For today’s post, I’ve invited Sophia Smith, a freelance writer from Brisbane, Australia, to do a guest post on the topic of pure, green ingredients to help enhance our natural beauty and health. Sophia has a huge interest in beauty, fashion, makeup and graphic design. She is also very passionate about organic food and cosmetics, natural beauty and wellbeing. She could be described as a beauty addict and life lover. She mostly writes about beauty related topics, predominantly through blogs and articles. You will see that green is indeed mighty when it comes to our health and beauty! Sophia’s chosen ingredients are all green, a colour which is both calming and revitalizing, not only for our skin, but also for our whole body.
People say that natural beauty is the best kind of beauty, and of course, it takes a touch of nature to help us achieve it. But, contrary to what mainstream media would have you believe, there is no need to spend tons of money on expensive beauty products or cosmetic surgeries (I know its not organic, but some of the best false lashes I have ever used have been the cheapest!) Some of the most effective beauty enhancing ingredients can be found in your kitchen! In fact, many of the foods you put in your mouth are just as effective on the inside as they are on the out. And when it comes to selecting the best foods for your skin, trust us when we say “green” is all you really need! As a color alone, it has a calming and revitalizing effect, both on our outer and inner beauty. So for detoxification of your skin and entire organism, try incorporating as many green vegetables as you can into your facials and refreshing smoothies.
The Power of Cucumber
Cucumber is one the of the best foods for your skin! In fact, it is possibly more powerful when applied on your skin than it is when consumed within your diet. Known worldwide for being one of the simplest and most effective ingredients to use in a facial, women commonly use cucumber to reduce puffiness under their eyes and erase any traces of sleepless nights on their faces. It can also fade freckles and dark circles, improve your complexion, heal sunburn and tighten pores. Amazing!
Try blending cucumber with a banana, a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of fresh lemon juice for a healthy face mask. Or mix with sugar, olive oil and mint as a daily face scrub to brighten your skin. Alternatively, there are some lovely cucumber based organic skin care products available for purchase.
A Cup of Green Tea
Green tea is very popular with people who are trying to lose weight. But this healthy drink also has some of the most powerful antioxidant chemicals in the world, making it great for reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging. Plus, new studies have found it to be extremely effective against skin inflammation and cancerous changes in the skin. It may also help prevent UV damage, so why not drink a cup of green tea every day during summer to add an extra layer of protection to your skin when you are lazing on the beach and working on your tan?
Scare the Acne Away
We mostly struggle with this annoying skin condition when we are teenagers. But even as adults, we can still suffer from breakouts. Often we look to fancy crèmes or laser treatments for a cure, but it never seems to go away for long!
Well, the truth is you need look no further than your local vegetable department. Kale is a beautiful leafy green vegetable that can help heal your acne once and for all. Loaded with Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, kale will keep you looking young, protect you from harmful UV rays, repair your skin and make it resistant to many other annoying skin conditions.
Try adding a bit of crunch to a delicious salad by drizzling your kale with extra virgin olive oil, adding some salt and gently baking it in the oven until it is crunchy. Alternatively, add a bunch of fresh kale to your smoothie for a delicious nutrient booster.
As Strong as Popeye
Thanks to Popeye, we learned when we were kids that spinach gives you unimaginable strength. But it can also promote a brighter and more youthful look in your eyes. As it is full of iron, your complexion is bound to improve too. Keep things interesting at dinnertime by mixing it up with some cheese, cream or olive oil and serving it with a delicious steak, or adding it to a lovely salad. Alternatively, to revitalize the skin and hydrate your face, blend it up with some cucumber, broccoli and lime to make a delicious refreshing smoothie.
Unnoticed Basil
Unfortunately, delicious basil often goes unnoticed. Yet it totally deserves its spot here in the top 5! Even though we usually only add a small amount to any dish at one time, its major health benefits cannot be ignored, nor can the wonders it does to our skin. Basil is great for problem skin. Eaten daily, it has the ability to purify the blood from toxins and prevent the appearance of acne and other skin blemishes. Mix freshly crushed leaves with a few drops of lemon juice to lighten your skin tone and disinfect acne prone skin. It can also tighten skin – boil the basil in water for 5 minutes, add rosewater and a few drops of fresh lemon juice and apply throughout the day as a toner.
Read more: Beauty Tips for A Healthy Balance: The Do’s and Don’ts
Basil is truly a super food and its benefits go way beyond that of beauty. It has even been proven to contain anti-carcinogenic components, which prevent cancer cells from multiplying in your body and causing further damage.
Why not get yourself some Basil Essential Oil? It can act as a cooling agent for your skin and soothe minor skin irritations. Add a few drops of Basil Essential Oil to a carrier oil, such as coconut, to even skin tone and enhance the lustre of dull-looking skin and hair.
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