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Smooth, Smooth Skin!

Summer is just around the corner and you can no longer hide under layers and layers and layers of winter clothes. But have no fear as there is one guaranteed way to see (and feel) a real difference in your skin and that my dear friend is the simple routine of exfoliation. Its cheap and easy and the results are terrific! You do not (repeat DO NOT) have to purchase any overpriced and irritating product as you can make your own and it is oh so very simple.

Kate's Fab Weekly Exfoliating Routine

You Will Need
A body brush (natural bristles please!)
About 4 tbsp or so of Nourish Oil (Fennel Nourish Oil is perfect)
About 3 tbsp or so of lovely processed granulated sugar. It may rot your teeth but it does wonders for your thighs (as long as you don't eat it!).

Lock yourself away in the bathroom, this is serious work and you must not be disturbed!

Step One
Apply the Nourish Oil (by the way did I mention you had to take your clothes off?) all over your body with an upward, sweeping action. Then go into massage mode; on fleshy bits like upper arms, thighs and bottom, use a lovely deep kneading action. On bony bits use a gentle circular action. Just taking a minute or so to do this will warm up your skin and make it more receptive to the scrub.

Step Two
Beginning at your feet gently sweep a dry, natural body brush upwards over your skin. When body brushing always work towards the heart. Use short and very light strokes with the body brush, remember you are not scrubbing the floor! Make sure every inch of you has been brushed. This simple step will liven up your skin and ensure the body oil is distributed to bits you may have missed.

Step Three
This is the messy bit, so step into the shower (but don't run any water yet!). Starting at the toes again and working upwards with a mixture of circular and upward sweeping action apply the sugar. Sugar makes the perfect exfoliator as it doesn't sting if it gets into a cut or scratch (unlike salt!) and dissolves incredibly easily. Its also the perfect texture for exfoliation. This exfoliation routine should feel pleasantly scratchy and not at all painful, so easy does it! Pay real attention to all the extra dry bits like heels, knees and elbows. Once you are all sugared up, its time to rinse off.

Step Four
Run the shower but keep the water warm, not hot. Hot water feels lovely but it is incredibly drying. So save your skin, cut down your energy bill and feel a bit smug 'cos you've done your bit for the environment! Rinse off the scrub and continue your shower with a gentle body wash. When you step out of the shower, pat yourself dry with a lovely, soft fluffy towel. Leave your skin slightly damp and then apply your regular body oil or moisturizer and lock in all that lovely moisture.

Step Five
Now relax and admire your smooth, delectable skin or better yet, you relax and let someone else admire it for you!
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