Dry Skin Workshop Week (Day 4): Mask of the Month - The California Roll!!!

Welcome to the final day of Dry Skin Workshop Week!

We've scrubbed our bodies, we've softened our lips, so it's time to give our mugs a little attention!

January's Mask of the Month was inspired by my oldest daughter, who always answers my question of "What would you like for dinner?" with "California Rolls." She would eat them until they came out of her ears.

So, I got to thinking, that everything in a california roll is lovely for dry skin:

• Avocado, with it's wonderful oil, is moisturizing.
• Cucumber is hydrating.
• Rice softens skin.
• Seaweed soothes, nourishes and moisturizes.
• Crab - oh, dear - I'm not going to have you put crab on your face!

Taking the basic roll, with the addition of some sesame oil (a super oil for dryness) and sake (great for dry skin and it also evens out skin tone when used over time - yippee!), this is what I whipped up...

The California Roll

2 Tablespoons leftover rice (white or brown)

1-2 Tablespoons sake

1/4 avocado

A chunk of cucumber

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons kelp powder (optional)

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender or food precessor until very smooth.
2. Apply mask to freshly cleansed skin. For hydrating cleanser and exfoliant suggestions geared to your skin type, please revisit the product suggestions on the post from Day 1.
3. Leave mask on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow with your favorite toner, serum and/or protective moisturizer.

And that, peeps, is how we roll...

I hope you have enjoyed this week of tips, ideas and recipes! I've enjoyed sharing with you and hope that you are on the road to softer skin!

I'm planning on more Workshop Weeks in the future and would love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how you liked this first one. 

Are there any topics you would like to see covered in a future workshop?

Love to you all today and have a beautifully soft weekend!

Dry Skin Workshop (Day 3): Bye-bye, Dry, Flaky Lips!

Welcome to Day 3 of Dry Skin Workshop Week!

Today I will be covering some tips on keeping lips soft and hydrated during the cold weather months, as well as a quick, yummy mini lip facial! I'm a lip product junkie, so today, I'm getting my fix and I hope you get yours, too!

Lips are one of the first parts of the body to dry out and are the hardest to keep hydrated, as the skin is thinner and more open and vulnerable to the elements. The key to keeping them moist is, basically, keeping them constantly protected with a quality lip balm.

But, what else can ya do to keep your smoocher soft?

Dry Lip Tips

• Stay hydrated
• Use a lip balm with only natural ingredients. Many lip balms out there contain ingredients (like mineral oil and petrolatum) that actually can upset your skin's natural moisture process, drying your lips out further!
• Look for protective ingredients, like shea butter, avocado butter and beeswax (or candelilla wax if you are a vegan friend). These ingredients provide a protective seal, while still allowing lips to breathe.
• Stick to balms or salves without added flavors. I know, I know! Peppermint lip balm is awesome, but some essential oils can irritate delicate rose petal lips and make dryness worse. Plus, flavored lip balms invite one to lick them off, which brings me to the next bullet point...
• Avoid licking your lips. Lip licking dries lips out like crazy.
• If your lips are majorly chapped and cracking, run to your nearest calendula salve to help add moisture and major healing at the same time.
• Do a mini lip facial once a week (see below) for a little extra lip lovin'!

Mini Lip Facial

Note: Please do not perform this treatment if you have active cold sores, wounds or cracking on the lips.

• A cotton washcloth
• A pinch of your coconut and sugar scrub from yesterday
• Your favorite natural lip balm (or body butter works in a pinch, too.)

1. Moisten the washcloth with warm water and use it to gently exfoliate your lips in small circular motions.
2. Apply the coconut/sugar scrub with a fingertip in gentle, circular motions on the lips and the area of skin around them (this helps to minimize those fine lines around lips - not that you have them! But I do, and this helps. :) )
3. Moisten the washcloth again with warm water and gently remove all traces of the scrub.
4. While lips are still damp, apply loads of your favorite lip balm or salve.

Want to take this treatment a step further?

Luxurious Additions

• Add a drop of vanilla essential oil (or vanilla extract) to the scrub for a coconut/vanilla extravaganza!
• Apply a lip mask made of a pinch of kelp powder mixed with enough water to make a paste after removing the scrub. Leave the mask on for 5 minutes, remove with a warm washcloth and apply your lip balm.
• Use a tinted lip balm (try my homemade recipe here) for a little pop of color!

