While candida yeast is naturally present in the body, when it grows rapidly and without control, it can cause intestinal disbalance and infections in the mouth and in the vagina in women. Usually, overgrowth is caused by the intake of antibiotics, uncontrolled diabetes or weakened immune system. Unhealthy diet may also be responsible for it. Find out what foods can cause overgrowth of this fungus in the body when they are consumed in fairly large amounts over a long period of time.
Sugary Foods
These are responsible for most cases of candida overgrowth due to diet. When a lot of sugar is consumed, blood glucose increases and it takes longer for it to get back to its optimal level. Higher blood sugar levels boost the growth rate of the yeast.
In general, sugary foods have adverse impact on the overall health as they contribute to body weight increase and the consequently to heart disease and diabetes. It is best if you reduce their consumption to the lowest possible minimum. For optimal results, you should do the same with sugary drinks such as soda and sweetened fruit juices.
Foods Rich in Simple Carbs
Simple carbohydrates break down into glucose super fast and cause a peak in the blood glucose levels. In this way, they increase the risk of candida overgrowth and of weight gain and other health problems when they are consumed in large amounts. Given this, it is best if you cut their consumption. The list of the most consumed foods which are rich in simple carbs includes white bread and pasta, white rice and potatoes. As you can see, they form a major portion of most people’s diet so it is not easy to get rid of them completely. That is why it is best to replace them with their healthier alternatives. These are whole-grain bread and pasta and brown rice. Healthy cooking is also important.
Alcoholic Beverages
These drinks are also rich in carbohydrates. They slow down the metabolism and the processing of fat in addition to stimulating candida yeast growth. They can cause liver damage as well. You should reduce their consumption as much as possible. Generally, low alcohol consumption is part of every healthy diet. In fact, if you already have certain health problems, you should eliminate it completely at least until you recover fully.
Processed and Canned Foods
These foods contain fairly high amounts of sugar, even if they are not sweet. If you read the labels, you will discover that salami and sauces which are generally salty are rich in sugar. That is why it is best to avoid them or to consume them in very small amounts for keeping candida yeast growth under control. There are other important reasons why you should keep their consumption as low as possible. Processed and canned foods often have high fat content. Besides, they are full of additives and preservatives most of which have adverse impact on the human body.
With the right candida diet, the risk of overgrowth will be minimal.
The overgrowth of candida is related to intestinal flora imbalance. This has adverse effects on the entire internal body balance and makes common problems like fatigue and stress worse. For keeping candida and the overall balance of the body under control, you need to adopt a healthy way of life. One of the major aspects of it is exercise. Find out what the best type of exercise is and how to do it in order to get the best possible results.
Cardio Exercise
There is a simple reason why a cardio workout program will help you to balance candida and stay healthy. This type of exercise involves practically all muscles of the human body. When you move, you burn calories. This, in turn, helps you to keep your blood sugar levels under control. When there are no spikes in blood glucose, normal rate of candida growth is maintained.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the calorie burning process involves heat production and sweating. As you know, toxins are released with sweat through the pores. This means that cardio exercise has a natural cleansing effect. This also helps to keep candida balance and the internal body balance. This type of workout is good for the heart as well. It reduces the risk of serious heart disease.
Diverse Options
There is a wide array of cardio exercises to pick from. You should base your choice on a number of important factors. These include age, overall health, any specific health conditions that you have and your level of fitness. Walking is the mildest of all cardio workouts. Jogging requires slightly more effort, but brings beneficial results faster. Swimming is great even for people who have joint problems as it does not cause strain to them. You can keep the pace that you prefer.
Aerobics is more intensive. Cycling and running are the most intensive of all cardio workout options. You should be in good shape if you want to practice them. In any case, you must start off slowly to avoid putting too much strain on the body and to reduce the risk of injuries.
Exercising Effectively
You can derive the best results from cardio exercise only if you do it frequently. You should have one-hour workouts at least three times a week. In general, if you are in good health and the exercise does not involve too much straining, you can do it every day or at least every other day. It is important to keep the schedule that you have established.
You should start every workout session with warm-up in order to avoid strains, sprains and more serious injuries. You have to ensure that your muscles are well prepared for doing more intensive work. At the end of the session, you should stretch. This also helps for keeping the risk of injuries to the lowest minimum.
