We are Soapy SOULutions in my Don Cornelius voice RIP (Soul Train). We aim to focus on the SOUL of the people. Whether you are a dreamer like me (any Pisces in the house!) or a mediation guru, a harmonious, sweet, hypnotic type of person, we see you and feel your vibe. The dance floor is calling your name, the yoga mat see's your strengths now let's get you moving and grooving on this quick 15-minute skincare routine. As a mother of four, I was always looking for opportunities to find five minutes to myself.
According to the Farmers Almanac (United States), the first day of Winter began on December 21st and will end on March 20th. The Winter season brings cold temperatures, early nights, and long days. In my neck of the woods up North, I refer to my city as Gotham City, smoky and dreary, with no sunshine in sight. How come Gotham is always dark? I guess it's a bat thing. The winter season climate is low on moisture and humidity, causing our skin to dry up like a prune. Our skin is here to serve us, and we must do our part to return the favor. Skin is the largest living organ on the body. The skin's function is to cover and protect our internal organs from harmful elements (bacterias), chemical pollutants, and ultraviolet rays, to name a few. So you ask? How do we return the favor to our skin? And have a skincare routine in under 15 minutes.
Tip #1 - Hydrate
Hydrate. As our family ran to and fro to sporting events, sports drinks in every color imaginable were all around us. Yes, sports drinks have a place, but we are focusing on good ole H2O for now. We have heard this a thousand times drink eight glasses of water a day. Water not only hydrates us but also flushes out nasty toxins from our bodies.
Tip #2 - Eating Healthy Foods
Eat a healthy diet. Fruits & veggies (not fries) provide our bodies with additional water. Lettuce, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, tomatoes, cauliflower, swiss chard all have high water content. Once again, hydrating our entire body while providing vitamins and trace minerals our skin needs.
Tip #3 -Exercise
Exercise. Yes, I know who wants to sweat when it's cold outside. Exercise increases blood flow which helps flush out toxins more efficiently so cells can function at their best. Technically, dancing is exercise so do what feels right for you.
Tip #4 - Rest
Proper Rest. Our body needs 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted time (called sleep) to repair itself. As we sleep, our body makes new collagen for healthy skin. When the body lacks proper sleep, we produce less collagen, and skin can appear ashen and dry.
Tip #5 - Skincare
Butters, Balms, and Oils. That's right, what we put on our skin is just as important. Plant-based butters and oils provide Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals our skin needs. Skincare needs to be quick and straightforward, plus get the job done. In under 15-minutes, we'll have your SOUL-satisfied, skin happy, and hydrated so you can move on with your life.
Cracked heels: Slough off those cracked heels with our exfoliating bar soap (Family Man, On Point!) full of finely ground pumice and Jojoba beads. Gently rub the soap on your disco heels as feet are wet to remove dead skin. Follow up with either shea butter or body balm, cover with the thickest socks you own.
Dry elbows: Gently exfoliate as above and apply our body balm, which is full of beeswax to help lock in moisture, and it absorbs into the skin quickly, not leaving you with greasy elbows (lol).
Dry face: Our massage body oil is a dry oil that quickly absorbs into the skin. After washing your beautiful face, apply this oil directly after your toner step in your skincare routine. Our family loves this body oil as there is no oily after-feel.
Dry scalp: Use the massage oil as a hot oil treatment after washing hair. Or used as a styling aid and to help with itchiness.
Remember, we are giving back to our skin what the Winter season has so rudely taken from us moisture and humidity in the air. Now sit back and pop on Soul-ful tunes of Rythm and Blues, mediation moments, and all that's right with your Soul.