The use of essential oils in cosmetic products has been around for centuries. It’s been said that Cleopatra, the great Queen of Egypt used many different oils for her extensive beauty rituals. Her skin and hair would shimmer with patchouli, sandalwood, and rose oils. The scent would waft after her for miles as she left any room. Even when she was traveling down the rivers by a boating vessel, she would have her people spray massive amounts of the essential oils into the air so all the world could delight in her scent. Can you imagine the gallons of essentials oils she must have had laying around? What a concept!

In today’s world many organic hair care companies are using a combination of essential oils in their hair care products to solve a variety of issues that people face in dealing with their locks.  It’s not all about just smelling great, but these essential oils, when used correctly, can make a huge difference in the state of your tresses. They will be softer, smoother, more hydrated, and your scalp health can be greatly improved when regularly used  in the right hair care routine.

The Many Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils are very desirable for their restorative benefits, and to cure many common ailments. They are technically defined by the International Organization for Standardization (IOS) as a product made by the distillation of the oil with either water, steam, mechanical processing, or dry distillation to separate the oil from the water phase. Simple. Organic. Natural. The very core of the plant is what creates an essential oil. It’s fairly easy to see why the essential oil business has become a billion dollar enterprise throughout the world with many companies embracing these unique ingredients.

What Will The Essential Oils Treat?

Essential oils used in treating skin and hair health are very common all over the world. Some people even find that essential oils can be used for people that suffer from hair loss due to the condition, Alopecia. There have been clinical studies done by the University of Maryland Medical Center that show that when massage is used in conjunction with a combination of essential oils, and a carrier oil that it will help promote hair growth. The oils used were lavender, rosemary, and cedarwood in combination with jojoba or grapeseed oil, which are the carrier oils, to increase circulation in the scalp. Tea Tree Oil is another one that is commonly used in hair care products for its ability to decrease oil production and for its antibacterial properties. So this is a great one to try for those people that have oily scalp problems that lead to greasy, lifeless hair. Look for hair products where Tea Tree Oil is high on the ingredient list to get the maximum benefits. Or even better; make your own natural products with the desired essential oils.

Make you own products with essential oils

Some essential oils on their own can be toxic so take care to find out the best combination for your specific ailment. Most health food and vitamin stores can provide you with the best guidance on all aspects of essential oils they offer. Taking existing hair care products with essential oils will guarantee that they are correctly dosed, but you will definitely face issue with other synthetic ingredients and preservatives that the commercial products always contain. The best way is to make your own natural hair products. Most of the time you will use carrier oils and hydrosols which you will need to heat at some point for better mixing. Always add the essential oils at the end of the process when the temperature of the other ingredients is 120F or lower as the essential oils can evaporate fast at higher temperatures.  Also to dose correctly essential oils know that they should be at around 2% of your total ingredients. This is easy by following the rule of 12 drops of essential oils to each fl. oz. (30ml) of product. You can start with this nourishing hair mask with a good combination of essential oils that will improve the hair growth and strength.

Hair Care Routine Using Essential Oils

In using essential oils for your own hair care routine you want to focus on looking for (or making your own) shampoos and conditioners that contain the pure essence of the oils. Checking the ingredient labels does help you to know what’s actual in the product. If you see the essential oil way, way down on the ingredient list then you aren’t going to be getting much of the benefits of the oils. Higher concentrations are located closer to the top of the ingredient list. You should also spot test any new products to make sure you aren’t going to have an adverse reaction to any of the ingredients.

I make my own shampoo bar with all natural ingredients that doesn’t dry off the hair as the commercial shampoos. It also contains carefully selected essential oils that prevent dandruff.

The procedure I advise my clients as an experienced esthetician is to use at least once per week all natural nourishing hair mask with essential oils for at least 30 min before shampooing the hair.

After shampooing, I use my homemade natural conditioner with lavender essential oil hat strengthen my hair and keep it moisturized for all the day. I leave the conditioner for 5 min and wash it off only by water.

 After you get out of the shower or bath, you can use styling products that contain essentials oils based on your hair type like homemade natural flax seed gel with lavender (or Lemongrass for oily hair) essential oil. People with fine hair are going to want to stick to lighter serums (grapeseed oil works excellent), and spray gels or volumizers that don’t weigh their strands down. While those with heavy, thick hair can use more cream based products to hydrate that are more substantial.

Deep conditioning masks are especially used with essential oils. They are meant to be used once or twice per week to help soothe dry, dehydrated hair. Most people’s hair is stressed from the styling methods they use, such as daily flat iron use and the blow dryer. Most people aren’t willing to give up these items to let their hair dry naturally, so treated it to a weekly conditioning mask can help keep your locks lush and lovely.

Carrier Oils to Consider

The way that essential oils are put into hair care product is with the use of carrier oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. This helps to make the essentials oils safe for home use, and in skin or haircare products.

Some other carrier oils used in hair care products and skincare are Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Macdemeda Nut Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil. So look for these highly hydrating oils for some of your haircare needs. My advice is also to look for organic oils if possible and always to use unrefined ones. During the process of refining, the natural oils lose their fragrance which is desired by the cosmetic companies, but they also lose a part of their healing properties. In addition, if you prefer to buy your hair products instead of making them yourself, look for hair care products that are paraben free with only the absolute essential ingredients necessary for good hair health. However, you must know that all, and I mean really all commercial products contain preservatives. And this is true even for the natural organic cosmetics because without preservative they would have very short shelf life and would be unsellable.

