IQ Natural Aluminum Oxide Exfoliate Crystals

Today I would like to share my experience using the IQ Natural Micodermabrasion product made with Aluminum Oxide Crystals. I bought this product on Amazon for $9.95 (usd), which I find to be more than affordable for those of us on a beauty budget. The main reason I purchased this product was my desperate need of a deeper exfoliation, that I could do from home.

This product is very easy to use you just mix the Oxide Crystals with your regular facial wash and massage in a circular motion on your face. What I like about this product is that the Oxide Crystals are very fine in size and don't feel harsh when used. I also love the fact that the label states that this product is cruelty-free which means this company doesn't test its products on animals.

I have used this product several times already sometimes I use it once a week and other times once every two weeks just to make sure I'm not over exfoliating. I have probably used it about ten times and I'm still not even half way through the container.

When I use it I like to take my time and wash my face by sections, starting with my left cheek, then right one, forehead, nose and chin. For each section of my face I mix the crystals with a small amount of my Olay foaming face wash, and massage onto my already wet face. I do about 15 seconds on each section and then rinse throughly. 

After my face is dry I like to take a close look at my skin with a magnifying mirror and can say that I'm pleased with the results. My skin looks and feels smoother and my pores look much cleaner, which is what I love most. At the end I only use a moisturizer on my skin and go to sleep, with a fresh and clean feeling face. 

Positives 

1. You can use it at home
2. Affordable price
3. Lasts a long time
4. Gentle on the skin
5. Paraben-free

6. Sulfate-free

Negatives

1. Had to purchase online

2. I have to mix it on my own with
my face wash, it gets a little messy

Overall I would recommend this podruct to anyone who wants a deeper but gentle exfoliation that can be done from home. It has been more than a year ago since I bought this product so it now has an updated label cover. Of course there are other Microdermabrasion at home devices that can offer more visible results and that I would like to try in the future but for the moment I will stick with this product. I hope this review was helpful to those out there who wish to pamper and improve the texture of their facial skin.

Disclaimer: This product review is based entirely on my personal opinion and experience while using the specified product.

Natural facial moisturizer

 Lately I've grow tired of using drugstore brand facial moisturizers. I've become concerned with the harsh chemicals these contain such as: Sulfates, parabens, preservatives and so on. I wanted to change to a more natural/organic product for my skin, but it wasn't easy I had to do some research first. My second concern when searching for a product was to find something that was non-comedogenic, given the fact that I have oily/ acne prone skin. 

The first website I visited was ewg.org/skindeep also known as the safe cosmetics database, which helps consumers find safe products to use. I searched for a facial moisturizer there and found a few on the list with a low degree of harmful ingredients/chemicals in them. There weren't many to choose from so I decided instead to search for natural ingredient or oil that I could use on it's own as a facial moisturizer. I was able to find a few ingredients/oils that could be used as a facial moisturizer and that were non-comedogenic too, these were Shea butter and argan oil. 

                   

At first I tried using unrefined Shea butter on its own, but I must say I had to rub it a lot against my hand to soften it, and it was also quite sticky. Either way I started using it as my nighttime facial moisturizer and was somewhat pleased given the fact that I was using something natural and free of chemicals or harmful ingredients. After a few nights it got a bit annoying and to have to soften the Shea butter with my fingers to soften it so I decided to mix it with coconut oil. Although coconut oil has a low comedogenic rating, I was afraid it would cause me breakouts, but after a few weeks of using this mixture I noticed it didn't affect my skin in a negative way.

I am pleased with having found a more natural product to use as my nighttime facial moisturizer. I must say also that I find facial oils to be quite affordable compared to top brand facial moisturizers. My next goal is to find organic/natural foundation, lipstick and mascara. I will be posting how my search for these goes.

                                           

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10 skin soothing ingredients

Some skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema sensitive sin and others can cause the skin to feel irritated and uncomfortable. Whether you have a skin condition or not most people will experience irritated or dry skin sometime in their life. This is where mother nature comes in to save the day offering various remedies that can soothe troubled skin.

⓵ Aloe Vera : A plant believed to have healing properties useful in treating wounds and skin irritations. Very beneficial for skin suffering from acne or dryness. Believed to be suitable for all skin types. 

