We all know that we need to be careful about the way we treat our bodies - and this includes the care we take of our skin. Unlike ancient cultures who liked to use lead and arsenic based products to whiten their skin, we’re far more likely to use natural (and less deadly!) products when it comes to skin care!

The benefits of using natural skin care products

The fact is that you simply feel better if your skin looks good. Healthy skin is a sign of a healthy body. A lot of the effort you put into having clear and healthy skin will, of course, be down to the exercise you take and the food you eat but the skin care products you use also play an important part here.

We all know that natural products - whether we eat them or use them on our skin - are simply better for us. This is true for all skin types and is especially important if you suffer from any kind of skin problem. Products that have a natural ingredient base work from the outside in and help make sure that your skin has all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

And, they also go some way to making sure that you only use healthy products which makes it far easier to take good care of your body as a whole. You’ll cut down on the chances of your body ingesting harmful chemicals and will be less likely to suffer from allergic reactions.

Non-natural skin products can be full of chemicals and toxic substances that could also have an adverse effect on the way a skin care product actually works - our bodies are trained to reject many unnatural substances which will simply stop them working.

The history of natural skin care

Although many people are only just coming round to the idea of using natural skin care products they have actually been around for ages. Records show that natural products, essential oils, flowers, fruits, plants and herbs have been used in skin care for millennia. The stories of Egyptians taking baths in milk and mud to nourish their skin are all true!

In many cases the ingredients you’ll find in natural skin care products also double up as natural herbal remedies that can be used internally to treat medical conditions and illnesses. This is why they can also be beneficial for external use on the skin as they can help clear up problems and will keep your skin clear and healthy.

In other cases natural ingredients have been used simply because they have a proven effect on the skin. Cleopatra knew that milk would exfoliate and soften her skin and ancient African healers worked out that the high fat content of Shea Butter would help keep dry skin hydrated.

Natural skin care has had many uses in history. For some cultures it was a route to good hygiene, for some it was a way to clear up problems such as dry skin and spots and for others it was simply part of an overall healthy body regime as is so often the case now. The benefits of using natural skin care products now are clear for both your skin and for your body as a whole.

One of the best ingredients used in our aftershave lotion is Vitamin E. Let’s take a look at the beneficial effects here.

What is Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that naturally occurs in foods such as nuts, fish, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils. From a health perspective many people advocate the use of this vitamin based on its antioxidant effects.

Vitamin E is split into two groups both of which contain four further groups. The form of Vitamin E that is used by the human body is the alpha-tocopherol isomer.

Why is Vitamin E important?

Vitamin E plays an important role in the general well-being of a human being. This vitamin’s antioxidant properties helps give our cells protection against the adverse effects of free radicals. Free radicals can be found both within our metabolism and in the environment outside it. They can damage our cells and can have be a contributory factor in bringing about serious illnesses such as cancer and heart diseases.
Vitamin E is considered to be particularly important when it comes to giving protection to blood cells, muscle systems and the nervous system. Some studies have also shown that Vitamin E can decrease the risk of developing specific conditions including stroke, diabetes and cataracts.
It is also believed that this vitamin can boost the immune system, help cut down LDL cholesterol and minimize the threat of blood clots. In addition, its protective cell properties give Vitamin E another very positive benefit - it can help keep skin healthy. Used in a topical application a Vitamin E lotion can help with both everyday skin care and with the treatment of specific skin problems.
Why is Vitamin E important in men’s skincare?
We all know that the majority of men don’t pay as much attention to their skincare routine as most women do. But, the fact is that using a lotion such as this Vitamin E aftershave lotion every day can do more than just eliminate the irritating dry skin problems that come with regular shaves.

The regular use of this lotion will give the skin the antioxidants that it needs to keep itself healthy. These antioxidants can make immediate repairs to skin damage and they can help the skin cells peak at optimum strength and stay that way.