All in all adding essential oils as part of your hair care routine can make a big difference in the way your hair looks and feels. Take the time to explore all your options with essential oils. Smell the concentrated essences at your local health food stores to find out which ones appeal to your olfactory senses the most.

As skin care specialist for more than ten years, I’ve learned that nothing can take care of your skin as well as the natural products. With natural, homemade cosmetics I’ve helped many of my clients that couldn’t find suitable commercial solutions, and I want to share that experience with you. Natural skin care and natural hair care is something that more and more people are learning about right now. The skin, most people don’t realize, is the biggest organ in the body that has the capacity to absorb about 60% of the cosmetic products you apply. It requires a lot of elements to remain looking young and healthy. The products you apply are absorbed not only in the skin but in the body’s systems. When you use products that are 100% natural on your skin and hair, you allow it for better and faster regeneration and improved elasticity which makes the skin looks younger.

So what are exactly natural ingredients? Many of today’s commercial products contain natural ingredients of some sort, but a truly natural product to me is the one that have only 100% pure natural ingredients and no preservatives or synthetic additives. For manufacturers, the lack of preservatives means shorter shelf life, which makes the cosmetic products unsellable. You can find here many beauty tips based on natural products.

What are the natural ingredients?

A natural ingredient is obtained from nature with minimum disturbance and simple processing. Think about our ancestors 2000 years ago. What could they obtain from nature? Olive oil of course – cold pressed organic olive oil, but not only that. Most of the cosmetic products are using ‘natural’ refined oils and butters because they have longer shelf life and don’t have an intense smell. All that’s good but during the process of refining, these ingredients lose their healing and rejuvenating powers given them by nature. Every natural product has its unique properties that can be beneficial for your skin and hair. Also, what makes the things even better is the possibility to combine those natural ingredients to produce a perfect and unique product with specific qualities adapted to your needs.

The secret is not only in using natural ingredients but in the knowledge how to combine them in the right doses and combinations, as well as the process of preparation.

This is why I want to share with you my experience how to make you perfectly awesome natural cosmetic products for best skin and hair health. I have read a lot about each and every ingredient and have dedicated significant time in experimenting with different recipes until I came with some greatly performing recipes for different needs. All the recipes I present here are absolutely safe and already tested with proven efficacy.

Ingredients for natural homemade cosmetics

Natural beauty tips with essential oils

These are my favorite ingredients, and I pay them maximum attention when I prepare my products. Essential oils are simply magical. They contain the life force of the plants. The term “essential oil” is a contraction of the original “quintessential oil.” This was described by the Greek philosopher Aristotle that matter is composed of four elements; fire, air, earth, and water. The fifth element, however, is the quintessence, which is the spirit or life force. The essential oils, depending on the type of the plant, are obtained through distillation or cold pressing. Both methods are natural with no synthetic ingredients added. They are highly concentrated extracts of the plants.

The essential oils were long used for various health problems and in spa therapy for body and mind relaxation. But another less known application of the essential oils in beauty procedures. Yes they have amazing benefits for your hair and skin when properly combined and diluted in the right carrier oils. Each essential oil has its unique properties for skin, hair, or emotional healing. The right choice of essential oil is very important. Often, I use more than one essential oil in a given recipe and, in this case, the right combination and proportions of essential oils is also critical in order to achieve the best results. I often come upon good recipes for natural cosmetics but when it comes to the part for adding essential oils, it is usually written “add essential oils to your preference.”

Essential oils should not be mistaken with fragrance oils. They have intense fragrance, but their magical power is in their healing properties. You should not choose them by fragrance but according to their properties.

Healing properties of some essential oils:

Carrot seed essential oil: has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. It not only works to help smooth skin but assists with cell regeneration.

Frankincense essential oil: has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. It is also a natural toner, decreasing the appearance of pores and evening skin tone.

Geranium essential oil: helps regulate oil production and reduces acne breakouts. It also helps improve skin elasticity and tighten skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Lavender essential oil: is maybe the most popular essential oil. It helps you relax and reduces the stress. In cosmetics, lavender oil is widely used for its abilities to regenerate skin cells and improve hair growth.

Myrrh essential oil: greatly benefits aging skin. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help improve skin tone, firmness, and skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Myrrh can also help heal sun damage, chapped skin, rashes, and eczema.

Neroli essential oil: is great for oily, sensitive, and mature skin. It helps to smooth fine lines and tone sagging skin.

Patchouli essential oil: is particularly great for aging skin. It promotes new cell growth and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Rose essential oil: is especially great for dry or aging skin. It helps refine skin texture and tone, and can be helpful with managing skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

Tea Tree oil: essential oil is best for acne-prone skin. Its antibacterial properties help ward off acne-causing bacteria. It also helps to regulate oil production, which can decrease the severity and incidence of breakouts. In many of my cosmetic recipes, I use tea tree essential oil as a preservative. It increases the shelf life of my cosmetics without adding harmful preservatives.

