Organic Skin Care Products – Look and Feel Beautiful the Natural Way

Do you know the ingredients of commercial skin care products you are using? If not, then it is time for you to be aware of the unnatural chemicals that might be in your favorite beauty products. These chemicals have carcinogens which are harmful to our skin and body. The millions of pores of our skin absorb almost 60% of products you’re using, causing toxins to get into your body when you use non-organic products.

Why use organic products for your skin?

The best ingredients can be found in organic products. Ingredients derived form plants are rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help promote healthy cell growth, preventing fast aging and increasing skin resistance from free radicals. Antioxidants can also help fight off skin cancer.

Fresh fruits and vegetables from your kitchen can be used as face cleanser or toner. These include strawberries, apples, cucumbers, avocados, bananas, lemon and papaya. Below are examples of skin care recipe made from organic ingredients.

Lemon Cleanser (for all skin types)

Lemons contain antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) needed for exfoliating and toning skin naturally.

Ingredients:
1 tsp lemon juice
1/8 cup ground almonds (A coffee grinder works well)
2 tbsp milk or cream

Procedure:
Combine all ingredients and use as cleanser. Wash face gently with the mixture and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

PAPAYA & APRICOT FACE SCRUB

Papaya is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It clears face form dirt and dark spots and can moisturize skin. Apricots are known to help reduce skin problems because of its high beta-carotene content. It leaves skin soft and glowing.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp apricot pulp
3 tbsp ripe papaya pulp
1 tsp apricot kernel powder (finely grated) or oatmeal/almond powder

Procedure:
Combine all ingredients and apply the mixture to face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off while gently scrubbing your face with it.

CARROT FACIAL MASK

Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and folacin. When you drink carrot juice regularly, your skin will be protected from sun damage, toned and moisturized.

Ingredients:
2-3 large carrots
4 1/2 tbsp honey

Procedure:
Cook the carrots first and mash them until smooth. Combine the mashed carrots with honey, apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

If you really care for your skin, why not use organic skin care products? Look and feel beautiful the natural way! In the end, it will not only be you who will benefit, but the environment as well.

Shiatsu Massage – Flourish Good Health

There are different kinds of body massage and each has its own health benefits. One of the most favorites of many including me is the Shiatsu massage.

Just like the Western massage, Shiatsu promotes health, relieves stress and focuses on the body of the person being treated. It is known as a Japanese style healing technique although it uses Ancient Chinese medicine and acupressure in relieving stress and eliminating toxins from the body in a natural way.

“Shi” stands for finger and “atsu” means pressure. Finger pressure is used instead of needles. The organs of our body are connected to the meridians (energy channels where concentrations of nerves are).

Shiatsu massage has been widely known and respected in many parts of the world. Many hospitals use it as therapy for patients who have experienced heart attack, stroke and other chronic disorders. Applying the right amount of pressure to the meridians reduces the risk of hypertension and heart attack by stimulating the associated organs. Energy circulation is believed by most Chinese to one of the best ways to having good health.

Before performing the acupressure method (patting, holding, shaking, pinching, vibrating, rolling, joint rotations, grasping, hooking and plucking), stretching must be done first. Palms of the hand and soles of the feet are the most common area applied with Shiatsu massage. In addition to fingers, the massage therapist also uses his or her thumbs, palms, hands or massage tools made of wood to apply pressure.

Let’s find out how Shiatsu massage is done….

1. Assessment of Conditions

It is a must for the therapist to assess the conditions of the person to be treated. Assessment is done by applying light pressure to the corresponding meridians. There is an energy imbalance if you feel pain at a certain area.

2. Undressing

The patient is asked to remove upper and lower clothes with underwear or a loose towel left. Then they are asked to lie down on a futon or Shiatsu mat on the floor. Undressing makes it more comfortable for the therapist to access areas of the body where acupressure is necessary.

3. Working on the 12 Meridian Points

The massage therapist will then work on your 12 meridian points. Areas wherein pressure is most needed, pressure is usually applied for more than 3-5 minutes. Typically, the session lasts from 45-60 minutes. It is normal to feel pain while pressure is applied to certain areas but it is “good pain” which is tolerable.

There are some normal side effects after the Shiatsu therapy session. These include stomach ache, diarrhea, headache and depression because of the release of body tensions and toxins from your body. These effects last only for 1-2 days.

In order to enjoy and experience the true benefits offered by Shiatsu massage, you must do it regularly and must be done by a master or expert therapist.