Winters dry skin repair routine

Well the winter is fast approaching and for many of us, that means dealing with dry dehydrated even cracked skin. It is important to avoid dry skin so that cracks don't develop. Moisturizing properly  prevents damaged dry skin, itch, infection or inflammation of other underlying skin disorders that can break out as a result like eczema.

STEP ONE:
Change your cleanser - Face
Choose a product with oils (moisturizing products)
Avoid dyes and alcohol products

STEP TWO:
Exfoliating - Face and Body
Use loofah or scrub with microbeads 2-3 times a week
Chemical exfoliation like lactic acid, once a month

Exfoliate your lips once a week as the cold air can damage the skin cells causing cracking. Follow with a moisturizing lip balm that replenishes lip moisture. I like to use olive oil followed by L'BEL Lip Moisturizer, Smith's Rosebud Lip balm or Nivea Lip balm.

STEP THREE:
Toner - Face
Witch hazel works great and is affordable toner.

STEP FOUR:
Moisturize your face with Virgin Coconut oil or a creamier moisturizer of your choice after you cleanse and tone. Try Eucerin Pro Repair for body, apply directly after showering to lock in moisture.

Remember that your skin is your first defense against unwelcomed bacteria or infection. Cracked skin is an open doorway for germs to be introduced into the body. So do your best to keep it healthy.

As always,  Be Blessed, Be Healthy, Be Beautiful!

Hurricane Sandy Recovery

NJ's devastation from Hurricane Sandy

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted. Hurricane Sandy hit town and turned lives upside down. It took us 10 days to get our power back.

My last post was preparing for the storm and disappointed over the fact that I couldn't go to a conference. I'm certainly happy that I didn't take the risk of driving to PA only to return in horrible weather. It was bad!

Since the storm, I have been busy helping family and cleaning out my storage unit that was flooded. A great deal of my aesthetic equipment was destroyed as well as clothes and photo's. Sad when all the things you thought were treasure end up on curb for trash. Though I consider myself one of the lucky ones. My home is intact,  as is my family. My brothers home was hit hard and his entire first floor was damaged. But even he was lucky because his family is okay. You can reconstruct a house but not a life once it is taken.

Do any of you know anyone who was affected? I do hope you are taking out some time to help. Send a donation or lift a hand to help. Make some meals to help out those who are trying to rebuild their lives. You can visit RedCross.org to donate, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

The scenes here are straight out of a movie. It's so difficult for so many. Even the smallest gesture of kindness can help change the victims perspectives and give them hope. So I do hope that after that after a few weeks, we have not forgotten what so many will be dealing with this in the coming holidays.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!