An adventure in the bathroom: Part II

In this next blog you will learn how to make your own exfoliators and scrubs, and which products are safe to buy.

Now why are the body washes/face washes w/ exfoliating beads so bad for your skin?
Well first off, most of them contain petroleum based wax, as the exfoliating "beads." What this does, is polish your skin with the wax, giving it the appearance that you have just exfoliated and now your skin is "smooth and soft". In actuality these waxes spread bacteria and trap it under the skin, causing blackheads, or ingrown hairs. This is because the pores are filled w/ wax and can't breath. Ladies, if you've just exfoliated, your skin is going to be bright red, as much as this sucks, it doesn't last long, and your skin stays soft much longer!
Once again these products generally contain Mineral oil(effects described in An adventure in the bathroom PT I)

The solution:

Loofahs! You can buy them at your local health-food store, spa, or online for about $5-15 dollars depending on size. They are great exfoliators and all natural.

$11.99 Trillium Organics body polish
This brand guarantees they do not use parabens.
It contains a blend of salt and sunflower oil, as well as sage essential oil.

Now if your a DIY'er like me, you'll love my personal home recipe for soothing body polish, great for using right before you shave!

Sky's Body scrub
1 cup of redmond sea salt/or course salt(you can usually get scented salt in spa supply stores in bulk)
1/4 cup cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
4 drops lavender essential oil(if your salt is unscented)

Grind salt in coffee grinder, until medium grind, not too big, not too fine. Pour in olive oil, and essential oil, stir until it is a fine paste, add more olive oil if it is too dry.
Then take a washcloth and spread your mixture on, gently scrub, and voila! Keep stored in your fridge so that the olive oil doesn't go rancid. I don't reccommend using it on your face, as it is too rough.

Face exfoliators:

I love sugar:
Try mixing about a tablespoon of sugar, and half a teaspoon of olive oil into a paste, spread over your face, and gently rotate your fingers in tight circles. Wash your face w/ a light soap to remove excess olive oil. The sugar acts as a mild acid to eat away the dead skin, and the olive oil lubricates it off of your face, while moisturizing.

Foot scrub:
Dip your feet in warm olive oil for a few minutes, then buff your feet w/ course salt, rinse afterwards.

Dry lips?
Take an old soft toothbrush, apply a small amount of olive oil to the bristles, brush lips gently to slew off any dead skin.
You can also rub olive oil on them before you go to sleep, and wake up w/ soft lips!

In my next blog I will talk about awesome blemish remedies, and face washes!
Stay tuned ladies, cause you won't want to miss this next one :)