Monday, February 9, 2009

Exfoliating: where, how, and how often?

Hermanas!!!!

If we took basic anatomy, biology and chemistry in high school; we are pretty aware that our skin, like that of snakes (insert snarky smile here) sheds. Yup. the skin you have today is not the same skin you had 2 weeks ago. The body has its way of getting rid of dead skin cells; and we most certainly should help it out.

Here's where exfoliation comes in. When I exfoliate, I focus on several parts of my body: face, hands, body, lips. If you can afford it, by all means go crazy and indulge in buying brand scrubs. I do use a different concoction for each part.

FACE


For my cara, I personally favor LUSH's Angels on Bare Skin; being all natural and lovely. The appearance of this one for sure has put more than one sistah off; but get over yourselves and try it!!!


I also like some of the Clean and Clear collection . Their website helps you find the best match for your needs. I just go with the Detoxifying or the Morning Burst Scrub.

I exfoliate my face about every other day. Always with love and never like I was sanding down a piece of wood. Hyper-exfoliation is not good for your skin -- and makes you more exposed to the sun, and we all know that is a bad, bad thing.



BODY

For my body, I actually cheat. A lot. If I happen to have some LUSH's Rub Rub Rub or Ocean Salt scrub, I will of course use it. But my trick here is not to spend tons of money on body scrubs, and instead use soaps that have granules that exfoliate.



OR, use my fave body wash with a net bath sponge. OR make good use of LUSH soaps like I Should Coco, Porridge and some of my all time super faves Pre de Provence herbal treatment soaps: since they also have exfoliating beads and smell heavenly!


LIPS


When it comes to exfoliating and hydrating my lips, I simply L.O.V.E. Tarte's fRxtion. Goodness in a case. Not only does it come in the cutest packaging you will ever see; but it has athe dual purpose of exfoliation and moisturizing.

TARTE is well known for their green-beauty approach. The fRxtion goes for $11.00 and I do believe it is worth it.



AT HOME $$$ SAVERS

Now now... we are all on a budget, I know. Dinero is important, a broke hermana is not a happy hermana. My serious take is that you do not need to cash out half your paycheck in beauty products. And in your pantry I am sure you have the basic ingredients for coming up with your very own and personalized scrub and exfoliator.

Magic ingredients: brown sugar, honey, olive oil. Voila. Some hermanas use oatmeal at home, but I find it too raspy and irritating. But if you mix sugar with oil, or honey with sugar and rub rub rub; you are exfoliating AND giving your skin much needed moisture.

See? No need to break the bank. Exfoliating also leaves you feeling immediately refreshed. Just remember to treat your skin with love chicas, no need to get nasty and scrub so much that you bleed or break capillaries, ok?????

Which are your fave scrubs? Any homemade ideas you care to share with us? Do tell!!! I want to know.

Siempre, Bella.

8 comments:

  1. Exfoliating is wonderful! It's like therapy to me. That Rub Rub Rub sounds RIGHT up my alley.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is luvly hermana. I really like it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. honey is awesome for your skin!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like to exfoliate lips with a really soft, clean toothbrush and aquaphor. I brush the lips very lightly. In the shower, I like to use good ol' staple St. Ives apricot scrub. I love exfoliate, I feel so clean and smooth afterward.

    ReplyDelete
  5. For those of us with acne, exfoliating is a big no-no. Exfoliation = irritation = acne.

    Legally Smart

    ReplyDelete
  6. Legally Smart: When exfoliating acne prone skin hermana, you need only give a circular massage with the tip of your nails. It works!!!

    T: I also luvz St. Ives scrubs. I like the feel!

    ReplyDelete
  7. thank you SOOO much for being one of the firsts to visit the page!! I am soo glad you did since I LOOOVE your page!!! super informative. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. makeupnewbie: Thanks for dropping by hermana!!! Come back often and stay tuned!!!

    ReplyDelete

Gracias for joining us at the Café Beautique. Leave me your ideas and tips!