What Can Coconut Oil Do for Your Skin?

In the past, coconut oil has gotten a bad reputation. But the fact of the matter is that coconut oil has one of the richest sources of saturated fat, with about 90% of its calories in saturated fat. It also has a plentiful amount of uses for your skin, all of which will help to preserve the glow of your natural skin.

Why You Should Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin Instead of Lotion

Those other commercial moisturizers make you feel as though your skin is nourished because of the water, but as soon as that water dries, your skin becomes dry and dehydrated. Many of these moisturizers contain petroleum-based ingredients that will, in the long run, suffocate your skin.

However, coconut oil can provide you with a deeper cleansing for your skin. It will help to strengthen your primary tissues. It can also remove any excess dead cells on the skin’s surface which can make your skin appear rough and scaly.

Coconut oil can solve plenty of skin issues. It can soothe bug bites, help with any rashes, get rid of flaky skin, easily remove any eye makeup, soften wrinkles, protect you from sun damage, and it can keep your tan in place for longer.

Lastly, it can heal skin faster. This is because coconut oil has medium chain fatty acids. It will quickly absorb into the skin where it will then be used for nutrition and energy. This process provides your skin with all the energy that it will need to heal and maintain itself.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

* Coconut oil has been proven to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

* It can help cure your acne; it kills the bacteria causing the blemishes in the skin.

* Coconut oil can be applied as a deodorant and can be used to remove any body odor.

* Mixed with a few drops of bergamot essential oil, coconut oil can help to heal chapped lips and cold sores.

* Coconut oil is natural – there are no chemicals in it.

* The Vitamin E found in coconut oil is known to help soothe psoriasis and eczema.

* There are three fatty acids found in coconut oil: capric acid, lauric acid, and caprylic acid. All three of these acids can kill candida, which is a common cause of fungal infections in the skin.

* Coconut oil can be used as a cloth diaper cream. It can be used as a barrier to help prevent diaper rash.

* Coconut oil helps lighten age spots.

* It helps prevent stretch marks when pregnant.

* When used consistently on skin, it can get rid of cellulite.

* It can help to improve the itch of chicken pox and poison ivy.

* Coconut oil, when placed on cuticles, can help nails to grow.

For Best Results

For your face, apply as you would with any other moisturizer. Only use a small amount; use about twice a week. Wipe off after two minutes. If irritation occurs, stop use. If no irritation occurs, start applying all over body and leave overnight. While it does have a greasy consistency, it’s great at absorbing rapidly into your skin.

Has coconut oil worked for you? If so, what are your favorite uses for coconut oil?

The Spa Resort

In the recent years the travel industry had seen a tremendous change in the way travelers view their vacation and leisure time spent while vacationing in the hotel, the increase in niche travel and the raising popularity of specialty resorts had created a new standard for the luxury hotels, affecting all other hotels in the process.

Spa breaks have been popular for the last few years and as people started getting used to the benefits of the Spa break and the relaxation it brings with it the need for more Spa features in hotels and resorts seemed natural to most of the travel industry leaders. Proving the guest with the option of enjoying a relaxing spa treatments throughout the visit and allowing the spa professionals to offer all kind of packages became an industry standard for luxury resorts and hotels.

The Spa resort offers the vacationer a wider option of enjoyment, with different treatments and sometime a treatment plan that can go for a few days and include physical exercise program and special diet meals, the amenities of the resort create not only a perfect getaway from the everyday life but also the rare opportunity of providing total relaxation and rejuvenation for the body and soul.

Because of the change in the vacationing styles in the last few years most of the Spa resorts are located in serene and beautiful locations, placing the emphasis on the landscape, gardens and atmosphere that the place provides rather than the proximity to locations of regular tourist interest such as historical sights and famous locations. This is especially true when dealing with Spa resorts in Europe, in this case many of the famous spa resorts are located in far away locations almost secluded from any main city or road.

The guests can plan a whole week, or a few days, of complete relaxation and body treatments in the spa resort, while planning their activities in the resort itself, without the need to get out or travel outside the resort, this also ensures that the time spent on the location will be maximized and that the guests could do whatever they want whenever they feel like it, literally. For any guest forgoing the pleasures of the regular tourist, like visits to museums and galleries and the occasional shopping tour, this is a perfect plan to enjoy a few days away from it all without the need to think or plan any non spa related activity.

Spa packages are very important to take into account, as these may sometimes affect your budget planning, a good idea is to look at the Spa rates before even reserving the room or choosing a specific plan or package for the whole stay when making your reservation, this way you will not be surprised when checking out of the hotel and discovering that the treatment costs are as high as the room rates are.

