Beauty Tip - A New Year, A New You! Or At Least A New Layer of Skin...

It's a new beginning! We have 365 brand new days worth of 2009 to live to the fullest. Out with the old and in with the new. That means we must end our long and unhealthy relationship with dull, dry skin and dead and gone skin cells. Breaking up is hard to do, but look that epidermis in the pore and say, "I'm sorry, but I'm just not that into you. It's not me, it's you." Then just move on - to the kitchen! Open your fridge, pull out a container of plain yogurt and apply it to your skin and life.

The lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt soothe, soften, brighten, and tighten the skin while refining the pores. Its nutrient content and natural antibacterial and antifungal properties help to get rid of germs and other bacteria from the skin. It is mildly acidic, which is perfect for dissolving dead skin cells, removing surface impurities, and restoring the skin's own protective acid mantle. Who knew we had a mantle? And furthermore, who ever would have thought its acid needed protecting? Oh, how very moving.

Spread a thick layer of plain yogurt over your entire body and face. You may want to let the yogurt sit until it reaches room temperature first, unless you want to gasp and shriek with the shock of the cold substance hitting your skin. Put on a robe you can throw in the wash afterwards, and then relax, starry-eyed, for fifteen minutes while thinking deep thoughts about your wise break-up with your dull old dry skin, and the sweet association you'll have with your new layer of hydrated skin. Then, take a handful of cornmeal and massage it in circular motions over the the yogurt, rinse with warm water, and then complete the transformation with a thick moisturizer. Now that's moving on.