Finally, you should drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day and when you do exercise. Water plays a major role in burning calories and getting rid of toxins. It is essential for ensuring candida balance and overall body balance.
It is a fact that when candida overgrowth continues over a period of time, it can have multiple adverse effect on the functioning of the body from lower energy to weakened immune system. That is why it is important to keep the level of this fungus under check. One of the best ways to do this is through healthy dieting. When you consume the right foods, you will feel great and look great too.
Healthy Food Choices
The primary product to include in your diet for candida balancing and reduction in case of overgrowth is yogurt. This is the best natural source of lactobacillus bacteria popularly known as probiotics. Probiotics are essential for keeping the balance of the intestinal flora. By regulating the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, they contribute to the work of the immune system and help to keep nutrient and energy levels optimal.
It is important that you eat plain unsweetened yogurt. There is no point in taking probiotics, which suppress candida growth, together with sugar, which stimulates it. Besides, sugar has a lot of other adverse effects on the body.
Vegetables are also among the primary foods that you should eat. They are rich in vitamins and minerals that keep the digestive tract and the body as a whole in optimal form. Besides, they are low in calories and fat. The more diverse your choices are the better. One easy way to ensure that you will get all the beneficial nutrients that you require from vegetables is to aim for maximum color variety in the plate.
You have to ensure that your candida diet includes healthy sources of carbohydrates and protein. The whole-grain bread, pasta and cereals are excellent replacement to all products made from white flour. Brown rice is also a fine choice. Just remember that you should still not consume very large amounts of these foods. The same applies to the healthy sources of protein as well. These include chicken breast, lean veal, and eggs. It is important to include fatty fish like salmon in your diet as they are the primary sources of fatty acids, which are essential for the optimal condition and functioning of the heart and the brain.
The Right Approach
You should know that the diet for candida reduction is not only about the foods that you eat, but about how you eat them as well. You should consume vegetables raw for best results. You can prepare amazing salads with various healthy dressings based on spices and herbs. Other health dressing ingredients include lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil.
You must use only healthy cooking methods. Forget about frying and focus on steaming, simmering and boiling. Frilling is also fine as long as you use only a small amount of fat. Remember that the best way to make food delicious is to season it right.
Last, but not least, in order for the candida reduction diet to produce the best results, you should remember to eat three meals a day and two snacks between them.
When candida overgrowth causes various symptoms that affect your daily life like fatigue and more frequent colds, you should take measures to deal with it. You should definitely go on a diet for reducing overgrowth, but for best results, you need to start with a cleanse. Since this fungus is naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract, it is released through it as well. That is why the right cleanse will produce superb results fairly quickly. Find out how to do it.
Food and Drink
The best cleanse to reduce candida includes the consumption of raw vegetables. You can make salads or use the blender for shakes. For best results, you should not use any spices and herbs. Forget about salt, in particular. You can use a little bit of olive oil to ensure that all nutrients are properly absorbed. Just do not add too much of it to your plate.
One of the major questions is whether fruit should be included in the cleanse given that they contain sugar, which naturally boosts candida levels. The reality is that you will consume a very small amount of calories with the veggies and this can cause some discomfort like dizziness especially during the first day or two of the program. That is why you can add small amounts of fruits which are low in sugar to your diet. If you want to keep the program without fruits, you should consider having somewhat higher consumption of veggies that have sugar in them such as carrots.
At the same time, the more acidic fruit like oranges and grapefruits can be highly beneficial since acid helps to reduce the growth of candida. Just remember to use them in small amounts right after you have had veggies. Otherwise, you can get stomach discomfort and this is the last thing that you need when you are getting rid of the compounds which block your body and prevent it from functioning optimally.
The beverages that you consume are quite important as well. You should limit them to water, vegetable juices and possibly a little bit of citrus fruit juice. You should try to drink at least eight glasses of water per day for best results. After all, it is the most potent natural cleanser. Remember to drink it at room temperature to enhance the process further.
Optimal Duration
How long should you follow the candida cleanse program for? You should try to stick to it for at least three days. If you feel good, you can continue it for another two. People who are more experienced in internal cleansing can follow the program for as many as seven days.
