Revealing Here the DIY All-Natural Ways to Exfoliate Skin

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ? It is. It’s actually a total area of 20 square feet on average, if you can believe it. It consists of three layers: the hypodermis, the dermis, and the epidermis.

The hypodermis consists of fat and connective tissue, and the dermis is comprised of tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. Both layers are very important, but they are not the layers that are typically honed in on when it comes to skincare beauty regimens.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin—the star of the show. This layer of skin provides us with a waterproof barrier, protects us from the elements and microbes, helps us to regulate body temperature, and even provides us with our skin tone.

It’s easy to say that the epidermis has a pretty big job that it performs for a pretty large amount of space—its jurisdiction stretches longer than every other organ, in all honesty.

Any help this incredibly busy organ can get while completing its arduous list of daily tasks is always much appreciated. Think about it—your skin can be managing projects ranging from ringworm to dandruff to even melanoma (always wear sunscreen) at any given time.

Talk about a big job, right? Skin cells under its regime die off every day. Some of these cells simply fall off and it’s as easy as that. Some cells don’t make it that easy. When these cells wear out their welcome, that’s when clogged pores, oily, rough skin, and various forms of acne come to play.

The most efficient way to remove the cells that are long past their prime is to exfoliate your skin. Unfortunately, many people think that equates to over exfoliating or using harsh chemical peels that ultimately: lead to the body having a harder time creating new skin cells in a natural way; leave us more vulnerable to sun damage; and even cause wrinkles, scarring, or skin lesions.

Stronger doesn’t always mean better—especially in this instance. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals on your face day after day, right? However, you can use natural ingredients for skincare like sugar, olive oil, honey, or even oatmeal to get the job done just as well without the harsh side effects.

DIY Face Scrubs

Why?

Sugar and salt are easy and gentle ingredients to use when exfoliating your skin. Choosing sugar as your exfoliate will boost new skin cell production as well as smooth and soften skin.

However, another great thing about adding a little sweetness to your beauty routine is that your scrub can come in many different scents. I bet you didn’t know that coffee is also a great choice because it reduces swelling.

If your skin is sensitive, oatmeal is also a great choice as it helps soothe itchy and/or irritated skin (think back to those good ol’ chickenpox days).

The great thing about making a DIY face scrub is that there are so many mix and match recipes to choose from, depending on what you like!

How?

Cup-o-Joe Scrub

To get the look and feel of a fresh day every day, simply mix ¼ cup oil, ½ cup sugar or salt, and add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. Massage gently onto your clean facial skin and then rinse with cool water.

Recipe: Cup-o-Joe Scrub | Greatist

Calming Milk Oats Scrub

For a little more TLC with your scrub, opt for this scrub. All you have to do is mix ½ cup of oats and ¼ cup of whole milk. Massage on clean skin and then rinse with cool water.

Recipe: Calming Milk and Oats Scrub | Greatist

Honey Face Masks

Why?

When mixing up a face mask, one of the best ingredients to use is honey. Honey contains antioxidants, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, which help control acne. It’s also a good idea to mix in a moisturizer, such as bananas or avocado, so your skin keeps its healthy (not oily) shine.

How?

Organic Face Mask

To create a moisturizing face mask, first make sure to wash your face with organic soap so your face truly gets the full benefit of the mask. Then blend a banana and two teaspoons of raw, organic honey. Add five drops of lemon juice and mix well.

Apply to your face for 20 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. Tip: make sure to avoid your eyes when applying—lemon won’t do well there.

Recipe: Organic Face Mask | Mind Body Green

Mukhalepam

Why?

Mukhalepam is an ancient treatment in which facial skin is massaged and coated with oils or herbal pastes specifically tailored to your individual skin type. This sounds great, but how does this help you?

Benefits:

• Increases elasticity of skin
• Cleanses skin
• Prevents pigmentation
• Removes dead cells
• Fades existing scars and blemishes

How?

