Winter has definitely set in. Even if you have no SAD tendencies, that dry winter skin can get you down. You don’t have to turn to plastic microbeads or synthetic emollients to get your bod back to soft and silky.

Have you hit that point in winter where you shun short sleeves and wouldn’t dream of letting your SO touch your legs?

Rough, bumpy, leathery skin doesn’t take long to set in once indoor heating and dry weather are a part of the scene. Your skin may seem beyond repair right now, but all you need is a healthy body scrub. And no, microbeads are not necessary (nor are they soon going to be available, either, thanks to Obama’s recent ban).

Sugar, salt, crushed apricot kernels and walnut hulls are all used to effectively exfoliate skin–even more effective than plastic in the first place. It’s important to remember when using abrasives to be gentle and limit to once or twice per week. Another alternative is using fruit and lactic acids. These guys do the work without the physical abrasives, and can be used more often than a traditional scrub.

Winter skin is rough because it is dry. To get the most out of your body scrubs this time of year, use products with natural oils or follow up with a healthy body moisturizer.

6 Microbead-Free Body Scrubs for Winter Skin

1. Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub employs a variety of exfoliants – pink Himalayan and Hawaiian sea salts, cranberry fibers, apricot seed powder, and organic sugar – to get skin super smooth. Argan and olive oils moisturize and soften.

2. Raw sugar does the work in Soapwalla Almond Luxe Body Polish, while cardamom and ginger rev up a nice glow you thought you wouldn’t see until next summer.

3. For luxe feel and delicious scent with your scrub, go for Odacite Invigorating Jasmine Mimosa Body Scrub. Walnut shell powder leaves skin baby soft.

4. Mostly used as a facial treatment, I use One Love Organics Brand New Day Scrub & Mask on my decollete and arm too. Works like a charm for instant smoothness.

5. We love our coconut oil, right? S.W. Basics Body Scrub takes things to another level with this sugar and shredded coconut combo.

6. Hydrea London Carbonized Bamboo Exfoliating Gloves are another way to go when polishing the bod. Carbonized bamboo fibers produce negatively charged ions, said to recharge skin and boost the mood.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

The 6 Best Hand Creams to Combat Extremely Dry Skin

7 Rich and Luxe Organic Skin Balms to Soothe and Protect Dry Winter Skin

Why Fruit Oils are Your Skin’s New Jam

Body scrub image via Shutterstock

The post 6 Microbead-Free Exfoliating Body Scrubs for Rough Winter Skin appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ditch the complicated beauty care products and start using the best oils for skin.

One of the best beauty and health care tips I embraced was to stop buying into the sensational firming, anti-aging, silky-smooth claims touted by expensive beauty products. Sure, they may work this so-called “magic” quite well, but coincidentally enough, the best of these brands are often based in natural plant-based oils. So, why load on the extra fillers, fragrances, water and other colorants and preservatives when you can get right to the source?

These oils are incredibly potent, basically concentrated versions of the leaf, fruit or flower they herald from. A few drops are all it takes to transform your skin and your health. Do your bank account and your conscience a favor by embracing the natural benefits of plant-based oils.

Oils reap so many benefits that they simply cannot be ignored. They can be ingested, topically applied and even used as a bottle of incense, so to speak – one whiff and your mood can change! They are non-toxic, chemical-free and all-natural alternatives to store-bought beauty products and often get the job done much more effectively.

Be sure to do you research before applying any oil to the skin, as you want to first make sure if the particular oil complements your particular skin tone and complexion. Certain oils are best for dry skin while others are best for combination or oily skin.

Be sure to buy organic, pure oils that are extra ensured to be unadulterated and completely pure. Often, oils are diluted in another “carrier” oil, which is cheaper to produce, so make sure to look at the ingredients list to check if the oil you are buying is only what it says it is.  Also, don’t just look at the price tag as a show of quality. Most oils should be stored in dark bottles, as any exposure to light will spoil their quality. Do your research first, then bask in their glory.

