Got Winter-Dry Skin? Try "Soothe-Me-Sesame Body Oil"

Happy New Year To All My Fellow Health Seekers!  I'm so glad to see that the days are getting a wee bit longer already!  Extra daylight always does me a world of emotional good - especially living up here in Maine - where it gets dark by 4pm in December!  But before I get ahead of myself and start thinking of warmer, sunnier spring days, I must be realistic.  January's here and with it the cold, dry weather which wreaks havoc upon my skin.  Yours too?  What to do, what to do?  Well, years ago I formulated a lovely skin-nourishing oil blend that I absolutely adored - based on unrefined sesame oil and avocado oil.  An excellent duo for dry skin.  I then decided to test out 2 different methods of application to see which one worked best for me . . . the Ayurvedic Method or the Cosmetology/Esthetician Method.  I fell in love with the Ayurvedic Method and still use it to this day.  Wondering what I mean by these 2 methods?  Just read the recipe below . . . and I'll explain.  The recipe comes from pages 150-151 of my book, "Hands-On Healing Remedies" (Storey Publishing 2012).  If you like creating all kinds of natural/herbal topical treatments for your skin, body, and wellbeing, then you'll want to get this book!!

Soothe-Me-Sesame Body Oil

 I love skin-pampering formulas that are ultra-simple to make, are relatively inexpensive, and leave my skin feeling velvety.  Sesame oil, which is the predominant base oil in this formula, contains a generous complement of vitamin E, and is often used therapeutically in Ayurvedic body care formulation as a warming, nourishing, grounding, and deeply calming lubricating oil.  It's especially recommended for individuals with extremely dry skin who have trouble relaxing and falling asleep and are mentally frazzled, burned out, scatterbrained, high-strung, and talkative.  The avocado oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and lecithin, and the carrot essential oil serves as a tonic for regenerating and revitalizing mature or damaged skin.

Ingredients:
- 50 drops carrot seed essential oil
- 3/4 cup unrefined sesame oil
- 1/4 cup unrefined avocado oil 
- 1,000 IU vitamin E oil

Equipment:  Dropper, glass bottle or plastic squeeze bottle

Prep Time:  15 minutes, plus 24 hours to synergize

Yield:  Approximately 1 cup

Storage:  Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year

Application:  Once per day

Directions:  Place the carrot seed essential oil drop-by-drop directly into the 8-oz. storage bottle.  Add the sesame and avocado oils, and the vitamin E oil.  Screw on the top and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend.  Label and date the bottle and place in a dark location that's between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours, so that the oils can synergize.

Application Instructions:  Shake well before using.  There are two methods of application that I recommend.  Try both and see which one works best for your skin . . .

Ayurvedic Method:  This method is rather stimulating, so perform it in the morning.  Before your daily bath or shower, gently exfoliate your entire body, from head to toe, using a natural-bristle body brush or soft loofah sponge.  Massage a generous portion of body oil into your DRY skin, always massage toward the heart.  

When you are completely covered in oil (but not so much that you are really slimy), don an old bathrobe and allow the oil to sink in for 10 to 15 minutes.  Then jump into the shower or bathtub and just rinse (no need to use soap except to wash underarms and intimate areas, as you've already cleansed your skin by exfoliating).  The steam or hot water from your bath relaxes your pores and helps the oil penetrate your skin.  Pat dry.  If your skin is severely dry, follow with an application of natural body lotion, as necessary.

Cosmetology/Esthetician Method:  Twice a week, gently exfoliate your entire body, from head to toe, whether dry (before bathing) or while in the tub or shower in order to keep dead skin cell build-up at bay.  Everyday, after bathing or showering, massage this oil blend into your skin, from head to toe, while your skin is still slightly damp in order to seal in the moisture.

BONUS:  This blend can be used an an after-sun conditioning oil to help replenish suppleness to your baked and tanned hide.

Here's Another Dry Skin Prevention Tip:  Exfoliate To Eliminate Dry Skin

A once-or-twice-daily  application of a moisturizing balm, salve, or oil can work wonders in eliminating dry skin.  However, dry skin tends to build up a layer of dead skin cells that inhibit oil penetration, so the balms, salves, and oils won't work as well.  To keep you skin free of dead-skin-cell buildup and encourage deep penetration of moisturizers, exfoliate your entire body (or just the area where you want to apply this product) at least twice a week.  You can use a natural-bristle body brush or soft loofah sponge on dry skin, or you can use a sugar or salt scrub, a soft loofah sponge, or an apricot kernel or jojoba wax bead scrub while in the tub or shower.

Winter Skin: Lizard Skin? - Part 2

Salutations and Warm Wishes to All! The temperatures dropped into the deep freeze again over the weekend! When will it end? The local red fox must be quite hungry as I spotted him eating a pile of sunflower seeds that I'd left in the yard for the wild turkeys. Poor guy! My big backyard garden is calling to me for some attention, but, alas, it is still under 2.5' of snow. I'm yearning to dig in the soft earth and smell fresh, young green plants. Perhaps I have signs of cabin fever . . . our late Maine spring is still just a glimmer in my eye, sad to say. Hope springs eternal . . . warmth will return!

Yes, winter still has a grip on the northern half of the country and many are still suffering from "lizard skin" - winter's dry hold on your otherwise soft, comfortable skin. Today, as promised, I'll share my recipe for a most wonderful skin-conditioning body oil that will make your skin feel like silk. I hope you find it to your benefit!

Nourishing Oil***

This is a nourishing blend that's high in essential fatty acids. The sesame, avocado, and olive oils are "heavy" oils and impart a velvety texture to the skin that I love, especially in mid-to-late winter when my skin is driest. This formula doubles as a healing oil to massage into cuticles on a nightly basis, especially if the cuticles are dry and ragged. It helps promote nail growth and adds a natural sheen to the nail surface. Important note: The aroma is rather distinctive, so add your choice of beneficial essential oil to help mask it if you wish. I prefer it plain and simple, though.

Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp. unrefined, sesame seed oil (not the toasted kind)
- 4 tbsp. unrefined, avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large vitamin E oil capsules, pierced or 2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
- 15 drops lavender, Roman chamomile, frankincense, rosemary, grapefruit, or geranium
essential oil (optional)

Method:
Combine all ingredients in a glass or plastic storage bottle. Tightly cap the bottle, label, and shake the mixture vigorously. No refrigeration is required if product is to be used within 6 months. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.

Yield: 1/2 cup

Application Tips: For bath oil, add 2 teaspoons to running water. For application as a body oil, following a shower, or for massage, use as needed. I recommend using at least 1x per day as a body oil.


*** Recipe adapted from "Organic Body Care Recipes", by Stephanie Tourles, published by Storey Publishing, LLC, December 2007.


NOTE: This blog is by Stephanie Tourles and the content adapted from her recent article, "Make Your Own Skin Oil", that appeared in the Ellsworth American newspaper "Health Quarterly" on Feb. 3, 2011. The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.