Just keep in mind that this program is suitable for people who do not have any serious health conditions and do not take medication. If you do not feel in top form because you have just had a cold or for another reason, you should postpone the candida cleanse until you feel better. You have to be prepared to make this big change in your daily routine both physically and mentally.
Candida is a type of fungus which is naturally found in the human body. Its full name is . It is part of the intestinal flora and participates in the metabolic processes which take place in the gastrointestinal track. It is also present in the mouth and on the skin, but in much smaller numbers It requires a warm and moist environment to grow just like all other fungi. Its growth is stimulated by a drop in the acidic levels.
This type of fungus grows in two main forms. The more common one is the yeast form. The less frequently occurring one is the hypha form. It is similar to a long and thin branch with multiple small extensions.
It is known that somewhere between 70% and 80% of the people in the world. It is passed from the mother to her child during birth. This is how it ends up in the body. When a person is in optimal health, candida overgrowth is highly unlikely to occur. This is because the pH balance in the body is naturally maintained and the body uses its own internal mechanisms for controlling it along with the other microorganisms found inside.
There are several main causes of candida overgrowth inside the body. Usually, this happens when antibiotics are taken and the level of acidity falls due to the reduced number of lacto bacteria. The other common causes include weakened immune system and diabetes which is not controlled.
There are three types of candida infections caused by overgrowth of the fungus. These are vaginal candidiasis, oropharyngeal candidiasis and invasive candidiasis. When overgrowth occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, it causes imbalance in it and in the entire body.
The presence of candida in the body and the vaginal and mouth infections which it causes are not lethal. Invasive candidiasis can cause death, however. Slightly over one third of the cases are lethal.
There is no clinical or research evidence which proves that candida can cause cancer. However, when overgrowth is present for a longer period of time, the body’s immune system becomes weaker and cells are at greater risk of free radical damage.
Foods with high sugar content cause candida yeast overgrowth. The list includes soft drinks and alcohol plus processed and canned foods. Foods that contain simple carbohydrates can also stimulate increased growth.
The best exercise to reduce candida is cardio exercise. This is because it helps to keep blood sugar levels under control and the release of toxins as well. You can select from various cardio exercise options and follow a precise workout program.
The best diet for candida reduction includes yogurt, vegetables, whole-grain foods and healthy sources of protein and fatty acids. Only healthy cooking methods must be used for best results. It is important for the diet to include three meals and two snacks a day.
The best cleanse for reducing candida includes only vegetables and a little bit of fruit for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels. It involves drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. It should last for at least three days.
Bad habits, stress and diet low in important nutrients, vitamins and minerals are among the major factors bringing down the condition of our nails. Issues such as discoloration, pits, grooves, spots, horizontal lines and brittleness are extremely common nowadays. They not only make the nails look imperfect, but affect their health. The good news is that there are many things which you can do to improve the health and looks of your nails. Here are the most effective measures.
Put an end to bad habits.
The list includes biting your fingernails, pulling off hangnails and picking at your cuticles. These affect not only the looks of the nails, but also increase the risk of bacterial infections. If you bite your fingernails when you are anxious, you should start using an alternative method for calming down. You can do something else with your hands such as rotating a pair of relaxation balls. It is true that hangnails are extremely annoying, but it is easier and much more effective to clip them.
Cut your nails, but not your cuticles.
You must use sharp stainless steel scissors especially designed for the purpose. Cut your fingernails only after a shower or after soaking them in water for about ten minutes. They will be soft and this will make things easier. Cut the middle section of the nail straight and then round the edges. Use a hygienic nail file with your preferred firmness to achieve the desired shape. File the nails in one direction from the edge to the center rather than going back and forth.
After softening the cuticles with warm water, you can massage them with a little bit of olive oil for nourishment. Then you need to push them back gently with the help of a cuticle pusher or orange stick. Cutting the cuticles increases the risk of infection so it should be avoided. Remember that you must never share any tools that you use for nail care.
Protect your nails from harsh environments.
