Black Skin Care - Does Your Face Talk?

Is your face giving you message about your body as a whole?

My friend used to always tell me that my face was talking. But she meant that I couldn't keep what I was thinking about someone's outfit or hair colour or bleached skin colour because my facial expression would show immediately how I felt. Busted!

But there is a science known as reading faces or face mapping. Just as with your feet and hands in reflexology, every point on your face is associated with an organ in your body.

It goes deeper that what you or I might feel about someone's personal choices in wardrobe or hair colour or skin colour. Your face can be an indication of what's going on internally with your body.

Some of us are kicking and screaming our ways into what is considered maturing. The beauty industry refers to it as aging but we don't have to be up in age in order to look older than we are.


Taking a Holistic Approach to Skin Care From The Inside Out

From a holistic approach, your body and what you put into it is a direct result of how your beautiful black skin will look and if you dont't get your 'beauty rest' it will show up on your face as well.

Did you know that the area around your eyes is tied into the health of your kidneys? Wrinkles, dark circles, bags and puffiness can often be the result of the kidney not functioning properly.

Every lines, crease and mole is tied into the organs of your body. Those lines that show up around the side of your mouth and look like parenthesis can be an indication of a colon that needs cleansing.

I know you feel that you black don't crack and that you don't age the way 'other' people on the planet age all because of your melanin. That would be true if you don't eat the way that other people on the planet eat.

It's been said that everything is connected and that if you really want to keep your youthful appearance, then you will have to cleanse your entire body. Finding the 'cause' of what's happening to your skin, hair, nails and body as a whole are not always talked or dealt with. Whatever is going on inside is being reflected on the outside.

Your face, eyes, posture, your hands, and even the way you breathe and speak can often be an indication that something isn't quite right internally. Yes we can inherit a lot of illnesses and consitions but you can also treat and fix them. It's up to you!


Stress and the Skin You're In

Stress can be debilitating. It can change your entire appearance. I remember a time when I was under extreme stress and I needed to take some passport photographs. When I went to take the picture, I didn't believe what the camera was showing me. I had to take the picture several times because in my mind, I was not the person in the photo.

I could see all kind of lines in my forehead and around my mouth and let's not even mention how big the bags were under my eyes. I was a wreck!

This is when I had to make the decision to take charge of what I ate and not let what I ate control me. When stressed, I'll go for a massage. The sugar levels would have my skin looking dull, ashy and gray. Now I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It might not sound delicious bit it's much healthier.

Does your face talk? You bet it does so why not have it speak about the beauty of your skin

Feeding Your Beautiful Black Skin With Natural Oils

Typically in massage training, the focus is on learning about muscles and bones and how massage is good for your skin. But your skin is not just a surface you ignore.

Even though it might be complex psychologically, as far as the system is concerned, when you take a look at your skin and you begin to treat it, you get a wonderful soft surface that becomes soothing and sensual to the touch.

When you look at oils that mother nature has provided, not only are you looking at an oil that's for massage treatment, you can find beautiful oils or oil blends that will be good for just moisturizing your skin.

Some like to refer to it as feeding your skin. When you're thinking of feeding your beautiful black skin, you'll want to take a look at different types of oils that are available to you.

Natural Oils For Beautiful Black Skin

For a lot of you, I'm sure you've heard about Almond oil. Almond oil is used as an emollient and it's great when you blend it with other oils. I use Pure Almond Oil by Life-Flo Health Care.

Another oil is Coconut oil. It would also be used with an emollient, which is going to soften and smooth be very soothing to your skin. The best type is the extrat virgin coconut oil which is not refined.

You can choose from Maison Orphee Coconut Oil, Nutiva Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Artisana Coconut Oil. It should come in a glass jar, its colour should be fairly white and the aroma sweet and pleasant like fresh coconuts (unless it is the refined oil) 

Jojoba oil is the same. It's an emollient and humectant. Humectants add moisture to your skin. I use Dessert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil.

Blending Oils For Natural Black Skin Care

When you look at a lot of these oils, a wonderful blend would be something like a jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and coconut oil. This blend can be used for massage as well as a mosturizing body oil. It makes a great hair oil too.