Ylang Ylang essential oil: helps to control oil production and minimize breakouts. It also helps regenerate skin cells, smoothing fine lines and improving skin elasticity.

One thing that you should always keep in mind is that the essential oils are very concentrated and should not be directly applied on your hair or skin (except maybe chamomile essential oil). This is where come the vegetable carrier oils to dilute and give the consistency of the essential oils.

Vegetable Carrier Oils

When we speak about some professional beauty tips for making natural cosmetics it is very important to chose the right ingredients in the right combination. Vegetable oils are not only as diluents of the essential oils. They have their own unique healing, moisturizing, and rejuvenating properties. The vegetable oils are produced by some plants parts containing fats of course. Mainly seeds and kernels, but in some cases other plan’s parts as pulp, fruit, and so on. However, it is very important to look for NATURAL vegetable oils, which means that they are obtained with minimum disturbance of nature. These are the cold-pressed, unrefined oils and butters. If you can afford organic is even better. Most cosmetic companies use refined oils and butters to reduce the intense flavor (coconut, shea, mango, and so on). But like everything in nature as more you process them more they lose their beneficial, healing properties. So use unrefined, cold pressed oils and butters.

The vegetable oils in cosmetics are also called  carrier oils. however their role is not only as carriers. They have their own properties and benefits. I will go through more details about their specific properties in dedicated posts.

Physical properties of the vegetable oils

You need to be aware of the vegetable carrier oils’ physical properties in order to make good natural cosmetic products. In cosmetic preparation, they serve a variety of purposes. Here’s a quick list:

1. Making bulk
2. Consistency
3. Speed of absorption
4. Texture & melting point
5. Special features & benefits (here are the health and moisturizing benefits)

Consistency:

According to their consistency I prefer to divide them into:

Hard butters: They can be very hard at room temperature and melt after heating at a higher temperature. Those are cocoa butter and kokum butter. They are very hard at room temperature and need additional heating to melt.

Soft butters/oils: Well, they are soft at room temperature and start melting on skin contact. Here we have oils and butters such as shea butter, coconut oil, mango butter and so on.

Liquid oils: are, as you can imagine, liquid oils. Think of olive oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil, castor oil.

Speed of absorption of some carrier oils:

The carrier oils need to carry the essential oils, and their skin absorption speed is critical to the product you make and the effect you want to achieve. If you want a lotion that you can use on a daily basis, you’ll want oil that absorbs quickly into your skin and not into your clothes. If you’re making a lip gloss, or a moisturizing cream for dry skin, you’ll want one that absorbs slowly.

Fast absorbing speed: grapeseed oil, safflower oil, hazelnut oil, canola oil, apricot kernel oil.

Medium absorbing speed: olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil.

Slow absorbing speed: castor oil, avocado oil, flax seed oil, cocoa butter.

So, you can see that consistency and speed of absorption are not linked. Adding to this the different health properties, it makes hard but unique choice which oils to combine for needed effects; and on top of that with the right combinations of essential oils.

In order to make it simplier, I have posted a lot of tested recipes for different skin and hair needs.

What else will you need to use for making your own natural cosmetics?

We love good beauty tips, so I have made up lists of different natural ingredients and their properties. Also I do my best to explain how to combine those ingredients in the right way for better final results.

Cosmetic clays

There are a bunch of naturally derived healthy clays with no adverse reactions for the skin. Cosmetic clays have different mineral content with various effects on the skin. They are the oldest natural beauty ingredients in the world and are cherished for their high ability to absorb excess oils, and toxins from the skin. While exfoliating the skin, cosmetic clays rejuvenate it and improve the blood circulation. They are widely used in detoxifying masks in combinations with hydrosols and few drops of essential oils.

Cosmetic Waxes

Natural waxes as the beeswax (my favorite) are used to create consistency. They are highly resistant to oxidation and microbial degradation and give consistency and long life to the homemade beauty products. Cosmetic waxes have a protective and emollient effect on the skin. Also, they are good natural emulsifiers when you need to create emulsion – a combination of oils and water.

TRUSTED COSMETICS RECIPES

How difficult is it to make you own natural cosmetics?

First and foremost, you want to know if making natural cosmetics is a hard thing to do. The answer is YES and NO. The difficult part is to choose the right combinations of ingredients and the proper mixing procedures. But once you have the recipe and the instructions, it’s not a complex thing to do, and you don’t need to have a master’s degree in chemistry to start working through this. Not only that but it is a big fun and an excellent hobby. You’re going to find that the ingredients are easy to source, can provide effective coverage, and can even help you live a much more “natural” lifestyle. You will be able also to prepare unique and original gifts for friends and family.

Are Homemade Natural Cosmetics Expensive?

The one thing that holds a lot of people back from making natural cosmetics is, simple, the cost. The notion of expensive equipment and having to purchase expensive ingredients is hard to really answer for some. The truth is that you’ll find that this whole process is not expensive as you may think. If you are completely new to this, you probably don’t have even coconut oil at home. In this case, you will need to invest an initial amount in buying some starter bulk ingredients like essential oils, carrier oils and butters, clays, and so. Well, it will barely cost you a hundred bucks. Buying a bulk of organic sweet almond oil of 16oz for 15$ may look a lot but you are going to need 3oz in an anti-aging face cream recipe for example. Also, you will use one ingredient in many different recipes. So once you pass the initial period, and you build a stock of natural ingredients, a facial cream with top quality and properties will cost you 5-6$. As efficacy, it can compare to the top commercial offerings of at least 50$ for the same quantity, but you will have 100% natural product made by yourself.

