The point of me writing this blog is so that I can share my favourite beauty hacks with you that are all SO easy and affordable. They are all completely natural, and not only show from your skin but as they work with your body as a whole they will get you glowing and create balance from the inside out. All YOU need to do is apply a tiny bit of effort to include them into your routine.

My number ONE is:

Tongue scraping. Now this might sound pretty basic, which it is – scraping your tongue in the morning. But your tongue is the gateway to your body according to Ayurvedic medicine and one of the first things that a Chinese doctor will do is look at your tongue to assess your overall health. By cleaning your tongue when you wake, you help to remove a build up of toxins and bacteria (or Ama), awaken your senses and even help with mental clarity. I now don’t feel like I have even brushed my teeth properly unless I have cleaned my tongue thoroughly too.

I have a recycled plastic (BPA free obvs) tongue scraper that I bought from infinity foods in Brighton, but you can get good stainless steel ones online that will last for a long time very reasonably too – here

 

Body brushing

Dry skin brushing is something that I try to do every morning before I shower. It has so many health benefits, just generally makes you feel good and gives you a rush of energy… If I’m having one of those mornings where I feel foggy and puffy eyed, body brushing always helps. It gets your lymphatic system going which helps to shift toxins out of your body so they don’t get as stuck. It can help to break down fat and so help reduce cellulite, it’s a really good way to exfoliate and get your skin glowing and gets your circulation going round your bod! What’s not to love? Once you’ve got yourself a brush (can get yourself one here) that’s it, just a few minutes of your time every day to help improve your overall health!

 

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is a hack that I use both inside out outside my body… This stuff may be smelly but it cures a number of ailments. You can use it watered down topically as a toner if you have skin breakouts, it helps to kill bacteria and neutralise the skin. If you drink it (I have it daily mixed with raw honey and cayenne pepper as an internally neutralising, antibacterial health tonic) It helps to heal the body in so many ways – I had mastitis recently and it helped to clear it up in no time! Apple cider vinegar has been used as a folk medicine to balance the gut bacteria  and in turn the whole body system from the inside out for so many years. Ava even loves it too with raw, local honey! It is a must have in our pantry. You can get yourself some here.

 

Magnesium baths

This is a health hack that I use for both the girls and myself that is really simple and takes up no extra time in our day. Just adding magnesium flakes like these to our baths helps to add this essential mineral to our bodies which most of us are deficient in – Having magnesium baths can help with skin problems, body imbalances and even your body to absorb other nutrients better. magnesium is absorbed more easily through the skin than orally so it’s a perfect way to get this super important mineral to your children – even the fussiest of kids would never know that its hidden in their bath! I find that I sleep SO much deeper after I’ve had a magnesium bath and wake up the next day clearer and with more energy. What’s not to love?!

 

 

Coconut oleation facial

My cousin Amy got me into this health hack and it has honestly made such a difference to my skincare routine. Seriously the amount I now spend on products is nothing in comparison to what it used to be… Trying out all the latest creams etc, and now its just coconut oil and my face feels SO clean and perfectly moisturised! The simple way of explaining it is that you get a smudge of coconut oil, rub it in your palms to melt, massage into your face, then get a really warm flannel to remove the excess oil… It helps to open your pores and the antibacterial properties of the oil help to cleanse your skin and get the goodness soaking in. Because you are steaming the excess oil from your face, you don’t feel greasy afterwards, just squeaky clean!

I recently found out that you can practice oleation over your whole body and it has the same glorious effect. It Is a well known Pancha Karma practice within Ayurvedic medicine which helps to stimulate, detoxify and cleanse the body by breaking up toxins and enhancing immunity. It also helps with your self love practice when you pay attention to your own body and give yourself a little massage. It’s like daily moisturising but the other way round, so you moisturise your body with loads of oil then wash off the excess in your shower and voila you are done, no need for shower gel or layering cream on your body that will just block up your skin. Let your whole body breathe and try out this ancient technique. You can buy raw, organic coconut oil from most health food shops or supermarkets – or add to your Ocado shopping basket here.

Let me know how you get on with these health hacks… Enjoy! x