Amazing Oils Magnesium Moisturiser

September 22, 2016 · 12 Comments

Amazing Oils Magnesium Moisturiser

This moisturiser is my new best friend.

Let me start by saying that I have tried out lots and lots of natural skincare.

However, nothing I have tried has ever had this much noticeable improvement on my skin.

I don’t want to get overly dramatic and gushy here, but wow. Really…. wow.

Okay, so let me tell you all about it!

I have been a big fan of the Harold family and their all Aussie owned and made Amazing Oils business for a few years now. The magnesium products are truly great quality and as most people are deficient in magnesium, they get good results for a wide range of ailments.

This month they have released their new magnesium moisturiser – the first ever organic skincare range based on magnesium. I was super keen to test this out! It comes in a 100g tub and the ingredients are: shea butter, coconut oil, hazelnut oil, magnesium chloride (22%), apricot oil, glycerine and vitamin E.

Very simple, all natural ingredients which have a very mild, slightly coconut smell. They have perfected the formula so that it is stable and doesn’t separate which often happens with products containing coconut oil.

How do you use it?

I have been trialling it for around six weeks now and this is how I prefer to use it for my skin. I get a pea sized amount of the moisturiser, rub it into my hands to melt and then massage all over my face until it’s all absorbed. It takes a while to sink in so keep massaging well.

I find if I use too much, it sits on top of my skin and is a bit oily and I have to keep massaging in half an hour or so afterwards. A small amount, massaged in well is fine. I prefer to use it regularly at night but if I am at home through the day, it’s okay for day time use as well. If I am going out and wearing make up, I prefer to use something a bit lighter on my skin.

For the first few days, it was a little itchy but nothing too bad. This settled down and now I have only experienced the itchiness if I have just exfoliated my skin. If you get stinging after using magnesium, this article explains why.

After a few weeks of use, I had a few breakouts around my chin, which may or may not be related to the moisturiser but I suspect that the magnesium has a bit of a detoxing effect. I just used the Ugly Bits Stick on them though and they were gone overnight. (PS here are my thoughts on the Ugly Bits Stick).

What I have noticed?

After about four weeks of use, I got a few compliments on my skin! Wow, that hasn’t happened for a long, long time. After having some health problems, I often look very tired and washed out, with a bit of a dullness.

To be honest, I hadn’t really noticed as I don’t spend a lot of time looking at myself in the mirror and our bathroom lighting is pretty bad. I have never really been one to worry about wrinkles and stuff. I do cover up blemishes with a bit of make up if I am going out but that’s about it!

Anyway, I went out to the car in the full sunshine and checked it out in the car mirror! Yep, I could see and feel some differences. And more so in the last two weeks.

♥ softer and plumper more hydrated skin

♥ a reduction in fine lines, particularly around my eyes

♥ a softening of the acne scarring on my cheeks

♥ a lightening of the pigmentation, particularly on my cheek bones that has been there since having kids

♥ overall the skin tone has improved and is more consistent and smoother

♥ would it be lame to say dewy? 😀 No, really I think my skin has a really nice glow about it now

That’s after six weeks of use. I am pretty darn impressed.

When I looked into why it works, this is what I found out. The magnesium blend balances the PH of your skin, the magnesium lightly exfoliates and detoxes dead skin cells which is what helps with spots, blemishes, wrinkles and pigmentation. When you use it daily, it promotes new cell production which gives you that nice glow.

The Harold family at Amazing Oils recommend that you can use this moisturiser in three ways.

♥ As a rich overnight facial repair treatment.

♥ To soothe skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, eczema and rashes. So you can use it all over the body – not just your face like I did!

♥ To gently boost your magnesium levels.

If you use it twice a day, it should last 4-6 months. Remember you only need to use a teeny bit!

Want to try it?

I am so keen on using this as my nightly moisturiser now to see what else happens! I am also going to get my hubby and mum onto it as well. Luckily the lovely Harold family are giving us a discount code to use so you can all try it out and see what difference it makes to your skin.

