Happy Skin: 3 Glad Oils for a Glowing Body

.

I admit it:  I get ridiculously happy about oil. XD  Oil is GOOD for you!  Oil is healthy, happy, medicinal and amazing!!!!!  But don’t settle for the counterfeit.  The  more pure, unrefined, cold-pressed and organic the better.

Of all the jillions of different wonderful oils available, today I’m going to focus on three amazing oils to get your mind pondering.

.

• Olive Oil: Of all the oils in my bag of tricks, olive oil is probably my favorite.  It’s incredibly versatile.  It tastes great, is very medicinal and nourishing when consumed in your favorite dishes and can even be taken by the spoonful for general wellness.

Besides cooking with olive oil, it’s fantastic applied topically to the skin.  It’s my hands-down favorite cleanser:  simply splash the face with water; massage a quarter size drop of olive oil into the skin; use a warm, wet wash cloth to rinse and clean the face.  Perfect.  It removes makeup and even mascara easily and quickly.  Plus it leaves your skin feeling silky soft and hydrated.

Try adding olive oil to your bath water (this is one of my favorite things!!)  Double your pleasure by wearing an Olive Oil Honey Mask as you soak in a luxurious, steamy, soothing olive oil bath.  Put on some soothing music, light some candles, throw some rose petals in the bath water and you’ve got your own private spa.  Do it!!!

.

• Rose Hip Seed Oil:  True story:  several years ago, an unfortunate series of epilator incidents left my darling, little legs a mess. They were covered with red marks, ingrown hairs and scars.  With summer fast approaching, I knew I needed help.  I asked the friendly and very knowledgeable ladies over at one of the Garden of Wisdom message boards if they could recommend something.  Someone suggested Rose Hip Seed Oil and it struck a chord with me.  I immediately purchased a bottle and after every shower I slathered the miracle oil onto my legs.  In less than three months, my legs were picture perfect again.  I was hoping for an improvement, but was frankly and happily shocked to discover that Rose Hip Seed Oil had not only healed my legs completely, but left them beautifully glowing. Double score.

Rose Hip Seed Oil is a light yellow green (depending on the source . . . it can also be a more amber color), is transparent and has a slight herbal aroma.  It’s not heavy and can easily be incorporated into your daily routine by adding a drop or two to your regular moisturizer.  Mix it in the palm of your hand and apply. Voila!

.

• Argan Oil:  A few weeks ago, I got my hands on some of Josie Maran’s Argan Oil.  It’s new to me and I’m loving it.  Unlike olive oil and a lot of other heavier oils, Argan is relatively light-weight.  It soaks in quickly and neatly, making it ideal to use as a daily facial moisturizer.  It has no scent (that my  nosebuds can detect) and is clear and nearly colorless.  It’s lovely on cuticles, small scratches that need healing, under eyes before bed and because it’s so light-weight it’s fantastic on the ends of hair.  I’ve been applying a healthy dose to the very ends of my hair before bed and when I wake, my hair is soft, silky and much improved, but not at all greasy (unlike heavier oils that I’ve applied to hair in the past).

I have normal to dry skin and I love it, however I’ve read that Argan is especially ideal for those with oily, combination or acne-prone skin.  Not only is it healing, but it’s nourishing, as so many oils are.  It actually *feeds* your skin the good nutrients that it needs to thrive.

.

So, what are you waiting for?  If you’ve not yet dipped your toes into the wild, waiting world of happy oils, go ahead and make your plans.  Oils will make you GLAD!!  Get some on ya!!!!

.

.

What are your favorite oils to use?  Happy Weekend, beautiful people!!!

.

~^~  Katie ~^~

“Behold, the winter is past . . . ”  Song of Songs 2:11  <><

   Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |Instagram | Bloglovin | Youtube 

© 2012 Katie Elizabeth Regan

Stuff I Keep Buying: Alba Botanica

.

In 2008, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  My world changed drastically overnight.  I was shocked and scared enough that I began overhauling my lifestyle, fearful of the consequences if I didn’t.  I reformed my diet and began extensive research in order to ditch as many products as I could that weren’t all-natural and organic.

Four years later, by the grace of God, I am no longer a diabetic!!!  And although I enjoy trying different products continually and am not fearful anymore, I’m still very careful to make sure that the majority of the skin, hair and beauty products that I keep in my regular rotation are good, natural choices that benefit  my life, rather than burdening it with unnecessary toxins.

*Que Alba Botanicals*  :)

.

.

According to Alba’s facebook page,

“Our products contain natural, organic and cruelty-free ingredient alternatives which are 100% vegetarian. . . .  Alba Botanica® products are formulated without: parabens, phthalates, artificial colors, propylene glycol, aluminum, mineral oil, petrolatum, oxybenzone, PABA, nano-particles, DEA, MEA or TEA, PEGs and PEG derivatives, ethoxylated ingredients associated with 1,4 dioxane, formaldehyde donors, or GMOs.”

Alba makes a wide range of shampoos and conditioners, all of which smell completely amazing.  Not only do they do a fantastic job of lathering, cleaning and conditioning, but the aromas make you feel as though you’re bathing in some exotic rain forest spa!

.

The Alba Shampoo & Conditioner I’m Currently Using

.

I also use Alba’s Very Emollient Body Lotion.  Being that I slather lotion on after every single bath/shower, you can imagine how much body lotion I go through in a year.  Alba’s 32 fl. oz. container is convenient, effective, fragrance-free, easy to use and soaks in quickly.  I love it.

.

Large 32 Fl. Oz. Alba Very Emollient Body Lotion

.

Alba’s Very Emollient Bath & Shower Gel comes in a myriad of different scents (which are all crazy yum) and again is thankfully in a huge 32 fl. oz. container.  I’m currently on the Honey Mango bottle and it’s heaven.

.

Alba Very Emollient Bath & Shower Gel, Honey Mango

.

These are all Alba products that I’ve been using regularly since 2008, as they work for me and are some of the best of the best, in my opinion.  Whether you’re searching for all-natural or regular beauty fare, Alba delivers.  You don’t have to settle for non-effective, stinky, half-par products in order to live a healthy life.  There are tons of options.  And thankfully, Alba is one of my favorites.

I usually purchase Alba from Vitacost, but my local Wal-Mart, Target and CVS are now selling the product line, so it seems that it’s popping up in more places, thankfully.  Check Alba’s website for the complete product list and where you can purchase them.

.

On a side note, here’s a hazy shot of my chicken traipsing through the wet grass. Isn’t she luffly? X)

Here’s to healthy living!! Cheers!

.

~^~^~  Elizabeth ~^~^~

“Behold, the winter is past . . . ”  Song of Songs 2:11  <><

Facebook

Twitter

Bloglovin

Pinterest

© 2012 Elizabeth Regan