Spring clean your skin by taking a Soak

By Manjit Ubhi on May 16, 09 05:03 PM

Now that we have seen a few glimpses of the sun we can be assured that summer is well on its way and we need to take our skin out of hibernation and spruce it up ready for others to see and admire!

There is no need to book yourself into an expensive spa for treatments, instead create a spa on your day off where you can spend the day scrubbing, exfoliating and plumping up the skin as well as de-stressing and indulging in long overdue 'me' time.
All the ingredients we are going to use you can find in your cupboard or buy quite cheaply.

Soak Away Your Stress

One of the first things to do and get into a regular routine doing is to take long, once weekly baths.

These soaks should last at least 30 minutes once a week or if you have skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis then more frequently would be ideal.

Purchase some Dead Sea Salts from the chemist, these originate from The Dead Sea, of course and have long been well known for their healing and restorative powers.

These contain high levels of minerals and small quantities will enter the body through the pores. The salts help to dissolve the surface dead cells which accumulate on the surface of the skin. This eliminates the body's waste and smoothes and refreshes the skin.

Regular salt baths can be incredibly beneficial for the whole body system; the potassium will help with blood and lymphatic drainage and regulate the fluid balance in the body.

Another mineral in the salts is bromide which restores, calms and soothes the nervous system. Gentle detoxification occurs and there is a reduction in fluid retention. Most useful of all salt baths can assist in reducing anxiety and stress and thereby promote deeper sleep patterns.

Before you fill the bath and add the salt do remember to first have a quick shower - you don't want to be sitting in your own dirt! Make sure you have not waxed or shaved beforehand as it will sting! Also make sure the water is warm but not too hot as this will stimulate and dehydrate rather than calming you

Soak for 30 minutes or more and if the water starts to cool just add some more hot water. Just close your eyes and drift off!

Afterwards you don't need to rinse off as the salts remaining on your skin overnight will be beneficial

Wear some warm pyjamas and crawl into a warm bed and you can be assured of a restful sleep. If you have bathed in the morning, make it a relaxing day and try not to do anything too strenuous such as going for a jog as your body will want to be resting after the soak.

Make these soaks a regular thing and you will reap the benefits for both mind and body. It is said that the weightlessness experienced when in a bath triggers off the 'relax' reflex in the brain as it reminds us of the weightless feeling of being safely enchased in the womb!

Dead Sea Salts for Your Mouth

Keep a supply of finely ground salts in a big glass jar in your bathroom
Every day after brushing your teeth, flossing and scraping your tongue clean, add a pinch of salt to half a glass of warm water and gargle to keep you throat and moth clear of infections. You can also dip a wet finger into the salt and then scrub your gums with the salted finger, rinse your mouth afterwards. This will leave your mouth refreshed and invigorated!