Exfoliating
Desiring smooth, clear, and healthy skin is a no brainer, right? The simplest way to make glorious skin a reality is through sloughing away dead skins via exfoliation. Exfoliation increases cell turnover, which helps to brighten skin, decrease blackheads, minimize hyperpigmentation and fine lines, and even increase skin’s hydration. There is an overwhelmingly large variety of exfoliation methods, so I’ve taken the liberty of outlining my tried-and-true favorites for you:
1. Sugar!
There’s no need to go out and hunt for any sort of skin miracles when you probably have sugar sitting right in your kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, I’m not suggesting that you consume tons of sweets in hopes that your skin magically rejuvenates itself, but your outcome will be just as sweet (pun intended).
When washing your face, lather up and then dip your fingers into simple, white sugar. With sugary fingers, gently scrub your face in small circles until the granules have almost fully dissolved. Be especially gentle if you have any blemishes or areas of facial irritation. Rinse with warm and then cool water, then liberally apply your moisturizer of choice. (You can absolutely use sugar to exfoliate your whole body— I suggest mixing brown sugar with olive oil to make a super hydrating scrub. Check out this pin from our Pinterest account!)
2. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing not only exfoliates skin, it activates waste removal via your lymph nodes, increases circulation, reduces cellulite, and improves digestion and kidney function. All of this for under ten dollars? Count me in!
I recommend that you dry brush in the morning before you shower, though the time of day isn’t critical. You’ll want to make long, gentle, upward strokes, staring from your feet and working up your legs one at a time. After brushing your legs, brush your stomach, arms, shoulders, and back. Ensure that you brush toward the heart, because lymph naturally flows in this direction. After brushing, your skin might be pink, but it shouldn’t hurt (if it does, try being more gentle). Most brushes can be washed gently with mild soaps (make sure that they get fully dry so that they don’t collect mildew!)
3. Exfoliating Cloths
THESE THINGS WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. They exfoliate, but they’re gentle. They’re super cheap, but they last for ages. They’re large enough for you to easily wash your entire back and they’re machine-washable! Also, they lather incredibly well (meaning that you don’t have to buy soap or shower gel nearly as often). I recommend folding the cloth while you’re using it and drying it well by hanging it over your shower rod. Seriously, these are the simplest and most cost effective tools in the soft skin game. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
To Conclude
A regular exfoliation routine will leave your skin feeling softer and looking brighter than ever before. It’s great to follow this sometimes-harsh process by massaging your skin with a natural moisturizer (I’m obsessed with coconut oil) to help preserve and enhance your hard work. Whatever your exfoliation method of choice may be, stay smooth, Seattle.