Food for Thought and Perhaps Your Face!

So here’s what the trendy hipster blogs might tell you?

We all know the impact diet has on our complexion, what we eat can change the balance of hormones which in turn can affect our skin. Imbalances can cause inflammation and acne which can prematurely age skin. Thanks, but I don’t need any help with my skin aging so like everybody else I’m aware of what I eat and I try to stay healthy by eating a balanced diet. I  avoid sugar, make sure I’m getting my vitamins, drink lots of water, etc.  I don’t go overboard, I’m not a fanatic, because life’s too short to obsess about these things and deny yourself some small pleasures.

But then for some reason, and only during summer, I start thinking about putting food on my face! I get caught up in the freshness of it all, the juicy wild berries, succulent watermelon, cooling cucumber and I’m inspired to make my own skincare products from nature’s abundant larder. I start looking at produce in the market in a whole new way. Hmm… that Manuka honey will make an excellent moisturizer. I search the Internet for the best ingredients to make a cleanser and toner (Apple Cider Vinegar, in case you’re wondering!) or a moisturizer (Honey anyone?). Here’s just a couple (there are literally hundreds) I can share with you:  

​Exfoliate
Berries are choc full of antioxidants, salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acid, which all work to exfoliate your dry, dead skin and encourage a brighter, younger complexion. Mash and mix them into a face mask, apply, then sit back and relax.

Cleanse & Tone
With its pH of 5.5 which is very close to the perfect balance for humans, Apple Cider Vinegar makes an ideal facial cleanse and toner. Mix with a little water, apply with a cotton ball, then follow up with a moisturizing treatment.

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Moisturize
Honey is a humectant, which is just a fancy way of saying it retains moisture. Spread it on your skin, let it sit there and soak in, then rinse off after it starts to drip.
If that all sounds too messy, try Avocados instead. There is little this superfood can’t do when it comes to nourishment. The high fat content is particularly good for dry, sun-damaged or sensitive skin.

Protect, Soothe and Repair
​The mix of flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenols found in oatmeal are all natural anti-inflammatories that will help soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions such as eczema.
Cocoa is rich source of antioxidants, helping protect your skin against free radical damage. It also contains a little caffeine which will tighten skin. 
​Better still, red wine...packed with anti aging resveratrol and tannin which also help restore collagen and elastic fibers.

​Fruit on your Face?  Are you inspired yet?  - No neither am I?
We all love the power of plants and i’d be the first one with green face, if I was stuck on a desert island. I’m here to tell you not to bother. I’ve done it. I’ve done all of it and believe me, it’s more hassle than it sounds. Picture the scene, my face dripping honey all over the place, mashed and rapidly browning avocados in my hair, glass of red wine in hand and the doorbell goes!  It’s sticky, messy and thoroughly unpleasant, not to mention embarrassing if you’re caught in the act. YOU LOOK RIDICULOUS!  There has to be an easier way to get great looking skin… Right!

There is a place for healthy food, and it’s not on your face. Mash your avocados on a slice of toast, drizzle with a little olive oil, throw on a few farm fresh tomatoes and just eat to get all the same benefits.

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​For your face, there are amazing products that actually work. They won’t rot, they smell nice and look good in your bathroom or on your dresser. They’re easy to use and take no preparation time whatsoever which means you have more freedom to enjoy the only practical (and my favorite) natural anti-aging remedy, red wine. Just grab a glass, pop on a sun hat and get in the garden, that way you won't be attracting wasps and ants to snack on your face.

​One of my favorite Serums is an AHA I always use it at night, it magically makes dull dead skin disappear without peeling or abrasion it’s packed full of natural Glycolic Acid (derived from sugar cane)  Increases collagen production to tighten and firm my skin and I don't have to sit there with fruit on my face or stung by wasps (double bonus) I just apply, then a moisturizer and go to bed then wake up with a brighter complexion and an even skin tone. Our About Face AHA Serum will amaze you - try yours here.  

Avocados are great, but seriously I want something more substantial to moisturize my face I also demand ingredients that combat signs of aging.  Angel Face Moisturizer is packed full of peptides to help repair skin (what the hell does that mean)?  Well, this clever little peptide instructs your skin to behave like it did in your early 20’s, and that my friend is to fix itself, so this powerful ingredient tells your skin carry on fixing itself long after the natural aging process slows down.  In doing so, It improves collagen production and skins thickness, It firms your skin and reduces wrinkle depth and density, aside from not being able to make your morning coffee this little peptide is a keeper.