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Treat Your Hands and Feet

by Organic Spa Magazine

After the sun and surf have taken their toll, your damaged, dehydrated skin needs a solid pick-me-up. Avoid the “lobster claw” and embarrassing sandpaper heels with these at-home solutions, which do more than just pamper your hands and feet—they firm, tone, hydrate and repair, leaving you with brand new skin.

PAMPER  YOUR PODS

For inspiration, I visited Sweet Lily Natural Nails in New York City, and indulged in their new Coconut Pineapple Pedicure. After soaking my tired tootsies in a refreshing blend of pineapple juice topped with freshly sliced pineapples, the nail technician exfoliated my legs and feet with a coconut sugar scrub. An intoxicating coconut cream massage left me imagining I were on a tropical island instead of in hectic Manhattan. The treatment finished with a Zoya natural polish of my choice. Seasonal Coconut Pineapple Pedicure, $68; sweetlilyspa.com

 The At-Home Solution

 1. Scrub

Fill a basin with warm water, pineapple juice and freshly sliced pineapples, which contain naturally exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that work to whisk away dull skin. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then get down to scrubbing with Earth Therapeutics Footsie Foot Brush. The foot-shaped wood base is perfectly proportioned for an easy grip and maneuvering, and boar’s bristles sweep away dirt and debris on the soles, nail bed and between toes. $3.99; earththerapeutics.net

2. Exfoliate

SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Body Scrub contains Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that is highly effective in protecting skin cells from free radical damage. The shea butter and sugar-based scrub is also packed with hibiscus flower, a natural emollient that treats dry, rough skin and improves tone. Coconut oil nourishes and firms. $9.99; sheamoisture.com

 3. Moisturize

Caldrea’s Coconut Fig Leaf Body Crème Soufflé immediately helps revive skin by restoring elasticity and hydration with shea butter and rice bran oil. Fresh and exotic, this cream has subtle scent and no greasy residue. $28; caldrea.com

 4. Polish

Add some sparkle to your life with SpaRitual’s Special Edition Laugh Collection Nail Lacquer—a fun summer array of vivid colors and glitter that you can layer and mix. Shades in the Laugh collection include Optimistic, Hugs, HA…HA…, Giggle, Out Loud, and Burst. $12 each; sparitual.com

 5. Rejuvenate

While your toenails dry, perch your feet on a Bed of Nails pillow. Inspired by ancient Indian healing tradition similar to acupressure, the plastic nails activate pressure points on your feet, helping the body to release endorphins—leaving you euphoric. We love the new pink pillow, which you can pop under your desk for instant stress relief. $24.95; us.bedofnails.org

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HEAL YOUR HANDS

Savor Spa + Boutique is one of New York City’s premier eco-chic spas. Treatments use locally produced products from Om Aroma & Co., an anti-aging luxury organic skincare line. I made myself comfortable on a stool at the beauty bar while the technician shaped my nails. To soften cuticles, she used Om’s Sweet Baby Organic Oil ($26)—also excellent for dry, cracked hands. She spritzed my palms with uplifting Lemongrass Jeux d’eau Organic Toner ($32), then exfoliated with Délices Sucrés Organic Sugar Scrub ($45). The treatment concluded with a heavenly hand massage using Crème Eclat Organic Body Cream ($45), a restorative formula with Chardonnay grape-seed oil and a citrus blossom essential oil blend, fortified with shea butter and silk proteins. Eco-Manicure, $20; savorspa.com; products at omaroma.com

Exfoliate

Polish your hands to perfection with Astara’s sumptuous Citrus Lavender Sea Salt Scrub, which gently exfoliates dry surface cells. Dead sea salt and papaya enzymes promote absorption of this nourishing botanical cocktail, which balances invigorating citrus with calming lavender. $39; astaraskincare.com

Replenish

For a bright shore-inspired scent, we love Caldrea’s Sea Salt Neroli Hand Balm, which combines sweet almond oil and shea butter to help soften even the driest hands. The 3-oz. tube is perfect for travel and easy to pop into a purse. $10; caldrea.com

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ESSENTIAL EXTRAS

For an extra dose of hydration, mix a pump or two of Astara’s Aroma Nutrient Face and Body Oil into your favorite cream. Lemongrass, lavender, organic rose hips and jojoba combine to create this multifunctional oil blend, which softens dry skin. $45; astaraskincare.com

Banish Bacteria

For an anti-bacterial addition during sweaty summer months, apply Derma e’s Tea Tree and E Oil directly to clean, dry skin or nails. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and helps fight fungi and bacteria, while Vitamin E oil aids in resolving burns and abrasions (e.g. blisters from too-tight heels). $13.75; dermae.com

Treat

If you’ve had too much fun in the sun, rescue your skin with Kerstin Florian’s Aloe Gel, a cooling blend of moisturizing aloe vera and sea-derived vitamins and minerals that provide soothing comfort to sunburned skin. This after-sun therapy absorbs quickly, leaving skin instantly hydrated and refreshed. $44; kerstinflorianusa.com

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