Earlier this week I wrote a post about making fresh flowers last longer. I included a photo of my hand to show the pollen that gets on your hands if you remove the anthers from the flowers.
When I went back and read that post, I was appalled at the shape of my hands. I knew they felt rough, as they often do in the wintertime, but I didn't realize they looked quite so bad. But quick relief was easy to find. I simply took the kosher salt from my cupboard (plain old Morton's; we always have this on hand):
and mixed it with this dreamy-smelling stuff:
I haven't used Hawaiian Tropic oil on my body for many years, but I just love the way it smells. The coconutty scent transports me to the beach. (If you don't want to buy any suntan oil, you can simply use olive oil.)
Simply squirt some oil into a small bowl of kosher salt. The oil won't melt the salt; it'll just form a paste. You could substitute turbinado sugar for the salt, and if you have lots of cuts and scratches on your hands, you might find that more soothing. I like the salt because sugar tends to attract pesky little ants at our house. This will keep indefinitely (salt is a great preservative); mine lives in a little crock that I found at the thrift store. (If you use salt, be sure to store in a non-porous container.)
To use the salt scrub, simply scoop up a glob and massage into your hands. The oil will feel wonderful and the salt will slough away dead skin cells. Massage as long as you like, then wash your hands with soap and warm water. Dry hands and follow with your favorite hand lotion if you like.
And now for the proof: an actual, unretouched photo of the same hand (minus the pollen, of course) AFTER using the salt scrub:
My hand isn't wet. It's just well-moisturized and no longer chapped. Of course, my hands are nearly 50 years old, so they have lots of little lines and wrinkles. . . but they don't have to be dry and chapped!
Do you have any tips for keeping your skin soft and smooth during the harsh winter?
I've always wanted to make my own scrub. I guess I need to pick up a big container of salt when I go grocery shopping next week.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! I'm constantly using lotions but what I realized is a lot of them have alcohol in them that end up drying your hands even more, thus needing to use more lotion. Taking care of the dead skin itself & moisturizing the "new" skin makes more sense. :-) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo smart and cheaper than all the store versions of a scrub! I use Gold Bond healing and it is wonderful. I have severely dry skin and it is the best thing I have ever used.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! I'll be trying this one for sure, thanks for sharing it with us. Heather
ReplyDeleteI like your salt scrub idea Richella! I may have to give that a try.
ReplyDeleteI do use olive oil as a moisturizer sometimes, and have even put a few drops in my bath from time to time.
My body 61 yr. old body feels dry this time of year. When the heater blows inside it just makes me feel so thirsty for moisture!
Richella your hands are beautiful. Almost fifty is looking very good on you sweet friend. I use Curel. Love that stuff.
ReplyDeleteThis is the tip I need this week. My hands are so dry that my fingers have actually cracked just from typing. I always have kosher salt on hand, as well as olive oil, so I'm going to try this tomorrow. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference! Thanks for sharing. I hope Preston is better. Did he get to go back to school on time? I've been praying for him. Carla
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I would NEVER have thought to do this :-) I can't wait to try it because my hands get so dry in the winter. The bonus is the wonderful scent of Hawaiian Tropic!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's an amazing transformation. I love this idea, Richella. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're so smart! I really need to do this! My hands get dry in the winter time and when they are dry, I start to notice the wrinkles. ;) Looks like "Kosher Salt" just got added to my grocery list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this! A friend gave me some scrubbing salts recently, and I didn't know how to use them! Can't wait to try them now!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great, great idea. I absolutely LOVE the smell of Hawaiian tropic. I sometimes wear it in the winter just for the smell!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea!!
Sarahx
Great idea!! I could use a tropic smell right now while it's gray and dreary outside. I have been hearing a lot about coconut oil lately too as a moisturizer...hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tip! I have a friend who has horribly dry and cracked hands, I'm going to make a batch of this up for him and give it to him as a gift. :)
ReplyDelete