Here’s the catch: one size does not fit all here. You have to find out which treatment is best for your skin type. There are three types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Figure out which category you fall in, and then follow the treatment instructions suggested for your skin type.

For example, I am a Kapha—my skin is prone to be oilier. It is recommended that I exfoliate with a mixture of sea salt and honey, and then steam it with a combination of water and mint leaves.

Afterward, I should moisturize with aloe vera and turmeric paste and apply a mask of yogurt mixed with ripe papaya, grated cucumber, and tomatoes. To achieve the best results, I should repeat this regiment daily.

Find out what your skin type and regimen should be by reading up on what your skin and bodily responses are telling you.

“Recipe”: Mukhalepam | Mind Body Green

Baking Soda

Why?

Sometimes you don’t want all of the bells and whistles—you just want results. Nothing wrong with that. What better way to reach deep down into those pores than with—soap and baking soda, which we use as a natural cleaning product? Baking soda is an alkaline that softens sebum and debris, giving you a clean face.

Sure, you can’t eat this recipe, but it is an effective natural exfoliator nonetheless. Also, make sure you keep this mixture out of your eyes—it’s not fun for them.

How?

Baking Soda Exfoliator

Mix together baking soda, water, and add a dab of liquid soap. A great brand is Dr. Bronners. I am personally a fan of their rose scented soap (if you are looking for this mixture to smell up to par).

You want the mixture to create a paste, so make sure you add enough water to do so. Wet your face with warm water, and then gently massage the mixture on your face. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry.

Recipe: Baking Soda Exfoliator | PaleoHacks

Lemons

Why?

Alpha hydroxy acid is naturally predominant in citrus fruits, and specifically lemons. Alpha hydroxy actually does a great job removing the top layers of dead skin cells and promotes firmness in the skin as well.

Technically, you could just rub citrus fruits on your face and call it a day, but why not create an exfoliate that smells great and uses lemons as the central ingredient instead?

There are many ingredients you can mix lemon with to create a scrub that’s packed with alpha hydroxy acid, but if lemon isn’t your favorite flavor, oranges, grapefruit, apples, or grapes will work too.

How?

Lemon + Sage Scrub

Mix ½ cup sea salt, one teaspoon dried sage, the juice of one lemon, olive oil, and two to three drops of lemon essential oil. Make sure to add enough olive oil to make the mixture into a paste. Apply in the shower and rinse with warm water.

Recipe: Lemon + Sage Scrub | Hello Glow

Watch these 2 videos below –

NATURAL EXFOLIATING FACIAL SCRUB FOR CLEARING BLACKHEADS, DARK SPOTS, DULL DRY SKIN, GET CLEAR SKIN

5 Mistakes You’re Making With Exfoliation That Could Wreck Your Skin | Dr Sam Bunting

Written by Jessie Dax-Setkus

Author Bio:

Old-school vegetarian and paleo newbie, Jessie Dax-Setkus is a self-described “adventurous picky eater.” Discovering dishes from different cultures, exploring new flavor combinations, and simply stuffing her face on some homemade comfort food are definitely past times that make her top five—along with scribbling about them in her notebook.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

2 Homemade Detox Bath Recipes You Can Use Immediately

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

2 Detox Bath Recipes to Naturally Flush Out Toxins

There’s nothing more relaxing than submerging into a warm bath at the end of the day. But what if a simple soak could do more than just ease tension and sore muscles?

With the addition of a few natural ingredients, we can, in fact, take our baths from relaxing to wholly detoxifying, helping our body remove a large percentage of the toxins we’re exposed to on a daily basis in the form of pesticides, heavy metals, flame retardants, and air pollution.

While it’s easy to assume we don’t come into contact with too many chemicals in our normal day-to-day lives – and therefore don’t need to detox – studies suggest otherwise.

Researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have discovered we’re being bombarded with toxins before we even leave the womb:

“In a study spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) … researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children … harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage.”.

Toxins are everywhere in our environment, making regular detoxing very important.

