10519652_10152996489339316_6695772405830419556_n.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make sure to wear an old t-shirt as turmeric will stain if it drips onto your clothes. Apply to your cleansed face with a clean foundation/small paintbrush. Or, if you're lazy like me, simply use the back of your teaspoon to apply the mixture all over your face!</span></li>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to use this paste right below your eyes. It'd be great for lightening dark circles and will not irritate the delicate eye area. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Leave on for about 20 mins and rinse off. There will probably still be slight yellow residue left on your skin, so I cleanse again with cooked oats and wipe my face with rosewater on a cotton pad.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5RSeM_Tck9-ylxuO-ca6wdrmiSXgb8lpkshDkznMfifLur4p3IW1akdfLdSQUWz0-pdBPrsOYM-eivjU53PwbKconhv5Ul_Q13Gtl7rPR9OKhbygCgUTVv4yaSV9XVUXpwYiWuF92k0p/s1600/10704099_10152996479019316_4922774894023535972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5RSeM_Tck9-ylxuO-ca6wdrmiSXgb8lpkshDkznMfifLur4p3IW1akdfLdSQUWz0-pdBPrsOYM-eivjU53PwbKconhv5Ul_Q13Gtl7rPR9OKhbygCgUTVv4yaSV9XVUXpwYiWuF92k0p/s1600/10704099_10152996479019316_4922774894023535972_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been using this mask twice a week and it makes my skin so soft and helps to keep it clear. It can be a little messy the first time you try it, but once you get used to making the mixture its a piece of cake! The honey, oats and sweet almond oil help to moisturise and soften the skin, while the turmeric will combat any bacteria or redness, as well as stimulating the growth of new skin cells and improving skin's elasticity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me know if you try this mask, I'd love to hear your opinions on it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad x </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog </b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-6878309055708882482014-10-08T12:49:00.000-07:002014-10-08T13:18:29.750-07:00Food For Beautiful Skin: Sweet Potato Fries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm excited to show this recipe to you lovely readers, as it's so very simple to make and so very tasty! I'm someone who eternally craves unhealthy foods, but when I give into temptation too often, my skin pays the price. Greasy/unhealthy food for me = acne. I used to be so envious of my friends who could eat anything they wanted and still have clear skin, but now in a way I am thankful, because the reaction my skin gets has motivated me to find healthy and skin friendly alternatives to my favourite treats! And of course, I also strive to be healthy on the inside, and to have more energy from wholesome foods, so i'm happy to switch to a healthier alternative. Check out my <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/10/food-for-beautiful-skin-sweet-potato.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> about the reasons why eating this versatile vegetable is good for your skin!</div>
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So why not follow this recipe and give delicious sweet potato fries a try!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Paprika & Black Pepper Sweet Potato Wedges</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What you'll need</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet potato</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coconut Oil (Or Extra Virgin Olive Oil)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Black Pepper</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paprika<br />
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<b>Oven Temperature</b><br />
220 or 240 if you prefer crispy wedges!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4G0eIXZ7Jr0UF5MjbmGLlX32m4r5fvnbtaCOxxgmxQIc_m1Dwuy8UxbBlTkZOvsX95dzT2WWQtkvZ1SLWJsCvc6sfEs16_blDh-n9l5cxSX-Yeu5N8UbJTH8ARTFdExbak-Eln4mEMJ/s1600/10271596_10152943930249316_6013192563189227023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4G0eIXZ7Jr0UF5MjbmGLlX32m4r5fvnbtaCOxxgmxQIc_m1Dwuy8UxbBlTkZOvsX95dzT2WWQtkvZ1SLWJsCvc6sfEs16_blDh-n9l5cxSX-Yeu5N8UbJTH8ARTFdExbak-Eln4mEMJ/s1600/10271596_10152943930249316_6013192563189227023_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Choose a sweet potato that is medium sized and narrow. It's easy for cutting into wedges and the really large sweet potatoes have less flavour!</div>
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<b>Method</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Chop your sweet potato into wedges, like in the above picture. You can half each wedge if you like, but I like to keep mine this size.</li>
</ul>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Add in a good amount of coconut oil, 1-2 tablespoons. Alternatively, you can olive oil. I just love the taste and health benefits of coconut oil, which I will write about soon! Next, add some paprika and black pepper. I love spicy food, so I add in very generous amount of both of these! The flavours work so well together with the sweet potato.</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Mix well!</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Spread out evenly on a pre-heated oven tray. (Make sure it's really hot, you should hear a sizzling noise when you transfer them onto the try/foil!) The timing really depends on the oven and how much your try has
pre-heated, but on average I would say that these take about 20/25 mins
to cook. Make sure you flip them over half way through to ensure that
they are cooked evenly on both sides. </li>
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Et Voila, delicious healthy and golden sweet potato fries! I always serve mine with hummus, which people seem to really enjoy. All of the flavours just work so well together. In fact, writing this post has made me hungry so I'm off to cook some myself!</div>
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Happy cooking!</div>
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<b>Sinéad</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-54283144504492321322014-10-07T11:31:00.001-07:002014-10-07T12:33:27.896-07:00Food for Beautiful Skin: Sweet Potato<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet potatoes are one of my favourite healthy snacks to eat and they are also one of the most skin loving foods out there! This tasty and versatile vegetable is a delicious natural way to boost the health of your skin. Let's have a look at how incorporating sweet potato into your diet can help you to achieve a healthy complexion!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eSk-ci9hSahPg9QlXCWnBAeqmompr_YGm960dd82UhbcHp1T2G64jrn6JIgzvpirL14Jep9Hax2kISrAWXpQgpadtoCtshgZpYVnXODmDpnziOGvTeczczSkmDXHPsb5co24UT8UXyLN/s1600/Covington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eSk-ci9hSahPg9QlXCWnBAeqmompr_YGm960dd82UhbcHp1T2G64jrn6JIgzvpirL14Jep9Hax2kISrAWXpQgpadtoCtshgZpYVnXODmDpnziOGvTeczczSkmDXHPsb5co24UT8UXyLN/s1600/Covington.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beta-carotene</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet potatoes are packed with the anti-oxidant beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in your body. One medium sweet potato provides your body with the complete recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A, which helps to keep skin smooth and soft. Beta-carotene also helps to internally protect your skin from sun damage cause by excessive UV exposure</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vitamin C</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vitamin C is great for the skin. It is involved in the production of collagen, keeping skin firm and helping it to maintain it's elasticity. Vitamin C also helps to accelerate wound healing, so if you suffer from acne, getting foods containing this vitamin into your diet will speed up the skin's recovery process.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Complex Carbohydrates</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet potato is a fantiastic source of complex carboydrates, which are the best form of fuel for the body! Eating complex carbs results in slower digestion, keeping you full for longer and ensuring that insulin levels do not spike, which can cause acne.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potassium</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as being great great for controlling blood pressure, recovering muscles and giving us energy, potassium also has the ability to reduce swelling. This is great for anyone suffering from blemishes, rashes, or any kind of condition where the skin becomes irritated.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anti-Stress vitamins and minerals</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vitamin C, Potassium, Iron, Manganese and Magnesium promote relaxation and all play a part in helping the body and mind to cope with stress. People often complain of stress being something that causes skin issues to flare up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSTI4Tb_5F_w7j2YetRKzPgXgS9fLYGHkX7W9FjsXCvQ5MpK63QgiYgP9hL3ZxbHpMKUJyLU6lG6ae41Wj7391WPW0dJuqw2c61NhxjKKoLQZutRFbiUz9Bsn3U7h33ZFhI5MZuRksB8c/s1600/yams-vs-sweet-potatoes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSTI4Tb_5F_w7j2YetRKzPgXgS9fLYGHkX7W9FjsXCvQ5MpK63QgiYgP9hL3ZxbHpMKUJyLU6lG6ae41Wj7391WPW0dJuqw2c61NhxjKKoLQZutRFbiUz9Bsn3U7h33ZFhI5MZuRksB8c/s1600/yams-vs-sweet-potatoes3.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for <b>tomorrow's blog post</b>, when I'll be writing about my favourite way to eat sweet potato, with a delicious and simple recipe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-7529381057599794532014-09-22T13:47:00.000-07:002014-09-22T14:38:55.888-07:00Food for Beautiful Skin: Avocados<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following on from the Skindividual post about my avocado face mask, I thought it would only be right to talk about how amazing this fruit is (yet I always think of it as a vegetable!) when incorporated into your diet.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2njQahijYjtVPrRV6zqwhqGV-5y4KfXaWwpyXGRhLVJgPGjKwvqwp1EmNOUqc8et-_GsXAC8pUH1TFSU0jwJRQARWj60QTrjn3IAWEulqEZWtAIp6lEhxrBAknvYv-tSEu-AB82iYn1XK/s1600/10676378_10152900308514316_4930505059793037106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2njQahijYjtVPrRV6zqwhqGV-5y4KfXaWwpyXGRhLVJgPGjKwvqwp1EmNOUqc8et-_GsXAC8pUH1TFSU0jwJRQARWj60QTrjn3IAWEulqEZWtAIp6lEhxrBAknvYv-tSEu-AB82iYn1XK/s1600/10676378_10152900308514316_4930505059793037106_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anti-Inflammatory properties</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The phytonutrient compound found in avocados, such as polyphenols and flavonoids have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. This will help to reduce any sort of rashes or acne on the skin's surface</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Antioxidant Carotenoids for healthy skin</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alpa carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein are free radical quenching compounds found in the avocado. These compounds provide significant protection for your skin from the environmental damage that can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing. They have also been thought to improve skin's density, thickness, tone and general appearance. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'good fats'!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The monosaturated fats in avocados help to regulate blood sugar levels. These fats, along with the fruit's high fibre content will ensure that that blood sugar levels stay steady throughout the day when incorporate regularly into your diet!</span><br />
