Making Time for Yourself
When was the last time you caved out a single hour for your personal care? It seems like a stretch but it actually makes sense when you add up all the minutes in a day used to care for the various parts of the body. The times before going to bed and waking up in the morning force us to immediately care for our physical body with maintenance throughout the day. If caring for our bodies is important, where do we start? Below, we have compiled a practical list of 11 products we believe are important in daily personal care. Our list does not mention exact products but it does point you in the right direction. Before moving into any personal care direction changes, please be aware of your skin and body needs.
Hand Cream
Out of all the much-needed solutions in this line up, hand cream is the one solution that should be used regularly throughout the day. We use our hands for everything in life and they are exposed to all elements, all the time. Sheer applications of hand cream after hand washing help replenish needed moisture. Always keep a small container of hand cream with you at all times to stave off any degree of dryness. Remember, dryness equals discomfort and sometimes lack of seamless mobility.
Shampoo
We use shampoo to cleanse our hair and scalp but what types do we need? Monitor the condition of your hair and scalp, then move forward with solutions. In addition, shampoo is not only a cleanliness element but a styling element as well. The formula of shampoo we use determines the end result, enhancing the styling experience. Make sure to not over use shampoo of any type for best results and favorable rinsing. At some point after using styling and specialty shampoos, using a good stripping/clarifying or deep cleansing shampoo for the sake of resetting the condition of hair and scalp is beneficial. If you style your hair regularly, keeping more than one shampoo may be necessary for seamless maintenance.
Conditioner
Conditioners are unique in that they complement their shampoo counterparts for enhanced results. They also exist to treat the hair in various ways as a solo care solution. Remember to use only the amount needed when approaching conditioners to avoid over-conditioning and an oily finish. Taking the time to work conditioner into the length of the hair ensures greater coverage and treatment results. Always read and follow the product directions, and rinse well for best results.
Lip Balm
The take-with-you-everywhere-you-go solution for the lips should be kept with you at all times. Chapped or damaged lips are no person’s friend and tend to derail life’s perfectly normal moments. Lip balms come in various forms in terms of ingredient makeup, and generally may be found as medicated and non-medicated formulas. Like with all personal care products, this one should be researched for optimal use. Some lip balms contain petroleum ingredients, so if you prefer natural ingredients, be sure to check the label for products ingredients. Some lip balms are thin in texture while others are thin. Soft or malleable textures meld quickly into lips in need, offering immediate relief and protection. Natural butters from all over the world make up some of the best lip balm solutions. Remember, if buying one tube is good, buying two or three seamlessly protects your lips in the future.
Neem Toothpaste with Frankincense
An unexpected sensational flavor burst, this one ranks top on our list of favorite oral care product rituals. A few drops of frankincense on the bristles of your toothbrush and a follow up squeeze of Neem toothpaste starts it off. Brush all the teeth, tongue, roof of the mouth, and side gums before rinsing well. Take a refreshing breath and experience the cleanest your mouth has been in a while. Ironically, eating or drinking does not taste off after this oral hygiene ritual, just remember to rinse well.
Hydrating Face Serum
Hydrating face serums are not new to the market but they are important in a topical skin care routine. Finding one that works becomes an issue when the trial and error process does not produce a product that works. Start with a light exfoliation before moving into any type of serum for best results. A serum based in HA (hyaluronic acid) works quickly into the skin, but an HA serum chalked full of B-vitamins and other nutrients works wonders for undernourished and parched skin. This is the hero skin care product that works into the skin on hot and humid days as a single use solution. It is also the base layer in a well-planned skin care strategy that nourishes and protects the skin from free radicals.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are available in many different forms, the key to clean skin is knowing which one or ones work best for your personal care. Gel cleansers are a popular choice due to their many textures and formulas, and fast dispensing. Oil cleansers adhere to whatever is on the skin, immediately bond with it, and wipe off. Cream cleansers are similar to oil cleansers but produce rich nourishment for the skin. Many times, people who use oil or cream cleansers do not cleanse their skin using water and swear by this care method.
A double cleanse works well for addressing skin that works all day while wearing heavy makeup, or is exposed to dirt and other free radicals. Combining cleansing products for additional care during extreme weather months produces good care results when combining oil and gel cleansers. We recommend washing or cleansing your face 1-2 times daily as needed.
Castile Soap
The holy grail of natural soaps, castile has a rich history of being an effective body cleanser, laundry soap, dish washing soap, and is used to keep other parts of life squeaky clean. With a thin texture, once applied to the skin it’s activated with water and simple rubbing motions. Other convincing points in favor of castile soap include a no residue finish after rinsing, there are generally no allergic reactions after use, the thin texture requires only a small amount of use, and any size bottle lasts a while. There is no right or wrong way to cleanse your body with this golden wonder, castile soap can be used directly on skin or applied with a natural sponge for great results.
Aromatherapy Oils
Aromatherapy oils are the single collection elements that make personal care highly valuable, addressing many personal care issues almost instantly. We recommend you research these oils before you use them and if you have any questions or concerns about their use on your skin, ask your medical physician before use. Unfortunately, not everyone is built the same. The downside of using aromatherapy oils directly on the body is discovering unknown allergic reactions. If you experience an allergic reaction to any aromatherapy oils after use, contact your medical physician with any concerns. If using these oils directly causes irritation, consider mixing them with sweet almond oil for direct skin use. Using these oils does not mean always applying them directly onto the body. Running them through a cold air diffuser also produces desired results.
Sweet Almond Oil
A very basic and aromatic oil, sweet almond oil may be used alone or with other oils to deliver a good moisture experience. We recommend applying directly to skin after bathing onto towel-blotted skin. Rub the oil into the skin with no excess on the skin’s surface. For tender places on the body like the face, neck, and decollete, press the oil with a rolling motion or an upward effleurage motion. Add aromatherapy oil of choice to a small amount of sweet almond oil and gently press into the hair for an elevated aromatherapy and moisture experience.
Frequencies for Best Results
For good measure, we include SPF and deodorant in this fold. Some of these solutions may be enjoyed as needed while some of them should be used for daily personal hygiene. Use sweet almond oil, aromatherapy oils, hydrating face serum, shampoo and conditioner as needed. Incorporate them into a weekly routine and monitor the results. Sweet almond oil may be used daily after showering or bathing during certain times of the year or if your skin tends to be dry. Face cleanser, lip balm, castile soap, neem toothpaste with frankincense, and hand cream should be used daily. Remember not to over use and that a little bit goes a long way.
BON
Images: KaboomPics.
