Shea butter scrub for face

I wanted to write about this do it yourself scrub for face for a long time. Store bought scrubs take away the hydration from the skin, leaving the skin very dry. This face scrub works for all the skin types. But people with sensitive skin, always do a patch test before you apply on your entire face.

Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda to a tablespoon of  organic unrefined shea butter. Then after cleaning your face, gently scrub your face for 8-10 minutes. Then wipe the face with a cotton cloth. Then apply one of your favorite masks.

For Oily skin ladies, reduce the shea butter to a half a tablespoon.You will be amazed how your skin glows after a single use.It provides not only hydration but also provides an healthy look to your face. Why not give a try and see for yourself?

The Dr. Oz Anti-Aging Salad

I came across the salad recipe which is easy to make and full of health benefits.Dr. Oz's anti-aging salad combines the power of 5 anti-aging fruits and vegetables. Improve your hair, skin, memory, and even fight cancer, all in one dish.

Shea Butter For Eczema

The word "eczema" is derived from a Greek word meaning "to boil over", which is a good description for the red, inflamed, itchy patches that occur during flare-ups of the disease. The skin disease can range from mild, moderate, to severe.(Source: Living with Eczema)

Shea butter which is rich in vitamins/ fatty acids can penetrate into the seven layers of the skin is a must try for people suffering from eczema.The high level of fatty acids than any butter is a major component which helps the skin to retain the moisture content of the skin. The retention of the moisture will keep the skin hydrated for a long time.Shea butter which is high in unsaponifibles has the most healing properties. In comparison the vegetable oils contain less than 1% of unsaponifiables while shea butter can contain as much as 7% to 10% of unsaponifiable matter which hat it retains its emollient components and vitamins which are excellent for the skin. The cinnamic acid which is a natural component provides natural UV protection to the skin.With so much of benefits, do give a try to this miracle product.

Make sure you apply the 100% certified Organic Unrefined shea butter as soon as you step out of the shower when shea butter can be most effective. It is a natural best available option to try on eczema.

Always test a small patch of the skin before applying on your body and consult a licensed practitioner before applying on the affected region.

Did you know?

When you have cold or congestion or a dry nose you can safely apply shea butter gently at the tip of the nose to relieve you from those symptoms.

Infographic: SKIN FOODS- Top 8 Foods To Nourish Your Skin From Within

Courtesy of: BeYouthful

Hair Masks For Dry and Damaged hair

The texture of dry hair is coarse and curly.It needs lot of moisture than any other hair type.The key to adding lot of moisture to the dry is using a deep conditioning mask.What is better than shea butter which provides deep conditioning for the hair?It is a great conditioner and you will be able to see results after a single use.

Shea butter is high in Vitamin A,E and F and contains unexceptionally high percentage of unsaponifiables which are good fat.Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO well known for its nutritious value,is rich in biotin, niacin, vitamins A and E and antioxidants.

Ingredients:

Half a cup of 100% certified organic Unrefined Shea butter

Half a cup of OliveOil
Teaspoon of Vitamin E oil

Essential oil of your choice-5-6 drops

Grades of Unrefined Shea Butter

The United States Agency for International Development, Gassel Consulting, and many other companies have suggested a classification system for shea butter.The grading scale has been established by the American Shea Butter Institute in an effort to provide uniformity in an industry  which was lacking any means of quality control or standards. The scale is based on scientific evaluation of unsaponifiables times the Vitamin A content divided by the percentage of free fatty acids times the peroxide count.

Shea Butter Face Pack for Oily/Combination skin

Oily skin/combination skin are more prone to acne problems. We have to make sure whatever we apply on the skin doesn't worsen the condition. Sometimes we apply some products which promises to reduces acne/uneven skin but it dries our skin leaving dry dark spots. When we apply any product on our skin, it should reduce the oil secretion on our skin but not the hydration of the skin.Maintaining hydration on our skin is very important otherwise it will lead to premature aging.

Here is a very easy face pack that you can make it for your skin which is very effective with just 2 ingredients.