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<b>If you're new to avocados....</b></div>
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Personally, I can be a little scared when introducing new foods into my diet, especially when I'm not exactly sure what dishes I can throw them into!</div>
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One thing I like to do with avocados is simply mash them up (basically guacamole!) which I serve with various things I eat, like omelettes, fajitas, sandwiches, etc.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Scoop out half the flesh of a firm (so it's easy to mash) avocado </li>
<li>Mash on a chopping board with a fork (it's fun!)</li>
<li>Sprinkle in some black pepper and the juice of half a lime, tasting as you add them. (Add whatever other seasonings you like!)</li>
<li>Scoop into a bowl and serve as an accompaniment to any dish!</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMR2Fi2Eiu58e1tF1TmnULLCkrPuYW6HDNedGDUQQ6IwGAZ7NZdDDJ-H_lQbj18eoLRYBQ19MHnrlc_CcLZ4JrAW7FGWc4d5DqLgqInZYv3eFqf9UgBSs58y-C4WpGmJyslXKPXVIIi5Zw/s1600/10309064_10152900308279316_5822599966739137484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMR2Fi2Eiu58e1tF1TmnULLCkrPuYW6HDNedGDUQQ6IwGAZ7NZdDDJ-H_lQbj18eoLRYBQ19MHnrlc_CcLZ4JrAW7FGWc4d5DqLgqInZYv3eFqf9UgBSs58y-C4WpGmJyslXKPXVIIi5Zw/s1600/10309064_10152900308279316_5822599966739137484_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-2611121488173678692014-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:002014-09-15T09:43:44.875-07:00Avocado Face Mask<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, my friend Susan introduced me into the world of avocados. Don't even ask how I had never ventured there before, because now I can't get enough of them! The next Skindividual blog post will talk about the many reasons that they are one of the best foods to include in your diet for healthy, glowing skin. But for now, let's look at how amazing they are to put onto your face! By creating your own avocado face mask, you can pamper your skin with a simple, natural and affordable beautifying treatment at home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt99ChCVq5rwSoEWjXhrGkFX3VfyjiOzkzAM9djB_CNhyphenhyphenKWx1XwW5efmibY3xmp7nIcz0qPCFNoBBEKAUXgQi9i_zsWqc3ZDKbyZEgYOW5M2ulS3srfuXyOECYZDPU9YBlXyn4p-0YqbKw/s1600/Avocado-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt99ChCVq5rwSoEWjXhrGkFX3VfyjiOzkzAM9djB_CNhyphenhyphenKWx1XwW5efmibY3xmp7nIcz0qPCFNoBBEKAUXgQi9i_zsWqc3ZDKbyZEgYOW5M2ulS3srfuXyOECYZDPU9YBlXyn4p-0YqbKw/s1600/Avocado-photo.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How will applying avocado onto my skin help?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avocados are packed full of healthy fats and skin loving vitamins (such as Vitamin E!), which intensely moisturise the skin and also contain anti-inflammatories to help combat acne. Because of these properties, avocados will be suitable for any skin type- dry, combination or oily.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-locNKp6NWdGBka3vh9gUm7yHfoBXBkXtm_ed9ujDvn07Njgmjw___k73wcjPP1vxzowi5KC6-cVKRI_YPkcjImVDzVmVEeEjv-nbBfV0VqTTkMyHUow4T5IxXM_gr1ozYW1AzQy94hQJ/s1600/10600511_10152882749879316_5030899402302999650_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-locNKp6NWdGBka3vh9gUm7yHfoBXBkXtm_ed9ujDvn07Njgmjw___k73wcjPP1vxzowi5KC6-cVKRI_YPkcjImVDzVmVEeEjv-nbBfV0VqTTkMyHUow4T5IxXM_gr1ozYW1AzQy94hQJ/s1600/10600511_10152882749879316_5030899402302999650_n.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use half of one ripe avocado (ripe=will be more soft and easy to use) and mash well on a chopping board. Transfer into a bowl and whisk well with a hand whisk until you no longer see any large lumps, like in my picture above!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add a small teaspoon of honey and mix again.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apply the mixture onto freshly cleansed (and slightly damp) skin. Clean skin will absorb the avocado's oils easier than skin with excess debris/dirt/oils.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leave on for at least 15 minutes. You will notice that the mask will begin to dry and start to feel a little tight.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wipe excess avocado off with a tissue and throw away (You don't want all that green mush clogging up your sink!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rinse the remnants of the mask away with lukewarm water. Apply moisturiser straight away to seal in the goodness!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This leaves my skin baby soft and plump. I've been using it twice a week and absolutely loving it. You could use it as often as you like, as it does not dry out the skin!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwqP2LBFBSL5c8GqARaK6Wlt9w_P_Hk6W_UpfwoGkwFH6igiycgPNqGY7WDhXFHmeIyXT5f7EDsbeVvGERWH2IlZ0bqPQNk0uG0_d4pXDep0FGGsyCg6Pp9SByE2jzPe5fikflG9Q9sbr/s1600/10629688_10152882749584316_2343657023583697656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwqP2LBFBSL5c8GqARaK6Wlt9w_P_Hk6W_UpfwoGkwFH6igiycgPNqGY7WDhXFHmeIyXT5f7EDsbeVvGERWH2IlZ0bqPQNk0uG0_d4pXDep0FGGsyCg6Pp9SByE2jzPe5fikflG9Q9sbr/s1600/10629688_10152882749584316_2343657023583697656_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sinead x</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Facebook page: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-79371476686083918902014-09-12T04:21:00.000-07:002014-09-12T04:57:20.921-07:00Food for Beautiful Skin: Oats<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may know already, I adore using oats as part of my skincare regime! I stopped using them for a while, and have recently began again in the past couple of weeks and I've been loving them so much. The main reason I'm using them more for my skin recently is actually because I've started to eat them again every morning for breakfast. I'm trying to eat as clean as I can, and we all know that breakfast cereals (even those marketed as being healthy) can be full of additives, preservatives and sugar. So oatmeal is a tasty, nutritious and delicious alternative.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fHBhczMKnWRJhrusNttnJeWJJ5smhR9B__ZwuIGPjGGEEbHXAQBbwk2iHt5uaFuIR1xZ6DJ1K0HGZNnGfglruLB3eJBhwVrH8epYEDqiOunq-7_AKzeR6d0xA79NX-T3OtBzf2c36S50/s1600/1-main-oatmeal-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fHBhczMKnWRJhrusNttnJeWJJ5smhR9B__ZwuIGPjGGEEbHXAQBbwk2iHt5uaFuIR1xZ6DJ1K0HGZNnGfglruLB3eJBhwVrH8epYEDqiOunq-7_AKzeR6d0xA79NX-T3OtBzf2c36S50/s1600/1-main-oatmeal-de.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How can eating oatmeal benefit our skin?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oats are an amazing source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are absolutely one of the best things you can feed your skin! These fatty acids can help to regulate oil production in the skin, while also keeping it hydrated and plump. They can also work as an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from UV damage and radiation from the sun. Omega-3 fatty acids also work to repair the skin, supporting and building up collagen which can ward off saggy skin and wrinkles. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Compared with other whole grains on a per gram basis, oats have one of the highest concentrations of zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, thiamine and vitamin E. These are all skin loving ingredients that can help to boost a glowing, healthy complexion.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>For breakfast or a snack</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">As I have mentioned, recently I've been eating oatmeal every morning. Because it keeps me full for a long time, I find that I'm far less likely to want to snack on something sugary a couple of hours later. For me, when I eat a lot of sugary food, it shows on my skin. It can become blotchy or prone to acne. So, when I'm craving something bold to eat in the evenings (like crisps or chocolate!), I've been having oatmeal with a squeeze of honey, and it really does satisfy any cravings. Don't get me wrong, I will still have my sugary/salty snacks, but because I know they can affect my skin, I try to eat them in moderation!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>How to make creamy oatmeal without using milk</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">When I drink milk, it can aggravate my skin, so I always make oatmeal with water. I used to always hate the way it would never be creamy when made with water, and would look more like gruel, which was quite off putting! My new trick is to pop the oats with the right amount of boiling water over them into a pot and just leave them there to steep for about twenty minutes/half an hour. That way, the oats become soft and mushy and when you cook them they end up being lovely and creamy, ta-dah! I pop a bit of honey in with mine and it's a lovely tasty breakfast/snack.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgB9nWeGa0BNpbxLPOeeX_jBRAPNayjDts6pbQyhrX7KbwJCjaCaEy2Nnbz0JFn9beImA4qLK865AGGeQs9sg8kz9-hoOz-FxxpXxMKZMUaf8IZPwCD8IVLdLh2jSnCbUUN8BIMNmr8hX/s1600/oatmeal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgB9nWeGa0BNpbxLPOeeX_jBRAPNayjDts6pbQyhrX7KbwJCjaCaEy2Nnbz0JFn9beImA4qLK865AGGeQs9sg8kz9-hoOz-FxxpXxMKZMUaf8IZPwCD8IVLdLh2jSnCbUUN8BIMNmr8hX/s1600/oatmeal2.jpg" /></a></div>
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When buying oats, check that there is no added sugar or syrups. Opt for steel-cut oats or rolled oats over instant ones. Instant oats can be quite processed in order to speed up their cooking time, making them more convenient. However, this reduces their health benefits and they contain considerably less nutrients and fibre than regular oats. I usually buy organic oats from a health-food store, just be sure to keep an eye on the label!</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Sinéad</b></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-22928297200360198022014-09-05T08:10:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:41:38.479-07:00Coconut Oil (Part 2): How to use coconut oil for your skinMy previous post on coconut oil was all about the '<b>why</b>' and this one will be all about the<b> </b>'<b>how</b>'! I literally cannot live without my beloved coconut oil now as I've been adoring using it for the past six months. I use it every single day, for my skin and also for cooking (I'll talk about this in a future post).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6XA6RZgyF-M1BB4pEyiV37q6lIyY8FlmLqDoDW_FfvKhQ3E29gkCES-V6eqZ0xO-C1fPkkaVBsTbJKquCRlXBSlkCsNICSwC8PCfyi3-_4txTJuxBIS9bTq52sVYy71UHvL2PpHGk7up/s1600/coconut-oil1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6XA6RZgyF-M1BB4pEyiV37q6lIyY8FlmLqDoDW_FfvKhQ3E29gkCES-V6eqZ0xO-C1fPkkaVBsTbJKquCRlXBSlkCsNICSwC8PCfyi3-_4txTJuxBIS9bTq52sVYy71UHvL2PpHGk7up/s1600/coconut-oil1-1.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>As a make-up remover</b></div>