Water is an enemy to nails when they are in it for too long. That is why it makes sense to put rubber gloves on when you wash the dishes. This will also give you protection from the nail-damaging chemicals found in washing liquids. Needless to say, such chemicals are present in all sorts of cleaners as well. For this, you should also put rubber gloves on when you clean various objects and surfaces from stoves to wood counter tops and cars. You should definitely protect your nails from the harsh environment during the winter months. Choose gloves which keep your hands warm while being breathable at the same time.
Rely on moisturizing.
The nails will benefit little from moisturizing, but the cuticles and the skin around them will be healthier and stronger. This will result in better nail health as well. It is best to apply moisturizer after a shower or a bath when the pores are open. You can use a specially designed product which contains various vitamins and minerals or a more basic product such as olive oil or almond oil. You can also apply hand moisturizer to these parts of the finger especially if you already use one. When the skin around the fingernails is rough and you experience nail problems such as discoloration and brittleness, you should use moisturizer daily. Otherwise, weekly treatments will be more than sufficient.
Use the right nail products.
You can add a layer of nail hardener before you apply nail polish if you have brittle and thin fingernails. Reinforcing hardeners are typically safer, but you should get well familiar with the specific ingredients just to be on the safe side. When it comes to nail polish, you would want to get a product which is free from toxic chemicals. Make sure that dibutyl phthalate also known as DBP, formaldehyde and toluene are not present in the bottle.
There are two types of nail polish removers to select from. The acetone-based products are more potent, but cause skin and nail dryness and sometimes irritation. The non-acetone products are much less harsh, but less powerful too. They are recommended to those with sensitive and dry skin. In general, it is a good idea to moisturize the fingernails and the skin around them after using the remover.
Get all the right vitamins and minerals for nail health.
Vitamins A, C and E are essential for having strong and beautiful nails. They are found in leafy greens and raw nuts among other foods. Biotin is perhaps the most important vitamin for nails as it is known for strengthening them naturally. Foods which are rich in biotin include almonds, legumes, eggs and whole grains. Zinc, calcium and iron are also important for nail health. While zinc and iron are most abundant in meats like veal, the low-fat dairy products are the ideal sources of calcium.
In general, when you have a balanced diet, you will have a healthy body and nails. If you have been diagnosed with vitamin deficiency, you should definitely take the supplements recommended by your doctor. Otherwise, you should check with him or her first before you use any product even if it is especially designed for boosting nail health.
Watch out for bothering nail symptoms.
Any changes in the color and thickness of the nails which last for more than two weeks and are not a result of injury should be reported to a doctor. This is important since they may signal a medical condition which requires specialist treatment. Other symptoms that you need to share with your physician include changes in the nail shape such as curving, detachment of the nail, bleeding and swelling.
Choose a nail salon very carefully if you plan to go to one.
Make sure that it is licensed and that all hygienic norms are strictly followed. All tools must be thoroughly sanitized after each customer. Before the treatment begins, tell the nail technician what you want done with your nails and cuticles exactly. It is perfectly normal to ask her to be gentle.
Use all of the tips shared here for healthier and more beautiful nails.
Everyone wants to have a smooth and supple skin which is radiant and perfectly free of imperfections. But can you achieve this without expensive cosmetics? You can readily try the most effective homemade skin care remedies. They are completely natural and safe. They have been proven to work. They are easy to use and cost pennies. Let’s check them out.
Lemon Juice
You do not have to do anything special to prepare this home skin care remedy. You just need to wash a lemon, cut it in half and squeeze the juice out. You should use a small amount of it every day and keep the rest in the fridge. Surprisingly or not, lemon juice can do a lot of things for your skin. It is a natural astringent. It shrinks the pores and can help you get rid of black spots and of the tiny white ones too. It will also make your skin cleaner and firmer. You should apply it with a cotton ball on the face and avoid the eye area.
Oatmeal Mask
This is undoubtedly the best home remedy for getting rid of acne zits. Cook one cup of oatmeal following the instructions on the box and let it cool down to room temperature afterwards. Then mix it with two tablespoons of honey and apply it on your face after cleaning it. Let the mask stay for fifteen minutes and them remove it gently with warm water. Oatmeal has the power to extract skin oil and helps to dry the pimples so that they go away more quickly. Honey, on the other hand, has antibacterial properties so it targets the bacteria which cause acne. Use this treatment once or twice a week.
