I live my life on the go – from the moment I wake up, I hit the ground running. Like so many of you, I’m always looking for ways to condense my beauty routine into simpler steps to save on time without losing out on any of the benefits – especially during the summer months.

The all purpose aloe vera gel does just that! It allows me to treat my skin for any redness or irritation while also acting as a hydrator. It can be used on sun burns or on wet hair after shampooing to treat dry scalp – it really is all purpose!

Some of the main ingredients include:

Micro algae - helps with circulation

Chlorophyll - works to detoxify the skin

Copper – promotes collagen production and reduces redness

Chamomile extract – reduces inflammation, soothes and comforts skin

I love to use the all purpose aloe vera gel as a face-mask to help calm my skin. I simply apply a thick layer of the gel on the skin after cleansing and leave it on for about 30 minutes. As a woman who has struggled with acne, I can honestly say that this product diminishes redness and keeps my skin hydrated without causing future breakouts.

This product is recommended for anyone who is prone to acne because of it’s oil free ingredients and men because it is perfect for calming the skin after shaving. It’s no wonder this product is loved by celebs like Justin Timberlake and Adam Lambert!

Do you have anything special you like to do with the aloe vera gel? I know Ole loves to mix it with water in a spray bottle to mist his body while at the beach!

Looking to get your body beach ready? Look no further! Ole Henriksen has the perfect beach body scrub for those with dry, and lackluster skin to give your skin a sexy summer glow. According to Ole, this scrub holds the secret to “baby-smooth” skin—something I know we all crave!

Here’s the recipe for Ole’s famous Beach Body Scrub:

Makes 1.5 Cups – Approximately 3 treatments

Ingredients:

½ C of finely grained sea salt

½ C of finely ground coffee

¼ C of sesame oil

½ Tsp of eucalyptus essential oil

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix the salt, coffee, sesame oil and eucalyptus oil. Use the scrub in the shower away from running water. Massage into damp skin with long, firm semi-circular movements. Take your time in order to activate all of the ingredients. Rinse well. Store the leftover scrub in the refrigerator in an air-tight Tupperware. This scrub can be used 3-4 times per week.

Sea salt is used to retexturize the skin, while the coffee grounds help firm the skin and fight cellulite. Sesame oil is an important ingredient because it nourishes and softens your skin. Finally, the eucalyptus oil purifies and oxygenates the skin.

Now you can whip out that itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini with confidence to show off your silky smooth skin. Happy summer!

Did you know that many of our products began in Ole’s kitchen? Now you too can get inspired and treat yourself and your skin to something luxurious!

“Spring-time exfoliation is a key step in unclogging the pores and priming your skin for that summer glow,” said Ole. Another benefit to exfoliating is that it speeds up the skin’s renewal process, also known as the skin cell turn-over rate.

Physical exfoliation is great for all skin types with the exception of skin that is actively breaking out. So, if you’re concerned with wrinkle prevention, wrinkle revenge, or even if you just have this craving for silky-soft skin, then grab a pen and paper and jot down this recipe from Ole!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Complexion Scrub:

Ingredients:

¼ cup of Brown Sugar

1 small Teaspoon of Plain Yogurt

2 Tablespoons of Sesame Oil

Kitchen Utensils:

Mixing Bowl

Measuring spoon/cup

Spatula

Directions:

Mix all of the measured ingredients together into a smooth paste and store in the refrigerator in between uses. This scrub can be used either in the morning or the evening on clean skin. Massage on the face and neck in a circular motion. Rinse with water and follow with your favorite skin tonic and creme. Ole suggests that you exfoliate 3 times per week.

Benefits:

This at-home remedy is great for deep cleansing, pore tightening, exfoliating and retexturizing. Let me break down how this scrub delivers results: Sugar not only has superb exfoliant properties, but it also contains natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which help to dislodge dead skin cells and refine the skin’s texture. Plain yogurt contains Lactic Acid which aids in cell renewing/whitening and brightening. The final ingredient, sesame oil is both nourishing and soothing, while also allowing the scrub to slip across the face and neck in a gentle and effortless manner.

If you’re someone who is in the middle of an active break-out, but still want the benefits of exfoliating, try our blue/blackberry enzyme mask!

Take a look at Ole's segement on A View From The Bay in San Francisco where he shares his Complexion Scrub recipe live!