The Spa resort is a relatively new kind of hotel that is becoming popular with avid travelers, it is only normal that in time more and more theme specific resorts like the spa resort will appear on the scene and provide luxury treatments to vacationers who wish to use their leisure time to relax and rest.

Test The Fortina Spa

Are you searching for a good getaway? After the several years of hard work, you have now decided that it is time to have a go at a vacation. And yes, you believe that you truly deserve it. You may have gone for a day or two away from your desk but that would just not be enough. You still need more than that and that is why you are already planning for at least a week away from work and just enjoy life as everybody should. All the money that you earned – well it is time that you actually enjoyed the fruit of all your labor.

One of the best places to go if you are after a good get away is to go to a spa. But of course, you would not want to go to a spa that is just somewhere in your place. There are plenty of places that you can go which also offers a spa so you would get the best of two things – the relaxing services that you get from a spa and the ability to actually get lost and explore a new place.

If you want, you can try and get a vacation in Europe and go to Malta. In that country, you will find a wonderful place known as the Fortina Spa Resort. When you are there, you will definitely feel relaxed. Now let us take a look at what the spa has to offer. See, this one has got over 200 treatments available for you and for all customers. Those who have tried out the place say that it is like Disneyland for all those who are in awe of spas.

One of the major services that you will find there is a trip to the therapist. The therapist will ask you about your health and ask you what you think you will need. He (or she) will then give you recommendations on what you should have with them. And you can choose just what you would be having. There is a spa package that is aimed at detoxifying you. We all do know that most of us need that and here is a chance at that.

How to Select a Day Spa

There is nothing more relaxing than going to a spa to soak away the stress and soothe those aching muscles. Selecting a day spa is the key to making the most of this experience. The choice you make should benefit you not only for a short while but in the long run as well. Know what the spa’s primary purpose is so that you will find out if it can help you out with your needs.

It is imperative for any spa patron to choose the day spa that is compatible with his or her taste. It is not enough that the service they wanted is available.

Seek out a day spa if you want to pamper, refresh, rejuvenate, nurture, and recharge your mind, body, and spirit. It may seem to be easy to choose the spa that is best for you. Everything out there offers the same pampering experience so why not just pick one and get on with it, right? Wrong. The variety of spas offering more services are available anywhere, anytime, yes. But that is just one good reason to be more cautious about selecting a spa.

The service they offer may sound way too enticing: from scalp treatment to hydrotherapy baths, the choices are endless. Selecting a spa can be more confusing than you think.

It is not only women who are looking forward to a day of pampering in the spa but men as well. Men are now experiencing the relaxing atmosphere of spas and returning. Athletes, or people with active lifestyles, most likely use the massage services that the spa provides. However, those who spend a lot of time outdoors also get facial treatments and products that can protect their skin from damage.

  1. Licensed Professionals
    It is important to check the basics upon selecting a spa. There are more important things to look for in addition to the services that you wanted to use. According to the Day Spa Association, the spa should be licensed and should employ licensed therapists and aestheticians. They should feature spa products that are professional. The therapist and aestheticians should have received training in administering these products and/or services.
  2. Atmosphere Wise
    The spa should maintain a safe, clean, nurturing, and calming environment. Observe if the spa has private treatment rooms for clients that want a personal service such as changing facilities for men and women, shower room, shoes and spa robes for all sizes. It is important that the staff are also licensed aestheticians and therapists.
    To reiterate, utilization of professional spa products and techniques should be done by the aestheticians and therapist who are professionally trained to do it. Almost all of the treatments need to be handled by professionals. To mention some, Stone Therapy Facials, medical treatments such as chemical and micro peels, microdermabrasion, and acne treatments.
    Massage therapists must be able to do and offer these following techniques professionally: Therapeutic Massages, La Stone Therapies, Swedish Massages, Aromatherapy, Reflexology Massage, Couple’s Massage, and Lymph Drainage Therapies.
  3. Spa Neophytes
    First time guests and visitors of a spa are asked to fill out a registration form. You should arrive on time for your appointment so as to maximize the time in the facility. Any medical conditions should be considered upon availing spa services.
    Let your therapist know your comfort level as well as any problem areas you wish to put more focus on or the other way around. If you are undergoing massage treatments, let him or her know if the pressure is sufficient or too much. It is important to let your massage therapist be aware of this because people have different preferences on massage pressures. Some may prefer deep tissue massages while others enjoy soft stroking therapies. Don’t be afraid to let your therapist know what you want.

