Skin Care Sunday (On Wednesday): Aquaphor

I've decided to do "Skin Care Sunday," even though it's Wednesday, because I haven't done one in ages. (This past Sunday was Christmas, the Sunday before that I was on a cruise, and the Sunday before that was finals week.) But enough excuses..

Aquaphor Healing Ointment is one of my all time favorite products. (It was featured in my November Loves.) Eucerin describes it as "advanced therapy for dry, cracked, or irritated skin." It's my favorite lip balm year round. This time of year though, I pretty much cover myself in it before bed. Lately, I've been smearing a liberal amount over my lips, my eyelashes, my eyebrows, and under my nose. I know this sounds bizarre, but this cold, dry weather leaves these areas completely dehydrated. Aquaphor can also be used on one's hands and feet, especially under socks and gloves.

XOXO, T

D.I.Y. Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

My lips are basically always chapped. (I don't drink water, whatever.) But lately it's been worse than can be remedied by my usual overnight slathering of Aquaphor, so I've been on the market for lip scrubs/exfoliants. I found out th at sugar scrubs are the way to go. Sara Happ's Brown Sugar Lip Scrub (image from sarahapp.com) receives unanimously high reviews, but I can't bring myself to drop $24 on what is essentially brown sugar and some kind of oil in a pretty, little jar. I decided to concoct a similar product using only items I already have lying around my house. There are other variations of do-it-yourself lip scrubs, but this is what I did:

1. Start off with clean, dry lips.

2. Scoop about a tablespoonful of brown sugar into a small bowl/cup/whatever (I used a little sauce bowl.)

3. Smear a generous amount of Vaseline all over your lips.

4. Dip Vaseline-smeared fingertip into brown sugar

bowl. Whatever sugar sticks to your finger, rub it into your lips. Use common sense here people: Don't rub too hard or too long. (Insert "that's what she said" joke.)

5. Use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe off the scrub.

6. Dry off, and apply some Vaseline as a balm.

That's it. Easy peasy. Here are my lips after scrubbing:

You don't get a "before" picture, because I look like a leper. What do you think? Have you ever used a lip scrub? If so, did you buy it or make your own?

XOXO, T