BEAUTY SERUM PART 1
If you truly knew me well, you'd understand why just putting the words 'BEAUTY SERUM' in this posts' title has me LMAO. I'm sitting here in a 20+ year-old pair of jeans and a long-underwear thermal shirt for heavens' sake.
But on Monday, 3/10/14, I am turning 50 and if truth be told, I am a little vain.
I had my first gray hair at age 11. I've had Bells Palsy 4 times bilaterally, and my face today is not the face that I was born with, not accounting for age. I'm healthy and feel fantastic. But with that said, I have had deep lines under my eyes since I was a teenager and it is a point I focus on most when I view myself in the mirror. While I know it is hereditary, the word 'UNHEALTHY' might as well be tattooed there instead of the line. it screams at me. It does not matter how much sleep I get or how well I eat, or what types of expensive creams and potions I've used, nothing has ever impacted that deep line, until now.
I did a little research and decided to concoct my own beauty serum, and I am pleased with the results. I won't post before and after pics, but I have it on good authority that there has been a noticeable improvement.
When you put anything on your skin, it is imperative to realize that at least 60% of that gets absorbed into your skin and enters your blood stream. I live by a philosophy that I won't put anything on my skin that I would not EAT. So, my ingredients for my serum are all foods, with the exception of the Witch Hazel. I wouldn't eat it per se, but I don't believe I'd get sick or be seriously impacted should I ingest some.
I did not have a guide to go by as to how much to use, so I used equal portions of each, with the exception of the Melaleuca oil.
My goal was to increase the collagen in my skin. I chose the witch hazel with cucumber, as cucumbers are rich in sulfur - the beauty mineral. Manuka honey, when used topically, is supposed to restore and rejuvente the skin. Avocado oil is high in plant sterols, said to reduce blemishes and age spots and is scientifically proven to increase collagen production. Because I know sulfur is the beauty mineral, and because I happen to have had some on hand, I put some of that in too. As a carrier oil, for it's penetrating qualities, I opted for Melaleuca oil.
The most expensive of the ingredients was the Manuka honey. But I didn't need to use that much. In fact, when I made my first 'batch' I used 1/4 cup of each: honey, witch hazel, and oil. I put about 5 drops of Melaleuca oil in, and I dissolved 2 TBS. of Organic Sulfur in just enough filtered water as needed.
I have to say, it doesn't smell great, but it's not offensive. It can be a little sticky too on contact. Initially I was just putting it under my eyes before going to sleep, but since nothing BAD happened, I started washing my face and using it as a mask. I don't do this every night, mind you. I also allow it to dry before I go to bed and sleep with it.
The results have been good - I'm going to keep it up. If you'd like to know more about Organic Sulfur - click HERE!