Winter Skin Care

When many of us think of skin care we think of vanity but here's what Web MD say about skin: "The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold." So taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of any other part of your body and not just all about looks. 

Winter in Flagstaff presents a particular challenge for skin. As a massage therapist I deal with the skin all day everyday and have developed a good skin care routine to survive this season. 

For a clean slate, start with a good exfoliation. You can buy something or try this simple recipe to make your own. It takes less than 5 min to put it together. Mix 1/4 cup of oil (any oil will do but avocado, sesame, and olive are particularly nice) with 1/2 cup salt or sugar and add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil (or not). Really its that easy. Then get in the shower and scrub your whole body with it vigorously. When you've finished rinse off with warm water and massage the remaining oil into your skin as your rinsing. Do not wash the oil off of your skin. Get out of the shower and lightly pat dry. Then continue to massage any remaining oil into your skin. It will absorb most of it and your skin should feel wonderfully soft, smooth and moisturized. Do this once a week.

For daily care put a bottle of sesame oil in your shower and apply it while the water is still running as you finish your shower and massage into your skin while your skin is still wet. Lightly pat dry and massage the remaining oil into your skin. Also, unless you've been shoveling out a horse stall or something equally dirty, DO NOT WASH YOUR SKIN WITH SOAP of any kind, not even shower gel. Just wash your stinky parts (armpits, privates and feet) with soap and that's it. Soap of any kind strips your skin of its natural oils and will dry your skin out. I also usually apply lotion which ever time I don't shower, evening or morning.

​Finally, HYDRATE. Drink LOTS of water or herbal tea. During the winter this can be a little hard to remember because it isn't hot and we usually aren't as active but it is still extremely important.