Our days have grown shorter, our evenings are much cooler and retail stores have ALREADY started decorating for Christmas. It’s true…fall is now upon us.  Although I love the change in seasons and the colors that it brings to the foliage I’m not fond of what it does to my skin.

The fall and winter months lack the humidity that our skin loves. Sometimes  regular moisturizing isn’t enough to combat the toll that the weather can play on our skin.  Weekly to bi-weekly full body exfoliation is recommended all year round but especially in the cooler months. Our skin cycles about once every 28 days, which means we shed our top layer of skin once every 28 days. As we get older that process slows down considerably. Removing dry, dead skin cells is an important step for maintaining radiant skin.  Body oils and moisturizers are able to better penetrate and truly moisturize the skin when it had been exfoliated.

There are many ways to exfoliate your body. There are products on the market that contain sea salt, sugars, walnut hulls, epsom salts. The list is long…in a pinch I’ll mix some granulated sugar with grapeseed oil and use it in the shower. If you’re really feeling creative add a few drops of essential oil. You can also use a shower glove to exfoliate.

If you are one that normally suffers from dry skin I recommend layering your moisturizing products. After showering DON’T dry off ,but rather pat down, leaving some moisture on your skin. Then apply a nice body oil…I love coconut oil ! It hydrates the skin without leaving it greasy.  Then before dressing I apply another layer of moisture by moisturizing with my favorite body butter or lotion.

Don’t forget to hydrate from the inside by drinking lots of water !

Enjoy !