The skin on your body can get parched and flaky from age, sun exposure and cold climates making it look and feel dull and rough. (Alligator skin, anyone?) To alleviate this condition, many people simply apply heavy moisturizers and lotions to compensate for the dry look but these attempts are not truly effective since the cells are already dry and expired and ready to hit the road.
What should you do to get your skin looking moist and dewy again? First and foremost, the focus needs to be on the removal of these dead cells both with chemical exfoliants and physical/manual exfoliants. Application of a lotion or oil to give intensive hydration and nourishment to the fresh, newly revealed cells comes second. Here’s my favorite DIY physical exfoliator to get smooth and silky skin—fast.
What you’ll need:
1 cup Epsom salts
8 tablespoons of jojoba oil
10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Mix well with a spoon and add more oil or salts as needed to get a slushy consistency. Pour into a container. (I personally like to find a beautiful bowl so it looks nice on display in my bathroom or guest bathroom, like the one shown in the above photo.)
How to use:
Apply a small amount to dry skin to your hands or body and massage over the skin in circular motions. Not only does it physically remove dry cells but it also increases circulation as well as leaving behind a silky coat of moisture-repairing oil so additional lotion is not needed. And of course, the natural scent of citrus and eucalyptus is an added bonus that gives you a fresh feeling. (Note: You can add any essential oil blend of your choosing.)
Use it twice a week and you’ll most certainly enjoy the benefits of dewy, moist skin all year long.
For a chemical exfoliation to dissolve the dead cells using acids, my go-to product is Smoothing Body Serum. Using it 2-3 times a week under a body lotion gives exceptional results for reducing bumps and dryness. If your skin is both dry and itchy, read these 8 tips to cure this condition.
Which skin care products are best for you? See our nine skin types or take the Skin Type Quiz and get products recommended.
Need expert advice from a licensed esthetician? Schedule a virtual consultation to get customized advice in person, over the phone or online via Skype or FaceTime.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
