More posts from Budget Beauty Mommy!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Balinese Pumpkin-Papaya Face Mask for Radiant Skin

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we had loads of pumpkin. Who would have thought that pumpkins could be beneficial beauty wise? I've actually learn about the beauty secrets of pumpkins after visiting some spas at beautiful, tropical Bali, Indonesia recently. At first I was rather baffled, pumpkin on my face? It doesn't sound too enticing, but, the results are stunning. Even my acne scars seem to have faded. It would be interesting to add that, Gwyneth Paltrow also indulges in this pumpkin face mask to keep her complexion super enviable. This pumpkin face mask will help you achieve radiant skin and it's so easy to prepare. Here are the list of ingredients needed:

Ingredients list

1) Half a can of pumpkin puree
Fresh and cooked pumpkin is chock full of vitamin C, vitamin Evitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein. Whoo, sounds like a mouthful but all these goodies are great anti-oxidants for our skin. Pumpkins are fantastic for skin too because they are rich in Vitamin A or beta carotene, which is actually the basis for Retinol. As beauty junkies, we already know that Retinol is great at keeping those pesky fine lines and wrinkles at bay. It also helps us achieve radiant skintone and to protect our skin.
2) Half a papaya
Papaya is a natural for incorporating into your skin care regime. The fruit offers anti-oxidants and are rich in essential enzymes. Papaya has both preventative and restorative properties when used in skin care. Papaya’s powerful fruit enzymes are know to aid and accelerate healing in skin disorders such as acne. In addition, the fruit enzymes are a gently exfoliation to the skin.Papaya is rich in anti-oxidants and the papain enzymes Papaya has both preventative and restorative properties when used in skin care. Papaya’s powerful fruit enzymes are known to aid and accelerate healing in skin disorders such as acne. In addition, the fruit enzymes make a good exfoliating enzyme. It's loaded in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, two very essential anti-oxidants for keeping our skin beautiful and healthy
Directions

1) Cut the papaya in half and discard the seeds. Mash it real well and scoop all the pulp into a cup
2) Add the canned pumpkin into the mash papayas and mix them well. If you want a smooth
paste, blend the ingredients together
3) Apply the mask to your cleansed face, avoid the eye area if you're prone to sensitive eyes.

[Note: You may experience some slight tingling on the skin if you have sensitive skin. It's caused by the enzymes from the pumpkin]

4) Let the mask on for about 20 minutes for your skin to absorb the goodness
5) Rinse off mask with warm water, pat dry and moisturize to seal in moisture.
6) Voila, now you have really radiant skin as the enzymes from the ingredients help to slough off dry, dull dead skin cells. For best results, try this face mask about 2 to 3 times a week.

[Note: For those with very sensitive skin, try a patch test by putting the mask behind your ears. If no negative reaction, go ahead and try out this face mask]

I really, really love this face mask and so far, I've seen the best results with this pumpkin-papaya face mask. My acne scars have visibly diminished and I so love my radiant skin. Seriously, try this face mask out, it's really awesome. Once you budget beauty mommies have tried it out, let me know the results. I bet you would all be loving it too!

#budgetbeautymommy

Avoiding Adult Acne

Acne, pimples, zit - those things that should not be mentioned! Time and again, this topic is repeated over and over again, and it's really getting boring. But, I know, for some of us out there, we still get acne even well past our adolescences.
It's actually a big issue and I know that first hand. I had my bout of adult acne exactly 1 year ago and it's really a N-I-G-H-T-M-A-R-E. You can not imagine the amount of stress, tears and pain I've gone through. Thinking about it makes my skin creep and I do admit, I'm really quite paranoid about getting acne. Sometimes, any unsightly bumps under the skin makes my heart sink just a little.
Anyway, acne is really cruel but fear not, if you're more attentive to your diet, habits and skincare routine, it can be contained. Over time, acne would be nothing but history. I've compiled some tips to incorporate in your daily skincare routine and habits. Here are some tips for you to follow to beat adult acne at its own heartless game:

