January 28th, 2009 @ 10:48 am
Yep – we’re right smack in the middle of winter and for most climates, this is the time of year when your skin can start looking a little beat – dull, dry, icky. Outdoors – the wind and cold take a toll, and indoors you have dry heat that robs your skin of essential moistures. So I thought I’d review some quick tips to keeping your skin fresh, clear and happy during these colder months:
1) WARM water – I know, you hear this all the time. But it’s true. Hot water saps your skin of it’s moisture and drys it out. So if you must – have a shot of hot water when you first get into and out of the shower, but otherwise keep it warm. This is true for when you wash your face as well.
2) Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize – Morning and evening – and as quickly after showering as possible to trap the moisture. Shea butter, Jojoba and Aloe are key ingredients that keep skin fresh and hydrated so be sure to look for those. And absolutely avoid mineral oils and petrolatum. While they are good for protecting skin (like when you are skiing and your skin is getting wind-burned) they are not great for your skin over long periods of time as they block pores and can inhibit your body’s ability to produce its own oils. Garden Girl products: Hugs or Smooches body butter, Chill Out/Mellow/Jump Start/Alive body lotions
3) Exfoliate – this goes for your face and your body. Garden Girl has a fantastic sugar scrub (Pucker Up Coconut) that allows you to exfoliate and moisturize your body at the same time. You use it in the shower and after a quick rinse-off your skin is left smooth, soft and deeply hydrated. For your face – we offer Starting Over microdermabrasion scrub which has natural microcrystals (the same ones used by the crazy-expensive in-office microdermabrasion treatments). It’s hard to find a natural microderm and this one is fantastic – plus it doesn’t dry out your skin like some can. Need even more help? Try Break Free fruit acid gel that uses a combination of pyruvic, lactic and glycolic acids that remove dead skin cells, unclogs pores and reveal softer smoother skin. And be sure to moisturize immediately after exfoliating!
4) Layer Face Moisturizers – don’t necessarily go out looking for a really heavy face cream, as those typically are filled with petroleum products. Instead, just like with clothing, you want to think about layering. Use a serum as your base layer – serums are intensely packed with typically oil-free hydrators (Like Magic has hyaluronic acid and a peptide complex) and soak in immediately. Then add your face cream over the serum. We recommend No Worries for sensitive/dry skin, Nature Nurture with AHA’s for normal or oily skin, and if you are looking to brighten skin even further – try using Bright Idea natural brightening cream. A very effective system is to use Bright Idea during the day and Nature Nurture or No Worries at night.
5) Don’t Forget Hands and Feet! – keep hand cream “handy” – at your sink, in your purse, at your desk etc. Use it throughout the day to keep hands moisturized and prevent cracking etc. And always wear mittens or gloves when you are out in the cold. Try Garden Girl’s Hand it to You hand cream for truly one of the best natural hand creams available. Just ask anyone who has tried it! (and it’s yummy lemon/lime/bergamot scent is clean and fresh). And for feet, treat them to rich moisture and revive them with Zippity Do Dah peppermint foot cream. Throw on a pair of cotton socks at night and you’ll be amazed at how smooth and soft they will be. And of course, don’t forget to exfoliate your feet in the winter (with something like our Foot Smoother).
Tara
said,
February 12, 2009 at 9:20 am
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