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Body Care The Basics First of all, everyone should have a good quality body wash. Bar soap can be so drying, even the moisturizing kind. This is especially an issue if you live in colder climates and have forced air heat. Bars work for some poeple, and that's great, but most people benefit more from a body wash. Try to find a body wash that suits your skin's needs. Many come in fragrance free, sensitive skin, and moisturizing formulas etc. It may take a few tries to get the one that best for you. A great thing about body wash is you can use a shower poof to scrub down, this exfoliates every time you're in the shower, just don't scrub too hard or you might find your skin irritated. Let the cleanser do the cleaning. If your skin starts to get irritated regardless of how gentle you are, you may have to put the poof down for a few days in between use if the irritation persists try a different body wash for sensitive skin. Be sure your poof dries out thoroughly in between showers so bacteria doesn't grow and replace it every 6 weeks or so. Remember to be gentle on your skin when using a poof or loofah. If you are using a poof or loofah I would suggest that you don't use it everyday.
Exfoliating No matter what you're using in the shower, I recommend an exfoliating treatment every 10 days or so. I like scrubs that have synthetic round beads as they are gentler than crushed nut shells. I'm all for natural products, it's just hard to find a nut exfoliant with the right texture to not scratch the skin. Seed shell, natural exfoliators can actually scratch glass, not good for your skin. A high quality natural exfoliant usually is the best because the beads are more refined. You want gentle exfoliating just to assist your skin with it's shedding cycle. This type of exfoliating is called mechanical exfoliating and is the process I recommend for the body. The other type of exfoliating procedure is chemical exfoliating and it uses AHA's and BHA's. (Aplpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy Acids, usually from fruit). These include salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Usually these are found in your body washes and body lotions and they are very low percentages. I don't think anyone other than skincare professionals should use high dose AHA's as there are risks associated with improper use, such as burning, hyper-pigmentation and over exfoliating which causes reactions. Important Information *if you are using AHA's, glycolic acid, you must stay out of the sun and use a high SPF. Sun and AHA's do not mix, they are "photo-sensitive" and can cause hyper-pigmentation. In my opinion mechanical exfoliants are easier to control for most people.
Body Lotion Body lotion is very important. Just like your face, cleansing strips the skin of it's protective barrier, so you need to follow up with a lotion. There are so many options for body lotions now. They firm, plump, reduce the appearance of cellulite and are anti-aging. The list goes on and on. Find a lotion that works for you. Just like face creams, they vary in thickness and richness. Apply body lotion just out of the shower when skin is still damp, to lock in the moisture. Do It Your Self Body Treatment You'll Need:
Run a warm bath and put about 10-15 drops of tea tree oil into the running water. Make sure it is mixed well before getting into the tub. Use your body scrub, starting with your legs and apply it in small gentle circles with your fingers. Continue these movements until you have exfoliated thoroughly. Sit in the bath water for a few minutes to let the tea tree oil work. (Tea Tree Oil is an essential oil that is antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic. It helps clear blemishes and ingrown hairs. It is one of the two oils you can use undiluted on the skin (the other being lavender). Now use the toner on a cotton pad to apply to the neck and chest and if you can get someone to help you, to your back. Follow up with the lotion and remember that massage makes the lotion work to its best potential, so take your time, massage in large circles always moving towards your heart. An alternative to the bath if you prefer showers, is to use the scrub in the shower and when it's time to use lotion put some lotion in a small dish and mix in 5 drops of tea tree oil. Be prepared to smell like the oil, so don't do it if you are just about to go out for the night. Always use caution in the shower when using oils so you don't slip and fall.
Extra Beauty Tips You should drink plenty of water through the day as this helps the skin stay balanced and supple. Apply body lotion everyday, as soon as you're out of the shower is best, before your skin gets too dry, to lock in the moisture. It is best if you can apply lotion twice a day, especially in the winter months. In the winter use lotions that are rich and emollient with plenty of lipids and look for things like urea, aloe, vitamins A and E. In the summer use water-based lotions that are lighter. Rich creams in summer can make you perspire, and also in the summer the skin doesn't need the oils. If you do tan (which we are constantly reminded is not good), use an after sun lotion, or add 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil into the bath. Lavender will help soothe the skin and after sun-lotion is usually light, but full of vitamins, and ingredients that calm the skin.
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