The breakfast food nutritionists swear by

I recently read an article from Redbook magazine about an healthy breakfast which is not only very nutritious but also which can be easily prepared in the hectic morning schedule.

Its sweet potatoes. The spud is high in resistant starch,which like refined carbs (waffles,sugary cereal)-reduces hunger by preventing blood sugar spikes,says registered dietitian Judy Caplan. Her favorite way to eat them : baked until soft and then mashed with almond milk and cinnamon.You could also just nuke one and add a pat butter.

If you allergic to nuts, feel free to substitute with rice milk.

Is shea butter safe for people suffering from nut allergies?

The Shea (Karite) tree begins to bear fruit after about 15 years; and can take up to 30 years to bear a quality crop of nuts with a high content of irremovable fatty acid. From the shea nut, shea butter is extracted.Then is it safe to use on people suffering from nut allergies?It is one of the commonly asked questions about shea butter. I found an interesting study that proves that shea butter which is found from diapers to creams poses a very little or no risk at all for people suffering from nut allergies.

Here is an excerpt from foxnews:

Dr. Kanwaljit K. Chawla, a pediatrician in training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, said she became curious about the potential for shea butter to trigger nut allergies while researching the safety of baby products.

Shea Butter During Pregnancy.

Image Source:Beyond Pesticides

Women go through a major changes in the body during pregnancy. It goes from increase in the waistline, body aches,stretch marks, changes in the skin especially dry skin, leg soreness. Even with these changes, women are very excited and are happy about the new life that is growing inside them.

So how does shea butter help her during this exciting period?Is it safe?The explanation below will definitely will make you to give a try to this miracle product.Shea butter which contains fatty acids, rich in vitamin A, E and F is such a versatile product which will help the pregnant women to minimize the problems that her body undergoes during that period. It is completely a safe alternative which can be applied on any part of the body.

Did you know?

Stretch marks which are got by pregnancy, weight changes and body growth can be easily healed by massaging organic unrefined shea butter at least 3 times a day without you worrying about any side effects.

INFOGRAPHIC: 50 INCREDIBLE FACTS ABOUT SKIN BY BEAUTYFLASH

I recently came across an interesting infographic about skin.Thought I would share it with you folks.

50 incredible facts about your skin by Beauty Flash

Shea Butter For Your Daily Hair Care.

African women have been using shea butter on their hair for thousands of years. Shea butter has vitamins, minerals and very high content of fatty acids.There are some easy ways that you can incorporate shea butter in your daily hair regimen.

1.You can apply shea butter before you are washing your hair.You can leave it for say 20-30 minutes.It is proven to reduce dry and itch scalp.

2.You can use it like an overnight hair treatment. Make sure to protect your pillows from getting oily.It is especially useful during winter months.

3.After washing your hair, you can apply a dab of shea butter as leave in treatment on your damp hair.

4.You can use it as also daily maintenance just by applying pea sized shea butter on your hair.

Shea butter makes your scalps healthy and give nice glow to your hair. Try it and you will be able to see wonderful results soon.

Skin And Genes

Have you ever wondered in spite of taking  good care of your skin you are still  not having the skin that you desire?I follow a good routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing.I make sure I remove all my makeup before I go to bed and follow a good night time routine.Still I have occasional breakouts, acne scars and envy those women who have clear skin.

Genes play a vital role in the structure of your skin, which is not under our control.When we think of genes we think it is hereditary. Yes it is but also environment also play a vital role in our genes.There is  ground breaking research which determines that understanding  your genes  could lead to choosing better skin products.Personally I suffered with  severe acne problem in my teen years.My mom also went through acne problem in her teen years.If I had known about genes then I would have at least made sure of healthy food habits and good skin care products before my preteen years.The one we can control is using good skin products that is suitable to our skin type.

Shea Face Pack for Dry skin

Source: flickr.com

Ingredients:
100% organic unrefined Shea butter,Organic Milk

Method:
Mix the Shea butter with the milk. Apply it on your face after cleansing it thoroughly.Leave the mask for say 10-15 minutes. Wipe the face with cotton. Milk is very good for dry skin.The lactic acid present in milk is known to aid in removing the dead skin cells, thereby rejuvenating your skin.Milk and Shea butter are like match made in heaven for dry skin.You will see immediate moisturizing effect on your face. Try it and your skin will thank you.

