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Hello everyone! What do t he Duchess of Cambridge, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Miranda Kerr all have in common?  Well, supposedly they use rosehip oil to keep their skin smooth. Rosehip oil (or rosehip seed oil) has been recently dubbed a "miracle skincare oil".  Rosehip oil, derived from the rose hip (the fruit left on the stem after the petals have fallen off), is a natural source of essential fatty acids, including omega 3, 6 and 9, as well as a rich source of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and  B-carotene .  This superfine oil is absorbed easily into the skin and won�t leave behind any oily residue. So what are the benefits of using rosehip oil?   It quickly absorbs into the skin, proving  moisture . It can heal scarring  caused by acne. It can help reverse sun   damage . It can provide a protective barrier on the skin,  preventing further moisture loss. It can help fade  pigmentation  and even out ...

Hello everyone! Today I want to tell you a little bit about one of my favourite essential oils ; lavender oil .  Not only does this essential oil smell great and helps you relax , it also has significant benefits for the skin.  This oil hydrates and heals the skin without clogging the pores.  Plus, it helps deal with many skin conditions from acne, excess oil, dryness to ageing.  It also promotes hair growth and healthy scalp.  This particular post is about treating acne with lavender oil .   What is Lavender Oil?     Lavender oil is extracted from the lavender plant.  It grows worldwide in Asia, Europe,  Africa,  Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean.   The uses of lavender oil  are numerous.  It's an all natural oil which works for various skin and hair problems. How to use: Mix 1-4 drops of lavender oil into 1/2-1 tablespoon of base oil (coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil)....

Hello everyone! Yesterday I posted a recipe for a DIY acne fighting gel and today I want to share another acne fighting beauty recipe with you.   For this DIY you will need two key ingredients; a lemon and a tomato .   Ingredients: 1 ripe tomato 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp oatmeal (optional) Lemons are full of AHA�s and BHA�s which remove dead skin cells, fight acne, minimize pores and brighten skin.   Back in November of 2011, I posted an article titled:  Lemons for clear skin ; in which I wrote about the countless benefits of lemons.  Make sure you read it for more information.   Tomatoes have cooling and astringent properties.  They�re also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin A .  Their acidity helps tame excessive oil production too. Oatmeal helps reduce itching and inflammation and can be used to calm acne, eczema and heal psoriasis . Method: Mash the peeled tomato in a bowl.  Add the lemo...

Hello everyone! I am back again with an amazing DIY recipe for your skin.  You only need two simple ingredients to make your own acne fighting gel;  aloe vera gel and an essential oil with antibacterial properties .   I've been using this concoction on my face for many, many years.  So much so that I had to search this blog because I was sure that I had already told you about it.  As it turns out, I haven't so let's get started... Ingredients: 1 tbsp of  aloe vera gel 6-12 drops of  tea tree oil  or lavender essential oil If you don't like the smell of tea tree oil, lavender essential oil is a good alternative.   The combination of tea tree oil (or lavender) and  Aloe vera gel kills the bacteria that causes acne and has anti-inflammatory properties which soothe the skin. Method: In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Aloe vera gel with 6-12 drops of tea tree oil (or lavender). Store in an amber glass bottle.  U se  a...

Hello everyone! Like I always say; many store-bought beauty products are full of toxins and irritating ingredients .  Thankfully, nature provides effective alternatives for healthy skin that are gentle , cruelty free , vegan , and made with items you probably already have in your  pantry !  Today I want to share one of my favourite beauty recipes with you; a vegan face mask for acne-prone skin! You only need three ingredients, all of which I already used in previous DIY recipes I posted on this blog.  Ingredients: 1 banana (ripe) 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric This face mask recipe with banana, baking soda and turmeric can reduce acne . Here's how it works: Bananas not only act as an astringent which balances oils in the skin, but also nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.   Baking soda pulls out oil and dirt from the pores and turmeric reduces inflammation and provides the skin with anti-microbial and anti-bacterial benefits. For more in...

