Ancient Chinese Secret

No not that Chinese secret silly.

This chinese secret - Green Tea!

One of the main contents is flavonoids - in a cup of green tea the flavonoids are higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered healthy including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine. Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for such health effects as anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic functions. So it's like anti-rust for your skin! Although tea contains various types of polyphenols and tannin, tea does not contain tannic acid - meaning that it is suitable [even calming] to sensitive skin. I know that most people drink the brew but I just can not get into it SO ... I use my extra strength brew [3 tea bags for 2 cups of water] and make 'ice cube tonics' and whenever I get puffy from the weather or when my skin shows the signs when my 80-20 diet becomes more like 20-80 - I just pop out a cube and rub it on my clean face - the coolness brings down the swelling, and the caffeine helps tighten the skin. Win-Win!

This time of year between the wind, cold and stress - the skin takes a beating. I have found these great masks at the asian store (for a dollar - that's right ... one buck!!) and it is full of .... well I'm not too sure what because it is written in Korean but I know they are AMAZING. *giggles* Not only are they made of collagen (hopefully not animal based) but also pomegranate, red ginseng and green tea - which are all fantastic healing agents. To maximize the benefits of this wonderful product simply wash your face (2x if you are wearing makeup) perferably with a cleanser with an alpha-hydroxy acid such as glycolic (which most anti-aging products have in it - DDF Glycolic Wash happens to be my favorite you can get it at Ulta and Sephora) on the last cleanse leave the wash on the skin for atleast a minute (if you can - if it stings please rinse it off immediately) before rinsing 3xs (this gives the glycolic time to actually do some work), use a soothing toner perferably something with aloe in it (it is great if your skin is sensitive or weather beating and wonderful if you have acne as it is a healing agent), I really don't like to use scrubs on the face - I find them too abrasive but instead to use an enzyme (MyChelle carries 3 different kinds and you can buy them in a small pot at the health food store) avoid eye are when you are applying - leave on 1 - 2 mins (it will tingle but if it is irritating rinse immediately) RINSE VERY WELL (I can't stress that enough), apply the mask of your choice (save some of the serum for after), now go lay down and relax (or if need be do some chores or whatever you fancy) for about 20 mins (IF the product stings REMOVE IMMEDIATELY and RINSE IT OFF it isn't suppose to burn), slowly peel off the mask from the bottom up and pat alittle bit of the remaining serum and that's it - enjoy your beautifully refreshed skin. If your skin is super dry apply cream BUT if you are going out don't forget sunscreen (yes ... even in the winter).

Hey guys also don't forget to add yourself as a 'follower' in order to enter in the Paul Mitchell Giveaway - Deadline is this Thursday the 8th and announced this Friday the 9th.

Linking to:

Between Naps On The Porch

Blissful Rhythm