Polish Your Skin

The temperatures rose enough for me to peel off my socks, and at the same time, the sun was bright enough for me to see an avalanche of dry, flaky, under-moisturized skin.  Spring, I hope, will arrive, and it will take every one of the days leading up to warmth to get my alligator skin ready for sandals.

My second incentive for paying some extra attention to my skin is this:  I’m heading to a ball on Valentine’s Day, complete with fancy dresses and tuxedos and grownups.  Luckily, my dry skin recipe is simple, cheap and luxurious.

The exfoliate part is a simple scrub that brushes away dead skin, and will allow the moisturizers to get through.  Here’s the recipe:

• 2 cups of Epsom salts
• 1/4 cup of olive oil (Apricot kernel oil would be best, but olive oil is in the cupboard.)
• 4 drops of lavender essential oil, or your favorite oil.  Grapefruit essential oil smells surprisingly good –nothing like that commercial stuff in plastic moisturizer bottles.
• Mix the two into a paste

Stand in the bathtub, and rub the mixture in a circular motion, starting on the legs, torso, arms, neck and finally your aching, dry feet. You can use a loofah sponge or a wash cloth.  Do your best to reach your back.This should not hurt, but if this is your first time exfoliating, you might feel a slight tinging and see bright red skin. So, please be careful.

Skin experts say you should do this for at least five minutes every day.  Whew, Lord knows I need that, but who has the time?

Still, you could just stop right here with this quickie, turn on the shower and be set.  But, if you have time to linger, here are the next steps:

Next, I fill the tub with warm water, (leaving the salt on my body), and add the moisturizing bath soak:

• 1 cup powdered milk
• 1/4 cup of orange peels and 1/4 cup lemon peels (optional)
• 4 drops of lavender essential oil (When using essential oils in the bath, disperse these oils with a cap ful of liquid soap.)

I grab my book, and soak  until someone calls my name.

Next, I apply a moisturizer. This blend is ideal for sore muscles, and is one I used when I was recovering from childbirth. Clary sage has an amazing ability to take away pain in the muscles.

Moisturizer:

• 1/2 olive oil.
• 4 drops of lavender essential oil
• 4 drops Clary sage essential oil

Leftovers from all recipes can be stored in your fridge for your next spa treatment; because, I’ll definitely need more of these treatments before spring arrives.

When you’re done, you will feel, and smell, luxurious, and be ready for the Ball.