We have some quick Springtime Skin Care Tips for you!
It's off with the sweaters and on with the shorts! Spring has sprung!
Your skin might not be feeling the joys of baring all though. It could still be feeling the winter blues; dry, dull and flaky, with rough, spots on heels, knees, and elbows. The low humidity and less fresh air can leave your face feeling like it has been overheated and undernourished.
But beautiful, summer-sweet skin is closer than the nearest clump of crocuses! The best place to start? A head-to-toe moisture treatment and a gentle exfoliation routine.
And you don't need to break the bank to find the most effective products!
According to WebMD
"One of the best moisturizers you can use is white petroleum jelly -- particularly on the very roughest, toughest areas of skin, such as heels, elbows, and knees," says Heidi Waldorf, MD, director of dermatologic laser surgery at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City. And if you've ever heard that old wives' tale about drenching feet in Vaseline and then donning a pair of white cotton socks -- well, Waldorf says it's not a myth and it really can dramatically change the way your feet look and feel, almost overnight.
"If you don't like sleeping in socks, then just smear on the petroleum jelly right before you put on your gym socks and sneakers before working out, or even just to run errands," she says. If hands are in equal need of a spring makeover, coat them with petroleum jelly as well, and then don a pair of white cotton gloves.
We recommend looking for Pure Ultra White Petroleum Jelly.
Exfoliation clears away dead skin cells. The purpose of exfoliation is to remind the cells that they need to shed every 26 days and produce collagen, so it stays nice and firm. And it's also important for men to exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs and keep pores clean.
But exfoliation of the face can be tricky. Rule number one when exfoliating is to be gentle on your skin.
"Scrubs that contain walnut shells or apricot pits, for example, can cause microscopic tears in the skin that can ultimately make dry winter skin look and feel much worse, especially on your face," says Waldorf. Even the brown sugar scrub, she says, can be too harsh for some skin.
For most people, exfoliating once a week is sufficient. If you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution, and if you’re in the middle of an acne breakout or if your skin is irritated, the friction caused by exfoliation could make matters worse.
Cane sugar is a gentle exfoliant for lips. Oatmeal or rice bran is a gentle choice for the face. For the body, you can use a loofah, soft washcloth, natural sponge, or your hands, depending on the amount of abrasion you’d like. A salt, sugar or oatmeal-based scrub will do the job gently on arms and legs. If you've softened your feet with the Petroleum Jelly as described above, products that are slightly more abrasive can be used such as a pumice stone on heels and soles.
And always increase protection against UV radiation during this time of the year. Spring`s sun radiation is more intense than it may seem and the skin is even more sensitive to its effects.
Keep drinking lots of water to restore the moisture loss during winter and consume plently of fresh fruits and vegetables. The water in them is loaded with nutrients that will help maintain your skin`s optimal health.