Coconut Oil
This is one of the top beauty home remedies because it offers very deep hydration while being totally gentle to the skin. You can readily apply it to the face and the eye area to make your skin super supple and amazingly soft. It gets absorbed very quickly so you should not expect to have oil spots. For best results, you should use this remedy before going to bed.
Coffee and Honey Mask
If you want a truly rejuvenating home mask, this one is the best choice. You simply need to mix a quarter of a cup of coffee grounds, which you can find in your coffee machine, and a tablespoon of honey. Both ingredients are full of natural antioxidants which will erase all signs of fatigue, stress and aging from your face. Clean your face, apply the mask and let is stay for fifteen minutes. Then remove it with gentle massaging movements using a little bit of warm water. You will have a fresh and glowing skin afterwards.
Cucumber
Cut two slices of cucumber and place them on your upper eyelids for ten minutes and then on the lower ones for another ten minutes. This is the best home remedy for getting rid of dark circles. It will make the skin around the eyes firmer as well as brighter.
Pineapple and Papaya Exfoliator
Both of these fruits are not only very tasty, but full of natural acids which help to remove the dead cells from the topmost layer of the skin. This is how fine lines, blemishes and even deeper wrinkles are greatly reduced. You will get that fresh and radiant look that you want. To prepare the exfoliator, you simply need to mix equal amounts of pineapple and papaya cubes to fill a cup up to the middle. Then you need to add two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of almond oil. Mash the ingredients together until you get a fine paste Apply the paste on your skin for three minutes and remove it using gentle circular movements. Then you just need to enjoy the great result.
Sugar Scrub
This is the best home remedy for rough skin especially on the elbow and knees. Mix a cup of sugar with half a cup of kosher salt and a quarter of a cup of liquid almond oil to prepare the scrub. Use it while taking a shower when the skin has been softened for best results. Rub it gently against the skin, but not for too long. Then rinse it off. Remember to apply a soothing and hydrating cream afterwards to keep the result. It may go without saying, but this scrub is too strong to be used on the face.
Steam Facial
You just need to boil distilled water, remove it from the stove, pout it into a teapot and add tea, herbs, rose petals or essential oil. Just make sure that the ingredient you chose has benefits for facial care. Basil, for instance, is great for acne treatment while lavender has potent soothing effect. After steeping for about five minutes and having cleaned your face, you need to open the lid and enjoy the steam facial for ten minutes. It is essential to place a sufficiently large towel over your head to ensure that the steam goes directly to your face.
Rose Water
You can make rose water at home by steeping cut petals or using distilled water. There are various recipes which are quite easy to use. The important thing is to use the water when it is at room temperature. This home remedy not only smells divine. It is the ideal soothing agent to use for the face. It will make redness go away. It is amazingly refreshing. It will give your skin natural glow. It is also a mild astringent so it will make your skin slightly firmer.
Baking Soda Soothing Cream
Just mix equal amounts of this magical ingredient and water to make a paste. Apply the paste on an area of the skin which is irritated or inflamed to get a natural soothing effect. You can keep the paste on for as long as necessary. The important thing is not to use it on open wounds even if there are only minor cuts.
Use all of these home remedies for perfectly looking and healthy skin.
It is perfectly possible to get the high-profile nail care that you require at home. There is a natural home remedy to deal with any problem that you experience from discoloration to brittleness. The treatments can also help to prevent such issues. Check out the most potent homemade nail care remedies. Some of them can be used directly while the others are extremely easy and quick to make.
Olive Oil
This is the best natural moisturizer for nails and the thicker skin around them. You need to get a small amount of the lightest olive oil that you can find. Before you go to bed, you need to massage it into each nail including the cuticle and the skin area surrounding the nail. Since the nails will be slightly oily after the treatment, it is best to put sleeping gloves on for maximum comfort and peace of mind. The gloves will help for the better absorption of the moisturizer as well. On the next morning, you will have stronger nails with beautiful natural glow. Use this moisturizing treatment once a week.
