Emerge radiant and resplendent for spring with a little help from some of the best body scrubs around. ‘The outermost layer of your skin, the stratum corneum, is comprised of dead, keratin-rich cells that form a protective barrier against external aggressors and protect the living cells beneath,’ explains Ian Taylor, cosmetic scientist for Green People.
These cells are continually being shed and need to be replaced – a process that starts in the deeper skin layers where cell division occurs. Newly created cells gradually migrate to the surface, becoming more keratinised – meaning they become filled with keratin, a tough fibrous protein. Once they reach the surface they are mostly composed of this keratin, which is when they start to flake.
In our 20s and 30s, the process to completely renew our skin takes 3-5 weeks, but as we get older it slows down and, in our 50s and 60s, can take as long as 12 weeks. However, the great news is exfoliation can increase blood circulation and speed up the process to reveal beautifully soft skin.
MAKE YOUR OWN SCRUB
Raid your kitchen cupboard to concoct this DIY exfoliator, from skincare expert Fiona Brackenbury.
WHAT YOU NEED
Whip up a body scrub at home using sugar or salt, or both. Sugars vary in particle size, so choose according to your skin’s needs and sensitivity e.g. demerara has coarse crystals so is best suited to a foot scrub. Add a base oil such as olive and then feel free to tailor your scrub by adding essential oils such as almond or rosemary. For example, mix 1 tsp sugar with 2 tsp olive oil and 1⁄2 tsp lemon juice and use to smooth your skin all over.
HOW IT WORKS
The sugar will buff away dead skin cells while the olive oil is rich in hydrating omegas. The lemon juice contains citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that can remove dead skin cells.
