OILY SKIN! CAUSES, DO'S & DON'T, SOLUTIONS & ADVANTAGES!

Oil is created and release onto the skin by the sebaceous glands.  They are microscopic glands, found in the skin, but more abundance on the face and scalp.  Sebaceous glands excrete an oily, waxy substance called sebum, which helps moisturize your skin as well as provide a protective layer against elements.  When the sebaceous gland produces too much sebum, oily, acne prone skin is the result.

Heredity and hormones also plays a part.  If both of your parents have oily skin, then you stand a chance of having oily skin as well.  Oily skin can also be caused when hormones change.  This typically occurs during puberty, pregnancy, menopause and or during any stressful physical or emotional situation.

Instinctively, the first thing one may want to do is completely stripping the skin of oil, but this will only cause irritation and will signal the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil.  We don't want that! Oil production is natures way of fighting irritation so instead, you want to balance the oil by following and sticking to a beauty regiment that's designed for your specific skin needs.   When washing your face, use products that are gentle but are slightly medicated or contains antibacterial lotion.  Toners with citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit and even witch hazel are ideal for oily skin because it helps close and minimize the look of pores, plus it helps absorb the oil.

Avoid using products that leaves your face feeling dry, tight or irritated for reasons listed above.  Keep  your hair away from you face, this includes while you're sleeping.  This is probably one of the biggest thing individuals with oily skin overlook.  As mentioned above, the scalp has the biggest percentage of sebaceous glands, which means your hair will also contain oil, not including any additional oil/product you add to it on a daily basis.  Wearing styles that keep your hair away from your face and wearing a scarf or sleeping bonnet, while you are sleeping, will help keep oil from transferring from you hair to your face.

A moisturizer is still needed for oily skin.  Oil and moisture is not the same, the oiliness of the skin will hold in moisture, but it won't replace the moisture that you lose. Using an oil free moisturizer containing sunscreen is also recommended.

Be sure to try these additional natural solutions that you can do at home.

• Thirty minutes before taking a shower or bath, apply 1/2 teaspoon each of lime and cucumber juice mixed together to your face

• To clear excess oil, blend equal teaspoons of green clay powder and raw honey.  Apply this mixture to your face avoiding the area around your eyes, Leave this on for 15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.  Repeat 3 times a week or as needed

• Once or twice daily, mix equal parts of lemon juice and water and pat on your face.  Allow this application to dry completely then rinse with warn water.  Follow with a cool water rinse.

Remember, having oily or acne prone skin isn't a death sentence, with the right combination of products and care you can manage the amount of oil that is visible.  One of the great advantages of having oily skin is that it ages at a slower rate that other skin types.  Now who doesn't want to look forever young!!

4 Reasons to Use Luxe Essentials Soy Candle

There are many benefits to burning soy candles instead of a traditional paraffin candles.

Clean burn:  Our soy candles are non-toxic and burns cleaner, without heavy petro-chemical soot that paraffin candles leaves behind on walls and in the air. 

Long Burning:  Our soy candles burns slower and cooler than paraffin wax resulting in a longer burning candle

Renewable resource: Soybeans are a renewable resource unlike paraffin, which is derived from petroleum

Biodegradable: Soybeans are vegetables, therefore they are biodegradable.  Also it's much easier to remove soy wax from surfaces than paraffin.

Use our soy candles to create ambiance for a romantic dinner or to simply to freshen up the air of your home or office.  Get it while you can, they are available in both lavender and lemongrass scents.  We will be discontinuing our current soy candle collections so this will be your last chance to purchase them while supplies last here!

When Winter Is Harsh on the Body.....

Most of us feel it, the cold winter air making our lips and skin, dry, flaky and cracked.  In some cases, you may even experience static prone hair due to dryness.  If this sounds like something you are a victim of, no worries, we have natural solutions for you.  You may just need adjust your skincare/hair care routine with the seasons when necessary. Below are some tips that will help you winterize your beauty routine.

For cracked, dry lips, try an all-natural organic lip balm with healing, moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil and calendula. Avoid petroleum, petroleum jelly or petrolatum, which are some of the various forms in which petroleum may be listed. Also, stay away from ingredients such as menthol and camphor, which are commonly used because they create a tingly sensation when applied, but they tend to dry out the lips. 

For dry, flaky skin, use natural moisturizers with softening ingredients such as coconut and safflower oil. Body butters tend to be heavier and thicker than lotion. You may want to consider switching to a body butter such as Luxe Essentials Lavender Body Butter during the harsh winter months.  Another option is to just apply the body butter on especially dry areas such as your elbows, knees and heels. Once you have found a moisturizer, always apply to the skin upon exiting the shower, when your body is still a little damp. The water helps lock in the moisture, which enables your skin to stay softer, longer throughout the day. 

