How to Lighten Dark Underarms

Dark underarms are embarrassing. It happens when the skin is exposed with chemicals like deodorants with whitening properties as promised or constant friction of clothes, or because of a medical condition called Acanthosis Nigricans which is often the result of insulin resistance, obesity, certain medications and hormonal disorders. Other causes of dark underarms are shaving, accumulation of dead skin cells, too much scrubbing, and regular use of removal hair creams. If you are still doing any of this, do stop because they are so bad for our underarms.

Here are tips to help lighten the dark underarms:

1. Remove the hair at its roots. The hair is one culprit that makes the underarms look darker. By removing the hair from its roots, it would take time for the hair to grow. It's the subtle hair peeking through will seem look like a shadow. I would not suggest to tweeze because it will lead looking like chicken skin (Have you seen a chicken's skin when its feathers are plucked?) A waxing kit or an epilator (electric hair removing device) are excellent ways to remove the hair and keep underarms look and feel smooth. Waxing the underarms also helps in exfoliating. An epilator may look and sound scary at first, but you will soon get the hang of it and remove unwanted hair with breeze!
2. Exfoliate. Like how we exfoliate our face, our underarms also need a nice exfoliation. With regular exfoliating it removes dead skin cells. Make a paste mixing a tablespoon of baking soda and water. Gently scrub in circular motion.
3. Make your own natural deodorant. There are recipes online on how to make one at home. It is healthier for our body because we know what's really in it and what we put on our body. I've tried one deodorant and just days after using the product, I felt a slight pain on my lower back. I soon felt a little weak and I knew why it was happening and I threw the deodorant immediately. Eating a healthy diet and drinking lots of water will also help keep the body odor at minimal.
3. Use safe and natural whitening soaps and creams. There are creams and soaps out there that will help lighten underarms with regular use. There are only, however, some are high in Mercury which are bad for the body or parabens or aluminum in it. Please see to it it is safe and organic. Do a patch test first to see if you are allergic to its ingredients. If rashes occur, let it heal on its own. If it feels itchy, do NOT scratch... ever!
4. Peeling oil. This is the kind of oil that helps peel the 'old' skin and reveals fresh skin underneath. Most women I know use it for their body. Pour some oil on a cotton pad and apply it on dark areas for 3days (depends on the instruction sheet) you wish to get rid of the body such as the underarms. Wait for the skin to peel on its own. Do NOT pull the 'old' skin while it is peeling. If in case you feel itchy, do NOT scratch it. Let the skin heal.
5. Underarm Detox. The skin is the largest part of the body. Like our organs, we detox when we feel like we had a lot of consumption of junk food. Detoxing our underarms is a breather from the toxic we apply on our underarms from conventional deodorants. Imagine all those years of chemicals we put on our armpits! Most people say they noticed less odor and less sweating.

   Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons of water

  Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until smooth.
2. Spread an even layer over the armpits and let it sit for 5-20minutes. Start slow and let your body adjust till you can let it sit it for a longer period. If it hurts or painful on your skin, remove immediately.
3. It will cause redness because of an increase of blood flow to the area, but it will go away. Wash it off with warm water in the shower.
4. Do this daily or as needed until the underarm odor goes away and has adjusted to the natural deodorant.

   ***Drink plenty of water to help stimulate the cleansing process.


Below are natural whitening skin ingredients you can find in your kitchen. These have natural lightening properties that can also help with the dark armpits.

1. Apply lemon juice on your underarms for 15minutes and wash off.
2. The potato has a lightening enzyme called catecholase. Rub a potato slice on your underarms and let it sit for 15minutes and wash with warm water.
3. Mix sandalwood powder and rose water to make a paste. Spread on the underarms for 15minutes and let it dry. Wash it off with soap and water.
4. Make a paste using gram flour (chickpea flour), plain yogurt, lemon and turmeric. Leave it for 30minutes on your armpits and wash off with warm water.
5. Apply coconut oil on the area before shower. Leave in for 15 minutes. The coconut oil has Vitamin E to help lighten the underarm. It is also a natural deodorant as well.