Oils can be therapeutic. They can benefit you as the receiver at a massage treatment or the person who uses it to mosturize your skin on a daily basis.

Why would you choose a natural oil for your black skin care regiment? When it's cold outside, that's a great time to use beautiful oils. Oils not only soften your skin, but they prevent fristion, promote smoothness, distribute heat evenly and provide lustre for your skin.

So the next time you're in the mood for something that's going to offer you the ability to moisturize and soften your skin, try a great oil combination of Jojoba, Coconut and Almond oil.

 

What Are Essential Oils and How Can They Help Our Beautiful Black Skin?

We've all experienced some type of skin challenges that send us running to the counter for that bottle of our favourite essential oil. Whether it's lavender or rose oil, sandalwood or frankincense, there's an essential oil to treat one or more of your skin challenges.

But what are essential oils?

Essential oils are the life force or the very "soul" of a plant. Each drop contain the plant hormones and organic chemical compounds that regenerate and give oxygen to your skin.

Most essential oils are steam distilled from flowers, roots, barks, leaves, resins or twigs and pressed from cirtus rinds.

With your skin being the largest organ of your body, it's all too important that you are very conscious of what you put on your skin. Your skin takes in and eliminates and it's a major part of your immunes system. It protects you from the elements and prevents harmful chemicals from entering your body.

Essential oils act as transporters that carry therapeutic benefits to the layers of your skin. They also improve your skin's condition by increasing your blood circulation. You can use essential oils as part of your daily black skin care regimen. Given the right oil for your skin type, it can act as your moisturizer or toner for your skin.

Essential oils are used in the complimentary or alternative healing form of Aromatherapy. Therefore you might want to consult with a Medical Doctore that understands and appreciates the use of Aromatherapy in the form of healing aid.

What can essential oils do for your beautiful black skin and what is the benefit of using them?

• Essential oils can penetrate the layers of your skin all the way down to the dermal layer. This is where new cells are formed.
• Essential oils affect your emotional and mental state in a positive way, therefore, they can alleviate stress related skin problems.
• Essential oils can stimulate and regenerate the production of healthy skin cells following burns, sun damage and in healing your wounds.
• Essential oils soothe sensitive and inflammed skin
• Essential oils contain plant hormones that help balance and remove hormonally related skin problems

A Word of Caution!

Essential oils are highly concentrated and must be used with caution. You must test each oil before you use it for potential allergic reactions.

Try this: Add 1 to 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of base oil in a smal bowl. Place a dab on your inner wrist, inside your upper arm, behind your ear or knee and wait for 12 to 24 hours. If you have no irritation, the this essential oil can be considered safe for you.

Note: A base/carrier oils is an oil that blends well with an essential oil and dilutes the essential oil that it may be skin ready. A good choice of base/carrier oils are avocado, hazelnut, jojoba and extra virgin olive oil.  These oils have great shelf life, do not become rancid and are great for your skin.

Essential Oils and Our Beautiful Black Skin

When considering oils for your beautiful black skin, essential oils in their purest form known as hydrosols or floral water are a great choice. Hydrosols are a pure, natural by product of the essential oil distillation process. These fragrant waters are saturated with water-soluble compounds present in the plants and they are gentle enough to use on your skin.

Floral waters are the easiest way to use essential oils on your skin. These waters have healing properties of oils and are very good for sensitive skins.

Hydrosols are great as toners, splashes and sprays that are soothing, hydrating and lightly moisturizing to your skin.

Lavender, Chamomile (German), Neroli or Orange Blossom and Rose Otto are at the top of the list when considering dydrosols for black skin.

Lavender is an essential oil that can be applied directly to your skin for most people. It's an exceptional oil for treating surface burns on your skin. You know the ones you get from flat irons and regular irons.