Rosewater
Whether you prepare it at home or buy it from an organic shop, you will find this home remedy ideal for softening the cuticles and the skin around the nails. It will also help them keep their natural shine and pink color. Just dip your fingers in a bowl of rose oil before cutting and shaping your nails and you will feel its remedial effect almost instantly. Keep your fingers soaked for five minutes in order to enjoy the best results.
Almond Oil
This is one of the best natural sources of biotin, also known as vitamin H. This vitamin has been proven to strengthen the nails and hair. It helps to prevent and treat brittleness. You can massage your nails with almond oil once a week and let it stay overnight by wearing gloves. Additionally, you can increase your consumption of almonds. They have a variety of other health benefits while being a great snack.
Lemon Juice
This fantastic natural remedy helps to remove all kinds of stains from nails while giving them a natural shine. If you have strong nails, you can apply a little bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice directly to them with a cotton pad. If there is a need for protecting and nourishing your nails as well, you should mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and bring the mixture to boil. Let it cool and soak your fingers in it for ten minutes. Dry them afterwards. In either variant, lemon juice should be used weekly for best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This nail care remedy is amazingly potent while being found in practically every home. You can buy it cheaply in any supermarket. It is rich in a variety of compounds which are good for the nails. The list includes biotin, vitamin C and iron. Just by soaking your nails in apple cider vinegar for about five to ten minutes, you can make them stronger. You will no longer have to worry about brittleness. This remedy helps to restore the natural color and shine of nails too. It is truly invaluable.
Horsetail Tea
This natural remedy is rich in various vitamins and minerals which help to strengthen nails including calcium. You can readily put one spoon of dried horsetail into one cup of water that you have just boiled and steep for seven minutes. You can soak your fingernails into the tea after it cools down to room temperature or drink it. In both cases, you will enjoy a beneficial effect. By drinking the tea, however, you may get other health benefits from it too.
Baking Soda
If you have left your nail polish on for a long time, it might have caused yellow stains on the surface of your nails. Gladly, these are easily removed with baking soda. Mix it with a little bit of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the yellow spots and leave it there for ten minutes. Do not rub the paste into the spots. Wash it off in the end. Use this treatment again if necessary.
Nourishing Salt Bath
Add a sufficient amount of warm water for soaking your fingernails in a bowl. Then add a teaspoon of Dead Sea salt. This particular salt contains zinc, calcium and other minerals which help to strengthen the nails. You should also add a few drops of vitamin E oil which is also quite nourishing. Soak your fingers for fifteen minutes for getting the strength, smoothness and shine which you have always wanted. If you want to turn this treatment into true spa pampering, you can add a drop or two of aromatherapy essential oil. Lavender brings relaxation while rosemary is invigorating.
Tea Tree Oil
If you want effective anti-fungal meditation, this one is the top choice. Tea tree oil fights nail fungus helping you to achieve the strength and beauty that you have always desired. For best results, it should be applied twice a day. Use it in the morning and then in the evening. Make sure that it stays on your nails for half an hour. Then remove any remaining oil using soft dry cloth. Before you use this remedy, you should consult your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Tomato Juice
This is juice has all the right vitamins for your fingernails. It is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the shine of the nails. Vitamin A helps to make them stronger and more resistant to breaking. Vitamin E and biotin have similar effects. All of these vitamins are great for your whole body as well as for your nails. That is why you will benefit from drinking a glass of tomato juice every day. Just make sure that it is not sweetened to avoid adding too many extra calories to your daily intake.
As long as you follow the recommendations for preparing and using these home remedies, you will get the best results in the shortest time.
There is no room for desperation if the high-street cosmetic products and treatments are well beyond your budget. You can readily use homemade remedies which will help you to achieve all the beauty benefits that you want from soft, smooth and plump skin with natural glow to strong nails and thick, bouncy and lustrous hair. Take a closer look at the best beauty home treatments which will give you the results that you want and save you a great deal of money too.
Egg Yolk Mask for Beautiful Hair
What is so special about egg yolk? It contains biotin which is essential for making hair stronger, thicker and more lustrous. It is also rich in vitamins A, C and E. They provide protection from the damaging effects of the environment and especially of the sun’s UV rays. The nutrients contained in egg yolk stimulate hair growth as well. Prepare the mask by mixing two egg yolks and two tablespoons of olive oil, which is full of nutrients too. You can add a little bit of water if the mixture seems too thick. Apply the mask for half an hours and then rinse it off. You can wash your hair afterwards, but this is not necessary.
