Thank Goodness winter is indeed coming. New York was spitting fire on Fashion Week, and my very dry skin didn’t quite like it that much. Not that it likes extreme cold either! However, Autumn is my favorite season of the year and I celebrate its arrival with a bit of Me Time.
Me Time is basically finding fifteen minutes a day to take care of myself tuning out of anything else happening in the world. It can be difficult with our very busy schedules, but there’s nothing I like most in the world than taking a long hot shower at the end of the day and basically going mind blank. I recently discovered the latest launch by LATHER, Lavender Retreat, and it’s one of my latest allies for my Me Time (along with scented candles, as the one pictured). This relaxing duo is infused with Bulgarian lavender essential oil, whose relaxing properties have been well-documented.
Lavender Retreat by LATHER consists of two products whose main active ingredients are olive oil and lavender: A body scrub and a whipped body cream. This means this dynamic duo takes care of dry skin while calming the senses.
Step 1: Exfoliate and Clean!
The Lavender and Olive Foaming Body Scrub is a quite unique beauty product, in the sense that it’s an all-in-one foaming body scrub and cleanser. Sulfate-free, its formula contains olive seed powder, jojoba beads and bamboo powder to buff away flaky skin without stripping it off its natural oils. When mixed with water, the foaming body scrub produces a luxurious lather to lift away impurities.
I’ve always sung praises for a regular exfoliation. After interviewing some doctors, I was surprised to learn that a moderate yet regular exfoliation might actually help get rid of nasty cell accumulations that could lead in time to skin cancer (for more information, please read this article and the position of the American Academy of Dermatology.) In my case, regular and gentle exfoliation helps me fight my dry skin because it absorbs moisturizers much better.
LATHER’s Lavender and Olive Foaming Body Scrub does an excellent job because I can control the pressure I’m putting on my skin when exfoliating, and it then converts into a wonderful sulfate-free lather I can finish off my ritual with. As a bonus, the lavender scent really calms me down, and it’s a perfect to get me ready for a night of dinner + Netflix or book + bed so I can tackle my next day well-rested and confident.
Step 2: Hydrate
The secret to perfect skin is to indulge in a glorious hydration ritual after every good exfoliation session. LATHER’s Lavender Retreat includes the popular Sofian Lavender Whipped Body Creme, a luxurious moisturizer scented with the ever-so-relaxing Bulgarian Lavender essential oil. I use it every night after my shower and my skin feels comfortable and pampered, with the added benefit of a lingering scent that accompanies me to bed!
What I like about LATHER is that they’re a cruelty-free company that elaborates products with a bare minimum number of synthetic ingredients (usually mislabeled as “chemicals”), and they don’t put any unnecessary fillers that irritate the skin. Their formulas are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and much “cleaner” than other brands. So if you have dry and sensitive skin I’d recommend you to give their products a try; you won’t find some of the most irritant chemicals in their formulas. However, please note that the Lavender Retreat is not 100% natural if that’s what you’re looking for. Some of their products are indeed 100% natural and organic (such as the ones I featured here), and if that is something that concerns you it’s as easy as checking the ingredients listed on their website. Something else I really admire from this company is the transparency and honesty when it comes to disclosing what their products contain or don’t contain, and the fact that they don’t make deceptive claims about their ingredients.
The wonderful Lavender Retreat by LATHER retails for $36 and is available on their website and their physical stores in Pasadena, CA, Scottsdale, AZ, Atlanta, GA and Fairfax, VA.
Disclaimer level 1: The author received samples of some of the products mentioned in the article. This didn’t influence the decision to feature the brands nor the opinion expressed here. The author received NO compensation to write this article. Links are provided for information-only.
I like the foaming scrub!