Olive Oil for Face Masks and More: Nature's Beauty Secret

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Rizzo]Jennifer Rizzo
Using olive oil for face masks is one of the many beauty secrets of nature that we've been keeping track of for the last ten years. While popularly known for the amazing health benefits it provides as part of a balanced diet, it can also be used to keep your appearance beautiful and youthful.
The ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Phoenicians all acknowledged the beauty properties of olive oil for face, skin, hair, nails and even fresh breath. Scientific research in the last century has revealed that it's rich in vitamins A, D, K and particularly vitamin E, which are protective antioxidants that minimize damage caused by "free radicals" (unstable atoms and molecules) that cause cell oxidation and aging.
The following are some simple tips you can use to incorporate olive oil into your beauty routine.
Olive Oil For Face And Skin Care:
Use olive oil for face masks to smooth the complexion and maintain skin's elasticity. Mix oil, honey and one egg yolk until well blended. Apply mask to face and leave for 15 minutes. Use warm water to rinse.
Prevent stretch marks, treat dry skin, psoriasis and eczema by massaging oil directly into affected area straight out of the bottle
Add to bath water for a moisturizing soak.
Apply to hands and feet at bedtime then cover with cotton gloves and socks to soften callous, dry and cracked skin.
Dab on lips at bedtime to heal and prevent chapping.
For Hair:
Make a hot oil treatment to heal dry or damaged hair by mixing 2/3 cup of oil and 1 TBSP of honey in a re-sealable plastic bag. Fill a bowl with hot water and place the sealed bag in the water until it becomes warm. (Do not allow oil to become hot.) Apply oil mixture to roots and work it through to the tips of your hair. Cover with a shower cap and wrap in a warm towel. Leave on for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition as normal.
Condition by applying directly to hair for 30 minutes to reduce frizz and static, heal split-ends, remedy dandruff, balance overproduction of oil and prevent attraction of parasites.
For Finger Nails:
Warm oil with 1 TBSP of lemon juice in a dish. (Do not allow oil to become hot.) Soak fingertips for 5-10 minutes to strengthen nails and soften cuticles.
For Bad Breath:
Sip the oil to remedy bad breath with a pleasantly sweet odor. It also aids in digestion, so is easy on the stomach when sipped straight.
The   rel=nofollow [http://temeculaoliveoil.com]best olive oil for face, hair or nail care is extra virgin, which is the purest form directly from the first pressing of the olives. Since it is the most nutrient-rich form, you will reap the greatest benefits from these beauty tips when you choose to use extra virgin olive oil for face, hair or nail care.
Hope you enjoyed this article...and have fun with your beauty treatments!
Temecula Olive Oil Company is a family-owned company that grows and cold, hand-presses fresh Southern California extra virgin olive oil. Our high-quality bath and body products contain 45%-72% pure extra virgin olive oil from our ranch in Temecula, California. This is the highest content of olive oil available in bath and body products. From our lemon-verbena or lavender body soaps and foaming liquid hand soaps, to our coconut vanilla sugar scrub and herbal mint lip balm, you'll find our superior products when you visit [http://www.temeculaoliveoil.com]http://www.temeculaoliveoil.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Olive-Oil-for-Face-Masks-and-More:-Natures-Beauty-Secret&id=6173446] Olive Oil for Face Masks and More: Nature's Beauty Secret

7 Ways to Beat Eczema

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Penny_Bellati]Penny Bellati
Eczema, if you do not know, is generally any form of skin inflammation or dermatitis. Although there are numerous types of eczema, the most common form is atopic dermatitis. Eczema is not limited to any age group and can affect anyone. Inflammations of the skin are not contagious, but in a way, can be inherited especially if you have a family history of the condition. Follow these tips to prevent or treat eczema if ever you have an outbreak.
Limit skin contact with things that can irritate it. There are some products that can irritate your skin and cause inflammations. A few include household cleansers, detergents, aftershave lotions, soap, gasoline, turpentine and other solvents. You should definitely avoid these. It can be difficult to not use things like soap but there are some soap that are known to cause skin irritation. If you are washing your hands, you may need to use mild, unscented soap and dry them completely after.
Protect your hands with gloves. If most of your inflammations occur on your hands, you should wear vinyl or plastic gloves for protection against the elements. And if you are exposing your hands to products that can irritate it, you should definitely use gloves. Depending on the severity of your condition, it may be necessary to wear cotton gloves to soak sweat from your hands as wetness can also cause an outbreak. Always remember to remove the gloves or replace them to prevent buildup of palm sweat. Wearing gloves in the winter is also important as cold air can dry skin. Dryness often worsens eczema.
Wash with care. When bathing, you are advised to use a small amount of mild, unscented soap. Never use hot water as heat can cause irritation. It is also good to soak in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes so the outer layer of the skin can absorb water and become less dry. After washing, use a soft towel to pat yourself dry. Then, apply a moisturizer immediately after to seal in the moisture.
Use prescribed medication. If your eczema is at its worse, see a doctor for medication. Right after bathing is the opportune time to apply it. Eczema medication is usually a type of steroid you can rub on the inflamed area. Antihistamines and allergy medication are also effective as most irritations are brought on by allergies. You should always check the label and consult your dermatologist for proper use.
Make sure to moisturize every day. Moisturizers are good for keeping your skin soft and flexible. Plain moisturizers work best at preventing skin cracks. A good example is petroleum jelly because of its grease. Greasy moisturizers are better than creamy moisturizers because they do not contain preservatives. Avoid perfumed moisturizers as they contain extra ingredients that can react negatively with your skin.
Avoid rubbing and scratching. It is common knowledge not to scratch an inflamed area because scratching breaks the skin. These skin breaks are good places for bacteria to enter. Once they get under the skin, they can cause more serious skin infections. You can prevent your skin from itching by applying a moisturizer.
Be careful of sweat. Heat can cause dry skin. Dry skin leads to irritation and irritation, as you know, can grow to eczema. Sweat can also have a similar outcome. When you sweat, you usually wipe it off. Wiping the skin repeatedly can have the same effect as rubbing the skin.
Penny Bellati has been writing product reviews for many years now with great success and a huge following. Eczema Treatment has become a widely talked about topic in recent times so Penny has decided to review this area in detail. Take a look at some of her latest articles on [http://ieczema.com/beat-eczema-review]beat eczema.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?7-Ways-to-Beat-Eczema&id=6241299] 7 Ways to Beat Eczema

