This Skin Care Ingredient is an Absolute Game Changer

Let’s jump right back in, shall we? It’s been a while since I’ve talked to you guys and I’ve totally missed you. I had an amazing Summer, though, filled with travel adventures and some much needed rest and relaxation. But I could hardly wait to get back to you and share some of the things I’ve discovered over the past couple of months. I’m a year older, a little bit wiser, and so much more focused. So let’s go!

Remember when french clay, white kaolin, and bentonite mud masks were all the rage? Of course you do. I mean there were so many recipes out there that we even had the opportunity to start multi-masking. I still love all of those, but if you haven’t heard of diatomaceous earth yet, let me be the first to blow your mind. This stuff is so safe, gentle, and versatile that it’s used for everything from natural pet care to organic gardening and meal planning. Say Whaaaat?!!

Diatomeceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft sedimentary rock made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called Diatoms. This soft clay is chock full of trace minerals that have some amazing health benefits. Add a bit to your favorite smoothie, make your own toothpaste, or use it to purify your drinking water. This stuff is no joke! Not only is it safe to consume, but you can also use it topically to make what has quickly become my absolute favorite DIY beauty recipe.

Diatomeceous Earth Facial Cleanser

one teaspoon of food grade diatomeceous earth and enough distilled water to make a paste is all you need for this cleansing face wash. You can even add that teaspoon of D.E. to your favorite facial cleanser to add a little gentle exfoliation to your beauty routine.

Diatomeceous Earth Face Mask

In a small glass bowl, add about 2 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of diatomaceous earth. Add ½ tsp of coconut oil and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Mix well and apply the paste on your face and neck, avoiding the eyes. Allow the mask to dry (2-5 minutes). Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.

Cleansing Grains Facial- A Step by Step Guide

Before you invest in putting a mini-fridge in your bathroom to house all of your DIY beauty goodies, maybe you should give this cleansing grains skin care routine a try. Cleansing grains are a gentle powdered mixture of all natural ingredients such as oats, clays, nuts, and adaptogenic herbs. Much like the just-add-water facial masks I told you about, cleansing grains are a powdered no-fuss version that are the building blocks of this gentle skin care routine.

The Good Hippie, a small batch natural skin care company, offers a comprehensive beauty routine with specialized blends that target the concerns of the 3 major skin types: Balance for normal/combination, Repair for oily/acne prone, and Thrive for dry/mature. Each blend consists of the products necessary to achieve the best results in this 5 step beauty ritual.

Cleansing Grains Skin Care Ritual

STEP 1: CLEANSE

Begin with cleansing grains (Balance, Repair, and Thrive), a gentle, soap-free facial wash. Use daily, morning + night for beautifully balanced, clean, and clear skin. Twice a month, indulge in a facial steam (Balance, Repair, and Thrive); a medley of vibrant botanicals that provides a deep cleansing, leaving your skin with a healthy glow.

sTEP 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliate, twice a week with a scrub (Balance, Repair, and Thrive). Gentle exfoliators + aromatic herbs assist in cell rejuvenation, revealing a fresh, vibrant complexion.

sTEP 3: purIFY

Twice a week, treat your skin to a mask treatment (Balance, Repair, and Thrive). Natural clays + healing botanicals provide a deep cleansing while leaving your skin beautifully toned, detoxed, and revitalized. You may also use regularly as a spot treatment on blemishes as needed.

sTEP 4: HYDRATE

Toners and facial mists (Repair and Thrive) should be used daily, morning and night or as needed to re-hydrate and refresh throughout the day. Aloe water, essential oils, and purifying witch hazel remove dirt and impurities that may have been missed during the cleansing process, closes pores, and prepares your skin for optimal hydration and moisture.

sTEP 5: NOURISH

Moisturizing facial oils (Balance, Repair, and Thrive) are a blend of pure botanical oils and healing essential oils that feed your skin vitamins and nutrients, deliver concentrated moisture, and form a protective barrier, shielding your skin from the harsh effects of the environment. Used twice a day, morning + night, these readily-absorbing serums lend a smoothness, and a hydrating glow to your complexion. For your delicate eye area, use the deeply nourishing Thrive eye serum morning + night.

Ayurvedic Beauty Routine Essentials

Rasasara Skinfood is the one skin care line that has all your Ayurvedic beauty routine essentials covered!

Rasasara Skinfood has taken the guess work out of creating your dosha specific Ayurvedic beauty routine. This product line is 100% natural, cruelty free, and vegan. Every product is tailored to  specifically address the skin care concerns associated with each of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Rasasara unlocks the power of establishing the healing practice of beauty rituals specific to your dosha. Take their quick skin type test to get you started. If you already know your dosha and you’re ready to dive right in, check out these amazing starter kits.