Finally, I really hope my natural beauty tips to help you create your perfect beauty procedures and products that you will enjoy.

Jojoba Oil Skin and Hair Benefits

 

Jojoba oil is extracted from seeds of the jojoba plant, scientifically known as Simmondsia chinensis, which are indigenous to the southern United States and northern Mexico.
Jojoba can be applied directly to the skin for acne, psoriasis, sunburn, and chapped skin. It is also used topically to encourage the regrowth of hair in people who are balding. Jojoba, when applied to the skin, is an emollient, which soothes skin and unclogs hair follicles.

There is an interest in using jojoba for balding because it is believed that unclogged hair follicles are more likely to produce new hair. There are sebaceous glands inside each hair follicle. As the hair shaft grows out of the follicle, it carries a coating of sebum that protects the hair. The sebum and other debris can sometimes clog the follicle, preventing the smooth growth of the hair. Jojoba oil can easily seep into the follicles and dissolve the sebum buildup, clearing up the blockage and facilitating the growth of new hair. The vitamins and minerals in the oil can nourish the skin and improve the overall health of the scalp.

Jojoba oil is unique in that, unlike most other natural oils, it closely resembles human sebum, a waxy substance produced by our skin glands, so it can act as a natural skin conditioner. That makes it a perfect replacement for animal fats in the manufacture of skin lotions and creams.

If you are troubled by oily skin or scalp like me, rubbing in Jojoba oil on the affected parts will give wonderful results. It is counterintuitive to use this oil, or any oil for that matter, on oily skin, but surprisingly Jojoba oil can help reduce oiliness.

While there’s no doubt that the pure organic jojoba oil is a completely natural, healthy treatment for the skin, it can also be expensive. If you decide to try it for yourself, use it sparingly—a little bit goes a long way. And even though it may be a little pricey, the results are worth every penny

TENS OF THOUSANDS of children will this week begin the long road of formal education, as they congregate around the country for their first day of school.
The last census indicated that there were about 67,000 children who are old enough to be going to school for the first time this week.
Of course, it’s not just a big day for the children themselves – in many cases the child will be the eldest in the family, and it’ll be the first time that their parents have ever seen a child off to school, or seen them taken into the care of someone else.
That can, understandably, be a difficult thing for a parent to get to grips with – so we’ve asked a primary school teacher for some advice on how both you and your child can prepare for the big day.

1. It’s pretty likely that your child will be a bit scared, but too nervous to say it. Invent a secret signal with your child – like pinching their little finger, or squeezing their hand three times – which means ‘I love you’. It’s a special and private thing that will reassure them as you let them go, whilst also avoiding any embarrassment.
2. Don’t give your child a drink for lunch that they can’t open themselves. (I’m looking at you, unnamed pouched fruit drink with a fiddly straw). Also, any ‘strange’ or ‘new’ food, however convenient it might be – again, I’m looking at you, unnamed wax-covered cheese product – should probably be avoided.
3. At home, practice eating out of a lunchbox and putting things in bin. Remind your child what should go in the bin, and what should be kept in their lunchbox and brought home. If their lunchbox goes somewhere special in the classroom, put it there with them on the first morning.
4. Make sure the teacher has at least two correct numbers to call you, in case something happens. It won’t happen, but just in case.
5. If your child has an inhaler, make sure the teacher knows about it, and put a sticker or tag on it with instructions for the teacher.
6. Meet and chat to at least one ‘new’ parent. You’ll have a lot in common over the next eight years – and it’ll be very valuable to have an ally who’s going through the same process as you.
7. Practice helping your child take their coat off, hanging it up in a special place, and putting it on again. This will really help the teacher in a cramped classroom and will make the child feel more independent at break-time.
8. It is very common in infant classes for the teacher to ‘bring’ the class to the toilet together, so remind your little one to go then, even if they are absolutely positive they don’t need to go. They do, and they will! If they are prone to wetting themselves, make sure you are aware of the school policy on changing clothes if the issue arises. Show the child where the bathroom is on the first morning, and remind them to wash their hands.
9. If your little one got a school diary, fill in all the details at the front, such as addresses and phone numbers. The teacher will have these details already, but it is good for other support services in the school to be able to get hold of such details at short notice.
10. Label everything. And I mean, everything. You don’t want to be buying a new jumper and Peppa Pig lunchbox in October. Have all books and copies covered to keep them clean – but try to avoid the wallpaper-style covers where the child won’t recognise what book is underneath. The only way we can get 30 four-year-olds to pick out the right book is by holding it up and saying ‘Take out this book, boys and girls’. If the front of the book is covered up, the child won’t recognise it.
11. If your child is allergic to anything, make a little card (laminated, if possible) and list those allergies. The teacher can then stick this to the desk and inform their colleagues on yard duty, to ensure that everyone knows how to care for your child properly.
12. If you can at all, please teach your child how to write their name. This is a great aid to a teacher if a child can identify and label their own worksheet or book, and increases the child’s sense of ‘ownership’ of their work.
13. Many schools operate a ‘line-up’ system in the yard. Most schools will let you walk into the room with your child (especially on the first day!) but don’t make a habit of loitering around afterwards. You mightn’t realise it, but the 30 minutes’ playtime at the start of the infant’s schoolday is not only important social time for your child – it’s also a recognised educational methodology for improving oral language and imagination. Don’t let them miss out!
14. For the first few weeks, try to put your child in shoes that have Velcro clasps. Avoid laces, for obvious reasons.
15. Empty the child’s bag everyday – especially in the first few days, where notes and envelopes may be sent home.
16. If you have to pay a contribution charge to the school, don’t be anxious about paying it immediately, or even in full. Your first day should be spent concentrating on your little one, not on money. Revisit the payment on the second morning. If you have any trouble in making the payment just mention it to the teacher, if you feel comfortable doing so. We know how hard it is, and most teachers will never put you under pressure about any payment.
17. Your little one will probably be exhausted after their first day, so a nap after collection isn’t a bad idea at all. Make time for this in your own schedule and plan this with any childminders, etc.
18. On the subject of men being the ones bringing the kids to school: be assured that the school run isn’t just a ‘Mammy’ thing anymore. Don’t hesitate. It seems obvious, but it is something that appears time and time again as a discreet issue. There are other Dads there – and they might appreciate the company!
19. When you’re leaving your child, explain to them that you will be back to collect them, at the very place you left them. Of course, if it won’t be you that will be collecting them, you need to tell this to them and of course, the teacher.
20. Don’t worry, tears are totally normal. They aren’t upset with you, and you’re not a ‘bad’ parent for walking away.
21. Enjoy the morning and don’t cry until you’re in the car/bus on the way home. Easier said than done! We’ll do all we can to help and we know that nothing will ever replace your love and devotion to your little one – we’re just here to help them get on their way to great things.

