The Oil Cleansing Method

Clear, glowing, dewy-looking skin, free of blackheads, pimples, cysts, and other imperfections seems to be an elusive goal. The booming skin care industry would have you believe the same with their claims of the need to rid your skin of oil completely and apply burning chemicals in order to avoid these imperfections. Modern society has been so strongly influenced by these marketing claims that some find themselves washing the delicate and easily-inflamed tissue of their facial skin with "grease cutting" or "antibacterial" dish and hand soap only to find that their skin condition worsens. The anxiety that rises when yet another pimple flares up or another painful lump begins forming beneath the skin sends many into overdrive in attempt to counter the impending damage, but does it ever work? Does the panicked scrubbing, disinfecting, and drying ever work? Why is it that if something works for a few days, or if you get lucky, a few weeks, the long term brings the blemishes back? The cycle seems endless. It's exhausting. It's painful. It's embarrassing. It's expensive!
The reasons we have so much trouble with mainstream skin care products are numerous, but two reasons, in particular, lead the pack. These products strip the oil out of our skin, leaving our largest organ trying to repair itself by replacing the oil stripped away. This leaves us in a cycle of being tight and dry followed by the inevitable oil slick. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil. On top of the drying effects, these products are highly-scented. Fragrance is one of the top skin irritants and strangely enough, even the so-called "unscented" products usually contain fragrance. See for yourself and check the labels. Dry, irritated skin replaced by oily skin, inflamed and trapping debris?
If we know what our body is going to do and understand the process, we can then understand what it takes to control it and achieve the results we want. Clear skin is attainable.
Getting right down to basics, when cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it is imperative that you keep in mind that oil dissolves oil. Your skin naturally lubricates itself with oil, and as we are creatures of adaptation, one can believe that if this weren't the appropriate built-in care for ourselves, our bodies would have adapted to suit the need. If you've been battling your skin for long, you're probably recoiling at the mere thought of applying oil to your face. You can imagine the slick, greasy, clogging feeling of smearing sludge all over your face. If you stay with me and read the rest of this article, that mental image will be replaced by a more comforting, Zen-like image of a relaxing spa massage. I promise. Let your curiosity get the better of you, read the article, then decide if you should give this method of skin care a go.
Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads...these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously.
While we're talking about clarifying your skin externally, we must also touch on the internal aspect. WATER! Drink no less than 8 glasses of water a day. If your skin has issues with blemishes, drink up! Water will help release and remove the toxins from within, lessening the load on your skin to push the toxins out. Carry a bottle of water around with you throughout the day so water is always available.
Now, to the main point of this article.

The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production.
We will need two oils. The first, and most importantly, is Castor Oil. If you don't have this medicine cabinet staple already, it can be found online or in the laxative section of your grocer or drugstore - usually bottom shelf. Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing on this oil as our primary oil. Castor Oil has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly "magical" healing properties. As quoted in The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, he states, "Castor oil will leave the body in better condition than it found it." Though it may be our most important oil, we won't be using it in the amounts that we will the other oil (or combination of oils for those who want to take this a step further). A little bit of Castor Oil goes a long way and too much will leave you, surprisingly, with dry skin.
Since Castor Oil is so thick and its cleansing properties so strong, we need to dilute it with another oil, thinner in consistency, but no less nurturing to the skin. Sunflower Seed Oil has become my personal favorite, though in the past, I've suggested Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Both are wonderfully caring oils for skin application, but I've found that Sunflower Seed Oil has a more luxurious feel for massage. It sinks into the skin better, aiding the castor oil in transportation deep into the pores and allowing it to draw the dirt and grime to the surface of your skin where it can be wiped away. The essential fatty acids, though they are not naturally occurring in the body, are a necessity for the health of our cell membranes. These acids help restore the skins natural moisture balance and help prevent unnecessary dryness. The secondary oil that you choose is entirely up to you and should be determined by your skins needs and the properties of that oil. Choose from natural, cold-pressed vegetable oils, as these have nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids that mineral oil and other refined oils don't. You may even have these oils in your kitchen, as they're used for cooking, as well! For the sake of explaination, from this point on, we'll say "Sunflower Seed Oil" in place of "Secondary Oil." Remember that Sunflower Seed Oil may be replaced by your vegetable oil of choice.

