What do toners actually do for your face? Cleansers, moisturizers, and masks tend to receive all of the attention in the beauty community, but a facial toner deserves a place in your skin care routine. It’s most likely the most astringent product in the routine, helping to get rid of breakouts and calm facial acne. 

Once upon a time, toner belonged to the three-step facial routine: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Face toner is a water-based liquid that is often infused with skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera, mint, eucalyptus, or tea tree. The idea is that a toner refreshes the skin without stripping it of natural moisture. In doing so, the toner won’t irritate sensitive skin or cause excessive dryness. Toner actually prepares the skin for your post-cleansing moisturizer.

Should You Use A Facial Toner?

Toner works to remove the last traces of dirt or impurities that are leftover after washing your face. It can have a positive impact if you incorporate it into you skin care routine, as it works to improve the appearance and tightness of pores. Can you say anti-aging properties? Facial toner may also work to refine rough patches and improve overall skin tone. Everyone can use a facial toner, and people with oily skin or those who are prone to acne may especially benefit. Toner goes the extra mile to get all of the grime out of your pores, making it great for people who wear makeup.

Mint

Mint leaves exhibit curative medicinal properties because of the specialized plant compounds. The leaves have naturally-occurring flavonoids and carotenoids, including vitamin A and salicylic acid. These two nutrients help to control the secretion of sebum on the skin. Additionally, they offer antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, helping to prevent inflammation and acne. Mint leaves are also mildly astringent, helping to naturally tone the skin. It has the ability to clear away dead skin cells and remove dirt from pores, revamping your skin for a brighter, smoother appearance. 

Rosemary

Rosemary is rich in a variety of nutrients, including vitamins, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Many facial creams, masks, toners, and cleansers contain rosemary extract or rosemary essential oil for this reason. It’s widely used to stimulate the skin, helping it feel energized and rejuvenated. Because it has disinfectant properties, rosemary may be beneficial for people with oily skin and acne. It can help lighten dark spots and blemishes when you apply it to the skin, helping to improve overall complexion. Rosemary may also reduce swelling and puffiness on the skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties. The soothing properties make it an excellent ingredient for skin care. 

DIY Rosemary Mint Facial Toner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup nearly boiling water
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 2.5 tablespoons fresh rosemary needles
• 2 tablespoons witch hazel (can add more for stronger toner)

Instructions:

• When the water is almost boiling in a small pot, remove it from the heat and pour it into a heat-safe glass bowl that has the mint and rosemary.
• Allow the herbs to infuse into the water for about 10-15 minutes. Strain the herbs out of the water, collecting the infused water in a vessel of your choice. 
• Let the water come to room temperature before adding the witch hazel. The more you add, the more drying it will be. 
• Store at room temperature and use within one week, or store in the refrigerator and use within three weeks. 

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We all know how to squeeze half a lemon in a glass of water, but many people are lazy and don’t want to exert that effort. The benefits of drinking lemon water are vast, and you can click here to learn more about them. You don’t need to cut a lemon in half every time you want lemon water, though.

We’re about to blow your mind. You can make lemon ice cubes to put in your water, allowing the lemony infusion to take place. All you have to do is zest the lemons, cube the lemons, and evenly distribute the zest and cubes throughout a couple ice trays. Fill the ice trays with filtered water and freeze them. Pop the cubes into your cup when you’re ready to drink lemon water. It’s the easiest health hack of all time!

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Fruit infused waters have increased in popularity because they make hydration more flavorful and provide added health benefits. For instance, pineapple infused water contains anti-inflammatory properties and bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps the body break down proteins. This recipe makes a big batch so you can enjoy it all day long!

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Let’s go back to 5^th grade chemistry for a second; don’t get scared, it will only be for a moment. Remember that lesson about acids and bases? In a nutshell, you’re not supposed to mix the compounds, unless you don’t mind the mixer erupting all over your face. Having too much of one compound and not enough of the other can also have a negative effect due to the chemical imbalance. Take that chemistry lesson to heart because it also applies to the human body.

The body’s natural pH level, or potential hydrogen, refers to the acid-base level in your blood. We all have a natural pH scale ranging from 0-14, with seven being neutral; anything below is acidic, and anything higher is alkaline.

