Winter is knocking on the door and for those of use who live in areas blanketed in snow, winter has come in and sat in the living room. What it has brought along is a dryness that is exacerbated by heaters. For me, that means a lovely ashy tint on my arms and legs (aka dry skin). My natural reaction is to add a thicker and thicker layer of lotion. But, by the time skin gets that dry, lotions will not work well because they cannot penetrate the dry flakes (yuck). To take back our glowing, silky skin, we have to polish it and in doing so, we also can also detoxify our body, and make us look thinner. To make this experience fun, pour a glass of your favorite wine.
Winter has arrived, bringing with it a cold, dry air exacerbated by heaters and constant hand washing. This causes my skin to take on an ashy tint (aka dry skin). We often respond to dry skin by adding thicker and thicker layers of lotion. Unfortunately, by the time our skin gets to that point, lotions cannot penetrate the dry flakes, which is why they do not work well. To get back our glowing, smooth skin, we have to remove that dry layer and then moisturize. We can accomplish this goal, detoxify and smooth out that cellulite all at the same time. In a hurry? Focus on one body area and save the rest for later.
Exfoliating Dry Skin From Our Body
Using a Dry Brush to Polish Your Skin
One of the best tools we can add into our preshower routine is a dry brush. Using a dry brush can increase blood circulation, promote lymph flow/drainage (which is detoxing), stimulate your nervous system and make us feel invigorated. Remember skin is the largest organ of the body.
If the heath benefits are not enough, regular use of a dry brush (3 times a week) sloughs off the dry flakes so our skin can glow. It also increases blood circulation, plumping up the skin which reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Here is what you need to know
- Pick a dry brush with natural stiff bristles. I find short handled brushes such as the Baudelarie Dry Brush easiest to control.
- Start with DRY skin. Work your way up from the feet/ankles, using long strokes and/or circular motions. A few swipes per area is enough (too much can irritate the skin). Reduce pressure on sensitive areas.
- Some people dry brush everyday but my skin is too sensitive so I try to do it 3 times a week (but sometimes life gets in the way).
Using A Body Scrub To Polish Our Skin
You can alternate your dry brush routine with good body scrub like Osea Salts of the Earth’s Body Scrub. This is especially comes into ply when you are already in the shower and realize your dry skin needs attention. The warm water from the shower opens your pores so it can absorb the oils from the body scrub.
4 Steps To Polishing Your Skin With A Body Scrub
STEP 1: Start with damp skin. Scoop about a quarter size of the scrub onto your fingertips.
STEP 2: Apply scrub vigorously in a circular motion.
STEP 3: Repeat on all needed body areas (excluding face and neck).
STEP 4: Leave it on for 3- 5 minutes and then rinse off. Remember the skin will be a little slick from the essential oils.
Finishing Touches
To finish off this body exfoliating process, shower off (if possible) or wipe down with a warm washcloth. Then, apply a body cream liberally. For the body, I use Lavido Body Cream or Osea Anti-Aging Balm individually or mixed together because they make my skin feel silky are not white. This means no chalky residue is left behind (as with some white lotions).
Removing the Dry Skin From Our Lips
Yes – even our lips need exfoliating. We have all tried to accomplish this by ripping off the dry skin which, as you know, leads to a bleeding lip. Instead, choose a clean beauty lip scrub (like French Girl Lip Polish) with essential oils to simultaneously exfoliate and nourish. Use 3 times a week.
Wipe off the excess exfoliant with a warm damp cloth then apply a moisturizing lip balm like Follain Lip Balm or Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goopgenes Clean Nourishing Lip Balm. Both are full of restorative oils and butters instead petroleum.
What About Our Hands?
The backs of your hands may look leathery due to the constant washing. That skin is delicate so use use your organic lip scrub on that area. Apply in circular motions with your fingers. Leave the moisturizing scrub on for a few minutes. Wipe off the excess with a damp cloth and add a layer of thick hand cream.
Avery Tips:
- Body scrubs leave behind nourishing oils. If you are about to put on a silk blouse instead of PJs, remember to rise off throughly.
- Exfoliating is best done 24-48 hours before you shave, wax, tan or bronze.
- Licking your lips when they are dry makes them dryer (though it is very hard to resist).
