DIY

When you’re washing up, do you question the ingredients in your body and hand soap? You should. Most of the soaps available at places like mainstream commercial stores are loaded with artificial fragrances that have been known to cause allergies and irritation. Not to mention an ingredient called sodium laurel sulfate is one of the most common toxic ingredients found in soaps (and shower gels!). These ingredients are used to create lather and bubbles but also strip the skin of its natural oils.

Now that it's summer time, it's super important to adjust your skin to the new season. Prepare for extra heat, sun, and fun! That's why I've devised this little 'summer essential kit': It will teach you how to make everything you could want or need this summer, including (but not limited to) an after-sun lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, and more.

Floral waters are distilled water infused with the essence of flowers. There are so many different kinds of floral waters, but two all time favorites are rose and lavender. They're extremely versatile and can be used for more things than you may think. Wonder how they're formed?

Have you ever tried a facial steam? Facial steams are great for clearing your pores and can be customized to your liking. They're fairly simple to make and only really require herbs and water.  Facial steams can also be great for people who are suffering from colds, allergies, or congestion (of any sort). That's because they promote healthy circulation through increased perspiration: This helps your skin's blood vessels to dilate, which in turn improves blood flow. Of course that's only one benefit: Facial steams also cleanse, hydrate, nourish, and calm the skin.

Summer means a zillion skin issues. Like we cool our bodies by eating yogurt, we can use it to cool off our sunburned skin as well…

A weekend in Bali. A month in Morocco. Three weeks camping on the Baja Peninsula. Expensive, exotic yoga retreats, trainings and festivals are popping up all over the globe. As wonderful as it would be to just drop the kids off at Grandma’s and jetset around the world to connect with the yogis and energies of foreign lands, it’s not always feasible -- especially when Grandma’s RVing in North Carolina and you used the last of your PTO when your bestie was in town last month.

We all know how important cleansing and exfoliating the face is, especially after a long day. That said, did you know it becomes harder for our skin to naturally rid itself of dead skin cells as we age? Instead of turning to expensive, high-end exfoliators (which probably contain drying, harmful chemicals, by the way), here are 4 natural ways to exfoliate your skin. These will not only be better for your skin, but also save you a buck. In fact, most of them are probably already in your pantry. I recommend experimenting with each one to discover which you like best.

The three R’s never go out of style. Not only is reducing, reusing and recycling “waste” a great way to do your part for the environment, but doing so is inherently satisfying. It feels good to do what you can to keep things out of the landfill and/or give items a second life and purpose. And what’s more, reducing, reusing, and recycling can save you money and spark the flow of some creative juices.

I tend to get canker sores a lot. They're always inside my mouth and they’re such a pain to deal with. That's why I decided to share this recipe today: It's specifically designed to treat canker sores. That's because rosemary and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties (and are also great at preventing plaque build up). Not to mention I cannot stand how conventional mouthwash is loaded with synthetic chemicals (and alcohol, which burns your mouth). This one is all-natural and totally easy to make at home.

I cannot stress the importance of cleansers enough. Why? Because, after a long day, it's so important to take your makeup off before bed. If you don't, you'll only clog your pores and encourage the creation of zits. It's also important to wash your face first thing in the morning too. That said, did you know you could craft your own, all-natural facial cleanser? While this one does contain honey (which certainly isn't vegan), it is full of ingredients that are great at not only removing makeup but reducing pimples.