September 1st, 2010
Removing dead skin cells is an important step for healthy skin.
GlyMed Plus Anti-Aging Exfoliant Masque is an extraordinary multi-exfoliation system designed to amplify the active penetration benefits of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic Acids combined with natural jojoba beads to effectively improve skin firmness, tone and texture. This exfoliating system stimulates the production of new skin cells.
I love using this product in a facial service. It helps to soften congested areas and to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells which prepares the skin to receive nutrients and antioxidants. Clients immediately notice a bright and fresh appearance of their skin.
GlyMed Plus Anti-Aging Exfoliant Masque can be found at http://cwaskincare.com along with other great products from GlyMed Plus.
Tags: antioxidant, beauty, exfoliate, health, mask, misc., skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Spotlight on Products | No Comments »
July 13th, 2010
For nursing moms Mambino Organics Calendula Nursing Balm is a must have. Not only is this balm healing and conditioning, it is food grade safe, meaning that you do not have to wipe it off before your baby nurses.
Maki founder of Mambino Organics designed this product with moms and babies in mind. Moms love the calendula nursing balm because you don’t have to wash it off before putting your baby at the breast.
This nursing balm is essential during the first months of breastfeeding when your nipples can feel a bit sore from the introduction of nursing and your baby learning to breastfeed. Instantly conditions and soothes painful irritations and helps heal chapped nipples, by making them more supple and resilient. Unscented, lanolin-free and 100% natural.
Benefits:
Calendula infused oil- regenerates torn skin tissue
Olive oil- hydrates and soothes skin
Plantain infused oil- relieves skin irritations and inflammation
I get great feedback from new moms on all of Mambino Organics products. Check out some of their other products here. Another example of the care and attention Mambino Organics put into their products is Mambino Organics Youth Glow Omega Face Complex. And more great skin care products are at http://cwaskincare.com.
Tags: babies, beauty, calendula, health, mambino orgaincs, misc., natural, new moms, nursing balm, organic, skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Spotlight on Products | 11 Comments »
June 22nd, 2010
I want to highlight a skin care product this week that is one of my favorites and a great way to start my day. I always use GlyMed Plus Mega-Purifying Cleanser from their Cell Science collection as my first cleanse.
The slogan for Cell Science is: “Healthy Skin Care at home. Balanced skin care: a harmonic blend of the nurturing and protecting elements of nature with the wisdom and technology of science- both ancient and modern”.
This milky cleanser is great for all skin types. It dissolves make-up and daily accumulation of oils and environment preventing pores from becoming clogged. This cleanser also has the antioxidant vitamins C, A and E to combat free radical activity.
Last week I wrote about the benefits of shea butter which this cleanser has, boosting the vitamin count and aiding in soothing dry skin. All this is good, but my favorite ingredient in this cleanser is lavender. When I use this cleanser I feel as if I am having a spa treatment. Lavender really relaxes me and I end up spending more time cleansing allowing my skin to drink all the goodness of GlyMed Plus Mega-Purifying cleanser.
I have used this cleanser on all skin types including sensitive skin in the treatment room with great results and sometimes will use it to subdue a reaction from other products. It instantly cleanses and removes the ingredient causing irritation to the skin and brings relief. The only client I could not use this cleanser on was one that not only has extremely sensitive skin but also very reactive rosacea. (Of course I don’t use it on anyone allergic or sensitive to lavender).
Like all products from GlyMed Plus this cleanser delivers. I am so thankful to be able to use this cleanser in facials treatments to begin my cleansing routine and introduce relaxation to my client. A full list of ingredients is listed here and for other Glymed Plus products please visit http://www.cwaskincare.com.
Tags: antioxidant, beauty, cleanser, health, misc., skin care
Posted in Spotlight on Products | 2 Comments »
June 17th, 2010
Shea butter is a creamy colored natural fat from African karite trees (Butyrosperum Parkii Kotschy) also known as shea trees. Karite trees have nuts that are roughly the size of plums and these nuts are harvested for their butter.
Shea butter has great healing properties and can be found in various skin care products and as a stand alone product. 100% pure shea butter is in a solid form and melts at body temperature. It absorbs easily into the skin without clogging pores, making it a great massage medium.
It is commonly used for moisturizing skin, as an emulsion and for anti-inflammatory properties. Shea butter contains vitamins; A, E and F to nourish skin and cinnamic acid which gives shea butter a natural SPF of 6. Shea butter also has linoleic acid making it a great treatment for dry skin, dermatitis, irritation and chapping.
Shea butter is healing and an anti-aging. This soothing butter aids in healing; dry skin, burns, scars, eczema, stretch marks and dandruff. It has anti-aging properties and helps to minimize wrinkles and fine lines.
Shea butter is safe for children and is used in products to prevent or treat diaper rash and cradle cap. One caution regarding shea butter is to not use if allergic to nuts or latex.
100% pure shea butter can be applied to;
1. Bath water for soft skin, use about one tablespoon.
2. Skin as a post shave treatment.
3. Chapped lips.
4. Hair and scalp as a moisturizing treatment.
5. Areas of irritation that are caused from; cold weather, eczema, sunburn and rashes.
Shea butter can be found in health food stores and in skin care products sold here.
