No skincare regimen is complete without masks and exfoliants. I have discovered how important it is to exfoliate my skin, especially as I’ve gotten older. This helps remove the dead skin cells and uncover new, fresh skin cells. The rate of skin cell turnover slows down as we age, making exfoliation a very important step in our skincare routine. It helps keep the skin clear and glowing.
Masks are also great for the skin, because they can provide an additional dose of whatever our skin needs (moisture, exfoliation, cleansing, etc.). Depending on my skin needs, I try to use a mask once or twice a week.
Here are some of my favorite exfoliants and masks.
Exfoliants
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel for Sensitive Skin – This is a gentle, yet effective product that uses organic alpha hydroxy acids from fruit to slough off dead skin cells. It’s kind of like a mask and exfoliant all rolled into one product. I put this on in the morning, and leave it on for about 20 minutes before my shower. When I wash it off in the shower, I can literally feel the dead skin washing off, and my skin feels much smoother. I have very sensitive skin, and this does not irritate it at all. They also have a version for non-sensitive skin. It’s a little pricey, but a little goes a long way, and a jar can last you a long time.
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub – This face scrub is full of all-natural, skin-
beautifying ingredients to help lighten and brighten the skin. It contains walnut shells, which provide a physical exfoliator, and it also has french clay, which helps draw out impurities. When combined with water, it provides a foaming action, making it feel like a face wash and exfoliant in one (I’m all about multi-purpose products!). This is great to use 2 – 3 times per week.
Masks
Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Rosewater Mask – This mask has a lovely, whipped texture, and smells divine. It infuses dry skin with moisture using organic rosehip and pomegranate oils as well as hyaluronic acid. My skin feels dewy and soft after using this mask. This is especially great for those with sensitive skin.
Andalou Naturals Skin Food Nourishing Mask – This mask uses cocoa powder, 
shea butter, and avocado oils to infuse the skin with healing nutrients. It literally feels and smells like you are putting chocolate frosting all over your face. It is a wonderful treat for the senses, and my skin has a healthy glow after using this.
You can feel good about using these products, because these companies are committed to using non-toxic, organic ingredients that heal and nourish the skin.
In our upcoming posts, we’ll try to cover additional treatments for skin, as well as non-toxic make-up and haircare. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss these posts!