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Long gone are the days of trying out various different store bought cleansers, only to find that they would aggregate my skin. Or if they didn't, they wouldn't remove my make-up very easily, resulting in me having to use a lot of product and do a lot of scrubbing on my skin, which would result in redness and irritation. And even if they were good, I couldn't help but notice all of the ingredients on the back. Surely products that have this many ingredients cannot be totally gentle and kind to skin.. and it's true, they are not! (Check out my previous post on <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/08/my-personal-skincare-story.html" target="_blank">why I changed over to a more natural skincare regime</a>) And then my beloved coconut oil came along... The condition of my skin has vastly improved since adding this to my skincare regime!</div>
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<li>To remove your make-up, simply scoop out a <b>small</b> amount of coconut oil with a clean teaspoon, and massage it into your face and neck with your fingers. Coconut oil melts at skin temperature so it will glide along your face while melting. It smells divine and feels incredibly soothing!</li>
<li>Massage the oil in for a couple of minutes (it can be used on and around the eyes with no irritation and works as an unbelievably effective eye make-up remover also). Then, simply wipe away with a cotton pad.</li>
<li>Take another very small amount of coconut oil and repeat these steps again. Keep doing it until you can see no more make-up on the cotton pad. It doesn't take long for this to happen as the oil is amazing at breaking down foundations, powders, mascara, and lipstick.</li>
<li>Afterwards, I get rid of the excess coconut oil by massaging in oatmeal (read about why I love oatmeal for skin so much <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/oatmeal-natural-cleanser.html" target="_blank">here</a>) onto my face for a minute, and then rinsing with water. Or you can spritz a cotton pad with rosewater and sweep across my face and neck, which also removes the oil.</li>
<li>I find that coconut oil can be a bit heavy to apply to my face overnight, so I use sweet almond oil afterwards instead for overnight moisture.</li>
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<b>As a moisturiser for the body</b></div>
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I can honestly say that I will never buy any other moisturiser for my body again! Coconut oil is the best one I have ever used, and I'm really not exaggerating! After a shower or bath, I apply the oil and it just sinks into the skin. Leave it a few minutes before putting clothes on so it can fully sink in and work its magic. Your skin is baby soft afterwards and smells divine (it's only a light scent and isn't too strong). Coconut is one of my favourite scents, it's so clean and fresh. Read <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/08/coconut-oil-skin-saviour-part-1.html" target="_blank">coconut oil part 1</a> to find out why this oil is so beneficial when applied to the skin.</div>
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I get very dry lips and I find that applying a small amount of coconut oil on them before going to sleep leaves them hydrated by morning time.</div>
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<b>As a shaving oil</b></div>
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Coconut oil makes an excellent shaving oil. Applying it to any areas of the skin you want to shave before removing the hair and it will give you a really close and non irritating shave. Afterwards, apply some oil to the to the area. This will prevent razer burn or any redness of the skin.</div>
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At the moment, I am experimenting with different ways to use this oil, so watch this space for more updates!</div>
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<b>Sinéad</b><br />
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<b>Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-56379769698741140842014-08-29T12:32:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:44:08.397-07:00Coconut Oil (Part 1): A skin saviourSo, finally I am writing a post about Coconut oil. I've held out on writing about it for a while, as there are just so many things you can do with it, and I wasn't sure how I would incorporate it all into one blog post! With that in mind, I've decided to split this topic into two posts; one being the<b> </b>'<i style="font-weight: bold;">why?</i><i>'</i> and the other being the '<i><b>how?</b>'</i>. Consequently, this first post is all about <b><u>why</u> </b>coconut oil is so great for our skin. And there's a lot to say about that... so let's get started!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHzNO4vqFIvy50bV-t7DZtdZfaUlQbJGdlCWmutXFJypGkzqUXcOUk9wUlj_ZRUpZ_SRmQ78JnDng7gqbu0pCbJ4vr0RHaT9uWa1pue3RxBcnr1ynzMp9_7iYtKn_1zJc1BsZb1R9iHaD/s1600/coconut2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHzNO4vqFIvy50bV-t7DZtdZfaUlQbJGdlCWmutXFJypGkzqUXcOUk9wUlj_ZRUpZ_SRmQ78JnDng7gqbu0pCbJ4vr0RHaT9uWa1pue3RxBcnr1ynzMp9_7iYtKn_1zJc1BsZb1R9iHaD/s1600/coconut2_2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Saturated fats</b></div>
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Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, which, when applied to the skin make it smooth to the touch. The presence of these fats means that the oil retains the moisture content of the skin, as the fats eliminate moisture loss through the pores. That makes this oil ideal for those of us with dry skin. If you have oily skin, you can still use coconut oil as it will not overly clog the pores on the face, as long as it is removed in the correct way! (Which I will explain in part 2 of this post).</div>
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<b>Vitamin E</b></div>
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You may remember from previous Skindividual posts, such as the <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" target="_blank">Sweet Almond Oil</a> and the <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/07/almond-flour-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Almond Flour Face Mask</a> posts, that Vitamin E really is the King of all vitamins when it comes to skin health! It's essential for healthy skin growth, repair of wear and tear on the skin, and preventing dry skin. It can also help to prevent premature ageing of the skin, because of its abundance of moisture and antioxidant properties. These properties make coconut oil ideal to use at night as it can work it's magic overnight on your skin.</div>
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<b>Proteins</b></div>
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The many proteins found in coconut oil keep the skin both healthy and rejuvenated. Proteins also contribute to cellular heath and tissue repair, therefore if you have any pigmentation marks or scarring, coconut oil can help to reduce their appearance over time.</div>
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<b>Capric/Caprylic/Lauric acid</b></div>
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These fatty acids have strong disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. As a result, coconut oil can prevent any sort of infections that may attack open wounds on the skin, making it ideal for use on active blemishes. A lot of antibacterial store bought products can be harsh and irritate acne even more, but coconut oil will do the same thing in a gentle and natural way!</div>
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<b>Buying Coconut Oil</b></div>
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When buying coconut oil and planning to use it on your skin, try to buy Raw Virgin Coconut Oil. The best kind will be organic, cold-pressed and of course chemical free. Make sure to look at the ingredients before buying to make sure that organic raw virgin coconut oil is the only one! It may seem a bit pricey, but I have been using mine for months and months and only half of it is gone. <a href="http://www.evergreen.ie/p/terranova-coconova-organic-virgin-coconut-oil-/5060203799403" target="_blank">Here is one</a> I would recommend from Evergreen, Ireland. But of course you can shop around in any health food store or online to find it too.</div>
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<b>Stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon, to find out how exactly to use this miraculous oil on your skin!</b></div>
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<b>Sinéad </b></div>
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<b>Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-73450403020317284422014-08-29T08:28:00.002-07:002014-09-06T04:44:36.364-07:00An important milestone for Skindividual Blog!For those who you who read this blog that might not know I also have a facebook page, then this post is for you!<br />
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Today I reached 100 readers on my page which was an important milestone for me. It has given me the motivation to put even more time and effort into the Skindividual Blog and I hope that you all look forward to continuing along this journey with me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aIpdBWZEtU_gQuPcnoUuAct7u4IW36iCEu_a6tX1HvKEMoIiBpvzbmOViUCrweRihkN8swynWs1u8xwOsn90F2rsIKc_yUtwI8dQkWcrTcE6Hj5qHA9i8DnuMAdmSwXc3-keymYqI330/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aIpdBWZEtU_gQuPcnoUuAct7u4IW36iCEu_a6tX1HvKEMoIiBpvzbmOViUCrweRihkN8swynWs1u8xwOsn90F2rsIKc_yUtwI8dQkWcrTcE6Hj5qHA9i8DnuMAdmSwXc3-keymYqI330/s1600/image.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to find the Skindividual Blog facebook page, the address is:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a><br />
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I generally post a lot of smaller bits of information about skin health on the facebook page that don't always make it on to the blog.<br />
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Remember to always contact me, either here, through facebook or by e-mail (<a href="mailto:skindividualblog@gmail.com">skindividualblog@gmail.com</a>) if you ever have any requests for natural products you'd like me to review or talk about, or about anything to do with skin.<br />
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Thank you again my lovely readers!<br />
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<b>Sinéad</b><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-32917759570741314282014-08-16T03:39:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:44:54.381-07:00My personal skincare story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2ZBRL1r_XMoTb8L3cX778LBN9m4ZVrrP8KkRfsULrhg7dTmOfSVy_yGTGc3-th6PxeDlJXOtQyKqCe3MLwrawvXe2K7JEi8nFsb33s4nmP9d7hNDjB2m5FbnNPbLQ86nbpTEp3M2x8PH/s1600/2012-6-5-Skincare-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2ZBRL1r_XMoTb8L3cX778LBN9m4ZVrrP8KkRfsULrhg7dTmOfSVy_yGTGc3-th6PxeDlJXOtQyKqCe3MLwrawvXe2K7JEi8nFsb33s4nmP9d7hNDjB2m5FbnNPbLQ86nbpTEp3M2x8PH/s1600/2012-6-5-Skincare-01.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember
the first time that I looked at the ingredients listed at the back of one of my
skincare products. What astonished me the most was the fact that there were so
many of them! Trying to figure out what all of these complex and scary looking
names were was difficult, and of course there was a niggling feeling at the back of my mind
that they were most likely not what most people would actively choose to put on
to their skin. It’s easy to pick up a popular, raved about product, or one with pretty colourful packaging and completely fall for the hype.. believing it’s promise to
transform your skin into a beautiful glowing canvas in little to no time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I began
to research a lot of the common ingredients in beauty products, I was almost a
little angry at myself at the time, because most of the products I was so used
to buying and enjoyed using (even though they rarely gave me the results they
promised), I now couldn’t look at in the same way. Here is a <a href="http://www.organicbeautytalk.com/ingredients-to-avoid/" target="_blank">article</a> from the website organicbeautytalk.com which lists some common ingredients found in skin products, which you might wish to avoid after reading. Personally, I almost wished I could be oblivious
and forget the information I had been reading, after all, if I couldn't use these products
then what on earth <i>could</i> I use on my
skin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the time,
I was suffering from cystic acne, which motivated me to start doing a lot of my
own research on the internet about how these ingredients may actually affect
the condition of my skin. We absorb about 60 percent of what is put on to our
skin, so it's a good idea to know exactly what is in these products that we buy! It just didn't sit
well with me that there were so many additives, chemicals, parabens and basically a lot of names I didn't recognise, and so this was the main reason that I started to move away from store bought skincare items. I remember, around that time, buying a product from a well-known brand which is marketed as being free from any sort of ingredient that might irritate the skin, only to break out in a major rash on my face! So really I had no more excuses to not begin my journey into a more natural route for my skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since I began
to switch my skincare regime from one consisting of manufactured lotions and
potions to a more natural regime, my skin has improved so much. My acne
has cleared up (for the most part), and my skin never gets irritated. I also feel so
much better knowing that I am not putting anything harmful into my skin. I’ve
had a lot of fun over the past couple of years learning how to incorporate natural 'ingredients' into my skincare. It can be
quite a creative process, experimenting with different natural ingredients..
finding which ones work best together.. figuring out how different ones will help
certain skin types, mixing them in various ratios.. and creating pretty
containers to store them in! It's something I really enjoy doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My staple natural products that have helped my skin the most</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I'm always trying new products out and changing up my routine, there are a few natural saviours that I use on a daily basis that have really improved the condition of my skin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Coconut Oil</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coconut Oil will be the topic of my next blog post. I've held out on writing about it until now, as I wanted to make sure I had good experience using it for at least six months. Coconut oil has basically been my daily morning and night time cleanser, and so it has replaced the need for me to use a manufactured one, which really makes me happy! You can read in detail about how I use this, along with its other uses in my next post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rosewater</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, rosewater, how did I live without you? This is a firm favourite of mine. I use rosewater to remove any coconut oil left on my face after my cleanse. I then splash my face with water and simply spritz on this amazing product as a toner. The condition of my skin has improved a lot since incorporating this little beauty in to my daily routine. Gone are the days of useless store bought toners, many of which are full of alcohol. You can read about rosewater in more detail in my <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/rosewater.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Oatmeal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I ever have a bad breakout, I simply cleanse my skin with oatmeal twice a day, or make an oatmeal face mask. Oats calm the skin and are full of powerful ingredients to combat acne. They're also great for other skin types and you can read about exactly how to use them in one of my <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/oatmeal-natural-cleanser.html" target="_blank">older posts</a><b>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sweet Almond Oil</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use this soothing oil each night before bed. It has replaced my need to use a manufactured night cream, and improved the condition of my skin to no end. A little goes a long way with this oil, so one bottle (even if it's a small one) will last you a long time. My skin tends become quite dehydrated at times, at this oil has really saved it! Read more about its many beauty benefits <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbJI4SmxzmcyHyVW0XwCxqyNgROsKDguLKUxdPakDUay4FQBTbBquMBN5nzecXGZOv9pKGTGy-bSABXeJzhcAX1v1jPf_VqsNf35cvzMcikzmidFuvo6aMDmcyU68ZWlwMit96phxg-C/s1600/1-DIY-all-natural-skincare-recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cbJI4SmxzmcyHyVW0XwCxqyNgROsKDguLKUxdPakDUay4FQBTbBquMBN5nzecXGZOv9pKGTGy-bSABXeJzhcAX1v1jPf_VqsNf35cvzMcikzmidFuvo6aMDmcyU68ZWlwMit96phxg-C/s1600/1-DIY-all-natural-skincare-recipes.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there you have it, a little information about my journey into the world of natural skincare. I hope you, the readers, are enjoying the little tips and tricks I am sharing with you. Please feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions about natural skincare, as I am more than happy to help and really enjoy sharing this information with others, I could literally talk about this stuff for hours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-65605991910114494042014-08-10T06:44:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:45:11.427-07:00Love for lemons! (Part 2)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/08/lemons-for-your-skin-part-1.html" target="_blank">Skindividual blog post</a> was about how lemons are so good for us internally and why drinking lemon water regularly can help to improve our system in many ways. But can we also use lemons as part of our skincare regime? The answer is yes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lemons are full of beneficial vitamins and minerals that can work wonders for our skin. The vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs found in this versatile fruit are what make it so great for our complexions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) work on the skin by removing dead skin cells and by removing any dirt and grime from pores. Because of this, they really help with blackheads, acne, acne scarring, discolouration and sunspots. Many people describe using lemons on the face as a (gentle) mini face peel at home, as lemons have the ability to remove dead skin cells while cleansing, leading to a brighter and healthier complexion!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3XInIqtLZmhFg1DJs1fSX6VtIbbHP69epfr8yrOyAkNYS9S_dfJZZn5LEJo_7j0IJEqg3CZFa-zHmaW869Xr969MGU06qgheOrzLiDuqCuBWb02iZXkRiFkjtwD5LW2YR7OO0QZ8njcE/s1600/photos.demandstudios.com-60-107-fotolia_4494256_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3XInIqtLZmhFg1DJs1fSX6VtIbbHP69epfr8yrOyAkNYS9S_dfJZZn5LEJo_7j0IJEqg3CZFa-zHmaW869Xr969MGU06qgheOrzLiDuqCuBWb02iZXkRiFkjtwD5LW2YR7OO0QZ8njcE/s1600/photos.demandstudios.com-60-107-fotolia_4494256_XS.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great addition to a night-time moisturiser</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great way of adding lemons to your skincare regime is to simply add a few drops of lemon in to your moisturiser before applying it at night. When we sleep, our skin regenerates and with the addition of lemon juice, the skin can work even faster to create new glowing skin cells!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>*</b>It's important to remember not to use lemons on your skin in the morning. They make the skin more sensitive to the sun, thus becoming more susceptible to damage from the sun's harmful rays.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fading acne scars and pigmentation marks</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in to a small bowl.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add a small amount of water to dilute the mixture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dip a cotton pad in to the mixture and sweep over your face.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people like to use this mix without diluting it with water, however it's advisable to start off with a diluted mixture, so as to be more gentle on the skin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow immediately with a moisturiser.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat 1-3 times a week.</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exfoliating for brighter skin</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wet your (cleansed) face with warm water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soak a cotton pad in lemon juice (diluted with some water) and sprinkle a pinch of sugar on top. The sugar will act as your exfoliator.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Massage the lemon and sugar cotton pad gently around your face. This will buff any dead skin away to reveal brighter smooth skin. The acid in the lemon juice will kill any bacteria and thoroughly "de-clog" pores.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Repeat once a week.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, a few different way to incorporate this amazing piece of fruit into your skin routine! It's important to keep a few things in mind when using these skin 'recipes':</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When you begin to use lemons on your skin, it's best to always dilute any mixture with water, maybe even with a 1:1 ratio, i.e. half lemon juice and half water, at least until your skin builds up a tolerance to it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never use lemons on your face during the day, as they make the skin more sensitive to damage from the sun</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always use a good moisturiser after any of these skin treats. Lemons are quite acidic and can disrupt the skin's PH level and be drying. However, a moisturiser will prevent this from happening.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog">https://www.facebook.com/skindividualblog</a></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-57476243922750598542014-08-02T05:19:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:43:25.189-07:00Love for lemons! (Part 1)I've decided to split this post about lemons into two parts, one for the benefits of drinking lemon water and the other for the benefits of external application of this versatile fruit!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6iyHHFNjwnlIoKg_FPdBVfr3s9kkj4NROb1jDcrorrnJ-VOiUUe_N3UNmRzpMsbVSIs4PVJEQZLA3KYGGeba17cz8KOujrmWCQy39s8MSQ1aErR_ytaGUGvqJYRw6u0_G9crWSDciOY/s1600/juicy-lemons-hd-wallpaper-332077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRr6iyHHFNjwnlIoKg_FPdBVfr3s9kkj4NROb1jDcrorrnJ-VOiUUe_N3UNmRzpMsbVSIs4PVJEQZLA3KYGGeba17cz8KOujrmWCQy39s8MSQ1aErR_ytaGUGvqJYRw6u0_G9crWSDciOY/s1600/juicy-lemons-hd-wallpaper-332077.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the past couple of months, I've been incorporating lemons into both my diet and skincare routine, and I've been absolutely loving them! Every morning I've been drinking lemon water, and I find that this really helps me perk up for the day ahead. Also, because I know that this is such a healthy way to start my morning, I tend to eat healthier throughout the day, as I am motivated to continue on with the healthy pattern!</div>