How Can Vegetables Improve Your Skin?

Eating plenty of vegetables is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your skin’s appearance. Different vegetables can benefit your skin in an array of ways, so choose wisely. Here are some of the benefits you can see from eight types of vegetables.

Vegetables That Your Skin Will Love

1. Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, and Winter Squash

All three of these vegetables provide the same improvements in your skin. Just by eating these vegetables, you can help your complexion. Antioxidant beta-carotene is found in sweet potatoes, which is one of the main ingredients to help fight sun damage. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and winter squash also contain vitamin A and antioxidants. Vitamin A is needed to keep the skin healthy and regenerated. Antioxidants can slow the aging of cells.

2. Avocado

These help fight skin inflammation. Avocados contain a natural oil and healthy fats. These oils and fats can improve the quality of the skin by eliminating any inflammation from the muscles beneath the skin.

3. Carrots

Eating carrots can provide your skin with a natural sunscreen. Beta-carotene is found in carrots which can help your body to form collagen and regenerate your cells.

4. Spinach

Spinach contains a whole list of vitamins that are good for your body. Many of those vitamins can help your body system to function optimally, restore any cell damage, and deliver nutrients to your skin.

5. Bell Peppers

These vegetables contain a high level of vitamin C. The large amount of vitamin C that is found in bell peppers can make your skin appear to be younger.

6. Asparagus

Application of asparagus to the skin can clean your skin, dry any sores, and help get rid of acne.

7. Brussel Sprouts

Eating these will create glowing skin. Brussel sprouts contain nutrition that helps maintain the health and the glow of your natural skin. The antioxidants in Brussel sprouts can even help prevent skin cancer and any damage to the skin such as acne. Hydration to your skin will also occur when sprouts are consumed. Consumption will result in finer and smoother skin.

Including sprouts in your diet will help in skin regeneration, which will lead to faster healing of any wounds on the surface of your skin. Skin discoloration such as freckles will get lighter when sprouts are included in your daily diet. Brussel sprouts will help remove any toxins from your body that make your skin go look dull and lifeless. Lastly, Brussel sprouts contain an ingredient known as silica, which can rebuild and regenerate the skins connective tissues.

8. Cucumbers and Celery

Both cucumbers and celery can hydrate dry skin. Silica is found in both of these vegetables which is known to increase elasticity to the skin.

How Vegetables Help Your Skin

* Eating vegetables can change the redness and yellowness in your skin.

* Eating vegetables can improve skin tone.

* Helps prevent your skin from getting clogged by oils and acne from occurring.

* Helps protect against different types of cancer.

* Helps protect against infections.

Which vegetables have worked best for improving your skin?

Spa Day

I am an organized person and sometimes I have to write things down on a

Notepad before committing to a computer and then sending it to my
Blackberry Storm for a quick reference when I am shopping. So I turned
everything off in my house and tried to remember the steps we used in
Cosmetology class for Facials. But here’s the thing it has been 14 years
since the basic steps and new technology and methods were added.

Let’s do some research shall we

Well they didn’t add too much the only thing they added, if your skin
needed it, was Microdermabrasion. Looking it up I see it is used if there
are any kinds of scars (acne e.g.) on your face and if your skin was just
looking dull. Well I dealt with both of those. Then I started to research
salons to see how much they cost to do that procedure, and well since I
am not exactly rolling in the dough yet let’s see what Sally’s Beauty Supply
has…

Ta Daaaaaa

Sally’s always comes through. They have a kit just for me called i-Skin
Intelligent Microdermabrasion System. It got some great reviews and it
had refills available in the store if I should ever run out which is a plus!

I took that sucker home treated myself to a nice Noxema (makes my skin
feel clean!) cleanse, then a steam on the facial steamer, a little
microdermabrasion action, mint julep masque (oh there is a post on this
too), witch hazel and Purpose Skin lotion (another post). My skin feels like
cashmere, for now! Let’s just see how it looks tomorrow morning. Made a
cup of hot lemon water, said a prayer and tucked myself into bed…

Good Morning Sunshine

Woke up to my phone alarm. Always forget to turn it off on my days off.
Promptly got up went to the mirror and voila. My skin looks amazing! My
scars look way lighter my skin looks even toned and still feels like
cashmere!

I would even recommend this to my worst enemy it’s that good…So on a
scale of 1 to 10: 1 being it isn’t even worth it to 10 made my pretty toes
curl I give it a…

10!