With winter and the dry, unforgiving air that comes with it, it’s a great time to learn about the importance of exfoliation. And even more important, how to add exfoliation to your beauty routine. You don’t need fancy products or a salon to exfoliate properly, you just need some know-how. So here goes.

The Benefits of Exfoliation

Skin exfoliation is simply the removal of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface in order to bring younger, healthier skin cells front and center. The skin is often exfoliated during facials, microdermabrasion, and dry brushing. Just like cleansing, exfoliation should play an important role in your skincare routine. Benefits of exfoliation include:

• Skin rejuvenation
• Improve skin texture by bringing young skin cells to the surface
• Reduces the signs of aging
• Detoxifies the body
• Reduces hyperpigmentation
• Helps moisturizers penetrate deeper

How to Add Exfoliation to Your Skincare Routine

Use a gentle exfoliation product on your face once per week. Make sure not to over exfoliate your skin, which can cause facial redness and irritation. If you’re adding exfoliation to your facial routine, add it in as your third step. Start by cleansing, then add in a toner, and then exfoliate. After you exfoliate, moisturize or apply a facial serum or facial oil.

If you’re exfoliating the skin on the rest of your body, add an exfoliating scrub to your showering routine. After you’ve lathered up and rinsed off, use a sponge or shower brush to apply exfoliating scrub from top to bottom.

What About Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is another form of exfoliation that you can do every day. It’s much gentler because it utilizes just a dry brush, rather than an exfoliation product, but it’s still very effective at skin rejuvenation. Other benefits include:

• Stimulates lymphatic drainage in the body
• Detoxifies the body
• Increases circulation
• Removes dry skin
• Reduces stress
• Energizes the skin’s surface

With so many benefits, why not give dry brushing a try? First off, purchase a brush made with natural, rather than synthetic, bristles. Each morning or evening before you get in the shower, take a few minutes to go through the process. Starting at the ankles, brush in long strokes, toward the heart. Move in a circular motion at the joints. Do the same thing at the arms, paying special attention at the armpits, where the lymph drains. Brush in a circular motion around the stomach.

The Best Exfoliation Products

Choose exfoliation products that are made with natural ingredients like this exfoliation scrub from Beauty By Earth ($18) and this facial wash by Christina Moss ($21). This kelp and coffee facial cleanser by NodicaLux ($6) is also worth a try. In terms of body exfoliants, try this Arabica Coffee Scrub by Eva Naturals ($14) or this Baebody Coconut Milk Scrub with Dead Sea Salt ($15)

The Best DIY Exfoliation Products

If you’re looking to save money or you just want to know exactly what’s in the products that you’re using, why not make them yourself?

Coffee Almond Scrub

Coffee rejuvenates your skin while brown sugar gently removes dead skin cells. You can also use white sugar as an exfoliant.

Ingredients
3 Tbsp. coffee grounds
1 Tbsp. almond oil (you can substitute olive or coconut oil here)
1 Tbsp. brown sugar

Directions

Mix all dry ingredients, then add oil. Based on the kind of scrub consistency you want, add more or less brown sugar.

Apply gently, massaging into the skin. Use long strokes on the limbs and circular motions around the joints. Once you’ve worked it into the skin, use a warm washcloth to remove it. Follow with a moisturizer.

Recipe: Don’t Waste the Crumbs

Baking Soda and Honey Mask

Baking soda is an inexpensive, natural exfoliant that combined with honey brightens the skin and makes it look vibrant in the winter time.

Ingredients
3 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. honey

Directions

1. Combine the honey and baking soda to make a paste.
2. Gently apply the mask all over your face. Massage in a circular motion, being careful around the eyes.
3. Let stand for 20 minutes and allow it to dry.
4. Use a washcloth with warm water to remove the mask. Let the skin rest for a few minutes and then moisturize.

Do you exfoliate? If so, what are your favorite products? Do you ever make your own exfoliation products? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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The post Winter Skin Needs the Powerful Benefits of Exfoliation (Plus 2 DIY Recipes!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Your best summer accessory is smooth, healthy, glowing skin.  The best (and quickest) way to stellar skin is to remove that surface layer of dead skin cells that can build up over time, making it look dull, clogging pores, and accentuating wrinkles.  Here are four lovely options to have you glowing in no time.

1. Don’t skip your scalp. We’re not kidding when we say head to toe.  Even your scalp (and overall health) can benefit from a deep clean & detox to counteract past chemical damage from synthetic products and processing. Morocco Method’s Zen Detox Hair & Scalp Therapy contains volcanic clay, hydrolyzed prickly pear cactus proteins & rare Celtic trace minerals which work to support scalp health and hair growth by detoxing the follicles, roots, and oil glands and scalp.  Note:  It takes a few rinses to wash it out completely, so have patience.

2. Off with the old.  To brighten delicate facial skin, opt for an enzyme or natural fruit acid treatment such as Arcona’s Raspberry Resurfacing Peel.  A blend of natural fruit acids dissolves dead skin cells to resurface, hydrate and oxygenate the skin while smoothing fine lines and minimizing pores and brown spots.  A great pre-event treatment for nearly instant glow.

3. Smooth and juicy.  We hate lumpy looking lipstick.  The solution?  Even lips benefit in multiple ways from a good scrub.  Exfoliate, condition and plump in a single step with The Natural’s Organic Lip Scrub.  Made using organic sugar, natural oils and beeswax, daily use eliminates flakey skin and decreases fine lines on and around the lips with continued use.

4. Polish it up.  The perfect partner for smooth, moisturized summer skin, Trillium Organic’s Body Polish features ultra purified salt crystals shaped into perfect cubes to exfoliate effectively without damaging skin.  De-congest the dermis, stimulate cellular regeneration and leave skin moisturized, smooth and glowing. Unlike other oil based salt scrubs, their unique oil blend absorbs quickly and rinses clean, leaving no greasy film behind.

While exfoliation is a great way to brighten and smooth skin, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.  To preserve the health of your skin and keep it’s natural lipid layer intact, consider exfoliating 3-4 times a week instead of every day and pay attention to how it’s feeling. If it’s feeling tight or looking red or irritated at all skip the scrub and opt for a gentle moisturizer until it’s ready for a little deep cleaning again.

Photo Credit: Miriam Cardoso de Souza

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