Protecting your Skin from Moisture Loss with Herbal Essential Oils

The low humidity in winter air depletes the moisture in your skin. This leaves the uppermost skin cells without enough moisture to keep them healthy. The result is itching, peeling and scaling of dead skin.  I find walking outside on a winter windy day can really zap the moisture from my legs and face.  There are several ways to combat this.

First I suggest increasing the humidity in the air of your home. Simmering spices on the stove adds moisture and freshens a room with delightful aromatherapy scents.

Use a glycerin or olive oil based soap, they have fewer chemicals and are less drying.

Next, remove dead skin cells by exfoliating with a textured soap or a salt scrub. Make your own sugar scrub with my favorite recipe. Your skin will feel great and be soft and supple!

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Recipe:
Combine ¼ to ½ cup sugar and 2 Tbls. almond oil with 10 to 30 drops lavender essential oil for stress relief and 10 to 30 drops lemongrass oil for invigorating the mind and/or 10 to 30 drops of grapefruit oil an uplifting and refreshing scent which is also slightly astringent. Shake to mix.

Directions:
After bathing while skin is still wet and you are still in the tub or shower, use one tablespoon to gently massage skin. Avoid sensitive areas, like your face. Rinse well. Pat dry and lock in moisture with your favorite body lotion. Lavender lotion will effectively heal and moisturize dry winter skin.

If you would like to try a Sugar Scrub, the Backyard Patch makes one along with a number of other bath items for keeping away dry skin like an assortment of Milk Baths .  To see these and any other of our more than 250 different items, see us at http://www.backyardpatch.com/