Yummy Foods That Make You Sexy!

Get a fabulous glow from these double-duty foods, they beautify when eaten and slathered onto your skin. One of our favorite shameless natural beauty tricks to share is the benefits our every day foods have for our skin as well as our nutrition, generally speaking if it's healthy for your body from within, it will also be wonderful for you topically ( unless you have a specific food allergy). Look at our Pioneer Soap Works labels and you will find many of the natural ingredients we list in our articles to be eaten also listed in our product ingredients for topical skin care, from the pure oils, butters, fruit extracts and more.

Strawberries: Strawberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which grow collagen and fight fine lines and wrinkles. Eat them up! Or, mash and use as a dual exfoliator; the seeds buff away dead skin and the fruit acids nix left over dryness.
NOTE: A strawberry mask is not recommended for persons with sensitive skin or sunburns.
Here is one of Miss Rachel's favorite strawberry masks from her D.I.Y. box:

Take 100 g of strawberries, mash them in a bowl, add 50 g of natural yogurt and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix all together and apply it on the skin. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse it with cold water.

Coconut Oil: "Cook with this oil the same way you do with olive oil. The healthy fats keep the skin hydrated and gorgeously dewy!" says Cosmopolitan Magazine. Smooth it into parch prone parts. You can even use it on your face, it will not clog your pores like some oils ( castor oil as an example). Coconut oil contains saturated oils that help keep the skin soft and supple, vitamin E which ensures healthy skin growth and repairs the damage caused to skin; and proteins which keep the skin healthy and rejuvenated. Thus the next time you consider extended your youth the natural way, always think of coconut oil.

Greek Yogurt: High protein levels are perfect for keeping your hair and nails growing long and strong, as well as contributing to colon health. When used as a face mask, the active cultures soothe a sensitive complexion. Greek yogurt contains five live and active multibacterial strains, which means that each 100 gram serving of Greek Yogurt contains billions of live and active bacterial bases. These help maintain gut flora and boost immune system functioning and nutrient absorption, all essential to a healthy skin and body.

Yogurt Mask for Dry Skin:
Mix 1 spoon of honey
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. spoon of almond oil
1 spoon yogurt.
Apply the mixture on the face, avoiding eye area. Wash after 10 minutes. Honey stimulates and softness face skin, eggs and almond oil penetrate and hydrate and yogurt softness and close the face skin pores.

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Why You Should Use a Small Brush for Your Face When Dry Skin Brushing

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What Makes You Itch? 11 Causes of Dry Skin Problems

For many, dry skin is not a sign of a skin condition or disease, but is simply caused by harsh soaps, itchy clothing, misusing moisturizer,lack of hydration and long, hot showers. But the medications you take -- and even medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition -- can also cause severe dry skin. Read on to understand how and why these problems dry out your skin.



Let's begin by understanding dry skin.



Some skin basics. Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.

What causes dry skin -- or xerosis, as it's known medically? Usually, something in the environment -- or something you're doing to your skin -- is stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected. Less often, the cause is internal; a health condition or genetic predisposition is making your skin dry out.

While patches of dry, itchy skin can appear anywhere, it's most common on the arms, hands, lower legs, and abdomen. Dry skin is often felt more than it's seen, but on some people it can be noticeable and embarrassing.



If untreated, dry skin can sometimes lead to dermatitis -- inflammation of the skin -- swelling, and infection and mild acne. The good news is that just as most causes of dry skin are external, most cures for dry skin are external. With careful dry skin care, you can usually solve the problem, and as I mentioned in a previous post don't forget to drink plenty of water. Start a water regimen this week and less caffine, see how beautiful your skin looks in a few days!



If you've been contending with dry skin, you've probably already tried a moisturizer -- if not dozens. But while moisturizers are a crucial part of dry skin care,most people don't always use them very well.

The biggest mistake we make is applying moisturizer on dry skin, when it's least likely to help. " You have to put on moisturizer when your skin is still damp," says Kenet, author of How to Wash Your Face. "That way, the moisturizer is trapping the moisture still on your skin." Your skin shouldn't be sopping wet -- just pat yourself dry with a towel and put it on. Let it soak in for a few minutes, and then towel off the excess, Kenet says.



Problem #1 Misusing Moisturizers.



You've also got to get the right type of moisturizer. Not just any old lotion will do! Ask any of my customers who use the lotion bars all over their bodies and not just on their heels, elbows and knees. The moisturizer must also be thick and greasy in order to seal in the moisture needed for good dry skin care. Put some of your lotion in the palm of your hand and flip your hand over, If it runs or drips, it's not thick enough for dry skin.



Problem #2 Dry Air



Dry air is probably the most common cause of dry skin, especially during the winter, it draws the moisture right out of the skin. Dry skin during winter even gets its own name: winter itch or winter skin.



While cold, harsh weather does dry your skin, another big problem in the winter lies indoors -- the dry heat churned out by your furnace. (During the summer, air conditioning can have a similar effect.) To counteract the dry heat, start with a moisturizer. Turning down the thermostat a bit in the winter can also help.



