What Is Cleaning Your Beautiful Face?

It’s a night-time ritual that has been played out on the silver screen time and time again.  A beautiful lady sits down at her boudoir table and proceeds to take off her make-up. Outside of Hollywood, it’s not as glamorous but the scene is still the same – the night-time face cleansing remains a staple routine of women today – we like to feel ‘clean’ and ready for bed, having wiped away the memories of the day. 

Although the ritual has stayed the same, facial cleansing products have evolved over generations; Perhaps you remember watching your grandmother layer on the the Ponds cold cream or your mother lather up the Pears soap – I only have to smell Pears soap to be instantly transported back to my youth.

Today there is a plethora of facial cleansers all proclaiming to make us look more beautiful. If you choose to buy your cleanser from the supermarket or pharmacy you may be paying for more than you bargained.  Ingredients coat or cover the skin, interfering with its own natural function and can contain artificial fragrances, artifical colours, parabens and other toxic chemicals that can contribute to system toxiciity, allergies, cellular level changes and have even been linked to cancer.   

Luckily, there are other options. You can side-step all the chemical muss and fuss and go straight to a natural brand.  One of my favourites brands is ‘Evan Healy’ whose name is behind the plant-based skin care range, free of synthetic and artificial ingredients. It costs around $33.00 and  one bottle last me around 6 months.  The brand also claims:

• Field to farm and fair trade practices,
• Certified organic ingredients,
• Vegan and not tested on animals,
• Free of GMO’s,  parabens and gluten
• Ingredients sourced from family-owned farms and women’s cooperatives. 

 Most impressive to me though is that it the brand received ‘Best Rated' by EWG Skin Deep – a database launched in 2004 by Environmental Working Group to create online safety profiles for cosmetic and personal care products.

I'm a big fan of their Rose Cleansing Milk which is for 'mature' skins (never thought I would be in that bracket but rather that, than the alternative). According to its description on the evanhealy website, Rose Cleansing Milk is:

• A wax free, plant based milk with the gentle cleansing action of natural soapbark.
• It contains regenerating plant oils and purifying white kaolin clay which leaves the skin feeling clean, relaxed and refreshed. 
• It is used for all skin conditions but especially skin with oily/dry areas (me!)

Why I like is that it has that lingering rose scent, and feels smooth and soft on my skin, with a very gentle cleansing action.  My skin does feel radiant and fresh after I use it at night. Honestly, I don't need it to do much more so I am keeping it in the night time routine until I discover the next best cleanser. Keep watching this space....  

Are You Dry Skin Brushing?

Following up on my blog, 'Winter Skin: How To Make Yours Fabulous', I want to share another AMAZING skin technique that you may become addicted to. It's called, 'Dry Skin Brushing'. I know it sounds a little 'out there' but stay with me... It's a traditional healing practice that has been used by skin and body lovers for decades because of its tremendous skin and whole body benefits.

Do you know that the skin is the largest organ of our body, playing a pivotal role in detoxification  and overall health? What if you discovered that 5 MINUTES A DAY of dry skin brushing could not only improve the look of your skin but the health of your WHOLE body! Here's why:

• Beauty Promoting: Dry skin brushing exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that clog up our pores, making our skin look and feel dry, dull and lifeless - not what we want! Daily dry skin brushing helps to restore our skin to a new level of beauty, making it softer, smoother and almost glowing.
• Cellulite Removing: It can assist in breaking down and softening the hard fat deposits that accumulate beneath our skin - causing it to 'pucker' (I had you at cellulite, right!). 
• Immune-boosting: It can improve our lymph circulation - our body's personal 'garbage truck' that circulates around, picking up all the toxic waste for excretion through the bloodstream. The brushing action helps to 'unclog' our lymph, stimulate and strengthen our immune system and helps to fight off inflammation, infection and disease - it's like a mini superhero!
• Pimple Removing: Would you love to loose those unsightly spots or pimples that seem to mysteriously appear, making us want to hide our legs away even in the summer months? Dry skin brushing can be very effective in banishing those unwanted leg bumps so you will be flashing those fabulous gams at any opportunity.

Want to jump on these skin and body benefits right away? No need for an expensive visit to the spa, you can do it all in the comfort of your own bathroom! Read on: 

• Buy: For under $20, buy yourself a high quality natural bristle (not synthetic) dry skin brush with firm bristles. My brush has a long handle so I can reach my back and other hard-to reach places. You can buy them at any good health food stores or online (Amazon has a large range). 
• 5 Minutes: Find a time every day that works for you - I like to do it before I jump into the shower, then I can wash away the dead skin and impurities. 
• Brushing technique: Use quick, short upward brush strokes, always moving towards the heart which is most beneficial for blood and lymph circulation.
• Road Map: Start with the soles of your feet and work your way up the body; brush the front and back of your legs and buttocks then turn your hands over and brush your fingers, palms and then the back of each hand. Move up your arms, then over to your shoulders, neck, back (here's where the long handle helps) then to your chest (use soft pressure on your breasts). Finish with your stomach, using a clock-wise circular motion that gently stimulates your digestive tract. Avoid delicate areas (genitalia), the face or any areas which are irritated. 
• Pressure: You should use a firm pressure but not so hard that you end up with red, irritated skin! Your skin should look 'blushed' and feel invigorated. 
• BRUSH CARE: Like your tooth brush, don't share your dry skin brush. Wash it with warm water after use and hang it in an area where it can dry.

Let's not forget, our No.1 strategy for helping our bodies to detox is eating a healthy diet which centres around whole foods (preferably organic), supplying the vital nutrients our skin needs to flourish. Adding dry skin brushing on top... well, that just takes everything to a whole other level! So go on - take 5, and reap the amazing skin and body benefits.