Benefits Of Cold Water Therapy

Washing your body with cold water has magical effects! Cold Water Therapy as some call it, is actually more beneficial to your skin and hair. Cold water does not dry out the skin unlike hot water. Cold water therapy is also great for reducing wrinkles because cold water tones the skin, Leaving it looking younger for a long time.

Here is how the Cold Water Therapy works: Bath your entire body in cold water for 2-4 minutes at the end of your warm shower.

This post will list easy & simple ways of using cold water on your skin/hair that you probably didn't know could be beneficial, so lets begin!

1. Our skin & hair is protected by a layer of natural oil known as SEBUM. Hot water can dry out this oil causing your skin/hair to become weak. On the other hand, a cold refreshing bath not only makes the hair shiny, reduces breakage, it also makes the skin glow healthily. Cold shower therapy is a great anti-ageing secret for achieving firmer skin and a radiant glow.

2. Cold water rinses after the shampoo and conditioning process helps seal in cuticle to prevent split ends. It also balances extremely oily scalp.

3. Cold water rejuvenates the skin: Your pores remain open when you have a hot shower, so to seal or tighten your pores naturally, give your body a cold splash of water. It prevents your skin from clogging and reduces acne blemishes too!

4. For the guys, Cold Water does increase testosterone hormonal levels! I bet you didn't even know this right? lol

So when next you want to take a nice shower, opt for the cold knob. Or better still, after your warm shower, run the cold water over your body for 2-4 minutes.

Till the next post,
xoxo

A Face To The Posts Y'all Been Reading

Hello beautiful people. Its been a while since I shared some skin care tips. I have been away on mommy duties! I am currently nursing my 4 month old baby boy and I am loving it!!

I do miss you guys and hope to start blogging more regularly really soon, but don't worry, I have a whole lot of EXCITING skincare tips because I have been doing a whole lot of research too.

There are new products, technology, home-made skin recipes and loads more and I am ready to share them all. Plus may I add that the blog now has over 600,000 views! Not bad for a little less than a year right? 

Thank you all for visiting this page and thanks for all the emails too. 

I always like to leave you guys with a face to all the posts you have been reading, so here is one above. I just started working out after my delivery and I must say it is so difficult. But I must continue! Will also share my weight loss journey from time to time, so keep refreshing your pages, as I promise more exciting posts...

Meanwhile, do visit my interior design page on www.facebook.com/vivabelladesignsltd for beautiful design ideas, including placing your orders for all your lovely interior needs such as curtains/blinds, furniture pieces, beautiful throw pillows, bedsheets/duvets and loads more. (Business must continue, hehehehehe!!) 

We are based in Lagos, Nigeria and can be reached on 08033272728 for consultations and orders.

For great style and inspiration through positive words,  do check out our lifestyle Facebook page on www.facebook.com/kocobella

Finally, you can find me on twitter @cocomadmozelle

The blogs has loads of simple home remedies for your skin. You think you have seen it all, but trust me there are still loads more to learn, so keep checking out previous posts and don't forget to drop your comments, views or reviews on any post that you like.

So till the next post, please don't forget to love your skin.

xoxo

Product Review: St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub

St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub is a new addition to the St.ives product. The most popular St. Ives product is probably the apricot scrub. 

This product is a facial scrub that is quite different from the apricot scrub, which, in my opinion is too grainy. 

In comparison, the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Scrub is richer and creamier and isn't as harsh as the apricot scrub. (See actual texture of product in picture above). So this is definitely a great find. Plus its a bright formula that brightens and evens out the skins tone.

P.S. "Brightening is not the same as bleaching. Pls understand that brightening in this context refers to bringing out the radiance in your natural complexion.

Directions & Ingredients of product.

If you do not have the time to whip up one of the home made scrubs found on the blog, this is a great product to use for your exfoliation plus its cheap too.

Also try the St Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange Body Wash...

Feel free to leave your comments/questions through dropping a comment. 

xoxo

  

New Recipe: Home Made Sea Salt Scrub...

P.S: Sea salt is not the same as cooking salt! 

There are great benefits of using sea salt to exfoliate your skin. One of the biggest benefits is the glow that salt gives to the skin. It is however important to note that there are different grades of salt and using sea salt is the best option for a salt glow!

Sea Salt body scrub is also a great way to exfoliate the skin, which gets rid of dead skin cells. This also reveals clearer, renewed skin. 

Finally, using a scrub is just plain relaxing because the application process includes rubbing, and massaging. 

Extra Tip: Add a bit of lemon for a "brightening" effect.

