Ask Kitty Magoo: Prepare to Bare with a DIY Scrub

Dear Kitty,

Spring is finally here but my skin is not ready to be shown! Any ideas on how to brighten up?

Signed, Dessicated in Door County

Dear Dessicated,

Boy, can I relate! After a long, Wisconsin winter I’m practically covered in scales. So before I pull out my tank tops and flip flops, I like to give myself a head to toe treatment featuring ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s like spending the day at an expensive spa without the hefty price tag!

Let’s start with a DIY scrub. The sugar in this recipe, adapted from Lauren Cox’s EcoBeauty, acts as both a physical and a chemical exfoliant; the granules help slough away dead skin while the trace amounts of naturally-occurring glycolic acid help dissolve dead skin cells. Both exfoliation methods act to reveal the fresh, radiant skin hiding underneath your winter layer. And the coffee stimulates circulation, which further increases the glow factor.

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup almond oil

• 1/2 cup coffee grounds

Stir ingredients together until well mixed and spoon into a wide-mouthed container. To use, rub a couple tablespoons of scrub all over your body, concentrating on rough spots like knees and elbows. Rinse well.

Once you’ve scrubbed your skin baby smooth, it’s time to seal in the softness with a moisturizing body oil. Immediately post-scrub, while still damp from the shower, simply slather yourself in the oil of your choice. If you have almond oil left over from your scrub recipe, it’s an excellent choice for all skin types. Other great options include grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil. If you’d like, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Or try Evan Healy’s Sweet Blossom Hydrating Body Oil, which smells absolutely divine. Et voila! You’re ready for shorts, sandals, and sunshine.

Meow!