Good luck to you and your kids!

ما هو تساقط الشعر الموسمي
تساقط الشعر الموسمي هو تساقط الشعر في مطلع كل موسم وبالرغم من احتمالية تساقطه في فصول السنة المختلفة الا أنه يشيع في فصل الشتاء غالباً .

اسباب تساقط الشعر الموسمي:
يرتبط تساقط الشعر الموسمي بالعديد من العوامل منها : - تكيف الطبقة الجلدية لفروة الرأس مع التغير الموسمي حيث تصبح جافة مما يحفز سقوط الشعر . - التعرق الغزير أثناء فصل الصيف يُغلق مسامات الشعر ويتسبب بموتها وسقوطها . - التعرض المفرط لأشعة الشمس يتسبب في تلف الشعر بفعل الأشعة الفوق بنفسجية . - التعرض الغير كاف لأشعة الشمس يُقلل من تصنيع الميلانين اللازم للشعر والجلد . - تعرض الشعر لماء المطر الذي يحمل الملوثات التي من شأنها اتلاف الشعر وسقوطه .

الوقاية من تساقط الشعر الموسمي:
يُوصى باتباع عدد من الخطوات الوقائية للحد من تساقط الشعر الموسمي ومنها : - ارتداء القبعات الواقية للوقاية من أشعة الشمس أو المطر . - ربط الشعر . - استخدام الحناء أو اللبن الرائب حيث يعملان على تقوية جذور الشعر . - تدليك فروة الرأس والشعر بزيت جوز الهند

Etre au mieux dans sa tête et dans son corps, en pleine forme et au top de son éclat : toutes les futures mamans en rêvent ! des conseils forme et bien-être : soins, idées de massages et astuces pour vivre ce début de grossesse le plus harmonieusement possible.

• Chouchoutez votre décolleté pendant votre grossesse 

Côté forme et bien-être, avouez que c'est quand même une sensation inouïe de prendre deux tailles de bonnets en quelques semaines. Alors vive les robes et T-shirt sexy ! Il n'empêche que cette montée brutale d'œstrogènes n'est pas toujours confortable.
Vos seins sont hypertendus et ont tendance à tirailler. Idéale, la douche froide permet de calmer leurs tensions. Bénéfique aussi, le massage quotidien avec un soin spécial buste qui contient des agents apaisants et regorge d'hydratants pour lutter efficacement contre les vergetures. Attention, vos seins pouvant doubler de volume en un temps record, c'est dès le premier trimestre qu'il faut aider la peau à supporter les effets de la distension. Important aussi : acheter rapidement un soutien-gorge vraiment adapté, en coton de préférence, sans armature, et avec un dos et des bretelles bien larges pour se sentir maintenue sans que ça gratte, que ça coince ou que ça serre.
Enfin, il faut penser à assurer dès maintenant la bonne récupération de votre buste après bébé en faisant quelques mouvements qui vont solliciter les (rares) muscles qui soutiennent les seins.

• Pendant votre grossesse déstressez votre peau

Cette grise mine est l'effet d'une irrigation massive due aux hormones, qui ont tendance à asphyxier l'épiderme. En cause aussi la fatigue intense, qui accompagne souvent les premiers mois de la grossesse, et le transit intestinal, qui commence à être paresseux. Bref, côté forme et bien-être c'est pas le top ! Tout se conjugue pour que les toxines soient en surnombre, et ça se lit à la surface de la peau ! Pour lui redonner un aspect lisse et reposé, rien de tel qu'un bon massage relaxant avec une crème de soin riche en actifs drainants et détoxifiants.

