Every skin care regimen should include an exfoliation method. Exfoliation is key to removal of dead skin and regeneration of new, healthy, beautiful skin. There is a wide variety of scrubs available in store and online for you to pamper your body with. With such an assortment, the question arises “Which scrub is right for me?” Let’s take a look at some of the types out there and discuss what each type can do for you.
Salt scrubs– Dead sea salts have been used for their miraculous skin benefits for generations. These salts improve circulation, help balance skin’s natural moisture levels, release toxins and impurities from the body, and help reduce inflammation. A list this grand is sure to give you a new outlook on salt scrubs. It is important to keep in mind that salts can be more abrasive than other scrubs which means salt scrubs are more likely to cause skin irritation if used incorrectly or used on broken, irritated, or sensitive skin. Those with high blood pressure should consult with their doctor prior to integrating a salt scrub into their skin care routine as well. This precaution will prevent any possibility that introducing salt to your body on a regular basis will have a negative effect on your health.
Sugar scrubs – Whether pure cane sugar or brown sugar, the benefits of sugar in skin care can be seen almost instantaneously. Sugar is an alpha-hydroxy which promotes healthy, glowing skin. It is a natural moisturizer, as well as a humectant which means not only does it add moisture to your body, it also helps draw and seal in the most natural form of all moisturizers: water. Sugar is a gentle but effective scrub; it’s safe enough to use on children.
Being armed with this information puts you one step closer to treating your skin to the Love and care it deserves. These scrubs work wonderfully by themselves. However, many scrubs have additives that increase their qualities and benefits to your skin.
Coffee – Ground coffee beans enhance the level of exfoliation any scrub base. Coffee is excellent for battling cellulite as it helps redistribute fat cells and decreases the formulation of additional fat cells. It also helps constrict varicose veins making them smaller and less noticeable. Not to mention, used in the morning, a coffee scrub can be a great pick up; the perfect way to jump start your day.
Walnut shell –While often used as an additive to scrub bases, walnut shell is equally effective as a standalone scrub. Ground walnut shell is a mild, gentle additive that packs an exfoliating punch for those who have extremely sensitive skin and need to avoid more abrasive scrubs.
Butters – Natural butters enhance the moisturizing qualities of a scrub base. Incorporating butters introduce the scrub itself as a moisturizer and create a sealant so water is locked in and absorbed into the skin without clogging pores. This is a great selection for those with dry skin. Additionally, butters have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, and help relieve stress.
Whether you opt to use a salt scrub, a sugar scrub, or even a walnut based scrub, incorporating exfoliation will undoubtedly improve the quality of your skin’s health and appearance. The best way to decide is to try a few out. Be sure to read the product label and select scrubs that have the ingredients you want and don’t have the “extra” stuff that’s unsafe for your body, mind, and spirit.
Last week’s post made mention of being able to find hair pampering products right in your kitchen. There are plenty of commonly known ingredients: olive oil, honey, eggs, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar. There are also a few less commonly known times that can do wonders for both your hair as well as your skin.
Baking soda – an excellent replacement for an apple cider vinegar rinse, normally used as a clarifier. Baking soda will displace the residue left from hair products, without stripping the healthy nutrients from your hair. It’s a great alternative for those who don’t like the scent of apple cider vinegar and who find the scent lingering in their hair after clarifying with it.
Tomatoes – provide a variety of benefits to healthy, beautiful hair. Tomatoes restore your hair color when you’ve been exposed to damaging chemicals such as chlorine. They also strip away odors that have settled into your hair even after washing. From tomato juice to sauce to freshly crushed and squeezed tomatoes, use tomatoes to restore your hair’s pH levels back to normal.
Coffee- an uplifting source of shine for your treasured tresses. Applied as a rinse, brewed coffee provides not only shine but stimulates hair growth also. Ground coffee is excellent exfoliating, and has tightening and firm qualities for skin as well.
