Is your skin showing signs of the cool and dry air? Do your elbows and knees look like they belong on a rhino? Buffing off dry skin in the fall and winter months is critical if you want to have smooth and glowing skin. But what you put on your body matters from the “scrub” material to the size of the grain and the other ingredients that make the scrub effective.
But first and foremost, environmentalists have determined that some of the micro-beads found in cleansers and scrubs may be harmful to the environment, showing up in waterways and harming marine life. Many companies are looking to phase out these ingredients for dry skin but in the meantime avoid any scrub with polyethylene on the label.
A few ingredients to look for:
Coffee: Coffee can be a gentle exfoliant when applied with a nurturing oil like jojoba, coconut or almond.
Sea Salt: The go-to, sea salt is a strong exfoliant and should only be used on thick, non-sensitive skin, like elbows, knees and feet.
Natural Earth Elements like Clay, Volcanic Ash: Volcanic Pumice is found in Bliss Micromagic Microdermabrasion treatment to help open and clean your pores, providing for a nice glow in the winter months.
Acai Berry: When ground into a pulp, this antioxidant rich fruit can help exfoliate sensitive areas including lips.
Walnut Shells: Found in Foot Scrubs, walnut shells help remove thick, tired and dry skin, leaving behind a softer finish.
Our favorite products:
For your face: Hydrating Clay Exfoliant with Tea and Lavender from Qet Botanicals. This luxurious facial scrub is perfect for skin that needs a deep exfoliation; the clay leaves it feeling smooth and hydrated. ($24)
For your lips: The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ. We love the scent of this sweet sugar, grapeseed oil and jojoba blend. ($24)
For your body: The Turkish Body Scrub from Kerstin Florian is a perennial favorite at HL&S. Made with deeply cleansing mineral salts, eucalyptus and lavender oils, this blend is refreshing, invigorating and leaves your body feeling rejuvenated. ($44)
For your hands: Although the FarmHouse Fresh Whipped Honey Scrub can be used anywhere on your body, we love how soft it leaves your hands! Made with sea salt, honey and rice bran oil, this blend is high in vitamin E and non-greasy too. ($23)
For your feet: For an affordable option, turn to Kiss My Face Peppermint Foot Scrub made with walnut shells to deeply scour at rough heels. ($9)
With her love of health and writing, Melissa has written for such publications as Shape, Natural Solutions, Yoga Journal, Self and Pilates Style, and has created recipes and food-oriented stories for such publications as Delicious Living and Cooking Light.
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