Use the code: NNAM for 10% off the entire Amazing Oils shop until the 5th of October 2016!

Check out the goodies at the website here.

Have you tried it? What did you think?

(this post is sponsored)

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

May 21, 2015 · 11 Comments

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

Winter time can exacerbate skin conditions and the wind and heaters can make your skin dry, itchy and lifeless.

Here are some tips for keeping your skin lovely and soft over the cooler months. I also have some of the best natural skincare products that are all especially for repairing dry skin!

♥ Stay hydrated!

The cold weather can mess with our thirst mechanism a little. Lots of water will keep your skin smooth and moist. Try drinking herbal tea or hot water with lemon if water is a struggle.

♥ Good fats

Making sure you have enough essential fatty acids in your diet. Keep up the avocado, nuts, seeds, good oils and healthy fats.

♥ Upgrade your face moisturiser

You may need to swap your moisturiser in winter for something richer and more hydrating, especially at night time.

Try: Antipodes Avocado Pear Night Cream or Mukti Marigold Hydrating Creme

♥ Swap to a cream cleanser

I love a foaming face wash – they are so quick and easy in the shower but I find in winter they are just too drying. Swap over to a lovely cream cleanser and see the difference.

Try: Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm or Vanessa Megan’s Petitgrain Creme Cleanser.

♥ Add in a serum

If you love your moisturizer, don’t ditch it, just add in a serum underneath. They are so beautiful and you only need a few drops.

Try: Pomegranate and Rose Hydrating Serum or Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil.

♥ Use a hydrating mask

A lovely rich mask once a week is a nice thing to do for your skin in winter. You could just use avocado mashed up with some honey (yum) or find a nourishing face mask. Avoid clay face masks as they will dry out your skin even more.

Try: Antipodes Manuka Mask or Madara’s SOS Intense Moisture Mask

♥ Don’t wash so often

Now I am not suggesting you get all whiffy! If you are in the habit of having a hot shower or bath twice a day, cut that back to once a day and lower the temperature. Hot water will quickly dry out your skin.

♥ Ditch the soap

Don’t use soap!! It’s so incredibly drying. Switch to a rich cleansing bar, body wash or even skip all together and use a body cloth.

Try: Mokosh Olive Oil Soap or Divine Moisturising Body Wash.

♥ Use a body moisturiser daily

I know I can get a bit slack with this in summer, but if you are using something to hydrate your whole body daily, you will notice the difference in the colder weather.

Try: Blissed Out Body Oil or Lhami’s Lavender Body Lotion.

♥ Oil Bath

Seriously divine – add a good splash of body or massage oil to your next warm bath. It’s a bugger to clean the bath, but it’s worth it for the soft, soft skin you get afterwards!

♥ Don’t get too crazy with that towel

Don’t dry yourself too thoroughly in winter. Just pat skin dry and quickly put your body moisturizer on, sealing in some of the moisture.

♥ Exfoliate

Gently exfoliating weekly in winter will get rid of the dry skin cells. Use a body brush or a scrub on your body and a gentle exfoliant on your face.

Try: Lhami Wattleseed Exfoliating Cream for the face and Eco Tan’s new Organic Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub for the body.

♥ Keep it handy

Hands can really get dry, red and irritated in winter, but we have to wash our hands to keep germs at bay. Use a moisturising hand wash and keep a hand cream next to your bed or next to the kitchen sink to remind you to pop it on. Always use gloves to wash up and for cleaning. You can even coat your hands thickly and pop some cotton gloves on overnight to really replenish.

Try: Vanessa Megan’s Peruvian Flower Hand Cream or MV Skincare Hand Rescue.

♥ Pucker up

Keep your lips nice and hydrated with a lovely nourishing lip balm. I keep one next to my bed and in my handbag and apply often. If your lips are really dry and scaly, you can rub them gently with a clean toothbrush to get the flakes off and then apply your balm.

Try: Suvana’s Paw Paw and Honey Organic Lip Balm or Physic Garden’s Winter Lips Balm.