Try using a humidifier in your bedroom, and bundling up -- with hats, scarves and gloves, when you're outside, and wear socks to bed to prevent your feet from drying and cracking.



Problem #3 Long Hot Showers and Baths



Prolonged exposure to water -- especially hot water -- can wash away the natural oils that protect your skin. If you get out of the bath or shower and your skin feels tight, it's dried out.

So what should you do? First, choose showers over baths. But that's not all. If you're accustomed to waking up in the morning with a long, languid shower, dermatologists have some brutal advice: limit showers to a few minutes and skip the hot water. That doesn't mean you have to take a cold shower, but turn it down a notch and take a warm shower. Don't forget the to properly moisturize after you have pat your skin dry while you're still damp to retain that moisture. :) Try Pioneer Soap Works Body Butters and Lotion Bars after your showers and you'll see amazing results.



Problem #4 Manufactured Soap (surfactants)



I know you guys hear me preach on this one constantly! Nothing has changed with my views on this one, but don't take just my word on it --

"One of the biggest problems people have with dry skin stems from their soap," says Burton. Soap can quickly strip away your skin's protective oils, and we tend to use way too much of it.

"The average person who goes to school or work just doesn't get very dirty during the day," says Petronic-Rosic. "But [in the shower] many people scrub at their skin like it's the bottom of their shoes." Unless you're a child or a ditch digger, the only parts of the body that need any soap or cleanser at all are the face, hands, feet, groin and underarms. The rest of the body can usually just be rinsed off with water.

While our doctors -- and our mothers -- always told us to wash our hands frequently, that can also lead to trouble. Ironically, while done in the quest to rid ourselves of germs, excessive hand washing can dry out the skin and cause it to crack and bleed, making infection much more likely.

Many of us choose unwisely when we're in the soap aisle of the supermarket. We go for harsh soaps, such as deodorant or antibacterial soaps, that generate lots of lather and leave us feeling squeaky clean. "The bubbling and lathering from soap removes the oils from the surface of the skin and dries it out," says Petronic-Rosic.

For dry skin care, look for milder, "fragrance-free" and true natural soaps like Pioneer Soap Works. The surfactants in super market soaps also dry your skin out considerably! Pioneer Soap Works Natural Soaps do not contain any chemical surfactants and are made with moisture rich olive oils, exotic butters, milk and honey.

Whatever you do, don't use any harsh implements to wash yourself. "People will get these incredibly abrasive sponges and brushes," says Burton. "Sanding your skin is not a good idea." It can strip away that thin layer of natural oils that keeps our skin moist and healthy.



Other causes for dry skin can be caused from skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Medications can also play a role in dry skin problems. Acne medications are famous from causing dry skin! Malnutrition and Dehydration will also cause your skin to be dry. A balanced healthy diet and plenty of water will help this. Diabetes is also a cause for dry skin Fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration, and that dries the skin out. Given that diabetes can also slow healing and increase the risk of infections, it's especially important for people with this condition to keep their skin healthy. Low levels of thyroid hormone can reduce the amount of oil produced by your skin. As a result, skin becomes dry and rough and moisturizer is unlikely to help.



Itchy Clothes! Yep, that can do it too! As much as you might love that sweater, if it's making you itch, it's damaging your skin! Also consider it may not be the material your wearing, but the detergent you're using. Look for laundry detergents that are color and perfume free. It's hard to find a good laundry soap on the market that won't eat you up if you have extremely sensitive skin. Pioneer Soap Works is working diligently to design a natural laundry soap that will clean your clothes but be gentle to your skin and not cause the itchies. Look no further for a natural laundry soap that really cleans your clothes but is kind to your skin, Pioneer Soap Works offers both Laundry Soap Powder and Natural Soap Nuts!

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The Importance of Exfoliation and Healthy Diet for your Skin

Being an active skin care consultant for over 10 years has brought a variety of customer questions about ways to care for their skin naturally. With so many products on the market that offer the fountain of youth in a jar, more customers are turning to natural alternatives for caring for their skin once they find out the negative effects from the chemicals present.

This article features five tips that will make your skin healthier, look younger and more radiant without botox or alpha hydroxy acids.

Dry Brush your Skin
1. Recently a girl friend of mine was telling me about her method of dry brushing her skin with a soft bristled baby brush. In all my years of skin care consultations and talking about the importance of exfoliation, I never thought of this. Thank you Tyfanni for sharing this awesome tip!

A dry brush exfoliation can be done before you shower. It gently removes dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you'll need a soft, natural bristle brush.

The only tool needed is a soft, dry, skin brush, preferably with natural bristles.

Stand in the shower with the water off.

Starting at your feet, start brushing in small circles towards your heart. Apply very light pressure, avoiding broken skin, skin rashes, or areas where the skin is thin, such as the face or inner thighs.

After you've finished both legs, move on to your arms. Brush from your fingertips, again towards your heart.

Reach around and brush from your back towards your stomach.

