Deep Conditioning Hand Massage

I am loving this simple routine that leaves you with soft and subtle hands, while also giving a relaxing and rejuvenating massage. Sounds good, right?!

Using a deeply penetrating aromatic cream, it works on acupressure points to re-balance your energy levels and promote relaxation. Mmmmmhhhhh. This is especially restorative to those of us who use keyboards, or any other repetitive task with our hands! You can also accompany this treatment with reviving hand and wrist exercises. For ultra subtle hands, apply the cream and a pair of cotton gloves before going to sleep. This will intensify the powers of the balm.

You can make this home-made hand cream yourself. Thanks Spice Spa!

Ingredients:
- 7 g (1/4 oz) beeswax
- 15 g (1/2 oz) cocoa butter
- 2 tbsp sweet almond oil
- 1 tbsp wheat germ oil
- 7 tsp rosewater
- 1 vitamin E capsule
- 2 drops each essential oils of rose, geranium, and black pepper

Prep:
Melt wax, cocoa butter, and oils in a bowl over a pan of boiling water and stir continuously. Remove from heat and mix in rosewater, a few drops at a time, stirring until all ingredients combine. Pick the capsule and squeeze vitamin E into the cream as you mix the essential oils. Spoon into a sterilized dark glass jar, seal, and refrigerate! PS- be sure to let your household know this isn't a spread meant for toast!

Apply and Massage:
1. Pick up a little cream with fingertips with your right hand. Apply to the back of your left hand using smooth strokes from your fingertips up to your wrist.
2. Turn your left hand over. Cupping it with your right fingers, circle your palm with your right thumb. Apply more cream as needed as you stretch out the palm to promote relaxation.
3. Turn your left hand back over. Starting at your little finger, circle each knuckle with your right thumb. Slide down each of you fingers with your right thumb and forefinger. When you get to the fingertips, briefly squeeze to stimulate the brain and promote clear thinking.
4. Repeat to the other hand, then interlink fingers and rub palms together. Flex your fingers and shake your hands. Voila!

'Spring' Into Great Skin!

Nothing cheers you up more than the weather turning from cold and gloomy to warm and fresh! Changes can be noticed all around from the flowers blooming and (for those of us in Vancouver) the rain seizing. The change in weather also means it’s time for us to re-evaluate our skin care regime! Skin preparation for winter and it’s harsh reality is not suitable for the freshness of spring.

Cold winter weather decreases circulation and perspiration of the skin. This is because the skin's naturally shedding outer layer does not turn over in cold weather as fast as in warm. The result, suppleness of the skin decreases and becomes drier, feeling more rough. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to get rid of the telltale signs of winter on your skin....Here is how you can put your best face forward as the outside beings to transform from gray to green.

- Exfoliate to remove dry skin cells that clog your pores. A simple mask made from cooled instant oatmeal can be applied for ten minutes to slough the surface of your complexion without stripping it.

- Nutrition is the basic building block to any skincare system! Spring is the easiest (and cheapest!) time to take advantage of fresh, green vegetables and fruits. Try asparagus, baby greens like spinach, and strawberries. If you can afford it try to increase the organic foods in your diet. The less toxins and pesticides we intake, the less your liver and spleen need to process!

- Sometimes your cosmetics regime needs to change too ladies. We often mask the winter dryness with full coverage foundation, and as warmer air begins to hold more moisture, this can actually cause more harm than good. Opt for a lightweight foundation with SPF protection (15 or more!). On a side note, keep your makeup colours light and fresh. Fashion magazines and style guides can give you great pointers to seasonal tastes.

- Use a light moisturizer on your face (I prefer an aloe vera or tea tree base) that is suitable for your particular skin type. As spring begins, you perspire more and heavy moisturizers tend to clog your pores. Also, moisturize your entire body.

- For our hands and feet, try soaking them for about fifteen minutes in a solution made from two parts milk to one part honey - it really works for softness! You can also try applying white petroleum jelly, put on gloves and socks and go to bed. When you wake up, you're skin will be noticeably softer.

- I know it’s hard ladies as we all want that healthy glow before baring all in our bikini’s, but PLEASE, try void tanning salons! Harmful rays strip your skin of essential moisture and can leave lasting damage. Be cautious when first spending prolonged time outdoors. The sun is now stronger and your skin is still sensitive from winter damage, making it even more susceptible to sunburn. Apply a sunscreen to protect your skin whenever you go outside.

- As always, drink six to eight glasses of water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out.

Spring is a beautiful time, and you too should feel beautiful. The best skincare system always has a focus on prevention. With a little extra attention, you will have smooth, attractive skin and be ready to face spring!

Natural Topicals

While lifestyle is extremely important to maintain healthy and glowing skin year round, trying these natural topical treatments will work wonders. Here are some herbal remedies that are the answer to all skins problems!

