Castor Oil Helps Nourish Skin and Hair

Castor Oil has countless uses, but I want to blog about the beauty benefits of castor oil. Castor oil is derived from the castor bean and is a plant based oil. It is high in ricinoleic acid which helps prevent infection. Castor oil is rich in proteins, minerals, vitamin E, and antioxidants. It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal. Since castor oil is high in omega-9 fatty acids it's a great moisturizer for the skin and hair

Always use 100% castor oil that has been cold pressed. Castor oil is thick and it should it should be a pale yellow color.

Castor oil can be taken internally to help with constipation. I have never taken castor oil as a laxative, but I can imagine it isn't very pleasant.

Castor oil use for the face works well for people with dry skin. Castor oil is able to deeply penetrate the skin, adding moisture and plumping the skin. Also helps greatly with fine lines and wrinkles. It is best used at night, sparingly, a little goes a long way. This can be used all over the face, or in certain areas that need hydration.

Since castor oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, it can be used as an acne treatment. Apply it to areas that are breaking out, also use sparingly. Castor oil is very thick.

Castor oil is great to help grow and maintain eyebrows and eyelashes. Castor oil is very nourishing, and helps to thicken the hair. If you have noticed your eyebrows and eyelashes have become sparse or brittle due to products or age, castor oil will bring them back to life and then some. I like to think of castor oil as "food for the follicle". For best results apply it to the eye lid, lashes, and eyebrows. I recommend using a q-tip to remove the oil, that way there is no contamination of the oil.

Castor oil is also a great moisturizer for the scalp and hair.

Castor oil is not a quick fix, this needs to be used regularly for months to see results.

There are many brands of castor oil to choose from, I purchased De La Cruz Castor Oil for under $7. Castor oil can be purchased at Whole Foods, CVS, etc., and it can be easily found online.


Thank you for reading along and please subscribe to my blog!

Preventing Fine lines and Wrinkles

My quick tip for early prevention of fine lines and wrinkles is to sleep on your back. This is the best way to avoid creases in the skin and fine lines while you sleep.

 Hopefully everyone is getting the recommended eight hours of sleep at night that rejuvenates us and keeps us healthy. Eight hours of sleep on your side or stomach usually means your face is pressed against the pillow for a long time, creating fine lines and creases (the unpleasant pillow face in the morning).

If early prevention of fine lines and wrinkles is on your mind, this is just something to be aware of.  It isn't easy to remind your self to roll on your back when you are sleepy or very cozy in a certain spot, but reminding your self to do it will help you to do it more and more.

I still have difficulty doing this, I like to sleep on my right side and I've noticed I have a few, very fine lines on the right side of my face that I don't have on my left side. This is no bueno, so I need to remind myself as well!!

CETAPHIL MOISTURIZING CREAM

Suffering from dry skin can be very unpleasant, especially during winter. The dry, cold winter air magnifies the symptoms of dry skin. If left untreated or just by simply not using the right product, dry skin will not get the relief and moisture it needs. The symptoms include flaky, patchy, irritated, itchy, red, and chapped skin. Show winter who's the boss and get your skin back to normal.

I usually blog about skincare for the face, but I wanted this post to be about the body, after all the skin is the largest organ we have.

In my opinion the best moisturizing cream is by Cetaphil. Cetaphil's moisturizing cream is by far the best, not only is it inexpensive, but it really works. Cetaphil's products are designed for sensitive skin, so it is gentle and fragrance free. This formula is meant for extremely dry skin, it is a cream not a lotion (I don't have dry skin but I love how this cream makes my skin silky soft).

The texture is smooth and creamy without feeling greasy. The formula helps seal in the moisture to the skin, so through out the day your skin still feels hydrated. If you have dry skin this product is a must, you will feel the difference in the first application. With continual use you can kick dry skin to the curb!

This product is wonderful and does exactly what it says it will " Its unique formula and superior system of emollients and humectants binds water to the skin, preventing moisture loss."

For best results exfoliate your skin and apply this as soon as you get out of the shower. Leave the skin a little damp and apply.

I purchased this cream for $11.99 at Target. I believe CVS carries it, but for a higher price. This can also be purchased online.

Rice Flour as a Facial Scrub

Rice Flour has been a long time staple in Asian cuisine and skin care. Asian women have used rice flour as part of their beauty regime for many years, which has helped their delicate skin stay clear and smooth. Rice flour is known to help with wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, blemishes, dull skin, and dry skin. With regular use of rice flour your skin should appear brighter, smoother, and softer.

Rice flour is finely ground, uncooked rice. DO NOT purchase regular flour, you will not get the same results. Regular flour is too fine and will not exfoliate the skin, rice flour still has texture and very fine beads.

Rice flour is very similar to Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant, texture wise. In fact rice flour is one of the main ingredients used. Rice flour has a very soft, fine texture to it. Gentle enough to use everyday. Rice flour works well because it is anti-inflammatory and it contains antioxidants.

To use rice flour as a scrub use less than a tea spoon worth, you need to wet it first before you apply it to clean skin. Keep it in the palm of your hand and run it under warm water. Don't add too much water, this will turn into a paste, if it is too thick then add more water. Begin to exfoliate your skin in upward circles for about 60 seconds (can be left on for 5-10 minutes, if used as a mask). Rinse with cool or warm water and continue with routine.

 

I purchased Bob's Red Mill white rice flour. This is a 24 oz. bag (that will last forever) that was under $6 at Von's. This is a huge bargain, most exfoliants are 6-8 oz with a price tag of $5-$50!

Oatmeal As A Cleanser

While most people eat oatmeal for breakfast, I use it as my morning and evening cleanser! I don't mean I use a product containing oatmeal, I use the actual oats, plain no flavor added oatmeal. I began my search a few months back, as I was looking for a new cleanser to use. I knew I wanted to use an oatmeal based product, because of all the benefits oatmeal offers. As I searched, I realized I was being too picky, I didn't like all the added ingredients in most of the products I came across, so I said "self, just use oatmeal!". Best thing I ever did for myself. I also had an added push to try it when I came across a youtuber by the name of Bubzbeauty, she talked about her skin problems and how she loved oatmeal as a cleanser.

So, what are the benefits of oatmeal as a cleanser?? Oatmeal naturally absorbs dirt and impurities while providing gentle exfoliation. Oatmeal does not strip moisture from the skin, in fact it does the opposite, it helps restore the natural balance of moisture in the skin. Oatmeal is great for treating skin conditions such as eczema, acne, dryness, and irritation. Oatmeal is very soothing and gentle on the skin, leaving it super soft. Oatmeal also helps to remove dead skin cells, which means softer, brighter skin (bye bye scars, and acne scars).

I have very oily skin and this does a great job of cleansing  my skin and absorbing my oil. My skin has a firmness now that no other cleanser has given me. My skin feels extremely soft, and I don't get shiny as fast as I used too. I love using oatmeal as a cleanser, I don't think I'll ever go back to a traditional cleanser.

To use the oatmeal as a cleanser I start by grabbing a handful, I then run it under warm water for less than a minute. You need the oatmeal to become soft and mushy. You will know it's ready when you press the oatmeal and the water turns milky. Dampen your face and begin to massage the oatmeal into your skin. I won't lie, this a messy cleanser but worth it. When you are done rinse off with cool or warm water, continue with normal routine.

I still use makeup remover wipes at night before I use the oatmeal. I want to make sure all my makeup is off before is use the oatmeal.

I purchased the large size container of oatmeal at Vons, I believe I paid $3.99. You can't beat that price for a cleanser that will lasts you months!!

Thank you for reading along!!!