Tips On How To Care For Your Skin

This is something I received in a newsletter. If I knew who the original author was I’d surely give them credit.

Our skin plays an important role in our health; it’s actually our body’s largest organ. Skin helps keep body temperature even, protects our organs and provides a pretty package for our body parts. Unfortunately much of the time we don’t take care of our skin the way we should, especially during the winter months, when skin can become dried out, itchy and uncomfortable. Here are some tips on keeping your skin healthy, feeling and looking great.

1. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week

Before stepping into the shower, brush your dry skin with your loofah, body brush or exfoliating gloves to help remove the loose skin and prepare your skin for the exfoliating process. Begin with the soles of your feet. working your way up your body. While in the shower, scrub your body in a circular motion with a natural exfoliate made from sea salt or sugar. You can purchase this, or make it yourself. When you reach the bikini area, don’t scrub too hard because the skin is very sensitive in this area. You can use a body brush to exfoliate your back and other hard-to-reach places. Be gentle on your face, particularly around your eyes and mouth, use an exfoliating product especially formulated for the face. Don’t forget about your hands and feet, you want them to look and feel soft and smooth too! Rinse your body with lukewarm water; follow by the coldest water you can stand.

2. Moisturize every day

After stepping out of the shower, apply a moisturizing body lotion all over. Make sure that its free of chemicals and dyes and if its scented make sure its from a natural source. Better yet, buy unscented and put a few drops of your favorite essential oil in it to personalize your scent. Keep the lotion out on your counter to encourage use whenever you feel you need it. If you’re worried about aesthetics, find a pretty decanter to keep it in.

3. Wash your face at night

All day long our face is exposed to dirt, toxins, and oils from the air, telephones, fingers, etc. Even if you don’t wear makeup, be kind to your face and wash it before bed. As we sleep our skin repairs itself, washing and moisturizing provides a perfect pallet for renewal. You will notice a difference in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines just by making sure your face is clean at night.

4. Drink plenty of water

Water is an essential part of eliminating toxins from your body, without enough of it toxins can build up in our skin causing breakouts and other skin problems.

5. Eat a healthy diet

The old adage “you are what you eat” not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well. As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the good nutrition.

6. Exercise regularly

By increasing blood flow, exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin. In addition to providing oxygen, blood flow also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells in the skin.

Spring is an excellent time of year to take a walk or a hike, smell the fresh air and take in all the colors as they bloom. Exercise will help to relax you and the fresh air will give you energy. Also, the rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing effect on your brain, and it decrease anxiety and improves sleep.

aroma therapy body scrub

ingredients

• 2 C sea salt or granulated sugar
• 1 C sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil
• 8 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil

instructions

Add salts or sugar to a bowl and slowly begin stirring in the oil until mixture is smooth, but not goopy. (You may not need the full cup of oil.) Add essential oil and any other fun additions. Mix well, Spoon into a decorative container or jar with a tight fitting lid.