Coconut Water: Hydration with Skin and Health Benefits

Gail Lewis
Invo Coconut Water review via @agirlsgottaspa Whatever time of the year you are reading this - now is the time to get healthy. And it can start off small, easing into one thing at a time to make it a positive, healthy habit. I'm a big fan of coconut everything - from coconut oil, to coconut scented beauty products, to eating the fruit and drinking it. Coconut is a go-to for its many health and beauty benefits. Coconut water is something I like to sip on, and recently had the opportunity to try cold-crafted, INVO coconut water. INVO uses high pressure processing to keep the nutrients from the coconut as pure and intact as possible. (Drinking an INVO is like sipping direct from the coconut itself!) Benefits of coconut water via @agirlsgottaspa I'm sure you are aware of the many health benefits of coconut water. If you're not, it's known to boost hydration, reduce blood pressure, facilitate digestion and aids in weight loss. Coconut water is rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition to the great health benefits, coconut water also has some pretty amazing beauty benefits when it comes to your skin. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties it helps to fight blemishes (much like drinking lemon water - but this is much more tasty!) It also contains a protein called cytokines that is responsible for encouraging cell growth and cell activation. Invo Coconut Water via @agirlsgottaspa Each bottle of INVO coconut water is packed with 5 essential electrolytes, which promotes rapid hydration.  It is low in sugar, 99% fat free and has as much potassium as a whole banana. You may notice that each bottle pictured seems to be a different color. I tested INVO's Pure Coconut flavor (they also have Tropical and Sencha Green Tea), and despite the color ranging from clear to a deeper pink, they all tasted the same and were completely refreshing (chilled is my preferred way to drink it.) The pink color comes from enzymes working to change the color of some of the beneficial polyphenolics found naturally in coconut water and do not affect the quality or taste. Do you drink coconut water? What are the benefits you've seen from it? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

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5 Products for Blackheads

Shannon Smyth
Five beauty products to get rid of blackheads via @agirlsgottaspa Blackheads. The bain of my existence. I wish that when I was a teen that someone would've warned me about the future of my skin if I didn't take care of it properly. But alas, here I am in my 40's with large pores (especially on my nose) and blackheads as proof of my previous skin care sins. With constantly clogged pores comes finding the right products that will neutralize them and keep my skin looking healthy. 5 of my blackhead banishing favorites right now include: Michael Todd Soniclear: I have the former model of Soniclear in Pink Lady (they now sell Soniclear Elite, but Ulta has a Soniclear Classic in Foxy Floral.) The Soniclear is one of my go-to skin care tools. It not only works wonders on sloughing off dry skin to reveal healthier, glowing skin, but it loosens up debris and hardened oil in your pores, too. You can use the Soniclear with any cleanser, like their Cleanse and Tone or Honey & Oat, but to get rid of blackheads, I like Dr. Brandt Pores No More. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser: I discovered this creamy cleanser in my NewBeauty Test Tube (which always lends to amazing discoveries each month) and decided to give it a try. It's mix of tea tree oil, willow bark and salicylic acid dissolve impurities and decongest your pores. It's non-drying - which is important for my combination skin. Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips: Ok, I mean, who isn't ADDICTED to these? If you tell me that you are not fascinated with seeing your super gross blackheads appear on these white strips, then we can't be friends anymore. I have to admit, I even get an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when I spy that the nose strip removed a really big blackhead. I'm like, YASSS! I'm not ashamed. It is totally true. Blemish Extractor: The one pictured is from Sephora and came in a kit that they no longer sell. However, they do still sell another version of the Blemish Extractor that is just about the same. In the same token that I love the nose strips, I equally love to extract blackheads (and occasionally, whiteheads) with this tool. Seeing that I have so many blackheads on my nose and chin, it is like hours of endless fun and a feeling of job well done. Once I've used this tool, I use a cleanser as well, since the blackheads are bacteria-ridden. (Don't forget to disinfect your tool with each use as well.) Glytone Acne 3P Gel: This non-irritating gel is comprised of micronized 5% benzoyl peroxide. While it can be drying, I use it sparingly so that it doesn't cause my skin to flake. It targets pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. It has no fragrance and you only need a really thin layer to get the job done. (My teen-aged sons like to sneak this product from time to time. Definitely check out my post about teaching boys the importance of proper skin care!) I'd love to know what you use for blackheads. Leave a comment and let me know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: affiliate links

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