Winter Dry Skin Solutions: Dr. Teal's Lavender Epsom Salt

Winter wreaks havoc on my skin. The cold air and dry heat join forces, leaving me with dry, flaky, itchy skin – especially on my arms and legs. One day, I looked at my arm and saw legit scales flaking off. Horrifying. I tend toward dry skin anyway. (So much so that I actually love summer humidity... it makes my skin feel so soft!) But in these harsh Iowa winters, I have to take extra care to make sure I don't dry up by springtime.

My go-to methods: exfoliating and moisturizing. I was thrilled to be selected for Influenster's recent Cheers to You VoxBox because inside, I received a full-sized bag of Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution – the lavender "Soothe and Sleep" scent!

Here's everything I received in my Cheers to You VoxBox! Want to receive free products like this to try out and review for yourself? Sign up for Influenster here. 

I was somewhat familiar with Dr. Teal's. In my last apartment (the one with the wonderful, antique, clawfoot bathtub) I often relaxed at night with a bath full of Dr. Teal's Milk & Honey foaming bath. But in my current place, I have a standing-only shower. At first, this concerned me. How was I to enjoy the lavender Epsom salt with no bath to soak it in?!

Then I remembered step one: Exfoliate. Dr. Teal's lavender Epsom salt fits perfectly into my crucial winter skincare routine.

1. Salt Storage

Since my little bathroom gets very steamy and humid, I want to keep my salts safe and dry. So I poured the salt into a blue mason jar and screwed on a lid from a parmesan cheese shaker. (Did you know those green lids fit mason jars perfectly?!) When I'm ready to shower, I pour a bit into a small bowl that I can put on my shower shelf within easy reach.

2. Exfoliate

While I'm conditioning my hair, I scoop up some Epsom salt from the bowl and rub it into my skin's problem places to gently buff away dead, dry skin. My skin's sensitive, but so is Dr. Teal's. I've had no issues with breaking out into a rash or anything like that. Plus, Epsom salts are salt – not dangerous microbeads!

3. Inhale

The very best part about Dr. Teal's lavender Epsom salt? The scent! It's soooo calming. When I'm feeling stressed or uptight after a long, busy day, the soothing smell of lavender in a steamy shower makes all the day's worries and tomorrow's to-dos rinse down the drain. When I've finished off most of the salt in my bowl, I like to hold it under the water and get a mixture of hot water and Epsom salt to wash my face with.

4. Moisturize

You can also use Dr. Teal's to exfoliate after your shower. But since I do it in-shower, my moisturizing comes next. I like to extend the lavender-smelling by mixing a few drops of lavender essential oil into a really thick, creamy, heavy, unscented lotion. Then, I slather it all over before slipping into some fuzzy socks and fleece pj pants. Usually by the end of this lavender-fest, my eyes are drooping and I'm completely ready to crawl into bed.

How else can you work Dr. Teal's into your beauty routine besides soaking in the bath or exfoliating dry, dead, winter skin?

Add volume to your hair by combing equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner. Apply, leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse. Adding the salt to your conditioner helps rid your hair of excess oil, which can weigh down your hair and make it look flat or greasy. (I can't wait to try this!)

Relieve your dry lips by giving them a deeper treatment with Dr. Teal's. Just combine a few tablespoons of salt with a teaspoon of petroleum jelly, apply to lips, and gently rub it in. It will remove dead/dry skin and leave your lips looking fuller and healthier!

From muscle aches to bee stings and sunburn relief, you can check out more ways to use Dr. Teal's Epsom salts here.

Find out where to buy Dr. Teal's Epsom salts near you.

Now, go get yourself some! (And if you try any other fragrances, let me know!)


Disclaimer: I received my free sample of Dr. Teal's lavender Epsom salt from Influenster as part of their Cheers to You VoxBox. I was under no obligation to blog about the salts, but I wanted to share my experience with you! :) All thoughts and opinions are all mine and all honest. Like receiving new products to review? Sign up for Influenster here.