Too much acid in the body can cause breakouts on the skin, body odor, bad breath, digestive trouble, and even life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Excess base (alkali) can cause you to suffer from uncontrollable hand tremors, prolonged muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and even blackouts. Like everything else in the universe, balance is key, and maintaining a neutral pH or slightly alkaline pH is best for your overall health.

How To Balance You Body’s Natural pH Level

As a direct result of our society’s dependence to processed food, most of our bodies are acidic rather than alkaline. Convenience has taken its negative toll on our senses and bodily systems. Fast and processed foods lack the necessary nutrients needed to maintain a healthy pH balance. If you’re curious about your current pH balance, we highly recommend you purchase a pH test kit and test your urine at home. Testing your urine will give you a pretty good idea of where you stand in the pH scale. If it turns out your body is too acidic, here are some steps you can take to normalize and maintain your pH level:

Consume More “Natural” Fruits And Vegetables

Most, if not all fruits and vegetables are naturally alkaline, so long as they’re not processed or genetically modified in any way. It is ideal to maintain a ratio of 80% fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, and 20% whatever else you’d like to eat. Steer clear of too much meat, dairy, coffee, refined grains & sugars, bleached flour, iodized salt, and processed foods, as these are the most acid-forming foods out there. Eat more chlorophyll-packed greens such as kale, lettuce, broccoli, and turnip greens, and focus on low glycemic fruits such as apples, berries, peaches, pears, and cantaloupe. These foods are rich in oxygen, which will help enrich your cells.

Start Your Day With Warm Lemon Water

A tall glass of lemon or lime infused water is a great way to start your day. Consuming this before any other food helps to propel the body into an alkaline state. Help the body even more by squeezing half a lemon in a glass of warm water to activate the production of enzymes, which encourage healthy digestion.

Exercise

Regular exercise is not only a great way to stay physically fit, but it also helps increase your pH levels by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from your blood. Carbon dioxide is a naturally acidic compound that is released into your blood from other cells, and the lungs absorb it from the blood. While you’re working up a sweat doing various compound movements, your lungs are hard at work exhaling carbon dioxide, thus increasing your natural pH level. Sweating alone is a great way to assist the body in eliminating excess salt, which accumulates over time. Great exercises can include walking, swimming, interval training, weight lifting (with light weights), yoga, Pilates, and biking.

Don’t Stress

It’s common to experience emotional, physical, or mental shifts in our fast-paced day-to-day life, but an excess amount of stress hormones in the body is considered unhealthy. Whenever you’re experiencing high levels of stress, try to remove yourself from the stressful situation or the state of mind that is causing you to stress out. Be still, calm your nerves, and take deep breaths. Beneficial techniques to reduce stress levels include meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, exercise, floatation therapy, massage therapy, or breathing exercises.

Avoid Direct Contact With Chemicals And Smoke

Our cells and enzymes are extremely sensitive to acidic compounds, which can enter the body through the nostrils, mouth, and even open pores. People frequently, if not daily, come in contact with common chemicals that are abundant in cigarette smoke and household cleaning products. The acid in these chemicals can overload the circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems, and they can weaken the organs with which they come in contact. Opt for natural cleaning products, which you can make by clicking here, to clean your home, and refrain from smoking or avoid people who smoke cigarettes.

Get Plenty of Sleep

This goes without saying, but let us reiterate that a good night’s sleep is vital in allowing your cells time to recharge and regain their strength. Healthy sleeping habits can help you function optimally throughout the day. The better your cells are able to perform, the more likely they are able to rid themselves of unwanted acids and toxins. If you have difficulty falling asleep, click here for tips to improve your sleeping habits.

Just Breathe

It’s not hard to believe that breathing can also help you balance your body’s pH level. The problem is most of us aren’t taught how to breathe properly. Taking constant short breaths gives the body insufficient amounts of oxygen. Long controlled inhales and exhales, on the other hand, help your cells absorb more oxygen while releasing a higher amount of carbon dioxide. Consider performing a breathing exercise that involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. Take the time to perform healthy breathing exercises to help replenish your cells and get rid of unwanted gas in the lungs.