Tip: Use sweet almond oil/ coconut oil/ grape seed oil or any lighter oil of your choice. 

Pls do not use cooking oil...

Look for dead sea salt, Atlantic Sea Bath Salt or Baleine- These can be found online, a spa or in a skincare shop.

Tip: The scrub should not be too oily to prevent it from being runny.

Recipe: 1/2 cup oil + 1 cup fine sea salt + 5-10 drops of high quality essential oil (this is optional, for those who love a bit of fragrance. Try lemongrass, vanilla or rosemary)

How To: Put salt in a glass container, add oil, mixing thoroughly with a wooden stick or spoon. The mixture should not be too runny. Add oil slowly, adjusting to achieve the right consistency as seen in the picture above. Then gently add drops of any essential oil of your choice.

The Sea Salt Scrub can be stored in a glass-like container (as seen below); and lasts for a long time 

Extra tip: Also a great gift for anyone!

xoxo

Great Product For Acne, Great Price Too!

This is a quick post on a gentle but effective way of dealing with facial acne.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The #1 dermatologist recommended acne-fighting cleanser-Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash now comes with an uplifting blast of pink grapefruit! With maximum strength Salicylic Acid acne medicine boosted by MicroClear® technology, Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash powerfully treats and helps prevent breakouts—even blackheads. This unique formula contains 100% naturally derived grapefruit extract plus vitamin C. It eliminates oil and dirt, and rinses clean without over-drying.

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• MicroClear®
• Salicylic Acid

I recommend this product because most acne products can dry out the skin. However this product cleanses effectively without over drying plus its pocket friendly too!

xoxo

Oil Pulling?

The post below is on one of the latest techniques used by people and celebs in Hollywood. This procedure seems to be an old technique that is currently making raves in the beauty industry in recent times. I know a lot about coconut oils and its benefits(check out my previous post by clicking this link COCONUT OIL FACIAL CLEANSE... However, there's a new craze for Oil Pulling and celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it! I have mixed feelings on this one though, enjoy...

The ancient practice of oil pulling is getting a modern day awakening.

Healthy Hollywood keeps hearing about the incredible benefits of swishing coconut (or sesame) oil around your mouth. Folks swear it helps to whiten your teeth, remove toxins, lessen congestion and some even say the Indian healing ritual helps clear up acne.

“It is an age old method of oral cleaning and is one of the most powerful, effective methods of detoxification and healing in natural medicine. The process ‘pulls’ bad bacteria and their toxins out from nooks and crannies in the mouth,” explains cosmetic dentist Dr. Jessica Emery, owner of Sugar Fix Dental Loft in Chicago.

Healthy Hollywood sought out Dr. Emery to find out if the oral benefits were real or snake oil.

“There is a connection between the mouth and the body, if the load of bacteria is less in the mouth getting into the body systemically, the less the body has to work to fight and it begins to heal itself. This is why people feel so good when using this therapy. Oral bacteria can disrupt body chemistry. Oil itself doesn’t do the healing, the body does,” adds Dr. Emery.

Most folks recommend using unrefined coconut oil because it has strong antibacterial properties. Others think virgin sesame oil works well. To start, it is recommended to do first thing in the morning when bacteria counts are at their highest.

Dr. Emery suggests using 2 to 3 teaspoons of oil and ‘you push and pull it in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. After you’re finished be sure to spit it out in the trash (not down the drain) because the oil can cause clogs. “Some people state immediate results and others say it takes days to weeks. It really depends on how comprised your immune system is. It’s incredibly powerful and extremely safe as long as not swallowed,” advises Dr. Emery.

Read more at http://www.accesshollywood.com/the-benefits-of-oil-pulling_article_91761#krjJBd19TpPz5BVu.99

Hmmm... xoxo

Egyptian Magic... The New Magical Secret To Glowing Skin...

I was watching E! news and was amazed by the rave reviews about a product that seems to be the Best thing that ever happened in the moisturising industry. So they (including hollywood celebrities) said!!

Because I am not one to swallow every rave out there, I decided to do some research on the said cream. The name? EGYPTIAN MAGIC!  

The EGYPTIAN MAGIC is an all purpose skin cream used because of its natural ingredients and great results.

Egyptian Magic feels more like a balm that is great for dry and sensitive skin. Its also great for normal skin types for that extra moisture to reveal a glossy glow! Its believed to treat dry skin, rashes, stretch marks, skin conditions such as psoriasis, and even great for hair!

This moisturiser is made with an all natural ingredient that is even easy to recreate in your own home. Olive oil contains anti oxidants, Beeswax retains moisture while Royal jelly and Propolis extract improves skin's radiance. 