Brown Sugar Scrub for Smooth Skin
Mix half a cup of brown sugar with a quarter of a cup of olive oil. Then add four tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Use the scrub while you are in the shower to remove dead skin cells from all parts of the body apart from the face. The elbows, knees and ankles need more scrubbing for best results. You will have a perfectly smooth nurtured and hydrated skin afterwards. Enjoy this treatment once a week.
Orange Peel for White Smile
The peel of this fruit is rich in fruit acids which help to remove wine, tea and tobacco stains from teeth. Get an orange and wash it thoroughly. It is a good idea to use a sponge and a bit of dish washing liquid to remove any wax which may be present on the skin of the fruit. Enjoy the orange and cut the peel into pieces which are big enough for you to hold yet small enough to go into your mouth. After washing your teeth, rub them with the peel, spit and rinse. You can use this treatment weekly or daily depending on your needs.
Green Tea for the Eyes
Puffiness, redness and dark circles around the eyes will quickly go away with the help of this antioxidant-rich remedy. Prepare a cup of green tea at home and cool it in the fridge once it reaches room temperature. When the tea is finally cold, you need to soak two cotton pads in it. Use a small amount and avoid squeezing the liquid out. Place the pads on your upper lids for ten minutes and then on the lower ones for the same period of time. You will feel refreshed and look fantastic afterwards.
Peach Exfoliate for the Face
The best way to have a younger complexion is to remove the dead skin cells from your face on a regular basis. The skin becomes softer and smoother while fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes are removed. Peaches are rich in alpha hydroxy acid, which breaks down dead skill cells, vitamin A, which has proven anti-aging effect, and vitamin C, which makes the skin brighter. Puree one ripe peach and mix with half tablespoon of liquid coconut oil, half tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Use the mixture as exfoliate once or twice weekly after washing your face.
Olive Oil for Stretch Marks
This oil helps to moisturize the affected area. When you massage it into it, you will also stimulate the blood flow. The nutrients in olive oil will also help for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Use this treatment daily after taking a shower for best results.
Grape Massage for Gorgeous Nails
The skin around your nails and especially the cuticles are important for the health and appearance of nails. To give these areas a good treatment, cut red grapes and dip them into a bit of fine white sugar. Then massage the skin around each fingernail with a grape half. Both the acid in grapes and the sugar help for exfoliating the skin. The antioxidants in the grapes will improve its condition. It is best to use this treatment before shaping and polishing your nails.
Honey and Rosewater for Soft Lips
You hate seeing your lips dry, chapped and lacking color. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of rosewater and apply the mixture on your lips. Keep it for ten minutes and then rinse it off with warm water While rosewater will remove any dead skin cells honey will moisturize the nourish the skin of the lips. Use this treatment weekly or more often during the winter months.
Coffee Grounds for Fighting Cellulite
The water and fat deposits underneath the skin of the buttocks and thighs create dimples and lumps which do not look good at all. Cellulite can be reduced greatly with the use of topical treatment, diet and exercise. Instead of investing a small fortune in a cream which contains caffeine, you can get the grounds from your morning cup of coffee and use them as scrub for the affected parts of the body. Massage the buttocks and thighs with the grounds every day while you are in the shower. The skin will not only feel softer and appear smoother after this. Caffeine is a potent diuretic which helps to reduce the water deposits which are the cause of the problem.
Cornmeal Treatment for the Feet
Mix half a cup of cornmeal with a quarter cup of mashed banana until the mixture is as thick as wet sand. Then use it to massage the feet. Do not miss to include the toes. While cornmeal acts as a natural exfoliant and helps to prevent fungal growth, banana is rich in various nutrients including biotin, which strengthens the skin and nails.
It is far-fetched to say that beauty requires sacrifices, but it definitely demands discipline. If you want to get the best results from skin care and nail care, you have to establish routines and follow them strictly. Here are the most effective routines described in detail.