Toxic chemicals are found everywhere in our environment and, unfortunately, begin to accumulate in our cells and fat tissue before we set foot into the world. It is because of this that regular detoxing becomes extremely important, as some medical conditions like autism and other brain disorders have been linked to exposure to environmental toxins.

This is where detox baths come in. They are made of ingredients you can pick up at your local health food store and have the remarkable ability to help draw out these excess chemical residues and stored toxins.

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Detox Bath Ingredients

Let’s take a look at what makes up a detox bath.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is actually not a salt but a pure, naturally occurring mineral compound. You may be familiar with its use as a remedy for sore muscles, but Epsom salt offers so much more, especially when it comes to flushing toxins.

Not only does magnesium work to regulate over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, it’s also antagonistic to many of the toxic metals we hold in our tissues. This means that it essentially acts as a toxin repellent, pushing and flushing toxins out of the cells. Epsom salt baths help draw toxins out of the body.

Studies have shown this detox effect is comparable to extensive detox protocols used by natural health practitioners.

In one study, researchers noticed significant cellular detoxification using as little as 20 magnesium sprays on the skin per day, plus a twice weekly foot soak. Imagine the detoxification powers a full-body Epsom salt bath a few times a week could provide!

Why Not Just Take a Magnesium Supplement?

Now, at this point you might be wondering why taking a magnesium supplement wouldn’t be just as effective as soaking in an Epsom salt bath for detoxification.

Unfortunately, studies show that oral absorption of magnesium is largely inefficient, as it has to shoulder through our stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and liver before reaching the bloodstream.

Whereas in transdermal absorption (absorption through the skin), magnesium is able to bypass our digestive barriers, allowing a higher percentage to pass directly into the bloodstream.

Ditch the magnesium supplements in favor of a warm Epsom salt bath. The added benefits are worth it.

With an Epsom salt bath, we receive the maximum detoxification benefits of magnesium, along with its multiple beneficial side effects such as stress reduction and easing of migraine pain.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay (also called Montmorillonite clay) is a clay composed of ash from volcanoes. Both names stem from the location of the clay’s harvest, namely Fort Benton, Wyoming and Montmorillon, France.

Similar clays have been used by cultures worldwide as a digestive aid and to remove unwanted pathogens like parasites, but the harvest has kicked up in recent years due to the discovery that the clay also binds to toxins in the body.

The secret to Bentonite clay’s toxin-binding powers lies in its negative ionic charge and absorption abilities, which pull positively-charged ions from the bloodstream for elimination. Pesticides, heavy metals, and harmful bacteria are all positively charged, making them susceptible to the clay’s pull.

If you’ve ever made chia pudding by adding water to chia seeds, you’ve observed how the chia seeds swell to a gel-like consistency. Bentonite clay works in a similar fashion, swelling with toxins in order to safely remove them.

Add Bentonite clay to Epsom salt baths for the ultimate detoxifying soak.

This toxin-binding effect makes Bentonite clay an excellent complement to Epsom salts in a detox bath. While magnesium flushes metals and toxins from the cells, bentonite clay leaps into action to draw them out and carry them down the drain.

Along with binding to toxins, Bentonite clay also contains an array of minerals like calcium, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium, providing a nourishing soak for your skin as you detox.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another household ingredient commonly used for rapidly detoxifying the body. In fact, it has been used to treat radiation exposure by binding with dangerous elements like uranium, which tend to stick around in our bodies on the surface of our bones.

As a bonus, baking soda also has an alkalizing effect on the body, which is beneficial for a variety of ailments ranging from bone loss to back pain..

Homemade Detox Bath Recipes

Now that you’re ready to dive into a detox bath, enjoy these two rejuvenating recipes that you can use 2-3 times weekly.

Relaxing Rose and Frankincense Detox Bath

This detox bath combines the powerful detoxification action of Epsom salts and baking soda with frankincense and rose essential oils.

Frankincense oil in particular is a potent anti-inflammatory essential oil that has been coveted for thousands of years by cultures in the Middle East, who used it for its beautifying and healing properties.

