To The Editor:
I enjoyed your recent The Valley Floor and wanted to offer help for your dry, itchy skin.
First, be sure your soap doesn't contain sodium laurel sulfate, a natural ingredient that strips the beneficial oils from your skin leading to dryness and itchiness.
Second, try Mad Suds' soap made right here in the Mad River Valley by Julie Smith. Honey and milk in particular is fantastic for all skin types; she makes it without olive oil which is not good for the skin.
Third, head over to Sweet Pea and go to their product aisle and purchase grapeseed oil, the one for the face. After showering, whisk off excess water, pour about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil into your hand, apply generously over your body, and pat dry.
For the face, wash your face before or after your hot shower; hot water will also strip all oils from your skin, and your face in particular loves these beneficial oils. You can use the grapeseed oil mentioned above for the face, but a moisturizer is better, especially in the winter, and the face needs vitamins A and C to keep it healthy and young.
Once a week, exfoliate. Grab one of the used Green Mountain Keurig cups with grounds; mix with honey. Gently scrub your face – little circles – then let sit for 5 or 10 minutes. (Please take a selfie and post on Facebook.) Then rinse with cool, tepid water. You can use fine coffee grounds from your Mr. Coffee machine as well; a half teaspoon is all you need with an equal amount of honey. Any honey will do, even the teddy bear one works great. For the body, coffee alone is fine or, better yet, get yourself a nice body brush from The Store or Mehuron's. A curved handle is best to reach the back. Use the body brush before getting into the shower. Dry skin brushing is best for stimulation of your lymphatic system. Then shower and apply oil.
Be well.
Joanie Kavanaugh
Complexions
Waitsfield
