Face Yoga : Incredible Edible Face Masks

If you follow me on Facebook, you already know I spent last week sampling face masks – Incredible Edible Face Masks.

I combined plain yogurt with ingredients easily found at the supermarket. You can’t keep them for any length of time, so after slathering the mixtures on my face, I either directly ate the leftover or prepared something with it.

Why plain yogurt?

Yogurt boosts the beneficial bacteria on our skin.

Gross as it may sound, we have over 500 species of bacteria crawling around on our skin. Our biggest organ hosts a Far West of “good” and “bad” bacteria fighting it out. The beauty of our skin depends on the delicate balance of these microorganisms.

The healthy bacteria, or skin microbiota, help stop pathogens from entering the skin, stop inflammation, control infection, and kill off the more harmful strains.

I recently read that cosmetic companies are exploring this idea of pro-biotics for the skin. But you need look no further than that pot of plain yogurt sitting in your fridge.

I used plain Greek Yogurt in my recipes. It is a personal preference because it’s a little thicker.

I had never tried these masks before. Here’s what I found.

*I have what is considered “normal” skin and no particular skin issues, nor do I have any food allergies. Should you want to try any of these masks and have any doubts about the ingredients or how they may affect you, do some research first.

I kicked off the week with a Greek Yogurt & Matcha Powder brightening mask. The Matcha’s strong anti-oxidants promote elasticity, even skin tone and reduce inflammation.

This mask did not disappoint – even smelled “healthy.” It tingled while on and stayed rubbery. Afterwards, my glowing skin felt like it had a protective layer on it and stayed supple all day.

Unless you like that full-on vegetal taste, add the leftover into a smoothie or shake.

Tuesday’s Greek Yogurt, Egg & Olive Oil mask was liquid. Maybe needed more yogurt. The olive oil smell was pleasant and the mask tightened as it dried (so no smiling). My skin felt taught and bright, especially in the under eye area.

The skin easily absorbs the amino acids in the egg, while the oil softens and hydrates.

Scramble up the leftover for breakfast or lunch.

I combined Greek Yogurt, Honey & Oats for Wednesday’s  mask. The oats provide gentle exfoliation and absorb excess oils, while the honey moisturizes and softens.

This mask was a bit messy. It was liquid when applying and sticky while on. But the results were, as promised, luminously, smooth skin. This mask is a facial and breakfast rolled into one.

The Greek Yogurt & Coco Powder Mask on Thursday came highly recommended. The coco contains minerals like potassium, phosphorous and manganese, plus tightening caffeine. It is definitely a firming mask. To me it felt a bit itchy as it was drying and I had to moisturize a little more afterwards.

If you like the taste of dark, unsweetened chocolate, eat this off the spoon. If not, add it to your smoothie, cereal or oatmeal.

Friday I mashed up Avocado, Olive Oil & Greek Yogurt for a super-hydrating mask – because of the lubricating qualities of the oil and the healthy fats from the avocado. Great for flaky or peeling skin. Perfect for coming out of the Winter months.

My skin felt baby smooth after rinsing, and fine lines were reduced.

Have the rest of the avocado for lunch.

Finally Saturday’s Grated Orange Peel & Greek Yogurt mask promised to repair, lighten and erase blemishes. It smelled like orange sorbet and tasted less bitter than you would think.

The vitamin C from the oranges help heal the skin and fight free radicals . It also plays a role in collagen production.

The mask dried stiff and took some time to rinse. There was some exfoliating going on. My skin was super soft all day, all evening, and still so at midnight, after taking off my makeup.

Do-it-Yourself, edible masks make your skin feel great and allow you to take care of your skin on the inside and out. The perk is that YOU control the quality of the ingredients in them. Incredible.

Are you tempted?

Face Yoga : Make Me Smile

Smiling is an instant-anti-aging tool.

Doesn’t that make you want to smile already ?

This simple movement is often considered the most powerful gesture. Because it works on a feedback loop with your brain. When our brains are stimulated to feel good, they send a signal to smile. When we smile, we send a signal to the brain that stimulates it to feel good. It’s a virtuous circle – of Happiness.

Smiling is an expression of joy and plays a role in social interaction. People who smile more often are perceived as being both younger and more attractive.

Unfortunately, with age, things like tooth and gum problems, loss of bone mass, and reduction of collagen (to name a few) can affect the broadness of our smile. We stress and get in the (bad) habit of letting the corners of our mouth sag. It becomes the norm for our face muscles to droop.

Also when we forget about just HOW we smile, we develops different types of lines around the mouth and in the nasolabial area.

Start with identification. Notice the times during the day (activities, thoughts, feelings) when you are letting gravity pull the mouth down. Then CONSCIOUSLY remind yourself to lift those corners ! Do this as often as possible. It really helps.

Add in Face Yoga exercises to strengthen the cheek muscles and exercises that hold the mouth in one position. You will purposefully work towards reversing your habits and make grinning the norm. The action of the exercises will also center the jawline and lift and prevent sagging jowls

Don’t like your smile ? Change it.

Yes. It’s possible.

With Face Yoga you’ll also identify which muscles you are using. You may need to relax certain muscles or re-train them, or use others. You can even create a more symmetrical smile or correct a gummy one. Other exercises plump and color the lips. With regular practice, you can get more lasting results .

Ask yourself, “How do I want to smile?”

Face Yoga can help you achieve that.

Our mouths not only show our age, but also our emotions. Smiling is not just mechanical movement. Think of all the different types of smiles out there – the closed-lip smile, the sweet smile, the flirtatious smile, the smug smile, the “botox” smile, the naughty smile, the forced smile, the know-it-all smile… But nothing can replace a sparkly-eyed, lit-up face, ear-to-ear, genuine S. M. I. L. E.

Even if it causes a few laugh lines around the eyes.

 

 

 

 

Face Yoga Workshop : Face Yoga at Your Desk

Where : Club Haus Am Brill, Capellen

When : Saturday May 20th, 10h – 11h30

This workshop combines soothing and relaxing exercises that can be done at work, in front of your computer, at a table, or any time you need a little pick-me-up.

For more information or to sign up for the workshop contact the Club Haus Am Brill on : 30 00 01

For more information about Face Yoga contact: kim@faceyogaluxembourg.com