Lightening the skin takes time. Do not overdo these because it could cause more harm than good. Be patient. You'll be raising your arms with confidence in no time!

xoxo,
Chloe

Dry Skin Brushing

We all exfoliate our face 1-2 times a week, but how about our beautiful body? It needs extra attention from us too. I bought a body brush two weeks ago at Watsons. It's supposed to be used to scrub the back while in the shower but it doesn't matter! I need a dry brush, and this is exactly what I need.

Dry Brush | Php119.75

Some of you would probably ask why we need to dry brush when we can all just hop in the shower and scrub with our handy loofah and body wash which saves us even more time. Hmm... yeah, I was in the same spot a year ago reasoning if I should. After that, I pushed this thought aside, and had forgotten all about it! Yup, just like that. Why bother, right? I was dead wrong. Think of it as this way: it gives you and our skin a nice treat and breather for 5minutes. Hands down!!!

Like out of nowhere, I stumbled to one video on Youtube about dry skin brushing. Something just clicked in me; I knew I had to purchase my own dry brush after all that reasoning. The benefits astounds me. The concept itself is easy. Anyone can do it!

Here are the benefits of dry skin brushing:

1. Exfoliates. Our skin sheds dead skin cells everyday... even right now as we speak. We want to help our skin shed a little faster, cell renewal and give our pores a breather. It prepares our skin absorb the products we are going to apply on our skin... just like what we do on our face. Without regular exfoliating, the dead skin cells will pack itself and cause flakiness and dryness. Dry brushing will reveal soft and smoother skin. It also prevents ingrown hairs.
2. Removes cellulite. This is huge for us women. It is found on our hips and thighs giving it an orange and dimply look. The dry brush helps the underlying fat smooooth out. I don't have cellulite... yet, but it is better to prevent them than cure.
3. Cleanses the Lymphatic System. Stimulating our lymphatic system helps remove the toxins in our body.
4. Tones the muscles. This stimulates our nerve endings making every muscle fibers to activate and move. Helps in the distribution of our fat deposits.
5. Energizing! You will feel the circulation of blood flow immediately. It also encourages body's discharge of metabolic wastes.
6. Stimulates Nervous System. The bristles of the dry brush will stimulate the nerve endings of your skin. It feels a little ticklish and it feels good.

Sounds good? Here's how to dry skin brushing.

1. Purchase a softer natural dry brush with a handle preferably to reach all areas of your body. Find something that feels good to your skin.

2. Use your dry brush with your dry and naked body before taking a shower to remove impurities.
3. Brush starting from the soles of your feet (circular motion); brush up to your legs; circular counter-clockwise on the abdomen; upward strokes on your back and down the neck; and from the hands towards the shoulders, working your way toward the heart in long, gentle but firm strokes. The Lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart. Very important to brush in the same direction.
4. Use light pressure. Do not brush your skin too hard.

5. Skin brushing is preferred once a day in the morning. It only takes 5 minutes of your time and the results are amazing!
6. Avoid sensitive areas and broken skin such as rash, cuts and infections. And be cautious on your skin around the breast.
7. Increase blood circulation by alternating temperatures from hot to cold as you take shower.
8. After getting out of the shower, massage your skin with coconut oil, cocoa butter, avocado oil, almond oil, or any natural lotion you may have.
9. Clean your dry brush once a week with soap and water under the sun to prevent mildew.


You'll get the hang of it over time. Do this every single day and the results are rewarding -- internally and externally. Follow it with exercise and proper diet for a healthy body.


xoxo,
Chloe

Best Time to Eat Fresh Fruits

I love fresh fruits! And when I say fresh, it's not the kind found in cans. But the freshest and seasonal fruits available in the market. I obviously can't live a day without taking a bite on fruits.

Growing up it has become a habit to eat a fruit after a meal as it is already considered as a 'dessert'. But I read somewhere years ago that it is best to eat fresh fruits in the morning on an empty stomach. Yes, you've read that right. The vitamins and minerals are easily digested and absorbed straight into the bloodstream as it maximizes the benefit of the fruits. Fruits should be best eaten on its own, and wait for 30 minutes at least to digest before eating any food. But I prefer to wait for an hour before I eat my meal to ensure everything is digested. If you had eaten your proper meal, wait for at least three hours before you can eat fruit.

