Did you know that bee venom consists of more than 18 natural substances that cannot be chemically produced?  It is already used to treat conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis. And it is also used in skin care products.

The online retailer Beevenommask.com is now offering a range of skin care products containing bee venom. The Abeeco Bee Venom Mask, for instance, contains bee venom and manuka honey collected in New Zealand.

But how the venom works?

The venom in the skin care product “fools” the skin into thinking it has been lightly stung, and this stimulates the production of the naturally occurring chemicals Collagen and Elastin creating a tightening and smoothing effect. The most active component of the bee venom is the co-called melittin, which has many useful properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anit-viral actions.
This product came into the spotlight following the wedding of Kate Middleton and reports that also Victoria Beckham, and the Duchess of Cornwall have been using this unusual beauty treatment.
More information: http://www.beevenommask.com

Mangosteen in Skin Care Products & Anti-Aging

The purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), unrelated to the mangos, is a tropical fruit that is believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia. Today the fruit can be found in many countries of South East Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and of course Indonesia. The fruit is about 5-7 cm in size, outside deep reddish purple and inside opaque white.

Mangosteen is high in Antioxidants – Xanthones

Mangosteen is often described as “the miracle fruit” that can work wonders. The rind, or pericarp, has been used for medical purposes in South East Asia since generations. Fact is that Mangosteen extract is very high in polyphenol antioxidants, known as xanthones. The antioxidants strengthen the immune system and protect the body from harmful viruses and infections. Tea made of the rind can be used to heal diarrhea, bladder infections, and even gonorrhea. And ointments made of the rind are used to treat skin rashes, skin infections and wounds.

Free Radicals: Enemies of the Skin

Free radicals are everywhere in our environment and we cannot avoid them in our daily lives. And the damage done by free radicals is the Number One cause of aging of the skin. The Mangosteen fruit contains some of the most powerful free radical scavengers available, more than other major fruits in South East Asia, e.g. more than the rambutan or durian. The Xanthones have very potent antioxidant power which is greater than that of Vitamins C and E when it comes to skin care. And both vitamins, in effective

doses, are well-known to support healthy collagen renewal leading to healthier skin and anti aging. Mangosteen extract is also often used in health drinks. And Mangosteen containing products do often reflect the power of xanthones by using brand names such as XanGo (popular health drink), Thai-Go, Mangosteen Plus or Mango-xan.

Mangosteen in Face Scrub and Body Cream Lotion

We at Body Delights use the Mangosteen extract in our skin care products. This allows the benefits of the Mangosteen to be applied topically and absorb right into the skin. The Mangosteen skin extracts in our Mangosteen Body and Face Scrub help to reduce wrinkles, nourish the skin, and reduce the bacteria that produce pimples. And the signs of aging can be fought with the Mangosteen Body Cream Lotion, which will both moisturize and nourish the skin with extracts of aloe vera and xanthone. This product will also reduce fine lines and wrinkles, giving a younger looking appearance.

Rice Extract in Natural Skin Care Products

The Japanese Sake is more than just a poplar drink. In Japan Sake is also used also in skin care products. Japanese SPAs are offering sake bath to revitalize the body. And Geishas created their iconic pale faces by washing their faces with sake, which contains a kind of natural skin lightener. All this thanks to a very “basic” ingredient: Rice!
Since generations rice extract is used in Japan and wide parts of Asia in skin care products. The rice grain is rich in rice bran oil which is full of minerals and antioxidants. Milled rice starch makes a highly absorbent face powder that helps to soften and lighten the skin, and balance the oil production. Used in shampoos and conditioners it can help to protect the hair from the environment.
Just recently a kind of worldwide “rice water” hype started. But this for good reasons. To wash the face with rice water makes the skin smooth and improves the complexion by reducing the sizes of the pores on the skin. Rice water can simply used as part of the face, body and hair masks. And powdered rice grains give a great body scrub that makes the skin extra soft.

How to make rice water?

