Origins Ginzing energy-boosting moisturizer - Best oil-free summer moisturizer

The weather is getting warmer now and I start adjusting my skincare routine. Basically, my skin is combination oily and it needs a lightweight moisturizer in the summer. Today I'm gonna share with you my favorite summer gel-based moisturizer:

 Origins Ginzing Energy-boosting moisturizer

It comes in a small plastic orange jar, which is very simple but fresh. Its texture is gel-based, so it absorbs easily into my skin, leaving it moisturized without leaving any greasy feeling. It is not enough for extremely dry winter but it is perfect for someone looking for an oil-free moisturizer in the hot and humid weather. It smells amazing with citrus scent, waking you up in the morning. It seems like it is the best in the morning when the name says "energy-boosting"; however, believe me, it can be use at any time of the day. My skin has become smoother and radiant, though I still suffer from the effects of aggressive winter such as some dry patches or redness on my cheeks.

It is claimed to contain Panax Ginseng and caffeine extracted from Coffee bean which was known to refresh and revitalize your skin. It does make your skin glow and feel renewed. The best part is that it is very light and spreads on your skin like water, so that you can apply more than one layer if necessary, and reapply during the day without worrying it will clog your pores.

Moreover, if you know Origins brand and have tried some of their products, you will like the price of this moisturizer. It is cheaper compared to other moisturizers and it works really well. A 50ml jar is around $32 in Canada, and $26 in US. However, be aware that you may finish it really fast when you love it :)

Have you ever tried Origins Ginzing energy-boosting moisturizer? Feel free to share with me your experiences. For those who never tried it, give it a try this summer, and I hope it will become your favorite too :)

Honey - natural treatment for your beautiful and healthy skin

Let honey pamper your skin

1. Moisturizing honey masks

Make sure your hair is pulled back from your face before starting one of these recipes. Your face will feel clean and soft afterwards.
1) Scoop a generous spoonful of honey into your hand and spread all over your face. Rub it into your skin and let sit for 5-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
2) Combine 1 tbsp buttermilk, 1 tsp honey, and 1 egg yolk. Apply to clean skin and let sit 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

2. Honey facial cleanser

Honey is good at dissolving makeup residue, especially when mixed with a gentle oil. Combine honey and jojoba OR coconut oil to create an easily spreadable texture. Rub it into your skin, avoiding eye area, to loosen makeup and unclog pores. Rinse with warm water.

3. Honey almond body scrub

This scrub is finger-licking good. The texture from the ground almonds exfoliates the skin, while both the almonds and honey moisturize. Combine 2 tsp. ground almonds and 2 tsp. honey to form a paste. Rub into your face with a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. You could easily increase the quantities to treat your whole body.

4. Honey skin lotion

If you’re feeling that dry winter skin coming on, mix a spoonful of honey with a teaspoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice (a natural skin brightener). Apply this lotion to dry areas and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe off with a warm washcloth.

5. Lemon-honey facial treatment

This is a fun one that’s a bit different. I found it on a DIY natural beauty blog. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They also contain alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate. Cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds. Add 1 tsp honey to one of the lemon halves. Rub the cut side all over your face. Let it sit 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

6. Honey hair shine-boosting rinse

There are two options. 1) Combine a spoonful of honey with a quart of warm water. Rinse through hair after shampooing. Let it condition for an hour, then rinse. 2) Mix 1-1/2 tsp honey with 5 cups warm water. Rinse through hair and leave on. Dry and style as usual.

7. Cleopatra’s milk-and-honey bath soak

Combine ¼ cup honey with 2 cups milk and a few drops of essential oil. Add to a hot bath, sit back, and relax.

8. Honey exfoliant

Use this scrub once a week to soften and clarify your skin. Mix 2 parts honey with 1 part baking soda and rub into your face. This is also good for a full body scrub.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/8-ways-use-honey-pamper-your-skin-and-hair.html

Green tea - One of the best natural solutions for a healthy skin

I'm drinking my green tea right now and it is great with ice. I'm also wearing my Matcha mask, which is one kind of green tea, very famous in Japan and it is so relaxing. Summer is coming, girls. It is time for beach and a lot of outdoor activities, and do you know that you can use green tea as one way to protect your skin from the sun.
I love green tea not only in the form of a drink, but I also love it even more when it comes to skincare. It gives me the feeling of natural and refresh. I know a lot of people drinking green tea every day to keep their weight in check. I know it also contain some antioxidant properties which slow down our aging process and improve our health. You can find out more by reading this article:http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea/

For my blog today, I want to talk about what role it can play in our skincare routine.

The simplest one that my friend suggests is that you make a cup of green tea (using tea leaves or tea bag), put it in the fridge and then use it to wash your face before and after being in the sun. You can also use it when your skin feel hot and irritated. Think about its effect on your skin just as you drink a cup of iced tea when you are thirsty.

The second way is to use a tea bag, break it to get the small tea leaves inside, mix with a little honey, a drop of lemon juice, make it become a paste and use it as a mask. Take a rest and rinse your face with cold water later on to feel a smooth and soft skin.

The third one, if you prefer maximum convenience level, go buy this mask from Pangea Organic skincare. I'm so in love with it.

Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry

It smells very natural, it works wonderful. It calms your skin a lot, and after it dries on your face, you can turn it into an exfoliator with your damp hands. Your skin will be so clean, smooth and soft. You can't even feel harsh chemicals in this product. 

Share with me what you love about green tea and how you use it for your skin and body :). See you soon in the next post

Sukin Purifying Facial Masque Review

Sukin is one of natural Australian skincare brands which I believed I heard about it long time ago while searching for best natural and organic products. However, until when I happened to see this mask in Winners 1 month ago did I have chance to bring it home, try it and give a review today. I got it for around $12 and that price for a good mask, it is actually not bad.

For whoever concerned about ingredients, I would say that it contains no SLS, no mineral oils, no SLES, no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, no animal derivatives, no harsh detergents, no triethanolamine, no artificial colours, no progylene glycol and no EDTA. And as claimed, it contains aloe vera, kaolin clay and rose hip which refresh and nourish the skin.

It is said to suit all skin types, and I think it does, except one minus point which I will discuss later. 
It is a clay based mask, so you can expect that it will be dry after you put it on your skin for a while. You can apply it on your damp face or dry face without any difficulty. It is spread out on my skin smoothly, leaving a slight tingle feeling if my skin is in extremely dry condition. However, after I rinse off the mask, I can see that it soothes my skin and makes it glow and radiant instead of causing any irritations.

I usually apply a bit thicker layer because I want to leave it on my skin longer than 10-15 minutes. It is just my habit, and I also don't want a big jar of mask to get old :). I have to say that it doesn't make your skin feel tight and uncomfortable as much as most clay based masks do. Maybe it contains a lot of nourishing ingredients like essential oils so that it will not dry out your skin.

However, the problem is that it does leave an oily film after you rinse it off. It is a good sign that it is hydrating enough, but it is also the minus point I mentioned above. And when I clean my face more deeply with the toner and a cotton pad, I can see the mask residue no matter how long and how much water I use to rinse the mask off. I believe it is not a big problem because I can still fix it by cleaning my face with toner as I usually do, but it is another thing that should be paid attention to if you, by any chance, use this mask.

Generally, my experience with this mask is good and I love it. It absorbs oil, removes dirt, leaves your skin soft, smooth, radiant and your pores can be improved gradually. It also seems to help with little pimples and redness. It is worth a try, just remember to clean your face carefully after using the mask to make sure your skin gets the best out of this little treat.