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If we rewind life to a few months ago to a time when the weather started warming up and we were day-dreaming of being on the beach, the mindset was most likely, “I’m going to get fit for summer. I’m going to show off my fit body as I strut down to the water.” Fast-forward to present day and what’s happening? The heat has arrived and so have invitations to barbecues, happy hour get togethers, potlucks, and other gatherings that are not conducive to achieving those summer health goals, which now seem like distant memories.

How do you improve your health if you are falling of the health wagon or have not yet embarked on your health journey? First off, don’t make excuses and don’t dwell in unhealthy habits because change is necessary to achieve a healthier body. If you were going strong on a healthier path but temptations have lured you away from your progress, stop it right now. You don’t need to undo all your hard work. The reality is that transitioning into a healthier lifestyle and adopting healthy habits doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. You can treat yourself and continue to look and feel good as the summer progresses.

Grill All The Vegetables

Barbecue season isn’t solely reserved for burgers, hot dogs, and ribs. You can still fire up the grill, throw some marinated vegetables over the flame, and then indulge in some low-calorie, tasty vegetable goodness. A grill basket may be the perfect summer gift to inspire you to grill more vegetables! Alternatively, you can make balsamic marinated mixed veggie skewers, or you can grill a portobello top to make a mushroom burger. Whatever you do, don’t forget the seasonings!

Get Your Butt Outside

We know the heat can be oppressive during summer in certain parts of the country, but there are plenty of pleasant sunny days to take advantage of. You don’t have to push your body to the brink of exhaustion, but you can ride a bike, take a hike, kayak in a lake or ocean, bounce on a trampoline, or swim in a refreshing body of water. Nature has a positive influence on mental health, helping to lower stress levels in the body. Soak up some quality vitamin D and get moving outside!

Host A Clean Dinner Party

It’s a good feeling to stand out from the rest. Shed a little healthy light on your friends by hosting a clean dinner party with nutritious recipes. Not only will you dish out masterful creations, but you may also open a doorway that shows your friends that healthy recipes are not short on flavor. Collect some vegetarian or vegan recipes and get to cooking.

Always Bring A Healthy Dish

When you attend the inevitable barbecue or party this summer, bring a healthy dish for two reasons: 1) to ensure that you will have something healthy to eat; and 2) to bring health into your friends’ lives. Try your hardest to not make unhealthy dishes like mac n’ cheese, apple pie, or sloppy Joe’s. Or, you can make those dishes, but find the healthier renditions! Shake up what people know about healthy food and surprise them with unique flavors and creations.

Exercise In The Morning

Finding the time to squeeze a workout into your day can prove difficult, especially if you have children. On the other hand, laziness can set in from the heat of summer and working out after a long day at work may not sound appetizing. That’s why we recommend scheduling a morning workout. It is much cooler in the mornings, and exercising in the morning is a great way to rev up your metabolism and boost endorphin production. Working out in the morning may be entering a body of cold water: it’s hard to get in, but it feels refreshing once you’re in and you can’t get enough!

Infuse That Sparkling Water

Flavored sparkling waters have become increasingly popular, due to the fact that people don’t want to consume artificial sweeteners, dyes, or high fructose corn syrup. Most of these flavored waters contain “natural flavors.” How natural are these flavors? The answer: not very. You shouldn’t knock back sparkling waters left and right because drinking them in excess is almost as bad as drinking soda all the time. Instead, purchase plain sparkling water and add fresh grapefruit, cucumber, lemon, lime, rosemary, mint, strawberries, or berries to it.

Try your best to stick employ these tips throughout the summer if your goal is become a healthier person. In addition to these tips, keep a positive outlook and find your balance in this new, healthy world. There will undoubtedly be some slip-ups, but don’t give up when this happens. Get back on the horse and reset your compass. Celebrate your victories and take your health one day at a time.

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The fat around your waistline can present more problems than body image insecurity. Known as subcutaneous fat, the fat around your belly can slow the metabolism and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease as it accumulates. Exercise and diet work in conjunction to eliminate belly fat, but even these two tried and true techniques may not always work. Sometimes, you need super ingredients that with powerful belly fat burning properties.

