Difference between revisions of "Exfoliate Your Legs with Salt"
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==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Making a Salt Scrub=== | ===Making a Salt Scrub=== | ||
| − | #Gather your materials. You will need sea salt and your favorite oil. Olive oil or coconut oil work well. Do not substitute table salt for sea salt. Not only is table salt too fine, the refining process removes all of the beneficial minerals.<ref>http://burkewilliamsspa.com/2013/12/05/sugar-vs-salt-how-to-choose-a-scrub/</ref> | + | #Gather your materials. You will need sea salt and your favorite oil. Olive oil or coconut oil work well. Do not substitute table salt for sea salt. Not only is table salt too fine, the refining process removes all of the beneficial minerals.<ref name="rf1">http://burkewilliamsspa.com/2013/12/05/sugar-vs-salt-how-to-choose-a-scrub/</ref> |
| − | #*Sugar can be substituted for sea salt, as it is less abrasive.<ref | + | #*Sugar can be substituted for sea salt, as it is less abrasive.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Combine the oil and sea salt. Add one cup of sea salt to a bowl. Mix in one tablespoon of your chosen oil. Continue to add oil to the mixture until the salt is thick and moist. Use a large spoon or your fingers to combine the ingredients until you have reached the desired consistency.<ref>https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-exfoliate-the-legs/</ref> | + | #Combine the oil and sea salt. Add one cup of sea salt to a bowl. Mix in one tablespoon of your chosen oil. Continue to add oil to the mixture until the salt is thick and moist. Use a large spoon or your fingers to combine the ingredients until you have reached the desired consistency.<ref name="rf2">https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-exfoliate-the-legs/</ref> |
#*If you are using an oil that is a solid at room temperature, such as coconut oil, consider warming the oil slightly until it is in its liquid form. Put a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl and heat it up for 10-15 seconds. This will enable you to combine the ingredients better. Be careful to not get the oil too hot as it can dissolve the salt. | #*If you are using an oil that is a solid at room temperature, such as coconut oil, consider warming the oil slightly until it is in its liquid form. Put a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl and heat it up for 10-15 seconds. This will enable you to combine the ingredients better. Be careful to not get the oil too hot as it can dissolve the salt. | ||
#Add your favorite essential oil. Different essential oils have a wide array of healing properties. It will also give your body scrub a very appealing scent. You can select an essential oil by its smell or its healing properties. | #Add your favorite essential oil. Different essential oils have a wide array of healing properties. It will also give your body scrub a very appealing scent. You can select an essential oil by its smell or its healing properties. | ||
| − | #*Cinnamon, pine, and peppermint oils are great scents for winter. Add these essential oils to your body scrub for a great homemade Christmas gift.<ref>http://www.pureinsideout.com/essential-oils-list-benefits.html</ref> | + | #*Cinnamon, pine, and peppermint oils are great scents for winter. Add these essential oils to your body scrub for a great homemade Christmas gift.<ref name="rf3">http://www.pureinsideout.com/essential-oils-list-benefits.html</ref> |
| − | #*Lavender and chamomile have a calming effect. They can help to relieve stress and anxiety.<ref | + | #*Lavender and chamomile have a calming effect. They can help to relieve stress and anxiety.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*Try combining essential oils to spice up the aroma of your body scrub. Citrus oils (lemon or orange) pair nicely with woodsy oils (pine or cedar).<ref>https://www.thefusionmodel.com/best-essential-oil-combinations/</ref> | + | #*Try combining essential oils to spice up the aroma of your body scrub. Citrus oils (lemon or orange) pair nicely with woodsy oils (pine or cedar).<ref name="rf4">https://www.thefusionmodel.com/best-essential-oil-combinations/</ref> |
#Store the scrub. If you made enough body scrub to use for multiple applications, make sure that you store the leftover in an airtight container, such as a mason jar or plastic Tupperware. | #Store the scrub. If you made enough body scrub to use for multiple applications, make sure that you store the leftover in an airtight container, such as a mason jar or plastic Tupperware. | ||
#*Decorate and label a mason jar full of body scrub to give as a homemade gift. | #*Decorate and label a mason jar full of body scrub to give as a homemade gift. | ||
===Exfoliating Your Skin=== | ===Exfoliating Your Skin=== | ||
| − | #Avoid shaving before exfoliating. Exfoliating your legs before you shave will allow for a closer shave. It will remove any dead skin that often builds up in a razor and prevents a close shave. Exfoliating regularly will also help to prevent ingrown hairs which can be painful.<ref>https://intothegloss.com/2015/07/ingrown-hair-treatments/</ref> | + | #Avoid shaving before exfoliating. Exfoliating your legs before you shave will allow for a closer shave. It will remove any dead skin that often builds up in a razor and prevents a close shave. Exfoliating regularly will also help to prevent ingrown hairs which can be painful.<ref name="rf5">https://intothegloss.com/2015/07/ingrown-hair-treatments/</ref> |