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<b>So, why are lemons so good for us internally?</b></div>
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<li>Drinking lemon water in the morning is extremely beneficial for the body as it stimulates the digestive tract and makes the process of eliminating waste products from the body easier. Many people have issues with digestion, but even if you don't, this will ensure that you maintain a healthy gut, <b>one of the key factors in achieving a healthy complexion!</b></li>
<li>Lemons are, of course, quite acidic. However, once they enter our systems they become more alkaline. This is great for balancing our pH systems. A lot of the food we consume can be quite acidic, so when we bring lemons into our system they can really help to neutralise this acidity.</li>
<li>Moving on to the more obvious reasons for drinking lemon water... lemons are full of important vitamins and minerals which are, of course, great for us internally! They are high in vitamin C, vitamin B, magnesium and potassium. Incorporating lemons in to your daily diet will ensure that you maintain a strong immune system. Because of their high potassium content, they are also thought to help to lower blood pressure in those who suffer from high blood pressure.</li>
<li>Another great reason to drink lemon water is that it really helps with indigestion and heartburn. The next time you suffer from either of these ailments, drink some warm lemon water and you will feel instant relief.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xnwg1Xq7Pt-R_2ohlyZH8uBJvs2iZDi8PcSuGS8pLuTa7DrNp6yno1-XBdvXU_cI-cdT1oWbtFMcTd-kZU8NCw53Ppdy9jL_4HTM8gDONNJthEX2Z_yq0t6gN5u_qcEehDDOk5jzOhB1/s1600/lemon-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xnwg1Xq7Pt-R_2ohlyZH8uBJvs2iZDi8PcSuGS8pLuTa7DrNp6yno1-XBdvXU_cI-cdT1oWbtFMcTd-kZU8NCw53Ppdy9jL_4HTM8gDONNJthEX2Z_yq0t6gN5u_qcEehDDOk5jzOhB1/s1600/lemon-water.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>My simple 'Good Morning' lemon drink</b></div>
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<li>Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a glass</li>
<li>Fill half way with warm water (warm water is thought to further activate the nutrients in the lemon)</li>
<li>Top the drink off with cold water</li>
<li>Stir well, and enjoy!</li>
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Lemons are a simple, inexpensive way to boost your immunity and to cleanse and balance your system. I thought that this post was important to include as one of the main reasons people can suffer from acne or dull skin is because their insides are not happy. This drink is a great way to start your day. I like to drink this a couple of times a day to really reap the rewards of the lemony goodness!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<b>Sinéad</b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-17762548057709590592014-07-25T07:28:00.000-07:002014-09-06T04:28:36.057-07:00Almond Flour Face Mask<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95e6dcw9twC7XV8QKaLNJbFxJlJ6wEIUTc34VTiWc9gLeUaND-Xx6WYFQsPngBBS4REbOiNkEWUnTWKQymstaDWjDaVvNHGiUx2ONsiK48FlgAa7q3sr42ut7K8Ltg9vvCm9LRiDrHrAn/s1600/almond-flour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95e6dcw9twC7XV8QKaLNJbFxJlJ6wEIUTc34VTiWc9gLeUaND-Xx6WYFQsPngBBS4REbOiNkEWUnTWKQymstaDWjDaVvNHGiUx2ONsiK48FlgAa7q3sr42ut7K8Ltg9vvCm9LRiDrHrAn/s1600/almond-flour.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been one of my favourite masks to make recently! Not only is it ridiculously simple to create, it really works. This mask takes less that a minute to whip up and will help your skin to look <b>clear, smooth, firm and bright!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How will almonds help my skin?</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the main reasons that almonds are so great for our skin is that they contain high amounts of Vitamin E, which many people know as a 'beauty vitamin'! Its nourishing and rejuvenating qualities make it perfect for topical use on the skin.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almonds also have a brightening effect on the skin, and over time they can even out skin tone, fading redness and pigmentation marks.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, almonds can help to keep these at bay. The main reason (apart from genetics and age) that these lines form on the skin is due to dehydration and damage from free radicals. The nutrients in almonds help to protect the skin from such damages, while the vitamin E gives the skin an intense moisture boost.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever condition your skin is in right now, whether its oily, dry or combination, this mask will be suitable for you. However, my favourite time to use it is usually the morning after a big night out, when my skin can be particularly dehydrated! It's a real quick fix for dry and dull skin, and it also feels so lovely and soothing when you apply it to the face.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-fRgv20UtfoS9VZcQDWAtuz_TECyQ2WapJzq_KKTbFkNv9AL-O7oWrJoQQt8SAfus8oyV4iXknVuRgAh_bzDHjvcws4BRF8PaGIfTF0Vd9IqNbYlpN5x12rq5wE96SGJmeup3pLy9KBF/s1600/almond-flour+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-fRgv20UtfoS9VZcQDWAtuz_TECyQ2WapJzq_KKTbFkNv9AL-O7oWrJoQQt8SAfus8oyV4iXknVuRgAh_bzDHjvcws4BRF8PaGIfTF0Vd9IqNbYlpN5x12rq5wE96SGJmeup3pLy9KBF/s1600/almond-flour+(1).jpg" height="214" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almond Flour Face Mask</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this mask, you'll need only two ingredients</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almond flour </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honey (preferably organic or <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/manuka-honey-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Manuka honey</a>)</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cleanse your skin completely of all make-up and any residue. Pat dry with towel.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get a small bowl and simply place in one tablespoon of almond flour, one teaspoon of honey, and half a teaspoon of water </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix well until it turns into a paste.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seem like a small amount but it's all you'll need to cover your entire face!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apply the mask to your face with a clean make-up brush or with clean fingers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave on the skin for about five minutes. After this time, you can go ahead and gently exfoliate the almond mask into your skin. This is a super gentle way of getting rid of dead skin cells and will help to achieve a brighter skin tone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rinse the mask off your face to reveal beautifully smooth skin!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop your favourite moisturiser on to lock in the goodness of the almonds. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, for an extra moisture boost, you can apply a few drops of </span><a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sweet Almond Oil</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> after rinsing the mask away.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, an easy DIY mask for whenever your skin needs a little TLC! You can buy almond flour in most supermarkets. Aldi sell it for roughly €1.99 for 200 grams. It can also go by the name of ground almonds or almond powder, it's all the same!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdI8pDzztDVRugcWYnRc8BEwJWG6AHXbt9iYE6IiD1Pk7knm13Rfhm5aRTt43U2J4Vd8O_9lSt0BX9J_WotmglJU1bj6h-Zt_rBKzu7Ee0YIwJ0VO9IWRtXlwu8LbVzMH5zsD7vFocfMw/s1600/1908080_10152844251404316_8065461524792173717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdI8pDzztDVRugcWYnRc8BEwJWG6AHXbt9iYE6IiD1Pk7knm13Rfhm5aRTt43U2J4Vd8O_9lSt0BX9J_WotmglJU1bj6h-Zt_rBKzu7Ee0YIwJ0VO9IWRtXlwu8LbVzMH5zsD7vFocfMw/s1600/1908080_10152844251404316_8065461524792173717_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sinéad</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-9959947314260512282014-07-08T11:54:00.001-07:002014-09-06T04:45:55.817-07:00D.I.Y Zesty Sugar Scrub <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exfoliation doesn't always reach the top of the list when it comes to skin care in the winter months (for me, personally!), but now that it's summer time, why not do your body a favour and get scrubbing! Simply adding exfoliation to your skin care regime can work wonders. It gets rid of dead skin cells, dull or flaky patches, and leaves you with beautiful soft glowing skin. This post is about about exfoliation for the body, not the face! I find that if I use a scrub on my face my skin becomes irritated, so I simply use <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/oatmeal-natural-cleanser.html" target="_blank">oatmeal</a>, as it's a natural and extremely gentle exfoliant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtjkjha575c64OBMZaFXZNt1tt1U63hErAnbcdfHZ_v_BTVU6Gc1A0VXylD6xmxqIdsHUzkJsF4DiDFfQNkxBVEEfSPtyGWCAid5LMSCEW4WSMTSxdT2nAjo_c3GdSW1-VZBkWBzKeNiE/s1600/Skin-Exfoliation-At-Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtjkjha575c64OBMZaFXZNt1tt1U63hErAnbcdfHZ_v_BTVU6Gc1A0VXylD6xmxqIdsHUzkJsF4DiDFfQNkxBVEEfSPtyGWCAid5LMSCEW4WSMTSxdT2nAjo_c3GdSW1-VZBkWBzKeNiE/s1600/Skin-Exfoliation-At-Home.