This product can be a bit too balmy, so for best results, warm on tip of palms first before use.

Click this site for more celebrity testimonials and endorsements on this skin product. http://egyptianmagic.com/endorsements.htm

"There Is No Such Thing As Anti-Ageing"

Hi y'all, its been a hot minute since I blogged. I have been going through so much changes and adjustments in my life, so don't be mad at me for not updating as frequently as I should.

I have also been doing loads of research and updating. Hopefully, in due time, i will be able to share my knowledge and experiences through future posts more regularly.

"There's no such thing as anti-ageing"...
The world makes us believe that we can stall or slow the age process through products, surgery, etc. but the fact still remains that we MUST age as long as we are alive. You just owe it to yourself to age well through taking care of your inner health and outer fitness!!!

I am sure that the post title seems a bit shocking! But the fact of life is that there is actually absolutely nothing like anti ageing. As long as we are alive, we DEFINITELY WILL AGE irrespective of whatever procedure we go through. However, there is a catch and a secret to looking beautiful at whatever age you find yourself. 

Its important for you to understand how to take care of yourself because anti-ageing is inevitable. If you want to look your best at for age, its all about:

• CLEANSING
• SUNSCREEN
• MOISTURISING
• (For posts on cleansing, sunscreen and moisturising, check out my precious posts)
• TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOUR SKIN: Which consists;

1. Microdermabrasion:

This is a powerful mechanical facial exfoliation using a machine. It works by removing the upper most layer of dead skin from the face, chest and hands. This service is usually offered by a professional in a day spa, media-spa or specialised skin care place. This treatment reveals a softer looking skin that a home exfoliation cannot achieve. Treatments are also scheduled into like 4-6 treatments.

2. Constant Review of Good Product Based on Age Group: 

I have always pointed out in previous posts the importance of using the best product for your skin type. This cannot be overemphasised. In other to age beautifully, understanding your skin type is important as this will help you choose the right products. Also, its important to  understand that when you begin to age, you may need to review your products. For instance, the products used in your 20s should not be the same for your 30s or 40s. As your age group changes, its important to also note that the skin changes as well.  

3. Facials: 

Some of us overlook the need for facials. But the truth still remains that having a professional aesthetician  use professional only products helps to bring out a beautiful glow. This procedure sets the pace for your day to day product use and definitely increases the chances of your product working.

4. "Pee, Poo, Sweat": 

These are the best way of getting rid of toxins from your body. Through your "pee", you can tell if you are drinking enough water or not. Your "poo" tells you if you are getting the best nutrition, and finally, sweating through exercise definitely cleans your body from inside out, thereby, revealing a glowing you!

Having said all these, the best way to age gracefully is not to believe in the delusional "forever young" thoughts that the world wants us to believe. The most important thing is to try to look beautiful at any age. To be able to love yourself irrespective of your colour and looks.

The Inspiration for this post is derived from "The Body Book" by Cameron Diaz and the Oprah documentary I watched recently on the new look of ageing in today's world!

Till the next post, xoxo

Skin Care Tips: Questions & Answers

Even after all said and done in the skincare area, some people still find it a bit confusing to understand all there is to do to achieve that healthy skin and beautiful glow. People are still torn between Moisturisers or serums? Masks or Exfoliators? or All of the above?

So this post is going to try to answer some common questions in really easy terms in order to help you with all the questions you may have on the right things you should be doing for a lovely, buttery skin..

Lets Learn the Basics...

What is Your SKin Type? Do you know your skin type? Is it Oily, dry, combination or sensitive? In previous posts, I have tried to explain the most important things to understand even before using ANY skincare product. You must understand your skin type. This is the only key to getting that beautiful skin you desire to see. Kindly click on this link to understand your skin type

Using The Right Products But Not Getting Results?-...

Are You Exposing Your Skin to Excess Sun? You need to understand that over exposure of your skin to the sun speeds up the skin damage process. Constant exposure to rays/ heat of the sun could lead to sun burns, wrinkles and in extreme cases, cancer! In some cases, this is unavoidable for lots of people due to the nature of work or lifestyle. Therefore, if you must be in the sun for any reason, don't forget to use skincare products with sunscreen (SPF). The hotter the climate, the higher you should go on the SPF. SPF is now available in skincare products and even make-up, so no excuses.

What Type of Moisturisers Do You Need? This takes us back to question 1. Understanding your skin type will help you know how to select the best moisturisers for your skin. kindly check on my previous post on moisturisers by clicking on this link 5 Best Facial Moisturisers...

