Need a healthy snack?

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pumpkin seedMonday morning and back on the diet treadmill?

A simple, easy way to get you back on your healthy eating path, is to snack on foods that are great for your body, especially your skin.

This week why not snack on seeds? And in particular Pumpkin Seeds.

These guys are jam packed full of powerful beautifying elements such as zinc, vitamin B, vitamin E and essential fatty acids, omega 3,6 and 9. They also contain phytosterols, which help reduce cholesterol.

You can buy pumpkin seeds from just about anywhere now and when you start to look for something to snack on its a good idea to have a packet of these bad boys on your desk or kitchen cupboard. Replace them in the spot you would normally put your biscuits, sweets or savoury snacks, that way you’ll be more inclined to eat them and not be tempted by the others.

Incidentally,  It’s external benefits are also amazing as its a natural antioxidant. Pumpkin Seed Oil is one of the potent ingredients in SkinGuru’s Rejuvenating Facial Serum, for which we’ve just received a commended merit in the Free From Skincare Awards 2013!  

Share this with your friends and please leave your own snack suggestions below.

 

 

Ahhh, Help. My skin is so bad!

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Ahhhh. My skin is so bad!!

 

I hear this so often I can’t begin to tell you! And do you know what? If your stressing out about having bad skin, your actually making the problem a lot worse.

Stress releases a hormone called Cortisol into your body that has a horrendous affect on your skin! Without getting too technical, excess cortisol triggers the skin to overproduce oil, which leads to spotty breakouts or acne flare ups.

 

Follow this emergency ABC for Skin breakouts.

De stress your skin

De stress your skin

 

A: APPLY a layer of organic natural yoghurt or if you prefer honey, all over the face avoiding the eyes.

B: BREATHE. Begin to take longer, deeper breaths, in and out through your nose.

C: CHILL OUT. Lie down, close your eyes, and continue to breath deeply. Do this for at  least 10-15 minutes. Then rinse off facemask.

 

This simple routine will switch off the production of Cortisol, and allow the mind, body and skin to de-stress and heal.

Amazing Results Superglow Facial!!

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As it’s Friday and I want my skin to look great for this weekend, I decided to spend some time on my skin this morning, not too much time though as I have a busy day ahead.

Time to put my 20 minute Superglow Facial into action! Trust me this simple 20 minute facial is like a little miracle for tired, dull and dry skin! You can use this whenever your skin needs a serious pick me up or before you have a big night out.

Make sure you leave your comments and questions, which I will personally review and answer!

For this you will need:

1 Facecloth

1 teaspoon Bicarb of Soda

Honey (preferably organic)

1/2 teaspoon fine sugar

olive or coconut oil

1/2 avocado

STEP 1:

mix together the bicarb of soda, sugar and 1 teaspoon of oil, mix well then add 1/2 teaspoon of honey mix into paste. Apply using circular motion over face and neck area (Be careful not to be over zealous as you don’t want to damage surface of skin). Leave on the face for 5 minutes to allow sugars in paste to breakdown dead skin cells. Rinse out clean cloth in hot water, wring and apply cloth over face for 30 seconds. Remove mixture from face using cloth, then splash off any residue with lukewarm water. Pat dry.

STEP 2:

Mash avocado until it becomes thick paste. Add 1/2 teaspoon honey and 1/2 teaspoon of chosen oil. Mix together thoroughly and apply all over face and neck. This mixture can be applied around the eye area, but be careful not to take it into corners or it may get into eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes, then remove facemask and splash face with cold water. Pat dry.

Your skin will now be glowing and feel super smooth. Apply a natural serum and allow to soak in for 10 minutes before applying any make up.

Enjoy:-)

Remember to post your comments or questions!

How do I get rid of Rosacea?

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Is this cold, horrible weather playing havoc with your skin? Well, spare a thought for those who suffer from Rosacea!

 

Rosacea is a skin condition that usually makes its very unwelcome appearance around the mid thirties.

Pronounced roh-zay-sha, it can be extremely distressing and uncomfortable for the person it affects. Manifesting as an area of redness across the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin but may also appear on the ears, neck and chest. In its progressive form it turns into an itchy, bumpy rash and occasional pustules may also appear.

The condition affects mostly women and unfortunately our 21st century lifestyle really doesn’t help. Spicy food, alcohol, vigorous exercise and stress are amongst the many triggers that can cause Rosacea to flare up.

We at SkinGuru have been having amazing positive feedback from our customers who are affected by Rosacea and have been using our products! But I also suggest that you treat yourself holistically, as well as applying topical creams and potions. Follow these simple guidelines and you will experience a reduction in your symptoms.

 

  1.  Stress. This is by far a major factor in the flare up of Rosacea. Incorporate deep, calm breathing for a few minutes every day, take up yoga, and use visualisation techniques.
  2. Food and drink: These affect individuals in different ways. Amongst triggers are hot and spicy foods, alcohol, hot drinks. Monitor which ones affect you the most and eliminate them from your diet.
  3. Avoid very strenuous exercise for long periods of time and make sure your environment is cool and well ventilated.
  4. Medical conditions: (such as menopause) and drugs can influence triggers, if this affects you speak to your doctor about possible side effects of medications.
  5. The weather: not much anyone can do about the weather! Although there are precautions you can take. Keep your skin cool in the summer and moist in the winter, using a nourishing serum to protect against harsh winds and cold.
  6. Skin Care Products: Avoid alcohol in products. If it burns or stings it is not doing your skin any good. Strangely enough some people still believe if a facial product stings it must be working!!