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to be very lazy when it came to exfoliating in the shower or bath, but when I eventually started to read about the importance of this step in a skin care regime, I decided to try and exfoliate a few times week. This was a few years ago, before I started getting in to natural skin care. What I soon realised was that this was a fairly expensive addition to my shower time! My skin is quite sensitive, so I found that if I went for the cheapest brands, the beads would be too big and harsh, resulting in very irritated. My only other option (or so I thought) was to go for the more expensive brands, and I wasn't happy spending this kind of money on products that only tended to last me a couple of weeks. So now for the past couple of years I have been making my own scrubs! They're fun to make, super easy to put together and completely natural. Not only will you save money by making these, but you'll know exactly what you're putting on your skin, which can rarely be said for store bought skincare items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so enough rambling, lets get on to the scrub!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What you'll need:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Organic brown sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An oil of your choice (recently I've been loving<a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" target="_blank"> Sweet Almond Oil</a> for this)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lemon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A glass jar with a tight fitting lid to store the scrub in</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use regular sugar if you want, however if you have sensitive skin like me then brown sugar is a better choice. Brown sugar will give you a more gentle (yet thorough!) exfoliation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How to make the scrub</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fill your glass jar 3/4 of the way with the sugar. This roughly how much you'll need. Pour the sugar back into a bowl for mixing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ratio of the mixture should be one part oil to two parts sugar, so fill your jar a little below half way with your oil of choice. Again, pour this back into the bowl and mix together with the sugar.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Depending on whether you want your scrub to be more solid or oily, you can add more sugar or oil if desired.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grate the zest of one lemon and add to the mixture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now add in the juice of half a lemon. When you have mixed everything together, you can add in more lemon juice/zest if you wish.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pop the mixture back into your glass jar and store in the fridge</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4ugpERYTGZQm2O-l2G721-d2Q4kW_cT2VUhIybIhI0WBr0KxWc8ohF2xc-8ejv_A1mA4N0SwGtRbCEpM3lObaCtfYUMzFA83LVzxbAl2fsV3jfBFGyxYkhfkwJYgBISL-l1nZLvHvq1/s1600/P1310370x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4ugpERYTGZQm2O-l2G721-d2Q4kW_cT2VUhIybIhI0WBr0KxWc8ohF2xc-8ejv_A1mA4N0SwGtRbCEpM3lObaCtfYUMzFA83LVzxbAl2fsV3jfBFGyxYkhfkwJYgBISL-l1nZLvHvq1/s1600/P1310370x.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it, a super simple recipe for a home-made scrub. I use this 2-3 times a week in the shower and find that it leaves my skin so soft and glowy. The dry patches on my elbows have disappeared and I feel that the addition of the lemon has had a firming effect on my skin too! If you use fake tan then this scrub would be great for you, it will banish any dry patches of skin on your elbows, knees and feet so that dark patches of tan don't remain there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Scrubbing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sinéad</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-81801642464929352652014-06-30T12:13:00.001-07:002014-09-06T04:46:34.524-07:00Green Tea Face Mask, Scrub & Toner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Evidence has suggested that people who drink green tea on a regular basis have a lower risk of developing heart disease, stomach problems, and even some types of cancer. Green tea is anti-bacterial and full of antioxidants, making it a beneficial drink with excellent healing properties, but did you know you can also use it topically on your skin?<br />
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In this post I'll be describing how to create your own home-made green tea face mask, scrub and toner. Using these on a regular basis is a great natural way to help your skin appear brighter and healthy. As green tea is antibacterial and high in antioxidants, it has the ability to treat acne prone skin with great results. It is also soothing for the skin, so would be highly beneficial for anyone suffering from dry skin, or any skin allergies/rashes. Green tea will also help to brighten the complexion, helping achieve an overall brighter look and even helping to banish dark under eye circles or dark pigmentation marks.</div>
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<b>Green Tea Face Mask</b></div>
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<li>Brew one green tea bag in a mug for about five minutes.</li>
<li>Remove tea bag from mug and allow it to rest until cool. (You can run it under a cold tap for a minute to speed up the process)</li>
<li>Cut open the tea bag and empty the crushed wet leaves into a small bowl.</li>
<li>Add some organic honey in to make a paste (optional)</li>
<li>Apply to face and leave on for twenty minutes</li>
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<b>Green Tea Facial Scrub</b></div>
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<li>Brew a mug of green tea</li>
<li>Get a small bowl and pour in 4 teaspoons of green tea</li>
<li>Add 1 teaspoon of <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/apple-cider-vinegar_16.html" target="_blank">Apple Cider Vinegar </a></li>
<li>Next, add 7 teaspoons of sugar</li>
<li>Add 1 teaspoon honey (preferably <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/manuka-honey-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Manuka Honey</a>, but the regular organic kind is fine too!)</li>
<li>Mix ingredients together well and apply to face with cotton pad or fingers</li>
<li>Massage the scrub around your face in gentle circular motions for a few minutes</li>
<li>Rinse off with water to reveal beautifully smooth skin</li>
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<b>Green Tea Toner</b></div>
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<li>Fill a small plastic spritzer bottle with brewed green tea</li>
<li>Allow to cool in the fridge</li>
<li>Spritz on your face after cleansing or anytime you want to freshen your face during the day</li>
<li>You can also make this using 2 parts green tea to 1 part <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/rosewater.html" target="_blank">rosewater </a>(my favourite home-made toner!) </li>
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The great thing about these green tea beauty tricks is that they are simple to make and cost next to nothing to create! It's also a great excuse to start drinking green tea. I find it quite bitter so I generally add a small teaspoon of honey to sweeten the taste a little!<br />
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So, why not pick up some green tea and give these D.I.Y. beauty creations a go!<br />
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<b>Sinéad</b><br />
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<span id="goog_718444986"></span><span id="goog_718444987"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-49721310368265565292014-06-17T01:53:00.003-07:002014-06-17T02:18:15.207-07:00Tea Bags & Bright Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Where would us Irish folk be without our tea? Pretty lost I would say! I've been looking forward to writing this post as I know most people will be able to try out this remedy. The majority of people will have tea bags hiding somewhere in their kitchen, so if you're suffering from the dreaded puffy eye look, or simply want to perk up and brighten the eye area, then get brewing!<br />
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<b>How do tea bags help to brighten the eye area?</b><br />
As you may have noticed, a lot of creams and serums marketed for the eye area contain caffeine. This is because caffeine has the ability to shrink the blood vessels around our eyes, therefore reducing puffiness and dark circles. Tea bags also contain tannins, antioxidants which are believed to reduce swelling, calm and brighten the area, and stimulate blood circulation. When trying out this remedy, make sure the tea bags you use contain caffeine for optimum results.<br />
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<b>Step 1</b>:<br />
Brew two tea bags in a mug of hot water for five minutes.<br />
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<b>Step 2:</b><br />
Remove tea bags from cup and place on a saucer. I like to pop mine into the freezer for about ten minutes so that they're nice and chilled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwFy7_ANutnyGr0k23BrAjhG-piL6C2IXF3ZDqvAfDxl_uhwjx2iiyhJOqYvmw5DIpkv9ZcakvFUNS3MeW3XzgDL-_yI7dtngV1LreNz3VaL_mCFmgtoeAo6Z4cmuU0fOdOY5UCQcocMl/s1600/diy-tea-bag-step-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwFy7_ANutnyGr0k23BrAjhG-piL6C2IXF3ZDqvAfDxl_uhwjx2iiyhJOqYvmw5DIpkv9ZcakvFUNS3MeW3XzgDL-_yI7dtngV1LreNz3VaL_mCFmgtoeAo6Z4cmuU0fOdOY5UCQcocMl/s1600/diy-tea-bag-step-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 3:</b> </div>
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Take tea bags out of the freezer and gently squeeze any excess water that may be on them. Then simply lie back and place one tea bag over each closed eye and relax. Leave them on for about fifteen minutes.</div>
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It's great to try this first thing in the morning or before a night out as it really does perk up the eye area for a while. And taking the ten/fifteen minutes to lie back and relax is a great way to de-stress for the day/night ahead.</div>
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Happy Brewing!</div>
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<b>Sinéad</b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-89283323073980117762014-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:002014-06-07T13:15:27.028-07:00RosewaterRosewater is my absolute favourite skincare discovery of the year! I've just ordered two more bottles online as I can't get over how much this has helped my skin. I'm always a little sceptic about things until I see the results for myself, and this is now one of my most reached for skincare products. Rosewater is a wonderfully gentle and natural product with fabulous skin-enhancing benefits. Many products you own will have it listed as an ingredient, but using it by itself is where you'll really see it's magic at work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGNEthf1ObAOnTSvXSu5IAFh2XRdDS93OW4ij6WdPnK2JjCKuDz-EaB4m29Q-tTC13XkIS7cZrDdyhCGNBjnyPLjL1fN2pHATKpMSOo8Dns6y1VXATIfZwLDT5uH7PgBP6QF4UmxCWIgA/s1600/rose-water-help-skin-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGNEthf1ObAOnTSvXSu5IAFh2XRdDS93OW4ij6WdPnK2JjCKuDz-EaB4m29Q-tTC13XkIS7cZrDdyhCGNBjnyPLjL1fN2pHATKpMSOo8Dns6y1VXATIfZwLDT5uH7PgBP6QF4UmxCWIgA/s1600/rose-water-help-skin-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Finishing off a natural cleanse</b></div>
