Skin Care Regimens: What’s Right for Your Skin Type?

     

Q: What beauty products are worth splurging on?

A: While most high-end beauty products are expensive, some are definitely worth the splurge. Brands like Mineral Fusion, Badger, and Nourish make it their business to develop natural skin care products that customers can trust. Personally, I have used many makeup lines throughout the years and nothing comes close to Mineral Fusion when it comes to all-natural makeup. Mineral Fusion makeup is easy to apply, requires little re-application, and lasts all day.

Q: How do I care for acne-prone skin?

A:  Products that contain salicylic acid or tea tree oil (melaleuca) salicylic acid contains properties that support drawing oils out of the skin without totally stripping the skin of natural oils.

If you are a DIY-er or want to make your own wash, combine castile soap, raw apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil. While this concoction smells harsh, it is cost effective. At the first sign of a break-out apple cider vinegar is one popular application. If you don’t want to use apple cider vinegar, Desert Essence makes a purse-friendly Blemish Touch Stick.

Here are some face care tips:

• Scrub/cleanse face nightly and in morning.
• Apply light moisturizer in evening before bed.
• Apply heavier moisturizer in morning.
• Use a peel 1-2 times per week.

Q: How do I care for dry skin?

A: Like all skin types, dry skin requires TLC. Look for products that say “moisturizing” or “hydrating,” such as PA company Nourish’s Ultra-Hydrating Face Cream.

Moisturizer will become your skin’s best friend. Look for moisture enhancing ingredients such as argan, pomegranate, and almond oils.

When wearing makeup, use a hydrating spray throughout the day to ensure your foundation isn’t drying your skin out.

Q: How do I care for sensitive skin?

A: Sensitive skin is trickier to take care of. Finding the right products for you can be a challenge. When shopping, look for these key words: “Hypoallergenic”, “Fragrance-Free”, and “Sensitive Skin”. These products will be better able to serve your skin type. If you need something that is chemical free, you’ll want to stay away from drugstore brands and opt for brands like Everclen, a hypoallergenic skin care line.

Look for:

• Fragrance-Free moisturizer
• Alcohol-Free moisturizer and toner
• Smoothing face washes
• Light masks such as a milk base

~CJ LaRose, Senior Supervisor/Bookkeeper

Bee Friendly Garden

We often overlook bees, seeing them as a pest or a disturbing creature that only provides us with honey. Bees however, are a crucial part of the environment and ecosystem. With diseases like CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder), bee mites and the harmful effects of pesticides, bees are nearing the endangered species list rapidly.

By planting bee-friendly vegetation, we can help bees find food quicker.

Annuals:                                            

• Asters                                                             
• Calliopsis                                                        
• Clover                                                            
• Marigolds                                                       
• Poppies                       
• Sunflowers                 
• Zinnias                                                          

Garden Plants:

• Blackberries
• Cataloupe
• Garlic
• Gourds
• Peppers
• Pumpkins
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon

Perennials:               

• Buttercups                                                                  
• Clematis                                                         
• Cosmos                                                          
• Dahlias                       
• Echinacea                   
• Geraniums                  
• Hyacinth                    
• Rock Cress                 
• Snowdrops                 
• Tansy                          

Herbs:

• Borage
• Catnip
• Fennel
• Lavender
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Shrubs:

• Blueberry
• Butterfly Bush
• Honeysuckle
• Indigo

Bees love yellow, blue and purple flowers. Make sure to plant at different times of the season, so there is always blooming vegetation for bees to feed off of. Like any other animal or insect, bees need a plentiful water supply. If your property does not have a water supply, having a fountain or a pond, can support them. Make sure to have a shallow bed of water with stones that protrude so bees have a place to land.

When choosing what to plant, keep in mind that mature plants may have been treated with pesticides. Even small seedlings and some seeds are treated with pesticides before being shipped to stores. To ensure your plants are pesticide-free, choose organic brands or look for the NON-GMO label.

The Healthy Grocer has bee-friendly organic seeds by Lake Valley available for purchase. Together we can support the growth of a healthy garden where bees can thrive.

CJ LaRose is a Senior Supervisor and Bookkeeper at The Healthy Grocer. She is passionate about gardening and living a healthy lifestyle.

Source: http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/plant-a-bee-garden/

Successful Planting Tips

Transplanting Seedlings

Remember that seedlings are like babies – they need tender, loving care. Whether you buy seedlings from a store or grow them yourself, transitioning can be beneficial. Keep seedlings outside in the garden (in their original containers) to harden them for about 2 weeks. This allows the plants to become accustomed to the environment – temperature changes, wind, rain, etc. Exposing them to the elements will help seedlings grow.

When to Plant

The day before planting, make sure to water the seedlings. This will ensure that the soil is moist and soft. When moving them into the garden or container, it’s best to plant them in late afternoon or early evening. This will ensure that the plants do not bake in the heat of the sun. Also, make sure you handle the plant by its roots or leaves. Never pull a plant by its stem, as this is the weakest part, most likely it will break. Plant seedlings at the same depth of the container it was housed in. Once the seedlings are in the ground, lightly water them at the roots.

Transplant Shock

Watch seedlings closely for the first week they’re in the ground. If leaves are wilted or drooping, this is a sign of transplant shock. Make sure the soil is damp. If the top inch is dry, water it; otherwise, do not water until the top inch of soil is dry. If the sun and wind are an issue, cover the seedlings with covers, sheets, or plastic sheeting during harsh weather to protect their young stems. Also, with heavy rain you can cover the seedlings.

-CJ LaRose

  

Source: http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/print/garden/secrets-successful-planting