There are some beauty products which may not suit a particular type of skin. Some people may be allergic to specific face masks and creams and toners. In spite of unsure results, people try and try and try to use different skin care regimen just to help them with their skin problems.

In this case, nature is still the best thing that every happened to man. Apart from its health and beauty benefits, they are almost always easily found in the pantry.

Here are five popular natural face masks you can find within the comfort of your own home.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is high in Vitamin E. As such, it freshens tired skin to make it glow and makes for an excellent moisturizer. Therefore Oatmeal can be used as a facial and body scrub, with definitely great results.

Banana

Banana is an all-around fruit. A mashed banana can be a fabulous face and hair mask. It is able to soften, condition and moisturize skin and hair because of the vitamins and minerals present in the fruit. Another great thing about the banana is that it has anti-aging properties.

Green Beans

Who would have thought green beans could be used as a beauty product? To make a mask out of green beans, mas them up and mix it to some plain yogurt. Apply this onto your face and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. Use lukewarm water to rinse the mask off.

Honey

Of course, one can never forget honey, which is possibly one of the most popular beauty and health aid. You can use pure honey, by itself, as a face mask. Apply it on your face and let it set for 15 minutes or until dry. Rinse off with warm water.

Egg and Olive Oil

Egg and olive oil are the basic ingredients of an Egyptian face mask. To make this mask, mix together 1 beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil, one tablespoon of whole milk, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of flour. Blend the ingredients well until they reach a creamy consistency. Apply the mixture on your face and neck and leave it on for 15 minutes. Use cool water to rinse off the mask.

I just love to use anything natural on my face, body and my hair. So if you know any natural wrinkle creams, let me in on it.

Using natural products on your skin is not only very healthy but also very safe. Only great benefits can be reaped from nature.

I need to get moving. So I’ve been thinking of getting a treadmill. Maybe looking for refurbished fitness equipment could be economical. I’m not sure though, but having a treadmill at home would be great. I could sweat it without leaving the house.

I love wearing makeup. I love dolling up even when I am just at home, you know, to remind me I do have some really great assets, like my eyes. Now I know wearing makeup doesn’t help very much in keeping my face acne-free. And sometimes they leave really bad scars.

In spite of it I love my face. And after the stress of the past few weeks, I think my face needs some pampering.

This is what I look like as I type this post. Haha. What do you do when you pamper your face? Going for a facial? Putting on creams and masks?

Hey everyone! I kinda had an awful few days since I last updated. I was sick in bed – headache, earache, sore throat, cold. So I stayed in bed the entire day, drinking water and juices. I took a paracetamol tablet and slept for an entire afternoon.

And what do you know… by nighttime, I was feeling so much better. All I needed was bed rest to let antibodies do its work and help get me back on my feet. And in spite of the sore throat, I drank cold water. It somehow helped numb the pain and soreness. I know that some may disagree with me about drinking cold water. But it works for me.

Come night time, I was able to get online and read a little bit – some news, fanfiction. But that’s it. I didn’t want to wear myself out by reading too much. So I went to bed early.

It is important that when you are down with the flu or common cold, it is best to stay in bed and rest. Have a hot soup for lunch. Drink some paracetamol to help with the headache. Drink lots of water. Take a very long afternoon nap. When you wake up, try doing some little enjoyable things like reading or listening to music or even watch an episode or two of your favorite series. But don’t overdo it. And of course, sleep early.

Oh, I have a little secret to tell you. I THINK I already have some crow’s feet in the corner of my eyes. Should I start reading wrinkle cream reviews?

Photo credit: Dreamstime

Those with oily skin are usually the ones who have problems with pimples. I know how that is, I have never really been able to get rid of my oily skin, but at least I have been able to control it.

Some OTC acne medicine can lessen the production of oil on the face, but they can rob your face of much-needed moisture as well.

You can try a natural mask to take control of your oily skin. It’s not only natural, it’s yummy, too.

Strawberry Facial Mask

Strawberries have great astringent properties and will help cleanse oily skin without irritation. Blend together the following ingredients for a natural face mask.

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 cup strawberries

Wash your face with water and mild facial cleanser. Put some of the mask on your face and leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing off.

Photography: Dreamstime

Constipation is a common disturbance in the digestive system. It is characterized by difficulty in bowel movement. Chronic constipation can be harmful. When the bowels are not emptied, it will produce toxins that will find their way into the bloodstream, causing diseases.

Constipation is caused by several different things: faulty diet, insufficient water intake, drinking too much strong coffee and tea, and even lack of physical activity.

Another effect of constipation is hemorrhoid. So unless you want to spend a day looking online for cure for hemorrhoids, you might want to try some natural home remedies for constipation.

Eat healthy. Eat foods rich in fiber. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Fruits like Guava, Pear, Grapes, Oranges and Papaya helps make bowel movement a lot easier. As much as possible, avoid sugary and starchy foods.

