Eczema has plagued many members of my family and unfortunately many of my friends as well.  Eczema is an inflammatory, painful itching disease of the skin, acute or chronic in nature, with dry or moist lesions.  Attractive right?  Fortunately as I have grown older, my eczema has dramatically decreased and now only affects my legs during the season changes.  I get it right at the back of my knees and have found ways to keep it under control by doing what I do best: testing out and trying all the products you can think of until I find the ones that work for me.

Well just a couple months ago, I came across an article in Allure Magazine that discussed a study done on eczema patients using coconut oil and olive oil.  I’ve mentioned before here on BCB the wonders that olive oil can do for your skin, but surprisingly not coconut oil.  I know I’ve mentioned before how much I love anything and everything coconut so I was surprised that I never thought of writing about this benefit of coconut oil before.  In fact, my boyfriend uses coconut oil as his body moisturizer every day and his skin is perfect!  So there’s gotta be something to it.

Well in this study Allure refers to, 52 patients applied either coconut oil or olive oil twice a day for four weeks.  The study found that although both significantly alleviated skin dryness, coconut oil had a stronger antibacterial effect- “clearing 95 percent of skin infections involving Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, which is believed to exacerbate eczema.”  Because coconut oil is absorbed into the skin more quickly than olive oil, it doesn’t feel as greasy on the skin either.  Try them together with this detoxifying firming scrub I wrote about earlier on BCB.

So after reading this article, and stealing some of my boyfriend’s Health Support Raw Organic Coconut Oil, I did a test patch on my skin and found it to work wonders!  It immediately alleviated the itching, instantly moisturized the dry cracks I was experiencing, and seemed to clear up my eczema breakouts much more effectively than the ointments I had been using my entire life.  It was amazing! There’s nothing better than finding a product that works for you. And I always say there’s nothing better than using a natural source free of chemicals on your skin.

So what natural skin remedies do you guys use?  Share with us and leave a comment! 

Until next time friends…  xoxo

I’ve mentioned before on BCB how much I love Caudalie’s products.  From their cleansers to their body regimens, Caudalie is by far one of my top skin care lines.  Not only are their products highly effective, they are derived from natural sources and strive to continually be eco-conscious.  Overall, Caudalie’s mission to effectively treat the skin while maintaining respect for the environment goes hand in hand with my personal philosophies as well.

So today I wanted to tell you all about my love for Caudalie Beauty Elixir and how it seems to be the only thing that instantly makes me feel better on sick days other than being babied by my mom and boyfriend.    This spray is an anti-dull complexion treatment that smoothes features, tightens pores and literally provides an instant burst of radiance to the skin.  With ingredients like orange blossom and organic mint, the smells and sensations provide the perfect pick me up.  My senses are awakened, my skin feels soft and dewy, and I actually look alive!  What more could I ask for when feeling completely under the weather?

Now not only does Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir make for a great pick me up, it can also double as a wonderful after-shave for men or an exceptional makeup setter.  Just spritz it on before your moisturizer, after foundation, or any time of the day for instant energy and radiance.

What helps you guys out when you’re not feeling too well?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Until next time my friends…  xoxo

So today I wanted to give you another tip on battling cellulite (I told you it was going to be a continuous one).  This at home recipe goes perfect in conjunction with Caudalie’s all-natural, anti-cellulite concentrate I told you about last week.  Plus its fun making your own concoctions at home isn’t it?  I’ve always been a little scientist ever since I was a little girl so I definitely think so. 

The following treatment is a great firming scrub that contains coffee beans (renowned as an anti-cellulite agent) to help detoxify and tighten the skin.  Combined with sugar and coconut, it also helps to exfoliate, reduce fine lines, and fend off acne.  Macadamia or olive oil is great for deep hydration while essential oils help to wake up your senses.  Gentle enough for every day use, this scrub will leave your skin silky smooth and will appear virtually dimple free.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups cane sugar
• ¼ cup ground coffee beans
• ¼ cup shredded coconut
• ¾ cup macadamia nut oil or olive oil
• 1 tsp. honey
• 3-5 drops essential oil of choice

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, ground coffee beans, coconut, and oil in a bowl until fully combined.  Add honey followed by the essential oil.
2. Transfer the mixture to a plastic container with a lid. (The scrub will keep for 1 to 2 weeks sealed at room temperature.)
3. Rub a generous scoop of the scrub over your arms, legs, stomach, chest, and bottom, scrubbing medium to hard depending on your sensitivity.
4. Rinse off in the shower under warm to hot water, ensuring the sugar crystals disintegrate completely.  Pat dry to allow the oils to soak into your soft, glowing skin.

Note: Those with very sensitive skin may wish to use pure cane sugar because it is less abrasive than raw.

