DOING IT NATURAL

Category: Skin care

  • 500+ Followers

    Hey guys, I recently hit 500 follows on my blog and I’m so excited about it. I started this blog in March, 2017 and it has been an amazing journey with you all.

    I deeply appreciate all your likes, comments, reblog, awards nominations and many more. I never thought I was going to get 50 followers let alone 500+. I appreciate all the love so far.

    To all my readers from 100+ countries especially the top four countries (United States of America, Nigeria, India and United Kingdom), I say a very big thank you.

    I have moved to a self hosted site, www.doingitnaturalblog.com, I will be very grateful if you can also follow me on my new blog. Thanks for the love.

  • Eczema: Causes, Triggers and Natural Remedies

    I had eczema the first time ever 2 months ago, I was totally shocked because I always thought I had good skin and can never get it. I have seen many people suffer endlessly from eczema and most resort to over the counter medications, topical antibiotics etc.

    Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by dry scaly skin, itchiness, weeping and oozy rashes and blisters. It occurs mostly on the face, hands, elbows, back of knees, feet and back. It occurs mostly in children and affect adults too.

    Causes/Triggers

    • Genetics: Eczema runs in the family, it is common among people with family history of eczema and asthma.
    • Dry skin: Having a dry skin predispose you to getting eczema
    • Stress: Stress can trigger a lot of conditions, eczema included.
    • Extremes of hot and cold temperature: Feeling too hot can make you sweat a lot and get heat rashes which can become eczematous. Also, feeling too cold can also dry your skin out.

    • Certain skin products: Some skin care products such as bathing soap and body creams contains ingredients too irritating to the skin such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil etc
    • Foods containing gluten: Eating food containing gluten such as bread can worsen symptoms of eczema
    • Dairy foods: Dairy products such as milk especially cow milk can trigger eczema and should be avoided
    • Wool fibers: Wearing clothes made of wool can also irritate and scratch your skin 
    • Detergents: Washing your clothes with detergents containing irritants can cause eczema
    • Environment allergens: Some people are allergic to pollen, grass etc and some to animals such as dogs. Coming in contact with allergens can also trigger eczema
    • Water: If you think you are doing everything right but can’t figure out what is causing eczema, your bathing water might be contaminated. That was the case for me when I had it.
    • Immunosuppression: Suppressed or abnormal functioning immune system can also predispose you to eczema.
    • Hormones

        Natural Remedies

        • Ginger:Grate some ginger and add some honey to make a paste, apply on the affected part and rinse off with warm water after 30 minutes.
        • Chamomile tea: Brew chamomile tea and apply on your skin to reduce inflammation.
        • Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera soothes the skin, relieves itching and also moisturizes making it an effective remedy for eczema relief. 
        • Apple cider vinegar: Dab some ACV on the affected part 3 times a day to relieve dryness, itching and rashes.
        • Baking soda: Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply on the eczema area, wash off after 30 minutes. This will ease symptoms of eczema.
        • Shea butter: Shea butter is very moisturizing and can also reduce scars caused by eczema.
        • Coconut oil: Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, it also relieves itching and moisture the skin
        • Olive oil: Olive oil contains omega 3 oil which helps reduce inflammation. Massage some on the affected area
        • Probiotics: Probiotics such as yoghurt and raw cheese can help the immune system fight eczema.
        • Vitamin E: You can either take vitamin E pills orally or apply the oil topically on your skin to reduce the discomfort caused by eczema.
        • Cucumber slices: Cucumber can soothes the skin, reduce swelling and redness. Place some cucumber slices on the affected area for relief.
        • Oats: Grind some oats into powder and sprinkle on your bathing water to ease the discomfort caused by eczema.
        • Honey

            Other helpful tips

            1. Avoid dairy and gluten food products.
            2. Limit bathing to once daily with warm water, using soap repeatedly will further irritate your skin and hot bath will dry your skin out.
            3. Eat omega 3 filled foods such as fish.
            4. Avoid tight fitting and rough fiber clothes. Go for clothes with smooth surface instead.
            5. Avoid scratching the affected part, doing so will lead to more rashes.
            6. Ensure you wear appropriate clothes for each season.

              Do you get eczema? What trigger it? What natural remedies do you use in managing eczema. Thanks for reading.

              Sources

              www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14417.php

              https://medlineplus.gov/eczema.html

              http://everydayroots.com/eczema-remedies

              http://www.naturallivingideas.com/get-rid-of-eczema/

              https://wellnessmama.com/12065/natural-eczema-remedies/

            1. 9 Easy Natural Ways To Exfoliate Your Skin

              I recently wrote a post on  8 amazing benefits of exfoliating and I promised to write another post on how to exfoliate your skin.
              When choosing an exfoliant, it is better to go for exfoliants with all natural ingredients or use DIY recipes.Not only are the diy exfoliants cheaper but are also safer for the skin and you can easily get them in your kitchen.