#Exfoliate in the bathtub or shower. You will achieve the best results if you exfoliate in the shower or bathtub. The steam will help soften your skin and open up your pores. The water will also allow for easy rinsing and clean up. | #Exfoliate in the bathtub or shower. You will achieve the best results if you exfoliate in the shower or bathtub. The steam will help soften your skin and open up your pores. The water will also allow for easy rinsing and clean up. | ||
#Apply the exfoliate to your leg. Using the tips of your fingers, apply a small amount of salt scrub to a small portion of your leg. Start at the bottom of your leg, near your ankle, and work your way up. | #Apply the exfoliate to your leg. Using the tips of your fingers, apply a small amount of salt scrub to a small portion of your leg. Start at the bottom of your leg, near your ankle, and work your way up. | ||
| − | #*Use an exfoliation mitt if the salt scrub is too rough on your hands. Just remember to thoroughly wash out your mitt after each use. The buildup of dead skin on the mitt can result in bacteria growth.<ref | + | #*Use an exfoliation mitt if the salt scrub is too rough on your hands. Just remember to thoroughly wash out your mitt after each use. The buildup of dead skin on the mitt can result in bacteria growth.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Scrub your skin. Using the tips of your fingers, massage the salt scrub onto your leg in a circular motion. The circular motion will help to prevent or free ingrown hairs. Continue to add more salt scrub as you move to new parts of your leg.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/best-body-scrubs_n_1775582.html</ref> | + | #Scrub your skin. Using the tips of your fingers, massage the salt scrub onto your leg in a circular motion. The circular motion will help to prevent or free ingrown hairs. Continue to add more salt scrub as you move to new parts of your leg.<ref name="rf6">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/best-body-scrubs_n_1775582.html</ref> |
#*Avoid rubbing too hard or too long. If you see your skin start to appear red or irritated, stop rubbing. | #*Avoid rubbing too hard or too long. If you see your skin start to appear red or irritated, stop rubbing. | ||
#*Be careful around sensitive areas such as your ankles and bikini line. | #*Be careful around sensitive areas such as your ankles and bikini line. | ||
#Repeat on your other leg. Start near your ankle on the opposite leg. Continue to apply salt scrub while you exfoliate your shin, knee, and thigh. | #Repeat on your other leg. Start near your ankle on the opposite leg. Continue to apply salt scrub while you exfoliate your shin, knee, and thigh. | ||
| − | #Exfoliate your legs once or twice a week for best results. If you suffer from rough, dry patches on your legs, consider exfoliating twice a week. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider exfoliating only once a week. Note that every body reacts differently to different ingredients. Try different oils and abrasives until you find the perfect match for your skin type.<ref>http://www.xojane.com/diy/heres-your-diy-skincare-for-super-sensitive-skin</ref> | + | #Exfoliate your legs once or twice a week for best results. If you suffer from rough, dry patches on your legs, consider exfoliating twice a week. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider exfoliating only once a week. Note that every body reacts differently to different ingredients. Try different oils and abrasives until you find the perfect match for your skin type.<ref name="rf7">http://www.xojane.com/diy/heres-your-diy-skincare-for-super-sensitive-skin</ref> |
===Locking in Moisture=== | ===Locking in Moisture=== | ||
| − | #Rinse off your legs. Once you are finished exfoliating both legs, rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Before you get out of the shower, rinse them again with cool water. This will close your pores and prevent irritation.<ref | + | #Rinse off your legs. Once you are finished exfoliating both legs, rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Before you get out of the shower, rinse them again with cool water. This will close your pores and prevent irritation.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Pat your legs dry with a towel. Do not rub your legs dry as it can cause irritation and dry out your skin. Take care not to dry off too thoroughly before moisturizing. You want your skin to feel slightly damp.<ref>http://stylecaster.com/beauty/skin-mistakes/</ref> | + | #Pat your legs dry with a towel. Do not rub your legs dry as it can cause irritation and dry out your skin. Take care not to dry off too thoroughly before moisturizing. You want your skin to feel slightly damp.<ref name="rf8">http://stylecaster.com/beauty/skin-mistakes/</ref> |
| − | #Apply a moisturizer. Be sure to apply your moisturizer immediately after you pat your legs dry to lock in the moisture. Aim to moisturize within two minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath. The pores of your skin will still be saturated with water and the moisturizer will prevent some of the water from evaporating from your skin, leaving your skin soft and moisturized.<ref | + | #Apply a moisturizer. Be sure to apply your moisturizer immediately after you pat your legs dry to lock in the moisture. Aim to moisturize within two minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath. The pores of your skin will still be saturated with water and the moisturizer will prevent some of the water from evaporating from your skin, leaving your skin soft and moisturized.<ref name="rf2" /> |
==Tips== | ==Tips== | ||
*Rub the scrub onto your legs in a circular motion. | *Rub the scrub onto your legs in a circular motion. | ||