Tip #1: Always use non-comedogenic skincare and makeup
Learn to read your labels and check out the ingredients of your products. If one of its top 5 ingredients are pore-clogging, discontinue use immediately; no matter how much you like that product - that is if you're really prone to blemishes. The top 5 ingredients are usually present with the most amount in the product. However, any pore-clogging ingredients around the end of the list of ingredients are present in minute amounts, mostly negligible.
For example, Cetaphil is a good brand that is non comedogenic which many dematologists recommend.
Also remember, even your hair products could actually cause acne. Also, do check out the ingredients in your sunscreen and just about anything that you use on your face. When you're having a breakout, try to reduce as many products you use on your face as possible to avoid any reactions between products. Keep to a minimal and simple skincare routine.
Your acne could probably be the cause of a skin reaction/allergy to certain ingredients in your product. It may be an allergy to Vitamin E (as a few of my budget beauty mommies have an allergy to) or just about anything.
Do you wear makeup when you hit the gym? Well, if you do, you're upping your chances for clogged pores, especially when you're doing heavy exercises and sweating alot. Therefore, when hitting the gym try to use as little makeup or none at all

Tip #2: Hands-off Policy
When I have acne, I know I have a really bad habit of always touching my acne to 'check out' how it's doing. Hands can carry alot of bacteria as we always are in contact with something. Remember, limit any touching as much as possible to stop transferring bacteria to your face. These bacteria will make the inflammed areas worse.
Try not to rest your face on your hands, you may be transferring bacteria unknowingly. Also, wipe the surface of your mobile after use. Sometimes, you will find that your acne is flourishing in areas that are in contact most with your hands or your mobile, or even your hair. Just gotta take note of how your acne patterns are like and you can learn from them.
Another popular tip which is just as popular to break - do not squeeze or pick at your acne. You're most definitely transferring more bacteria deeper down your skin. That's very bad news as there will be more inflammation and possibly even scarring. I'm really obsessive about picking and squeezing and I've learnt my lesson well. Those acne that I squeeze almost always take much longer time to heal than those left alone

Tip #3: Don't let sweat stick around for long
Rinse off as soon as possible after a heavy work out. Physical activity heats up the body, causing perspiration to mix with surface skin oils. Together, they trap substances in your pores. If you cannot afford a quick rinse, then towel off the sweat and change into fresh clothes as quickly as possible. Sweaty, tight-fitting clothes are even worse. They usually result in bacne or other acne on your body parts.
If possible, you should avoid wearing tight headbands or hats that rub against your skin. If you wear a helmet or any other safety gear with straps, be sure to wash the straps frequently to reduce bacteria.


Tip #4: Don't overwash your face or use harsh scrubs
A common myth that acne is caused by bad hygiene should be booted out immediately. Acne is not caused by a dirty face. Therefore, vigorous face washing doesn't help and instead will cause more trouble. When you overwash your face, you're stripping off natural oils from the skin and this forces your skin to produce excessive oil and sebum which will increase your chances of clogged pores.
Instead, stick to a simple skincare routine of washing with lukewarm water with a mild cleanser that targets blemished skin, and then a light toner for blemished skin and follow up with a mild non-oil based moisturizer. Also, pat dry face instead of rubbing your face dry. You wouldn't want to provoke those inflammations further. Gentle is the key
Skip the exfoliants and other face scrubs till your inflammation has subsided. Your skin is volatile and inflammed, you do not need to provoke it further. It may prolong and increase your inflammations. Just stick to a normal skincare routine and it's suffix

