For the Love of Chocolate and Healthy Skin

Can it be true? Chocolate benefits the skin? That’s crazy talk… or is it?

Let me start by saying that I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic. I never have denied the fact, and I never will. I love chocolate. Every time I pop a piece of chocolate into my mouth, I know what the consequences are to my health. But until now, I never really knew the effect it would have on my skin - positive effect that is.

German scientists recently conducted a study which discovered that high levels of flavanol, a plant-based antioxidant found in cocoa, can help to reduce skin redness caused by UV light-exposure, if consumed daily. This conclusion is based upon two groups of women varying in age between 18 and 65 who were simultaneously given one cocoa drink everyday. One group was given high level flavanol cocoa, while the other group consumed a cocoa drink very low in flavanols. By six weeks, the group consuming flavanol-rich cocoa had reduced redness of their skin in response to UV-light by 15% and then 25% by 12 weeks. The other group consuming the low level flavanol cocoa experienced no change. The group of women drinking the cocoa high in flavanols also experienced enhanced moisture, texture and hydration of their skin. Again, the other group had no change. Scientists believe that these exceptional results are due to the improved blood circulation to the skin, which is essential to it’s health. In addition to protecting the skin from UV-light exposure, flavanols act as antioxidants, which defend the skin against free radicals and premature aging.

So does this mean you get to gobble down a big Snickers Bar everyday and throw out your sunblock? Sorry, the answer is a definite NO. First off, you must never omit your sunblock from your skincare regime. And secondly, since flavanols are found in cocoa, your skin will only benefit from chocolate that is as pure as possible . If you consume about three ounces of dark chocolate a day, (which is equivalent to the amount of flavanol in the cocoa from the German study), you can satisfy your sweet tooth everyday, while helping your skin stay healthy. How great is that? I don’t think it gets any better.

If you have a love for chocolate, delight yourself and your skin with some of these skin-friendly dark chocolates. Enjoy!

California Baby

I know that I am not alone when I say that as a mother, I want only the best for my baby. Overexposure to the sun, air pollution and other chemical elements in our environment is bad enough for us adults, but imagine the damage being done to a child with such delicate skin. Jessica Iclisoy, a mother of two, is the creator of California Baby, one of the few all natural and organic skin care product lines for babies. This amazing skin care line has become extremely successful, catching the attention of many California local news channels, countless magazines, as well as celebrities such as Katie Holmes and Denise Richards.

California Baby does not only cater to children. All of their skin care products can be used on children and adults alike. In addition to skin care products, California Baby offers products for bath time, diaper care, SPF sun care, bug repellents, pregnancy and more! Jessica also created a magnificent line of essential oil blends that can be used directly on the skin, diluted in bath water or massage oil or diffused with a wall diffuser to create a pleasant aroma throughout the home.

Among my absolute favorites from California Baby are the California Baby Calendula Cream and California Baby Soothing & Healing Mist for Face and Body. These products are miracle workers for both my son’s and my own battle with eczema. As well, I cannot live without the California Baby offspring Overtired & Cranky MOMMY & DADDY Oil Aromatherapy,which works wonders in helping to calm and soothe the whole family after a long and tiring day. California Baby has a unique line of products that are specially formulated for colds and flu. The California Baby Colds & Flu Aromatherapy Bubble Bath, Colds & Flu Massage Oil, and essential oil blend all work together to lower temperatures, relieve muscle aches, loosen mucus and ease congestion. This is extremely helpful when you have a young infant who has caught a cold or the flu and cannot be treated with medicine.

California Baby has a variety of gifts and totes that are great as “baby shower” or “welcoming baby” gifts. Any parent would be grateful to receive such a thoughtful gift that shows how much you care. Even better, California Baby is reasonably priced and conveniently sold at your local Target store, which makes it very easy to keep your shelves stocked with this terrific skin care line at all times. Travel sizes are a perfect way to try out something new and see how well it will work for you or your child’s skin. I am sure you will absolutely love California Baby and become a huge fan, like myself and many others.