Voila! Soft lips! 

What are your favorite lip products or treatments?

Tomorrow is the last day of Dry Skin Workshop Week. Sniff. But to send us off with a bang, it will also be January's Mask of the Month! See you then!

Dry Skin Workshop (Day 2): 3 Steps. 5 Ingredients. Soft, Silky Skin.

OK, now that we've covered some of the basics yesterday for preventing and treating dry skin, it's time to get down to business! Today we will be doing a full body scrub treatment to tackle itchy, dry skin all over.

When it comes to skin on the body (when I say "body" I mean everything other than your face - not that your face isn't part of your body, but, well, anyway, for purposes of this treatment, I just mean everything below your neck) there is a simple 3-step formula that I use for getting soft:

EXFOLIATE + HYDRATE + PROTECT = SOFT

By exfoliating, then layering hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, you will transform skin to a silky butterfly wing!

A soft, silky visitor to last summer's garden.

You can follow this formula using different techniques and ingredients. For today this is what we will be using:

1. EXFOLIATE:

• A soft to medium bristled body brush (you could also use a loofah or exfoliating hand mitts, which you can usually find at your local drug store)
• 1/2 cup sugar (white or brown - I used brown because I discovered I ran out of regular! LOL!)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil

2. HYDRATE:

• 2  teaspoons vegetable glycerin
• 1 teaspoon aloe juice or gel

3. PROTECT:

• Your favorite packaged body butter (or a single butter, such as shea, cocoa, avocado or mango)

Personally, I like to do body scrubs at the end of the day, so I have time to relax, but you can rock this simple treatment even on a busy morning in just a few minutes! It's so easy and just three simple steps!

Treat yourself to this scrub once a week, in addition to also applying body butter or lotion daily, for maximum results.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have acne on the body, abrasions or open wounds, rashes, chronic skin conditions, sunburn or any other skin irritation  please avoid this treatment as it can irritate these conditions.

5-Ingredient Body Scrub Treatment

1. EXFOLIATE

• Use your body brush (or loofah or exfoliating mitts) to gently exfoliate your skin WHILE IT IS DRY, moving with long, GENTLE strokes along the body toward the direction of the heart. This technique is called "dry brushing" and it has a myriad of benefits (helps minimize cellulite, detoxes body, etc.), but for this treatment we are looking simply for initial exfoliation of dry, flaky surface skin. Be gentle and loving on sensitive areas, such as tummy and breasts. For a nice visual, here is a lovely video from the folks at Bliss Spa showing a dry brushing treatment...

• Mix your coconut oil and sugar to make a scrub paste (you can add more or less of either ingredient to make the paste to your liking). While standing on a towel (you will make a mess, which is part of the fun!), apply the scrub in gentle circular motions all over your entire dry body. Give extra attention to hands and feet, as these tend to be the driest areas on the body. Be sure to save a tiny bit of the scrub, because you will need it for tomorrow. 
• Rinse the scrub off in a warm (not hot) shower, taking care as the bottom of the shower might be slippery from the coconut oil.
• Pat skin dry with a towel.

2. HYDRATE

Your skin should already feel softer from the coconut oil and this next step helps to "seal the deal"!

• Mix the vegetable glycerin and aloe juice (or gel) in a small bowl and, while skin is still damp, apply it to your body as you would a lotion. You can also apply using a spray bottle, but that is just an extra step and I'm too lazy. :)

3. PROTECT

This final step gives the extra layer of love your skin needs and helps prevent losing the moisture that you've already locked in.

• Apply your body butter from neck to toe. Lie back and feel your softness!

If that weren't luxurious enough, here are a few things you can do to enhance this treatment...

Luxurious Additions

There is no bad day that heated booties can't make better...

• Add 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil to each step for a little aromatherapy action.
• Use a pumice stone or pedi-wand along with the scrub to give the bottoms of feet additional exfoliation.
• When applying body butter, slather a little extra on to hands and feet, slip them into cotton gloves/socks, then into heated hand mitts and heated foot booties. 
• Kick back afterward and enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
• Have a partner perform this body scrub on you, then you can return the favor!