Pumpkin Dhal Soup

It is Halloween season, so pumpkins are available in abundant.Pumpkin is well known for anti aging.The same free-radical-neutralizing powers of the carotenoids in pumpkin that may keep cancer cells at bay can also help keep the skin wrinkle-free, Health magazine reported.Pumpkin is an often-overlooked source of fiber, but with three grams per one-cup serving and only 49 calories, it can keep you feeling full for longer on fewer calories. (Source: Huffington Post)The moong dhal is high in protein and keeps you filling for a long time.I thought of doing something which will suit everybody taste.

Ingredients:
Yellow Pumpkin- 1 small cup ( cut into small pieces by scraping the skin)
Moong Dhal( which you get in Indian stores)- 1/2 small cup
Milk-2 ounces
Cumin and pepper powder-2tsp
Turmeric- a pinch
Salt to taste

Method:
Soak the moong dhal for 1/2 hour.Then cook the dhal with pumpkin and turmeric in a pressure cooker.Once the cooker is cooled down,add the cumin ,pepper and salt and boil for few minutes.Mash the moong dhal and the pumpkin with a spoon.Once the raw smell goes, add milk and boil for 1 minute.The Pumpkin soup is ready and it is very easy to make and very healthy.

Shea butter For Babies

Source: Bestofmomtv

Daily infant massage techniques proves to have many health benefits and general well being on the baby.Baby skin is very soft and gentle so utmost care should be given when doing massage on the babies.It is proven to induce sleep, help in colic,creates a healthy development.It also boosts immunity and stimulates neurological development.

I found an interesting video of how to massage a baby( Kindly click parents.com to know about how to do massage on the babies and the different strokes)

Did you know?

Shea butter can help and heal very quickly minor scrapes,cuts and burns.It can also minimize the appearance of scars.

Important Facts About Natural Skin Care- Infographic

East African Shea Butter

 East African butter has been made to the outside of Africa only couple of years back  because of their domestic crisis.East Africa Nilotica Shea butter biological name is Vitellaria Nilotica.

East African Shea butter is high in olein. The olein is the liquid part present in Shea butter which helps in softening the skin and helps prevent skin disorders.It penetrates the skin more deeply and is intense moisturizing.

East African Shea butter has low melting point of about 65 degree or higher. We can always keep it in the refrigerator to thicken it.

East African Shea butter is more softer,lighter in color and has more nutty smell than West African Shea butter.

It has less vitamin A and sterols.

East African Shea butter primarily comes from Uganda and has little bit more of phytonutrients. It is considerably more expensive than West African Shea butter.

Though East African Shea butter differs from West African Shea butter, it still has all the moisturizing and healing properties.

Sassy Shea Butter Body scrub

Why buy a body scrub when you can make body scrub without breaking a bank.I personally like home made scrubs and masks because I know what items are added and I always can mix and match according to my body need and my mood.

This body scrub is easy to make and very effective for dry skin and for winter weather where we need extra moisturizing for our skin. The reason I named it "Sassy" because it is fun and uplifts your spirits once you put it on your body.

Salute to Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Today I read an article in San Jose Mercury News about two women who have  been working tirelessly for making a difference in Cosmetics industry. Campaign for Safe cosmetics is an organization which is devoted to expose all the chemicals that are used in making cosmetics. "Stop and think" is the approach that I adopt today before buying any cosmetics.The credit goes to Stacy Maikan and Janet Nudelman who have made their life mission to bring a change to whole multi billion dollar cosmetic industry.

Excerpts from San Jose Mercury News:

"The way  that we think about cosmetics and chemicals has changed because of work that they did". Tracey Woodruff,director of the program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at UC San Francisco.

Around 89% of the ingredients commonly used in cosmetics hadn't been assessed  for health risks.

For in depth article click on to San Jose Mercury News.