When you are finished, begin showering, using a natural soap or body wash from Pioneer Soap Works. Remember to take a warm shower, not hot, and after a pat dry, apply Body Butter to seal in that moisture after the shower.

Charge up your digestive system
2. Good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced "good" vs. "bad" bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: Not enough water and Not enough Fiber. I will dig deeper into this issue in an upcoming article about the Alkaline Diet. But until then, considering how much water you're drinking and what foods you're eating.

Drinking at least 3 Liters of water a day will not only hydrate your entire body and make you feel great, but it also hydrates your skin, making it firmer, healthier and younger looking. Being properly hydrated will also help clear your skin of mild acne. When you don't drink enough water, your body stores toxins in your fat and it shows on your skin. Getting hydrated detoxes your body through your kidneys and liver as it should, passing the toxins from your body via urine, rather than storing it in your fat. Plus, you get a metabolism boost!
Here's a great article on drinking enough water!

Go Green and Eat at least one serving of fruit a day and 5 servings of alkaline veggies a day. The average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended. Again, the more balanced your fiber intake, the better your system will detox your entire body, rather than it coming out on your skin. Examples of great alkaline veggies are : Broccoli, Cauliflower , Green Beans, Beets, asparagus, celery, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, corn, carrots, turnips, cucumbers, leeks, mushrooms, okra, onions and artichoke. Again, I will cover in depths on the alkaline diet for healthy skin, particularly for those who have psoriasis and eczema in a future article, but this will give you a good start.
Causes and Cures discusses the benefits of Fiber for your skin, check it out!

Invigorate your Circulation
3.Do you have an office job and your only break is to the bathroom or for coffee?
One of the best things you can do for your body, your skin and your stress is get moving! Sitting around and being inactive affects skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. One your lunch break take a brisk walk, and after hours get at least 30 minutes of exercise in. Tyffani and I joined curves back in November, and as a skin nutritionist, I am embarrassed to say my skin was not up to par. Working so many hours, I had neglected my diet and exercise. My skin and over all body tone was flabby and I had developed acne. After just a few days of a 30 minute work out at the gym and staying properly hydrated my skin tone was amazing, softer, supple, tone and I looked 5 years younger in just a week!

Moving about, even just a brisk walk, increases circulation through out your entire body including your skin. You'll notice you will have a natural glow, rather than pale.

Stretch every morning when you wake up, this relieves tension in your muscles and starts your circulation off on the right foot.
See what WebMD says about the benefits of exerise for your skin!

Avoid Sugar!
4. Most people do not know this, but I have told my customers this for years. It's a little a tip I learned from my beauty advisor classes from Avon in Dallas, TX. 2001. I did more research on my own and found it to be true. By the time we are 16 years old we have consumed enough sugar in our diets to break down the skin elasticity around the eyes. Everyone freaks out about crows feet and reaches for the jar of under eye treatment, when what we need to do is eat healthier and stay away from refined sugar! I'm 33 years old and I have the skin of a 20 year old ( so I'm told lol ). Growing up we at a very organic diet and hardly any candy's sweets or colas. Those items were treats due to finances. The best thing that has happened to my skin is not being able to afford junk food growing up!

Back on track, consuming to much sugar results in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag. Because the skin tissue around our eyes is so fragile and thin already, it's no wonder it shows so much damage so early in life. Do your kiddos a favor like I do, and hand them an apple or a plum rather than a Little Debbie's when they have a sweet tooth, they'll thank you in the future for younger looking skin. It's not to late for you though. Work on your diet and get rid of those refined sugars and focus on a more alkaline diet. If you have to have something sweet go for stevia sweeteners, not splenda or sweet n low.

It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done. Start slowly and decrease your sugar intake by half daily and work your way up to no sugars or very little. Most folks fail in their diets the first week or less because they run into the changes so quickly. Cold turkey on anything is hard to stick to. Read Shun the Sugar for Sweeter Looking Skin!

Eat GOOD Fats
5. Most people think fat is bad, and when they start a new nutrition regimen the first thing they cut is fat and carbs! Did you know your healthy diet should consist of 50% GOOD carbohydrates ( from veggies, fruits and grains) 30% Good Fats ( peanut butter, nuts, healthy, cold water fish. ) and 20% Protein. Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. So before you go fat free consider what types of fats are essential to your diet. You can definitely walk away from the burger and fries and not do yourself harm , only good, but don't cut all fat from your diet, keep these: Take a fish oil suppliment, eat fish, a serving size of almonds, cook with coconut oil or olive oil, eat a serving of peanut butter and celery, avocado in your salad etc.

Overall, a balanced diet, good hydration and exercise will help your skin from the inside out. For customers who have psoriasis, eczema , acne and dry skin, ( the most common skin issues I help with) I always recommend topically using Pioneer Soap Works Natural body butters, lotion bars, and soaps but for the ultimate results in keeping your skin looking and feeling great I tell them proper hydration first and a healthy diet! Check out WebMD's The Skinny on Fats.

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