Welcome to the May 2013 Natural Living Blog Carnival: Taking Time for Mom.

 

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project through the Green Moms Network. Oftentimes, Moms are so busy taking care of their families that they forget to take care of themselves. This month our carnival participants have written posts about what they do just for themselves.

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As a mom, I don’t find much alone time for myself, let alone pampering time. As part of my New Year’s resolutions, I wanted to take more time for myself this year. This involved more baths and at home facials.  I found that I had masks and scrubs in my bathroom that I hadn’t taken much time to use. I was curious about how often I could pamper myself with a mask and scrub at home. One of my best friends is an Esthetician with Aveda, so I asked her some questions. Here is what she had to say.

 

How often should at home “facials” occur with scrubs and masks?

Scrubs and masks are typically recommended once to twice weekly. That said you need to consider the type of mask or scrub as well as skin type. Someone with dry skin might use a refining scrub once weekly but you don’t want to scrub to often because that can weaken the skins barrier function or natural defense against dehydration. But the same person could use a moisturizing mask with ingredients such as aloe or hyaluronic acid a few times a week. Listen to your skin. Start with once a week then play around with it, find the balance that works for your skin.

 

What is the benefit of using masks?

Masks are one of my favorite tools. For acne prone or oily skin, clay based masks work great to draw out impurities and oil while refining skins texture. Masks with oils or vitamins will be very nourishing and repairing for dyer or normal skin conditions. Aloe or gel masks with a drop of lavender essential oil are great for sunburned skin to reduce inflammation and heal.

 

Any tips about pampering your face and taking care of it?

Find a regimen of organic products that works good for your skin type. Keep it simple; cleanse, tone, and moisturizer where needed. Use a scrub and mask once weekly to increase cell turnover and hydrate. Most important stay consistent. Use tepid water to cleanse skin, hot water dehydrates and damages healthy cells. Don’t pick at your skin! Picking spreads bacteria creating more breakouts and leaves deeper scars. Instead keep your skin clean and use a spot treatment like tea tree or a natural salicylic acid treatment a few times a day until the pimple heals. Lastly wear a non chemical broad spectrum sunscreen and reapply it! It’s your biggest protection against premature aging.

 

How often should people get professional facials?

Facials are a great way to keep the skin looking healthy. Depending on your desired results getting facials every 4-12 weeks is recommended. Getting a facial around the changes of the seasons is a great way to get advise on how to take care of your skin during the next couple months and prep your skin the new shift in weather.

 

What are benefits to the skin for getting facials?

Facials have an array of benefits for the skin such as deeper exfoliation treatments to increase cell turnover, even out skin tone, and refine pore size. Facial massage brings oxygen to the facial tissue and strengthens muscle tone. Properly done extractions keep skin clearer and keeps pores from getting compacted and enlarged.

 

There are many different types of facials so it is important to have a proper consultation with your Esthetician for optimal results.

 

So treat your skin well and pamper yourself! We mamas deserve a little me time!

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Visit Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival!

 

Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed:

Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net