The best natural toners for all skin types

www.thehealthstore.ie

Aromatic waters are created by distilling flowers and leaves with pure water. It’s the same process as is used to create essential oils and means the water is infused with the fragrance and properties of the herb. They make lovely face toners, after cleansing or any time you want to freshen up your skin, or can be used as pillow and linen sprays. 

FINDING THE RIGHT AROMATIC WATER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Orange Flower Aromatic Water

Perfect for younger skins and deliciously scented (Orange Flower is known as Neroli when it is used as an essential oil).

Rose Aromatic Water 

The classic rosewater which moistens and reduces redness. Uplifting and fresh. Has great anti-viral properties. Excellent for mature and sensitive skin.

Lemon Balm Aromatic Water

Uplifting and energising, antibacterial and anti fungal is excellent for the T zone and combination skin.

Lavender Aromatic Water

Rebalancing and antibacterial, has a soothing and calming effect.

Witch Hazel Aromatic Water

Gently astringent so good for oily skins. Also traditionally used on cuts and grazes.

Where to buy aromatic waters?

Easy Calendula Cream Recipe

                                 

Photo by audreyjm529

Calendula, or marigold, is a plant in the daisy family , native to an area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean to Iran. 

Pharmacological studies have shown that Calendula extracts have anti-viral, anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory properties and it is used topically for acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding, and soothing irritated tissue. Calendula has also been found very effective in the treatment of eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis, or in speeding up the healing of skin irritation, wounds and sunburn.

I have been using Calendula for many years now, for myself and for my kids and it has been a lifesaver in many situations, from bad nappy rash, eczema and insects bites, to acne and scarring. It is one of the oils I make sure I never run out of and it is always in my first aid kit. 

It is one of the most expensive oils but can be used diluted in other carrier oils, like almond or wheat-germ, in different concentrations depending on the condition you want to treat.

In some cases I have used it pure, on little burns and wounds, or on a badly inflamed spot for example. 

In most cases though, I use it mixed in with other natural ingredients to make a smooth and easily spreadable cream, and I swear it works wonders!

...And here's my recipe:

www.picasaweb.google.com

                                       

EASY CALENDULA CREAM 

4 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
1 tbsp Calendula Oil (I used Atlantic
Aromatics Calendula Extract)
Few drops of Vitamin E (Jason )
Few drops of your favourite essential oil
Whisk all the ingredients until you reach a smooth and even texture.
Apply where and when needed.



Here's a link about the miraculous properties of Calendula, not only in creams, but also as an ointment, in herbal teas etc.
http://calendula-cream.net/

DIY Home Made Cleansing Milk

Having trained in Natural Facials and as a person that cannot ignore nor forget the information she comes across, I am convinced that the less chemicals we put into our body the better our long term health can be. This doesn't mean that we have to avoid all that branded make up or those skin care products we love, but if we could just substitute the few staple items that we use every day, often twice a day, with a more natural alternative, I'm sure this could be extremely beneficial for us. 

Personally I think that buying Cleansing Milk is a waste of money. It is one of the easiest things to make at home and can be adapted to every type of skin. The results are truly amazing and, in my opinion, far more impressive than the shop bought versions. Here's my basic recipe. 

Cleansing Milk

2 tbsp Pure Aloe Vera Jelly ( you can find this in Boots or in The Health Shop)

2 tsp Jojoba oil

*Optional

A few drops of Vit E

A few drops of Neroli essential oil.

Mix well to obtain a smooth and uniform texture.

Apply on your face slowly massaging with your fingertips and remove with cotton pads. You can rinse it off if your skin is oily.

All natural home made make up remover

Photo: heathbeautyadvice.com

What do most women do every day? They start their day applying make up. Now, I'm a Beauty Therapist by trade and cannot stress enough how important it is that you stick to a regular and efficient cleansing routine, both before going to bed in the evening, and when you wake up in the morning. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and you want to take care of it and make sure it stays healthy and carries on doing its very important work of protection, thermoregulation, water resistance and sensation. We should always bare in mind that one of its functions though, absorption, can be a double-edged sword. 

I have a couple of branded Eye Makeup Removers and I decided to take a look at the ingredients. All of them share all or most of these: Mineral Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Ceteth-20, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbic Acid, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Vanillin, Titanium Dioxide.

Parabens can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with paraben allergies, a small percentage of the general population. Animal experiments have shown that parabens have a weak estrogenic activity, acting as xenoestrogens.

Synthetic fragrances are widely used in consumer products. Studies concluded from patch testing show synthetic fragrances are made of many ingredients which cause allergic reactions.

Also, cosmetics companies have been criticized for making pseudo-scientific claims about their products which are misleading or unsupported by scientific evidence.

Mineral Oil, more commonly known as Baby oil, is a petroleum ingredient that coats the skin just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural immune barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins is impeded by this 'plastic wrap,' which can promote acne and other disorders. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age.

This is the reason why in the past couple of years there has been growing awareness of and preference for cosmetics lacking toxic ingredients, especially those derived from petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and parabens. Numerous reports have raised concern over the safety of a few surfactants. SLS causes a number of skin problems, including dermatitis.

                                           

Photo: modernmom.com

For this reason I have been browsing the web looking for some more natural (and inexpensive) recipes for eye make up removers.

These are just a small selection of what I found. I intentionally avoided all recipes containing aggressive or toxic ingredients (like borax, shampoo or chemicals) and it seems to me that oil based make up removers are the way to go. The third recipe below contains Castile Soap and I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive eyes, but might be a bit stronger against water-proof mascara. Please feel free to post your own recipe if you have one!

I'm really looking forward to hearing your reviews. 

Photo: beautifulproducts.com

Eye Makeup Remover #1

www.wholenewmom.com

This website compares and tests many different recipes and swears about this one.
Makes about 1/3 cup

Ingredients        
2 Tbsp witch hazel  
2 Tbsp oil of choice
2 Tbsp water (please use filtered water)

Directions
1. Add all ingredients to your container / dispenser
2. Shake well before using.
3. Wipe on eyes with clean fingers, or moisten cotton ball or makeup pad and swipe over eyes.

Eye Makeup Remover #2

www.greenliving.nationalgeographic.com

Step 1:
Pour 1 tbsp. each canola and olive oil into a small bowl. Mix the oils with your measuring spoon. Dab a cotton pad into the bowl and wipe it around your eyes to remove makeup.

Step 2:
Create an alternate eye makeup remover by spooning 2 tbsp. of liquid coconut oil into a small bowl .If your coconut oil is in solid form, run the jar under hot water first or place the bowl in the microwave for a few seconds. Add 2 tbsp. of sesame oil and mix until blended. Dip your finger in the bowl and apply to your eyelids and eyelashes. Carefully wipe away with a clean, slightly damp cotton pad.

Step 3:
Pour 2 tbsp. each jojoba oil and meadow-foam oil into a small container and mix well. Dip a cotton ball or pad into the mixture and carefully apply to your eye area, wiping gently.

Eye Makeup Remover #3

www.domesticatedduchess.blogspot.ie

This makeup remover is non greasy, and gets the job done! The only thing is you must shake it up before each use!

You'll need:
1 cup of distilled water (be sure to use distilled!)
1/2 teaspoons of unscented baby-mild liquid Castile soap
1 1/4 teaspoons of olive oil
Small containers with lid (I bought two travel sized containers from Target)

Step-by-step:
1. Pour ingredients into container with lid
2. Shake well!
3. Put into small container using a funnel.