Ahhh. Feelin' softer? I know I am!

Wow! We are halfway through the workshop! Do you have any questions???

Tomorrow we will get a little lippy (hint, hint!)! See ya then!

Dry Skin Workshop Week (Day 1): Dry Skin Tips

Woohoo! Welcome to Day 1 of the Dry Skin Workshop Week! 

Today I wanted to share with you some general ways to keep dry skin in check, specific ingredients to look for in skin care products (pre-packaged or homemade) that will help you on the road back to softness, as well as suggestions for products you can readily purchase to treat skin in a jiffy.

Winter can really do a number on skin in many different ways. Dryness is caused from being both indoors and outside - its like ya can't win! Indoors, forced air heat parches and dehydrates skin. Outside, bitter cold causes skin to lose moisture to the air and winter winds chap and irritate. Ugh!

Unless you live in a gloriously, year round warm and humid climate, in which case I would love to come and visit (please?)!!!

So here are a few tips to help get us started...

General Tips To Prevent Dry Skin

• Drink plenty of water and/or coconut water to help keep your skin hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to also increase hydration in your body.
• Try to avoid caffeinated drinks, as they dry out your skin. If you must have your coffee in the morning (and, believe  me, I understand!), drink an extra glass of water for each cup.
• Try to avoid alcohol, as it also dehydrates your skin.
• When headed outside, cover your skin as much as possible with clothing. Cover any areas of exposed skin with a thick lotion to prevent moisture loss.
• Apply lip balm frequently throughout the day, especially before you go outside.
• Keep baths and showers short and warm (not hot). Hot water dries skin out by stripping your skin of its natural oils. 
• Add fatty fish, like salmon, to your diet or take a good quality fish oil. The good omega-3 fatty acids help to keep skin moist.
• Avoid using harsh cleansers, soaps or exfoliants. These will only further strip your skin and lead to dryness.

General Tips to Treat Dry Skin

• Gently exfoliate dry skin with a brush, loofah or exfoliating gloves as part of your body cleansing routine in the shower before using any topical treatments (oils, lotions, etc.). Dry, flaky skin needs to be removed from the surface of skin to allow topical treatments to work more effectively. Be SUPER gentle if your skin is overly sensitive and use these items only a few times a week. Avoid them if you have any rashes, open wounds or general irritation.
• Avoid cleansing your entire body every day, especially with a foaming soap or body wash, as they can strip your skin. Skip a day of sudsing, or wash only those most important bits daily. ;) 
• Better yet, use a body wash of 1 part honey to 1 part oil (jojoba is lovely) a few times a week in place of your regular soap.
• Apply lotions, body butters, oils, etc. immediately after showering while your skin is still damp. You want to capture the water and seal it into your skin.
• Avoid using products with artificial ingredients, as they can dry and irritate skin, too.

Helpful Ingredients For Dry Skin

• Humectants like honey and vegetable glycerin help to pull moisture from the air into your skin.
• Oils like olive, coconut, hazelnut, grapeseed, jojoba, sesame and sunflower work to replace lost moisture, while being easily absorbed into skin.
• Oils like rosehip seed and carrot seed help to increase cell regeneration.
• Essential Oils like chamomile, lavender, ylang ylang and sandalwood help to soothe and heal dry itchy skin.
• Aloe Vera soothes, heals and stops itching from irritated, dry skin. Just be sure you use the pure aloe gel, not the stuff full of colors and added fragrances.
• Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient found naturally in skin, it attracts and retains moisture in your skin, while plumping and softening, which is great for dry skin and wrinkles (bonus!).
• Fruits and Veggies like avocado and banana help to add moisture to skin.
• Fruits and Veggies like papaya, pineapples and grapes help to naturally exfoliate dry skin due to their natural fruit acids and enzymes.
• Herbs like calendula, chamomile and lavender are soothing, healing and anti-inflammatory for dry-irritated skin. A nice oil infused with these is great for dry skin.
• Herbs like rose, licorice, marshmallow and chickweed are cooling and demulcent (they form a soothing, protective layer on dry skin).
• Sea Kelp is amazing for skin when used externally. It's gelatinous texture soothes, hydrates and protects dry skin.

Just a friendly note: Avoid any of these ingredients that you may be allergic or sensitive to.

