How to naturally exfoliate and brighten your complexion, diminish inflammation and acne for only a few cents

by VESELA SAVOVA

A yogi friend and fellow health, fitness and beauty blogger from Luxembourg Vesela Savova's post on beautiful skin.  

A HOMEMADE SKIN BEAUTIFIER THAT DOES WONDERS

Lemon tree

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. And while vitamin C is important for the immune system (remember the hot tea with lemon and honey?), it also fights free radicals and can help reduce the aging signs of your skin. Lemons also have the most protein of all fruits and are high in collagen, the protein that gives structure to your skin.  Hello healthy looking skin!

So what can lemon do for your skin?

• It diminishes scars and skin blemishes. The vitamin C can help the skin become more firm and strong.  Applying lemon juice on your skin can really reduce skin redness and pimples, as it brightens and lightens the skin. Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties fight pimple build up.
• It can help win the acne battle. Skin experts believe that lemon juice can effectively remove blackheads and speed up the process of acne healing.
• Lemon juice helps reduce wrinkles. The moisturising and toning effect of lemon juice can help reduce the wrinkles on your skin.
• Exfoliate the skin naturally. The citric acid in lemons acts as a mild peel for the skin that removes the top layer of dead skin cells.

How to use lemon juice for skin care?   

VIEW FULL THE ARTICLE HERE

by Ali: In addition something I used to do is after juicing a lemon to rub the inside of the half of a lemon on the face and leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing your face. Stay out of the sun as lemons can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. 

ORANGE BLOSSOMS AND A BEE

Meyer Lemons that preserved in salt water for recipes

Mayer Lemons and Kumquats 

Fragrant Orange Flower Water for Beautiful Skin

Delicious and aromatic drink idea

It's the orange blossom season. My neighborhood is infused with the perfume of the blossoming orange flowers. I love the scent! It reminds so much of jasmine.

So I figured I must use my orange blossom distillate ( Hydrosols are a byproduct of the essential oil production and the have multiple cosmetic and culinary uses.) I had purchased from a Persian store.

I generally use it for cosmetic purposes mostly. But today I decided to put a few drops of it in my water. And oh yum, perfumy goodness!!! It also goes great in almond, coconut hot milk. It goes great with cardamom, rice, saffron, carrots. You can even put it in salads, garbanzo dips, desserts, etc. (not everybody loves that edible perfume idea, it certainly took me a while to learn to appreciate the flavor.)

Once you are done indulging in the drink you can go ahead and make a face toner from it.
Orange blossom water is great as a face toner for oily to normal and acne prone skin. It can refresh and hydrate dull skin and give you an aromatherapy boost. It is similar to witch hazel in its firming and tightening effects. It balances the oiliness of the skin, helps with circulation, it is used to reduce redness, puffiness, acne outbreaks and acne scars.
Just place it in a spritz bottle and spray on clean face and neck. Or use with a cotton ball after you wash your face.

If you have oily or combination skin you can also enjoy Peppermint water hydrosol from my beloved Mountain Rose Herbs. Its invigorating and refreshing. Great for overheated, red skin.
Another idea for use is to soak a face mask sheet in peppermint or orange hydrosol plus some homemade green tea and place on your face for 15 minutes. It has an immediate effect on your complexion. :)
If you have dry skin then Rose water is better suited for you.

OM SHANTI