Here’s how:

• Hiding the evidence of a late night…

Out too late? Or working too hard? Perhaps the baby didn’t get enough sleep and as a result neither did you? No matter the reason, lack of sleep can lead to puffy eyes, which are unsightly and at times uncomfortable. Reach for a refrigerated and sliced cucumber. Place the rounds over your eye socket, where they will act like little ice-packs and relieve puffy lids. One reason: cucumbers are 90% water which helps them to stay cool even in warm spots. This will minimize swelling by constricting the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the eye area.

• Soothing sunburns (or other irritations)…

The cucumber is full of natural anti-inflammatories that will help to calm and soothe red and irritated skin. Place thin slices on the butterfly region of your face and lie down for 15 minutes. After time is up, remove the slices and apply a light moisturizer.

• Providing an added layer of protection…

Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants that, when applied to skin, help fend off wrinkles, sun damage and more. Vitamin C helps to build collagen and elastin while caffeic acid inhibits cancer cells and protects skin exposed to UV radiation. Try a soothing cucumber mask at home to give your skin a boost. Barely puree half a cucumber and two tablespoons of plain yogurt making a thick mixture. Apply to your skin and relax for 15 minutes before rinsing away with warm water.

Super ingredients are developed all of the time in labs making your skincare better and better, but sometimes the greatest ingredients for super-skin have been around for centuries and can be found right in your own home.

The post Beauty Flash! Dr. Amy Wechsler Weighs In on Cool Cucumber: Skin’s Best Friend appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Give Your Skin a Fruity Boost!

Watermelon isn’t just a juicy summer treat. Rather, it’s also a great skin saver for (almost) any skin condition from sun damage to blemishes and everything in between! With its 93% water content and its multi-vitamin combination of vitamins A, B6 and C, it will not only hydrate your skin, but also repair and protect your skin too. Check out the recipes below to see how to make watermelon juice work best for your particular skin needs.

For sun damaged skin… Soak cotton pads with fresh watermelon juice and apply to any sunburned areas. Let the juice sit on your skin for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

For glowing, softer skin… Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon plain Greek Yogurt. The lactic acid and enzymes in the yogurt will help gently exfoliate and purify while the watermelon hydrates and heals. Apply the mask to your face and neck for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

For aging skin… Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of mashed avocado. The avocado is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps plump the skin, as well as vitamin C and vitamin E, which act as antioxidants for a powerful anti-aging combination. Apply to your face and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

For dry skin… mix 1 teaspoon of watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon organic honey. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it will help bring moisture deep into your skin, making the watermelon juice work double duty in hydrating your skin. Apply to your face and let sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

For inflamed, acne-prone skin… Mix 1 teaspoon watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of mashed Banana. The banana, which contains vitamins B2, B6 and B12, will help to reduce skin inflammation while simultaneously making the skin supple and soft all as the watermelon works its magic too as an oil-free moisturizer. Apply to your face and let sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Show Off Those Pearly Whites!

Some celebrities swear by this beauty secret to get red carpet ready… strawberries for teeth whitening?!? Yes! Simply remove the stems and puree or mash a couple of strawberries and apply it to your teeth with a toothbrush or cosmetic brush. Let this remain on your teeth for about five minutes and then brush with baking soda. It is very important to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth well after using this strawberry treatment. Strawberries contain natural sugars and leaving them on your teeth could lead to cavities. Also, the very ingredient that whitens your teeth, malic acid, can also be very harmful to your teeth if left on too long. Any type of acid could eat through our teeth’s enamel, and that also provides ample opportunity for cavities to form. Doing this treatment once a week should be sufficient. Best of all, it is cheap and chemical free!

Perfect Your Pout!

Give the phrase “give me some sugar” a whole new meaning with this scrumptious Mango Vanilla Sugar Lip Scrub. Slice up a peeled mango and then mash in a bowl until pureed. Add a teaspoon of vanilla and two tablespoons of sugar and mix thoroughly. Using a toothbrush, apply to your lips and gently brush in a circular motion to remove any dead skin. This sweet scrub will soften your lips and smells great too.

The post Summer Fruit, Summer Face! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.