This time of year is all about preparing your skin so that it can survive the winter blues and cling onto the last of your summer glow for as long as humanly possible.
Whether it’s indoor heating, gale force winds, extreme cold or just lack of sun the devastating effects on our sun kissed bodies at this time of year are the same – dry, scaly flaky skin that inevitably turns grey with depression.
Face: Sugar scrub – remove dead skin once a week with an exfoliating scrub – make your own using sugar, jojoba oil and your choice of essential oils – I love rose, chamomile, lemon & lavender. All of these essential oils are particularly great for cracked, dry skin.
Jojoba oil is the closest product that you will find to the oil your skin produces naturally. Organic Jojoba oil is cheap and easy to find. This is best used as a night treatment as Jojoba oil does not make a great base for make-up!
Don’t forget your lips – brush lips with a dry toothbrush to remove dead skin before going to bed and apply moisturizer.
Body: Loofahs are great for reaching hard to get areas on your back. These can be used wet or dry. I personally prefer to use them wet, but you must remember to let it dry out between uses, as like other sponges, your loofah will collect bacteria if it’s kept moist and warm. And remember ladies, loofah’s don’t last forever, in the interest of hygiene rinse thoroughly after use and throw it out after 30 uses.
Scalp: Use an over the counter dandruff shampoo to prevent dryness and scaling. Once a week should do the trick if your dry flaky scalp is due to the temperature change.
Scalp massage – mix four teaspoons of vegetable oil with a few drops of each of these essential oils - sage, thyme and rosemary. Methodically part your hair from front to back starting at the top of your head at one-inch intervals. Deposit a few drops of oil along each part and then massage your scalp. For best results be as firm and methodical as you can. You will have to wash your hair after the massage but this is a great natural alternative to regular dandruff treatments and if your hands are firm enough it can be a great stress reliever too.
Feet: Foot soak – if you’re at home and on a budget this doesn’t have to scream luxury to do the trick. A clean towel, a pumice stone and a tub of warm water in front of the T.V. is all you need.
Add essential oils to help relieve certain winter symptoms:
1. Cracked skin – rose, lemon, chamomile or lavender
2. Frost bite – lavender & clove
3. Blisters – lavender & chamomile
Dermabrasion – micro-polishes skin to a pearl like finish - great for removing dry skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ask your primary care physician for a referral if you have never visited a dermatologist before.
Body: Korean spas do the best body scrubs but this treatment isn’t for the bashful – be prepared to be naked in public (women only of course) and faced with a language barrier between you and your therapist, if you can hack it the results are phenomenal – your left with nothing short of delicate soft babies skin!
Scalp: No other nation understands scalp massage as well as the Japanese – research Japan town in your city and see what salons offer 30 minute scalp massages – this is great for dry flaky scalps and is an instant stress reliever. Some high end American salons also offer scalp massage if you don’t have a Japan town near you.
