Come Clean

 The daily act of washing your face may seem mundance, but it's actually the foundation of healthy, glowing skin.  

1.  Time it Right: twice a day.

2.  Work it in and Rinse: with clean hands and luke warm water.  If its too hot, you are pulling out moisture from your skin.

3.  Lock in Benefits: pat dry and use a moisturizer right after.

Choose the right cleanser!

1. Oily/Combination Skin: it is important to remove all your skin's natural oils. (Timewise 3D Cleanser for Combo/Oily Skin)
2. Acne Prone: If you have hormonal acne and bacterial acne....wash with a Benzoyl Perozide first to fight bacteria (Clearproof Cleanser) before launching into exfoliator for hormonal acne.
3. Dry Skin: Creamy formulas are your friend but avoid irritating ingredients like salicylic acid. (Repair Volu-Firm Cleanser)
4. Sensitive Skin: Have hormonal acne and Rosecea? It's possible...because Rosecea gets worse in your 40's. (Naturally 100% all natural and vegan Cleanser, then exfoliate, then follow by Moisture Renewing Gel Mask).

Get Hydrated

     Inspired by February's edition of Martha Stewart Living magazine, I decided to dive deep into what specifically creates dry skin this time of year.  With months of low humidity (when we here in the South will experience a drastic change in the next two months into months of HIGH humidity) and heat blasting throughout your house, your skin will dry out!  Now is the best time to rehydrate your skin.

     Dial Back The Hot Showers.  Although a hot shower feels amazing on a 27 degree day, the hot water actually strips the body of moisture.  

     Turn Down The Temperature.  Artificial heat is dry heat and will dry out your skin, and can cause nose bleeds.  Dial back the heat and wear layers.  One trick Steve and I use is we lower the heat at night but sleeping on a heated mattress pad.  That way the air we breath is cooler, allowing for less congestion.

1. Hair and Scalp. The Moroccan Oil is great for hair.  I also use the Mary Kay Naturally Nourishing Oil $48 on hair and cuticles.  

2.  Lips.  Prevent chapping by dabbing on balm after brushing your teeth and eating.  The Shea Butter Balm is amazing and only $12.

3.  Hands. Sanitizing gels that live in our bags and cars have at least 60% alcohol.  Rehydrate with Satin Hands cream $12.

4.  Knees and Elbows. These joints are weight-bearing so they naturally have thicker skin.  Extra Emollient Night Cream  leaves skin supple and not scratched up.  $15

5.  Legs.  If you shave in the winter, lol....that was a big IF...razors sweep away your skin's natural oils.  Use a shaving wash to protect the skin like Mary Kay Wash and Shave $16, but them immediately moisturize the skin stat!  Moisturizer penetrates more deeply into still-damp skin.  I prefer the Mint Bliss energizing feet and leg cream. $11

6.  Feet.  Calluses and cracks and even bleed in the winter when they dry out more.  I use the Satin Hands Softener and Scrub on my feet with a pumice stone in the shower that I buy at the Dollar Tree.  $36 for Satin Hands Set