Vitamin E is one of the most popular additions to skin care lotions for both everyday and specialist use. So, this Vitamin E aftershave lotion will suit those without significant skin problems and those who do have a problem. Vitamin E can help with specific skin conditions such as psoriasis and can even help minimize scarring. Some experts also believe that the antioxidant effects it has on the skin can help fight against the development of skin cancer.
The big advantage of using this Vitamin E aftershave lotion is that it is a quick and easy way to get your daily shot of Vitamin E to the skin. You’ll have the day to day benefit of keeping your skin smooth and hydrated and the additional benefit of strong Vitamin E protection.

A shave cream shouldn’t just make shaving easier – it’s also important to make sure that it treats your skin right. Shaving can scrape and dry out the surface of your skin – you may get rid of unwanted hair but your skin can look dry and raw afterward. The Organic Smooth Shave Cream With Shea Butter and White Tea combines all the ingredients you need to remove hair smoothly and easily – and will pamper your skin as well!

Shea butter and white tea are ingredients with very specific health benefits – your skin will look great and feel great. Let’s take a look at these ingredients and what they can do for you.

Shea Butter

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is extracted from the Shea tree which is most commonly found in Western African regions. The butter is created from the small fruits of the tree which look a little like almonds. Shea butter is a valuable food source on the African continent – we probably know it best for its use in the beauty and cosmetics industry.

The history of Shea Butter

Shea butter has been used by African healers for centuries to treat skin problems, as a sunscreen, and to help cure aliments caused by stiff muscles, arthritis and rheumatism. It’s great for dry skin and for clearing up blemishes and can even reduce skin coloration and scarring problems. Today’s cosmetic industry uses it for all kinds of skin and hair care products.

The benefits of Shea Butter… in skin care terms

Shea butter is great for your skin because it has high non-saponifiable fatty acid content. These fatty acids can help the skin moisturize itself and retain elasticity. So, if you use a shave cream that takes away surface protective layers of skin, then Shea Butter can help put them back and improve the look and feel of your skin once again. Its natural ability to screen out dangerous UVA rays can also help avoid problems with exposure to the sun.

White Tea

What is white tea?

White tea is a tea made from young tea leaves that are picked earlier than other teas – the name comes from the silvery furry substance that covers the tea buds which turns white in the drying process. This tea is considered to have numerous health benefits as it goes through relatively little processing.

The history of white tea

White tea has long been held to be the most healthy of teas and it has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy in ancient cultures such as in China. Part of the health benefits here are given because the tea is picked young and is processed less than other teas which keeps its herbal value intact. So, white tea is most often used because of its high anti-oxidant properties (it is rich in polyphenols because it is hardly processed). These anti-oxidants can be given to boost the immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria.

The benefits of white tea in skin care terms

White tea is a relatively recent addition to the Western skin care industry – although it has been used in ancient cultures for centuries. The antioxidant content of the tea makes it perfect for helping restore the balance of your skin and it can also help protect skin cells via the immune system boost it gives. It can also help avoid blemishes and can work to keep your skin clear and healthy.

The combination of Shea butter and white tea are a perfect match. They’ll make sure that your skin is protected and pampered after shaving and will then carry on working to help make sure that your skin looks and feels as healthy and clear as possible!

Our shea butter and and white tea shave cream makes it’s debut in September 2007

The Eucalyptus and Mint Body Soak offers the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a hard day and it can give you the perfect fresh start to a new one. Few products can help you relax or perk up in one bottle!

This product does this by combining two of the most effective and aromatic ingredients in natural skin care – eucalyptus and mint. Not only do you pamper yourself but you’ll see all the benefits of treating your skin with not just one but two proven healthy substances – your skin and your body will simply gllow with looking and feling better.

So, what is it about eucalyptus and mint that makes them such great natural ingredients?

Eucalyptus

What is eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus is extracted from the tree/shrub of the same name – this is most traditionally found in Australia although it is now farmed in other countries as well. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves themselves – this is safe in the right quantities/composition but the plant itself can be poisonous!

The history of eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has been used as a disinfectant, deodorant and antiseptic by native Australians for centuries. The oil also has natural tendency to help you fight infection – which is why so many inhaler based cold and sinus remedies use the oil as their base.

