MSG: An Ionic Dream

Dear FlyGirl,

Do salt scrubs really make you glow like the spa menu descriptions claim?  The treatments sound awesome but they are pricey so I want to make a smart decision. 

-Inbok

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Dear Inbok,

The short answer to your question is: yes.

The longer version is perhaps better described with an equation: M (massage)+S (salt)= G (glow)

Here’s the breakdown.

If you are reading off of a spa menu, then the implication is that someone will be rubbing you with oils, salts and their hands. The physical act of rubbing the skin stimulates circulation, which temporarily wakes your epidermis up from its usual daily slumber.  Adding salt into the massage mixture sloughs off dead skin, revealing young and fresh skin cells that are supremely eager to prove their greatness.  They glow and make you proud…until they burn out and turnover.  (Hmm…sound anything like the grad student trajectory???)

If you have the funds to treat yourself to a spa service, then by all means go for it.  It is an act of self-care, which is often overlooked and undervalued in our world today.  You must remember, however, that the glow is temporary.  Thus, learn how to maintain the glow until your next service.  Here are two at home salt solutions that will save your skin…and your wallet.

Swedish Dream Salt Soap

Believe it or not, I stumbled onto this soap while perusing the home decorations at CB2 in NYC.  (And yes, I truly did stumble over a bath mat only to land directly in front of the shelf where this happy little anchor sat smiling.)  Perhaps it was Swedish serendipity at work, because I bought one to try and have since returned to CB2 to purchase 10 more.  This IS a dream salt soap.  Many on the market do not scrub and slough like they claim.  They either scrape your skin off (horrid) or they do have three pieces of salt in the entire bar, which provides nothing in terms of exfoliation.  This one has just the right balance of soap, scent and salt to satisfy every desire for clean, vibrant and refreshingly tingly skin. Additionally, the bar fits perfectly in your palm, so you do not have to worry about it shooting out of your hand like a weapon.  Lastly, I suggest buying this DIY M+S=G at CB2 (in person or online) because it seems to be the least expensive retailer.

Walgreens Lavender Soak Epsom Salt

As you know, salt can act as buffer against overly acidic or alkaline additions to a solution.  Well, I can attest that it can also buffer the human skin (and spirit) from acrid additions to life be it muscle aches, inflamed skin or overall emotional malaise.  If you have a bathtub, then you can give your entire body a 15-minute (or longer) treat with an Epsom salt bath. (Or you may want to just do a foot soak in a pail.)  It will diffuse body pains and aches while softening and brightening skin.  You must also walk away from electronics for this time, as you would never dare bring a cell phone near a bathtub full of water, right??? Consider this time an act of physical AND mental self-care.  You may follow the directions on the bag with how much to disperse into your tub.  I lack all regulatory titration skills, however, and prefer to dump at least half the bag.  The lavender scent is not a pungent or overpowering.  It is clean, fresh and relaxing.  You’ll glow on the inside and out without breaking the bank.

Whether you trust your salt to others helping hands or you prefer to do it yourself, go on and take yourself from drab to fab!

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Whether painting faces backstage at Victoria’s Secret, traveling the globe for her international clients or writing for magazines and style guides, our FlyGirl lends her hands to enhance beauty both inside and out.  She thinks creatively and approaches practically to create unique yet easy styles.  Send your questions to [email protected] and learn how to become your own artist! 

[Disclaimer: FlyGirl nor BenchFly makes any money off of the products recommended in this column.]

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