 

Moisturiser or Serum? It is also important to understand that there is a great difference between a serum and a moisturiser. While moisturisers are great for your skin, the serum penetrates better into the layers of your skin to condition it more deeply. There are also various kinds of serum for anti-ageing, skin brightening, and even acne preventing serum. 

A serum deposits nutrients into deeper layers of the skin, while a moisturiser hydrates the skin.

The best way to use a serum is to apply after the toner, but before your moisturiser. However, it is not compulsory to use both a serum and moisturiser at the same time. It is important to understand how your skin works and make the decision to use both or just one.

Extra Skincare Steps, VITAMINS... 

Your skin definitely requires some essential vitamins to glow from inside out! Thats the truth!! While I understand that there are some multivitamins for healthier looking glowing skin, I would also like to state that the best way to really get vitamins into your skin is through healthy eating. The most important vitamins required for a beautiful skin are Vit A(anti acne), E(anti ageing), K(rids dark circles around the eyes), C(anti-ageing & renews skin) and B(great for dry skin and spot reduction).

In today's skincare industry, these vitamins have become more infused with skin products.Therefore, when shopping for products. try to buy the ones that are rich in vitamins. But I still maintain that the best way is to actually EAT the vitamins by consuming loads of fruits and veggies!!!

Has this post helped you in anyway? Do you have more questions based on this post? Please feel free to drop a comment, its really easy and fuss-free! Till the next post...xoxo

Home Made Remedies: Getting Rid of Dark Armpits...

Dark armpits have become a source of worry for some individuals. This can be caused by hyper pigmentation Skin Pigmentation: Coloration or Discoloration..., use of harsh deodorants, or just genes. This post will provide some home made remedies that can help reduce the appearance of darker arm pits.

Try a natural bleaching agent. The acidic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties in some vegetables and fruits allow them to lighten the skin naturally. Potatoes, cucumbers and lemons are three that can help eliminate dark skin under the arms.

1. • Potato - Thinly slice a potato and rub a slice on the dark area. Or, you can grate some of the potato to release the "juice." Apply this juice to your underarms, let it dry 10 minutes and rinse.
   • Cucumber - Just as you did with the potato, you can rub cucumber slices on the affected area or grate some of the cuke and use the juice. You can go a step further and add a few drops of lemon juice and some turmeric (enough to make a paste) to the cucumber juice. Apply the paste, wait a half hour and wash off.
   • Lemon - Rub a thick slice of lemon on the dark area; the fruit will remove dead skin cells and lighten the skin. Follow-up by washing and, if necessary, applying moisturizer. (With continued use, lemons can dry out the skin). Add a small amount of tumeric, plain yogurt or honey to lemon juice to make a paste that can be left on for 10 minutes and then rinsed clean.
   Ad
   Exfoliate. Dark underarms may be caused by dead skin cells that have accumulated there, so exfoliating can reduce the dark appearance of the skin.
   

   

   Sugar - Mix a cup of brown sugar with 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Apply to wet skin for a minute or two during a shower or bath and rinse. Try using the mixture twice a week when you bathe.Baking soda - Make a thick baking soda-and-water paste to use as a scrub. After scrubbing, rinsing and drying the area, you can apply a dusting of baking powder to the skin to give it a lighter appearance.Baking soda and rosewater - Make a somewhat thick paste of baking soda and rose water. Apply to the underarm area, then wash off with warm water. Dry your arms. Do this until you see lightening of armpits.Orange - Peel an orange and put the peels out in the sun to dry. Grind the peels to form a powder and make a paste by adding rose water and milk. Scrub your underarms with the paste for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dead skin cells and rinse with cold water.
2. Try a liquid treatment. Open your refrigerator or kitchen cupboard to find remedies that can not only lighten dark underarms but make the skin softer and fresher
3. Milk - It's the vitamins and fatty acids in milk that make it effective in lightening dark skin. Create a paste of two tbsp. milk, one tsp. curd and one tbsp. flour. Apply to the skin, let sit for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water. Skin should be softer and free of dead skin cells, which will make the area look much lighter.
4. Vinegar - For a lighter look and germ-free, sweet-smelling skin, mix vinegar with rice flour to form a paste. Take a hot shower and then apply the paste to the underarms, let dry for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
5. Coconut oil - The Vitamin E in coconut oil can help lighten dark skin over time, so for best results it should be used daily or every other day. Before bathing, massage the oil into the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with a mild soap and lukewarm water. Another benefit of coconut oil--it's a natural deodorant.
7. 
   4
   Make a whitening pack. If you're willing to commit to a frequent treatment regimen, you can try a natural whitening pack made from gram flour (also known a chickpea flour). Mix the flour with yogurt, lemon and a little turmeric to form a thick paste. Apply and leave in place for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Apply this natural whitening paste daily for two weeks and then three times a week to speed up the whitening effect.
8. Skip shaving and start waxing. Dark underarms may be caused by thick hair under the skin due to shaving. Because waxing removes hair at the root, it may leave the area lighter and the skin softer.
9.  
10. Switch to a natural deodorant. The chemicals in deodorants and especially antiperspirants can take a toll on skin and are thought to be a likely cause of dark underarms. What distinguishes natural deodorants are what they don't contain: no parabens, PEGs, synthetic ingredients including hormone-disrupting fragrance and antibacterials, petrochemicals or aluminium compound.