That is ME in the reflection. Hi!

I also juice a variety of green vegetables and fruits, and drink a glass of it with the help of a juicer in the morning as soon as I wake up. That way you know you already had your dose of antioxidants and nutrients before conquering your day. It is very rejuvenating to the mind and body. And the best part is, there isn't any particular recipe that everyone should follow. It really is all up to your tastebuds. But for starters, you might want to look for recipe online then work your way up.

It's been 6-7 years already and I feel great. My morning is not complete without fresh fruits, and my skin looks good as it was before with just a small change in my diet. (Of course that also includes no sodas, no alcohol, no smoking, applying sunblock everyday, 7-8 hours of sleep, moisturize, etc.)

I still eat a proper meal during the day because I know I can't rely on fruits alone. MODERATION is still a must.

Grab a bowl of fresh fruits today.

The Foaming Net: Cleansing Your Face with Rich Marshmallow Lather

First step in skin care is cleansing the face properly. We all know how to wash our face and it doesn't take a minute or two to get it done. But if you are talking about real serious skin care routine, you should know that that is not enough. Consider cleansing the face is a form of art, and you don't want to just scrub away like your skin is about to peel off! OMG NO! A lot of people admire Japanese and Korean women because of their supple and porcelain skin and we want that! One of those secrets is by treating your skin as gently as possible... and one of the gentlest ways to clean the skin is by using a foaming net. (And I do not mean rubbing the net in your skin! Read on.)

I've heard about this foaming net a year ago or so but never have given it a thought. Probably because it is an extra step that I dread just for washing the face? I never cared since then... until, I came across some Asian youtubers who uses a foaming net and rave how wonderful this product was. I thought to get my own foaming net and see what the fuss was about.

This is a foaming net. Whoever have thought about this is a sheer genius! I love my foaming net the day I first used it. It's been part of my skin care regimen ever since, and my skin looked better than before. Cleansing my face has never been this fun!

 I bought this at Daiso for $1.50 which is very affordable. This pack here has two foaming nets: a small pink one (130mm) and a big white one (170mm).

This foaming net helps is creating a thick and rich foam from your foaming cleanser and use that lather to gently wash your face with. Its fine bubbles cleanses deep down in your pores for thorough clean without stripping the natural oils. And also, with its marshmallow texture, it minimizes discomfort on your skin while cleansing; thus, less skin-to-skin contact. This foaming net will also double up the cleanser itself with just one (or half) pump of your cleanser which saves you money. Once this foam touches your face, I am telling you, you will be looking forward to cleanse your face because of its soft foam. You will definitely feel like you need to have this around wherever you go. Just be sure you be gentle while washing your face. Don't scrub too hard. Let the marshmallow power do its work for you. It is just relaxing!

To use this foaming net, you: (1) Wet the net and hold it between your fingers. (2) Put the facial cleanser on it and foam well by rubbing it with your hands. (3) Hold it with your fingers and remove the lather by smoothing it. (4) Wash your face gently with the lather. (5) Let the foaming net hang dry.

How amazing is this! It all look simple, but the science behind it just blows my mind every time I wash my face with it.

Not only you can buy this in Asian stores, but you can also create your very own foaming net too! This is an awesome tip which even saves you more money and it is so easy to make. I found one DIY website here! You are welcome. :)

This product right here is highly recommended. Give your skin an extra dose love!

 

Lightening Dark Circles and Reduce Puffiness with Tea Bags

Tea is my first pick of beverage besides water and fresh green juice because we know it is good for our body. Tea is a good drink for any time of the day, but personally, it feels comforting to drink tea especially when it is rainy outside... and add that with a book curled up in a comfy bed.

The first time I drank tea was actually the day back in tenth grade (4th year high school) because I was a chubby girl, and I thought one of the things I need to drink more of are teas instead of those artificial sugary drinks like sodas (my body soon learned to adjust without leaning on to sodas) to help me shed those extra pounds. I didn't like the taste of tea of course; it wasn't love at first sight (taste), but eventually, I soon loved tea and got myself branching out to different brands, tastes, benefits and stuff of tea. Tea is one versatile drink were I can enjoy a mug anywhere, anytime.