Tip #5: Don't stress out
I find this a major blasphemy. How could you not freak out and be stressed over your blemishes? It's really difficult but it's true. I always find that when I'm stressed out about something, I always end up with 1 or 2 new blemishes. When I had my bout of adult acne, I was constantly near tears and it really didn't help.
Whenever some acne has cleared, new ones seem to come out from nowhere. Finally, I got really fed up and just threw in the towel and didn't bother about them, they actually did lessen and improved. However, I was still faithful to my skincare routine. So, it's proven, stress does make things worse
For me, I try to exercise the stress away or I listen to music as often as I can. A good meditation helps clear out bad negative energy in you too. A good session with close friends really helps to melt the stress away. If not, get a good massage, indulge in a bubble bath and then have a good night's sleep. Sleeping well really, really helps to rejuvenate the skin and aids in skin cells turnover.
Here are some good tips to beat the blues which really works for me

These tips sound simple but they actually do make a difference to your acne's condition. Try to incorporate these healthy habits little by little and you will see the difference.
Try to adopt these acne tips and wait for about a month or two (yes, it takes time) to see results. If your acne gets worse or doesn't show any signs of improvement, seek professional help.
Acne is no laughing matter and it's not a matter of whether you are vain or not. It really does affect your very well-being and can really lead to depression if left untreated. So, don't take it lightly or try to brush off the matter. Also, learn to love whatever skin condition you're in. When you give some TLC to your skin, it works better than hating and loathing your skin.

Good luck budget beauty mommies and banish those blemishes away!

#budgetbeautymommy


Sunday, December 4, 2016

Essential Oil Tip: Oregano oil to beat seasonal flu bug

It's almost the end of the year. It also means the onset of the dreaded seasonal flu bug.

Lately, everyone that I know is battling some seasonal flu buy or is recovering from one. Me too, I'm feeling slightly under the weather and I'm getting the bodily aches. I'm not completely immobile as it's not full blown yet. But I can feel my breath is getting hotter and feeling heat from within. Throat is getting scratchy and nose is getting all blocked up. All symptoms are rearing their ugly heads.

The biggest tip I can give is 'Prevention is better than cure'. Luckily for me, I've not developed a full blown seasonal flu neither am I immobile. I'm still functioning.

So here's how I nipped my seasonal flu in the bud before it could wreak havoc on me.

I add 1 drop of Doterra Oregano Oil into 5 fluid oz of water. Mix it and drink it all down. One drop is very potent, don't be adventurous and add 2 drops, it burns. If you find that even with one drop it is still too strong for you, add some virgin coconut oil in the water and it minimizes the burn from the oregano oil.

That's it. Drink that everyday once a day in the morning till symptoms are gone. It works almost miraculously; sore throat is more manageable on the first dose, nose is not so blocked anymore and I'm still standing strong :)

If you really don't want to drink it, apply it to the soles of your feet every night before you sleep, it helps to boost your immune system and keep those nasty flu bugs at bay.

The beauty is it works almost immediately, it's 100% natural and even kids can drink it too.

Try it and protect your family and yourself from the seasonal flu this year.

Let me know if it works like a charm for you too.

#budgetbeautymommy

Just add 1 drop of Doterra Oregano oil into 5 fl. oz of water and drink to beat the seasonal flu bug

Parenting Tip: Matured looking kids subjected to higher expectations?

There's something I've picked up recently. It seems that kids who are taller or who look more matured than their actual age have a disadvantage. Shocking ain't it, as you always imagine that bigger kids are bullies, but in reality it's not always so.
You see, because the kids are bigger than their actual age, you expect them to behave in a more mature way because we forget how young they actually are. Don't be fooled by their size ðŸ˜‰
So, these 'bigger' kids are subjected to higher expectations to behave more maturely or to achieve more. I would say it's normally the adults who exert higher expectations on the physically more mature looking kids. This is so because we have preconceived notions of how kids should behave according to their age. But there is no one size fits all for kids, each kid is unique and different and matures differently.
So let's just be more mindful to allow kids the freedom to express themselves at their own pace, but of course with guidance from adults. We should be their support and not a hindrance to their natural growth in all aspects.