Just boil the rice with more water than usual and strain the extra water which is not absorbed by the rice. Let it cool down and then use, optionally with other herbal ingredients, as a face or hair wash.

We at Body Delights are convinced of the benefits of rice extracts and use it in our natural shampoos. Khao Si Nin (also called Kao Sinin) is a special species of rice which is well-known for containing a lot of anti-oxidants. For instance the anthocyanin in the Khao Si Nin plant strengthen the blood vessels and stimulate blood circulation at the root of the hair. This product helps protect against balding and hair loss, while providing a useful layer of protection against UV rays. Besides the Khao Si Nin extract our Khao Si Nin Herbal Shampoo does also contain Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and moisturizer.

 

Remove Acne Scars with Tamarind

How to Reduce Acne Scars and Dark Spots

Scars caused by common acne or chickenpox can be very annoying. We are very often asked whether Tamarind can reduce scars on the face and other parts of the body, or even completely remove them. Since generations tamarind extract is used to treat various health disorders, such as burns, common cold, digestion problems, fever and even more uncommon diseases such as scurvy and dysentery. Tamarind extract contains different enzymes, fibers, Vitamin B & C and is especially high in alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) which is well-known for removing dead skin cells. And it is also proven that the AHAs from the Tamarind can reduce acne scars and remove dark spots.

Natural Fruit Acids from the Tamarind fruit

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are natural fruit acids. Whether retrieved from Tamarind or other sources, AHA can be found in various skin care products including, body lotions, facial masks, creams, body scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers and peels. AHA-containing products come in various concentrations. Products sold to consumers do usually contains less than 10% AHA, while trained cosmetologists are able to handle up to 30% and doctors even 50-70%. However, the higher the acid concentration, the more skin irritations can occur, up to severe redness and flaking skin.

How do the Tamarind Natural Acids reduce the Acne Scars?

When skin is injured (e.g. due to acne spots or chickenpox), the fibroblasts generate a fiber-like protein called “collagen” in order to close the wound. This collagen fibers, more numerous than in normal skin and haphazardly arranged, make up most part of the scar tissue and give it its appearance. Like the normal skin, scars change over time, for instance some simply fade, while others gradually change colour or shape.

As mentioned earlier, AHA can be used to remove dead skin cells. Used in combination with a peel or scrub, it is similar to microdermabrasion, i.e. the top layer of skin is peeled off, making scars less noticeable and improve the appearance. Usually these products have to be used continuously for several months before a real difference can be noticed.
Whether the acne scars can only be reduced or even completely removed depends mainly on the kind of acne scars and their age. Dermatologists classify depressed acne scars into different categories and names, such as “Ice Pick” or “Pock Marks” scars (saucer-shaped depression, usually with indentation in the skin’s surface) or “Box Car” scars (angular scars, either superficial or deep, similar to chickenpox). AHA products generally only treat these kinds of depressed acne scars. However, it usually works for both new and old scars, though older scars may take longer to improve. Important: New scars can only be treated if the wound is completely healed, i.e. no open area, oozing or scabs.
That AHA-containing creams can effectively treat acne scarring is also scientifically proven and backed by
different medial researches (e.g. study of the journal “Dermatology” in 2007 or the “International Journal of Dermatology” in 2000).

Reduce Dark Spots with Tamarind

Dark spots (also known as age spots or sun spots) are areas where the skin produces more pigments than the rest. Similar to scars, they influence the looking of a person but are usually not of a health concern. Here the natural acids in Tamarind can also help to fade darkened areas working as a natural skin peel. If used continuously the process removes the darkened skin until new light skin emerges.

We at Body Delights are aware of the benefits of natural Tamarind extract and use it in our facial skin care products (Tamarind Herbal Foam Facial Scrub) and body scrubs ( Tamarind and Honey Herbal Body Scrub and Tamarind Salt Body Scrub). Visit our website www.bsc-teknik.com for a full range of Tamarind and other herbal containing skin care products.