Coconut oil – keeps your roots and scalp moisturized without clogging pores. Coconut oil absorbs easily into skin, is an excellent deep conditioner for restoring health to dry scalps acting as a great combatant against dandruff.
Bananas – another source of sheen and shine for your hair. Alone or combined with olive oil or avocado, bananas provide protein and soften your hair. This is an excellent ingredient to use when you spend a lot of time in the elements to replenish nourishment. Bananas, mixed with milk or yogurt, can also be used on skin as a mask to combat aging skin.
Take a peek in your refrigerator and cabinets and add one or two of these common kitchen ingredients to your hair care routine today. Luxurious, healthy skin is just a few steps away.
I had the same conversation within about an hour’s time today about caring and styling natural hair. Styling is not my expertise, I don’t take the time to style my own, nor do I take the time to pamper myself and go see a stylist (with nuptials rapidly approaching I will need to make sometime soon though) However, hair care and health is in my realm of knowledge so I will take a moment to say a few things:
Color – There will always be a line between those who believe coloring natural hair makes it no longer natural. I stand on the side of the line that coloring does not take away from my natural state. Coloring is a chemical; I will not deny that and with that chemical can come damage. That damage can be prevented with proper care. Moisture is key to hair care, no matter what state it is in, but chemically altered hair requires adequate, consistent moisture in order to prevent breakage. Please take this into consideration when deciding if you want to change your look and add a little spice with color.
Bondage – There is no simple route with hair. People with natural hair at times feel limited by what they can do to add some variety to their hairstyle and at some point, we wear a style that binds our hair in one form or another: weaves, braids, knots, twists, etc. These add variety but can also cause breakage if not maintained properly. Hair needs to breathe and have a break from that bondage from time to time in order to ensure it gets the healthy supplements it needs. I will reiterate: moisture is key, so give your hair a break every few weeks from bondage for at least a week to let it breathe and get a break from the strain of styles that bind.
Conditioning – Conditioning and moisture go hand in hand. Your hair needs to be nourished and moisture regularly and that is exactly what conditioning does. It provides those nutrients and supplements to keep it strong and beautiful. Read your labels and aim for products that have few to zero harsh chemicals. There are ingredients in your kitchen that provide more nourishment to your hair than a $60 bottle of conditioner.
Attention – Along the lines of reading labels, pay attention to what products and ingredients your hair does and doesn’t respond well to. For every woman whose hair love thrives off butter based products, there are plenty of others who hair doesn’t absorb it and it settles and builds up and weighs it down. Try out one product at a time and see what your hair responds to favorable and what it doesn’t before you begin piling on three and four at a time. Find what works for you and build your hair care regimen slowly.
Beautiful, stylish, healthy hair is every woman’s desire. Your hair is your hair and it isn’t like anyone else’s on the planet. Love the hair you were born with and give it the attention it deserves, no one else is going to Love your hair is much as you do.
mainelement: love will be launching a brand new line of lip balms in upcoming weeks. How would you like to establish our new flavors? Tell me, what flavor would YOU like to see us create? Is it a taste that takes you back to your first kiss? Is it the smell of your favorite dessert grandma used to make? Is it the flavor that your hubby just finds irresistible? Whatever the flavor, you are free to suggest anything your heart’s desire.
Here are the rules. Leave a comment on this post with the following:
Name of the flavor and a description – the more detail the better
Share why this flavor has a meaning
That’s it! That’s all, so easy, so fun! Leave your comments between today and 9/23***Update: due to overwhelming interest, the entry date has been extended to 9/30!***. I will then choose a top 10 list of most inventive, inspiring, delicious sounding scents and hold a poll from 9/24 – 9/30 10/2 – 10/9 for everyone to cast their vote on the top 5. Those five will be my new scents to be released in plenty of time for the holidays. Those whose flavors have been selected will receive one of each of the 5 new flavors for their own delicious collection.
