Oil and Our Skin

to keep our skin moisture, oil plays an important role

I heard about Tea Tree Oil about ten years ago and bought it since I heard about it's anti-acne role. I have dry-to-normal skin type and TTO was too strong to be applied without any dilution that my skin ended up cracking. I also had Rosehip Seeds Oil two years ago that ended up being used twice which caused my skin dry. But, seriously, I didn't know how to make use of them. I mean, what would I do with those oils. I was ignorant. Well, that was me until a year ago.
Okay, so what with these oils? Thanks to the booming of Body Oil, Face Oil, Skin Oil. Yes. O-I-L. But why? how?

As I get older, I started to use skincare products. I need to take care of my diet and skin! I want to have healthy and glowing skin. I began using moisturizers and night cream on my face, eye gel/cream on my eye lids and around, body lotion all over. However, deep down I realized that those regular skincare might have side effects. We know lotion contains fragrance to make them smell so damn good! Also lotion mostly contains water. Water is used to moisture our skin but it dries quickly so we apply more lotion. I think fragrance is toxic and water dries our skin. So, I began to research for a better solution. The answer is oil. In fact, some people have oily skin, while others are lack of skin oil. Why are we lack of oil? Well many reasons, I would say 5 reasons: aging, stress, life-style (alcoholic or smokers), sunlight radiation, and gene factor.

Anyway, I started with my body due to bad experience with my face. I use Cocoa Butter Body Oil as lotion. It smells wonderful and it works really good on my skin, especially during winter time to fight my cracking skin. I put Cuticle Oil that contains Vitamin E Oil on my nails. I use Virgin Coconut Oil as hair mask. It smells good and makes my hair smooth. As for Tea Tree Oil, I have the one that already diluted and I use it on my itchy skin. I think it works better now. It's a bit greasy but it helps with my skin problem. As for my face, I try to give a second chance with Qi Qi Naturals Face Oil. OMG! It works wonderfully, quickly absorbed without greasy feeling. It makes my skin feel smooth and improved; it helps me fighting flaky skin on the face.

Well, I have done some research about different types of oil: pure oils (olive, coconut), essential oils (lavender, chamomile), seeds oil (grape, hemp), TTO, etc. I believe that we could make use of oil in any ways as our natural skincare, however, you must do a little research what oils are good for you and whatnot. Google it before you get it, make sure that your skin type are not prone to the oil you want to use. In fact, some oil works for oily skin but not for dry skin, for instance TTO. Some oil contain sebum that similar to human skin's sebum which means could blend well with our natural skin oil and absorbed quickly. Some oils contain anti-oxidant agent that fights UV radiation or free radicals.

So, Oil? Yes. Why not?

-dora-

Commercial Deodorants are Toxic!

Could Regular Deodorants Cause Cancer? 
I have been making myself handcrafted natural skin and body care for about an half year.  The first thing that came across my mind was a DEODORANT! Why? Because most of conventional deodorants contain antiperspirants in aluminum that might give you cancer. It seemed unnecessary to rub some toxic ingredients on my underarms that close to my breasts and this made me worried if I could get breast cancer. Luckily, if you don't want to spend time to make your own natural deodorant, you are still able to choose aluminum-free deodorants.

Does Natural Deodorant Really Work? 
I am not going to lie! Antiperspirant does stop you from sweating like a horse and preventing stinky odor. However, I don't like the idea of risking my life to keep using toxic ingredients. I gave up the commercial ones and switched to aluminum-free deodorants. It took me a long time to find ones that I liked and they don't smell like perfume (I hate artificial smells). When you switch from a regular deodorant to a natural one, it's not easy. The process does take time, because your body needs to get used to the natural ingredients that do the work for your armpits. Just be patient and keep looking for a natural deodorant that works the best for you!

Homemade Deodorants Work for Me 
I would say I used more than 5 different brands of natural deodorants. I like "Alba botanica" the best, which is made of tea tree essential oil with baking soda. Really? Baking soda? Yes! Baking soda works on a lot of things because of it's antiseptic function. Unfortunately, although this natural deodorant claimed for being all natural, it still has some ingredients that I'd rather not to put on my body. Therefore I looked for homemade natural deodorant recipes. I have found pure baking soda and organic extra virgin coconut oil work pretty well. Plus, it has a pleasant coconut smell. Having used it for a while, I pursuit to find more natural deodorant recipes and try it. Until yesterday, I tried a new recipe that I have to admit I love it and would use it for a long time. I added some Fuller's earth clay-absorbent for oil, grease and have a whitening effect. I believe your armpits would say thank you for having a clean, soft and bright skin. 