11 of the Best Oils for Skin

1. Sesame: Sesame oil moisturizes the skin and hair, has a slight SPF factor, lowers stress and blood pressure and even slows the growth of cancer in cells.
2. Marula: This East African oil has a matte finish and is great for combination or skin, as it doesn’t leave behind any sheen. It is full of antioxidants and omega acids.
3. Rose: If you’ve ever been to the Middle East, you’ll notice the widespread use of rose oil among women as a beauty product. It makes for a pleasant perfume and moisturizes skin and hair, improves hormone balance, treats PMS and menopause and even improves sexual performance.
4. Argan: Argan oil from Morocco already has the beauty world buzzing, particularly for its anti-aging properties. The trend is there for a reason – follow it!
5. Frankincense: I’m not sure how to pronounce this one, but I’ve seen it pop up in some of my favorite raw and organic moisturizes. It is touted for preventing acne and healing burns, rashes, cuts and scrapes. It also improves the immune system.
6. Jojoba: Jojoba oil is light and very easy to find at most drug stores. Its purposes also spread thin. It can be used for all skin types and reaps so many benefits – moisturizes, heals and reduces fine lines.
7. Tea Tree: This oil gets red of fleas, clears acne, kills bacteria, eliminates bad odors, cleans silver and dresses wounds. It is a popular ingredient in natural anti-acne remedies as well as natural toothpastes.
8. Coconut: You can eat it for incredible benefits, but it is just as effective as a moisturizer. Coconut oil is packed with healthy fats that leave you with smooth, supple and young skin. The coconut oil benefits are endless.
9. Grapeseed: Protecting the skin from UV damage is reason enough to rub in grapeseed oil, but it is full of other benefits as well. It is great for oily skin, because it naturally regulates oil production. It also has strong antioxidants.
10. Chamomile: Sip your chamomile tea to relax and apply chamomile oil on your face to reduce irritation. Consider chamomile your one-stop shop to unwind and release tension.
11. Almond: Packed with some sweet benefits, almond oil is light and leaves behind a silky, soft and smooth finish.

Related on EcoSalon

20 Unusual Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Smell Fantastically Natural and Repel Insects: 6 Essential Oils for Summer

6 Winter Essential Oils: Natural Remedies to Boost Mood, Fight Pain and Relieve Flu Symptoms

Photo Credit: Kazuhiro Zeino

The post 11 of the Best Oils for Skin: Natural Plant-Based Beauty appeared first on EcoSalon.

Okay, take the green glove test in your house. Are you still using a laundry list of surface cleaners with harsh chemicals? Are you lifting carpet stains with products that give off ugly fumes? We told you about the good stuff that’s out there, but maybe you forgot when you scrubbed those dishes with conventional soap from the factory. But it is time to say no to convention and get your green on, even if you hate housework as much as we do.

As long as you are stuck with the dreaded chore, here is a refresher on green cleaning products that will make you feel so darn good about responsible mopping and dusting, you will whistle while you work!

Spot-On Eco Carpet

Did you blunder with your color choice and select a neutral beige instead of graphite grey or chocolate? We can dig it. It’s just a drag to be a slave to that carpet, insisting visitors remove their shoes, yelling at loved ones for trekking muddy boots along the stairs up to their rooms. If you are able to go the DIY carpet cleaning route and avoid professionals who charge a lot and use chemicals to lift the stains, review our post on the natural way to rinse a rug.

9 Great Eco Cleaners

You’re walking down the aisle, perusing the products, taking in the odors, confused about what to buy. Why not make a list with these great cleaning solutions, from Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid for squeaky green plates to Sun & Earth Concentrated Laundry Detergent for non-irritating socks? Brighten your abode with ingredients like coconut and vegetable oils.

Adding Greener Laundry Products to the Fold

The wash and fold has always been fairly routine, but staging a laundry space that is up to green standards will make this job healthier for you and the planet. Among the best apparatus in this room – natural drying racks that allow you to cut down on the electric appliances by hang drying your garments when possible. Reusable bags also help the schlepping of clothes from hamper to machine and back to the drawers. Other scoops for the natural laundry maven can be found by perusing this post on eco laundry supplies and tips.

Easy Eco-Friendly Bathroom Cleaning

Scrubbing toilets makes us feel flushed but using chlorine-free, biodegradable cleaners is number one when performing this dreaded task. Shower surfaces, too, need a gentle touch to remove grime and even old soap residue. Where to find plant-based ingredients on the grocery shelves? Look no further.

10 Myths About Dry Cleaning

The labels say “dry clean only,” but we have found there are some garments that can be delicately handled at home. How do you know how to separate the fragile sweater and tough trousers? Learn about the myths of dry cleaning from the green soldiers who have braved hand washing and found it can clean even better than many of those pricey dry cleaning companies.

Here are some additional posts to make the most out of winter cleaning, from polishing metals for upcoming parties to keeping a ship-shape kitchen for everyday cooking and dining.

Non-toxic Tips for Cleaning Household Metal

Top 10 chemical-Free Cleaning Tips; How to Reinvent Spring Cleaning

Orange Knockout

Flying Saucers Did My Laundry

Main Image: Kimberly Robyn

The post The Green Glove Test: EcoSalon’s Round Up of Healthy House Cleaning appeared first on EcoSalon.