Healthy Juicing Recipe for Clear Skin

Juicing has become all the range in the past year or so. Thanks to documentaries I just researched such as Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and Hungry for Change, more and more people are gradually seeing the importance of juicing organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Juicing is wonderful because most people don't get the required intake of fruits and vegetables daily and our bodies are suffering for it. Realistically, if the body tried to consume ALL the fruits and vegetables that is beneficial to it, the digestive system could go into overdrive from all the fibre. That is why juicing is so great - All the nutrinets, vitamins, and antioxidants are extracted from the produce without it iiritating your digestive tract by getting backed up by fibre. You can still eat regular fruits and veggies during the day to get your fibre intake, in addition to a variety of other foods, but juicing maximizes health with little downtime or irritation to your digestive tract. 
I made a new friend last month who has a very beautiful and youthful look and I was amazed at how old she is. She's also "team green" and she gave me insight into her beauty regimen and eating habits. She favours juicing a lot and won't stop talking about how her skin has become clearer, more youthful in appearance, and her notoriously dark circles has become lighter, in addition to bruising less. She said she juices every morning before eating so that her body can absorb all the amazing nutrients from the fruits and veggies first, before adding in whole grains and lean proteins throughout the day.
The trick to juicing is to minimize sugar because fruits contain a lot of sugar so she typically adds in only 1-2 different types of fruit per day. Below is the simplest juice she makes. It's amazing for your skin, body and overall health, Glycolic acid, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Zinc are a small example of some of the amazing nutrients that come from this 1-1.5 large glass of juice. Double the ingredients if you're making for two people and enjoy!

Ingredients (All Organic, All the Time)
2 medium/large red or green apples
4 large carrots
1 cucumber
2 sticks of celery (some people don't like celery, so you can choose not to add this veggie)
6-8 leaves of kale (she got them from ShopRite)
1 cup of spinach
1/2 lemon
5 springs of Parsley

Juicing is so easy to do and between prepping the produce, juicing, and cleaning the maching, it takes only 10-15 minutes every morning to do. It's truly one of the best things you can do for your body and you will notice amazing results in a very short time. So what are you waiting for? Buy a juicer and start juicing immediately! You will be amazed with the results.

Clean Eating for Beautiful Skin

Clean eating, or eating  clean, has been a phrase that most of us are hearing almost daily. Does that mean you wash your food before you eat it? No. It is simply eating with cutting out all processed foods, fried foods, and food high in sugar, salt and fat, and eating things that are found in their natural state, like fruits and vegetables. It may sound impossible but it's not. Our bodies are made to be healthy and our bodies are at optimum health when we eat simply and live active lifestyles. Below are tips to help you change to clean eating mentality for your overall health, body and skin.

Drink Water - Cut out all unnatural drinks including juices from concentrates, soda, caffeinated drinks, etc. Sugary and caffeinated drinks are not good for you and will cause your skin and body to look and feel distressed and dehydrated. Opt for wateer. If you need some flavour, slice up a couple of lemon slices and add it to an ice cold glass of water. It will also help your skin colour even out and minimize acne.

Avoid Salt - Salt is not good for the body in high quantities and most of us consume too much salt and dont't even realize it. Salt is in everything that is processed so it's important to read labels before purchasing food. Even organic soups and such can have a high level of salt (sodium) so beware. The daily intake should be less than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day.

Whole Grains - Eat whole grains. Many foods say they are whole grain or whole wheat, but if you read the ingredients label, read enriched wheat flavour. If it says enriched, put it down! Only purchase foods that say whole wheat (not processed). Other delicious grains other than wheat include quinia and brown rice.

Eat Foods In Their Natural State - The less processed foods you eat, the better you will look and feel. Eat foods that are naturally ready to enjoy, that aren't sweetened or tainted with artificial look and flavour. This includes whole grain breads and crackers, quinoa, brown rice, fruits and vegetables. I know a lot of us will find it difficult  but if you want to add flavour to your food, avoid condiments like barbeque sauce, mayonnaise and ketchup and instead choose natural herbs and spices that give your food more flavour.
Eating clean is not difficult but does take some getting used to. If you are proactive about taking care of your body and health, it will take care of you and exude through your skin.

Being Happy With Who You Are!

