Our skin is the body's largest organ. It really does require regular attention to stay healthy. Moisturizing our skin is vital for healty skin. But, with moisturizing every day, it is equally important to exfoliate the skin. These two go hand in hand in assisting skin cell turnover. They go hand in hand to give you the best skin YOU can have. You cannot do one without the other. In this blog, we're going to chat specially about the importance of having moisturized skin. We'll chat about exfoliation later.
When looking for a great lotion, some are better than others. Some companies will be basic with their ingredients. Some will add lots of skin loving ingredients so that their product can transform your skin! When looking for a lotion, it's important to choose one with plenty of vitamins. Why should I look for vitamins in my lotion? Why are they important?
· Vitamin A and Vitamin B5 increase firmness and build moisture levels.
· Anti-Oxidant Vitamins C and E help protect new skin and fight skin damage.
Does it mattrer when I moisturize? Yes, it really does. Did you know that the most important times to use moisturizer are after a bath, shave, or exfoliation? If you're like me (I LOVE a hot shower), but hot water strips all the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it parched and dry. I cannot bring myself to take a cold shower. I just can't. And while hot water may be relaxing, it also wreaks havoc on your skin. So ladies who love hot showers (or baths like me), never, never skip the moisturizer. Feed your precious skin after bathtime. Lather it on and let your body (skin) do it's work!
Skin on the face, ears, neck, and chest shed cells more rapidly than other parts of the body and therefore need moisture to repair itself, which allows for younger skin cells to rise to the surface. Wehn you apply your lotion (or face moisturizer, or facial serum), this massaging affect helps stimulate blood circulation and new cell generation. *Exfoliation becomes an essential and important skin care routine, too. We'll chat about this later in a different blog.
Did you know?
Moisturizing reduces skin problems? By moisturizing everyday, you can reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness. Both extremes are harmful for skin and cause common skin conditions like acne.
Consistent moisturizing habits will actually conceals other Skin blemishes? By using a daily moisturizer, your skin’s blemishes are camouflaged. What? How can you say that? It's because moisturizing tends to make the skin have a slight sheen.
As we wrap up our blog, here are some quick tips will help retain your natural glow:
(1) Watch the temperature of water. Hot showers and baths are not good for your skin. Shower for a shorter amount of time and with warm water. You’ll see the difference in your skin. * I will fully disclose that I love a warm/hot shower. Every single day. If you're like me, it's even more important to hydrate your skin after that hot shower (or bath). We have a great quick absorbing body oil, too, that will help replinish the nurtients and vitamins that you skin needs after a shower or bath. We have a lucurious liquid body butter that is like liquid gold for your skin. It's incredible!
(2) Pat dry, don’t rub your skin dry. I know, you've heard this over and over. I used to rub so hard (I swear you could have started a fire with the friction). But this gorgeous ladied, is no bueno. After a shower gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing your skin dry. By patting dry your skin will retain more moisture you are going to seal in when you moisturize. Over the years, I have gotten so much better with this!
(3) Drink more water. I know, I know. There are days I'll drink my weight in water and then there are days I'm like a camel. I'd rather have my favorite soft drinks instead of water. But let's face it, the moisture your skin receives also comes from your body. Drink at least 8 cups of water every day! Seriously, do it.
(4) Use mild soaps and detergents. Commerically produced soaps are so bad for your skin. If you're looking to up your skin care routine, grab a handmade soap (whether it is from us or someone else). It really does matter. Our handmade soaps only contain skin loving oils + other skin loving ingredients. We do scent our soaps with fragrance oils, but that's the only thing artificial you'll find in our ingredients. Handmade soaps are so amazing for your skin. I promise you'll see a BIG difference when using them.
(5). If you live in a dry region, use a humidifier. A humidifier can add much needed moisture to the air. Both of my daughters have KP. A moisture rich environment is so much better for them. We live in the deep south, so we tend to have tons of moisture in our air. However, lived in states where it's not as humid. We had a totally different skin care routines. It does make a difference with the environment you live in. Sometimes, you have to do more for your skin to get the results you need.
(6). Take care of your hands! Hands show the affects of a dry environment more than any other part of the body. Apply hand cream (or our super rich and amazing body cream lotion) after each hand washing.
(7). And you know the drill! Wear sunscreen when outdoors. Nothing will save your skin more than protecting it from the harmful UV rays of the sun. I grew up before all the information regarding sun damage. I laid out on my trampoline with iodine. I rarely used sunscreen. And if I did use sunscreen, I didn't use the appropriate SPF. I was a lifeguard in high school and througout college. I am ashamed that I didn't take care of my skin better. But, back in the day, it wasn't talked out as much. I promise you, my skin would be better now if I had taken better care of it when I was a young, carefree girl.
(8). Take care of your lips! Apply lip balm regularly. Applying it frequently helps heal dry, cracked lips. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 30. This can help reduce signs of aging and skin cancer on the lips.