If you are a tea drinker such as myself, you can use the (used) tea bags as a treatment to help lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. Green tea is rich with tannis and caffeine that is why this treatment works.

What you need:

• Two used tea bags 

Instructions: 

1. After you drank your green tea, place two used tea bags in the fridge and let them chill overnight. You want it cold for you to use them.
2. Lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and place the two chilled tea bags over your eyes and relax for 15-20 minutes.
3. Repeat the process as often as you like. This treatment will take time to help lighten dark circles.

This is just one of the step to help lighten dark circles. The skin around the eyes are very delicate so treat it kindly. You need to have 7-8 hours of sleep every night, proper diet, hydrate with water, and exercise. Do not rub your eyes too harshly. Apply a good eye cream every night using your ring finger to prevent wrinkles and reduce puffiness.

Not only you can use these tea bags for dark circles, but also use it at night just to relax after a long day. It. feels. good.

Rice Water for Beautiful Skin and Hair

The rice starch-soak has been an ancient beauty secret by Asian women. Rice contains 'pitera' and many other vitamins and minerals that help make skin and hair healthy. Rice water gives that brighter complexion and calm down inflammation in our skin. It is also used as a main ingredient in skin care products to achieve that clear skin.

Fill a bowl with a cup of organic rice, and pour water an inch above the rice height. Swill it for few seconds until it gets cloudy. Throw away the first wash because this wash was used to clean the rice. Pour water again and swill the rice around for few minutes, and with this second wash, pour it in a container to use it as your toner. Store it in the fridge for 2-3 days.

As for hair, pour the rice water after shampooing for a minute to make hair soft and shiny. Wash it off with water.

Maintaining a Healthy Skin

I love taking care of myself. I'm not your make-up kind of girl. I do browse videos of some of my favorite beauty gurus on Youtube on how to do make-up, but translating it to me is the tough part. Anyways, my boyfriend is blown away by the time I invest in my skin, and these are what I do everyday besides using the skin care products featured in this blog. It took me years to look for products that is suitable for my skin. I also try to eat as healthy as I could because I do believe with the saying: we are what we eat.

* I am no nutritionist or a dermatologist. I am just your average girl who is conscious of what I eat and loves to try different skin care products. Certain products that may work for me may not necessarily mean may work for you. *

