I really want to get the correct information out when I blog on this particular site. I have strong opinions about many, many things but not a lot of time to do research, etc. to back up what I put on here. It was my intention to do a blog on detoxing the body. I still want to do that, I think it's important but in some of my research, I came up with a lot of info on supplements; vitamins, minerals, etc. So, I think I'm going to do a blog on both. I need to do more research...so what to blog about today?
Since the air is so cold and dry and tis the season that most of us use forced heat, I'm sure many of us are suffering from dry, itchy skin. It's really important to keep yourself moisturized during the winter. One part of that is removing the dry, flaky skin that results from less moisture and exfoliating is the best way to do that.
Exfoliating is defined in the dictionary as:
1 : to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
2
: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae
3
: to spread or extend by or as if by opening out leaves
One of the problems with exfoliating, is that everything good can be bad if done to excess. What exfoliation does for you is to remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells, leaving fresh, healthy skin at the surface. It stimulates circulation and blood flow to the areas exfoliated and blood flow to those areas promotes all sorts of good things; healthy healing of wounds, glowing skin, slower aging.
The problem comes in when you exfoliate too much. Exfoliation also removes the body's natural oils. These oils help keep our skin soft and supple, protect us from bacteria's and infections.
My point in bringing that up is that you don't want to exfoliate too much. I exfoliate my body twice a week, summer and winter. It's important to pair up exfoliation with moisturizing. I make two kinds of scrubs for exfoliation. I use raw sugar in both.
One is a powerhouse for moisturizing which contains the sugar along with various oils and I add essential oils as well for aromatherapy and for skin conditioning. Lavender is fabulous for the skin and I use it in many of my products.
The other is a scrub that contains liquid soap and you can use it as a body wash. This one is not as moisturizing because you're not only exfoliating, you're cleaning your body. I do add oils but it is important to follow up your shower or bath with a good lotioning up.
If you can't afford to go out and buy a sugar or salt scrub, you can make your own.
One cup raw or brown sugar
1/3 c olive oil
Vitamin E oil - one tsp
1 tbsp natural honey
Clean your body well and then scoop out your scrub and work into the skin in a gentle, circular motion, all over the body. Have someone help you with your back if you can. The back often times gets neglected because it's out of reach. A shower brush can help with that problem nicely as well.
Whether you make your own scrub, or buy one, the sugars will settle. Have a popsicle stick on hand to stir it up well before each use.
And there you have it!
I will be adding pictures and pricing of my products on this blog as well as on my Willow's Whimsy page on facebook as we go along but for now, feel free to visit my page at Willow's Whimsy.
Enjoy!!
No comments:
Post a Comment