♥ Cover Up

If the weather is really wild and windy, protect your skin with gloves and a scarf.

♥ Spritzer

A hydrating spritzer can bring relief. Use it regularly throughout the day or pop on before your moisturizer.

Try: Raindrops on Roses Hydrating Tonic or Black Chicken’s Hydrate My Face.

♥ Extreme care

If your skin is really red and irritated, it calls for serious heavy duty products on the sore spots. Coconut oil is always my go-to, but you may need something a bit more intense. I advise against the popular pawpaw ointment on the market.

Try: TLC Intensive Repair Oil, Physic Garden’s Soothing Skin Salve or the always popular Weleda Skin Food.

♥ Eczema

Got eczema? Try these tips from our community.

I hope these tips were helpful and you find some relief from that dry, itchy winter skin! I would love to know your tips as well, leave me a comment and let me know what you do!

Natural Remedies for Eczema

October 11, 2013 · 25 Comments

Natural Remedies for Eczema

Eczema seems to be a rapidly growing problem and often seen worst in our kids.

It is the question I get asked most about and I can see the frustration and trauma this skin condition causes for families. Many people are interested in natural remedies and a permanent solution, rather than taking antihistamines, antibiotics or steroids.

I am not an expert in this field by any means, but I have collated some information from my Facebook community. Some of our natural, new age mums have kindly shared what has worked for them. I hope this resource will serve as a go-to guide for you.

So, what is eczema?

“Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition. The skin becomes red, dry, itchy and scaly, and in severe cases, may weep, bleed and crust over, causing the sufferer much discomfort. Sometimes the skin may become infected. The condition can also flare and subside for no apparent reason.” Eczema Association of Australasia

What causes eczema?

No-one seems to know the exact cause, but it does appear to flare up from stress, allergies and intolerances or you may have an inherited family tendency. Other things may irritate the condition like the weather, animal hair, pollen and grasses and chemicals.

Internal Remedies

It seems to be a commonly held belief that eczema results from an imbalance somewhere in your body. These are some suggestions other mums have used successfully to correct that imbalance:

♥ Testing. Get tested for allergies or intolerance. Gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and some salicylates and amines seem to be common culprits.

♥ Rebalance. Try natural therapies like naturopathy, acupuncture, chiropractor, kinesiology, EFT and homeopathy.

♥ Gut Health. Naturopath, Alisha Lynch recommends fixing your gut health to treat eczema. Click here for her series of gut health information.

♥ Probiotics. Many of you mentioned that probiotics was one of the best remedies and first stops.

♥ Clean Eating. Avoid chemicals, additives and processed foods. Naturopath Jess Donovan has a list of foods that might be triggering your childs’ eczema.

♥ Zinc. Increase zinc in the diet in the form of supplements or zinc-rich foods.

♥ Apple Cider Vinegar. Add ACV to the diet as it contains enzymes that aid digestion.

♥ The Eczema Diet by Karen Fischer. “The Eczema Diet includes all the facts and scientific research, as well as itch-busting treatments that offer immediate relief combined with a tried-and-tested diet – developed by nutritionist Karen Fischer over the past ten years through her work with eczema patients – that really gets results”

External Remedies

These remedies shared by natural, new age mums help to manage the symptoms of eczema.

♥ Avoid anything that contain sulphates, perfumes and alcohol.

♥ Keep the area well moisturized.

♥ Don’t have long, hot baths or showers as these are drying.

♥ Oats in the bath are very soothing on the skin.

♥ Use Tamanu oil. It’s all natural and has anti-inflammatory properties comparable to hydro-cortisone cream.

♥ Coconut oil. Bathing in it and also applying to the skin. Get a good quality coconut oil though.

♥ Apple Cider Vinegar. Diluted and applied with an organic cotton ball or pad.

♥ Aloe Vera Gel. The sap or gel from a fresh plant is best.

♥ Organic shea butter.

♥ Wet wrapping. It’s An Itchy Little World has some great tips on how to do this.