Benefits of neem on skin

· Neem is a wonder herb. Since early times neem is known for its wonderful properties and marvelous results on skin. It works as blood purifier and is very helpful in eradicating toxins from the blood that are supposed to cause harm to the skin.
· Local application of neem powder or neem oil has miraculous results. It is a famous anti microbial herb, it renders all the microorganisms inactive therefore helping in proper healing of wound without causing any infections and septic conditions
· Good results have been seen on skin problems like acne and blemishes. It helps in disinfecting the hair follicles and helps in eradicating the particle which is the main culprit in blocking the pore
· Taking bath of neem leaves socked water helps our body to counter mild infections, which our body might get in day-to-day activity
· Neem helps in early healing of burns and injuries that might also helps in fading of scars that are left after the any injury
· Tropical application and internal use of neem makes us relieved from eczema and even ringworms
· Neem is very helpful in providing internal glow to the skin by providing natural supplements that are required for good and healthy skin
· Neem is extensively used in hair fall and early graying of hairs with very satisfying results.
· It also find its application in dandruff and in lice growth
· Neem is helpful in lighting dark circles which are usually caused due to life style disturbances

Effects of Tulsi, the holy basil on skin

· Tulsi behave as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent thus helps in eradicating any of the microorganisms developing on the wound and the skin.
· Tulsi is a wonderful blood purifier that helps in eradicating any toxins circulating in blood and helps us from any kind of foreign invasion there fore helps in protecting our skin from acne and other skin infections.
· It helps in normalizing our digestive system thus helpful in treating cause by which dark circles are caused.
· Tulsi is helpful in skin conditioning by improving blood circulation thereby helping each and every cell to get its part of nutrition and oxygen that helps in glowing skin
· Tulsi works as a powerful antioxidant thereby helps in preventing early aging signs and makes the skin young as never before

Wheat grass and its effects on skin

· Wheat grass has been used since ages as it is helpful in providing required vitamins and minerals that are very helpful in nourishing skin and helps it to look healthy
· Due to presence of vitamin E in wheat grass, it helps in preventing aging and also helps in maintaing shine on the skin.
· Vitamin E also helps in preventing dark circles around eyes
· It is a good remedy in any skin disorder, as it possesses the cold potency, which is helpful in curbing skin disease that are of hot potency.
· Super oxide dismutase (SOD) present in wheat grass helps in slowing the aging process of cell thus gives the property of rasayan to wheat grass
· Alanine, an amino acid helps in promoting blood formation there fore helpful in formation of RBC (red blood corpuscles), WBC (white blood corpuscles), blood platelets etc. which are helpful in providing proper nourishment and protection to cell from any foreign invasion
· Vitamins A present in wheat grass is very useful in improving vision of eyes therefore helping in providing proper nourishment to the skin under eyes preventing dark circles and sagging down of skin
· Iron is helpful in hemoglobin production therefore is helpful in increasing oxygen carrying capacity of blood and is helps in imparting pinkish colour to the skin

Amla benefits on skin

· It is very helpful in skin diseases as it has sheet virya (cold potency), it inhibits pitta dosha and thus helps in getting relief from it as all the skin disorders are caused by pitta dominance.
· Regular use of Amla promotes glow on skin and delays wrinkles or loosening of skin. Good results have been found in eczema.
· Its internal use as well as its local application on scalp gives good results in hair loss as it provides nourishment to the skin on head (scalp).
· It stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair.
· It also prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff, which is flaking of dead cells of the scalp.
· Indian women generally use Amla to wash their hairs, which act as natural hair conditioner as it helps in providing good nourishment and also helps in normalizing blood supply
· It is helpful in making skin glow and works as an antioxidant therefore prevents wrinkles and loosening of skin.

Aloe vera: a skin specialist herb

Aloe vera is a herb extensively used in enhancing beauty in natural way.
· Aloe vera is known to help in condition known as dermatitis (an inflammatory disease of the skin) therefore helps in relieving from it
· It stabilizes digestive system and therefore is very essential in providing proper nourishment to the skin.
· Being an herb of cold potency, it helps in fighting against any skin diseases that are caused by pitta related disorders
· It works as magic in burn cases and researches have proved its efficacy in healing wounds faster than any thing
· It is helpful in erasing blemishes and dark spots on face generally caused after pregnancy.
· It helps in fighting with acne and other allergic disorders of skin thereby making pores clear and healthy
· Helps in lightening of the skin colour, as it helps in fighting extra amount of melalin that has been produced in body
· It works as an antioxidant therefore helps in fighting with the age related changes that has occurred with growing age
· Helps in slowing down the wrinkles developing on the skin.
· Helps in increasing circulation of blood thus facilitating easier oxygen exchange between the cells thus providing them nourishment