              DIY Natural Scrubs

              • Sugar: Sugar contains glycolic acid which helps remove dead skin cells and improve cell regeneration. Mix 1/2 cup of sugar with olive or coconut oil.This might be too harsh for your face.

              • Baking soda: This works as gentle exfoliant, it works best when mixed with honey and is also safe for the face.
              • Salt scrub: Salt is also a good exfoliant, combine 1/2 cup of salt with coconut or olive oil and massage it on your skin.
              • Coffee scrub: Caffeine in coffee can boost collagen production. Mix some ground coffee with olive oil and honey.

              • Lemon scrub: Lemon contains alpha hydroxyl acid which is a great exfoliator. Squeeze a lemon in a mix of sugar and honey and use it to scrub your skin.
              • Oatmeal: Oats is also a gentle exfoliant and very good for those with sensitive skin. It is my favourite especially whem mixed with honey. Grind some oatmeal and mix with honey to exfoliate your skin. You can also use the oat without grinding by mixing with warm water but it will make your bathroom messy.

              • Papaya: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which helps get rid of dead skin cells. Mash some papaya and apply it over your body with a loofah.

              • Milk: Lactic acid in milk makes it a good exfoliant. Mix equal parts of milk and honey together and scrub your skin gently with it.
              • Honey: Honey has antibacterial properties, it can brighten skin, fades stretch mark etc. You can use it alone to exfoliate but is better to use with other exfoliator for effective results. 

              Things you will need

              1. Loofah, soft brittle brush or exfoliating gloves.
              2. Exfoliating agent preferably natural scrubs such as oatmeal, sugar, honey, coffee etc
              3. Moisturizer
              4. Warm water
              5. Cold water

              Steps of exfoliating

              1. Take a warm shower, this will open your skin pores so that the exfoliating products can work effectively.
              2. Apply the exfoliating agent on your loofah or exfoliating gloves
              3. Spread or slather the scrub all over your body working from your chest to your legs gently in a circular motion if you are using a shower and from your legs to your chest if using a bath tub.
              4. Don’t forget your back, you can use a brush with handle to scrub if you can’t have full access to it.
              5. Apply a gentler exfoliant on your face and neck, avoiding your eye area and lips because of their thin skin layer or scrub gently. Also, use your palms to exfoliate your face, using loofah or brush can be too harsh for your face.
              6. Rinse your face and body with cold water to close your pores back.
              7. Follow up with a moisturizer immediately after towel drying your body.

                  How do you exfoliate? What diy recipes do you use? Thanks for reading.

                1. 8 Amazing Benefits of Exfoliating.

                  8 Amazing Benefits of Exfoliating.

                  Most of us skip this important and expedient part of our skincare routine.Exfoliating shouldn’t be circumscript to the face but should be done all over the body.

                  Exfoliation is the process of removing dead or dry skin cells from the skin. It has loads of benefit for our skin appearance and also helps with some skin conditions. 

                  Dead skin cells should be exfoliated once or twice a week preferably with natural or home remedies for a beautiful smooth skin. With regular exfoliation, you seldomly need to wear makeup everyday and you feel more comfortable without worrying about dark spots, acne etc.

                  Benefits of exfoliating.

                  • Even skin tone: Hyperpigmentation makes a part of the skin appear darker than other parts. Exfoliating regularly, can remove all dark spots giving you an overall even skin tone.
                  • Glowing skin: Exfoliation increase blood circulation to the skin making it look healthy and glowing..

                  • Reduce clogged pores: Pores are the small opening in the skin, they can get clogged with oil, dirt and dead skin cells. You can reduce the clogged pores through exfoliation.
                  • Removes blemishes and acne: Regular exfoliation can get rid of blemishes and acne on your face giving you a flawless skin.
                  • Reduce wrinkles: Wrinkles which can also be as a result of dead skin cells can also be reduced with exfoliation.
                  • Helps with dry skin: People with dry skin often get flakes on their skin, this can be easily removed by exfoliating.

                  • Better shaving and prevent razor bumps: Exfoliating before shaving gives you a better shave and reduce risk of razor bumps.
                  • Absorption: Skincare products get easily absorbed on the skin and works better with regular exfoliation.

                    After exfoliating, use a natural moisturized such as shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil etc. Also do not expose your skin for long to sun rays after exfoliating for 24 hours. 

                    I will soon write a post on how to exfoliate and best natural products for exfoliating. Thanks for reading and please share.

                    Do you exfoliate? Do you know any other benefits of exfoliating? Pleae drop your comments in the comment box. Thanks.