Homemade Facial Tips

We don’t always have to spend a lot of money or depend on someone else to enjoy a refreshing and uplifting facial treatment. You can treat your skin to a quick midnight snack right at home with a few items that you most likely already have in your kitchen! Some of your most commonly used food ingredients have surprising benefits to your skin. I have searched far and wide and found some of the best homemade facial masque recipes. These scrumptious homemade facial masques will fill your skin with delight and satisfaction.

Take a few minutes to whip up these simple recipes, follow my Five Easy Steps to a Self-Facial and bask in the moment of self-indulgence. You deserve it!

Honey & Egg Masque - Dry Skin
Mix together 1 tablespoon warmed honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt. Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes. For easy removal, use a warm, (wet, squeezed-dry) face towel.

-Honey has many hidden talents. Most people are not aware of the fact that honey is a main ingredient in many anti-aging and moisturizing creams on the market. As a natural antioxidant, honey offers superb moisturization and anti-microbial properties.

-Yogurt is a terrific moisturizer and also offers a mild level of exfoliation. The lactic acid present in yogurt will help to refine your pores and smooth your skin by removing dead skin cells. The natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties will aid in fighting off germs and bacteria, which is wonderful for congested skin.

Egg & Cucumber Masque - Oily, Dehydrated Skin
Juice from 1 Cucumber (whole cucumber pureed and drained through a sieve), 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon witch hazel, 1 egg white (beaten until stiff). Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes, remove with warm towel.

-Eggs are great for all skin types. An egg applied to the skin will encourage tightening of the pores. Their high level of antioxidants will also help to protect the skin against free radicals and premature aging.

-Cucumber juice provides excellent skin hydration.

-Lemon Juice is beneficial to the skin for a couple of reasons. The citric nature of lemon juice works to draw impurities from the pores and will help to reduce their large appearance. The combination of Citric Acid and Vitamin C will also help to brighten and smooth the skin’s overall texture and tone.

Oatmeal Masque - Combination, Sensitive Skin
One beaten egg, 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal (ground with coffee grinder or blender), one teaspoon olive oil. Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes, remove with towel.

-Oatmeal is beneficial to all skin types, helping to restore the natural moisture balance of the skin. Oatmeal is most ideal for sensitive skin because of it’s superb healing properties.

Chamomile & Herb Masque - Normal Skin
1 teaspoon finely crushed and dried chamomile flowers, 1 teaspoon of fresh mint finely chopped, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 egg white blended all together in a blender. Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes, remove with warm towel.

** Before serving these delicious snacks to your skin, be sure that you do not have allergies to any of the ingredients. Even though you will not be ingesting the ingredients, you may still suffer an allergic reaction when they are applied to the skin. **

Support the Beautiful Cause!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Skinstore.com is playing an important role in supporting the cause and is giving us the opportunity to share in the effort. There are several skincare and beauty products that can be purchased in which a portion of the sales will be donated toward breast cancer research. Down below are a couple of these beauty items that Skinstore has to offer. You will find that there are some great gift ideas. To view the full list of skincare and beauty products designated to support the worthy cause, visit SkinStore.com or click on one of the links below. Let’s help do our part in finding a cure for this disease!

DuWop Purse Your Lips
DuWop introduces Purse Your Lips: an adorable pink miniature purse with a wrist chain strap, filled with DuWop’s Pink Shimmer Lip Venom. A portion of the proceeds from Purse Your Lips will be given to CEW’s Cancer and Careers, an organization that helps provide inspiration and insight to working women living with cancer. Pink Shimmer adds sparkle and shimmer to any makeup application for a rosy pout that cannot be achieved by wearing ordinary lip gloss.

Boscia Rose Blotting Linens
Absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup using finely woven linen made from 100% natural leaf fibers from the exotic Abaca tree plant. Slim package is ideal for purse or drawer. Boscia will donate 10% of the proceeds from the sales of the Rose Blotting Linens to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation to support breast cancer research. Boscia Rose Blotting Linens are infused with the exquisitely feminine essence of Rose to help soothe your skin and uplift your psyche.

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