The Ideal Skin Care Routine
The reality is that your face is exposed to the adverse effects of the environment every day so you cannot afford to have breaks from caring for it. Here is the optimal daily routine to follow:
Step 1: Wash your face after you wake up in the morning. It has certainly not accumulated dirt during the night, but it has produced sebum which blocks the pores and has to be removed. Use lukewarm water . You can also use a specially formulated cleanser or a soap with oil in it depending on your skin type and specific needs.
Step 2: Apply moisturizer to your face right after blotting any excess water or cleanser. It is important to apply the product on slightly damp skin. The ideal moisturizer offers deep and lasting hydration while being perfectly light. It provides protection from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun too. It is best to go for a product with SPF 30 or higher. Use matching products for the face and eye area for best results.
Step 3: Apply makeup after the moisturizer has got fully absorbed into the skin. If you use a light formula this should happen fairly quickly. Try to use makeup which does not block the pores even if you have dry skin. Avoid applying too much foundation. It is best to spread it with soft sponge applicator.
Step 4: Remove makeup from your face before you go to bed. Use a gentle yet sufficiently potent makeup remover. Clean your face with your cleanser or with soap. Agan, blot excess water instead of rubbing your skin with the towel.
Step 5: Apply night cream and a suitable eye product. The choice of night cream and matching eye treatment depends on your skin type, age and any particular problems that you want to deal with. If you have acne, for instance, you can use a cream which dries pimples. If you want to reduce wrinkles, you can apply a retinoid-based cream.
You should add two extra steps to this routine once a week between Steps 4 and 5. Here they are:
Extra Step 1: After you remove your makeup and wash your face in the evening, have a steam treatment for opening the pores. Boil some distilled water, pour it in a teapot and let your face soak the steam for five to ten minutes. Cover your head with a towel for best results. You can add a few drops of essential oil into the water or fresh herbs, if you wish.
Extra Step 2: Apply an exfoliating and nurturing mask to your face. It must be formulated for your skin type and age. Follow the instructions for application and removal strictly. Remember not to cover the area around the eyes. The mask will remove the dead skin cells and stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. This will give you the smoothness, plumpness and softness which you require. After you remove the mask, you can apply your night cream.
The Perfect Nail Care Routine
It is up to you to decide how frequently you will follow the routine presented below. You can do it once every week or once every two weeks.
Step 1: Exfoliate the skin around the nails including the cuticles. This will give you the softness and refined looks that you require. You can use a specially designed product or simply cut a grape in half and dip it into some sugar.
Step 2: Soak your fingers in warm, but not hot water until your nails get soft. It usually takes around ten to fifteen minutes, but more time is needed in some cases. It is possible to skip this step if you plan to do the following ones after taking a shower or a bath.
Step 3: Massage a little bit of hydrating and nourishing oil into the skin around the fingernails and to the cuticles. This will help for further softening of the skin and for further improvement of its looks too. Do not miss to wipe excess oil.
Step 4: Push the cuticles in the direction of the nail base using a specially designed rounded metal pusher or an orange stick, which is sharper. The choice of tool depends on how soft your cuticles are and on how skilled you are at the task. Most beginners find the use of an orange stick easier.
Step 5: Trim your nails with sharp scissors. Cut the pointier middle section straight and then make curves around the edges. It is up to you to decide on the depth of the trimming. In general, it is always best to leave some more of the nail so that you have room for shaping.
Step 6: Shape your fingernails in the way which you desire with the use of a file. It is up to you to decide on a file depending on how hard you want it to be. In general, the models with combining different grits will give you maximum flexibility. The glass files give you the greatest room for creativity and allow for maximum precision while being hygienic and easy to maintain. Start filing from one edge to the other and go only in forward direction.
The following steps are optional depending on whether you want to wear nail polish or not.
Step 7: Apply nail hardener if you have brittle nails or nail foundation to make the surface perfectly smooth for the next step.
Step 8: Apply nail polish in as many layers as you deem fit. Usually, two layers are more than sufficient. Start by making one swipe over the central area of the nail and then one swipe on each side. You can apply a special top coat for extra shine if you wish.
Step 9: Allow the nail polish to dry. Avoid using your hands in the meantime.