A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Herbs for Beauty

champs de lavande

Oh yeah, for those of you who are into natural beauty, look no further than your backyard. If you’ve got the green thumb, then you should start adding these beauty superstar in your thriving garden:

1. Lavender: Used in many beauty products, widely known for calming scent, this purple joy possess properties that makes it an antiseptic (prevents infection) and pain relieving. Add them into your homemade lotion, your cleaning products and yes, even in your cookies!

2. Marigold (aka calendula in your beauty products): It has a high level of flavonoids (yes also found in wine) that protects the body from damaging free radicals and also treats inflammations. Talk about an anti-aging superstar!

3. Holy Basil: Holy indeed! It is a rich source of vitamin A, C and K and also hosts of important minerals like calcium and magnesium. This herbs is usually found in your anti-dandruff and lice shampoo and also in acne-free products.

4. Rosemary: Oh yes, not only is it great with your pork and potatoes, its also anti-fungal and antidiabetic. Great use for those of you who have digestive problems (which affects overall health of your skin!) and treats alopecia!

5. Chamomile: My favorite tea,and also a soothing herb for those of you who suffer from sensitive skin. It possess hydrating and nourishing qualities that allows your skin to recover from a hard day of work.

Hopefully this post allows you to rethink and appreciate the magic of these herbs!

Review: Skin An Apothecary Sugar Glow

Skin An Apothecary Sugar Glow in Chamomile Flower

I always enjoy trying out new body scrubs because they leave skin super smooth and they always smell nice. Well I recently tried a new scrub, Skin An Apothecary Sugar Glow in Chamomile Flower. This is sugar scrub contains sugar, four types of oil, cocoa and fragrance – that’s it. Skin An Apothecary does not state on the  jar what the fragrance is made from but it smells like Chamomile and Gardenias.

Inside of Skin An Apothecary Sugar Scrub Glow in Chamomile Flower

When I first opened the jar I noticed that the product was very liquidy. The sugar sinks to the bottom and becomes compacted and the oil floats at the top. There seems to be too much oil for the amount of sugar in the jar. but if you stick you hand an inch in you can scoop of the sugar saturated scrub blend.

I always enjoy using scrubs on my legs because they exfoliate so well and your legs instantly look a bit more radiant and smooth. This scrub did the job pretty well; sugar helps exfoliate the skin. The oils deeply hydrate the skin and the added cocoa is an anti-oxidant that helps fight free radical damage.

This scrub has some serious hydration power with grape seed, wheat germ and Vitamin A & E oils. You will not need to moisturize even after the hottest shower and your skin will feel like silk. I just wish that there was a way to keep the product better blended but I did enjoy the natural formula. And if chamomile is not your thing this scrub is available in other decadent scents like Blood Orange & Chocolate and Vanilla Plum.

 Skin An Apothecary Sugar Glow, $26

Disclosure: The products featured in this review were provided for editorial consideration. Receipt of this product did not guarantee review and all opinions are my own.