The benefits of eucalyptus in skin care terms

Eucalyptus helps keep your skin healthy, clean and fresh. Its slightly astringent qualities can freshen and invigorate and the natural antiseptic properties of the plant can help keep spots and blemishes at bay and help clear up problem areas. So, your skin will look fresh and clear.

Mint

What is mint?

Mint is an aromatic herb that grows all over the world – it is thought by many to have originated in Europe and the Mediterranean. There are many varieties of mint – the most commonly known are probably peppermint and spearmint.

The history of mint

Mint has been used for medicinal and health purposes for centuries and has many uses. For example, it was used in the Middle Ages to make teeth whiter and it also has proven abilities to cure stomach problems and indigestion. Some ancient cultures even believed that mint can cure hiccups!

The benefits of mint in skin care terms

Mint has long been used as an ‘antipruritic’ – i.e. it can help alleviate itching skin problems as it has naturally cooling properties. Although traditionally used for bites mint has been successfully utilized in skin care as it both soothes, cleanses and revives. Its ‘cool’ properties help the skin firm up and look bright.

The Eucalyptus and Mint Body Soak can be used for all skin types – the fresh astringent qualities of these two ingredients will freshen your skin and firm it up. The natural antiseptic qualities will keep your skin clean and healthy. Many find that this soak especially suits them on those days – and we all have them, when their skin is under par and needs an extra boost.

Eucalyptus and Mint Body Soak will make it’s debut in August 2007!

Fat Grabbers – this supplement is made from completely wholesome ingredients that have a proven track record of helping a body get rid of the fat it is storing. Basically it gets a grip of fat in your body, makes it manageable and then expels it before it can do any harm! Expelling toxins keeps the skin looking fresh and radient, a sluggish digestive tract shows up in your skin, and can become a wicked cycle.

Food Enzymes – food enzymes simply help your body digest the food you eat more effectively. A typical enzyme capsule can help you deal with digesting proteins, carbohydrates and fat. This makes sure that your digestive system stays healthy and that your body doesn’t become clogged up and remains healthy and working at a premium. As we get older our digestive process slows down, so it pays to keep attention to it.

Liquid Chlorophyll – liquid Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that uses the sun for photosynthesis purposes. This substance is believed to help improve your immune system and also deodorizes your body. Chlorphyll also stabilizes the pH level in your digestive tract making sure that the right environment for digestion is maintained.

Judicious use of these kinds of natural nutritional products not just has a significant effect on issues such as weight loss and muscle tone, they also help your body maintain a healthy metabolisim, which shows up in the condition of your skin. If you are exercising regularly then you are already going a long way to keeping your body and your skin in tip top condition.

But, if you also use these kinds of supplements to help your body cope with the strains and stresses of everyday life and modern eating habits then the exercise will have a more beneficial effect.

To make sure that you get the very best results from your exercise/nutritional products skin care regime make sure you reinforce it healthy eating. If you can achieve a solid grounding in the triad of exercise, nutritional supplements and diet then you really could see phenomenal effects all over your face!

1. Read Product Labels

The top third of the ingredients label generally lists the ingredients that comprise around 90-98% of the product. Most of this is usually water. The middle third generally represents approximately 5-8% of the product. The bottom third represents around 1-3%.

2. ‘Natural’ skin care is not always natural.

There are two definitions of the world natural.The dictionary definition: “Existing in or, formed by, nature”. The cosmetic industry definition: “Any ingredient derived from a natural substance”. Manufacturers commonly use the world ‘natural’ on labels to deceive consumers. For example, “Cocamide-DEA derived from coconut oil”. Cocamide-DEA may well be from coconut oil, but a synthetic chemical called diethanolamine is used in the extraction process. It is known to cause cancer. An ingredient is not really natural if it has been processed in this way.

3. Organic doesn’t mean what you think.

An organic certification on a product label is the only way to guarantee the integrity of a product. The definition of certified organic is as follows: “An independent third party guarantee of an organic claim”. Always look for a logo that guarantees the product’s integrity.

