Hydrate That Wonderful Face and Body!
Here are more tips for your skin. After your bath or shower, lightly blot your body with a towel. Then while your skin is still damp, use the same upward strokes as for dry brushing – always towards your heart – to apply your moisturizer. Water is the most precious gift for your skin and moisturizing before you’re completely dry hydrates by sealing the water into your skin.
There are many types of skin creams, oils and lotions on the market. Some show before and after photos that look too good to be true – and they usually are. I must confess that a couple of times I’ve given in to the temptation to try some “miracle” cream that cost a king’s ransom and promised to remove wrinkles and give me youthful skin. Luckily they had money-back guarantees because so far, none of those worked.
You may need to try a few different products in order to find the moisturizer that works best for your skin type. Look at the ingredients listing to find an oil, lotion or cream that contains only natural ingredients without preservatives or other chemicals which are often included to add color, scent and/or change consistency. Pure vegetable oils that are absorbed easily and hold moisture in the skin include sesame oil, olive oil and coconut oil.
However, there are creams and oils I’ve found that are excellent moisturizers and help keep your skin youthful-looking.
One is shea butter. Not shea butter mixed with other ingredients. It needs to be 100% unrefined shea butter. It comes from the nut of the shea tree that grows wild in the dry savannah belt of West Africa. Shea butter contains remarkable healing properties, is a superior moisturizer and is so natural you could eat it. You need to rub it between your palms to liquefy it before smoothing it on your face and body. It’s excellent for keeping your fingernails from splitting and cracking and it takes just seconds to dig your nails into a small container of shea butter. Do this several times a day, particularly after you have your hands in water.
If you have dry skin, castor oil is another excellent moisturizer and very inexpensive. I’ve been using this for years and it’s amazing. I mix 2/3 castor oil and 1/3 water in an 8-oz. bottle. Then I add frankincense and sandalwood – a few drops of each. Both of these essential oils are tonics for the skin and help rejuvenate aging skin, and the castor oil mixture applies easily and quickly. The downside? Castor oil can stain sheets so consider wearing long-sleeved pajamas to bed.
Keep in mind that your skin is absorbent and whatever you put on it is absorbed into your body, which is one very good reason to steer clear of chemicals – even if the product containing them smells and feels good. How you treat your skin is another way you can show that you love and appreciate the body that houses your spirit.
In my next blog, I’ll give you more tips for your skin but if you have some you’re willing to share, please comment below. Thanks!
Joy and Blessings,
Ellen, Your Grow Young Guide
Ellen, I’m wondering if you would clarify the benefits of using castor oil? I make a blend of coconut and almond oils, and wonder if castor oil is better.
Hi! Your blend is probably just as good. Maybe you could try “muscle testing” each of them? (That just popped into my mind.) I’m sure if you google “muscle testing” you’ll get instructions, but you probably already know how.
Joy!
Ellen
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