Your Personal Oil Blend

The starting point for creating your own, personalized skin cleansing oil blend is knowing your general skin type. Those with dry skin will want less Castor Oil. Those with oily skin will want to blend in more. Finding your perfect combination of oils will probably take a little bit of trial and error, so start with very small batches. Once you know what your ratio of oils looks like, you'll be able to blend much more at a time for convenience.

Some suggestions in creating your blend of deep cleansing oil:

• Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
• Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
• Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil.

You can vary these percentages to match your own skins needs. If your skin feels too dry, you'll need to use less Castor Oil and replace it with more Sunflower Seed Oil. Keep in mind that Castor Oil is the drawing, cleansing, and purging oil for your pores. The Sunflower Seed Oil is to dilute the Castor Oil in viscosity (thickness) and additionally provide moisture, nutrients, and other benefits. My own, personal blend, for my sometimes oily, sometimes dry, frequently flakey, and easily irritated skin is about 25% Castor Oil to 75% Sunflower Seed Oil. I mix and store my mixture in a clean four-ounce flip-top bottle for convenience. When you go to replenish your oil blend, I suggest cleaning your bottle thoroughly with dish soap or the dishwasher. Better yet, if you can replace the bottle, this is ideal. We want to be extremely cautious in introducing bacteria to the bottle.

The Oil Cleansing Method

First and foremost, this is typically done in the evening, prior to bed. There should be no need for deep cleansing in the morning if you're waking up with skin cleansed the night before. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm washcloth should suffice. We don't want to overcleanse our skin as this will serve only to irritate and cause more oil production. The objective of using this method is to deep clean while balancing our skins oil production at the same time.

• You'll need a soft washcloth, your oil blend, and hot, running water.
• Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Roughly, the size of a quarter, but more is acceptable. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth over your face.
• Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I've found that this removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealor.
• Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and the like can be dissolved and steamed away.
• As you're massaging, let your mind drift off to something calming and breathe deeply. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and take your time. Give the oil enough time to work on dissolving the impurities in your pores and give yourself enough time to unwind. Picture what your face would look like if it were completely clear and free from blemishes. Focus on that image and know that it is attainable. Trust that it is attainable. Accept that it is attainable. You can have clear skin, free of blemishes and you will have clear skin, free of blemishes. Focus on perfect skin and breathe deeply.
• Once you're satisfied that your pores are saturated and you're feeling calm, pick up your washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We're not scalding our skin, we're steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We're essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine.
• Hold the washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you'll find it's completely unnecessary and your skin will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will result. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away.
• Have no fear of the oil, as the steamy washcloth will remove it. The Castor Oil, though it is an oil, will help with the removal of the other oils, as well. It is our main cleansing oil and is easily removed with warm water.
  
• If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your oil blend, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow!
  

This deep cleansing method should be done regularly, but not too frequently. You'll know if you're deep cleansing too frequently by the dryness that your skin will exhibit. Don't be surprised if you find you've unblocked an oil flow for the first few days. Once you remove the plugs from your pores, they will begin functioning properly again. Perfect skin won't happen overnight and while it should take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a huge difference in your skin after the first deep cleansing massage. Give your skin a few days to adjust and adapt to being clean and clear of blockages; understand that the new oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and will balance out very shortly. You'll find redness and irritation subsiding. You'll find your skin losing that "congested," and thick feeling.

Fruits and vegetables for Healthy skin Everyone wishes to live a healthy and happy life, but very few really take efforts. Only when one is ill, does he know the value of good health. Nature has provided us with a variety of food, which we can include in our diet in its natural form. A diet containing fruits juices  and vegetables is not only good for the health but also gives a glow to your skin and rejuvenates the body. They help flush out unwanted toxins. Fruit and vegetable juices should not be taken together at the same time.