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Recently, I have been cleansing with oil (See <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.ie/2014/05/jojoba-oil.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.ie/2014/05/sweet-almond-oil.html" target="_blank">here</a>), which leaves a residue on the skin. Washing your face with water won't remove this, as oil and water separate, so I had been removing this residue with a gentle cleanser. However, using this cleanser was obviously moving away from natural skincare, so I didn't feel too good about that. But at last I found a solution - Rosewater! After I remove my make-up with an oil of choice, I simply spray rosewater on a cotton pad and wipe it all around my face, which gets rid of all the oily residue. Afterwards, you can simply rinse your face with plain old water and voilà, a completely natural cleanse!</div>
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<b>Moisturising Toner</b></div>
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After I cleanse my face in the AM and PM, I rinse with water and then spritz rosewater over a wet face. The natural oils in rosewater will trap moisture in the skin, so this is great if you suffer from any dryness on your face. It also closes the pores, making it ideal for use after a cleanse. Who needs harsh alcohol filled toners that strip your skin when you can use this magic stuff! Rosewater also regulates the oil production of skin so it's also great if you have an oily complexion.</div>
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<b>Refreshing spritz</b></div>
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I like to keep my bottle of rosewater in the fridge and then spray it on my face throughout the day whenever I feel like some refreshment! It's super hydrating, nourishing and light on the skin. Plus it won't won't mess up any make-up you might have applied. This would be especially lovely in hot weather or after exercise. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it has the ability to reduce redness from irritated or over-heated skin.</div>
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<b>Make-up setting spray</b></div>
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Rosewater has become really popular as a setting spray for make-up. After you have applied your foundation/powder, give your face a couple of light sprays. This will help to keep your make-up in place throughout the day. It will also create a lovely dewy glow on the skin, giving you a fresh youthful complexion.</div>
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<b>Good for irritated eyes</b></div>
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I have read so much about how rosewater has the ability to calm and sooth irritated eyes. So recently when my boyfriend's hay fever was hitting in full force, I decided to test this theory! His eyes were very red and itchy, which was causing him some pain. I sprayed two cotton pads with lots of chilled rosewater and placed them over his closed eyes for about 5 minutes. And it worked! The irritation calmed down almost immediately.</div>
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<b>Anti-Stress</b></div>
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The smell of roses seems to be something people either love or loathe. Personally I love it, as it brings me back to when I was a really young child in my Grandfather's rose garden in Dublin. The aroma of roses is thought to be a powerful mood enhancer. It can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional well-being. This makes it ideal for use before bed time, as it can help to de-stress the mind and help you to relax into a nice slumber!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-Uiqu1N7iAjowJhpnrVxzHBeK0_9ha_G6xHww0Lv78KesIeGaZow-XPv4ljItquXKpY13vxmZNVPL6hykMoxKwIht8YVzwAWiR9HdZKvRbbLDBQJCnjFKAPHH4vLRok8SfsEcSN9CyTP/s1600/DIY-Rosewater-Spray-Video.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-Uiqu1N7iAjowJhpnrVxzHBeK0_9ha_G6xHww0Lv78KesIeGaZow-XPv4ljItquXKpY13vxmZNVPL6hykMoxKwIht8YVzwAWiR9HdZKvRbbLDBQJCnjFKAPHH4vLRok8SfsEcSN9CyTP/s1600/DIY-Rosewater-Spray-Video.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I haven't been able to find it in any Galway stores, so I've been purchasing it online from <a href="http://www.thehealthstore.ie/index.php/atlantic-aromatics-rosewater-spray.html" target="_blank">The Health Store</a>, an Irish website that I love which sells lots of natural skincare products.</div>
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Happy Spritzing!</div>
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<b>Sinéad</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-42770203794292644822014-06-02T13:40:00.000-07:002014-06-02T13:53:41.570-07:00Stinging Nettle Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIlG9eKQppoyqr24Gw13BOSPX__-T6qjipSaGjgduJLEIbzAHPX1t2l5tAFmc_EWCz6Zs_v41X1brO2Nns9tKyby6MiuYZU91FF3iAKBibL9SWjxMwgd8QjRHRgBtxSsADzp3YtJmZWsP/s1600/nettles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIlG9eKQppoyqr24Gw13BOSPX__-T6qjipSaGjgduJLEIbzAHPX1t2l5tAFmc_EWCz6Zs_v41X1brO2Nns9tKyby6MiuYZU91FF3iAKBibL9SWjxMwgd8QjRHRgBtxSsADzp3YtJmZWsP/s1600/nettles1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The first time I heard of someone drinking stinging nettle tea, all I could think of was how unpleasant it must taste. I couldn't have been more wrong, as it's simply delicious and definitely my new favourite drink, I'm addicted! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The stinging nettle has been used medicinally for centuries. It's extremely rich in minerals, with 10 grams of nettle containing 290 milligrams of calcium and 86 grams of magnesium. For the sake of comparison, the same amount of spinach would contain about 10 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of magnesium. Nettle tea provides so many health benefits that I could not even fit
them all in one blog post. Instead, I will concentrate mainly on how
drinking this tea can help us to have beautiful healthy skin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Acne</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stinging nettle tea works to cleanse your skin from the inside by addressing any problems that may be occurring in the blood. It helps to remove excess toxins in the blood stream, allowing the skin to more effectively cleanse itself. If you suffer from acne, then give this tea a try. Drink 1-3 cups a day and along with a healthy diet, you should notice a definite improvement in your skin in a couple of weeks. This tea also helps to balance a woman's hormonal system which can improve the skin. Often, acne can be a sign of unbalanced hormones, especially if it mainly occurs around the chin and jaw line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Eczema/ Skin Allergies </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consuming nettle leaf tea on a regular basis can also help to alleviate symptoms of eczema and any problems with dry skin. The leaves and stem of the plant are covered with tiny hairs that release chemicals when touched. This is what is referred to as the nettle's "sting." These same chemicals, when ingested can reduce the inflammation in the body that cause eczema, as well as the painful and itchy symptoms that go along with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Digestive Aid (A healthy gut = healthy skin)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drinking this tea can really help with any digestive issues. When consumed regularly, nettle tea is effective at reducing symptoms of acid reflux, nausea, colitis and coeliac disease. A healthy gut is one of the most important things we can strive towards to improve our skin. In a previous post about <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.ie/2014/05/apple-cider-vinegar_16.html" target="_blank">Apple Cider Vinegar</a>, I wrote about how drinking it as a tonic can also help you to have a happy tummy, therefore helping the skin too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Other benefits</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stimulates the lymph system to boost immunity</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Supports the kidneys</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helps with menstrual cramps and bloating</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Combats anemia and fatigue (High in iron)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helps to reduce symptoms of hay fever and other allergies</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You can make nettle tea by actually just picking nettle leaves and brewing them in boiling water. Just make sure to wear some thick gloves so you don't get stung! I prefer to just buy mine as they are quite low in price. I drink 2-3 cups a day and absolutely love the taste! I let the tea bag brew for about 5 mins. Again, <a href="http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=5847&prodid=1847&cid=272" target="_blank">Holland & Barret</a> and <a href="http://www.evergreen.ie/p/clipper-organic-nettle-tea/5021991200106" target="_blank">Evergreen</a> are my usual choices, but you'll find nettle tea in any health food store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9f2iiuKxyBDGxmYcXEwerv69p9Y5yT7B5LxcO-z0lzKhX6_2-01-ZfxxA5Dgzqd0A3XJrklqqqZU-7eHRpJ3TfhDhEf91omYAShNXzIhdCilMqL85ohm6i3IDYB3XNi6e0DARAc2fDfm/s1600/heath-heather-nettle-tea-bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9f2iiuKxyBDGxmYcXEwerv69p9Y5yT7B5LxcO-z0lzKhX6_2-01-ZfxxA5Dgzqd0A3XJrklqqqZU-7eHRpJ3TfhDhEf91omYAShNXzIhdCilMqL85ohm6i3IDYB3XNi6e0DARAc2fDfm/s1600/heath-heather-nettle-tea-bags.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sinéad</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-15391455588098185842014-05-26T13:24:00.002-07:002014-05-28T05:48:19.809-07:00Sweet Almond Oil<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7ESammvIMoCVz5HmJlR8ffSxIwU_XwWUgrt6auF_LOBuEqlqF-4DdNe-jX3qlKNhUWd2TNZltthmH5DlIX_7gpOou53GaNrcvul2ClkV8U9Q1K63HVtZfcpg9g8UpiqyfqOfFVUWjyh5/s1600/oil+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7ESammvIMoCVz5HmJlR8ffSxIwU_XwWUgrt6auF_LOBuEqlqF-4DdNe-jX3qlKNhUWd2TNZltthmH5DlIX_7gpOou53GaNrcvul2ClkV8U9Q1K63HVtZfcpg9g8UpiqyfqOfFVUWjyh5/s1600/oil+2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
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.<br />
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<b><i>So let's take a look at the numerous ways you can use this oil on your skin!</i></b><br />
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<b>As a make-up remover</b><br />
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.<br />
<ol>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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. </li>
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<b>As a moisturiser</b><br />
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. <br />
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<b>For younger looking skin</b><br />
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. <br />
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<b>For dark under-eye circles</b><br />
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 <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.ie/2014/05/manuka-honey-face-mask.html" target="_blank">Manuka Honey</a> and apply it to any areas you would like to lighten for about thirty minutes before rinsing off.<br />
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<b>For relaxation</b><br />