-Kiki x 

Apple Cider Vinegar, My Best Friend

Fighting Acne and Dark Spots

I believe most of you know or have heard or have used Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). Well, up to December 2012, I was a non-believer. A few months prior, all of a sudden I had few pimples every single day. I'd tried using all kind of acne ointment (Oxy, Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Proactiv), you name it. I even tried toothpaste! Pimples would come and go, but at least I still had three active pimples a day. It was so embarrassing as if I never take care of my face and it makes me feel dirty. The more I stressed out, the more acne would show up. In Dec 2012, my roommate suggested trying ACV which she had in the fridge. So, I gave it a shot. I used it every night after shower as toner (3 water : 1 ACV) and I let it on my face until right before going to bed. I would brush teeth and rinse my face and then I put my night cream. Hence, the ACV usually stayed on my face at least two hours. It was a miracle. The pimples didn't add up and the active ones were healing in 3-4 days! I did some research and found out that the acidity in ACV helps reducing pore size which also makes my face cleaner. Now, I've been using ACV for over a year and I have changed the ratio into 1:1 since my skin is now used to ACV. Some people are comfortable with 2 water : 1 ACV. You can decide your own ratio by adjusting water to the most comfortable your skin with. I've noticed that ACV has helped to even out dark spots that caused by those damn pimples. Really! I've never felt my face so clean ever. I must admit during my period, I get one or two pimples. However, since I use ACV, pimples never grow bigger as they used to. I am very pleased. So, here's some notes from me about ACV and my face skin

1. Acid level in ACV helps reducing pore size, it means skin will be much cleaner. This is how ACV fights acne.

2. You can adjust your own ACV toner. As beginners, start from 4 water : 1 ACV. Here’s a good toner recipe, use 2 water : 1 ACV ratio with few drops of Essential Oil of your own pick. Lavender Essential Oil is a good choice since it has good smell and works as an antibacterial agent. I personally use cotton ball when applying, others use spray bottle. Again, your choice!

3. ACV helps to even out dark spots. It may not be as quickly, however, slowly but sure!

4. As starter, get Organic ACV.

Fight Warts

I’m using ACV to fight my wart. I use a small piece of cotton ball and soak it with ACV, put on top of the wart and use a bandaid to fasten and let it overnight. I do this right before I sleep. I will update once I get rid of my wart, about how long it takes to completely get rid of it.
(Update on 02/20/14, I probably didn't do it right, somehow I got my skin burnt after using over a week, I scratched my skin a lot and I think that caused the burn and all that. However, I do notice a smaller wart now even though I stop using it. I recommend to stop using if you feel uncomfortable/burn or if it doesn't help with warts. I mean it works to some people, so I think you still can give a shot, why not? But don't hurt yourself. In the experience of burning, I found a good remedy to soothe the pain, I use my conditioner formula: 2 water, 1 ACV and mix it with alcohol, it worked! I was amazed!)


Health Booster

Every now and then I take a teaspoonful of ACV to help boosting my health. It is believed that ACV helps from the inside regarding our skin and health. ACV can help to detoxify and help lymph systems (allergies and stuffed nose). According to Reader’s Digest, ACV prevents indigestion just by sipping before eating. Try drink this 30 minutes before you eat: 1 teaspoon ACV with 1 teaspoon of honey and a glass of warm water.

Hair Conditioner

It sounds weird but some people use ACV as conditioner. Kiki also use it as conditioner to make her hair smooth and shiny. She says to mix half water and half ACV (with few drops of Lavender/Chamomile Essential Oil) after shampooing. I have to admit that she does have smooth and shiny hair. She adds to use Coconut Oil mixed with (raw) honey once a week for hair mask. Microwave it a little bit and apply to hair by massaging and leave it about 15-20 minutes. Then wash off with shampoo and conditioner. Coconut Oil is believed to cleanse
and help scalp, and in her case, she uses it to fight her split-end hair.

Foot Bath

Yes! Literally. Not only it helps soothing ache and swollen feet, ACV works as antibacterial agent when combined with warm water for foot soak. You could use either half water half ACV or 2 water : 1 ACV. It takes about 15-20 minutes to soak feet. For toenails with problem, I recommend to put a drop of Tea Tree Oil overnight. I think ACV works to clean through and helps with the healing process meanwhile TTO works as antiseptic. I am currently dealing with my husband toenail that almost detached from its nailbed and will keep this blog updated.

My note: since I don’t feel comfortable with soaking (too much trouble), I soak a cotton ball then put one drop on each clean toenail and let it dry by itself. Eventually, I put TTO overnight. Now you all know why I consider ACV as my best friend. Not only it has tons of benefits, it’s easy to find ACV and seriously, you don’t need to pay expensive skincare (yet may contain harsh chemical ingredients) to be healthy and look pretty! Give it a chance! Good luck!!

-dora-

Why Natural?

Hello Beauties!!

Ever since Kiki told me about her natural products, I began to get crazy of finding articles about what ingredients that could be useful for my skin and whatnot. Moreover, these ingredients should be easy to find in the market wherever you are. First, let me tell you a little bit about my skin, I came from Southeast Asia and the tropical climate makes my skin dull and dry (or maybe it’s just my skin) and gets darker easily. My face skin type is dry to normal with some oil on ‘T’ part and I have bad dry skin under my nose. This condition really bothers me!

Why Natural?

Kiki comes up with the ‘I need to protect my skin’ idea. She has had the passion for beauty care since she was a teenager. Meanwhile, I just want to get rid of my skin problems (dry skin under nose area, some aging dark spots). We women always want to look pretty, don’t we?

Then she found out that most cosmetic products have ingredients that could possibly cause skin problems (in the future). Kiki started to get obsessed with experimenting natural ingredients which don’t have any harm to our skin. At first, she made her own products and used them for herself. But, she didn’t stop there, she started to think that many women could also benefit from her products so she had her friends to try her skincare products which turned to get very good feedback. The face oil, eye serum, lip balms, and others soak into my skin quickly and feel light and subtle and leaves my skin smooth and much much better! The natural protection seems to work on us!

Now, she wants you all also experiencing the wonderful feeling of not having chemical ingredients on your make up products.

-dora-