Natural Health and Beauty - Using Essential Oils for Healing Your Skin

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Misty_Rae_Cech]Misty Rae Cech

Trends in health and beauty are placing more trust in the efficacy of natural and organic ingredients. Skin care is no exception, with more women coming to realize the purity of what they put on their skin is as important as that of what they eat. The skin is the largest organ, and is generally permeable to substances placed on it. This is particularly important in healing wounds, for the skin may be broken and more sensitive. Enter essential oils; these powerful plant derived medicines have been used for many years for treating skin conditions, enhancing beauty and promoting wellness. Oils have been found particularly useful for regenerating skin that has suffered from accidents or surgery, or has their remaining signs in the form of keloid, acne, or other scars. Certain essential oil blends can speed healing time, reduce or eliminate scars from recent wounds and even greatly diminish the appearance of old ones.

There are a few primary essential oils used in skin care which offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated - certainly more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it's apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative molecules unique to this oil only.

Helichrysum is the foundation of many blends for healing the skin, and can be used by itself in a synergistic carrier oil such as Rosehip seed. This combination may be all that is needed to speed the healing of recent wounds - though often a little Lavender oil is added as well. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of America's leading aromatherapists notes in his quintessential guide "Advanced Aromatherapy" that Helichrysum essential oil and Rosehip seed can "heal wounds with minimal or no scarring".

As mentioned above, Lavender is often included in skin care blends - it has gentle anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties, along with very soothing, anti-anxiety aroma. Lavender essential oil itself began the modern aromatherapy revolution when a scientist burned his hand in a laboratory accident, and after cooling the wound in a beaker of Lavender found the wound to heal remarkably quickly. It is also thought to 'synergize' or improve the efficacy of other essential oils in combination.

The essential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is also used in the healing of scars, particularly old or unsightly scars. It's natural regenerative properties and ability to promote circulation aid in gently breaking down the tough skin resulting from wound healing. Sage oil should only be used in these instances and in small quantities, as it's Thujone content can be toxic in high quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch marks (see below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite it's powerful components, however, when diluted and used with respect, one can use this oil safely.

Rosemary will be the final essential oil we'll mention here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype has many important properties - it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.

The essential oils mentioned here must be diluted in a carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is not better! There have been numerous studies showing the great efficacy of essential oils in low concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The two most commonly used base oils for skin care are Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils. Rosehip seed has many documented uses in skin care, with it's triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it's vitamin A compounds. Rosehip seed has the ability to support tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the drying or redening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well tolerated of all the carrier oils, and with its mild astringent properties, can even be used in cases of very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling nourished without feeling greasy.

So how does one mix these natural botanicals for particular uses? There are a few simple but effective recipes specifically for wound healing and scar reduction. For old keloid or acne scars, use one ounce each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils - to this, add one milliliter of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil and Sage officinalis essential oil. Apply regularly for three to six months for best results. For more recent cuts, scrapes, and even surgical incisions (that have reached the point where they are safe to get moist), use the same Hazelnut and Rosehip seed blend, adding one milliliter of Helichrysum and one milliliter of Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia). Apply twice a day while the wound is healing. For the reduction and possible elimination of stretch marks post partum, again to one ounce each of Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils, add one milliliter Sage and one milliliter Rosemary verbenone. Like the formula for old scars, use this regularly for several months.

So there is a few effective combinations of natural botanical ingredients that can support certain skin care conditions. Many, many more skin care formulas are available when blending essential oils - with many oils able to aid with very particular situations. If needed, a little research should go a long way in helping you find what you need. And as always with aromatherapy oils, go slowly, pay attention to your body's reactions and remember that increasing concentrations of the essential oils will not make a more effective blend. Be safe and enjoy.

Misty Rae Cech ND is a degreed naturopath with a professional practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is the owner of the Ananda Apothecary, a resource for [http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html]aromatherapy essential oils and [http://www.anandaapothecary.com/bach-flower-essence-remedy.html]Bach flower essences.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Health-and-Beauty---Using-Essential-Oils-for-Healing-Your-Skin&id=284809] Natural Health and Beauty - Using Essential Oils for Healing Your Skin