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!<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=4935" target="_blank">Holland & Barret</a> where it's often on special offer.<br />
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<b>Sinéad </b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-35655083840317236592014-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:002014-05-20T18:34:32.354-07:00Protecting your skin from the sun: Chemical Vs Physical sunscreen<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>Choosing a sunscreen type:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's important to know that there are two different types of sunscreen, <i>chemical sunscreens</i> and <i>physical sunscreens.</i> Chemical sunscreens use chemical UV filters, while physical sunscreens use physical UV filters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Chemical sunscreen</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">There are several suspected dangers associated with benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone, listed above)</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"> T</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">his 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</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"> cases with sunscreen users. Some studies have shown it to behave similarly to the hormone oestrogen</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">, suggesting that it may cause breast cancer (This would probably be fairly uncommon, but obviously there could still be a slight risk.) </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">It has also been linked to contact eczema and allergies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><b>Physical sunscreen</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">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.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">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.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">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!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">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!</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Provide a broad range of both UVA and UVB protection</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Do not clog pores</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Are non irritating and gentle on the skin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Do not cause any free radicals</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Do not contain any dangerous chemicals that seep into the skin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Protect melasma from worsening/prevent hyper-pigmentation</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">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!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.greenpeople.ie/" target="_blank">Green People Ireland</a> are an Irish company that do a great range of organic, chemical-free sun creams. <a href="http://www.greenpeople.ie/organicsuncare/50ml-sun-lotion-spf25.html" target="_blank">This one</a>, with SPF 25 is great for every day protection from the sun. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sfrSm-pyYuZEehXpW8yjQvA2kE2cR4BgdqktoIUotVhIaETndlG6Gg6c7YT2GBOgiImjw0F7U93WXGMwwXKdsnUQzswEmMipK82lX3nGp1WbAJ1FbirckdC3NS0C7cZU4N4lkDXrJMq2/s1600/G005.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sfrSm-pyYuZEehXpW8yjQvA2kE2cR4BgdqktoIUotVhIaETndlG6Gg6c7YT2GBOgiImjw0F7U93WXGMwwXKdsnUQzswEmMipK82lX3nGp1WbAJ1FbirckdC3NS0C7cZU4N4lkDXrJMq2/s1600/G005.gif" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Another great brand is Badger Organics, which you can buy online <a href="http://www.biovea.com/ie/product_detail.aspx?PID=3675&NAME=BADGER-SPF30+-UNSCNTD-2.9OZ-TUBE" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Sinéad</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-54082911445260593002014-05-16T12:22:00.001-07:002014-05-16T12:24:15.215-07:00Apple Cider Vinegar<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">
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!</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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<b>As a tonic:</b> 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.</div>
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<b>For an energy boost/fighting fatigue:</b></div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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<b>Tummy troubles:</b></div>
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If your tummy isn't feeling the best, ACV can really help. As it is antibacterial, it will fight any bacterial infections. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>A healthy gut is also one of the most important things for healthy skin</b></span>, so when our insides are feeling good, it will really show on the outside.</div>
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<b>Great for the lymphatic system:</b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">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.</span><br />
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<b>So, you can now see the multitude of benefits that can result from drinking an ACV tonic, but what about its topical use? </b></div>
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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! </div>
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<b>The benefits of ACV applied to the skin</b></div>
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<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Balances the PH levels of the skin</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Reduces inflammation, making it ideal for use on skin that suffers from blemishes or psoriases</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Draws out toxins from the skin, leaving it toned and moisturised</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Fades a number of things on the skin, such as age spots, hyperpigmentation or scars.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Evens out skin tone</li>
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<b>How to apply ACV to the skin</b></div>
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<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">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.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">Make sure skin is cleansed well before applying the mixture. I like to do a cleanse with <a href="http://skindividual.blogspot.ie/2014/05/jojoba-oil.html" target="_blank">Jojoba Oil</a> and then pat the skin dry.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">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.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">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.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">You may also find that as your skin gets used to the ACV, you can use a slightly stronger mix.</li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">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.</li>
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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 <a href="http://www.thehealthstore.ie/index.php/biona-organic-cider-vinegar-with-the-mother.html" target="_blank">The Health Food Store</a> 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!</div>
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Sinéad</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125845713102961151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8372923017146355807.post-17136193322028644132014-05-12T04:33:00.002-07:002014-05-12T07:48:51.302-07:00Manuka Honey <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxve-CR1mmI5O4tiQMXaczBdbFoI5-vEVoGc4uDfSFG3S8NBXroPhGNc6Q3UbPLR_gee4ZsPdls6KDFh0v5Xc00anFVAK27z6lWe3RkmEJbwqzRAIBph40cNnqddsNw9iVRALff9gD2XU/s1600/mnuka+honey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxve-CR1mmI5O4tiQMXaczBdbFoI5-vEVoGc4uDfSFG3S8NBXroPhGNc6Q3UbPLR_gee4ZsPdls6KDFh0v5Xc00anFVAK27z6lWe3RkmEJbwqzRAIBph40cNnqddsNw9iVRALff9gD2XU/s1600/mnuka+honey.jpeg" /></a></div>
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.<br />
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<b>So, how does Manuka honey differ to regular honey?</b><br />
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 <b>UMF</b> (Unique Manuka Factor) strengths. The higher the strength, the higher the antibacterial properties.<br />
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<b>Why is this honey is so great for the health of our skin?</b><br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
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!<br />
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<b>As a facial mask:</b><br />
What you will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Manuka Honey. (I usually use one with a strength of <b>UMF 10+</b>)</li>
<li>A clean teaspoon.</li>
<li>A soft clean makeup/paint brush. (optional)</li>
<li>An old t-shirt. (incase of drips!)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH0IXZqqK5gaPd2CKTC6pgB5WOJUr1XmdgpHjDU6l2qMxU2SSdDkgGTML4DCaAIVcju6nKHMniWn4ELzWtDQEmzTrj6jA95lUVgBqwT6k4wh5sMFUUqEo5U89jsHyiNcX-fPkmWSF3QVR/s1600/Manuka-honey-acid-reflux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbH0IXZqqK5gaPd2CKTC6pgB5WOJUr1XmdgpHjDU6l2qMxU2SSdDkgGTML4DCaAIVcju6nKHMniWn4ELzWtDQEmzTrj6jA95lUVgBqwT6k4wh5sMFUUqEo5U89jsHyiNcX-fPkmWSF3QVR/s1600/Manuka-honey-acid-reflux.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Here are the steps:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>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!</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>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.</li>
</ul>
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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.<br />
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<b>So it's a great addition to a skincare regime, but can it be used in other ways?</b><br />
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.<br />
These antibiotic, anti fungal and antiviral properties also make Manuka honey really effective for sore throats, colds, sinusitis, acid reflux and heartburn, etc.<br />
If you are suffering from any of the above ailments, try eating a teaspoon of this honey twice a day.<br />
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!<br />
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.<br />
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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 <a href="http://www.evergreen.ie/p/manuka-health-manuka-honey/p-620036" target="_blank">UMF 10</a>, which retails at around €17.99. Or if I have a little more money at the time I will go for the <a href="http://www.evergreen.ie/p/manuka-health-manuka-honey/p-620036" target="_blank">UMF 15</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.evergreen.ie/" target="_blank">Evergreen</a> usually has the best prices, but if you've sourced yours for cheaper, please leave this in the comments below!</div>
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Sinéad</div>
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