Tamarind homemade face mask recipe

This simple Tamarind facial can be done daily:
- take a handful of tamarind pulp, add 100 ml of water and knead until thick
- rub gently on the scarred section and let dry, then rinse with water
or
- take some mashed turmeric and mix with tamarind pulp/wate.
- apply a mask, let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with water

What is tamarind?

Tamarind, indigenous to tropical areas, is a bushy tree with evergreen leaves. The Tamarind fruit is about 10-15cm in length and has a juicy and fleshy pulp which is sweet and slightly sour in taste. The fruit contains protein, minerals, fats, fibre plus carbohydrates, and is high in acids (incl. Alpha Hydroxy Acids), vitamin B & C and even calcium. It is also used cook jams, syrups, barbecue and the famous Worcestershire sauces.

Fact: AHA and sunscreen

we are often asked for Tamarind and AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) in sunscreen products. AHA is only effective at a certain certain pH value (e.g. in a 6-8% concentration at pH of 3-4), where in contrast sunscreen is not stable. Therefore AHA and sunscreen do not work well together. Moreover, because alpha hydroxy acid increases sensitivity to the sun, sunscreen has to be applied when using AHA products, or better do not expose to the sun at all.

What is SLS? SLS is “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate”, a chemical foaming agent and one of the most common ingredients in soaps, toothpastes and especially shampoos that give us all the foam that we associate with clean. It is thought by many to be harmless, but in fact it is not! It can irritate eyes and skin, and it is proven, for instance, that SLS in toothpaste can cause damage to gums and mouth. If used in shampoo, SLS dries the scalp and can cause damage to the hair follicles. Consequence: dandruff and possible loss of hair. But there are alternatives to SLS, e.g. glycerin, a natural by-product of the soapmaking process, offers a sensitivity free alternative which is safe and good for your skin and hair.
Our Shampoos are free of SLS. In addition they do contain different natural extracts to nourish the hair. The red and brown Henna extracts in our Henna Herbal Shampoo nourishes the hair root cells and helps lightening the hair naturally while softly invigorating its color.
The anthocyanin in the Khao Si Nin Shampoo has been formulated to strengthen the blood vessels, stimulate blood circulation at the root of the hair, while providing a useful layer of protection against UV rays.
And if you want to eliminate dandruff naturally and effectively, try the Kaffir Lime Shampoo. This product contains extracts of kaffir lime to aid in the prevention of dandruff and itchiness of the scalp.

What is tamarind? If you do not live in Thailand or South-East Asia you may not know the tamarind tree (Tamarinduc indica) and the benefits of the tamarind fruit. Tamarind is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine and Mexican food. Tamarind paste, made of the Vitamin C rich tamarind pulp, is extensively used to cook a wide range of sweet and sour flavoured dishes, sauces, and dips.
But tamarind has much more to offer: its fruit pulp has been used for centuries as skin-scrubbing material to achieve smoother and lighter skin appearance. This beauty secret of tamarind has been passed down through generations in rural Thailand and may be the reason of the natural beauty and amazingly soft skin of Thai women. Nowadays, tamarind extract plays an increasingly important role in natural skin care products, commercially produced cosmetics and ointments, mainly due to its containing AHAs.

What are AHAs?

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) are natural or synthetic acids that can be found in many skin care products, including facial cleanser, facial scrubs and lotions. The primary action of AHAs is to exfoliate dead skin cells by weakening bonds that hold dead skin cells together, thus resulting in skin which looks brighter, thus leading to a younger look.

Today, AHAs used in skin care product are often synthetically produced, mainly due to cost reasons. But synthetic AHAs have the potential to irritate the skin and it has been found that the therapeutic index (the ratio of stimulation to irritation) of the natural AHAs surpasses that of the synthetic AHAs. Therefore skin care products shall contain natural AHAs. And here the fruit pulp of the tamarind is a great source of natural AHAs. It has been proven that the fruit pulp of tamarind contains a wide range of AHAs including tartaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid.

