Top Toner Picks

I've been slacking off on this blog.... I know....
So here's one that's been on my list for a while: Toners

Other than cleansing, toner's the MOST important skin care step that I NEVER skip. It revitalizes skin after cleansing and preps it for everything else that goes on.

My top picks are:

SHU UEMURA DEPSEA TONERAdvertised as a "Facial Mist" but maybe used as a toner. Also good for touch-ups, may be sprayed over make up to re-hydrate. Large selection of scents. Great for all skin types, even sensitive ones, just make sure to go with the fragrance free bottle if you are super sensitive.

KIEHL'S CALENDULA HERBAL EXTRACT TONERALCOHOL FREE. I always keep a bottle of this at home. SUPER soothing to problem/sensitive skin. Helps to heal and clear the skin gently. I use it as a emergency mask when my skin is irritated.

KIEHL'S ULTRA FACIAL TONERAnother great toner by Kiehl's. Also alcohol and fragrance free. Since this is more hydrating, I use it as my night regimen, but not during the day. Although this contains "oil", do not let it scare you, it's formulated to have an "oil in water" type of emulsion so it hydrates without creating burden for even oily skin.

LUSH BREATH OF FRESH AIRFor the all natural hippie flower child in us. Natural and handmade, nothing artificial. I put mine in the fridge and use it to cool and refresh, especially after I clean out the pores.

As a general rule, I like to keep my toners simple and free of the complicated stuff; it's the first thing you put on your clean face, so the more pure, the better . Some tips on choosing:

• Alcohol Free
• Fragrance Free
• Hydrates but not OVERLY heavy
• Refreshing for day and Calming for night

Good Luck on picking out your fav!

My super calming MIRACLE mask

My cousin Kelly and her daughter Grace are in town for a week. This is their first time to Cali. So far, they have been enjoying the sunny weather and super delicious food. The super dry desert weather, however, is doing quite some damage to Kelly's delicate sensitive skin. Her facial skin started peeling, developing rashes, and bright red blotches; she basically looked like she has severe SUNBURN plus bee stung..... not a very pretty sight....

To help her, I whipped up a simple but EFFECTIVE calming mask. It proved to be the best and most natural thing that she's ever applied to her skin, works like a miracle! It got rid of the blotchy discoloration and the sting after just 2 applications(in 1 day) Here's the recipe:

2 Tablespoons of finely Grounded Oatmeal (just grind any store bought oatmeal, preferably organic)

Some Hot Water, just enough to make a paste when added to the oatmeal

6-8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (available in many health food stores)

Optional: 6-8 drops of chamomile essential oil

To Mix: Add the water to the oatmeal, stir until desired consistency, wait for it to cool, add the essential oils and mix again. Store in the fridge, should be enough for 2 uses.

To use: Use chilled. Apply thin layer to face, leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse clean with luke warm water. Voila!!!

Enjoy!

Skin Food- Strawberry Yogurt

Yummy! Good for the body, but even better for your skin!

I really enjoy Lush's Fresh Face Masks, so when I got my 5 lbs pack of strawberries, I created my own version. Super easy, Super natural, and Super good. Oh, did I mention that it's SUPER cost effective too?

BENEFITS Clears and brightens the skin.

Improves elasticity

SKIN TYPE All skin types

Here's the recipe:

You need:

3 - 4 Large Strawberries

1/2 Kiwi (peeled)

2 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

3 Tablespoon Nonfat Plain Yogurt (or whole milk yogurt if you have dry skin)

1 Tablespoon Finely Grounded Oatmeal (I used a coffee grinder)

*try to use organic when you can. The last thing you want is to smudge your face with pesticide...

Direction:

In a food processor, puree the strawberries and kiwi (or you can mash them with a spoon/fork). Pour into a desired container, add the rest of the ingredients, mix well. You may adjust the consistency by adding more oatmeal and/or lemon juice. Voila!! It's that easy!

Advance Version:

For those of you who wants to reach beyond your pantry, add these:

1 Tablespoon Job's Tears Powder (available in Asian and/or health food markets)

1 Tablespoon Rose or White Kaolin Clay (available online and/or stores like Wholefoods)

5-7 drops of Lemon Essential Oil

10-12 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

Left to right: Jobs Tears Powder, Lavender EO, Lemon EO, Rose Kaolin Clay

To Use:

Apply generous amount to clean skin, avoiding eye area. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse away with luke warm water. Keep refrigerated. Good for about 1 week.

*this mask is gentle enough to be used everyday. Due to Lemon's photo-sensitivity causing property, however, avoid sun/uv exposer for 12 hours. In other words, only use this at night and don't go tanning right after...

Ingretionary:

Strawberries- Packed with minerals and antioxidants. They calm, heal, brighten, and moisturize.

Kiwi- Full of actinidin enzyme to dissolve away dead skin cells and dirt, leaving your skin brighter and soft. Also anti-oxidant rich.

Yogurt- Sooths, moisturizes, and rejuvenates the skin. Accelerates cell growth.

Lemon- Tones, tightens, brightens and purifies.

Oat- Sooths, protects and moisturize.

Rose Kaolin Clay- Draws out impurities and toxins without drying the skin. Good for even sensitive and dry skin.

Job's Tears- Calms and protects. Anti-inflammatory property helps to sooth skin. Also brightens the skin.

Lavender- Heals damaged skin. Used for its soothing, antibacterial and relaxing properties.