• Forme et bien-être pendant votre grossesse : défatiguez vos yeux

Envie de dormir et mal au coeur creusent les yeux, zone privilégiée pour imprimer le stress et la fatigue. La meilleure stratégie forme et bien-être antibleus : commencer par se démaquiller en douceur sans frotter trop fort. Puis offrez-vous un soin spécifique anticernes, à base d'arnica et de ruscus pour effacer le bleu et de pigments réflecteurs de lumière pour éclairer le regard. Appliquez-le matin et soir en tapotant légèrement avec la pulpe des doigts pour optimiser l'effet de drainage.

• Enceinte : gommez votre corps

Pour retrouver forme et bien-être, il faut gommer ! D'abord parce que ça fait des matins toniques, une peau de velours... et, surtout, parce que les gommages dynamisent les fibres de soutien de la peau, qui vont être soumises à une distension maximale dans les mois à venir. Une habitude à prendre dès le début de la grossesse, au moins une fois par semaine, pour débarrasser la peau de ses cellules mortes et faciliter la pénétration des actifs contenus dans les soins anti vergetures.
La bonne méthode ? Frotter doucement mais fermement, les mains à plat et avec des mouvements circulaires, larges et appuyés sur les hanches, le ventre et le haut des cuisses. Petits et légers sur le seins, l'intérieur des bras et des cuisses.

• Enceinte : faites briller vos cheveux

Pour eux, la grossesse est plutôt un état béni. Les hormones ont pour effet d'allonger leur cycle de vie - on en perd donc moins que d'habitude - et de normaliser tous les petits soucis capillaires. Les cheveux gras gagnent en légèreté et les trop secs sont soudain mieux hydratés. Pour tirer parti au maximum de cet atout de choc, on troque son shampooing traitant habituel contre un shampooing doux. Idéal pour faire la chevelure légère et brillante et redonner forme et bien-être à vos cheveux.

• Forme et bien-être : adoptez une bonne position

Bien « positionner » son corps est essentiel dès le début de la grossesse et cela se ressentira dans votre forme et bien-être d'après grossesse. Mettez d'emblée toutes les chances de votre côté, pour éviter ensuite au maximum les jambes de plomb, le mal de dos et les éventuelles crampes et sciatique.
Le maintien idéal ? le bassin en avant, le dos droit et les épaules basses. D'accord, c'est difficile de ne pas cambrer pour contrebalancer le poids du ventre. Il faut donc commencer dès que l'on est enceinte pour arriver à tenir bon même quand le ventre devient très rond.

• Forme et bien-être : changez vos habitudes

Adoptez le plus tôt possible un rythme plus calme. Pas pour vous mettre 9 mois entre parenthèses, mais afin de profiter de cet état d'harmonie et de magie, essentiel pour votre forme et bien-être. Bien sûr, vous devez arrêter de fumer et modérer café, alcool et sorties. Pensez à vous, faites-vous du bien, écoutez de la musique douce et alimentez-vous sainement. Ni anarchique ni boulimique, mais régulier et équilibré. Pour apporter à votre bébé tout ce qu'il a besoin pour bien se développer. Et pour essayer de ne pas dépasser le cap des 10-12 kilos à l'arrivée. Enfin, buvez au moins deux litres d'eau par jour. Parce que cela fait le teint frais, une belle peau, et que cela élimine les toxines qui fatiguent et stimule le transit intestinal pendant toute la grossesse.

• Pendant votre grossesse : bougez comme il faut

Pour la forme et bien-être pendant la grossesse (et après), pas question de mettre vos muscles au repos pendant 9 mois ! Même si vous vous sentez un peu « dans un cocon », voici deux bonnes raisons pour rester active et tonique : porter des kilos en plus pendant des mois et accoucher sont de véritables prouesses physiques. Il vaut mieux s'y préparer activement dès maintenant.
Les meilleurs sports ? La gym dans l'eau bien sûr car, bien soutenue, vous vous y musclerez sans efforts. Mais si vous n'avez ni le courage de plonger ni une piscine à portée de main, marchez au minimum et faites un peu de gym douce au moins deux fois par semaine. C'est bon pour le moral car tout travail musculaire fait sécréter des endorphines qui favorisent la bonne humeur. Et le sport joue aussi un rôle de régulateur d'appétit. Important pour ne pas se laisser aller à manger n'importe quoi, n'importe quand !

•  Ecoutez votre fatigue pendant la grossesse 

Vous avez sommeil tout le temps ? Normal, l'inondation de progestérone des premiers mois à un effet sédatif bien connu ! Maintenant, comment gérer au mieux cette période « coups de barre » sans non plus se laisser aller côté forme et bien-être ? En saisissant toutes les occasions d'oublier le stress et de s'occuper de soi. En faisant, par exemple, de vraies siestes le week-end et au moins deux pauses détente pendant la journée. Même si vous travaillez. Pour reprendre le travail toute ressourcée, accordez-vous quelques minutes de respiration ample et profonde : les yeux fermés, dans une position confortable, reculez un peu le siège du bureau, posez éventuellement les pieds sur un tiroir ouvert pour surélever vos jambes. Le soir, un bain à 38 ou 39°C (pas plus), c'est vraiment le meilleur moyen de décontracter ses muscles... et son mental. Et aussi de se préparer une nuit parfaitement réparatrice.