♥ Chamomile. You can use tea bags, steep and then make a warm (not hot) compress and let it sit on the affected area for 10 minutes.

♥ Use all natural, soothing creams. Many of you have reported great success with Moo Goo’s Eczema Cream.

♥ Swimming in the ocean.

♥ Have a completely chemical and synthetic fragrance free home.

Eczema seems to be a very individual condition with no one solution. Keep persevering and trying different things until you hit upon what works for you. I think the main message I keep hearing from mums is that both internal and external remedies are needed, as well as lots of patience!

I hope some of these ideas help you out. Please comment on this post if you have some more thoughts or experiences with eczema – the more ideas the better!!

Natural Acne Remedies

September 2, 2013 · 26 Comments

Natural Acne Remedies

There has been an uproar in the media recently with information that drugs prescribed for acne- Roaccutane, Diane-35, Yasmin and Yaz are causing very serious problems including teen suicide and blood clots.

I have always had problems with my skin and I was on Dianne for some time in my younger years. The doctors said there were no side effects and my skin did clear up. But now I shudder thinking about what could have gone wrong.

I am a little embarrassed to tell you what else I did to my poor skin when I was younger. Metho! Yes, I was desperate and miserable about it. It’s a horrible thing to have – it can really affect your self-confidence. I never went anywhere without makeup to cover my skin.

Unfortunately, the acne didn’t go away as I got older but I just managed it as best I could. I used Dermalogica products, which were quite good but they used to bleach my towels if I accidentally got some product on them. Yikes!

It really only cleared up properly when I gave up wheat. You will get dermatologists telling you acne is hormonal and yes, it is, but I think everyone is different and you need to try a few things to see what works for you. I know diet and gut health plays a big part in how good my skin is or not.

Now we have teenagers in the house, the whole cycle begins again! So here, are our best tips for you.

♥ Water. Drinking lots of filtered water helps flush out toxins – it’s that simple! Jazz up your water to make it easier to get down.

♥ Cut out the chemicals. Ingesting and applying chemicals to your skin can really cause problems. I have heard so many people say that when they switched to a more natural lifestyle, including skincare, their skin clears up.

♥ Go Easy on dairy, wheat and sugar. Fizzy drinks and lollies play havoc with acne! Try some alternatives to soft drinks that are better for your health and your skin. Limiting dairy or swapping to non-dairy options seems to make a difference with us as well. In my case, wheat was really causing havoc with my skin. So, experiment and find out what flares up your skin.

♥ Acne Complex Homeopathy. I love homeopathy and Owens Homeopathy are great for the home prescriber. I love ordering from Megan at The Simplest Remedy as she has free shipping and great advice! If she doesn’t have something in stock, just ask and she will order it in for you. The Acne Complex has several remedies in one.

♥ Fruit and Vegetables. Time and time again, our family finds that getting stuck into the fruit and vegetables (particularly lots of greens) results in a glowing complexion! Try a green smoothie, daily.

♥ Herbal Tea. Teas like Red Clover, Nettle, Dandelion Leaf, Calendula and Burdock can all help with detoxification in the body and get your skin clear. We drink it hot or cold. My daughter often makes it up a big batch of iced tea and sips on it all day. The Complexion Tea from Tea Tonic is a winner and it tastes delicious.

♥ ACV. We dilute apple cider vinegar with some water (about 1 to 4) and use it on a cotton wool ball after cleaning. It kills off the bacteria and it also makes your skin alkaline, so the bacteria finds it hard to grow again. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off and apply moisturizer.

♥ Essential Oils. Lemon oil, lavender oil and tea tree oil are all effective on acne. Just pop a drop on the spots using a clean cotton bud or mix one drop with a little coconut oil and use as a moisturiser. Eco Oils actually have a blend called Pimple Clear you might like to try. It’s budget friendly and this blend is safe to apply direct to the skin without a carrier oil.

♥ Good Hygiene. Acne is bacteria, so keeping your face clean, not touching it with dirty hands and washing pillowcases frequently all helps.