Hello everyone! As many of you may already know, I struggled with acne for years.  I have spent a lot of time looking for ways to clear up my acne.   What eventually helped me clear my skin was a clean, vegan diet and using natural, homemade skincare products .   However, I'm still dealing with  acne scars on my face.   Before I became vegan, I used honey and yogurt (like my  DIY: Greek yoghurt, oatmeal and honey facial mask   and my   DIY: Micro-dermabrasion paste )  to help fade acne scars and both ingredients work really well, but now I'm only using   plant-based ingredients .   Today I want to share the  all-natural , vegan facial serum I'm currently using.  If you have any form of hyperpigmentation   on your skin,   you are going to love this DIY ! Ingredients: 1 tbs sweet almond oil  2 drops of lemon essential oil 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil  Sweet almond oil  is a wonderf...

Hello everyone! Remember my " beauty secret " post?  In this post I'm about to share another "secret"; aka the type of thing that people do not understand when you tell them or think you are crazy, but somehow I feel compelled to tell you, my readers, anyway! That's a mouthful! So, my secret is... Here goes nothing... I use neat (undiluted)  organic apple cider vinegar   on my face as a sort of   all-natural chemical peel ! Here's exactly   how I use it : I cleanse, rinse and towel dry my face and then I apply the undiluted ACV with a cotton ball.   This step is crucial : I only leave the  organic apple cider vinegar   on for about   2 minutes , then I rinse it off with plenty of cool water.   Do NOT   leave it on for more than a couple of minutes or it will burn your skin!  However, it is completely safe to use for one or two minutes two to three times a week .  Why I use it : ACV works better than any other exfoliant I...

Hello everyone! It's the end of the year, and you know what that means �  it's time to look back  at the year that was 2016.   In today's post I want to talk about   my 2016 .    For me, this was a year characterised by change...     Twenty-sixteen  was the year in which I became a   vegan .  I've been on a "mostly vegan" diet all my life.  I've never liked meat, eggs or dairy, but I did occasionally eat chicken breast and egg fried rice.  Also, if you read my blog you know that I did use   honey   in my   DIY beauty recipes .  Now I do  not eat or use any animal products.  The reason why I am even mentioning my diet (and lifestyle) on this blog is   because my skin has changed significantly  since I altered my eating habits.   My   acne   went away completely, which is something I was hoping for.  But not only that, my acne ...

Hello everyone! Today I'm back with another DIY beauty recipe .  There is nothing easier, or cheaper, then making your own DIY scrubs.  I�ve tried quite a few and this orange zest one is my new favourite! Here's the recipe ... Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw cane sugar 1/4 cup sweet almond oil 1/8 cup sea salt 3 drops orange essential oil Orange zest Almond oil is light in texture, and can easily penetrate deep into the skin, softening and removing the dirt and debris accumulated in the skin pores.  This prevents blackheads and acne.  The Vitamin A content in the oil may even help reduce acne flare-ups. Orange   essential   oil  is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which makes it an ideal ingredient in your   skin routine.  However, this   oil  isn't just for acne-prone   skin .  It's been shown to increase the ability to absorb vitamin C, collagen production, and blood flow, all of which are essential for anti- ageing . Method...

Hello everyone! Let's talk about acne ! Here are some facts. It may not be a serious threat to health, but it is the most common skin disease experienced by men and women.  It can be seen in different parts of the body - mostly in the face, neck, chest, and back.  Common types of acne are whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodules and cysts.  Studies show that acne affects over 50 million Americans.  40% of adolescents and approximately 85% of people between ages 12 and 24 experience at least a minor acne. There are many factors that cause the formation of acne, which varies from one person to another.  One thing is genetics, wherein if many people in the family are prone to having acne that leads to pimples, a person will also have a greater chance of acquiring it.  Another cause can be hormonal changes including pregnancy and menopause.  Menstruation is also one common factor that triggers acne.  Other causes of acne are emotional stres...