Herbal Soap and Facial Scrub from natural AHAs    

All our products at Body Delights are made of natural AHAs from the tamarind tree. You can enjoy the positive benefits on a daily basis with the Tamarind Herbal Soap. This product can fade dark spots, age spots, and post-acne scarring while assisting in softening your facial skin tone. Or try our Tamarind and Honey Herbal Body Scrub or Tamarind Extract Herbal Foam Facial Scrub which are specially formulated to improve the overall condition of your skin to produce a healthy glow.These products will leave your skin feeling healthy and clean.
You can also have your own body delight and tamarind spa and try the homemade tamarind scrub recipe, a simple but efficient recipe for a homemade tamarind face mask.

The ancient Egyptians and Greeks understood the importance of having a youthful appearance and beautiful look. They both used salt scrub (usually with pumice stones) to exfoliate, remove dead skin cells and improve circulation. They even used salt to scrub their faces. We have followed in the footsteps of our ancestors and have developed a wide range of salt scrub with different natural and herbal ingredients.
Our Mineral Salt Body Scrub is rich in natural minerals and herbs to help fade dark spots, age spots, and acne scarring. This all-natural concoction also refreshes and adds strength to the skin.
The Tamarind Salt Body Scrub helps users maintain clear skin through the natural benefits offered by the humble tamarind fruit. This product will leave your skin feeling healthy and smooth.
The Green Tea and Aloe Vera Spa Salt Body Scrub contains a naturally occurring antioxidant, which helps to protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays, moisturizing the skin, and reducing wrinkles.
The Turmeric Salt Body Scrub assists in alleviating itchiness and sensitive skin by removing coarse, dry skin cells. It improves your overall skin condition while whitening and strengthening the skin.
One of our most popular scrubs is the Lemon and Ginger Salt Body Scrub. With a delicate mixture of lemon and ginger, this salt body scrub can quickly and efficiently reduce fat and the appearance of cellulite while removing coarse and dry skin. This healthy scrub efficiently leaves your skin smooth and well nourished.

The use of natural skin care products goes all the way back about 6,000 years ago. It is known that the Egyptians has discovered and applied many effective organic skin care treatments. At that time Cleopatra could be sure that her favorite products were really “natural”.

Today many products are labeled with the term “natural” for marketing reasons (or to achieve higher prices), but in fact they are not. Many “natural” products indeed contain natural ingredients, but very often in such small quantities that they are basically useless. Don’t be blended by labels such as “Natural,” “Nontoxic”, “Eco-Safe” or “Environmentally Friendly”. They can mean everything (and nothing) as there are no official standards for these terms. Even if companies claim that there products are “100% natural”, it really make sense to read the labels and check the ingredients.

The natural products shall not contain:

-          Mineral oil (also labeled as “liquid paraffin”, “paraffin wax”,”petrolatum”)

-          Dioxane (a synthetic derivative of coconut)

-          Fragrances (especially synthetic fragrances)

-          Parabens (such as “propyl”,”methyl”,”ethyl parabens”)

-          Petrochemicals or synthetic chemicals

-          Syndet or synthetic detergents

-          Fillers or colouring substances

Note:

Natural skin care products need to be taken continuously to get satisfactory results, especially if your skin was used to chemical cosmetics over a longer period of time. Natural products do work in a different way, and leave another feeling when applied. For instance, natural facial cleanser do not aggressively dry out the skin to such an extent as chemical products, and initially you may have the feeling that they do not work properly.

CrunchyBetty.com blogger Leslie Martin recently launched an ebook that gives acne sufferers recipes for homemade facial masks, toners, cleansers, steams and moisturizers. The ebook “Food on Your Face for Acne and Oily Skin” teaches readers how to care for their skin without using expensive beauty products that may contain damaging chemicals. According to Martin, many of her natural facial masks for acne have been tested and used by long-time readers of her CrunchyBetty.com blog. The ebook is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and on Martin’s website at (http://www.crunchybetty.com/buy-the-book).