Skin Pigmentation: Coloration or Discoloration...

  

Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin. Others affect your entire body.

If your body makes too much melanin, your skin gets darker. Pregnancy, and sun exposure, use of bleaching agents found in creams can make the skin darker or discoloured. If your body makes too little melanin, your skin gets lighter.

Severe Forms of Skin Pigmentation

 Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of light skin. Albinism is a genetic condition affecting a person's skin. A person with albinism may have no color, lighter than normal skin color, or patchy missing skin color. Infections, blisters and burns can also cause lighter skin.

Why are brown spots, melasma and other pigment problems so hard to treat?

Pigment (melanin) in the most superficial layer (the epidermis) is the easiest to treat because as the skin renews itself, the pigment will slough/shed (example –brown/black spots after acne). But when the pigment drops deeper down into the dermis, the renewal process is much slower and treatment cream/lotions don’t reach it.

Possible causes of brown spots, melasma and other pigment problems:

• Too much sun.   This can be at any point in your life including childhood
• Pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement
• Acne
• Ageing
• Various facial rashes and any skin irritation
• Your genes
• Rarer causes like overuse of hydroquinone creams, adrenal gland problems, etc.

General Information On How Different Pigment Problems Are Treated

Hyperpigmentation 

One of the most common pigmentation problems in darker-skinned individuals is hyperpigmentation (or the darkening of the skin). 
Usually the result of some type of inflammation or injury to the skin, such as a cut, burn or scrape,  use of harsh chemicals in lightening creams; hyperpigmentation produces darkened areas of the skin that can last months or years. Even healed acne lesions can leave permanent dark spots in darker-skinned people that, in some cases, can be more distressing than the original acne. 

Dr. Breadon (American Academy of Dermatology) noted that treatments for hyperpigmentation are based on whether or not the dark areas are confined to the surface of the skin or if they have penetrated to the deeper layers of the skin. For superficial dark spots, a prescription topical medication consisting of hydroquinone, retinoic acid and mild hydrocortisone can be effective in fading skin discoloration. Deeper dark areas require an in-office surgical procedure, such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion with an infusion of hydroquinone solution. In patients with lighter skin, intense pulsed light (IPL) or one of the pigmented lasers could be considered. 

(Ensure that you see a highly certified dermatologist (skin specialist) before you decide to go for ANY laser treatment)

Melasma 

Often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma is a skin condition marked by brown patches on areas such as the face, neck and arms that most often affects dark-skinned people and women during pregnancy. Many dermatologists have long believed that there may be a hormonal component to melasma, and a recently published study found that there were an increased number of estrogen receptors in areas where patients developed melasma. 

According to Dr. Breadon,  patients with melanoma should consider stopping oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy due to the large amount of estrogens in these medications. Regular sunscreen use is vital to protect the skin from further hyperpigmentation. 

Here Are The Dos And Don’ts:

• Don’t scrub or exfoliate too much.  This can be irritating and make the pigment worse.
• Stop any skincare product that is irritating you or making the pigment worse.
• Use your doctor’s medications as directed – more is not better. If it’s getting worse, then stop the product and call the doctor.  Also understand that medications may take several months to work.
• Be very wary of any product sold on the internet.  Many of these companies prey on the frustration and desperation of women and men with pigment problems.
• Don’t overuse hydroquinones.  With too much, they may make pigment worse not to mention that they may cause mutations in DNA if overused.   
• Use a good sunscreen every morning that blocks Ultraviolet‑A (UVA) and UVB radiation with at least zinc oxide 10% or a zinc/titanium combination that is at least 10%.  Double sunscreen by using a cream or 
• Wear a wide brimmed hat whenever outside.
• Stay out of the sun especially midday, and if you are on vacation, sunscreen again every time you get out of the water.

The information provided above is based on a research I found on www.skintour.com  and American Accademy of Dermatology website www.aad.org 

XOXO