Certified organic products must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients excluding water and salt/minerals, with a small allowance for natural, non-organic ingredients that must comply with very stringent processing criteria.

There are two definitions of organic:

Organic chemistry is concerned with substances that contain carbon. Carbon is present in all living things. Legally, the cosmetics industry is allowed to label any product that contains carbon as ‘organic’. So if it contains petrol, it is organic.

Methylparaben is derived from petrochemicals, which are derived from crude oil, which is derived from living matter. It is a widely used preservative in organic skin care products such as body creams, body wash and deodorants:

So effectively methylparaben can legally be labelled as organic. Now, it is worth noting that a recent study reported traces of methylparaben in human breast cancer tumours.

The second definition of organic is, “The sustainable system of agriculture that uses natural substances & methods to create healthy nutrient rich and fertile soils”

4. Be aware of inconsistent labeling standards

In some countries, ingredients that are not allowed in certified organic foods ARE allowed in certified organic personal care and cosmetic products. This represents a lack of continuity or consistency in labeling standards.

How can food and cosmetics products have the same certified organic logo when ingredients that are allowed personal care and cosmetics are not allowed in food? Remember that if it’s on your skin, you’re drinking it!

5. There are no miracle ingredients

Vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, active copper and other ingredients may be touted as miracle ingredients. The fact is that there is no miracle ingredient for the skin or hair, just as there is no magic pill for curing illness and disease.

The quality of the skin is a function of feeding the body and skin high quality nutrients over time and keeping the toxin levels of the body as low as possible.

When you use high quality, certified organic products, ALL the ingredients are active. They are ALL beneficial and they all feed the skin.

Buying a step to train on could be your first small ‘step’ to getting fit (sorry, bad joke!). But, you may be surprised to realize that a lot of people who choose this fitness route don’t see the right kinds of benefits from the efforts they take. And, many find it hard to use the step in the first place. This is a real shame as a step is an ideal introduction to fun and fast fitness.

The fact is that a step will only work to make you fit if you use it correctly. In this respect it is no different to any other kind of gym or fitness equipment even though it looks very simple. So, you can step away to your heart’s content – but, if you aren’t using the equipment correctly then all you’ll get is dispirited and maybe even hurt. So, before you go out and buy a step, take a look at our tips and tricks for choosing and using the fitness step .

1. Don’t step too high. Steps come in all shapes and sizes. Basically the higher you have to step, the harder you’ll be making your body work. Stepping up and down may seem real easy but once you start to do it over and over you’ll feel the strain. So, if you’re a step ‘newbie’ then start off with a lower step (up to 6 inches). Or, if you feel you’ll progress further than that then you might want to consider buying an adjustable step or one that comes with risers so you can start off low and increase the height as you go along and get more experienced. The Reebok Adjustable Platform System Step is a great option here as you can work your way up to 10 inches in nice easy stages. If you think you’ll be able to reach higher than that then consider a riser system such as The High Step .

2. Step Safely. Six inches may not seem a long way to fall but it’s actually real easy to hurt yourself if your step doesn’t work right. You should, therefore, always make sure to buy a step that can comfortably hold your weight and look out for sharp edges – they should be avoided! Take a look at the width of the step as well – very narrow steps aren’t always the best solution as it’s easy to miss and slip off. You should be able to comfortably fit your foot on the step.

3. Step Slowly. If you’re using a step for the first time, then don’t get overexcited and overdo it. You’ll see maximum fitness benefits if you can keep up a steady rhythmic pace – short bursts of frantic stepping will just tire you out. Remember, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. In order to make sure that you are using the step correctly take a couple of trial steps before you start in earnest. You should aim to have all of your sole contact the step and you should always aim for the center of the step to avoid it tipping.

Hope you find these tips and tricks useful – you’re well on the way to happy and successful stepping!

All this great stuff is on sale!

body renewal lotion, ginger almond body butter, holistic body oil, keratin and nettle shampoo, keratin and nettle conditioner, mint scrub mask, moisture hand therapy. peel off masque, peppermint foot cream, pumpkin face scrub, reparitive moisture cream, salon style polishing shampoo, salon style volume & shine conditioner, sea kelp & panthenol shampoo, sea kelp revitalizing conditioner, shea & soy moisture intensive mask, skin renewal cleanser, skin vitality moisture fluid, tangerine face cleanser, vibran c serum, so hurry while supplies last!

