Bee good - My skincare recipes with honey

I went to visit a Taiwanese facial masseuse who used to be a ballet dancer the other day for her signature facial treatment. When I asked her to recommend a hydration facial mask to deal with my dehydrated skin with breakout problem, she said, why don't you try honey?

For people like me, using natural remedies as part of daily skincare routine means spending a lot more time. I was curious enough to give a try, assuming that honey is something can only do me good. I was more convinced after doing some research online: Honey has natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, which explains that honey does not really "expire" as long as it is stored properly. It also attracts and contains moisture. After a few weeks' of experiments, I would like to share the following

1)Honey facial mask with essential oilsl - hydration

Manuka Honey Active:
People claim that unprocessed honey provides better effect than the processed honey. While it is rather difficult to tell among all kinds of honey jars, I went for Manuka Active 10+ as a safe choice. The thicker texture of Manuka honey is also better for topical usage (thinking about your face flooding with sticky sweet honey?)

Essential Oil:
Depends on your skin type, a few drops of essential oil can be added into the honey mask: Almond or jojoba oil for a bit dry skin; lavender or rose oil can be added for balancing the oily skin. I am usually very careful about using essential oil for topical use and make sure that you choose the top quality ones such as Jurlique or Neal's Yard Remedies.

Squeeze about 5 grams (or two tea spoons) Manuka honey into a small tea cup and add three drops of essential oils ( I used tea tree oil and lavender oil). Start with small dose and try more if you feel it is needed. Use a tea spoon and stire the mixture well as these two do not naturally mix. The easy way to put the freshly made mask is to spread a thin layer of the mixture to the face using the oval side of the tea spoon. Unlike other masks, this honey mask can stay on your face as long as possible. Usually I put it on for at least an hour before rinse it off with warm water. It had a bit tingling sensation for the first time but everything was fine afterwards.



Although it takes long to see the effect when using natural remedies for skincare, I feel my skin smoother immediately after washing it off. What I also like is that the skin is left nourished but not greasy.

2) Honey facial mask with Motherwort:

Although typically used to improve women's health in the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, Motherwort is also recommended as a blood invigorator. A honey facial mask with Motherwort syrup would accelerate the circulation and improve the uneven tone of the skin.


I have to admit that preparing the skin care products yourself takes more time and energy and most importantly your patience. But it was indeed the lengthy process itself which calm myself down after a long busy day. Who says this is not a double healing?


For more information:
www.manukahoney.co.uk




www.trisori.com

Summer-dry

Imagine.. Perfectly manicured fingers, long healthy nails, beautiful bright nail polish.. then you move your gaze higher.. and what do you see? The horror of dry skin! And no amount of "manicuring" is going to make that look pretty. Impossible!

Care for your hands this season by doing weekly olive oil soaks - literally, pour some olive oil into a container wide enough to put your hands and just let the oil nourish your skin for 5-7 minutes.

For those of you who are looking to try out the more cosmetic approach - go for Bliss Glamour Gloves and Hand Cream set. The hand cream is great even on its own, but the gel inside the gloves contains antioxidants, ceramides and moisturising oils that will take care of any dry skin on the hands. What's more, the gloves can be re-used numerously and should last about a year! I've had mine for 2 months now - still going strong.

Please do not obstruct the 'pores'

So I flew back home this weekend and the first thing my mother said to me after surprising me by meeting me in the airport at 5am was "Wow, Marin, your skin looks amazingly clear". All those hours of fighting pores! Especially as a teenager! Finally paid off..

Skincare has always been a great passion for me. And as a true believer that a daily cleansing routine is all we need for beautiful skin, I have throughout the years tried and tested a million and one cleansing products. One of the things I advise using daily is the Exfolia beauty cloth. Whether you want to buff off old skin before an evening out or are using it to help remove last bits of make up, it complements any cleansing products.

Another brand new gadget that I recently purchased is the Bliss Pore-Fector that uses sonic vibrations to clear our any dirt that is trapped inside the deeper layers of the pores. It works magic!

Glorious, glorious skin. Glowing and clear, it is something that has never been out of fashion. I am not talking about the perfect photoshopped covers of fashion magazines. I'm talking about waking up in the morning, washing your face and being ready to go. Skin fresh from within. It is hard work but not hard enough for anyone not to attempt to achieve it.

Try this:

Mix 3 table spoons of warm honey with 5 teaspoons of salt, add one teaspoon of yoghurt and 2 drops of Lavender oil and evenly apply onto your face in circular motions for about 2 minutes.

Marina,

Enjoy!xx