Frankincense is complemented here by rose oil, which has been found in studies to be a potent relaxant and hypnotic – perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 1 cup baking soda
• 2 T coconut oil
• 5-6 drops rose essential oil
• 5-6 drops frankincense essential oil

How to Make It

1. Draw a warm bath and add your Epsom salts and baking soda, stirring until thoroughly combined.

• Next stir in your coconut and essential oils.

• Inhale relaxation.

Refreshing Citrus and Clay Detox Bath

Toxin-absorbing bentonite clay combines with Epsom salts and citrus essential oils in this refreshing and regenerating detox bath. While the clay and Epsom salts do their job of removing impurities, you can inhale the anxiety-reducing aroma of orange oil.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Bentonite clay
• 1 cup Epsom salts
• 4-5 drops lemon essential oil
• 6-7 drops orange essential oil

How to Make It

1. Draw your bath and add ingredients to the water, stirring until the salts and clay have thoroughly dissolved.

• Bask in the invigorating aroma of ripe citrus orchards.

Although Epsom salts are generally regarded as safe for everyone, those with blood pressure problems should check with their doctor before using them regularly, as they can have an effect on blood pressure levels.

Also, be aware that some people are sensitive to certain essential oils, so be cautious with how much you use in your bath.

Watch this video – 3 HOMEMADE DETOX BATH RECIPES to BOOST Immunity, Lose Weight, and Feel Better | Detox Recipes

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Salt Hard Truths – Do You Need More or Less?

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Salt has been a highly valuable commodity throughout the history of mankind — so revered that terms like “worth their salt” are used widely to describe a person’s integrity. Yet today, every newspaper, magazine, and blog seems to be telling us to avoid salt like the plague!

With all the conflicting information, it’s no wonder one of the most common questions I get asked by patients is “should I reduce my salt intake?” It’s now so ingrained in us to search for ways to reduce our salt intake, that many people don’t stop to question their efforts. Is salt really an evil additive that increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, or is there more to the story?

How Much Salt Should I Consume?

Depending on which health group you talk to, everyone has a different target range for their ideal salt intake. The American Heart Association (AHA) states you should aim for less than 1,500 mg daily to prevent high blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

When you realize the average person consumes double to triple that amount (the equivalent of two to three teaspoons of salt per day), it seems logical that if we simply reduce our intake we can improve our overall health.

But where did these recommendations come from?

In the 1980s, a major worldwide study on the connection between salt intake and blood pressure was conducted, and researchers found that cultures in which sodium intake was low had lower incidences of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Animal studies confirmed that rats fed very high sodium diets rapidly developed high blood pressure and subsequently the “war on salt” began and hasn’t stopped to this day.

However, upon reviewing the latest research, it seems the question still remains unclear.

The research does show that if you already have high blood pressure, you could benefit by lowering your sodium intake. But consider the Japanese, who consume the highest amount of salt but also have the lowest incidence of CVD. Japan also has the longest life expectancy of any population on earth. Is salt really to blame for increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk?

If we look back to our Paleolithic ancestors for answers, we estimate the average sodium intake to be approximately 800 mg, far less than today’s daily consumption of 3,300 mg. However, our hunter-gatherer ancestors also consumed a very high amount of potassium – approximately 10,000 mg per day – via their abundant intake of lean meats, healthy fats, and veggies. This ratio of sodium-to-potassium is a crucial piece of the “how much salt should I eat” puzzle, and often overlooked when doctors tell patients to restrict their sodium intake.

The Sodium:Potassium Balance

It turns out that our salt consumption has been high since the Industrial Revolution and has not changed much over the last 200 years. However, what has changed dramatically is our intake of potassium. Fewer veggies and fruits leads to lower potassium intake, thereby tilting the sodium:potassium ratio in the wrong direction–toward hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and poor health.

In 2015, a randomly controlled trial (RCT) showed that potassium supplementation helped lower blood pressure 3.9/1.6 mmHg in hypertensive patients.