Drink lots of water. The secret is to hydrate. Drinking too much liquids which either absorb water or expel too much water like sodas, coffee and tea will only contribute to difficult bowel movement. Drink plenty of water everyday. If you can manage it, try going for eight glasses of water every day.

Eat well. Sure, you might be eating a balanced diet, but you might also have a hectic diet that you always have to eat hurriedly. Allot a time specifically for meals. Chew your food properly, eat on time and avoid irregular and hurried meals.

Exercise! A sedentary lifestyle contributes to constipation. According to WebMD, “Exercise helps constipation by decreasing the time it takes food to move through the large intestine, thus limiting the amount of water absorbed from the stool into your body.” To learn more about how exercise eases constipation, read the WebMD article Exercise to Ease Constipation.

So there, it’s not that hard to do. Eating the right kinds of food, hydration and exercise are the keys to help ease constipation. Remember, constipation can be the cause of more complicated health problems, so try to eliminate it and soon.

After pregnancy, one of things that moms usually leave to the sidelines is exercise. Other things are on the top of the priority list – looking after the kids, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, preparing meals – it just never ends. For most moms, self care often gets sidetracked.

One of the most important things in life is good health. Parents have the responsibility to their family to stay healthy. Who would take care of the kids if mom or dad is sick? So aside from eating healthy and adequate sleep and rest, exercise should also be in the priority list.

But how could a few hours of exercise be possible if there would be no one to take care of the kids? Well, babies and toddlers could be good exercise buddies.

Exercising with Baby

• Walk with your baby. Walking, they say, is the most achievable form of exercise. Strap the baby securely to his Bob stroller and enjoy the cool crisp morning or the quiet afternoon strolling around the neighbourhood.
• Dance with your baby. You don’t need to go out in order to enjoy this workout with your baby! Just play some tunes that you both love and you’re ready.
• Yoga with your baby. Oh yes, you and your baby can do some tandem yoga. There are classes being offered as well as DVD workout routines that can assist you in exercising with your baby.

Having a lot of things to do at home and taking care of the children is not an excuse to forget about caring for your health. Making your baby or toddler your exercise buddy not only helps you stay healthy, but also enables you to spend more quality time bonding.

Photo credit: Parents Connect

Do you remember about my post on my summer goal? Well yesterday I was researching weight loss (as usual), and somehow I came across Quick Trim Fast Cleanse. I was actually looking for some literature on Green Tea, because it is highly recommended to me by a good number of my friends.

Actually, I tried several brands of tea to help me manage my weight but OMG the side effects! I can’t even begin to imagine how inconvenient it was to wake up in the middle of the night (and sometimes in the wee hours of the morning) to a rumbling tummy and to have to get up and run to the toilet to do my business. So looking at this Quick Trim Fast Cleanse, I wonder – would it be as bad as those slimming tea or slimming pills? If you’re curious, click here to learn more about quick trim fast cleanse.

Someone kept telling me that slimming tea can be harmful, as it may thin the inner lining of the stomach, which may result to ulcer. Ok. Now I’m scared.

I guess there’s really no other way but proper portioning of meals and exercise. But sheesh. Isn’t it so surprising that I can’t find time to exercise even if I’m a SAHM? Or am I just making an excuse?

Are you a stay-at-home-mom? Do you find time to exercise? Or do you take the easier way and drink slimming tea and other weight loss aids? Homemaker Xee wants to know.

I just have to rant. I am near to the point of depression due to the recent onslaught of adult acne. This usually happens every month, for one week. Right before my period starts. Ugh. The rest of the month I’m smooth as smooth can be. But now is that time of the month again and I am desperate for acne treatments that will get rid of these suckers once and for all.

As much as possible I only try to use topical treatment to help me with my acne problems. Sure they do help a lot in keeping my face clear for three weeks, at best. But somehow any kind of topical acne treatment just don’t work with the kind I have – you know, the ones caused by hormones.

Ugh. I guess I’d have to put off going out for a few days. I hate this time of the month.

On Saturday, February 27, United Concordia Dental partners is partnering with Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kanawha Valley Dental Society to provide free dental services to 200 children in West Virginia.

“Nationally, more than 108 million children and adults do not have dental coverage,” said Dr. Jerome Blum, United Concordia Dental’s corporate dental director. “By partnering with groups such as Kanawha Valley Dental Society and Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, we are helping provide essential dental health services to children and adults in need.”

The kids will receive free dental screenings from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The venue is at Bible Center Church, 1111 Oakhurst Drive, Charleston, W.V. What about follow-up care, you may ask? Well, the kids who will need after care will be referred to local dentists who will provide that care at no cost in their private dental offices.

During the event, the importance of good oral hygiene will be discussed to the children; proper brushing and flossing techniques will also be shared.

“United Concordia takes very seriously our responsibility to help the communities we serve,” said Woodrow Greene, United Concordia’s community outreach coordinator. “We believe that strategic, socially responsible initiatives create strong and vibrant communities.”

United Concordia Dental is one of the leading dental insurers in the United States. For more information, head on to: http://www.unitedconcordia.com