 

VATA (dry/mature): Vata types feel the cold, have fine, delicate skin, tiny pores, tan easily & are cool to touch. Imbalanced Vata skin becomes dry, flaky or rough & prone to fine lines, especially on the forehead & around the eyes.

BALANCE VATA skin with the warming, softening & moisture rich ingredients found in the Rasasara Vata range, which is especially suited to mature and dry skin.

Included in the Starter Kit:

Vata Hydrating Mist
Vata Face Nourishing Oil
Vata Herbal Face Exfoliant
Vata Face Cleansing Bar

PITTA (sensitive/combination): the skin is sensitive, imbalanced and feels the heat. Note their warm glowing cheeks, are often lightly freckled or dotted with beauty marks & burn easily. Imbalanced pitta skin is prone to conditions such as redness, acne, rosacea, an oily t-zone & broken capillaries.

BALANCE PITTA with cooling, calming ingredients found in Rasasara’s Pitta range.

Included in the Starter Kit:

Pitta Hydrating Mist
Pitta Face Nourishing Oil
Pitta Herbal Face Exfoliant / Mask
Pitta Face Cleansing Bar

KAPHA (oily/congested): Kapha skin type is classically pale OR rich olive skin which looks smooth, soft & lustrous. Imbalanced Kapha skin can appear sluggish, may feel damp or a little oily & be prone to blackheads or congestion.
BALANCE KAPHA skin with the application of stimulating & detoxifying ingredients found in Rasasara’s Kapha range.

Included in the Starter Kit:

Kapha Hydrating Aromatic Mist
Kapha Face Nourishing Oil
Kapha Herbal Face Exfoliant / Mask
Kapha Face Cleansing Bar

Tridoshic  (suitable for all skin types):

Hack Your Skin Care Routine With These 3 Adaptogenic Beauty Product Lines

Adaptogens have been making the rounds in beauty and wellness circles for some time now. Think of them as a botanical arsenal in the battle for restoring your body’s natural balance. Used for centuries in herbal medicine, adaptogens encompass a wide range of herbs and natural substances that are said to have a normalizing effect on the body. Notice the recent spike in kombucha elixirs at your local store? Yeah. That’s part of the trend. So with all this talk of adaptogens, it was only a matter of time before I dipped my face in some adaptogenic potion, because, you know, that’s how I roll. I’ve made some pretty dope homemade skin care recipes featuring adaptogens like matcha and maca, but still…

Sometimes that lazy diva on my shoulder whispers in my ear that she just wants to be pampered without all the fuss of homemade recipes, and without compromising on any of the healing benefits of natural skin care. Finally, the beauty industry has answered the prayers of the lazy diva in all of us by tapping into ancient wisdom and offering up easy to use products that are both natural and effective. I’m seriously crushing on so many products right now, mixing and matching as I go along. The funny thing is that even though I’m dabbing a little of this and a little of that, my sensitive skin is drinking it all up and healing itself. Yay, adaptogens! Here are some of the products I’ve been mental over this week!

Allies of Skin

This product line, with it’s unique blend of adaptogens, helps the healing process along. The products are gentle enough for daily use and treat everything from acne to wrinkles to loss of skin elasticity to sun damage. Best product is by far the Allies of Skin 1A Overnight Mask…um, clear skin while I sleep?! Yes, please!

Snow Fox

Originally designed for hypersensitive skin, the Snow Fox line is organic, plant-based, and suitable for all skin types.Their cooling masks are amazing and they even have a travel kit ready for your next adventure.

Edible Beauty

This line has something for everyone. Whether you suffer from dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, or ageing skin, Edible Beauty has a range of pure, botanical ingredients to address your concerns. The packaging is amazing and goes super well with this DIY I made a while back. The kit pictured above contains some of the best products I have EVER used! An Australian company, they’ve finally started shipping to the US and Canada.

DIY Face Mask Perfect for Hormonal Breakouts

That time of the month? Tame those hormonal breakouts with this clarifying face mask. This mask is a brightening, nourishing, and deep cleansing powerhouse. Harnessing the antioxidant-rich duo of Maca and cacao, your skin will totally thank you. (Makes one mask)

Maca Cacao Clay Mask

ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon raw maca powder (find it here)
  • ½ teaspoon raw cacao powder (find it here)
  • ½ teaspoon bentonite clay (find it here)
  • 1 teaspoon light oil such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, or liquid coconut oil

directions

  • Mix all ingredients to make a paste (your mixture should look a lot like chocolate syrup)
  • spread the mixture evenly on your face and neck avoiding your eyes
  • let the mask set for about 15-20 minutes
  • gently rinse with warm water
  • repeat once a week

Source: Peaceful Dumpling