Everyone has wondered at some point about the tricks of achieving a glowing skin at home. There are variations of beauty creams and cleansers you can buy off the market for this purpose but home remedies are safer and surprisingly effective. You might not know this but people are more interested in natural skin care tips than going after chemically driven products these days- as shown by the data from Google queries.

A Comprehensive Guide to Natural Skin Care Tips

In this post I am explaining how you can practice simple remedies and tricks to gain a healthier-looking skin from the comfort of your home. Personally I have tested most of it and found that it works! So that is good news. No fluff, but all good information.

In the first part of the Comprehensive Guide to Natural Skin Care Tips, you will read about healthy habits and natural beauty treatments that will help you begin your skin care regimen right at home. The second part discusses the “bad” things we must stop doing to prevent our skin from aging faster than it should be. And in the final part of this post, I write about how to get rid of those nasty dark circles (we all have them!) and also how a nice relaxing bath can bring rejuvenation and life into your skin- all naturally!

So without further delay, let’s get on with natural skin care tips drawn from Ayurvedic living.

Natural Skin Care Tips from Ayurveda

Ayurveda is one of the oldest and most effective chemical-free strategies used to treat and help the skin glow. It was practiced by Indian monks many years ago and it has stood the test of time. If you have tried other methods of achieving a great, glowing skin in vain, you should probably shift your mind towards the Ayurvedic way of life.

Here are some of the effective natural skincare tips based on Ayurveda you may want to take note of.

 Add nuts and seeds to your diet

Nuts and seeds are some of the best sources of Omega-3 which works great in giving you that perfect glow on the skin. They also contain healthy fats and fibers. Examples of nuts that fit within this form of treatment include Almonds and flax seeds.

 Exercise

A little movement has never hurt anyone. It is actually great for the improvement of the blood circulation in the body as well as enhancing the digestive system. You do not have to engage in high-intensity workouts. Simple jogging, walking or even dancing work just fine. Yoga takes it to a whole new level.

Eat your vegetables

Do not avoid vegetables, particularly the ones that contain a lot of water. These are very useful in keeping your body hydrated and your skin moisturized and glowing. Lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers are good examples.

Stay hydrated

The trick to having great skin is to keep yourself hydrated. You need to drink a lot of water during the day. This will help the skin in removing toxins from the body and keep the skin healthy, smooth and soft.

 Get enough sleep

Sleep is another important element in maintaining hormonal balance in your body. You should always find some time to sleep and make sure you have enough and undisturbed sleep. It will be good for the skin.

 Get a Massage

Massages are very soothing. They also help in relaxing the muscles, allowing a better blood circulation in the body. Most spas fuse massage oils with herbs such as lavender for a more enhanced experience. They also allow moisturization of the skin, which helps in getting rid of the flaky and dry skin.

Use sugar as an exfoliation agent

Mix some sugar with some herbs and apply on the body. The sugar will act as an exfoliation agent, allowing your blood to flow freely and helps the cells of your body maintain the moisture to keep it hydrated and skin glowing.

8. Moisturize using coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the healthy fats and when applied on the skin, it has that soothing and cooling effect. It will keep your skin moisturized and looking great.

9. Use raw milk

Raw milk works well when you have inflammation on the skin. You can use cream-based masks that are very cooling to the skin and which packs a lot of benefits as well.

10. Do breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are vital in controlling your stress levels. They also allow for the production of the feel-good hormone and improvement in the blood circulation in the body.

Now, let’s talk about pumpkins.

Believe it or not, you can do so much more with pumpkin, other than baking a delicious seasonal pie, or a terrifyingly creative Halloween decoration. With its vitamins A, C, K, and E, as well as a number of minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium, you might never have to worry about having dry, blemished, or acne prone skin ever again.

So here are some DIY Pumpkin Masks that will take completely renew your skin and revitalize it.

 Go For The Basic

Add 1 tablespoon of cooked pumpkin, but canned pumpkin will work fine too, 1 teaspoon of raw honey, because it’s full of antioxidants and antibacterial properties, plus it’s a great moisturizer and can open your pores and help clean dirt out, and 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E to repair and renew your damaged skin. Now mix all those ingredients together in a bowl and then apply to your skin. Then make sure to leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse off with cool water and a gentle cleanser. Notice the difference?

 For Excessively Oily Skin

If your skin is naturally way too oily and you suffer from acne, then you should consider trying this magical recipe. You’ll need to add and mix 1 tablespoon of cooked pumpkin, and 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar, which will prevent blistering, and promotes healing while keeping your skin’s pH balance in check. After it’s all nice and mixed, apply it to your face and let it stay there for 15 minutes before you rinse.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Face Mask

You’ll need ½ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon of ground coffee and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Now start by mixing the dry ingredients into a bowl. Then add the pumpkin and honey and stir until the dry and wet ingredients become nice and thick. Now apply with a spatula and leave it on your face for 20 minutes. Once the mask dries, splash water on your face and exfoliate by moving your fingers in small circular motions. Then wipe off any remaining residue with a warm damp cloth.

Pumpkin Mask Your Dry Skin

Use ½ cup of fresh pumpkin pulp because that’s where the exfoliating acids are most concentrated, you’ll add need 2 eggs to act as a binding agent, then stir in 2 teaspoons of almond milk, which is loaded with omega, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix it up and apply the mask. Then leave it on for 20 minutes before you rinse with cool water, and say goodbye to fine lines, sun-damaged, and dry skin.

Pumpkin Brightening Face Mask

If you want brighter, glowing skin, then combine 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon of raw honey, and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl. Then use your fingers to spread the face mask evenly over your face, but avoid the eyes. Then leave it there for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. You’ll simply love how refreshed and bright your skin looks.

Learned something new today right? I mean, who knew Pumpkin could do so much! I for one will never look at Pumpkin the same way again as I used to 🙂

Now you know what to do with all those leftover pumpkins after Halloween is long gone. You’re welcome!

P.S: Wondering what else Pumpkin can do for you?  Check out my post on 8 Pumpkin Smoothies to Detox your Body.

Skincare Don’ts to Stay Away from!

Ladies, we talked about how caring for the skin naturally can help your skin glow. But you can’t beat the clock no matter how much you try. Eventually, you’re going to age, and everyone you know is going to age, but that doesn’t mean you have to look older, especially when you can stop the clock with just a few tips.

We need to keep on top of our skincare routine to get flawless skin. What you might not realize is that you’re doing seemingly benign things and it’s harmful. The truth is women aren’t as aware as they need to be, and what is said below plans to put the record straight.

Following are basic skincare don’ts that affect your skin and tips on how to fix them.

You Drink Too Much

Did you forget that alcohol is a diuretic? Well, now you know, along with the fact that it dehydrates and sucks out of the moisture from your skin, and if you drink too much you could have an outbreak of rosacea which is also hard to manage. Staying hydrated is the only way to boost beautiful and radiant skin. To start,  switch that glass of wine for a nice bottle of water, or make your own cucumber + lime water if you need a bit of an extra punch.

You’re Vindictive

Holding grudges will age you faster than Mother Nature ever intended. Why? Because stress ramps up your Cortisol levels, leading to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and weight gain, not to mention the fact that all that frowning you’re doing is adding more wrinkles to your face.

Sun Exposure Is The Worst

If you love sunbathing by the pool or at the beach, then prepare to age, cause the UV rays from the sun wreak havoc on your skin cells and blood vessels. Pretty soon people will be calling you leather-face and not because you own a cool chainsaw. So, if you don’t SPF, prepare to age.

You’re Not Sleeping Enough

If one night of bad sleep can make you look like a train wreck, imagine what several nights of 4-hour sleep or sleepless nights will do to you. Aside from the dark circles and bags under your eyes, you’re looking at poor collagen formation on your skin and an increase in cortisol levels which will cause your face to look craggy.

You Eat Too Many Sweets

The waistline isn’t the only area that your sweet tooth can get you into trouble. A diet packed with sugar can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, and wrinkle your skin. We’ll let you decide, which one of those is more important to you.

 Improper Skin Care

You never wash your face after you finish exercising or before you go to bed, and you sleep with your makeup on, causing all that stuff to cake on your skin and clog up your pores.

You Don’t Stay Active

It’s scientifically proven that exercise can keep you looking younger and healthier longer because it helps the blood flow to the outer layers of your skin, and flushes any harmful toxins out with a boost of oxygen. Plus, it relieves stress, another factor that can make you look you’re ready for the grim reaper to come pay you a visit.

Skipping Sun Lotion

Nothing is as apparent in the summer when the sun’s rays scorch the earth. Winter is different though because they aren’t as piercing and you might think UV rays aren’t problematic. If it’s sunny, your skin is absorbing them and potentially mutating as a result, which is why SPF is essential. As well as a high factor, be sure to top up the areas that are always on the front line. That means your face and neck. Where possible, cover up with long garments to keep your skin out of the sun.

Tolerating Household Pests

Pests are annoying, yet some homeowners leave them to their devices because it’s too much hassle. A pest control service isn’t a big deal, especially if you love your skin. The likes of mosquitoes and bed bugs aren’t only irritators; they live in colonies. What does this mean for your skin? It means they will bite and feed and they will do it regularly because there are plenty of them to go around. As soon as you spot the signs of a pest infestation, your only option is to hire a professional and clear them out. Otherwise, unsanitary, red, blotchy rashes will plague you forever.

Only Sleeping On One Side Of The Bed

Your skin is stretchy, which can be a gift and a curse. On the one hand, it bounces back and fights the signs of changing. On the other, it can permanently form wrinkles and creases as a result of getting bent out of shape. You might not know this, but sleeping on one side of the bed is a prime example. The lines that occur won’t go away if you do it regularly. The best option is to sleep on your back. As well as sleeping, be careful of drinking from water bottles as the process creases the mouth.

Using Your Cell Phone

Pressing it to your face is another way to develop creases and wrinkles that won’t ever go away. And, there is the radiation factor too. However, there is another consideration: dirt. Cell phones spend most of their time in a pocket or on a counter collecting dust, and it transfers to your skin when you put it to your ear or swipe it with your finger. Essentially, using your phone too much can clog your pores and result in blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

Once in a while, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe to give your skin a break.

Have you ever paid attention to this skincare don’ts before? Hopefully, these natural skincare tips will help you shine bright moving forward.

Check out this infographic:

Treating Dark Circles Naturally

Now, let’s talk a little about those dark circles. Yes I know, the bane! Even if your skin glows, what’s the use if your eyes look like deathly hallows, right?

I have a list of home remedies for dark circles under eyes that work swiftly. And it’s all-natural.

Dark spots are often a dead giveaway screaming bloody hell how tired we are. Any number of things can contribute to them,  particularly under the eyes. Fatigue, stress, and restlessness are some of the common causes of dark circles. It’s like physical evidence of what we are going through in our life- think personalized signposts. On our face. ALL.THE.TIME.

But ladies. It doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to remove dark circles instantly. And no, I am not talking about makeup to cover up your dark circles. You don’t need to spend the rest of your life looking like walking dead.

There are many ways to treat these dark circles and this article highlights how to do it right the natural and chemical-free way.

Use cucumber

This is common in our kitchen and many people do not know that its benefits extend beyond making our foods great. However, you probably have seen people in movies lying in a spa with cucumber slices placed on their eyes.

Cucumber slices are very soothing and they also contain skin-lightening qualities. They are also pretty easily available and easy to use which makes them a popular natural home remedy for treating dark circles

RELATED: Here’s a great article from WebMD on a closer look at so-called All-natural skincare products. Quite enlightening.

Raw potatoes

The flesh of a raw potato also works wonders in treating dark circles on our bodies. They are capable of reducing any form of puffiness that could be present on the body. They also contain natural bleaching agents and you can rub the raw potato slice on the skin to take care of most of these dark blemishes

 Apple Cider Vinegar

This is another common and very useful substance. ACV uses vary greatly; from the kitchen to healing the gut and even other cleaning and sanitation work. In this case, you can use ACV to treat the dark circles on your eyes or body naturally as it contains enzymes that rejuvenate the skin and makes you feel alive. ACV which contains culture (or mother) is the most important one and most effective.

Castor oil

Castor oil is an important element in soothing the skin and rejuvenating dull skin. You will find most products that are said to cure wrinkles or prevent aging containing castor oil as one of the ingredients. The oil is also very common in spas where they fuse with other herbs to ensure that they give your skin the best rejuvenating experience ever.

Tomato

This is a vegetable that is available in almost every dish in the kitchen. It is very useful in adding flavor to the food. Besides that, Tomatoes contain bleaching properties which make them cross over and become useful in the treatment of dark skins. They are cheaply and easily available.

Rosewater

Fuse rose petals in water and apply on the affected areas. Rosewater contains antioxidant properties that will help in brightening the skin and rejuvenating at the same time. You will easily get rid of dark circles this way.

Lemon

Lemon is popular in the beauty industry because it has a ton of uses. The anti-oxidation properties are the ones that make this fruit important in the usage of brightening dark circles and dark spots on the skin. Just apply the juice smoothly on the affected areas and observe the results after some time.

RELATED: Protect your Skin in 4 Easy Steps this Winter

 Milk

Milk has some mild acid properties which are important in getting rid of wrinkles on the skin. It will help you improve the thickness and smoothness of your skin.

Time to claim your glow back girls. These natural skincare tips specially for dark circles will have you say goodbye to it in no time!

Make your Skin Glow with a Relaxing Bath

Okay, did you know a nice relaxing bath can invigorate your skin from the inside and make it shiny and healthy? Yes, let’s dive into it a little more.

There is nothing a warm and relaxing bath can’t fix! Specially at the end of a long tiring day. One of the self-care activities we often neglect, a nice bath can work wonders for the soul.

Sometimes it is hard to find time to draw a quality bath for ourselves with all the craziness and demands of hectic lives we lead.  But when there is ACTUALLY some me-time to spend, go jump right into your tub or Jacuzzi with a glass of wine and a favorite book!

There are many simple ingredients, ones you probably already have around the house, to add to your bath water to make it the best bath ever. Pamper yourself the way you deserve with surprising household items right out of your pantry!

Efficient, cost-effective and genius- all rolled into one, below are just a few relaxing bath ingredients to consider. Get ready… get set… relax!

Oatmeal

Not only is oatmeal nutritious to eat, but your skin can also take advantage of the amazing health benefits of this delicious whole grain.

Oatmeal has been used as a way to soothe irritated, dry skin for years. And, to help treat certain skin issues such as eczema and even chickenpox. Due to the healthy fat content of oatmeal, it’s ideal for soothing your skin, whether you’re suffering from dry winter weather or a bad sunburn.

Oatmeal is also good for your pores, as it contains natural cleansers, as well as vital proteins that help protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

RELATED: 4 Useful Tips for Moms to Manage Stress at Home

There are numerous products you can buy that contain oatmeal as an ingredient. This includes soap, lotion and scrubs. But, it’s simple to benefit just as much (or maybe more) from a simple DIY oatmeal bath. It’s much more affordable too.

The next time you run a bath, add a cup of oatmeal to the water and allow it to sit for 15 minutes and you’re good to go!

Milk

We all know how beneficial milk is for our bones, but did you know it’s also great for your skin? Milk contains proteins and fats along with a number of essential vitamins and minerals that help moisturize and hydrate your skin.

Milk also contains an organic compound called lactate, or lactic acid, which is a natural skin moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid used in many lotions and facial products due to its incredible ability to repair skin.

In fact, lactic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare products, as it has been found to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and signs of aging and even helps fight acne breakouts!

For your soothing milk bath recipe, just add a few cups of milk to your bath water and relax for as long as you wish.

Tea

It’s nice to have a variety of herbal teas on hand. Many have been proven to aid the body in many different ways, depending on the type of herbs are used in each tea blend.

As an example, chamomile tea promotes healthy digestion, green tea is loaded with antioxidants and peppermint tea helps with insomnia and restless sleep. But, if you’re not much of a tea drinker, perhaps you’ll consider giving tea baths a try!

RELATED: 4 Ways Moms can Practice Mindfulness Right Now

Simply add three to five tea bags to your bathwater, steep for a few minutes and then strain. Or, as an alternative, brew a strong kettle of tea and add it to the water instead. Soak for 20-30 minutes to get full skin and hair benefits!

These are just three options when it comes to taking the best relaxing and spa-quality bath ever, right at home! Once you give these awesome relaxing bath ideas a try, chances are you never go with plain water again. It really makes that much difference mentally as well as reward you with glowing skin!

This post was pretty long but hey, for a good reason. If you are after the perfect skincare game, then my Comprehensive Guide to Natural Skin care Tips is what you need. Save this post, bookmark, pin-do what you have to do. Try these natural tips for skincare and watch how flawless you will feel inside out 🙂

xx

With love, Vinma