⓶ Calendula : Has both healing and analgesic properties and is beneficial for dry or damaged skin. According to yourhealth.com the topical application of Calendula has the ability to decrease inflammation and promote healing on the following : burns, eczema, wounds and other inflammatory skin conditions. Note of warning: Calendula may cause a skin rash if there is an existing allergy to either marigold or pot marigold. The use of Calendula is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

⓷ Chamomile : Contains calming and conditioning effects. Has antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties which aid skin suffering from burns, rashes and sunburn. Also suitable for acne and eczema due to it's anti inflammatory abilities.

⓸ Cucumber extract : Commonly used in facial products such as serums and astringents due to it's ability to cool and soothe the skin. Contains various vitamins and minerals as well as silicon. Two important components of cucumber are ascorbic acid and caffeic acid which help reduce water retention. 

⓹ Grape seed oil : Known to have antioxidant properties, therefore helping fight off free radicals without causing skin irritations. It is believed that flavonoids present in grape seed oil can help reduce skin allergies. Can be used as a skin moisturizer and makeup remover.

⓺ Green tea : Powerful antioxidant, contains potent anti inflammatory and anti irritant properties. Can be used as a skin moisturizer for it's soothing effects. Studies suggest topical formulations made with green tea help reduce sun damage and may enhance sun protection when used in combination with sunscreen.

⓻ Honey : Known to have healing properties. Beneficial to use for various skin conditions such as the following: acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and sensitive skin. It is recommended to use raw honey as it is not processed with perservatives. A patch test is also recommended before using raw honey on the facial skin to make sure it won't cause an allergic reaction.

⓼ Oatmeal :  Has healing and soothing properties and is known to reduce inflammation. Oats are a wonderful form to exfoliate the skin due to it's beneficial properties. Oats have been scientifically proven to aid the process of healing on dry and itchy skin. People suffering from eczema have also found relief in the use of oatmeal, which is a natural and hypoallergenic ingredient.

⓽ Olive oil : An excellent moisturizer for skin, containing antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins. Has the ability to protect skin from free radicals found in the environment. It is recommended to use cold pressed Olive oil as this is the best method of extraction that still mantains the vitamin and nutrient of the olive.

⓾ Rose hip oil : Known to have a high content of vitamin C as well as other essential fatty acids beneficial to the skin. Has healing properties beneficial for various skin conditions including acne scars, damaged and mature skin just to name a few.

There are definetly more ingredients in the form of herbs and plants that can be found to heal and soothe specific skin conditions this is just a brief list. If you suffer from a skin condition that that makes your skin irritated you may find relief in some of the ingredients mentioned above. If you choose to try some of them there are a few links below with more information regarding the ingredients.

Information sources: Aloe vera: www.naturalnews.com

Calendula: www.livestrong.com

Chamomile: blog.zenmed.com

Cucumber extract:www.rcuv.org

Grape seed oil : www.livestrong.com

Green tea : www.smartskincare.com
Honey www.beautyatskindeep.com:

Oatmeal: www.naturalnews.com
Olive Oil: www.dailyglow.com
Rose hip Oil: www.care2.com

Exfoliating with natural ingredients

Exfoliating the skin is a step that can't be skipped in any skin care routine, it should be done at least two times a week. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells that can make the skin look opaque and dull. It also helps clean out clogged pores. Every skin type can benefit from exfoliation.

There are a lot of facial exfoliating products in the market today, some products target specific skin concerns besides exfoliating the skin such as: brightening, anti-aging, minimizing pores and others. With so many options I prefer to use natural exfoliating ingredients from my kitchen, not only are they accessible but also affordable. So here are a few exfoliating ingredients that almost anyone can find in their kitchen too. Mixing a teaspoon of the ingredient you prefer with a teaspoon of your regular cleanser will work as an exfoliant.

❀ Cane sugar: It is very light and soft when scrubbed against the skin. You can also use regular sugar if you prefer.

❀ Salt: There are several types of salts, here I'll be referring to table salt the most commonly found in households. Salt has a harder consistency so when used as a facial exfoliant it should be done gently.

❀   Baking soda: Is not too abrasive when used as a facial exfoliant that's why it's suitable for any skin type. It really leaves the skin with a clean polished look, at least for the few times I've tried it.

Exfoliating doesn't have to be expensive as you can see. Giving these ingredients a try will help you figure out which one works best for your skin. And don't forget exfoliation is a must in any skin care routine as it helps the skin appear healthy and glowing.

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