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Monday, December 7, 2009

The wonders of a good sugar scrub

It happens every year, but I never notice it starting. It just seems that with the onset of the cold weather, suddenly my hands develop rough patches that catch on every thread that comes near.

My favorite solution is a sugar scrub, which works temporarily at least. Here's my (almost free!) version of expensive spa exfoliation treatments:

  1. Before sitting down to stitch, head for the kitchen. 
  2. Pull a bottle of oil out of the cupboard and take the cap off. (I like olive oil for the smell.)
  3. Take the lid off of the sugar canister.
  4. Turn on the faucet. (It's important to do steps 2-4 first because it's really hard to do any of this once you've started putting stuff in your hands!)
  5. Grab a teaspoon out of the silverware drawer.
  6. Use it to scoop out a heaping teaspoon of sugar, and dump this in your non-dominant hand.
  7. Pick up the bottle of oil, and pour a bit over the sugar in your hand. (You don't need much, but too much is better than not enough.)
  8. Rub your hands together. (I'm assuming you've put down the spoon and bottle by now.) Pay special attention to the rough spots.
  9. Rinse your hands.
  10. Wash your hands, then wash them again. Be sure to get all of the oil off before starting to stitch!
Enjoy your smooth, snag-free hands! I sometimes have to do this more than once a day, but it only takes a couple of minutes, and it costs a few pennies at most.

What's your solution to rough winter skin? Answer here in the comments, or on your own blog - but be sure to leave a note here so everyone knows to check yours!

7 comments:

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Thank you! I'm going to go try this ASAP!

Donna said...

Your solution is my solution. Though I have developed a fondness for Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Handcreme.

Anonymous said...

I really like Bath & Body's True Blue Spa Look Ma New Hands.
Carol

Sweet Sue said...

You are sooooo right Jeanne, my hands are getting scruffy too and I look forward to trying your remedy. At bedtime I often slather up with Eucerin Aquaphor then slip on white cotton gloves, hands are lovely and youthful in the morning.

Sweet Stitchin...

Rinda Just said...

I use basically the same idea but with a twist. I make up my sugar scrub and keep it in a container in my bath. I use turbinado sugar (a litte more coarse that regular) with a few drops of olive oil (only need enough to coat the sugar grains.) Then I add a drop or two of essential oil (rosemary, lavendar, vanilla/clove, lemongrass, or whatever). Stir it all up and you can use it to exfoliate your face, your elbows, knees, feet, hands--where ever you need it. It will keep for a long time, but I just make up about a cup at a time. Be sure to keep in a watertight container. Only water, not the oil, will cause the sugar to dissolve.

Rinda in Boise (where it was 12 below zero this a.m.!)

Jeanne said...

These are all great suggestions!

Carol - I've used "Look Ma, New Hands" in the past, but hadn't picked any up in a while. Thanks for the reminder.

Donna, Sue,
I'll have to check out your recommended products. Thanks!

Rinda,
Your suggestion sounds really decadent - even more like the "spa experience." Thanks for sharing.

Any other suggestions? Keep 'em coming!

Skysmylimit said...

Hi Jeanne - I do the same thing but use salt instead of sugar. Salt is very healing (think ocean) so I use it on my feet and all over in the shower. Love it!