Have fun in the kitchen, enjoy the results and let us know if you have any questions!

Summer is just around the corner and I don’t know about you, but just the words bathing + suit will send me to the gym a little more than usual! So, I sat down and interviewed Ole to get his special pre/post-gym beauty tips – and I’m going to let you in on all of his special secrets!

Q: Are there any skin recommendations you would give to people prior to their exercise?

A: “Yes. Cleanse your skin prior to a work-out. You never want to exercise with a face full of foundation and heavy make-up. Always exercise with clean skin, a thin layer of eye cream and moisturizer to allow the skin to glow and breathe."

Q: I’ve always wondered, does sweat have any correlation to acne?

A: “No. Acne and perspiring—there is simply no correlation, contrary to popular belief! When you eat a clean and healthy diet and drink plenty of water, you will perspire cleanly and no blemishes will form."

Q: How would you suggest a woman on the go fixes her post-gym hair?

A: “The secret is to always sleek your hair back with a hair gel and pull it back with a little hair tie. The best part about a work-out is that you are left with that beautiful, healthy glow on your skin—that should be the focal point. Your hair may be messed-up, but when you sleek it back the focus will be on the skin. “

Q: Do you lose moisture on the skin from sweating?

A: “You really don’t lose moisture on the surface when you perspire - if anything the perspiration seals in more moisture. But, you will want to get rid of that sticky mantle left on your skin! Splash your face with cold water and that will remove the uncomfortable feeling. Then you’ll want to mist your face with pick me up face tonic and apply a thin layer of moisturizer.”

Q: What do you recommend for dry, oily and combination skin after a work-out?

A: “Here’s what I would recommend:

Dry Skin typically doesn’t tend to perspire as regularly when working out, but gets uncomfortably sticky. All you’ll maybe want to do is mist with african red tea face mist and then apply herbal day crème or skin insulator crème – both with SPF.

Oily skin should always splash the face with cold water, apply grease relief skin tonic with a cotton swab because they tend to have more of a greasy mantle, then apply sheer transformation crème because it’s oil free and extremely light in texture.

Combination skin should be splashing with cool water as well – mist your face with pick me up face tonic followed by herbal day crème.

For all skin types, splashing your face with water is key and so is misting with a toner!”

Q: What are your tips for maximizing fat-burning and toxin release?

A: “The greatest way to maximize toxin release and to burn fat is any kind of cardio-based exercise that increases your heart beat such as: Running, dancing, jumping rope, roller-blading, or making love.”

So, there you have it! Those are some of Ole Henriksen’s insider tips on how to keep you looking your best - both while you’re at the gym and after your work-out all summer long! Do you have any special things you do? We’d love to hear them!

This Mother’s day we want to encourage our readers to look back on their fondest memories of their mothers, as well as creating new ones.

Ole recalls his most treasured memory of his mother Anny saying, “I remember my mother would sing up a storm while doing laundry in the cellar while I played ball outside. I loved hearing her magnificent voice because it created such a warm and loving environment.”

According to Ole, a mother’s day gift is all about giving her the things she may not think of buying herself. Check out Ole’s favorite products to gift with mom’s in mind.

The rub n’ buff salt scrub is perfect for pampering after a long day.

The feel the difference mask is a great way for your mom to give herself a pick me up while lifting and firming her skin all at once.

“My mother’s favorite OLEHENRIKSEN product is the pure perfection crème for it’s rich and luxurious texture,” says Ole. “She applies it faithfully every night.”

Our OLEHENRIKSEN 3 little wonders kit is one of our best sellers because ladies across the nation love its abilities to transform skin into a brighter and tighter complexion.

Another favorite of Ole’s mother is the black currant complexion oil. “My mother treasures this products because it is so comforting and soothing against the cold weather,” says Ole. “She always raves about the beautiful aroma.”

Don’t forget that this month all of our crème’s are 20% off, and you can receive a free blue/blackberry complexion mask when you purchase any two products from OLEHENRIKSEN.com. Just enter promo code HYDRATE upon checkout. What a great way to spoil the mothers in your life!

What are some of your mother’s favorite OLEHENRIKSEN products and do you have any Mother’s Day traditions you look forward to? Let us know in the comments below!

