Dry Skin Tips for a Tight Budget

Utah winters are harsh on skin, but I don't have tons of time or money to pamper myself. I've got a household to run and a budget to stick to.

Here are some things that work for me:


Sugar Scrub

Mix sugar and oil. Rub vigorously on clean, damp skin, then rinse off and towel dry. Rough bits of sugar exfoliate, and the naturally occurring glycolic acid in sugar (a common AHA, now popular in expensive skin care products) helps unglue dead skin cells to speed the exfoliation and new skin cell turnover. Oil, of course, forms a protective barrier and keeps some water from evaporating from your skin so it stays hydrated. Don't use mineral oil on your skin unless you're in dire straits. It's just icky. Almond oil is lovely, but it's relatively expensive. A light olive oil (not the green, expensive extra virgin stuff) works well. Regular vegetable oil works just fine. I like using regular granulated sugar mixed with coarse sugar; you can experiment to find the sugar texture that works best for your skin.

Sugar can also be used as a facial exfoliator. Once a week or less, add a little superfine sugar to your regular facial wash and gently apply in circular motions with fingertips. Rinse thoroughly, and follow with your normal toner and moisturizer. Looking for a gentle, cheap toner? Try witch hazel. Forgot to buy the superfine (or Baker's) sugar at the store? Put regular granulated sugar in the blender.

Glycerin

Lots of facial moisturizers have glycerin in them. Glycerin absorbs water from the air and keeps skin soft and moisturized. Commercial soap manufacturers remove the glycerin from soap and sell it in the more expensive lotions and creams, which is why commercial soap is much more drying to your skin than home made, cold process soap. Glycerin is usually in the first aid aisle of the grocery store and really cheap. After thoroughly cleansing, I spray on an alcohol free toner, then rub a couple drops into my facial skin before following with my regular winter moisturizer. Just those two drops of glycerin make a huge difference in how my face feels all day. Glycerin is sticky on its own, so I make sure my face is wet before applying.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can run $7-10 for a jar, but it's often much cheaper than thick body butters, and you use much less. I only buy the extra virgin coconut oil; the heat treated and refined stuff has been stripped of many beneficial antioxidants. Just rub a small amount in your palms to liquefy, then rub into damp skin. Why not rub into dry skin? Skin can be dry and greasy at the same time; it needs water in it first to be hydrated. It's best to apply oil after a shower or bath. Most lotions or creams have water as the main ingredient; your skin still needs it. There are just cheaper ways to get it.

Coconut oil is also excellent for hair; it's been clinically shown to penetrate the hair shaft, unlike other oils, which just coat the shaft to protect it. Hair regularly treated with coconut oil is stronger and more flexible. A very expensive product called Ojon is mainly palm oil (essentially the same as coconut oil), with some added fragrance to make it seem more exotic. Whether you want to spend $7 or $55 is up to you, but the treatment is the same. Massage into hair and scalp, leave on for at least 20 minutes or as much as overnight, then wash and condition. The lipids in coconut oil are similar to your own, which is why it penetrates so easily. You'll still need a conditioner to coat your hair if you want it to feel slick and tangle free.


Do you have any tips to share? Feel free to add them to the comments.