A professional-looking eyebrow shape will transform your face - find out how to do it yourself:

Create the line: to determine exactly where your brow should begin, hold a makeup brush or a pencil straight up and down against one nostril. Where the pencil lands by your brow is where it should begin. The brow should end a little past your eye (if it grows down too far it will drag your eyes down). If you have a natural arch, work with it. If you need to create one, look into your eyes. The arch of your eyebrow should fall directly above the outside of your iris. Using an eyebrow pencil, fill in the brow area that you want to preserve so you can pluck outside the edges.

Pluck: begin plucking from underneath the brow, removing one hair at a time from the inside of the brow to the outside. If part of your brow is thin enough already, do not pluck that area. Pull hairs in the direction in which they grow.

Brush and trim: using a small brush, brush your brows upwards. If they are too long, trim them very conservatively, cutting only a tiny amount at a time.

Fill in: once your brows are well shaped, you can use a variety of products to enhance them or fill them in as needed, using brow fixers, tinted brow gels, brow powders or brow pencils.

Let’s face it - we’ve all been there. We wake up in the morning feeling like death because we overdid it the night before. In a perfect world we staggered home, drank gallons of water to stop getting dehydrated and took the time to take off our make-up and moisturize.

Of course in the real world none of this will happen. It’s far more likely that we staggered home and fell straight into bed and felt lucky to get there in one piece! So, we wake up in the morning with hair like a birds nest, smelling like a bar and with make-up smeared all over our faces. But, there’s a more serious issue that arises here. How on earth do you get to work, looking half human, when you have this to contend with!

Don’t despair – you may feel like you can barely cope with walking never mind looking at yourself in the mirror and working out how to make things better. But, if you follow our Top 5 Tips, you’ll start to look and feel human again.

1. Get some water therapy
The first step to take on the road to recovery is to hit the shower or the bath. You aren’t looking to relax here – you’re probably late for work and have a lot to do so you need to work with military precision! Your aim here is to wash off the bar, to get rid of the cosmetics and to wake yourself up a bit. So, pick out a refreshing body wash and shampoo as they will cover all your bases.

2. Do your skin a favor
Your skin won’t hide your night out – it’s more likely to advertise exactly what you were doing! And, it won’t be happy that you left it under a layer of cosmetics the night before. So, pamper your face a bit – you’ll feel better and it will look better. You can use a facial cleanser here or a scrub – it all depends on how bad you feel and how your skin has coped overall. If you have time use a body moisturizer as well as this will energize you.

3. Pulverize your puffiness
The eyes may be the mirror to the soul – but they can also be the biggest advert for a hangover as well! If you’ve over indulged the night before, the skin under your eyes may well look puffy and saggy. All you need to do here is to make sure that you have some eye gel handy. This will reduce puffiness and help get rid of those black bags that give the game away!

4. Get rid of red eye
Your eyes don’t like nights on the town – no matter how much you do. Spending the night in smoky clubs and bars, not getting enough sleep and having to deal with the effects of alcohol will in 99.9% of cases give you a severe case of blood-shot red eyes. Again, you can solve this problem real easy by making sure you keep some eye drops in your bathroom. A couple of drops will go a long way to making your eyes sparkle again.
5. Plaster over the cracks
Now, you’ll be ready to think about make up. Chances are you’ll need some – unless, of course, you’re going for the pale and interesting look! The thing to remember here is that less is more. It’s quite tempting to think that we can make ourselves look normal by plastering on some foundation. But, the chances are this won’t work for you. If you are suffering from a hangover then you’ll look better with lighter make up that’s applied carefully. Also, a good tip here is to use an eyelash curler. This will simply make you look more awake!

Follow these 5 tips and you’re bound to look better – even with the worst hangover you can remember. Feeling better might take a little longer but you’ll at least have made a start!