Is Acne Prone Skin Driving you NUTS!?

Breakouts are never fun, especially when they are seemingly endless.  Maybe you've tried every over-the-counter product out, or are a regular fixture at your dermatologist's office and still your skin is not cooperating?  

If you have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation from harsh chemicals of acne products and still haven't found balance for your skin, maybe it's time to try organic oils?

Now, don't freak out over the word "oil"...it's okay.  These organic oils are not like the baby oil you may have slathered on your body in attempts for a "killer" tan back in the 80's - eek! You will not go slip sliding away with these oils. I promise.  They absorb quickly into the skin and will not clog pores. 

Organic skin care oils are vegetable oils, pure and simple.  While they are essentially as edible as the olive oil in your pantry, certain oils are more lightweight, and appropriate for everyday skin care, than others.  

Here are a few that are great for everyday skin care:

Argan, Almond, Hazelnut, Rose Hip, Evening Primrose, Jojoba.

Balance for Acne Prone Skin - Hazelnut Oil

Of the list above, the best choice for acne prone skin is Hazelnut Oil, although everyone is different. Non-greasy and lightweight, Hazelnut Oil absorbs into the skin quickly and offers astringent and antibacterial properties which refine and tighten pores. Hazelnut oil controls excess sebum and acne. It is also effective in strenghtening capillaries, so it seems to reduce blotchiness.  The moisturizing properties of this oil also help to tone skin by maintaining elasticity.  

What's in a Nut?

You might love it in Nutella (Yum!)...but did you know that Hazelnuts are rich in omega-3, 6 & 9? And Hazelnut Oil also has 2-3 times more Vitamin E than Olive Oil.  That's great news for your skin, since we know that the antioxidant activity of Vitamin E & Essential Fatty Acids are vital in protecting skin cells from ultra violet light, pollution, drugs, and other cell damaging free radicals. Hazelnuts also contain high levels of flavanols responsible for reducing inflammation. Flavanols also have potential anti-aging effects, like slowing the process of wrinkling and protection from UV damage. 

Seek a Natural Balance

While using oils on acne prone skin still might seem counter-intuitive, it might be worth a try.  Remember, however, a little goes a long way with these oils.  All you need is 2-3 drops for your entire face and neck - less if you are targeting only certain areas.  Make sure your skin is clean and that you are using a high-quality, pure oil from a trusted source.  Some oils can be filled with cheaper, less potent and less appropriate skin care oils - this can upset the balance and reduce the benefits of the oil.  Organic is also always better.  Begin with application once a day - evening is usually good.  If your skin responds well, you might add morning application.  Or you might try one oil for morning and another for evening.  For Example, Rose Hip is an excellent morning oil, as it has brightening and moisturizing properties and works well about 15 mins before makeup application.  Argan, Hazelnut or Evening Primrose might be a good choice for evening depending upon your skin's needs. 

For more information on uses visit:http://www.oliebiologique.com/how_to_use.html

Just in Time for Valentine's Day: New Organic Massage & Essential Oils!

Known for our high quality organic skin care oils, Olìe Biologique is proud to introduce our newest product offering - 100% Organic Massage Oil + 100% Organic Essential Oil Blends! Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can now personally customize your massage based on your needs and preference, just like at the spa! 

NEW Organic MASSAGE Oil is a rich, non-greasy massage oil base of Rose Hip, Apricot, & Sunflower Oil. This oil is rich in essential fatty acids & vitamins which permeate skin during full body massage or facial, leaving skin soft, supple, and smooth. It can be used alone or blended with any of our new aromatic essential oil synergies like Cocoon, Detox, Reflex & Relax to customize your massage for maximum health benefits. Add 1 to 5% synergy of choice to the massage oil before massage.

NEW Organic COCOON Essential Oil Synergy offers a warming, sensual, and harmonizing blend to balance the nervous system. It restores vigor and energy to the body and is made of
100% Organic Sweet Orange, Rosewood, Saro of Madagascar, Ylang-ylang, & Chinese Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil. 

Saro from Madagascar

NEW Organic RELAX Essential Oil Synergy offers a soothing blend of 100% Organic Lavender, Sweet orange & Saro Essential Oils for a moment of pure repose. It is excellent for both body and facial massage. For facial massage, dilute the synergy in base massage oil to 1%. For a body massage, dilute the synergy to 5% of the desired total quantity.