• Oubliez vos nausées enceinte 

Encore une fois, c'est la progestérone qui joue les trouble-fête dans votre forme et bien-être. Car elle agit sur le centre cérébral de l'équilibre. D'où l'état de mal au coeur quasi permanent qui envahit beaucoup de futures mamans au moins les premiers mois. Pour l'atténuer, évitez par exemple de vous lever d'un bond dès que le réveil sonne. Au contraire, restez quelques minutes allongée, buvez un verre d'eau à petites gorgées et passez en douceur à la position assise, puis debout. Excellent pour lutter contre les nausées et pour « nourrir » correctement votre bébé : préférez le rythme de quatre repas par jour, bien équilibrés, pour fractionner intelligemment les apports alimentaires du matin au soir. Pendant que l'estomac travaille, il vous laisse en paix !

 

Does Vitamin C Lighten Skin Tone- How Much Vitamin C Should I Take to Lighten Skin?

Does vitamin C lighten skin? Fair skin has for a long time been considered beautiful. Many people; men and women alike work very hard to achieve lighter and brighter skin. There are many skin lightening creams, pills and lotions in the market which are not always effective and come with a whole lot of side effects. Some will even go for skin lightening surgery which is not only expensive, but requires high maintenance.

Does Vitamin C Lighten Skin Tone?

Can vitamin C lighten skin? If you are looking to lighten your skin naturally and effectively, choose from a wide range or home remedies and naturally available vitamins such as vitamin C to lighten, whiten or bleach your skin effectively without any side effects. Also, find out how much vitamin C you should take to whiten skin tone

Vitamin C for Skin Lightening

What is vitamin C?
Before getting into vitamin C and skin lightening, it is important to learn on what is vitamin C and how to use it for skin lightening. Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is one of the most abundant minerals in natural. It is a water soluble vitamin largely required by our bodies for almost all cell functions. It is also an antioxidant that works to neutralize free radicals which are harmful and can easily damage the skin and other important organs of the body.

Vitamin C is easily available in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. It is also available in dark green leafy vegetables. You can also find vitamin C in supplement forms pills and capsules. So, what is the relationship between vitamin C and skin lightening?

Vitamin C and Skin Lightening

Skin color and tone is determined by melanin, a pigment made by melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that are found in the skin and they work by converting amino acid tyrosine into melanin using the enzyme tyrosinase. Melanin is the deposited in the upper layer of the skin in form of Pheomelanin (lighter, yellowish pigment) or Eumelanin (darker pigment). The more melanin your cells produce, the darker your skin will become. Dark skin pigmentation is accelerated by those things that increase the activity of melanocytes or damage the skin such as hormonal imbalance, sun exposure, medications and damage by free radicals.

How Does Vitamin C Whiten Skin?

Vitamin C in its various forms has been found to be very effective in skin lightening. Other than skin lightening, it prevents weakening of collagen and ensures the integrity of the skin is maintained. It also helps to heal wounds and reduces capillary permeability. These processes all help slow down the process of aging and maintain and brighter and lighter skin. How does vitamin C lighten skin?

1. It is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that damage the skin causing aging and dark skin pigmentation.
2. It helps in the regeneration of skin cells and repairs damaged skin.
3. It exfoliates the skin and helps get rid of dead skin cells which are darker exposing the lighter and brighter skin cells below.
4. Vitamin C increases the levels of two other very important antioxidants Glutathione and vitamin E that help the skin to make the yellowish pheomelanin instead of eumelanin which is darker.
5. It inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for converting tyrosine into melanin hence less melanin is produced.

The acidic nature of vitamin C helps to cleanse the skin and eliminate infections that may have been caused by micro-organisms. This keeps your skin healthier, brighter and smoother.

How to Use Vitamin C to Lighten Skin

While intake of high levels of vitamin C mean that more is taken up to the blood and into the skin cells, the body has a limit. It uses just enough vitamin C and gets rid of the excess even when you take higher doses. For the best skin lightening results, it is recommended to use topical vitamin C which more effective in skin lightening than oral intake. Even better, combine a rich vitamin C diet with topical application for best skin whitening results. Here are the different ways you can use vitamin C to lighten skin:

Vitamin C Skin Lightening Pills

As we have already learnt from the previous chapter vitamin C can be obtain in various ways. You can obtain it from fruits, vegetables, supplements and pills. The skin lightening pills contains glutathione in it. Scientists have proven that the tablets and capsules are taken to increase glutathione in the body. The glutathione in the other hand helps to whiten the skin, eliminate dark spots from the skin. You will also other supplements such as soaps, creams and powder that contain glutathione. There are many effective skin lightening pills that you will choose from such as Met Tathione skin whiteninig capsules, kyusoku Bihaku skin whitening pill, fairtone skin lightening pill, ivory caps skin whitening pill among others.

Vitamin C Pills for Skin Lightening

However just like anything else the skin whitening pills have side effects.