I know it is tough just fully accepting who you are what you look like without constantly comparing yourself to others. The media makes it especially tough with all the beautiful (AIRBRUSHED!) photos of women and men on television, in magazines, and on film. But this much is true- no one is perfect. We all have imperfections and things we would like to change or improve about ourselves. So, how can you find a balance of changing the things about yourself that do are able to do in a healthy manner, without losing yourself or missing out on this beautiful and brief thing called life? Also, not stressing about things you have no control over is actually better for your skin and overall health!

MEDITATE
Find time in your day, even if it is just fifteen minutes, to turn off your phone, computer, television, iPad, e.t.c and just lay in silence to allow your brain and body to just relax. Studies have found that if you meditate every day for a few minutes, you are more in tune with yourself and are generally happier as well. This time in silence is great for reflecting on all the wonderful blessings you have been given in life such as your health, your family and or friends, where you live (if it's some amazing location!), or if you really excel at a certain skill and most importantly the gift of life!

FOCUS
Focus on what is really important in life as opposed to comparing yourself to others and wishing you were someone else. It is definitely not easy if you are struggling with acne but honestly, it is temporary and things will get better. In the meantime, spend time with those that life you up and make you happy, exercise, eat healthy, travel, read great books, go shopping with friends, and enjoy life to the fullest... it doesn't last forever so make it count!

SMILE
Studies find it that if you smile often, you will actually become happier! Smiling not only make you feel happier, it also is contagious and others will not be able to help but smile back at you! Smiling faces are also much more beautiful than sad and frowning faces. So, if you are sad about your acne or scaring or a particular skin problem, we promise that smiling will take away attention from your skin and instead people will be focused on your radiating happiness!
The power of positive thinking is truly amazing. It is definitely not easy at first, but you can actually train your brain to think happy thoughts. If you remind yourself every day about ow good of a person you are, remind yourself of all your positive qualities, intentionally rid your mind of negative thinking and make firm decision to stop comparing yourself to others, in just a couple weeks (if not sooner!) you will become a more genuinely happy person that is content with who you were created to be.
Do not focus to much on outer beauty. Inner beauty is what truly counts and will radiate through to your outer beauty... You are amazing - Remember that!

Recipes: Oatmeal, Honey & Yogurt Face Mask

Oatmeal can be considered a healthy choice for breakfast because it is low in fat and calories, and it is filled with many antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Also, because Oatmeal is a whole grains, it is high in fibre and retains most nutrients. So, what else is this natural substance good for?

Well, it turns out that Oatmeal can also do wonders for a dull complexion. What is more, Oatmeal is incredibly cheap and wonderfully versatile, helping to draw impurities out of the skin and adding a natural glow to the complexion. 

Oatmeal can be incorporated into your natural beauty routine in a number of ways, and perhaps the easiest way to treat your skin is with an Oatmeal face ask. Oatmeal can be mixed with various ingredients to handle a number of skin conditions. To give your skin a treat, and to maintain the natural beauty and glow of your skin, an Oatmeal, Honey & Yogurt Face Mask will give any expensive store bought product a run for its money, and the face mask is one hundred percent natural.


Homemade Beauty Recipe for you to try:
1/4 Cup Oatmeal
1/4 Cup Water
2 tbsp plain yogurt
2 tbsp honey

1. Either use finely ground oatmeal, or grind the oatmeal yourself to achieve a fine consistency.
If the oatmeal is not fine enough, the mask will be lumpy and difficult to apply.
2. Warm the water, honey and yogurt until it is slightly warm-comfortable enough to apply to your skin.
3. Mix in the oatmeal until you achieve a smooth consistency which is thick enough to stick to the skin.
4. Apply to the face while it is still warm. The honey can make this mask quite sticky and gooey, so be sure to tie hair out of the way.
5. Leave on the skin for about 15 minutes and then wash off thoroughly. Your skin will feel wonderful!

*Note: As an alternative to the Honey,you can use mashed up Avocado as it is excellent for healing sun damaged and treating dry skin. Also make sure you use plain Oatmeal because the Flavoured Oatmeal may contain preservatives or artificial flavours or colours.