NEW Organic REFLEX Essential Oil Synergy is a beneficial blend for deep muscular and joint massage. A softening and comforting formula made of 100% Organic Eucalyptus, Lemon, Wintergreen, Rosemary, & Satureioide Thyme Essential Oils, it is ideal for athletes, sports massage and seniors.

NEW Organic DETOX Essential Oil Synergy contains 100% Organic Lemon, Grapefruit, Atlas Cedarwood, Alpine Juniper, & Ginger Essential Oils to detoxify, revitalize and restore the body during massage. It also ideal for slimming massages. 

Alpine Juniper Berries

Give the Gift of Massage 
We make it easy with personally customizable blends and 30% OFF until 2/14/2011. Hurry Valentine's Day is just around the corner! 
http://www.oliebiologique.com/products.html 

Argan Oil - Excellent for Hands & Nails

Maybe you've heard of Argan oil as the latest and greatest skin serum, praised for its ability to fight wrinkles, stretch marks, blotchiness, acne and restore a youthful glow to the face.  But, did you know that it's a fabulous salve for dry, cracked hands and can help restore health to weak, or damaged nails?

I've used Argan oil on my skin before and I like the results I get when I use it at as a night serum.  I have combination skin, so I prefer a once-a-day application just before bed.

I never thought of using it on my nails, but then winter arrived and I got desperate.  My nails have been so dry, especially my cuticles so I tried a little Argan oil on my nails with my evening night serum routine and noticed a big difference.  And then I remembered my poor little toenails…

Support for Hurt & Damaged Nails:
Last summer, as I was preparing to get married and running around town like a crazy lady trying to get all of the last minute details wrapped up, I tripped running UP the steps to post office while wearing flip flops.  Who does this?!! Really, I tripped while going UP the stone steps and ripped both of my big toenails and scraped them across the stone.  Not so good for a bride-to-be.  So, I wrapped them up in band-aids until my pre-wedding pedicure and asked the girls at the salon for HELP!  They glued the nails back together and my toes "looked" beautiful for the wedding and honeymoon, but ever since, they've just not been right.  The torn sections are slowly growing out and the scraped surface is too, but I'm impatient so...I turned to Argan oil.

And, I'm happy to report I've noticed a big difference. Then I wondered why? So I did a little research to see if other people were using Argan oil to restore and repair their nails.

Why it Works?
It turns out that this oil has exceptionally high contents of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which make it able to nourish and heal the body effectively. The combo of healing Vitamin E and the essential fatty acids, like omega-3, 6, & 9 make it more effective than other oils like Olive Oil or Jojoba - which are also a bit more greasy and leave a slick residue. And since it's not a manufactured treatment, it won't dry or damage your nails while it's repairing and healing.

Here are few recipes I found that you might want to try, but I've had good results just rubbing a few drops into hands, feet & nails at night before bedtime.


Argan Oil Recipes for the Nails

Hand or Foot Soak: Use about ½ a cup of warm cider vinegar and a few drops of Argan oil (5-6 drops would be enough, but you can adjust to your liking). You may also want to add a few drops of other preferred oils for fragrance such as thyme, peppermint, or sandalwood. Combine all ingredients in a basin with warm water. Water should be wrist or ankle deep only. Do not overflow. Soak your hands or feet for 15-20 minutes.

Foot Powder:
Use about 2 tablespoons of corn starch or unscented talc. Place it in a plastic bag and add a few drops of Argan oil (10-15 drops will do). Seal close and shake. Let the mixture sit and rest for 24 hours. Shake again before using.

Nail Lotion:
Take about 4 teaspoons of cider vinegar and place it in a dark glass bottle. Mix in your Argan oil (10-15 drops) and shake. Use this mixture and apply to affected nails 2-3 times daily. Use swab or cotton and make sure to shake before use.

Nail Fungal Infection Remedy:
People with fungal infections can apply 1-2 drops of Argan oil directly to the infected nails. This should be done at least 2-3 times per day to get the best results.

Argan oil and nails work well together as Argan oil nourishes any nail type easily. With its nutrients and fatty acids, Argan oil can bring any nail discoloration, any fungal infected nail, and any badly nourished nail back to health. With regular application and use, no nail problem is unsolvable for this liquid gold from Morocco.

And remember, beautiful hands and feet are healthy hands and feet!  Get started now and you'll have the loveliest toes on the beach this summer! And it definitely couldn't hurt to dream of warm sandy beaches each time you take a moment to care for your nails.

For high quality Argan oil, that 100% pure & organic visit:
http://www.oliebiologique.com/products.html