Unbeknownst to the average person, water helps to clean out toxins, decrease water retention, and prevent overeating by helping you feel satiated. We often recommend drinking 16 ounces of water prior to eating when you are attempting to lose weight.

People with fat around the midsection do not typically drink enough water to stay sufficiently hydrated. When the body is in a mildly dehydrated state, it tends to slow down and doesn’t eliminate toxins and waste efficiently. Add a poor diet, replete with sugary beverages, meats, refined grains, processed foods, and dairy products, to the mix and waste and fat begin to accumulate. To help the body get rid of stubborn belly fat, start adding these four drinks to your diet regimen.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink

If fat around the abdomen is your trouble area, apple cider vinegar is the ingredient for you. According to research studies, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar seems to slowly burn belly fat and curb your appetite. One study found that 175 people, who took apple cider vinegar every day, lost weight and decreased belly fat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup filtered water
• 1-2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar

How To Consume:

• Combine the ingredients and consume before each meal.

Cucumber Infused Water

Cucumber is a wonderful ingredient to add to your water, but it should also be consumed in your regular diet. The 96 percent water content, vitamin B-5, fiber, antioxidants, and pantothenic acid all work to provide satiety, in addition to flushing out toxins from the digestive tract.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch of mint leaves, chopped
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 stick of aloe vera, peeled
• purified water

How To Consume:

• In a large pitcher, add the cucumber, mint, lime, ginger, and aloe and fill it up to the brim with water.
• Place this in the refrigerator and let the flavors infuse for two hours. Drink a few glasses a day.

Mint Drink

Naturally low in calories and rich in antioxidants, mint works to improve your metabolic rate, which helps to burn fat more quickly. Mint helps to remove additional bile from the gallbladder, and bile can contribute to fat storage.

Ingredients:

• ½ bunch mint leaves
• ½ bunch cilantro
• ½ lemon, sliced into thin rounds
• filtered water

How To Consume:

• Add the mint leaves, cilantro, and lemon rounds to a large pitcher and fill with water.
• Refrigerate for two hours and then consume.
• If you simply blend the mint, cilantro, and lemon and consume that with your meal, it is also beneficial for losing belly fat.

Green Tea

Many people are drawn to green tea because of the polyphenols, which have been proven to be exceptional for dieting and weight loss. The catechins in green tea are the key to fat burning and boosting the metabolism. Several studies have shown that green tea is effective at burning fat in the abdominal area.

There aren’t any instructions other than to brew about 2 cups of green tea a day and enjoy the many benefits.

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Whether you are planting some flowers in your garden, reading a book in the park, grilling outside with family, or going for a swim in the last bit of summer weather, it’s important to care for your skin after being in the sun. When you get a little too much sun and you feel burnt, you need to rehydrate your skin to prevent further damage. We’ve got just the thing for that.

When you get sunburnt, it is best to use fresh aloe vera to soothe your skin. Sometimes people don’t like using the fresh stuff, so they go with aloe vera gel from the store. Well those gels typically contain all kinds of chemicals that are horrible for your skin. What’s the all-natural solution, then?

It is best to use a soothing after sun spray that is loaded antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and analgesic properties. Such a thing does exist and we have a very simple recipe. It consists of calendula, lavender, and chamomile flowers, along with things like fresh aloe vera and peppermint essential oil. All of these ingredients work in conjunction to repair your skin after a long day in the sun.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon chamomile flowers
• 1 tablespoon calendula flowers
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
• ¼ teaspoon non-GMO vitamin E oil
• 7 ounces distilled water
• 12 ounce spray bottle

Instructions:

• Boil the distilled water in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, remove from heat and add the lavender, chamomile, and calendula. Let them steep for about 5 minutes.
• Strain the herb-infused water into the spray bottle and allow it to cool to room temperature. Place the bottle in the fridge to accelerate this process.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the bottle and shake it up.
• Spray on skin liberally to soothe it from sun damage. Store the spray bottle in the fridge.

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People are crazy about infusing fruits and herbs in their water. They are trendy, have some amazing health benefits, and they encourage people to drink more water. More and more restaurants are offering a variety of detox waters, which actually help to steer people away from other sugary beverages like sodas or fruit juices. Did you know that drinking these waters could help boost your metabolism and aid your weight loss process?