I highly recommend cleansing with our gentle Facial Cleansing Oil, using our GlowCloth to remove cleanser and then following with our Nourishing Facial Serum. The results we are seeing are speaking for themselves. In fact we will soon be posting a YouTube video, of an interview with a customer who says it has changed her life!

 

For further information on Rosacea I recommend the National Rosacea Society.

 

http://www.rosacea.org/

 

 

Rosacea SOS Natural Facemask

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Many over the counter facemasks are full of chemicals, which would undoubtably make the skin condition Rosacea worse. I recommend you use this home made facemask once  a week, or whenever your skin flares up. 

1/4 cup cottage cheese*

1 Tablespoon natural full fat yoghurt *

1/2 banana*

1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar*

(*organic if possible)

Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Apply to face and neck and leave on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water. Pat dry with clean, soft towel.

 

Take timeout to ‘Love Your Self’

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Save the Date!

Valentine’s Day for most women is a day of GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT! Yes, that’s right,

Give Yourself The Best Valentine’s Present Ever!

disappointment.

So, sort it out.

Time to give yourself some TLC.

Click on Link Below

Love-Your-Self-Event PDF

 

 

Love Your Skin Super Juice!

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As promised here is our delicious SkinGuru Juice recipe, for beautiful glowing skin as well as the added benefits of boosting your immune system and your energy! 

1 apple

1 large slice pineapple

1 large handful of spinach

1 inch thick cucumber slice

1 stalk of celery

1 small carrot

1/2 inch ginger

1/2 of a lime

Juice all ingredients, mix with crushed ice and enjoy. If you want to have this juice as a meal replacement, add some vegetable protein powder (I use Hemp Powder). This is super yummy and I recommend you have one juice a day for two weeks to see and feel the benefits.

Share your juice recipes with us, so we can all benefit from the amazing benefits of Juicing!

 

Winter Skin SOS Face Mask.

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Oh dear, the temperature is plummeting and just about everyone is feeling it in their skin!

Here is a fantastically effective Face Mask, that will moisturise and nourish your skin, helping to protect it from the elements.

Ingredients:

1 tblsp mashed avocado

1 teaspoon organic honey

1 teaspoon organic yoghurt

1/2 teaspoon of olive oil

Mix all the ingredients together till resembles smooth paste. Apply to face and neck. Lie back, kick off your shoes and relax for around 20 minutes. Remove with damp cloth. Splash face with water and pat dry. Apply Nourishing Serum immediately.

 

Follow Your Nose: 5 Facts About Fragrance That Stink

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Have you ever been shopping for a new fragrance for yourself, or as a gift, and been spraying and smelling samples all day only to go home that night feeling unwell, nauseous with a thumping headache? Yes, me too. I have one friend in particular who can no longer shop for fragrances as she becomes so ill she has to go home and lie down! The simple fact of the matter is that our fragrances like many other of our personal care products (body lotions, deodorants, shampoos, hairsprays, etc) are full of chemicals mimicking the aroma of a natural ingredient which is supposedly in the product. This is what you are really getting:

  1. Any number of the 3100 stock chemical ingredients blended and used to concoct a fragrance, which are often under the umbrella name of ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ and not individually listed.
  2. When inhaled many of these ‘parfums’ or fragrances, trigger sneezing, rhinitis, wheezing, asthma and headaches, which usually indicate an allergic reaction is occurring.
  3. Many fragrances contain chemical hormone disruptors, called phalates, which interfere with the endocrine system.
  4. Around 95% of synthetic fragrances in products are derived from petroleum by products.
  5. The most common cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis is a reaction triggered by allergy to fragrance.    

The worrying fact is that the accumulation of all of these fragrances has a detrimental effect on our overall health. The following steps will help reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals. Buy only naturally scented products (read the label carefully!). Ventilate your home and workplace. Try to use your perfume less throughout the day and don’t spray it directly onto your skin. Do not use air fresheners, dryer sheets or highly fragranced household products. Be aware of fragrances in all products and use your common sense, to make choices about which products you buy, how on earth can they put the smell of freshly cut grass or morning dew into a bottle?!

Something to think about when buying perfume as a gift for Christmas.

Naturally Beautiful Lips

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Over the last week, like many I have succumbed to a heavy head cold and with it, as usual the dreaded cold sores! Even if you don’t suffer from cold sores I’m pretty sure at some point during this winter, you will have dry, cracked lips, which feel horrible and look awful.

There is a simple natural way to remedy this problem and it will leave your lips soft, plump and oh so kissable!

Mix together:

Half tspn of any organic vegetable oil

Half tspn of fine sugar (not granulated – it’s too abrasive for the delicate skin on lips)

Honey

Using the ring finger smear over closed lips, then use circular movements, rubbing mixture all over the lips for at least 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with wet cloth. Smear honey onto lips and leave on for further 2 minutes. Rinse off.

Keep lips moisturised and protected using a natural lip balm.

Voila! Beautiful soft lips.