A Few Of My Fave Products

For exfoliating dry facial skin:

• dermaE Cleansing Enzyme Mask - This gently cleansing and exfoliating clay mask uses papaya fruit enzymes and is great for sensitive, rosacea, combination or acneic skins. 
• Collective Wellbeing Honey Buff - This gentle, physical exfoliant is great for normal and dry/mature skins. It removes the flakies and hydrates with organic honey, glycerin, aloe, sunflower oil and sea kelp.

For hydrating dry facial skin:

• dermaE Hyaluronic Acid Products - A complete line of cleanser, hydrating mist, mask, serum, day cream, night cream and lip repair treatment. You will be so dewy after using these, you won't want to stop touching yourself!
• Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Toner - A classic protective and hydrating facial spray.

For protecting everywhere skin:

• Mirror Lake Organics Coconut Body Butter - This body butter is loaded with protective ingredients like organic sunflower oil, organic cocoa butter, organic beeswax and organic coconut butter. I use this daily on my entire body, including lips. If I could buy this by the bathtub full, I would! It's like a tropical vacation without leaving my house. Handmade here in Michigan, too. Wooot!

So, see you tomorrow! Grab your coconut oil and stay tuned!

Do you have any dry skin secrets or favorite products? I'd love to hear them!

Dry Skin Workshop Week!

Any of you feelin' flaky? A little Yoda-like? I know I am! The winter skin dryness has kicked in, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way!

May the moisturizing force be with you!
Image from starwars.wikia.com.

So, I'm planning a fun week for you all full of DIY dry skin relief and tips and tricks to keep skin flake-free and hydrated! Stock up today on the following items and you will be on your way to softer skin! Some of these you may have in your kitchen already, others can be found at your local natural foods store. Feel free to omit items that you may be allergic or sensitive, too.

Stuff You Will Need

A natural bristle body brush (with soft to medium bristles)

Sugar

Coconut Oil

Vegetable Glycerin

Aloe Juice or Pure Aloe Gel

Your favorite packaged body butter (or any single butter such as cocoa, shea, avocado or mango)

Rice (white or brown are both cool)

Sake

Cucumber

Avocado

Sesame Oil

Powdered Kelp (optional if you can't find it)

Your favorite moisturizer (if you don't have one, I will be giving some of my fave suggestions!)

Looking forward to getting soft with you!!! :)

Super Love-Powered Calendula & A Tale of Chapped Fairy Lips

Last week my daughter developed a fierce case of chapped lips. Actually, it was beyond lips - it created a full-on half moon that extended below her lower lip - almost like a second smile. It came on abruptly overnight, and I'm certain was from anxious lower lip biting due to the excitement of school being back in session after our long break :) It was dry, burning and miserable for this dainty little fairy.

I initially tried using some lavender and shea butter balm that I had made as gifts over the holidays (and had been using on my own dry lips with success), hoping it would help to soothe and heal the dryness and irritation. This was met with shrieking and face fanning due to it burning the tender area - and it actually made the irritation even worse :( It was a humble reminder that not all products (even natural ones) work the same way on different people. And that lavender essential oil, though an amazing, healing oil, can actually irritate some individuals or certain skin conditions.

So, time for Plan B.

Giving thanks so last summer's beautiful herb garden, I reached for a very special fresh calendula flower infused oil that my daughters helped me to harvest and prepare in the midst of a sunny summer day.

The finished, love-powered salve.

I melted a few spoonfuls of oil in a bowl with a bit of trusty beeswax to give it some legs, then added a few drops of the last of my Roman Chamomile oil (a very gentle, healing oil that my daughter loves the scent of). We applied it right away and crossed our fingers.

After one nighttime application, the chapping was significantly improved. After 48 hours, the improvement doubled. By 72 hours, the chapping was nearly gone. And the following day, you could barely tell it had been there. Yahooooo!

The first day of chapping. From far away she looked a little bit Angelina Jolie.

After 48 hours of multiple salve applications with a happier smile.

While calendula salves are a pretty standard herbal preparation (and can be readily found in natural food stores if you don't have ingredients to make your own), I can't help but feel that the love and care that went into the growing, harvesting and preparation of this oil infinitely increased its healing power. Plants heal...