Natural Skin Care Quick Tip: Do Away With Dark Knees And Elbows With This DIY Exfoliating Knee & Elbow Scrub

My knees and elbows have always been "problem areas". They were always darker than my normal skin tone, sometimes rough, and super unsightly. The skin in those area tend to produce less oil versus the rest of your skin, which is what contributes to it's dryness. Also skin in the area around the elbows and knees can be a little on the dark side due to the buildup of dead skin cells. 

The remedy to this issue is an heavy duty exfoliating scrub coupled Alpha Hydroxy and fruit acids to gently remove layers of dead skin. While this may seem like something that may require a plethora of complex ingredients, you can actually make this at home with a few easy to find ingredients! Exfoliating is essential for removing dead skin cells, and helping the skin renewal process; revealing smooth skin.

Exfoliating Scrub Recipe:

1/2 Cup Cane Sugar

1/4 cup Orange Peel Powder

8 Tablespoons Jojoba Oil  

To Make:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Transfer mixture into a clean container and store in a cool, dry, place. Mixture keeps well for up to four weeks [provided you don't introduce water into the mixture].

Benefits:

Cane Sugar: Helps to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, protect the skin from toxins, and gently exfoliate superficial skin cells.

Orange Peel Powder: Helps remove dead skin cells, brightens skin tone, and protects skin from toxins. Orange peel powder can be found in Health Food stores and in most Indian Grocery Stores. It is also available {here}

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba Oil nourishes and hydrates the skin. Jojoba is also very similar to the structure of the skin's sebum therefore it penetrates the skin quickly. Jojoba Oil can be found in Health Food stores, or online {here}

To Use:

Twice weekly, exfoliate your elbows and knees in a circular motion by applying a dollop of your exfoliating mixture to a gentle loofah. 

Moisturize your knees and elbows with a thick moisturizing cream or lotion while skin is still damp. 

For extra benefits, try a lotion formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acid, as it will continue the exfoliation process while providing hydration. Here are a few lotions that fit the bill:

Body Lotions & Creams by Jergens
Body Cleansers at Walgreens

[photo source]

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Having Trouble With Oil Cleansing?

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Are you experiencing issues with the OCM? Here are two very important pieces of information to remember as you dive face first into the world of oil cleansing;
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1. It is important that you use the proper oil for your skin type! For instance; those that have very oily, acne prone skin may have adverse reactions to Olive Oil as it is very, very heavy. While those that have drier skin may need heavier oils like Olive or Avocado. If you are in the dark about which oils to use for your skin type, check out these posts [post 1, post 2] before making your skin care mixture. It will save you a lot of trial and error.

2. Make sure you remove all traces of oil after oil cleansing. Sebum and bacteria-laden oil that is left on the skin can actually trigger additional breakouts. After removing oil, take a cotton ball filled with toner and sweep it across your face, if you see residue or dirt on the cotton ball, it's a friendly reminder to wash and rinse thoroughly.

Also make sure you keep these tips in mind; 

• Make sure your towel is warm enough so that the heat opens your pores. Remember the oil from your oil cleansing formula is what dissolves the oils trapped in your pores. It is important to open the pores in order for the enzymes in the oils to dissolve the blockage.
• Use a new washcloth daily to cut down on cross contamination. - When you drop your washcloths in the machine, add a bit of Oxyclean [or a similar product] to your cycle as it is very effective in removing grease/oils from fabrics. 
• Are you using too much Castor Oil? It is important to remember that Castor Oil is the cleansing agent. If your formula leaves your skin feeling dry and stripped, it may be time to lower the amount of Castor Oil in your mixture and up the amount of your secondary oil. 
• Make sure you thoroughly cleanse around the sides of your face, your hairline, and chin areas as those are all areas that are prone to breakouts. 
• Are you cross contaminating your face with cell phones and house phones? It's important to keep those devices clean as well. 

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Dermalogica Microfoliant Review - The Key to Glowing, Healthy, Clear Skin?

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Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - $50 2.6oz

After reading rave reviews [and having rave reviews myself on the Demalogica brand] I bit the bullet a few months ago and purchased Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. Prior to using the microfoliant, I had clear skin [thanks to their skin care system] however I wasn't satisfied with the size of my pores, and the fact that my skin seemed dull. I knew at some point I was going to need an exfoliant, but I was concerned about the effects that some exfoliants have on your skin.

I used Dermalogica's Microfoliant twice a week for about 3 weeks before I really started to see satisfactory results. It gently sloughs off layers of dead skin revealing skin that is smoother, softer, and brighter. This also fades dark spots left behind from blemishes, not to mention those pesky pores around my t-zone were visibly smaller. Is it worth the hefty price tag? Most definitely. Would I purchase again. Absolutely.

I would recommend this to anyone that wants to brighten up their skin, and reduce pore size. This is also wonderful for people like myself who have dark spots, and pesky blemishes. - If you do try this product, I recommend using it sparingly until you figure out how many applications your skin will need, as this can easily dry out your skin if used too frequently. 

For all of my frugal sistas out there who just happen to be mixtresses, you could mimic some of the properties of this microfoliant by creating a mixture using the following ingredients:

- Dried Yogurt Powder [Moisturizer]
- Dried Honey Powder [Moisturizer]
- Rice Powder [Gentle Exfoliant]
- Neem Powder [Antimicrobal Properties]

Use rose water, to create a paste; and apply to skin - I do plan on testing out a few formulas using plant extracts and essential oils to see if I can create a cheaper, more natural alternative to the Daily Microfoliant. If it's a success, I will definitely share the formula with you!