Wow, if your skin is anything like mine during these cold winter months you will need to exfoliate often. Exfoliating not only keeps the skin smooth and silky it is beneficial for new cell growth and regeneration.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money or any money at all because you probably have most of these ingredients right in your house.
Here are a few all natural home remedies you can use tonight!
Milk
Milk is a smoothing remedy to dry, irritated skin that has been used for hundreds of years. In fact, historians claim that Cleopatra often used to soak in a bath of milk. While this type of a bath may not be time or cost effective for you, you can still get the benefits of milk. Soak a clean washcloth in a bowl of whole milk, wring it out and carefully drape the cloth over your face. The lactic acid that is found within the milk will help to exfoliate the skin–and the fat will help provide a softer feel. Keep the washcloth on your face for approximately five minutes, and then remove and carefully wipe off any remaining milk.
Olive Oil and Sugar
If you want to exfoliate your entire body, a mixture of olive oil and sugar may be a better choice. Start by combining two to three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with half a cup of white sugar. Use this as both a face and body exfoliant. This mixture can be especially effective if you are suffering from dry skin–the olive oil is effective in helping skin retain moisture while it is being exfoliated. Olive oil is safe to use anywhere on the body, and will not clog pores. Legend has it that some Mediterranean women applied olive oil to their faces before bedtime to prevent wrinkles and fine lines from developing.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is probably the most common natural way to exfoliate skin. Combine one cup of oatmeal with a sprinkling of dried lavender and process until it is very fine. Add a few teaspoons of water, and use as a facial scrub. This mixture is not only effective at exfoliating skin, but it is also very cost effective. For this exfoliant, be sure to use old-fashioned oatmeal–quick oats or instant oatmeal won’t produce the same results.
Pumice Stones
For especially dry, rough, or calloused spots on your feet and heels, a pumice stone may prove to be effective. Pumice is a type of stone that is made by volcanoes, and typically ranges in color from cream to light gray. You can find pumice stones in health and beauty supply stores, and even some specialty department stores. Use them on the roughest part of your heels while the skin is wet and soapy. Make sure to rinse the pumice stone completely after use in order to remove any dead skin, bacteria, or germs that may have gotten caught in one of the cracks of the stone. Using a dirty pumice stone can lead to serious infection.
Erin