1. Drink water. Aim for 2 liters of water everyday, but not necessarily mean drown ourselves with water. Just enough to keep oneself hydrated. I sometimes forget drinking enough water, but I try to remind myself that I need to drink water. I love adding lemons in my water too just to spice things up. Aids to remove toxins in our body.
2. Stop drinking soda. When I was in high school, I was a chubby girl. One of the big steps I did was to cut back soda in my life. It was really hard but I knew I had to. I was just drinking the unnecessary calories all my life. Around 4th year high school (Tenth grade), it did helped me dropped the weight off (together with the right diet and exercise). I no longer crave soda even when I am in a restaurant. I am happy I did this for myself. Now, I have also influenced my family in doing the same thing.
3. Eat fruits in the morning. It is a must for me to have fresh fruits in the morning. I've read an article that it is better to eat fruits on an empty stomach because the vitamins and minerals are easily absorbed in our body. This is my usual breakfast here at home. I tend to wait around 30 minutes to an hour for it to digest before I can eat my main meal. I also love to make myself a smoothie and add spinach and lettuce.
4. Wash hands before cleansing your face. Who knows what germs are lurking in one's hands, so don't forget to wash your hands.
5. Moisturize. Very important to keep skin looking smooth, healthy and hydrated. There are a lot of brands of body lotions to facial moisturizers in the market that you will find and love! After taking a shower, pat dry and immediately apply your body lotion. It creates a seal in our skin that locks moisture for that healthy and soft skin. For the (night) skin regimen: After cleansing the face, use a facial scrub (2x a week) to remove dead skin, then pat dry using a clean paper towel. Next, after applying toner, apply an eye cream, then serum, and wait for few minutes to sink in. Last but not least, apply a moisturizer. Ladies, never ever forget to moisturize the neck, your décolletage and the back of the hands because despite the thorough care of the face, these delicate areas are also the first signs of aging. Apply a facial mask once in a while to refresh and renew skin.
6. Give 6-8 weeks for your new skin care regimen to work. It takes time for our skin to absorb and do its own thing before we can see the results. Don't give up using your current skin care products. But if it causes you unusual redness or bumps, stop applying but don't throw it away. Bring it to your dermatologist to further help you with your problem and find out what products suits your skin most. I love to read reviews online before I purchase products because I want to know what other people think about it, and from there I weigh my options.
7. 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Less sleep also means eyebags which also means our body is more stressed without the required amount of rest we need. I remember the days when I slept really late, and had this annoying headache when I wake up. I feel and look tired whenever I see myself in the mirror. Today, I always make sure I'm in bed around 10:00-10:30 p.m. at the most. With enough sleep, it also helps to absorb our skin care products better at night while it repairs itself. No matter how many or expensive products we slather in our skin, it won't do much of a help if we skip our sleep. Use a clean pillowcase to avoid transmitting of germs while sleeping. And also, don't forget to sleep on your back. This is one of the hardest things for me because my body loves to sleep in a fetal position -- which causes sleep wrinkles in the long run.
8. No to alcohol and smoking. This is self-explanatory; it causes a lot of damage to our health. It dehydrates our skin, which leads to premature aging. I rarely drink, but if I do drink, I drink a glass of water to re-hydrate myself. Moderation is still key here. As for smoking, I never smoked in my all years -- not even a puff.
9. Sunscreen. Whether I am indoors or outdoors -- sunny, rainy, windy, or cloudy -- I always have my sunscreen on. Some people don't understand why I apply sunscreen even when I am at home, and it gets to be a debate. I don't need to explain myself, and I just do what I do. The light reflects and refracts from shiny materials, thus it bounces even while inside the house which still leads our skin exposed to UVA and UVB rays. And what more, besides sunscreen, I can't leave the house without an umbrella and sunglasses to protect myself from the sun. An SPF 30 is good to prevent dark spots, dull complexion and premature aging. Always wait at least 30 minutes to help the sunscreen set in before leaving the house. Don't forget to reapply after 2hours.
10. Vitamin D. A dose of Vitamin D every morning between 7am-9am is a good thing for the body! Enjoy the sunshine!
11. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. I love to eat my veggies and fruits everyday. Whatever we eat, it absorbs and shows in our skin. I love olive oil, berries, malunggay (moringa), tomatoes, fish, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, green tea, dark chocolate, kiwi, barley, acai,.. etc.. etc... etc! They are all good for everyone, very nutritious and all the antioxidants our body needs! Pack your fridge with fresh produce, and you are on your way to great health! Cut back processed food as much as possible.
12. Cut down sugar. I have a sweet tooth, but whenever I think about my skin, I tend to think thrice before eating that piece of candy or any packaged drink that mostly contain sugar. Sugar breaks down and enters in our bloodstream, thus the collagen in our skin which makes our skin youthful, leads to sagging and wrinkles. 
13. Don't touch your face with your dirty hands. I know it gets tempting when you see a zit on your face, but better to leave it alone and use a cream to fight that acne. Our hands can transfer dirt to our face, and if you pick your acne now and then, it can lead to scarring. Hands off your face.
14. Use a pore strip. Once a week, unclog your pores using a pore strip. Not only it helps to get the gunk out, but also helps to shrink the size of our pores. It feels good to see those whiteheads and blackheads out in your face.
15. Avoid sipping through a straw. Repeated puckering contributes to lines around the mouth over time.
16. Don't stress about it. Smell the roses. Walk everyday. Read. Watch a movie. Get a massage. Call a friend. Travel. Dance. Write. Draw. Sing out loud. Laugh. Play with your dog. Hug someone. Indulge that delicious cake. Volunteer. Do something that you love. Take up a hobby. Help around the house. Forgive. Eat. Reflect. Respect others. Exercise. Have fun! Don't stress too much because less stress equals to less wrinkles.

Don't neglect our skin. It's what we got, and it shows how we take good care of ourselves. You'll thank yourself 10years from now. Above all, this is what I have learned: Nothing can beat a SMILE on our face.