Teaching Tuesday-Scrub a Dub, Why its Important

We all know that the key to good skin health and beauty is a good care regimin, but do you know what all those steps should include? In case you don't, or if you forgot, they are; To Cleanse, steam/mask/peel to deep cleanse and exfoliate, tone, and then to condition/moisturize. This old post goes into further detail on the steps, but for today I want to look closer at the exfoliation part. This goes for the face as well as the body, but you must be more cautious with the face. This post is geared more toward the body. We need to exfoliate the body daily in order to promote good skin care.

Exfoliation is an extremely important part of the skin care regimen. While the techniques may vary, the purpose for exfoliation remains the same. To begin with, the process rids the skin's surface of dirt and oil reside, as well as rubbing off the outermost layer of dead skin cells. Secondly, it prepares the skin for any subsequent treatments.
The removal of the outer layer of skin cells enables the skin to more effectively absorb and/or react to any products that are utilized in treatments which follow the exfoliation.
Exfoliation helps to stimulate and circulate lymph fluids which, in turn,m aid in the elimination of bodily toxins.
Exfoliation is stimulating massage, and, as such, improves blood circulation.
Exfoliation affects the secretion and production of the body's natural oils. When the natural oils are depressed or clogged, a variety of skin issues arrise.
The entire body should be scrubbed on a daily basis, even if only for 5 minutes.
When scrubbing for the first time, or after a prolonged abscense, it is very important to be gentle on the skin.  Gradually the skin will develop a natural resistance to scrubbing, then more vigourous scrubbing can take place, with more pressure being applied.
Be sure to have the proper tools. For the body, which is what we are discussing (not the face), you can use a sisel mitt, a towel, a loofah sponge, a stiff brush, or even just an exfoliating soap. I make two types, one with apricot seeds, and one with sea salts.

To properly exfoliate, use the scrubber in a circular motion. Begin with the feet, ankles and legs, working on to the hands, arms, and shoulders, gradually working your way down the back, then up through the torso toward the heart. The order of exfoliation also aides in proper circulation, so be sure to follow the directions as laid out.

Use a cool water rinse after the body scrub to further promote good blood circulation throught the body. Pat the skin dry, then don't forget to mositurize. This treatments is best performed as part of your morning ritual since it is very invigorating and energizing, and it's rejuvinating too!

Body Scrub for Sun Damaged Skin

Summer is coming to its end. We love the idea of the sun soaked days but by this time of the year we can see the toll those days have had on our skin! Here is a recipe to rid our bodies of those uneven tan lines and fade sun spots and help improve sun damaged.

Yogurt Body Bliss • 1/4 cup rolled oats, ground fine • 1/4 cup organic corn meal (blue is my favorite, it’s a pretty purple color) • 1/2 cup full fat yogurt • 1 Tbs sweet almond oil • 1 Tbs honey • 8 drops lavender eo • 3 drops palmarosa eo • 2 drops geranium eo • 2 chamomile eo Grind oats into a fine powder and mix with corn meal in a glass bowl. Stir in wet ingredients and essential oils. To use Rinse skin with warm water. Turn off water and use scrub all over body making sure to get the few ignored parts~ feet, hands, and armpits! Yes armpits need some love too! Leave on skin for a few minutes. The key ingredient in this body scrub is the full fat yogurt. Yogurt is high in Lactic acid, which is a natural chemical exfoliator.

Scrub a Dub Dub Take Time To Do A Body Rub!

When visiting any Spa, the integral part of the treatment will be some type of exfoliation. While the techniques may vary, the purpose of exfoliation is always the same. First of all it serves to rid the skin's surface of dirt and oil as it rubs off the outermost layer of dead skin cells. The removal of this layer of dead cells enables the skin to more easily and effectively absorb or react to any products used after the exfoliation process. Therefore the second purpose of exfoliation is that it actually prepares the skin for other, subsequent treatments. It is very important to remember that body scrubbing is NOT facial scrubbing. You need to have appropriate tools for the job, such as; a sisal mitt, a loofah sponge, a stiff, natural bristle brush, and/or an abrasive sponge, a pumice stone and a towel are good to have also. The pumice stone is great for the bottoms of the feet, but not a necessity. Whichever tools you choose to use, make sure that you use your scrubber in a circular motion, beginning at the feet , moving to the legs, the working the hands, arms, shoulders, then down the back and up the torso toward the heart. Apply firm, even pressure but do not apply so much that you irritate or "burn" the skin. As you incorporate a full body rub into your daily beauty regimen (it really should be done daily five minutes is all that you need if done consistently) your skin will build a tolerance to the rubbing and you will be able to apply more pressure, offering a more vigorous scrub. When you are brand new to body rubs, you have to begin by being more gentle in order to avoid abrading the skin. Body scrubbing helps to stimulate and circulate the lymph fluids, which then help to eliminate the body's toxins. A cool water rinse after the body scrub will further help with blood circulation. After the rinse, pat dry and moisturize if you are not performing another type of treatment. Do not skip moisturizing! As previously stated, after the exfoliation the skin will more readily drink in the moisturizer, making it much more effective at this time than any other. Since exfoliation is very energizing and revitalizing, it is a treatment that is really best suited to a morning regimen. As with most recipes for body treatments, the ingredients are dependant upon your needs. You will need an abrasive ingredient along with one that will make it easy to apply to the skin. The various oils used should be chosen according to your skin type and any essential oils used should be chosen to maximize the effects that you desire. You can review what the essential oils are used for by reading the archives. All essential oils are listed alphabetically during 10/08 and 11/08. The next post will review potential choices for the abrasive ingredient in recipes, as well as the various carrier oil choices, along with a few more recipes. Meanwhile, you can find some recipes in the archives for 8/16/08.

Get Ready To Bear Some Skin!

Summer is officially here, so make sure that you are ready to bear your skin in those sleeveless tops and skimpy sandals. Try these quick and easy recipes to help you put your best skin forward, then remember to protect yourself with sunscreen and daily moisturizing. Not caring for your skin will result in drying, premature aging, and may even cause severe issues such as cancer, so take a few minutes to care for yourself! Any skin treatment needs to begin with a good exfoliating scrub. Here two simple recipes that rid your hands and feet dead, dry, tough, and unsightly areas. Use as often as necessary, but regular treatments of once a week will make a great addition to your beauty care regimen.

FOOT SCRUB

Mix 1/2 cup of dry cornmeal with 2 TBS. of avocado oil (if you are in a hurry to use and don't have avocado oil on hand, substitute olive oil). Spread on your feet and then rub with a pumice stone. Make sure that you concentrate on the heels and any calloused areas. Rinse with warm water and pat dry, then moisturize.

HAND EXFOLIATOR

Take 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 2 TBS. apricot oil, and the juice of 1/2 of a lemon and mix together, then immediately rub the mixture on hands. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and moisturize. The sugar works to slightly abrade the skin, while cleansing and stimulating it. The apricot oil is a natural lubricant that moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin. Together, these ingredients make a great treatment to rid your hands of dead, dry skin. Exfoliated skin is soft, clean and healthy!