Hello everyone! I've been using baking soda to exfoliate my skin for years, in fact  Scrub your face with sodium bicarbonate!   was one of my first blog posts back in May, 2011!  Today I want to give you a simple DIY recipe for homemade microdermabrasion using baking soda.  Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 tsp baking soda - R ead more:  Baking soda beauty tips! � tsp of raw honey - Read more:  The amazing beauty benefits of honey rosewater -  Read more:   Beauty uses of rose water 1 drop tea tree essential oil - (anti-bacterial, prevents breakouts, and soothes irritation) Method: Mix baking soda and raw honey in a small container (or you can use coconut oil instead).  Combine to form a paste-like consistency and add one drop of tea tree oil . How to use: Wash your face with warm (not hot) water to open up the pores. Apply the mixture to your face and neck.   Use  your  fingertips to  massage  gently but firmly i...

Hello everyone! It's been a while since my last   DIY beauty recipe , so  today I want to share with you the recipe for my favourite   all-natural facial serum .   For those who don't know what facial serums are;  facial serums are lightweight moisturisers that contain a concentrated amount of nourishing ingredients.  So let's get started!  This is a very simple DIY, all you need are four ingredients.  Here's my recipe: Ingredients: 4 tbsp Aloe vera gel   - Soothes skin from irritation and inflammation. 2 tbsp castor oil   - Great skin moisturiser, delays the signs of ageing and reduces acne. 2 tbsp vegetable glycerin   - Keeps skin young and hydrated. 2/4 drops of tea tree oil   - Treats and prevents acne. Method: In a small glass pump bottle, combine all the ingredients.  Mix well until the ingredients are well amalgamated.  How to use: Cleanse your face as usual, then apply two or thre...

Hello everyone! If you suffer from   acne , you've probably tried hundreds of  treatments  (both internal and external).   If you have tried everything, and your  acne  still persists, it can be quite maddening.  However, just because you have tried all the  conventional treatments  does not mean you have tried every possible remedy.  Find out the   weirdest treatments  in this infographic: Via  Collect Infographics I would never, ever try the first three "treatments" mentioned in the infographic.  Which treatments would you not be willing to try?  What's the weirdest acne treatment you have ever tried?  Leave a comment and let me know!  

Hello everyone! Determining your skin type is the first step in knowing how to treat your skin and what products to use.  All you have to do is follow these 4 easy steps:   Wash Your Face.   Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.  Do not apply any products on. Wait a few hours.   During this time, your skin should return to its natural state and this will determine your skin type. Dab your face with blotting paper or a tissue.   Pay attention to the "T-zone" ( t he part of your face consisting of the forehead, nose, the area around your mouth and the chin ). Determine your skin type.    Skin falls into four types; normal, oily, dry and combination. Normal  skin shows neither oil nor flaking skin. Oily  skin is characterized by the grease on the tissue.   Dry  skin may feel tight or show flakes of dead skin.   Combination  skin is the most common.  It shows traits of all three of the above skin types....

Hello everyone! Let's make one thing clear, pore size is determined mainly by our genes.  Pores may also become larger with age or excessive sun exposure.  However, pores can definitely appear larger and more noticeable when they become clogged with dirt, oil and dead skin cells.  An effective cleansing and exfoliation regimen is   essential to keep pores clean and minimizing their appearance. The most effective approach in minimizing pores is by keeping them clean and clear at all times.   Check out these blog posts to learn more/view additional   DIY beauty recipes to help you cleans and minimize your pores.  The beauty benefits of ice The holy grail of toners! DIY: Deep cleansing pore strips DIY: Enzyme peel mask Scrub your face with sodium bicarbonate! Baking soda beauty tips! Lemons for clear skin The amazing beauty benefits of honey Banana peel skincare?! Also , check out the i nfographic below:   The ultimate steps to cleans...