• First it may cause hormonal imbalance because it disrupts normal body production of glutathione
• It may cause allergic reactions I.e. rashes, pimples or skin swelling therefore you should consult your dermatologists before you consider using them.
• Presence of hydroquinone in most of the whitening product may arouse worry because it is a harmful chemical.

Therefore when you want to use any Vitamin C skin whitening pill consult your dermatologist for advice and in the case that you have already used it and noticed some negative reaction with the pill you should stop using it at once and get assistance from your doctor.

Topical Vitamin C for Skin Lightening

Topical vitamin C is widely available in stores in forms of creams, lotions and serums. To get the best out of topical vitamin C products, always check the label for a PH lower than 3.5 and a concentration of 15-20%. Vitamin C products oxidize very quickly when exposed to air, heat and light and turn yellowish. Topical vitamin C products should not be discolored since they are no longer effective and can be harmful to your skin.

Vitamin C Cream to Lighten Skin Color

Does vitamin c lighten skin? Well Vitamin c cream, lotion and oil may be used as a supplement alongside pills, capsules or vitamin c injection. This cream contains glutathione in them that is responsible for production of pheomelanin that gives the skin its lighter complexion. The vitamin c creams eliminates hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and wrinkles and whiten the skin giving you a beautiful and even tone.

Vitamin C Cream for Skin Lightening

You should take a lot of caution when choosing a whitening cream, consider those with no hydroquinone or with very little percentage. This is because it is a very harsh chemical to your skin. There are also varieties of creams to choose from for example Kojic Acid Cream, Markari skin care, Ambi Fade Cream.
In conclusion the best way to whiten the skin is by taking a lot of fruits containing vitamin c and also a lot of water to hydrate the skin. In this way the liver produces glutathione naturally hence whitening the skin. This way you will not be worried about any side effects because it’s a natural remedy. Above all you should exercise to help you eliminate the excess fats from your body because a lot of fats in the body may result to pimples in the skin, rashes and pores clogging. Clogging of the pores is very harmful to the skin because it won’t be able to eliminate waste product i.e. sweat.

Vitamin C Serum to Lighten Skin

Does vitamin C serum lighten skin? Buying Vitamin C rich Products in the market can be very expensive and not all of them are as effective. You can easily make your own serum at home as long as you have the right ingredients. With this, you will get maximum benefits at a cheaper cost. Here is how to make your own vitamin C serum for skin lightening;

1. Mix a teaspoon of vitamin C powder and distilled water until all the granules dissolve
2. Add in the glycerin and mix
3. Test the acidity of your solution using PH strips. It should be below 3.5
4. Add in a few drops of vitamin E (optional)
5. Transfer the solution into a dark colored glass bottle
6. Seal tightly and store in a cool dry place
7. Shake the bottle before using the contents
8. Use this every day for best results

Note: It is best to first test your skin for any signs of allergic reactions before using the serum. If you have sensitive skin, use more water for each teaspoon of vitamin C powder and work your way up with time. Discard the serum if you notice any changes in skin color.

Oral Vitamin C to Lighten Skin

Does taking really vitamin C lighten skin? Vitamin C is easily available in foods. You can find it in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Rich sources include

• Oranges, strawberries and blackcurrants
• Sweet and Irish potatoes
• Red and green peppers
• Broccoli and brussels sprouts
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes

Heat and prolonged storage can reduce the vitamin C content in food. Best sources are fresh and uncooked.

How Much Vitamin C Should I Take To Lighten Skin?

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body and therefore needs to be taken in your diet daily. The Recommended dietary allowance provides goals on how much vitamin C one should take depending on age and gender. Vitamin C deficiency is very rare since this vitamin is widely available in foods and vegetables. The RDA for an adult is 40mg per day.
How many vitamin C to take to lighten skin? For skin lightening, a high dose of 1000mg to 3000mg is recommended. The body has a saturation point- it is able to use enough and flush out the excess. This should be obtained from a combined intake of supplements and foods.
Since it cannot be stored in the body, toxicity from vitamin C is very rare. However, taking large amounts of more than 1000mg per day can cause stomach upsets and diarrhea. The above conflicting statements make it necessary to consult your doctor if planning to take vitamin C supplements for the purposed of skin lightening.

How Long Does Vitamin C Take To Lighten Skin?

People who drink and smoke may have lower levels of vitamin C than those who don’t. Studise have shown that drinking lowers the amounts of vitamin C as most of it is excreted through urination. Smoking, pollution and certain illnesses will also reduce the levels of vitamin C in your body. Other factors that may determine how long it takes for vitamin C to lighten skin include:

• How much vitamin C you are taking
• The form of vitamin C you are using, topical application works best
• Your consistency in using vitamin C skin whitening products
• How lighter you want your skin
• Exposure to the sun

Along with taking vitamin C to lighten skin, you should also practice proper skin care such as cleansing and exfoliating  to remove build-up of dead cells which otherwise will make your skin appear darker.

Vitamin C Skin Lightening Results

Vitamin C skin lightening results can be varying depends on how you use it and how long you’ve been at with skin lightening. It may take quite a while before you begin seeing any noticeable results. Most people will complain after a few weeks yet it takes up to a few months to get encouraging results. Here are some before and after photos giving varying skin lightening results.