As we all know, the skin is the largest organ on our body, but it is usually the most neglected or abused organ as well.
We go out and buy a $400 outfit or suit, which only lasts 2 seasons (if you’re lucky), and spend little or nothing on our skin which has to last our whole life. We need to look after it and give it the time and care it deserves.
When we use inferior products and implements, we are not helping our skin, and I commonly get asked: why is my skin so dry? It is usually because they are using the cheaply made loofas that don’t exfoliate the skin and products that claim to be moisturizers when they are clearly not.
To loofa your skin everyday is very important as your moisturizer can’t get through the thick exterior of dehydrated skin, which builds up when we don’t look after ourselves. There are quite a few loofas on the market:
- The “natural fiber” loofas soften too much when they get wet, and only last about 6 weeks before they get too many germs growing in them.
- The “glove” type ones that have the 5 fingers, they are also too soft to be of any use.
- The “sponge” type ones are really a glorified face washer, they are worse than too soft.
A good loofa to use is one that has tiny loops on it, so it can pick up the ingrown hairs and excess skin that has not sloughed off. This helps to reveal a nice healthy skin and allows the moisturizer to get in and DO IT’S JOB.
To moisturize your skin is equally as important as using your good quality loofa. If you don’t replace the lost moisture from your skin the dehydration will come straight back. There are a few misconceptions as to what are moisturizers, and what are not:
- Vitamin E cream, can be used as a moisturizer, but should mainly be used to heal the skin as it has a calming and healing effect. It also helps with infection, so is great on open wounds and sores.
- Sorbolene is not a moisturizer; it is in many products as it carries the moisture molecules through the skin to be deposited where needed. It is recommended by dermatologists for people who are allergic to skin preparations as it is fabulously harmless and won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin, and although it will create a film over the skin it will NOT moisturize it.
- Body Milks and lotions are great for people who have mild dehydration, but for most of us in the hot Australian summer these really are not enough.
- Moisturizers from the perfume companies are used to layer the perfume, not moisturize your skin, if you like you can apply them over your moisturizer to get the lovely fragrance gently wafting behind you.
- Body butters are usually the way to go. They are thick enough to nourish and rehydrate the driest of skins. We recommend La Clinica body butters, because they use the finest plant oils and waxes instead of paraffin oils. They also contain key ingredients of essential oils and vitamins.
If you are still having trouble with exterior moisture levels, La Clinica also have a fantastic dry skin relief serum.
You can also help maintain your skin from the inside as well.
- Drink plenty of water, at least 2 litres per day. This will also help clear blockages and congestion as well as the dehydration, and not only on the face, but the whole body.
- Do not sit directly in front of heaters and do not have really hot showers as they literally suck the moisture from your skin.
- Eat properly, your skin hair and nails are the last part of your body to get nutrition, so if you are not eating properly, your body sends the nourishment to the vital organs and your extremities miss out.
What to do now.
If you have a problem with excess dry skin, soak in the bath for a total of 1 ½ hours, while soaking, loofa every ½ hour for a total of 3 times. When you get out of the bath apply a thick layer of body butter, wait 10 minutes, then another layer, wait 10 minutes and keep applying until the body butter stops soaking in. You can do this once a month when the buildup gets too much. This does not excuse you from loofering and moisturizing every day, if you want to maintain the nice healthy skin you have obtained then maintenance, maintenance, maintenance is the key.
About The Author
Nicole Larsen is the Owner and Operator of Beauty Necessities Laser and Beauty Salon, one of Melbourne's premier Laser and Beauty Salons. Visit our Beauty Salon Doncaster, Melbourne for our exclusive range of Salon Spa packages.