♥ Supplements. Find a good supplement to support healthy skin. Zinc, vitamin C and A and omega 3 are all beneficial. These supplements are fantastic and really work well for us. Their skincare is great too.

♥ The Healthy Skin Diet. This book by Aussie mum and nutritionist, Karen Fischer is really worth a read. If you are having persistent problems with any sort of skin problem, Karen guides you through it with eating plans and advice. We found it very useful! Get it here.

♥ De-stress. The cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones. Get stress out of your life and see if it helps your skin. Try yoga, meditation, relaxation exercise and walking.

♥ Natural acne skin care. It’s important to use a good quality, natural skincare designed for acne. Don’t use horrible, harsh chemical-laden products – they just bleach your face and make the problem worse. Here are some that you might like to try:

Skin B5. A little more affordable, the kids found this range to really gentle on their skin and to be very effective at keeping the acne under control.
Botani (pictured). This is an all natural 3 step treatment pack that’s very gentle on troubled skin.
Noosa Basics. This natural company make a face wash and an acne drying lotion.
The Jojoba Company Jojoba Oil. It seems strange to put oil on oily skin but jojoba oil works really for acne because it has anti-bacterial properties and can help prevent excess sebum on the skin.

♥ Professional help. Visit a naturopath or integrative doctor aand get specific help if you feel like nothing is working. The answer could be more complex and involve your gut or liver health.

I hope these tips help! Let me know in the comments below what you have found good for clearing up acne.

Peachface tween and teen natural skincare

April 11, 2013 · 45 Comments

peachface

I have a tween. She is 11.

According to dictionary.com, a tween is “a youngster between 10 and 12 years of age, considered too old to be a child and too young to be a teenager.”

It’s a beautiful time but also one full of challenges.

My gorgeous girl has, in the last year, started to become a bit girly. Okay, a lot girly.

She is conscious of how she looks, what she wears, how her hair is sitting. She wants to start using “products”!

So, you can imagine how excited I was to come across gorgeous soul and Australian mum, Sue Lansdown, creator and founder of peachface. Very excited.

Sue’s products are specifically made for tweens and teens. peachface also ticks all of my natural, new age mum boxes and actively promotes and encourages positive self belief. Woohoo!

Let me just give you a quick rundown on what I am loving…….

♥ certified organic, natural and Australian indigenous ingredients

♥ Australian made and owned

♥ not tested on animals

♥ funky, recyclable packaging with affirmations

♥ Sue’s website and blog which is full of information and positive messages

♥ it’s very affordable for families and easy to get online or in stores with free postage over $50

Sue kindly posted my gorgeous tween some products to road test. We tried the tween range of cleaner, toner, moisturizer, mask and lip balm.

Here’s what the tween had to say about peachface…..

“I really like the colours on the bottles. It all smelt really good. My favourites are the lip balm and mask. I like the rose and honey. It makes my skin feel nice and soft. It’s good to have my own stuff so I don’t have to use mums!” ~ Natural New Age Girl

I can rest easy knowing my daughter is starting off her lifetime of skincare with natural products that won’t harm her health. I can’t tell you how much that means to me as a mum.

Okay, so who would like to try some out? Sue has kindly offered to give away two peachface gift packs – one tween and one teen!

♥ teen pack…. moisturizer, scrub, toner, mask

♥ tween pack …. cleanser, toner, face mask, moisturizer

This giveaway is now closed. The winners were Sonya B and Mary P. Congratulations!

How to enter:

*Be a blog subscriber (add your email to the top right hand box). Please double-check you are still subscribed after I moved the blog!

*Like peachface on Facebook.

*Comment on this blog post, telling me what your favourite affirmation is and if you would like a tween or teen gift pack.

Winners will be chosen using random.org from those meeting the entry requirements, emailed and announced on this blog post. Giveaway starts now and ends at midnight on the 20th of April, 2013. Sorry, only available to those with an Australian address. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook.

Good luck and many thanks to Sue and peachface!

Make Contact:

Website: www.peachface.com.au

Email: sales@peachface.com.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalteenageskincare

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