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Tuesday 4 June 2013

Why exfoliate your skin during the waning moon?


Why exfoliate your skin during the waning moon?

How can it be that our bodies, skin  and the moon that we see in the sky are so closely related?

Our moon goes through four major phases, it starts off as a new moon when it is just visible to our eyes, it then grows in size, which is called waxing until it reaches a full moon. When our moon begins to look smaller to us it is called a waning moon. We know that the moon has a powerful effect on our planet as it affects our tides but it isn’t just the tides that the moon controls, the moon also has an effect on our bodies. The moon can affect our emotions and our physical bodies as well. The same amazing force that the moon has that gives us our tides affects the flow of fluid in and out of the cells of our bodies too and indeed affects the cells of every living thing on our planet, down to every blade of grass!

As the moon begins to wane this encourages a flushing out of any excess toxins and water from our bodies and skin thus this is an excellent time for purifying your skin. A lot of the top spas are now offering treatments based upon the moon phases.

In terms of caring for your skin, deep cleansing, exfoliating,  and re-juvenating are the key goals for this point in the moon’s cycle.

"The waning moon detoxifies and washes out, sweats out and breathes out, dries, consolidates, prompts to action and the expenditure of energy." Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe state in their book 'Moon Time'

Your skin will benefit most from a deep cleansing at this waning moon time. Any face masks or facial scrubs used now will have a more active, and penetrating effect, allowing your body to let go of any waste and toxins it is holding on to. Toxins that leave your body now are more are less likely to build up again over the coming weeks.


Exfoliating your skin during the waning moon is particularly effective and will encourage your skin to produce newer, younger skin.  In this way you will be supporting your body’s natural urge to cleanse itself of any impurities.

There are lots of face masks and exfoliating scrubs that you can buy however you can make your own, giving you a cheap, effective and organic way of giving your skin a cleansing waning moon treatment.  A very simple yet highly effective beauty treatment that I use is a simple baking salts scrub. Firstly steam your face over a bowl of hot water for about five minutes to open up your pores. Then mix three tablespoons of baking soda with a little water to make a paste, massage gently into your face and wash off.
Another recipe to try is using ground almonds, again make to a paste and apply gently in circular motions. Instead of water you can substitute rose water in either of these recipes. Rose water is wonderful as it is very soothing and balancing and is especially good for sensitive skin.
A much more exfoliating scrub is to use oatmeal. Mix a tablespoon of oatmeal with a teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of yoghurt. If you have sensitive skin you should avoid the sensitive areas and perhaps just concentrate on the T-zone of your face. You can also let your scrub double as a mask! Let it rest on your face for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
Why not give your whole body a lovely exfoliating treat. This can be achieved very simply and effectively with either sea salt or brown sugar and ordinary virgin olive oil. Simply mix the two together to form a paste, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and then gently massage all over your body in the shower. When you rinse away your skin will feel silky smooth, the dead skin will have been gently exfoliated whilst your body will have benefitted from the natural olive oil.

Once you have thoroughly cleansed, relax with a good book, perhaps burn some incense do some yoga or meditation. You will be better prepared and have more energy during the waxing moon if you follow what your body and mother nature are telling you. You will have rid your skin of the toxins that have built up and they will be less likely to return over the coming weeks as you have followed your body’s natural rhythm and desire to cleanse itself.

Sources Susan Larsen http://www.longhairlovers.com
Incense and essential oil available: http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/
Moon Time: Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe

Try out some fabulous organic skin scrubs here: 

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