Oranges are rich source of Vitamin C. It prevents constipation. They work as cleansers and improve the skin and supports the immune system. Carrots have vitamin A and are very good for the eyes. They are one of the richest source of beta carotene. Carrot juice if taken in the morning on an empty stomach is very beneficial. It develops immunity. Prevents premature aging. It has anti-cancer properties. Beetroot is very good for anemic persons. It does wonders to your  skin. It purifies the blood and is rejuvenating. Grapes are effective for constipation and gives relief  in piles. It prevents dryness of skin and it purifies the blood. Its juice can be applied on wrinkles under the eyes. Pineapple juice is very rich in vitamin C. It also contains Vitamins A&B. Taken with honey it is effective for sore throat. Tomatoes contain iron and is rich in vitamin A. Recommended  for  those who want to reduce their weight. It combats cancer as it has a high amount of antioxidants. Watermelon cools our body and are excellent cleansers. Cucumber cools our body and is very good for those who want to lose weight. They work as astringents, cooling and brightening agents of the skin. It can be used in natural face packs also. Lemons protect your heart, control your blood pressure and is excellent for the skin and hair. Works as a bleach for the skin. Lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey can be taken daily the first thing in the morning to have a clear complexion. It can be taken for weight reduction also.

Apples relieve constipation and reduces cholesterol and removes toxins. Apple pulp can be used as a face pack.  Bananas contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates. They are rich in potassium. They make an excellent face pack especially for dry skin. Add a few drops of olive oil or honey to banana pulp and use as a face pack. Papaya is good for the skin. It gives relief in case of constipation and it combats cancer. Papaya cleanses the body completely. It delays aging of skin. Raw papaya juice if applied externally helps to cure pimples and also reduces wrinkles. Gooseberry is rich in vitamin C. It  increases the body's resistance against diseases. It has medicinal properties and is excellent for the skin and hair. It rejuvenates our body. One or two gooseberries (fruit preserved in honey) can be taken daily.   Garlic is a very powerful antiseptic. It helps to delay aging and restores tissue. It reduces high blood pressure and is good for the blood and heart. It has many other medicinal uses also. Include garlic (raw or steamed) in your diet as it has antibacterial properties and helps to improve the health of the skin

Good Benifits of Oatmeal

People who are trying to lose weight should definitely make oatmeal part of their diet. When oatmeal is flavored with healthy additives like fresh fruit and nuts instead of fatty products like cream or sugary things like, well, sugar, it makes for an extremely nutritious and low-calorie alternative to the typical fat-packed or carbohydrate-heavy breakfast. Unlike a lot of other "light" breakfast foods, oatmeal is also hearty enough to help with appetite control. Again, we have oatmeal's soluble fiber and low glycemic index to thank for that. It has so much fiber and is digested so slowly that relatively small portions of oatmeal can fill you up and keep you feeling full for a long time.

For thousands of years, people have taken advantage of oatmeal's anti-itch properties to treat everything from insect bites and poison ivy rash to chicken pox, eczema, and shingles. Colloidal oatmeal, which is just cereal oatmeal that's been ground so finely it becomes evenly dispersed in water instead of sinking, is the type used to soothe itchy skin. When mixed into a lukewarm bath, colloidal oatmeal coats the skin, protecting it from irritants and reducing inflammation slightly. It's healthy to take up to three 10–15-minute oatmeal baths in a day. The baths will be especially effective if you pat dry and forego a final rinse with clean water so that a little bit of oatmeal residue stays on your skin.

Colloidal oatmeal baths can also be used to treat painful skin conditions characterized by dryness or inflammation, including windburn, sunburn, and diaper rash. Oatmeal baths cool painful skin the same way they soothe itchy skin: by protecting the skin and putting oatmeal's anti-inflammatory powers to work on it. Oatmeal fights inflammation with an array of natural components, including vitamin E and compounds called avenanthramides, which are actually unique to oatmeal. Because a layer of colloidal oatmeal stays on the skin after an oatmeal bath, it helps to seal moisture in and is also good for treating skin that is simply dry.

benifits of lychee

Health Benefits:

• According to a Chinese book, the nature of the flesh of the lychee is warm and it can help improve the blood.
• The Chinese believe that lychee has the ability to relieve pain and shrink swollen glands.
• The health benefits of lychee fruit compliment the health benefits of the acai berry.
• Studies done conclude that the lychee fruit prevents the growth of cancer cells, particularly breast cancer. It is maybe due to the flavonoids content of the lychee pulp.
• Lychee is a rich source of vitamin C, a vitamin that the body does not produce naturally. Eating lychee can benefit those suffering from colds, fever and sore throats.
• Lychee helps the body to digest food properly for the best nutrition and an added boost of health.

Nutritional Content of Lychee: Great source of Vitamin C and potassium, it also contain phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and protein.

Culinary Uses: eaten fresh as fruits; canned and used to flavor jellies, ice creams and sherbets. The Chinese also use lychee for medicinal purposes and for making wine.

Avocados for healthy skin

For an excellentskincomplexion, rub one or more of the following items against the skin two to four times a week: papaya pulp,avocado, cucumber, spirulina, fresh nonifruitand/or aloe vera. For dry skin, rub hempseedoil, jojoba oil and MSMlotiondirectly into the skin. This will alleviate dryness quickly. Or use avocado on the skin directly. Avocado oil is similar to our skin's oil.
-The Sunfood Diet Success Systemby David Wolfe

Treat yourself to an avocado facial. Beauty, they say, is only skin deep. Luckily, avocado has moisturizing power to help make your skin more beautiful. For years, people have used avocado as a natural facialtreatment, especially for dry skin. It's easy to do in your ownhome. Just remove your makeup and wash your face with warmwaterand soap or your favorite cleanser. Mash some avocado and mix it with a littlemilkor oatmeal and apply it to your face. Leave it there for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with lots of water.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/027509_avocado_skin_health.html#ixzz1VHMCGoRe

YES fOr AppLe!!

The old saying "to eat an apple going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread" has been justified by its many health-rich properties. A member of the rose family, fossil remains have shown that apples were gathered and stored 5,000 years ago and it's likely that they were already cultivated during the Neolithic times. Apples are excellent detoxifiers and apple juice can destroy viruses in the body.

In one recent study, Riu Hai Liu of Cornell University, has found although apples has only a small amount of vitamin C, eating 100 grams of apple provides the same amount of antioxidant activity as taking 1,500 milligrams of the same vitamin.

Just make sure you do not take too many apple seeds because it could be toxic if taken in large amount.

Benefits of Apples

• Apple cleans teeth and strengthens gum
  
• Will make the cholesterol level lower
  
• Detoxify the body and has an antiviral property
  
• Apple will also prevent constipation because it helps digestion
  
• One large apple supplies almost 30% of minimum amount of fiber that should be consumed daily.

The Use

• For people who suffer from gout and rheumatism, eat apple regularly because it will aid healing
  
• Eating 2 apples a day will reduce your cholesterol level up to 10 %
  
• Drinking an apple juice, 3 times a day, is said to prevent virus from settling in the body.
  
• Another benefit of apple is for those who have problem with their stomach. If you have problem with indigestion, eat apples before meals.
  
• Grated apple, when mixed with live yogurt may be helpful in cases of diarrhea.

Tips

• Never buy apples that have not been kept cold since they can be over-ripe in a few days.
  
• Apples should be hard. If you can dent an apple with your finger, do not buy it.
  
• Keep your apples refrigerated. If not, it will decay fast.
  
• To prevent browning, rub the cut surfaces with a mixture of lemon juice and water.
  
• Canadian researchers analyzing eight popular varieties found that the old standby, Red Delicious, and an apple called Northern Spy contain more disease-fighting antioxidants in their skin and flesh than any other studied. In English this means red apples are better than other apples.

Charcoal on skin?

I I have hard that charcoal has the ability to soak up toxins and germs. Would it be bad to use this on skin as a mask? Maybe grind up NATURAL charcoal and then add a little water to make a paste and if necesary add thickeners to make kind of a covering for skin for health?