{Style} by Lori Delisle

Mar 142008

Time to Exfolliate

The sun is starting to peak out more, and so is our skin. As the weather warms up a bit, the layers start to go away, and bits and pieces of skin start to peak out to the fresh spring air. So what is the first thing you think about when the skin starts to show? For me, its, "Geez, I’ve got to get some color on this skin! I’m going day glow!" And the second thing I think is "Time to exfolliate."

Winter time not only leaves us looking pale but dry and flaky. And that means it is time to exfolliate.

What does it mean to Exfolliate?

The top layer of our skin is called the epidermis. The epidermis is composed of layers of skin cells. As the top layer skin cells die they are sloughed off and replaced by the healthy cells beneath. Your skin replaces itself slowly by continuously making new cells. Exfolliation is the process of removing the top dead skin cells thus leaving the healthy cells beneath.

What are the benefits of Exfolliation?

There are many benefits of exfolliating your skin. Here are a few:

Leaves your skin feeling soft and silky smooth
Accelerates the natural skin renewal process
Makes is easier for your skin to absorb moiturizers and other skin products
Makes it easier to apply make up
Allows for a more even tan when using sun free tanning products ** Thus why I think about exfolliating immediately after thinking about my day glow skin!

How do I Exfolliate?

There are many products on the market for exfolliating. I’m going to show you some that I use and love. You can exfolliate 2 times a week. The main thing is to remember to use the proper product on different parts of your body. You should not use the same thing on your face that you use on your feet. And don’t use exfolliation products around your eyes. The skin on your face is very delicate. Don’t use products with things like ground up apricot pits as these will cause tiny cuts in your face that can lead to infections and cause acne breakouts.

For Your Face:

I L.O.V.E the Artistry Microdermabrasion System. I’m talking LOVE! My face feels so soft and silky and looks really healthy when it is done. The Artistry Microdermabrasion System offers an at-home alternative to microdermabrasion, providing professional-grade results and glowing skin. It consists of Artistry Polishing Scrub, Skin Refinishing Lotion, and the MicroExfoliation Cloth at no extra cost. $74.60
For Your Body:

Guiding Light candles has a wonderful Strawberry Musk Scented Sugar Scrub. It is light and fluffy and filled with pure cane white sugar, coconut oil, shea butter, honey, skin safe fragrance oil. You will step out of the tub feeling like you’ve been soaking in a tub filled with warm oils. You can follow up with their extra rich body butter. I’m talking BUTTER! Great for extra dry skin. $8.00 www.GuidingLightCandles.etsy.com

For a luxurious treat, try the Artistry Spa Collection Sugar Scrub. Melt away worries and polish away dryness with this blend of sugary crystals suspended in a gel. In mere minutes, its sweet pink grapefruit fragrance will take you far away from everyday stress(seriously ladies, try not to eat this stuff, it is very tempting. YUMMY!) And as the crystals melt away, they seal in moisture so your skin feels softer and smoother than ever. As part of the Artistry Spa Collection, it also contains Nutrilite^®-approved antioxidants to protect your skin. $30.60 Follow with the extra light and fluffy Moisture Souffle.
For Your Feet:

Our feet need some extra special attention to bare themselves in Spring time foot wear. The Body Shop has just the thing. Their Peppermint Cooling Pumice Foot Scrub is a heavy duty scrub for extra dry callised feet. But be sure not to use your hands to apply this one. Use their wooden foot file to protect your hands. The peppermint essential oil in this scrub leaves your feet feeling cool and refreshed. $11.00 www.thebodyshop.com
$5.50
I like to finish off my feet by coating them in oil or lotion and then putting on a thick pair of socks to let them soak for a while. Oh so nice!