Surprisingly, detox waters can help people reach their weight loss goals. These aren’t magical shots, though, that magically help the weight fall off. It is a little more complex than that. The effects of detox waters will change depending on the ingredients that you put in the water. Certain ingredients like cucumber and mint may be more beneficial for alkalizing the body, whereas ginger and lemon may work to promote natural waste elimination. The best thing to do is to include a variety of ingredients that help you achieve multiple things at once.

Not enough people drink the proper amount of water to stay sufficiently hydrated. Some people believe that drinking caffeinated beverages, sodas, or sugary drinks helps them stay hydrated, but many of them have the opposite effect. Someone who isn’t drinking enough water may hold on to excess water weight. This is the body’s natural survival reaction because it doesn’t know when it will get replenished with water again. Drinking more water, believe it or not, helps to naturally release water weight, boost the metabolism, and aid with flushing out the major eliminative channels.

Because of the high obesity rates around the world, various studies have been conducted to see what preventative measures can be taken. Research has shown that the consumption of sugar-laden beverages instead of water is linked with climbing obesity rates. More promising research shows that promoting the consumption of water in schools reduced the risk of them becoming overweight. Additionally, the consumption of a glass of water before the meal helps you eat less and keep portions in check. More research needs to be conducted, but the initial results of drinking water and detox waters are promising.

How To Make Detox Waters

The process is very simple. Cut up your desired ingredients and place them in a large pitcher with your desired amount of filtered water; making a big batch is usually the best way to go. Place the pitcher in the fridge overnight to let the flavors infuse. It is recommended to remove the ingredients from the water after 8-12 hours to prevent decaying. Pour the infused water over ice as you please. You can also add freshly cut ingredients to your water for aesthetic appeal.

The Best Weight Loss-Promoting Combinations

Apples & Cinnamon Sticks

Apples are loaded with fiber, which promotes healthy digestion, and cinnamon works to improve overall digestion, while supplying you with calcium and manganese.

Cucumber & Lemon

This is a classic detox water pair. Cucumbers work to hydrate you even more because they primarily comprised of water and lemons work to flush toxins from your system.

Ginger & Mango

Ginger is a fantastic digestive aid with anti-inflammatory properties and mango actually helps to regulate blood sugar levels, helping to keep cravings at bay.

Lemon, Pineapple, & Mango

Pineapples are great for the digestive system because they have an anti-inflammatory enzyme. Lemons fight free radicals in the body and mangos can help relieve bloating and flatten your stomach.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with various ingredients. The idea behind detox waters is to get you to consume more water than you otherwise would. Flavor your water with natural ingredients and you’ll be more excited to drink it!

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Infused waters are all the craze nowadays. The reason they are so popular is because you can reap the benefits of whichever fruit, herb, or vegetable you put in the water. These detox waters provide you with tons of nutrients, while also helping to keep you properly hydrated. Well, we have this delicious drink that is just the thing you need to make weight loss easier.

Let us introduce you to this ginger detox lemonade. It has a little bit of spicy kick from the fresh ginger, which is complemented by the slight tanginess of the lemon. It is the perfect drink to help you keep the weight off this summer. Let’s take a look at what the ingredients do for your body.

Ginger

Naturally rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger works to promote healthy digestion. It is also beneficial for combating nausea or sore throats.

Raw Honey

Make sure that you buy raw, organic honey for the best results. You don’t want that fake, sugar-laden honey. Raw honey has a lot of enzymes and minerals that help to nourish your cells. It is also great for seasonal allergy relief.

Lemons

Lemons are incredibly rich in vitamin C, which helps to fight free radicals and boost collagen production. They also help to flush toxins from the body, which is great for weight loss.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Calcium, magnesium, and potassium are all in apple cider vinegar. This pH balancing vinegar helps to keep your stomach happy and your gut flora strong.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups alkaline water
• juice from ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons unfiltered, raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons raw honey
• 1 inch piece of ginger, sliced

Instructions:

• Add everything to a pitcher or mason jar and shake it up. Sip this mixture throughout the day. It is beneficial for digestion and toxin elimination, which is one of the keys to weight loss.

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