If your hair becomes drier during the winter months, try deep conditioning it more frequently than you normally do during the summer months.  Ingredients such as olive oil have proven the test of time and has been know for centuries as being and excellent choice for moisturizing the hair.  Try a hot oil treatment using olive oil.  Let sit on the hair for 20 minutes and rinse and shampoo as needed.  Stay away from hair products that contain alcohol because that will only dry out your hair even more.  Secondly, winter air also creates static cling.  There's nothing more annoying than taking off a sweater or hood to find strands of your hair standing up away from your scalp.  A simple solution is to run a dryer sheet over your hair. 

So remember, when it comes to moisturizing your skin and hair, look for natural oils and use organic when available. Stay away for ingredients that tend to dry the skin and hair and use dryer sheets to calm static cling.

xoxo,

Luxe Essentials

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011 will be an exciting year for Luxe Essentials.  We're looking to introduce a brand new look for our website and blog.  Launch new products and create new scents of your already favorite existing products.  We also hope to see everyone at all of our events that we will be participating in throughout the year.  We also plan to continue our "Ingredient of the Week,"  and discuss topics such that will show you how to dye your hair naturally, the proper method of determining your skin type and ingredients to avoid and so much more.  We're looking forward to reading your feedback and comments from all of you.  We wish you all a happy and prosperous year!

xoxo,


The Luxe Essentials Team

CLEARANCE SALE!!!

50% OFF THESE ITEMS!  
While supplies last!

   Was $20  Now $10

• Lavender is great to calm the spirit and ease anxiety

• Great for the legs, arms and torso

• Makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays

• You can moisturize your skin without worrying about harmful toxins

Was $20  Now $10 

• 100% soy wax which burns cleaner

• Made with therapeutic essentials oils

• Makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays

• Available in both lavender and lemongrass

               

 Was $20  Now $10 

• Winter is around the corner and our skin tend to be drier during the winter months

• It's 100% natural and made with organic ingredients, which means it's great for the skin

• It works wonders to relieve really dry skin and works great for extra dry regions such as the knees, elbows and feet

Check out our sale here! While supplies last!

WHY CHOOSE ALL NATURAL LUXE ESSENTIALS PRODUCTS?

WHY BUY OUR BODY BUTTERS?

• Winter is around the corner and our skin tend to be drier during the winter months
• It's 100% natural and made with organic ingredients, which means it's great for the skin
• It works wonders to relieve really dry skin and works great for extra dry regions such as the knees, elbows and feet

 3 GREAT FEATURES  OF  OUR SOY CANDLES

• 100% soy wax which burns cleaner
• Made with therapeutic essentials oils
• Comes in a reusable tin jar with a clear lid making it convenient to use while traveling

                                    

                    WHY OUR ALL NATURAL LOTION? 

• Better for your skin and your overall health
• Contains nourishing oils such as safflower and sunflower which will leave your skin soft, beautiful and fragrant
• You know exactly what you're putting onto your skin, no questionable ingredients here

DEAR SUMMER!

One of the biggest skincare issues that arises in the summer is sunburn.  I've experienced it and I'm sure many of you who are reading this article has as well.  My forehead always end up being the main and sometimes only victim especially after 5-6 winter months of hardly no substantial direct sun rays.  Nothing worst than a peeling red two tone forehead during your evening out in an exotic locale.  Luckily, I've found some natural solutions to take the sting out of the burn.

PREVENTION

1. Try natural sunscreens such as the ones found here.  Don't know what the SPF numbers mean?  SPF 30 means you have 130 minutes of protection before you have to reapply (30 x 10)
2. Wear sun protective clothing.  Floppy hats, sunglasses, white cotton shirts or clothing, beach cover-ups are all great clothing options to keep the sun rays off of your skin.
3. Stay out of the sun during peak sun hours 10a-2pm

NATURAL SUN BURN SOLUTIONS

1. Aloe vera: straight from the plant or a gel gently placed directly on the burnt area will provide relief from the burning feeling and help heal the damage
2. Yogurt:  Soak a soft cloth in yogurt and  place it over the burn area until it dries.  Yogurt contains enzymes and acid that can help the sunburn.  You can even add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the yogurt before you apply.  This may initially feel uncomfortable but stick with it you will feel relief in a few minutes
3. Cucumber/Baking Soda: Place cucumber slices on the affected area.  Run a warm bath afterwards and add 2 cups of baking soda, soak for 20 minutes.  Baking soda will neutralize any possible infections and prevent further irritation and the cucumber will cool and nourish the skin preventing any possible inflammation.
4. Tea Bags: Prepare a big pot of tea, preferably chamomile, no sugar. Let tea cool and fully immerse a soft cloth in the water and evenly spread the water across affected area.  The tannin in the tea will soothe the area and prevent any further damage.
5. Hydrate:  It is important to drink and or apply water to the area. Drinking water will prevent dehydration and allow the skin to recover from the loss of water due to increased body temperature.