Researchers are also seeing growing evidence supporting the notion that the “sodium-to-potassium ratio” is the superior metric, showing strong associations with blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (versus only addressing individual sodium or potassium levels).

As fruits and veggies are naturally very high in potassium and low in sodium, a diet emphasizing more whole foods will boost potassium levels significantly and keep sodium levels in balance.

If you are overweight and have high blood pressure, then restricting high-sodium processed foods and increasing potassium-rich veggies should be your top priority.

But what about healthy folks who are active and “eating clean”?

Advice for “Clean Eaters”

If you’re eating cleanly – minimal processed foods, snack foods, and convenience foods – and are active or very active, then the rules of the game are different. In fact, chances are you are NOT getting enough salt!

Intense exercise in the gym or training outdoors can lead to significant sweat loss, and subsequently sodium loss, so if you aren’t adding salt to your food you’ll likely be compromising your health and capacity to recover from exercise.

Salt is crucial for increasing absorption of water, preventing muscle cramping, supporting healthy nerve function, and the general health of all cells in your body.

The risks of not consuming enough salt are significant and rarely discussed.

When we look at the latest research, we find that long-term salt restriction can actually increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, elevate triglyceride levels, and in those with blood sugar issues, actually worsen your insulin sensitivity.

Based on the science, it seems we need to reframe the conversation away from “salt intake” toward “sodium-to-potassium ratio.”

Salt Intake and Overtraining

If you’re an avid Crossfitter, runner, or exerciser then chances are you are losing a lot of salt through sweat. If this persists for too long, you can develop symptoms of over-training due to low sodium status.

The problem is this is very difficult to see with traditional medical diagnostics, as the blood levels of sodium will typically remain in the normal range despite the athlete experiencing symptoms of sleep disruption, low mood, and increased thirst and urination — all common symptoms in over-trained athletes.

Both high-intensity exercise and endurance training normally mean more sweat. If you enjoy regular WODs or are training for a triathlon or marathon then salt consumption is critical to recovery and muscular health.

You should be adding salt liberally to all your meals and if you experience symptoms of over-training, add an additional electrolyte mix to help replenish sodium and electrolyte levels. If you train in warmer weather, this becomes even more important.

Table Salt vs. Sea Salts

So, what type of salt is best? Regular old table salt, sea salt, or the fancy salts from the Himalayan mountains?

While table salt has iodine added to improve thyroid health, unfortunately it’s also heavily processed, devoid of important trace minerals, and contains harmful anti-caking additives like sodium silicoaluminate.

Sea salts or Himalayan pink salts naturally contain greater concentrations of essential trace minerals and are therefore your best bet to add to your diet.

However, it’s important to consider that neither sea salts nor Himalayan salts contain any iodine, which means you should include natural sources of iodine into your diet (e.g. seaweed, kelp, etc.). Health shops typically have convenient “seaweed snack packs” and one or two seaweed chips per day is enough to get your dose.

The Paleo Diet and Salt Intake

By focusing on the “sodium-to-potassium ratio”, rather than simply “salt intake”, it reinforces the importance of eating plenty of vegetables and fruits (in moderation) in your diet.

As a general rule, the cleaner you eat, the greater amount of salt you can add to your meals. Similarly, the more active you are, the more liberal you can be with your salt consumption. And remember, too little salt is dangerous for everyone.

If you eat a diet full of convenience foods then you may be pushing the upper limit of your salt intake. Most processed and canned foods use salt as a preservative; restaurants also use salt liberally in their cooking to add flavor.

Watch this video – Is Salt Bad for ME???

Written by Dr. Marc Bubbs

Author Bio:

Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor, Strength Coach, Author, Speaker, and Blogger practicing in Toronto, Canada. He believes that diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors have the most profound impact on your overall health and performance. Marc is the author of The Paleo Project – A 21st Guide to Looking Leaner, Getting Stronger, & Living Longer and currently serves as the Sports Nutrition Lead for Canadian Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook