An extra-strength version of our patented No. 1 selling Alpha Beta daily face peel on pre-soaked cotton towelettes. Higher concentrations of Alpha Beta acids plus newly added anti-aging boosters, including mandelic acid and willow bark extract, deliver a stronger peel without risk of irritation or recovery time. 

Ingredients
Step 1: Purified Water (Aqua Purificata), Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Benzoate. Step 2: Purified Water (Aqua Purificata), Sodium Bicarbonate, Resveratrol, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Ubiquinone, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Isoflavones, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Copper Pca, Sodium Pca, Zinc Pca, Octoxynol-9, Simethicone, Tetrasodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

Directions
Apply Step 1 to clean, dry skin in circular motions from forehead to neck. Continue until pad feels dry. Wait 2 minutes before applying Step 2 using same technique as Step 1. Do not rinse after either step or use products containing alcohol. 

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I don't write reviews, but I depend on reviews of other consumers to make a decision on whether or not if I want to spend my money on a product. This will be my FIRST review. Here goes.

I'm in my early 30's and have always battled with skin problems. I had major acne problems throughout highschool and onward to my adulthood. Though not as bad as I've gotten older, but it's annoying when you think once you get out of your teenage years your acne days are over. NOT. Breaking out right before my cycle starts is the norm for me. When I see a zit pop up I know it's almost that time. I never had smooth, nice skin.

But alas, I have found a skincare product that actually WORKS for me! I have combination oily/dry skin, mostly oily. The Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross skincare line is so amazing! My skin has NEVER been so smooth and soft. I haven't broken out since I started using this product a couple of months ago. Yes, it is expensive but it's better than spending countless amount of money and time at the dermo's office and getting ZERO result.

I love this product. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. My skin has never been better and I am a very happy consumer. I wish this stuff existed when I was in highschool. I wouldn't have to go through the embarrassment of hiding behind all the makeup and junk I had to put on my face to help cover the acne. I love that I can wear minimal makeup and still look fresh. If there is one thing I can't stand it's a crap full of makeup on my face. Less is better and Dr. Dennis Gross skincare has helped me achieve the ultimate goal.

Highlights:
- smaller pores
- reduction in blackheads
- reduction in scars and sunspots
- reduction in breakouts
- tightness in skin
- smoother skin
- skin GLOWS!

So, those are the many things I have found this product has done for my skin. Like I said, I don't normally write reviews but after 2 months of usage I stand by this product! 

 

Get this Product in here :  Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Face Peel

Stress is a real killer when it comes to our appearance so I did some digging and found some ways we can reduce the signs of stress on our skin! The American Academy of Dermatology notes that stress, anxiety and depression can all lead to an increase in skin, hair and nail problems. If you’ve been under stress and your skin is starting to show the signs, like acne, rashes or lines and wrinkles, check out these simple ways to reduce the signs of stress on your skin!

1. Be Consistent
In order to reduce the signs of stress on your skin, it’s imperative that we stick to our skin care regimen. Sometimes when we’re busy and stressed we might neglect our skin care duties. No matter how busy or tired you are, don’t disregard your skin! Cleanse, moisturize, exfoliate and protect your skin regularly to prevent and reduce the signs of stress.

2. The Right Stuff
Stressed skin needs special attention, so if you have sensitive skin, make sure you’re only using products that are gentle, fragrance free and won’t further irritate your skin. Some of the common signs of stress on skin can be acne or rashes, so use products tailored to calm and soothe stressed skin. This is the time to really pamper your skin!

3. Sleep
A major sign of stress on skin commonly comes from a lack of sleep. Getting 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is key to regenerating cells and resting your facial muscles. Even if you’ve skimped on sleep in the past, make it a point to get on a better sleep schedule! Sleep not only helps you feel better overall but it also keeps you sharp and reduces stress!

4. Eat Healthy
Eating a healthy diet is not just good for your waistline, it’s also essential for healthy skin! When we experience stress, we’re more likely to engage in emotional eating or eating less healthy food. Try to eat a diet rich in lean protein, fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to give your body the proper nutrition it needs to fight off inflammation and keep your skin in tip top shape!

5. Schedule Some “me” Time
Taking some time out to relax and rejuvenate might seem frivolous but unwinding can do a load of good for you! Spending time with a friend, treating yourself to a massage or getting your nails painted have been shown to lower levels of cortisol and help you feel better. While getting a pedicure might not magically cure any skin issues, it’s a good way to get it back on the right track!

6. Drink Water
According to WebMD, stressed out organs like our kidneys can cause shadows under our eyes. When we’re dehydrated, fine lines and wrinkles can appear deeper. Staying hydrated also helps us flush out impurities, relieves puffy skin and improves circulation and blood flow. Another plus to filling up on water is that it can help plump up our skin, making it appear smoother and younger!

7. Wear Sunscreen
We often hear about the importance of using sunscreen but it’s especially important for stressed skin! Dermatologist and psychiatrist Dr. Amy Wechsler states that the sun can cause stress to the skin, which can promote inflammation, cause more lines and wrinkles, make your skin drier and cause more frequent breakouts. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to shield your skin.

8. Avoid Excessive Alcohol And Caffeine
When we’re tired, stressed or both, we typically turn to caffeine in order to give us a boost or have a drink in order to relax. Both of these vices are okay in moderation but too much caffeine or alcohol can dehydrate your skin, causing it to look dry and washed out. If you’re already under stress, additional signs of stress are certainly not welcome! When you drink alcohol or caffeine, up your intake of water so you get a better balance!

There are many ways our skin shows the signs of stress. Help yourself prevent and combat these signs of stressed skin by adopting healthy lifestyle changes and taking good care of yourself. Remember that these tips can help you reduce the signs of stress on your skin but the changes will be gradual. Give it some time and you should see some positive changes in your skin and outlook! Do you have any suggestions on how to soothe stressed skin?

I think women are always looking for tips to keep skin youthful so I looked for some little known anti-aging tips that we can use to keep our skin looking bright, beautiful and young! We’ve all heard about using sunscreen a million times and while it’s important, there is more to skin care than just using sunscreen! Check out these tips to keep skin youthful and maintain your girlish looks longer!

1. Eat Your Way to Younger Skin
One of my favorite tips to keep skin youthful is to eat anti-aging foods! Who doesn’t love adding variety to their diet and eating healthy foods that benefit your skin and body?! Try incorporating more anti-aging foods like beans, fish, berries, spinach, nuts and kale to your daily diet and fight aging the tasty way! These foods are packed with protein and vitamins that’ll help fill you up and keep skin young!

2. Sleep on Silk
We all know that getting a sufficient amount of rest is important to keeping skin fresh, but we can take it a step further and sleep on a silk pillowcase! Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will not only help prevent wrinkles, but it’s also recommended for healthy hair. Another skin care tip when you’re sleeping is to try to sleep on your back to prevent wrinkles and lines from sleeping on your side or face.

3. Protect Your Neck
One of the easiest anti-aging tips we can follow is to always take our skin care products down to our neck. Don’t apply skin care products only to your face, keep going and cover your neck and even your décolletage, as it’s one of the first places that shows the signs of aging. Hey, you spend good money on your skin care products so put them to work on other areas as well!

4. Get Glasses
If you’re one of those people who seriously need glasses or contacts but keeps putting it off, stop! Constantly squinting or making any repetitive facial movements in order to see something or shade your eyes can cause lines and wrinkles. Go see your eye doctor and take care of your eyes before the lines on your face from squinting become permanent!

5. Avoid Processed Sugar
This next skin care tip is a huge bummer for people like me with a sweet tooth, but processed sugar is your skin’s enemy! Sugar has been found to speed up the aging process and weaken the ever important collagen in our skin, which can lead to sagging and premature wrinkles. Stay away from sugary treats and stick to fruits whenever possible when sweet cravings strike!

6. Take a Time Out
Some of the best anti-aging tips are the most simple. This next tip recommends taking a time out and de-stressing. This doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming activity, you can go get a massage, stretch or meditate for 15-20 minutes each day to keep stress in check and avoid getting lines and wrinkles from stress and tension.

7. Use Serum
Using serum as part of your skin care routine might not be a mind-blowing tip but it’s something that many women still don’t do. If you’re serious about anti-aging tips, serum is a skin care essential that will help deliver potent skin care ingredients to a deeper level of your skin due to the makeup of the serum. Serums are easily absorbed, work for a variety of skin tones and types and are very easy to use!

8. Less Is More
A big part of these anti-aging tips are focused around skin care products, but when it comes to makeup, sometimes less is more. Dermatologists Dr. Kathy Fields and Katie Rodan of Proactiv fame recommend ditching the foundation on aging skin. They state that makeup can really settle into lines and wrinkles and magnify their appearance, so it’s best to keep makeup minimal and wear less as you age.

Incorporating these little known anti-aging tips can help keep your skin healthy and youthful. No matter how old you are, it’s important to take good care of our skin and get in the habit of using a proper skin care routine. Do you already do any of these skin care tips? Do you have any anti-aging tips or secrets that you’d like to share?

We all have those days where we could use a few more hours of sleep, so I’ve found some helpful ways to brighten tired skin! Feeling tired is one thing, but looking tired is the pits! Why walk around looking like a zombie when you can easily wake up tired skin and look more awake with just a few beauty products?! Keep reading to get the lowdown on how to brighten tired skin!

1. Exfoliate
A sure way to brighten tired skin and revive dull skin is to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating is essential for getting rid of dead skin cells and revealing fresh skin. Using a gentle scrub on your face and body can instantly make you feel much more awake and refreshed. Make sure you use a scrub a few times a week to keep skin looking and feeling better and brighter!

2. Hydrate
If you frequently skimp on sleep, staying hydrated will be your skin’s saving grace. Dehydrated and tired skin looks dull and sallow. Start your day with a tall glass of water and stay hydrated throughout the day to aid your skin in regaining its natural moisture and glow! Have some lemon with your water for a vitamin C boost to keep skin clear!

3. Ice
This next tip on how to wake up tired skin isn’t the easiest thing to do when you’re sleepy, but it really helps. Take an ice cube and rub it all over your tired face. If you don’t have any ice cubes on hand, splash some cold water on your face. Cold water or ice will help stimulate blood flow and tighten your pores, making your skin appear brighter and smoother!

4. Chill
A similar way to look more awake is by using chilled skin care products. Place your toner, eye cream or facial moisturizer in the fridge overnight and apply it in the morning. The chilled products will soothe tired, puffy skin and help refresh your skin. The cold temperature of the products will also stimulate blood flow and invigorate skin without using super cold water or ice!

5. Depuff
If you feel like your skin needs more help than a splash of cold water, wake up tired skin with a de-puffing product. Try using a rollerball with an eye serum that will help take the puffiness and brighten up tired-looking skin. Try using Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum or Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager to gently massage and revive your skin!

6. Conceal
Concealer is the first thing we reach for when we need to look more awake, and rightfully so! What else can camouflage dark circles and even out your skin tone like it’s nobody’s business?! Use a good quality concealer like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer or Benefit’s Erase Paste that’ll hide giveaway signs of restless nights.

7. Mask
If you’ve got some time in the morning, fake being awake with a refreshing facial mask to wake up tired skin. Using a cooling and calming cucumber and mint mask will help revitalize tired skin and give your skin back its gorgeous glow! Mash up a cucumber and strain. Next, place the mashed cucumber in a microwave-safe bowl with a little water and microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup of fresh mint and microwave again for 2 minutes. Once it’s cool to the touch, apply it all over your face and rinse off after 15 minutes!

8. Blush
Another beauty product that’ll instantly give your skin back its natural glow is to use blush. Blush will help you look more awake and give your cheeks a sexy flush of color. Don’t walk around with pale cheeks that makes your skin look tired and dull when blush will immediately add some life to your skin and revitalize its appearance!

It’s easy to wake up tired skin when you’ve got the right tools! Doing little things like exfoliating and hydrating can do wonders for tired skin, but we can always use help from beauty products, too! I hope you try out some of these tips to wake up tired, sleepless skin! Do you have any tips brightening up tired skin?

Natural lip scrubs leave your pout pretty, supple, and smooth. Those traits are important this time of year. It’s winter, after all. It’s cold and it’s windy, so I bet a lot of you are suffering from chapped lips because of the weather. While I could have gone looking for store bought scrubs, I decided to go the homemade route instead. DIY beauty products are fun and inexpensive, after all, and you know exactly what’s going into them. So now I’m bringing you the simple, easy recipes to 9 luscious, natural lip scrubs!

1. Scent-ual Lip Scrub
A lot of natural lip scrubs contain ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen right this very minute. That includes this one, with the possible exception of the essential oils. Those are very easy to find, however, and you can use whatever kind you like! To make this recipe even more natural, feel free to use organic honey if you have it.

Ingredients:
1 tsp honey
1 tsp oil (either olive, almond or other of your choice)
1-2 tsp white or brown sugar
2-3 drops essential oil, such as peppermint (optional)

Directions:
Heat the honey in the microwave for no more than 5 seconds, then mix in the oil. Add the sugar and mix well to create a fine paste. Drop in the essential oil for its added fragrance and healing properties. You may find you prefer spearmint over the peppermint.

With clean hands, gently pat the paste onto your lips and the skin around them, and allow it to set for a few minutes. Gently massage in circular motions to remove dead skin cells before rinsing with warm water. Finish by smoothing on a thin layer of the olive oil or lip balm.

becomegorgeous.com

2. DIY Sugar Lip Scrub
A sugar scrub is typically the easiest thing in the world to make. As you can see, this one only uses three ingredients: coconut oil, honey, and brown sugar. The sugar is a great exfoliating agent, while the honey – which you’ll see in a lot of these recipes – moisturizes your lips after the sugar scrubs away the dead skin. It’s also a fantastic antioxidant, and if your lips are sore, chapped, or painful, its anti-inflammatory properties will soothe them.

Ingredients:
pure coconut oil
honey
brown sugar
a teaspoon
a tablespoon
a mixing bowl
an empty jar or 2.5 oz baby food jar
labels (optional)

Directions:
Make sure that the coconut oil is solid enough to scoop up but soft enough for a spoon to dig in. If the coconut oil is too oily, stick it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. If the coconut oil is too hard, place it into a sink filled with hot water for 5-10 minutes or until soft. Combine one well-rounded tablespoon of coconut oil with one tablespoon of honey into the bowl. Besides smelling and tasting incredible, coconut oil is actually an amazing natural ingredient for skin and body products. The oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants that moisturize and nourish the skin while honey contains cleansing and healing properties and is a natural binder.

Mix the coconut oil and honey until they bind together. The consistency should look like thick honey-comb honey. Make sure to mash up all of the coconut lumps so that the mixture is clump-free. This will serve as the base of the scrub.

Add two hand packed teaspoons of brown sugar and fold it into the base. Brown sugar not only tastes fantastic, it is also a great natural exfoliant because it’s not too harsh and leaves skin soft to the touch. All of the brown sugar should be coated in the coconut oil and honey base.

Add one teaspoon of just the oil from coconut oil jar into the bowl. This will help smooth out the mixture and make the scrub extra moisturizing. Transfer the scrub from the bowl into a small jar or container.

The edible scrub will last up to 2 weeks if refrigerated. Before using, allow the scrub to stand at room temperature for a good 10 minutes so that the formula softens a bit. Apply scrub to lips in small, circular motions for 1-2 minutes and rinse off with a warm washcloth. Congratulations – you are now armed with a soft, moisturized, and plump pout. Pucker up!

honestlywtf.com

3. Coffee Scrub
While coffee might not leave you with the best aftertaste, I found this lip scrub intriguing! It’s easy to make, obviously, but that’s not the biggest draw. The caffeine in the coffee will actually rejuvenate the skin on your lips, making them flush with color and more alive. Just make sure not to swallow any, and follow up with a sweet flavored balm!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp of coarsely ground coffee
1 tbsp of olive oil

Directions:
Mix both the ingredients well and apply on your lips. Gently rub and leave it on for 5 minutes. Rinse with water and apply coconut oil or olive oil to make your lips soft.

Another great tip is to use toothbrush for removing dry skin from your lips. You can use toothbrush for applying scrub. Gently rub toothbrush on your lips for a minute and rinse. You can use these scrubs twice a week because excessive exfoliation removes moisture and results in painful chapped lips.

7beautytips.com

4. Mint Lip Scrub
If coffee isn’t up your alley but you still want your lips to feel invigorated, try this minty fresh lip scrub instead! The addition of peppermint may not seem like much, but it does wonders for dry, chapped lips. You’ll feel a wonderful tingle afterward, plus your lips themselves will be plump and smooth!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1 drop peppermint oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
Apply a warm wash cloth to your lips. Hold it there for 5 minutes to soften the skin. Apply the scrub mixture to both lips and rub for about a minute gently. Rinse with water and a wet washcloth.

healthiestskin.com

5. Oh So Coco Lip Scrub
If your pout needs a lot of extra moisture, this is your scrub. It is absolutely decadent. I mean, you could pay $25 for this in a store! Yet it only requires two ingredients, and while you might have to make a special trip for coconut oil, it’s worth it because you can use it to make DIY beauty products for your hair and your skin as well.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 teaspoon Coconut Butter or Coconut Oil

Directions:
Mix the two together then pat on your lips and gently scrub in circular motion until it’s as smooth as a baby’s…

Now your red lipstick will glide on as it should! Repeat daily until you feel your old pout is back.

laurenconrad.com

6. Lemonade Lip Scrub
I love lemon, so this lip scrub really jumped out at me. It is amazing. If you want a picture tutorial, check out the source site as well; you’ll figure out exactly how your scrub should look. While this is refreshing in the summer, it’s also fantastic in the winter when you’re looking for a little dose of sunshine. Speaking of which, all that vitamin C does wonders for your lips!

Ingredients:
A small amount of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly
A small tin or jar
4 teaspoons of caster sugar
2 toothpicks

Directions:
Firstly, gradually add the lemon juice to the caster sugar and mix with your provided toothpick until a thick gooey paste is formed…

Keep adding the lemon juice gradually! The lemon juice acts as a lip cleanser- the acid of the lemon kills the bacteria on the lips. It also tastes great too!

Do not add too much lemon juice in one go! If you’ve added too much juice, just even it out with a couple more teaspoons of sugar. The sugar acts as an exfoliator to the lips, removing the dead skin.

Now leave the paste to the side for a while. We need to heat our petroleum jelly in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

After two minutes in the microwave, the petroleum jelly should be liquid as shown above. The petroleum jelly acts as a moisturiser and gives your new soft lips a lovely polish!

Now pour the paste into the basin of petroleum jelly and mix with a couple of toothpicks. The paste will become runny again if you have noticed. We don’t want runny paste! To rethicken the paste, gradually add teaspoons of caster sugar.

And a little more lemon juice to add some flavour! The paste should be a lot thicker than before as the petroleum jelly hardens… Finally, pour your lip scrub into your tin/jar and you’re done!

snapguide.com

7. Hydrating Lip Buff
If your lips are in need of some serious work, look for a lip scrub that hydrates. This buffing recipe is amazing, although it’s a little bit involved in terms of ingredients. I suggest you schedule yourself an at home spa day, buy all the ingredients in advance, and make yourself a batch!

Ingredients:
1 oz Olive Squalane
2 oz Shea Butter Unrefined (Ivory)
1 oz Olive Butter
1 oz Jojoba Oil, Clear (Organic)
5 oz Sugar (Organic) – Food Grade, Fine Grain
3 ml Flavor Fragrance Oil (optional)

Directions:
Phase 1: In a double boiler over low heat, melt butters until liquid. Remove from heat source.

Phase 2: Add liquid oils and olive squalane and stir until thoroughly combined.

Phase 3: Add liquified butters and oils to sugar and combine. Add optional flavor fragrance and mix again to thoroughly incorporate ingredients.

Phase 4: Package in an airtight container until use.

To Use: Massage a generous amount onto lips using a firm, circular motion. Wipe away with a tissue or soft cloth. Although all of these ingredients are lip-safe, resist the urge to “lick off” the lip scrub as saliva will aggravate the “chapping” cycle, undoing the work you’ve just done. Follow up with a lip gloss or balm to seal in moisture and protect newly exfoliated skin.

bathbodysupply.blogspot.com

8. Honey, Sugar, And Lemon Scrub
This lemony lip scrub isn’t quite as astringent, and it’s much simpler to make if you’re in a hurry. I love the combination of lemon and honey not just in lip products but even in my cooking. This time, you get the antioxidants from the honey and the vitamins from the lemon, so it’s supremely win/win!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
Mix sugar and honey together and afterwards add lemon juice. Apply the mixture on your lips and rub gently. Wash with lukewarm water when done. Besides exfoliating, this scrub will also moisturize your lips.

magforwomen.com

9. Simple Honey Lip Scrub
Finally, I’ve got a simple honey scrub for you. This also relies heavily on baking soda and olive oil. The good news is that the sweetness of the honey takes care of the somewhat icky flavor of the baking soda, so you’ll still have a sweet scrub that exfoliates your dry skin beautifully. Just go easy with this one; don’t scrub too hard.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of honey
1 teaspoon of baking soda
Olive oil

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of olive oil.

Apply the mixture on your lips.

Allow the mixture to absorb for a few minutes.

Rub your lips gently to remove the dead skin cells.

Rinse with warm water.

Dab your lips with olive oil for added moisture.

beautyismyduty.com

I love making lip scrubs. They’re excellent gifts for friends but it’s nice knowing you can always create something yourself without much effort. Do you prefer store bought or DIY lip scrubs? If you’ve got any other recipes to share, please do!

We all want to have clear, healthy skin, and in order to achieve that there are some things your skin needs every day to look its best. Just like you need certain beauty products and tools to properly apply your makeup, there are specific things your skin desires in order to be healthy and happy. Think about it, if you never exfoliated, your skin would look dull and beg you to give it a scrub! Let’s take a look at some of the things your skin needs every day so we can take the best care of it!

1. Rest And Relaxation
One of the most important things your skin needs every day is for you to have some relaxation time. Constantly being stressed out and overworked can wreak havoc on your skin. You might not be able to treat yourself to a spa day every day but there are plenty of little things you can do to help de-stress. Taking a nap, talking to a friend or taking a relaxing bath can help you unwind and forget the day’s troubles.

2. Exercise
You might not think exercising has anything to do with skin care, but staying in shape and being healthy is reflected through your skin! When we exercise we get our blood flowing, which gives your skin a healthy, radiant glow. Don’t stress if you can’t commit to working out every day of the week, aim to exercise every other day or work out in small blocks of time more frequently.

3. Water
If you haven’t heard already, water is a skin care essential! We need to keep ourselves hydrated in order to have supple and smooth skin. You don’t have to drink truckloads of water every day, but if you frequently consume coffee or alcohol, they can be drying to skin. Remind yourself to drink water throughout the day so you stay hydrated and replenish skin cells and tissues.

4. Cleansing
I’m willing to bet that cleansing your skin is part of your skin care routine and it’s certainly something that our skin requires on a daily basis. Most skin types will benefit from twice daily cleansing, once in the morning and once in the evening. Even if you don’t wear makeup, it’s important to wash off any dirt or grime from the day and open up your pores.

5. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are another skin care essential. We’re often encouraged to use skin care products and eat foods that contain antioxidants in order to protect our skin from free radicals, help repair skin and decelerate the aging process. Look for skin products that contain antioxidants, like Clinique’s Super Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer, or eat foods like berries, broccoli or carrots.

6. Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is vital for a healthy mind and body and the things we eat can directly affect our skin. Aside from eating antioxidants, you also want to fill up foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. These nutrients help our skin retain moisture and prevent skin cell damage. Some tasty skin-friendly foods include fatty fish, nuts and green, leafy vegetables.

7. Limit Sun
Even if we’re in the winter season, our skin is still exposed to the damaging UV rays of the sun. Always keep your skin protected with a good sunscreen and limit your time in the sun. You don’t want to spend the entire day indoors and hide from the sun but you don’t want to spend too much time in it either. Our bodies naturally convert sunlight to produce vitamin D, so be sure to get in some sun time!

As you can see, our skin requires a few things daily to keep it in tip-top shape. These skin care essentials aren’t just good for your skin but maintaining these good habits are good for your health and well-being also! What do you do every day to take care of your skin?

How would you like to create your own homemade sea salt scrubs? It’s easier than you might imagine, not to mention more affordable. However, the benefits don’t end there. Salt scrubs are so good for your skin, especially when the chill temperatures and wild winds of winter dry out your face, arms, and legs. This past Christmas, I had some guy in a kiosk try to sell me a salt scrub for $120 – yeah. Rather than spending anywhere near that much, check out these fabulous recipes for homemade sea salt scrubs!

1. Basic Salt Scrub

While there are lots of homemade sea salt scrubs, sometimes a basic recipe does you best. This one is endlessly adaptable, so you can basically use anything you want. Just remember to choose high quality ingredients, because you’re taking care of your skin, after all. You want to make sure you’re being good to it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oil. Use sweet almond, grapeseed or another light-textured massage oil. Don’t use simple cooking oil from your pantry.

1 cup fine sea salt. Baleine is a good choice. Don’t use simple iodized table salt — it’s too harsh. If you have sensitive skin you can substitute sugar, which is gentler.

5-15 drops high quality essential oils. The essential oil you choose for your salt scrub depends on the result you want. Lavender is relaxing, lemongrass is refreshing and rosemary is stimulating. You can experiment and do your own blend.

Directions:
Put the salt (or sugar) in a small bowl.

Add the oil, mixing well with a spoon or wooden stick. The texture should be moist enough to hold together, but not overly oily. You can adjust the amount of oil to achieve that texture.

Gently tap in the drops of essential oil and combine well. If you get more interested in aromatherapy you can customize your recipe using different essential oils.

spas.about.com

2. Spa Sea Salt Scrub

Rather than heading to the spa for an expensive day of pampering, why not pamper yourself for a fraction of the cost? While spa days are wonderful for relaxation, you can’t always afford the time or the money you need to go. If you make this scrub yourself, you can easily shut yourself up in the bathroom with some soft music, candles or incense, and your favorite book.

Ingredients:
2 cups sea salt
1 1/3 cups aloe vera baby oil or 1 1/3 cups soya oil
8 vitamin E, capsules
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in an airtight container.

Break open the vitamin E capsules and squeeze out the vitamin E into the mixture.

Mix well.

Add a bit to your hand or a bath mitt and rub all over.

Rinse off well.

*If you are going to use soybean oil, then you may or may not want to add a bit of essential oils for fragrance.

*You can play around with the ingredients, to make the mixture more gritty or less gritty.

food.com

3. Olive Oil Salt Scrub

This scrub is so easy that it only takes two ingredients, and you probably have them in your kitchen right now. While the sea salt exfoliates your skin, sloughing off all those dead cells and all of that debris, the olive oil moisturizes, leaving your skin silky smooth. This is a great choice for a facial scrub – just watch your eyes!

Ingredients:
Sea salt
Extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Take equal parts of the oil and salt and mix them to let the salt soak up the oil.

Give yourself a wonderfully invigorating total body scrub in the shower or bath. Wash it off with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold. Pat your skin dry with a towel; tone and moisturize.

natural-homeremedies-for-life.com

4. Baby Oil Sea Salt Scrub

If you have very dry or sensitive skin, this easy scrub recipe is even better than the last one. It uses baby oil instead, so you’ll also be left smelling sweet. I think this is a great scrub for your arms, legs, elbows, and knees. Try it before you shave for a really smooth glide!

Ingredients:
1 cup coarse sea salt
½ cup baby oil

Directions:
Stir the ingredients together in a bowl and put into a screw top jar.

Leave for 24 hours.

Stir the mixture and apply to any areas of the body you wish to exfoliate.

Massage into the skin for a few minutes then shower off.

Pat your skin dry.

thedailygreen.com

5. Lavender Sea Salt Scrub

The soothing scent of lavender promises to leave you calm, relaxed, and even drowsy. Work this scrub into your nighttime skin care routine, and you’ll sleep like a baby every night. It’s also a great option to use when you’re in the tub – talk about relaxing!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sea salt
1/3 cup sweet almond oil (or Grapeseed Oil or a mixture of both)
2 vitamin E, capsules
1 tablespoon dried lavender blossoms
8 drops lavender oil

Directions:
In small glass jar or container, place sea salt.

Add Almond Oil, starting with 1/4 cup or so and adding more until reaching desired consistency.

(When mixed well, it should be like a thick, oily paste.) Break open Vitamin E capsules and add the oil to salt mixture.

Add lavender flowers and lavender essential oil to salt and oil mixture.

Cover and let mixture sit for one hour.

Remove cover and check scent.

Add a few more drops of lavender essential oil if desired.

Apply to dry or damp skin, massaging in circular motion.

Especially nice for exfoliating hands and feet and moisturizing dry skin.

Rinse with cool water in shower or bath.

NOTE: Keep scrub off cuts and scrapes, as the salt will sting.

Shower floor may become slippery as oil washes off, so be careful!

food.com

6. Rosemary And Peppermint Sea Salt Scrub

Imagine the exfoliation powers of sea salt with the energizing scent of peppermint! If you need a scrub that wakes up your skin while getting it soft and smooth, this one’s for you. The zing of the peppermint is brilliantly balanced by the soothing qualities of the rosemary. This one takes a lot of ingredients to make, but it’s definitely worth it!

Ingredients:
Coarse grain sea salt (2 cups)
Olive Oil (1 cup)
Liquid glycerin soap (1/4 oz.)
Rosemary essential oil (5 drops)
Peppermint essential oil (5 drops)

Directions:
Heat the oil and soap in pot until warm. Then stir in the salt and add the rosemary and peppermint essential oils. Allow to cool before use.

talkspas.com

7. Citrus Salt Body Scrub

Or how about the tangy zing of citrus? I love this as a morning scrub. When you use it in the steamy shower, the citrus keeps you cool and invigorated! It smells like sunshine, so if you use this during your morning routine, you’ll feel energized all day long!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
(can substitute light olive oil or vegetable oil)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Directions:
In a medium dry bowl, combine all ingredients making sure to not let any water touch them as it will dissolve the salt. Pour mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.

To use: Just before showering, swirl ingredients together with your fingertips to mix. Clean body completely and just before exiting shower, apply Citrus Salt Body Scrub to body in a firm circular scrubbing motion with hands or a soft washcloth. Rinse off the mixture and pat body dry with a clean towel.

pauladeen.com

Homemade sea salt scrubs are actually better than store bought ones. You know exactly what’s going into your scrub, you can use any fragrance or ingredient you like, and you’ll never run out! They also make great gifts for your friends, because they’re functional, fabulous, and thoughtful! Do you have any secret scrub recipes, or will you stick to these?

Are you ready to pamper yourself with some DIY masks for hands and feet?! When you think of at-home beauty treatments, our faces usually get all the attention, but not this time! These simple and effective DIY masks for hands and feet will have your fingers and toes singing for joy! The next time you’re staying in for the night or just want to treat yourself to some relaxation time, try out these DIY masks!

1. Potato Hand Mask

I love my taters and who knew they’d be a main ingredient on this list of DIY masks for hands and feet?! Potatoes make for a great anti-aging, whitening, tightening and brightening skin treatment. If you have aging hands or just want to even out your skin tone, this potato mask will make an excellent treatment! All you need are potatoes and milk and you’re ready to get cooking!

Ingredients:
2-3 potatoes
Milk

Directions:
Who says, mashed potatoes are only good for eating? Boil 2-3 potatoes, mash them thoroughly and add milk to form a paste. Apply the warm mixture on your hands and leave them on until they cool. Wash them off and apply your favorite hand cream or lotion.

Source: beautyismyduty.com

2. Oatmeal Foot Mask

This foot mask is perfect for ladies wanting to pamper and preen dry, cracked feet. Since it won’t be long before our feet are going to make their big debut in some sandals, give them a nice soak in soothing and moisturizing oatmeal. Oatmeal is renowned for its ability to heal and soothe dry, sensitive skin, so this oatmeal foot mask combined with honey and olive oil will truly spoil and soothe your feet!

Ingredients:
1 large mixing bowl
1 large spoon
Small container with a lid
2 cups of ground rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup of honey
½ cup of olive oil

Directions:
The best and easiest way to make the homemade oatmeal foot mask is by pouring the 2 cups of ground rolled oats, 1 cup of all purpose flour, ½ cup of honey, and ½ cup of olive oil into the large bowl. You may add essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, or peppermint into the foot mask if you want to add a pleasant aroma to it. Once all the ingredients are in the bowl you will want to take the large spoon and combined the ingredients together until you get a thick gooey foot mask that might be slightly gritty or lumpy. If you find the mask is to thick add some more oil, and if you find the mask is too runny add some more oats. After all the ingredients are combined you should have a nice soothing homemade oatmeal foot mask to place in a container and take to the bathroom to use on your feet right away. You will not be able to store this foot mask once it is made because it will go bad.

When you are ready to use the homemade oatmeal foot mask the first thing you are going to want to do is soak your feet in a hot bath of water and baking soda to help soften your feet and skin right up. This makes exfoliating your feet a lot easier. After you are going to want to take an exfoliating foot scrub or sugar scrub and exfoliate your feet with it as best you can. Then you will want to rinse your feet with warm water and pat them dry. After you will take a couple small handful of the foot mask and apply it to both of your feet over a bathtub. Do not do this in your living room or bedroom because it will make a huge mess. Once the mask is on your feet allow it to soak in to your dried cracked feet and skin for 20 to 30 minutes. After rinse your feet again with more warm water and pat your feet dry. Your feet should feet softer and the skin shouldn’t be as cracked and dried out. This will help heal your dry cracked feet in no time. However, you may want to add a nice foot cream to your feet to keep them well moisturized throughout your day for faster healing.

Now I would not recommend people with oat or honey allergies to use this foot mask because it could cause an allergic reaction. This foot mask is excellent if you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients in it, and I would recommend people with dried cracked feet to use it as often as they could to help heal up their feet faster.

Source: voices.yahoo.com

3. DIY Orange Spice Foot Mask

Here’s a foot mask that’s ideal for people like me who always seem to have cold feet! This spicy foot mask will not only warm up your feet but it also contains oatmeal, honey and olive oil for some heavy duty hydration and skin soothing benefits. This foot mask would be great after a long day on your feet or when you’re feeling a little under the weather!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
4 drops sweet orange essential oil

Directions:
Using a food processor, grind the oats to a fine powder. Transfer to a medium-size bowl, add the remaining ingredients, and stir until blended into a thick paste.

Prepare two warm, wet washcloths or hand towels, either by wetting them and placing them in the microwave for one to two minutes or by soaking them in hot (not boiling) water. Wring out excess water and set aside.

Sitting with your feet in the tub or a large basin, use your hands to spread a thick layer of the mask over each foot, covering them completely up to the ankles. After wiping hands clean, wrap each foot in one of the washcloths to seal in the moisture from the mask. Sit back and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.

When you’re ready to remove the mask, carefully lift off the washcloths. Rinse your feet thoroughly using warm water. Pat dry with a towel.

Source: wholeliving.com

4. Avocado Hand And Foot Mask

This next DIY recipe is fab for both hands and feet, as most of these recipes are, and features the super emollient avocado. Avocados contain lots of healthy fats and phytonutrients that are incredible for your skin! If you don’t like to eat avocados, definitely use them topically to get all the super duper benefits that these fruits have to offer!

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons honey—orange blossom if possible
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons plain yogurt
10 drops sandalwood
8 drops myrhh

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.

Apply to hands and feet, then wrap in plastic bags and a towel to allow the mask to penetrate the skin more effectively.

Allow 15 minutes for full effect.

Source: veria.com

5. DIY Almond-Oil Hand Moisturizer

If your hands and nails have taken a serious beating from the cold air, drying heater and the environment, give them a calming and nourishing oil treatment! Your hands, nails and cuticles will soak up all the vitamins and nutrients from the almond oil and leave them look and feeling amazing! I think the best thing about this hand mask is how easy and inexpensive it can be and the almond oil is very versatile!

Ingredients:
Almond Oil

Directions:
Rub 1 teaspoon of oil into hands and cuticles. Wrap each hand in a small towel, and allow the oil to penetrate for at least 5 minutes. Wipe the excess oil off hands, but don’t rinse them; any remaining oil will be absorbed over the next few minutes. Follow with a rich hand cream

Source: wholeliving.com

6. Carrot Hand Mask

Carrots probably sound like a very unlikely ingredient for a hand mask and while I agree, they contain loads of skin benefits we won’t want to miss! Carrots are chock full of vitamins, nutrients and carotene, which help fight off damaging free radicals, help keep skin looking young and nourish the skin. This mask also contains hydrating olive oil and sour cream to brighten dull skin!

Ingredients:
1 carrot
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:
Grind 1 carrot and add 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Mix the ingredients and apply to your hands for 20 minutes, then rinse off.

Source: ourvanity.com

7. Exfoliating Foot Mask

If your feet are in need some major exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells, try this exfoliating foot mask on for size! This refreshing foot mask uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen cabinets so you can easily whip this up anytime you want to show off your feet or want to play footsie with a special someone!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup coarse salt
1/2 cup unscented body lotion
4 tablespoons aloe vera gel

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.

Slide feet into mixture and rub, beginning at toes, working up to heel and ankle.

Do one foot at a time, rinsing in a separate bowl of warm water.

Source: food.com

8. Homemade Mask for Dry Hands

This next hand mask is a two-step process where you do a little exfoliating with brown sugar and cranberry juice, then treat your skin to a hydrating and toning hand mask. All of the ingredients in this hand mask are inexpensive and both recipes are easy to prepare. Use this hand mask the next time you’re going to give yourself a manicure for an incredible home spa treatment!

Ingredients:
Hand Scrub:
¼ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cranberry juice

Directions:
First you clean your hands with mild soap and warm water. After that prepare piling made from: 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 2 teaspoon of cranberry juice. Rub that piling onto your hands for a few minutes. Feel free to apply some pressure like massaging hands, it is going to improve your peripheral circulation, then wash with lukewarm water. No soap this time!

Hand Mask:
1 egg yolk
Lemon juice
Olive oil

Directions:
Take one egg yolk, squeeze some lemon juice and mix it with mixer adding some olive oil. (I usually use only one beater for the mixer and mix it in a coffee mug). Beat it until you get smooth cream like mayonnaise. Put it onto your hands in a thick layer and let stand for at list 15 minutes. Longer you keep it, better result you get.