Wrinkle-Fighting Salad

Wrinkle-Fighting Salad

This energy-boosting fruit salad is packed with antioxidants, which protect the skin from sun damage and boost circulation to help deliver essential nutrients to skin. Eat it for breakfast to start your day on a beautiful note.

Shea Butter and Acne

Image Source: stylecraze

Acne is such a common problem that is affecting not only teenagers but also adults equally. I also suffered a lot during my teenage years. Even now it doesn't spare me. The basic rule of acne is don't ever touch your acne with your hand and NEVER pick it. Otherwise you will be left with scars which is even more difficult to get rid of.There are lot of medications that are available by prescription or over the counter which promises you amazing results to get rid of your acne.

Did you know?

Shea Butter heals your itchy and dry scalp and helps to reduce and eliminate dandruff.

Shea butter for Oily skin

Image Source: Ihomeremedy.net

Those who are blessed with oily skin are more prone to acne, blackheads and whiteheads. It is often shiny with enlarged pores.It may become dry around the nose areas.Now we wonder how come Shea butter which is composed of fatty acids will work for oily skin? Most products that we find for oily skin dries our skin thus by reducing hydration to the face. The hydration is very important for maintaining the elasticity on our skin.Shea butter is filled with good fatty acids which does not clog pores.It has healing properties because of linoleic, palmitic and unsaponifiables which helps in repairing the skin not by over drying. Start with a dime sized on your face after cleansing your face thoroughly. It is truly a miracle product. The butter should at least stay on your face for full 8 hours for hydration.

Shea Butter for Dry Skin

Image Source: Nelly De Vuyst

Today we are going to address about dry skin and how Shea butter not only moisturizes but also heals the dry skin.

The causes of dry skin are winter weather, steamy shower,moisture rubbing soaps,losing shower moisture,aging,irritants and the health conditions. For more detailed information on causes of dry skin please go to Webmd. The main characteristic of dry skin is lack of moisture on the top (epidermis) Layer.

Smell,Texture and Shelf Life of Shea Butter

Those who love to buy Shea butter wonders about the smell, texture and wants to know how long the Shea butter will last. Anything  from nature will always start aging as time goes by.Shea butter is no different from that.The shelf life of unrefined  organic Shea butter will be maximum of 1- 2 years. The healing properties of the Shea butter will start diminishing as the years go by,though it retains its moisturizing properties.The refined Shea butter will last  little bit more because of preservatives. Refrigeration of Shea Butter will not increase the shelf life.Therefore Shea butter can be stored at normal temperatures.Please don't stock up Shea butter as it will go rancid eventually.

What Toxic Chemicals Is Your Body Absorbing-Infographic

Courtesy of: Natural Healthy Concepts

Shea for Hair

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

I love using Shea butter for my hair. There are lot of ways you can use Shea butter for your hair.Here I have mentioned one of the easy ways which you can apply for your hair.I use it more like hair pack before washing my hair.

Shea Butter and Cooking

Shea Butter is widely used in  traditional African cooking. Shea Butter can be easily made at home without any special equipment. The fruits and the flowers of Shea tree are edible and  have proven to have lot of health benefits.The food grade and the one we use for cosmetic purpose is entirely different.

In cooking it is used as a replacement of your regular vegetable oil or dairy butter.It is used for frying  bean cakes for example.Shea Butter used in food grade will be different from the cosmetics that we see everyday.As a food, it is a popular staple in Africa, mixed with couscous for the evening meal. People mix it with their beverages and their smoothies.It is widely used in chocolate industry.There are Shea chocolates available in the market.

Shea Butter and Its Benefits

Have you ever pondered why we find Shea butter as one of the top ingredients listed in the creams and lotions?What is all the hype about Shea butter?

Shea butter extract is a complex fat that in addition to many unsaponifiable components (substances that cannot be fully converted into soap by treatment with alkali) contains the following fatty acids: oleic acid (40-60%), stearic acid (20-50%), linoleic acid (3-11%), palmitic acid (2-9%), linolenic acid(<1%) and arachidic acid(<1%).