As summer draws to a close it’s always tempting to ignore our skin as it’s going to be hidden under layers and layers of clothing until beach time rolls around again. But resist the urge and not only will you feel better under those layers but you’ll be ready to bare if you win the lottery and whizz off to the caribbean for some winter sun.
For most of us winter brings dry skin, partly due to seasonal changes but mostly it’s down to keeping the windows closed and turning up the thermostat.
Adding a few drops of a sweet smelling essential oil to a bottle of carrier oil (available from most pharmacies) and using this as an alternative to expensive (and often drying) bath treats. Adding a handful of epsom salts to your bath is very cleansing as well.
Some people may find that using this bath oil is enough to keep their skin soft, but most of us will need a little more moisturising.
Try slathering yourself with a body butter after your bath or shower and see how fast your skin absorbs it. If your skin is really dry try using a body oil before your normal skin cream. You can also help by patting dry after your shower rather than scrubbing away with your towel. The slight dampness that remains on your skin will be trapped by the oil or lotion and help to keep your skin hydrated.
There’s no need to use expensive lotions and potions, often the cheaper brands may be better for your skin. I’m sure that some of the expensive creams with alpha-this and hydroxy-that can be beneficial but having looked closely at the skin of many older ladies (and men) who have used a variety of products I honest think that taking a basic cream and massaging it well in every day will keep your skin looking and feeling supple and glowing.
I do recommend though that you put some effort into finding a cream that has minimum additives and scents – especially if you have sensitive skin, or eczema-prone skin.
Another thing that many of us just can’t be bothered with is exfoliating. You can do this by body brushing, using a loofah or using a scrub. My personal favourite is to mix a big handful of either sugar or salt with a glug of oil and a few drops of essential oil. Then just slap it on, gently but vigorously rub rubbing in small circles and paying special attention to knees, elbows and heels. It’s best to stand in the shower or in your bath to do this as it can get messy! I like to run my bath to about 10cm or so first and then I top it up and soak in the residue.
One bonus of making your own oils is that you can choose your own favourite smells – look at some of my posts about essential oils and aromatherapy for some good ideas about which oils to use. Some of them will help you to sleep, others are ideal for waking you up in the morning.
Happy smooth Autumn!
Filed under Health & Healing by on Aug 23rd, 2010. 
When you’re battling problems relating to dry skin, finding the right home remedy can be really important. Luckily for you, there are a wide to choose from. Here is a brief collection of some of the home remedies that are available to you for dealing with dry skin. If you are looking to get the most out of your daily or regular skin care regime, combine these tips in different ways until you find a skin care combination that works for you.
-Dry yourself until you are damp, and then stop at that point rather than going any further. It is actually must more effective for you to apply a moisturizing product when your skin is damp right after a bath, than afterwards when your skin is totally dry.
- Similarly, you should not jump out of the bath while still soaking wet and immediately apply skin lotion. You should pat yourself down with a towel in order to dry your body up a bit before you apply lotion to your skin. You should still feel damp, because the entire purpose behind applying lotion is trapping the moisture inside your skin rather than drying it all off first.
- It is also important that you avoid advertising hype when it comes to home remedies for skin care and dry skin problems. It’s unlikely any fancy lotion will ever beat natural remedies like mineral oil and petroleum jelly. Dermatologists tend to agree that natural materials such as vegetable oil, peanut oil and sunflower oil are always great for combating dry skin, especially when it is related to the weather. These are effective skin care remedies and pure methods of skin lubrication as well, not to mention rather inexpensive.
There is one drawback to these products however, which is that they are capable of feeling greasy. The one thing commercial lotions have over these products is that people tend to prefer things that are smooth feeling and smell good, but if you’re looking for a natural option, consider the options mentioned above.
When your skin is healthy and nourished again, and looks young and beautiful, you will be glad that you put effort into your home remedy for healing dry skin. There are a number of different natural options and remedies that you can choose for restoring health and nourishment to your skin. Combine different home remedies until you get the skin care results that you are satisfied with. Each skin care remedy is unique in the benefits that it provides you with, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you are happy.
Filed under Health & Healing by on Jul 30th, 2010.