When your devoted time is up, wash your hands first with warm water and then finish with cold water. Absorb water with towel, then rub some nourishing hand cream and enjoy soft, smooth, moisturized hands. This homemade mask for dry hands should relieve that unpleasant filing of tight, soar skin. Your hands will be grateful, your own skin will” fit” again, and you will be happy because you can spend time with your family while at the same time pampering yourself. Time is precious and should be spent with the people who matter the most.

Source: howtoatoz.net

These DIY masks for hands and feet are sure to moisturize, nourish and condition your skin. These DIY recipes are easy to make, affordable and can be done anytime you want to treat yourself or your girlfriends to some R&R! Have you ever tried a hand or foot mask before? How did you like it?

Honey isn’t just for sweetening your tea or soothing a sore throat, there are many skin benefits of honey that you should take advantage of! This inexpensive and versatile food is sweet to eat but also has skin superpowers! If you’re looking for an all-natural ingredient to add to your skin care routine, check out the amazing skin benefits of honey!

1. Protectant
The skin benefits of honey are numerous, but let’s start with how it can help protect your skin. Honey naturally contains antioxidant, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties to protect your skin from environmental damage and even help heal wounds, rashes and fight off skin infections.

2. Moisturize
I think the moisturizing benefits of honey are the most well-known and for good reason! Honey is renowned for being a natural humectant that, if used regularly, can soothe even the driest skin or hair. You can apply some honey to your face or neck alone or mix it with other natural ingredients to create a heavy duty hydrator!

3. Anti-aging
One of the top concerns in skin care is to decrease the signs of aging, and using honey in your skin care regimen can help keep skin looking youthful! Free radicals are toxic molecules that can be found just about anywhere. The natural antioxidants in honey fight off the free radicals from the environment and help keep our skin looking fresh and rejuvenated!

4. Heals
Another sweet benefit of honey is that it can prevent infections and promote wound healing! Honey has antimicrobial properties that make it a natural wound dressing. Also, according to Livestrong, when the sugar in honey comes in contact with the fluids from wounds, it produces hydrogen peroxide, which speeds up the healing process!

5. Nourish
The benefits of honey work inside and out. You can eat honey to nourish your body internally or apply it topically to nuture your skin and hair externally. Honey is chock full of nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and calcium that help skin regenerate and promote cell turnover for healthy, happy skin.

6. Cleanse
Honey might seem like a funny choice for a cleanser, but it works really well to thoroughly cleanse as well as feed your skin with important nutrients. The natural enzymes in honey, when combined with water, can create a mild antiseptic to deep clean skin without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It doesn’t get any easier or more natural than this!

7. Anti-acne
Another use for honey in your skin care routine is to use it to fight acne. Use a small amount of honey to spot treat any pimples and leave it on for about 15 minutes, then rinse off. Honey contains antibacterial properties that can help combat bacteria in acne and clear up blemishes. Try this treatment daily and you should see gradual improvement in your skin!

Honey is an awesome all-natural food that has many uses. In order to enjoy these skin benefits of honey, be sure you get natural, raw and unprocessed honey. There are lots of bottles of supermarket honey that have been overly processed to the point that it’s not much more than a sweetener. Also, be sure to test out honey before using it on your face, as it can cause allergic reactions in some people. Do you use honey in your skin care regimen?

Do you wish you knew how to shave less often? I sure do! Like most women, I hate shaving. It’s so monotonous and time-consuming. The worst is when you’re all done shaving and realize you’ve missed a spot or when you wind up cutting yourself in the process! Ugh! Talk about frustrating! Luckily, with these seven tips on how to shave less often, you’ll spend less time with the razor and more time with smooth (and hairless!) skin!

1. Exfoliate Your Skin
This is the first step on how to shave less often, ladies! Exfoliating is important because those little hairs get trapped under dead skin cells! By exfoliating, you are removing the dead skin cells so that the small hairs are exposed! This will enable you to get a closer shave since the hairs aren’t hiding anymore. Also, exfoliating your skin also helps with removing the natural oil your skin produces, so you can get even a closer shave! Woo hoo!

2. Use a Brush
Have you ever tried brushing your skin? Sounds weird, right? Yet those stiff-looking brushes, also called badger brushes, are wonderful for rubbing in your shaving cream. You may have seen them being used on your man’s face in the barber shop.

3. Pick The Perfect Razor
Not every razor suits your needs. You may have dry or sensitive skin, which may call for a certain type of razor. Also, make sure the razor you purchase always has multiple blades – you will get a smother and closer shave! The more blades, the better the chance you’ll get all the hairs and not just some!

4. Shave against The Grain
In order to shave less often, make sure you go against the grain. If you go with the grain, you’re not removing much hair! Just be careful when shaving against the grain; your skin is prone to getting more nicks and cuts that way!

5. Use a New Razor Each Time You Shave
Invest in disposable razors. Make sure they have multiple blades! Each time you shave, throw out the used razor and grab a clean, new one. It may seem like an expensive habit, but I’m willing to try it, especially if it’ll help me shave less as a result. I mean, the better you shave the first time, the less often you’ll have to repeat the same action over again, right?

6. Try a Lotion Infused with Soy
Studies show that soy can help shrink the hair follicles and inhibit their growth! Snatch up a lotion infused with soy from a local store and make sure to rub it into your skin daily. Plus, it’s always good to keep your skin moisturized! You’ll be killing two birds with one stone!

7. Change Your Diet
Your excess body hair could be a result of what you’re eating! Increase your intake of Vitamin B6. Indulge in meat, fish, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and watermelon to get more of this nutritious vitamin! Also, lay off the refined carbs (even though they can be oh so tempting!).

I’d love to shave less and am going to give these tips a try! I’m so tired of shaving so often! Plus, waxing and other treatments can be so expensive (and not to mention painful!) Are you going to give these tips a try?