Try this one out and let me know what you guys think.  It smells absolutely fabulous and is a great way to start your day!  There’s nothing better than the smell of coffee to get you going.  Plus this treatment doesn’t even cost you any calories like a cup of joe would!  How great is that?  Well, unless you eat it of course! 

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

*Recipe courtesy of spamagazine.com

The FDA does not require approval of cosmetics before their manufacture and sale.  The FDA regulates cosmetics only in the areas of safety, labeling, and the claims made for a product.  Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance, starting with the ingredient having the highest concentration and ending with the ingredient having the lowest concentration.  Ingredients with a concentration of less than 1 percent may be listed in any order.  This is why it is so important to match the marketing claims made by a company with the ingredients listed on the back.

For example, yesterday I told you that I’ve tried several anti-cellulite treatments.  St. Ives has always been one of my favorite drugstore body moisturizers, so when they came out with St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer, I was very excited to try it.  However, my results were not as apparent as they were with Caudalie’s.  These are the ingredients St. Ives advertises as their main innovative ingredients in this anti-cellulite moisturizer:

• Green Tea- Known for attacking free radicals
• Caffeine- Known to stimulate the skin’s circulation, targeting “imprisoned fat”
• Citrus Extract- Known to rejuvenate and energize the skin
• Menthol- to invigorate tired, sluggish skin as it cools
• Glacial Water and Botanicals- Known to moisturize and hydrate the skin

Now although their claims about these ingredients have been proven to be true, to be highly effective, these ingredients must be listed toward the beginning of the ingredients list.  Without being in a high enough concentration, the potency of these ingredients becomes diminished. So I took a look at the ingredients list and checked to see just how much of these wonderful ingredients are actually in this anti-cellulite treatment.  Here is what I found out:

• Green Tea- Listed at ingredient number 45 out of 52
• Caffeine- Listed at ingredient number 12 out of 52
• Citrus Extract- Listed at ingredient number 50 and 51 out of 52
• Menthol- Listed at ingredient number 29 out of 52
• Glacial Water and Botanicals- No specific evidence of “glacial” water and botanicals listed all throughout the lower half of the list

So I took this information and now understood why this product might not have worked as well as I had originally thought it would.  It still acted as a great moisturizer and I still love St. Ives lotion just because of the experiences I’ve had with it before, but I’ll be more careful now before I jump on the bandwagon.  It was obvious that although St. Ives Cellulite Shield Advanced Body Moisturizer did contain these active ingredients, they were not in a high enough concentration to be effective in the way they had intended.

So next time you run out to your nearest store just because you saw a great ad or commercial on some new innovative product, make sure you do your research first.  And since its beneficial for you to have one, I recommend purchasing Milady’s Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. It’ll help you understand why certain things are in your product, what those chemicals listed really do, and translate all the latin names for you.  It’s a great little thing to take with you on your next trip to the department store.

Until next time ladies…  xoxo

Now how many of you wish you could smooth out those infamous dimples in your skin?  And no I don’t mean the cute dimples that appear in your cheeks when you smile.  I’m talking about those dimples in your butt and thighs!  Yup, cellulite has plagued many of us women for quite some time. And it seems like there have been thousands of products out there that claim to get rid of cellulite.  Well let me break it down to you a little bit here on some important facts about cellulite:

• Cellulite is gel-like lumps of fat, water, and residues of toxic substances beneath the skin, usually around the hips and thighs.
• Cellulite is caused primarily by female hormones and genetics, meaning men don’t get it!  Lucky!
• Cellulite becomes visible when damage to the dermis occurs causing the fat cells to become closer to the surface of the skin.  This damage happens when water is lost and the collagen and elastin tissues become weakened.  Another reason to stay hydrated!
• Unfortunately, reducing the appearance of cellulite is a continual process and cannot be completely diminished.  But fortunately, there are ways to refine our figures and smooth out that dimpled skin even if it does take a little work.

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate is an ultra-concentrated care product that really does produce visible results.  It comes with a 30 day marked gradation on the side of the bottle that lets you know exactly how much you need to apply each day.  I’ve just completed my first 7 days and have to tell you that I am so pleased with the results.  Not only has the product started to smooth out my dimples, my skin feels firmer and totally hydrated all day long.  Made completely with active ingredients coming from plant extracts, the solution itself also helps to drain excess water weight and leaves a refreshing lemon scent that is 100% natural.  Its something that has made an easy transition into my daily regimen and makes me feel better in my own skin.  How much more could I ask for?  I’m so happy to have finally found an anti-cellulite treatment that has given me visible results so soon and am really excited to see what continued use of this product can do!  I’ll definitely be keeping you all posted!

Until next time my loves…  xoxo