Sunday, November 21, 2010

Fun and beneficial for the skin!

The mud festival in Boryeong, South Korea is not only a fun festival to soak up and get dirty during the summer.  The mud dug up from around the area are rich in minerals and used by cosmetic manufacturing companies.  Imagine spending all day rolling around in the mud on a hot day, and leaving the scene with a glowing skin!


Beyond flavours: Spices that make your skin glow


Spices are great for adding flavours and aroma to food.  They have healthy benefits for the body when being consumed and also used as medicine.  Though not many regard spices as being used for skin care,  spices have been long used in beauty regimen since ancient times.   Spice trade was a driving force for the world economy particularly in India, Egypt, South East Asia and Roman.  The ancient beauty secrets that involved using spices in the skin care regime had also been passed on.  Winter is creeping in and skin can get dull and dry.  These spices come in handy for exfoliating and are already available  in your kitchen.

Lets explore the skin care benefits of these spices:

Cinnamon (อบเชย) Because cinnamon is rich in anti oxidants and helps stimulate blood circulation, it is considered to be an anti-aging agent and a mild astringent.

Peppercorn (เมล็ดพริกไทย) for treatment of eczema and itching.  Peppercorn extract is often used in bar soap or body cream.  It can also be used on sensitive skin.

Turmeric (ขมิ้น) has been used for over hundreds of years as a key ingredient for skin care in South East Asia.  Its contains high amounts of anti-oxidants, and vitamin A, C, E.  Due to its anti fungal properties, applying turmeric is known to treat acne, reduce hyper pigmentation, and fight free radical damage.  Frequent use of turmeric also shown to brighten dull skin and adds radiance.

Cumin (ยี่หร่า) Cumin seed oil is high in vitamin E, and has anti microbial properties.  It can be used as a moisturizer or for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.


Pandan (ใบเตย) Often used as food coloring and flavouring agent, pandan has a very delicious and comforting aroma.  Combined with other skin care agents, pandan scent is very refreshing and stimulates relaxation.
Ginger - Not only does ginger add flavours to dishes, it is also high in antioxidants and is often used for curing various ailments.  Some of its benefits include stimulating blood circulation, reducing inflammation.  For skin care, ginger extract can help reduce acne, lighten age spots, promotes smoothness and even skin tone.
Sandalwood(ไม้จันท์) for treating inflamed and irritated skin and acne, allergic reactions, adds radiance, cleanse and moisturize,
Aloe Fresh aloe has a very soothing and anti-inflammatory relief on skin. Not only is it a great cleanser, aloe also has anti-aging properties by offering more oxygen into skin cells, stimulating skin rejuvenation. See my previous post on more aloe skin care!

Ancient Thai herbal body scrub
Is your skin feeling snaggy from the cold dry winter yet?  This traditional Thai herbal scrub recipe is packed with vitamins which will hydrate and soften your skin.  It can also be used as anti-aging scrub to help skin stay dehydrated and rejuvenated.


Ingredients
1 cup sandalwood
1 cup cinnamon
1 cup  fresh aloe (or aloe gel)
1/2 cup pandan juice
1/2 cup warm water

Too much?? if you want to use only on certain areas rather than the whole body, you can cut the proportions to tablespoons instead of cups, and teaspoons for pandan and water.
Direction:
To extract pandan juice, blend chopped pandan leaves and keep adding in water until a paste is form.  Squeeze the living juice out of the paste using a strainer.

Combine all the ingredients together to form a grainy paste.  Scrub the mixture well all over the body between shower.  It takes some time for the ingredients to get absorbed so grab a magazine, listen to music, get comfortable.  After 15-20 minutes, rinse with warm water and moisturize with body lotion with coconut oil extract.


Apple strudel body scrub


Whether you're making breakfast, or baking a pie, this recipe would come in very handy and it is very simple to make.  Not only does it sound yummy, but all the ingredients used all have benefits on the skin.  Green apples are high in AHA, which would make a great exfoliant.  Oats are great for holding helping skin hold moisture and are gentle on sensitive skin.  Last but not least, cinnamon helps stimulate blood flow while scrubbing.

Ingredients:
1 green apple
1 cup tbsp. oat
1 tsp. vanilla essential oil
2 tsp. cinnamon

Cut up green apple and blend to form a paste.  Mix well with other ingredients.  Apply on desired area and scrub in circulating motion. Leave on for 10 minutes.

* As individuals sensitivity to natural ingredients may vary, remember to test small area with natural products first to see if irritations occur before application.