Whether you have spent too many hours at the beach tanning or have neglected to use a moisturizer, if you have skin that is not at its best, there are several things to bring it back its smooth, sleek and healthy glow. As the skin is the body's largest organ, it is also important to feed it with a whole foods diet and hydrate with at least eight, 8-oz. glasses of water a day.
Dry Skin Brushing
Consider dry brushing your skin every day before you shower or take a bath. A common practice in spas, dry brushing helps slough off dead skin cells. Use only a natural bristle boar brush for dry brushing, as using one with synthetic bristles can scratch or even scar skin. Gently brush from hands to the chest, feet to the torso, using a light sweeping action, not vigorously scrubbing. Use a smaller, finer brush for the sensitive skin on the face, and do not dry brush the skin directly below the eyes, as this area is too sensitive. Dry brush for about five to 10 minutes until your skin is slightly red.
DIY Fruit Body Scrubs
Use real fruit skins for the alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, that also help remove dead skin cells. For example, while standing in the shower, first cleanse the skin with a gentle soap. Next, do a real "fruit scrub" using the skins from mangoes, papayas, or even lemon or orange rinds. Gently brush over clean skin. Allow the fruit juice and pulp to remain on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Jojoba Oil
Moisturize skin with jojoba oil, a plant wax from the Simmondsia chinensis plant. Jojoba oil is very similar in chemical structure to sebum, which is the waxy substance the body naturally produces on the scalp and all over the body. Use jojoba on the face and on the body; in very small amounts it can be combed through clean and dry hair. Jojoba can be used as a makeup remover by applying to clean cotton balls and sweeping over the face and neck.
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