I have this dream of having an exquisitely bountiful collection of beauty products. Cabinets upon cabinets full of products that take care of skin concerns A to Z. But, if you’re anything like me you’ve got to prioritize! So, I asked the expert, Ole to define his skin essentials.

“Taking care of your skin every single day is an investment into its future. Remember that skin of yours has to last a lifetime,” says Ole. “So when it comes to skin care, I don’t believe in shortcuts, only the best will do!”

Think of your beauty product collection like a wardrobe – one that is built with the basic essentials first and then developed one specialty piece at a time. The key to successfully maintaining your skin is to keep your routine simple.

Ole holds six skin care products as your beauty essentials:

A great cleanser like our african red tea foaming cleanser which is strong enough to cleanse away the days' make-up, yet gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

A skin tonic like our african red tea face mist to maintain a natural, hydrated glow along with many other reasons.

A serum to be applied prior to day crème like our truth serum collagen booster loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants to ward off daytime environmental damage.

A balancing day crème with sun protection like our herbal day crème with SPF 15 to function as a lightweight and soothing hydrator.

A richly textured and firming eye crème like our visual truth eye crème to protect and strengthen the skin’s elasticity.

An anti-aging night formulation like our invigorating night gel to hydrate and refine the surface of your skin.

Ole believes that you don’t need excessive amounts of product to supply your skin with the very best. Once you have a strong foundation and a routine set-up, you can gradually build your beauty wardrobe with a complexion scrub, firming or hydrating mask, peeling kit, body scrub and body moisturizer.

What are some of your Ole Henriksen beauty essentials? My personal favorite is our sheer transformation renewing crème because it’s oil-free and jammed-packed with antioxidants – so skin discoloration is a thing of the past!

With Valentine's day just weeks away, it's time to start thinking about what to get that special someone. According to Ole, one of the key elements to having a long lasting relationship is never take your other half for granted. "Make sure you notice each other every day and pay each other compliments each day," says Ole. "Start each day off by giving each other a nice hug and kiss before going your separate ways." One way to show your partner you care is by treating them to stress-free day of pampering. Flowers and candy will only last a few weeks, so give her a gift that keeps on giving. Create your own personalized kit with these perfect pairings. Learn how to mix and match Ole's favorites below!

Gift Guide - For Her

african red tea exotic body scrub and clarifying body wash ($89)

These two make a perfect pair for a soothing body treatment at home. She can use the body scrub to give herself a head to toe glow and follow with our soothing and softening clarifying body wash. Add a little of the body wash in her next bath for a luxurious bubble bath.

sugar glow face scrub and feel the difference face mask ($73)

If she's a beauty buff, she'll love being one of the first to try this delicious scrub made with organic sugar, honey and pomegranate seeds. It is the perfect match for our feel the difference face mask, which cools, firms and hydrates skin with the antioxidant power of african red tea. She'll be able to enjoy a mini facial at home anytime!

lavender body oil and body sleek ($56)

Pamper the woman you love most with a romantic lavender massage. Apply the lavender body oil and then finish with our hydrating body sleek for a truly relaxing and skin pampering massage. "The aromas are beautiful, and it’s something both of you can enjoy together,” says Ole.

Gift Guide - For Him

loofah body scrub and muscle comfort lotion ($58)

Give the man in your life the gift of smooth skin all over his body. He'll love the mentholated scrub and lotion to soothe his tired muscles at the end of a long day. “It's a perfect combo for fatigued muscles and dry, rough skin," says Ole.

walnut complexion scrub and all purpose aloe vera gel ($54)

Our walnut face scrub is perfect for dislodging ingrown hairs associated with shaving. A Jack Nicholson favorite and perfect pairing, all purpose aloe vera gel is perfect for men because it's oil-free formula is packed with natural ingredients that protect skin that is prone to oil and visible pores. Aloe vera reduces redness and calms the skin, while spirolina (a micro algae) kills bacteria and increases circulation. This duo makes the perfect gift for relieving dryness and irritation associated with shaving.

clean shave and pick me up face mist ($49)

Improve his grooming routine with a natural foaming shaving gel and after shave toner. “Clean shave will help enhance his masculine look and allow him to get a nice clean shave every time,” says Ole. "Pick me up works well as an after shave to tighten pores and prevent ingrown hairs without the overdrying effects."