One of our most popular skin care products at http://www.cwaskincare.com is the Mambino Organics Oh Baby Belly Butter, it smells wonderful and I use it as a full body treatment in place of body lotion when I need extra protection from the elements. This is the product that I used to treat my eczema flare up this past winter.
Tags: beauty, health, Homemade Recipes, misc., natural, organic, shea butter, skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Skin Care Ingredients | 8 Comments »
June 9th, 2010
Last week I wrote an introduction about essential oils and want to take a closer look at these powerful oils. Since essential oils are therapeutic in nature they require some consideration. The following information is specific to undiluted oils- not oils that have been diluted in a carrier oils or in other binders found in skin care products. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make regarding health and wellness.
TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS
-If you experience skin irritation or discomfort when using essential oils use vegetable oil to help dilute the essential oil.
-To ensure essential oils maintain their potency keep oils in a tightly closed amber or cobalt bottle stored in a cool place away from light.
-Store oils our of reach of children.
-Some oils such as; angelica, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, orange, tangerine, and other citrus oils are photosensitizing and cause skin discoloration on areas of use when exposed to direct sun.
-Don’t use oils rich in menthol like peppermint on the throat or neck of children younger than 30 months.
-Don’t ever use in the ears and of course not in the eyes, use extreme caution when using around the eye area.
-Pregnant women, epileptics and those with high blood pressure should consult with their doctor before using any essential oils.
-Apply a patch test on inside of arm and wait at least 24 hours if you have allergies or sensitive skin.
-Oils are flammable so keep them away from fire.
-Don’t add oils to bath water without a dispersing agent. One very nice product we offer at http://www.cwaskincare.com is the Starflower Essentials Bath Emulsion it is wonderful therapy for aching muscles, stress, uplifting moods and promote deep breathing.
Thanks for taking a look I am sure there will be even more about essential oils.
Tags: beauty, Essential Oils, health, misc., skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Essential Oils, Skin Care Ingredients | No Comments »
June 2nd, 2010
Essential oils are the substance extracted from plants and can be referred to as aromatherapy or volatile oils. They have been used medicinally to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Essential oils have wonderful aromatic benefits to lift up your mood, balance your well being and to evoke romance. They can aid in the healing of tissue and stimulate nerves by carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells.
Essential oils have been used for quite some time as they are mentioned in the bible, both old and new testament. Today essential oils are used in various alternative healing modalities for their therapeutic value. Often skin care companies will incorporate the use of essential oils in their products; to provide relief from dry skin, as an astringent to oily skin and to preserve the shelf life of products.
METHODS OF EXTRACTION
- Steam Distillation- the oldest method. Plants are steamed and the steam is collected then oils are separated from water.
- Expressed Oils- are pressed from the rind of the fruits.
- Solvent Extraction- using oil-soluble solvents to extract oil.
- Absolutes- using grain alcohol to extract and capture fragrance. Often used for jasmine and neroli.
The chemical compound of essential oils can be very complex and it sometimes requires the entire plant to be distilled to produce a drop of oil. Much care is involved in the growing and harvesting of plants used for essential oils. Producing essential oils can be very costly and will be reflected at the check-out counter. Some companies do take shortcuts by repeatedly using the same plant in many distillation applications. It is best to find a reputable company with high standards when choosing your oils, especially if you are desiring therapeutic benefits. Because of the medicinal benefits it is recommended to do some research to get a good understanding of these powerful oils. For pregnant women it is best to consult with your doctor before using essential oils as therapy.
Oils can be found as a single or blends, and are used in spa services such as; in a massage medium, diffuser and as its own modality. Essential oils should be used in a carrier oils like jojoba, grapeseed, shea butter and other like massage mediums. A few drops into a carrier oil will go a long way in the treatment room.
ESSENTIAL OILS COMMONLY FOUND IN TREATMENT ROOMS
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LAVENDER. For many people the smell of lavender is an instant way to relax. It is antiseptic, analgesic and an anti-inflammatory. Specific to skin it helps to prevent the build up of sebum, reducing where bacteria can live.
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ROSE. It is anti-inflammatory, aids in preventing scarring and beneficial to dry skin.
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PALMAROSA. It is antimicrobial and works with the nervous system. Palmarosa is great for skin problems by stimulating new cell growth, regulating oil production and moisturizing.
Just a couple of my favorite products with essential oils:
Starflower Essentials skin care uses essential oils in their products, making them effective and introducing mood lifting scents to your daily routine. My favorite moisturizer is the Chamomile Rose Nutrient Intensive Moisturizer. It doesn’t have any “filler” binders and is readily absorbed into my skin. It is definitely one of our best sellers.
GlyMed Plus Mega-Purifying Cleanser contains lavender balanced with vitamins for a great cleanse and a touch of “spa experience”.
For more skin care products containing essential oils visit http://cwaskincare.com.
Please keep in mind that this blog is only an introduction to essential oils. There is so much more.
Tags: beauty, Essential Oils, health, misc., skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Essential Oils, Skin Care Ingredients | 3 Comments »
May 25th, 2010
Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax ester and only referred to as an oil because of its liquid state. This is important because unlike oils, jojoba oil doesn’t oxidize and become rancid giving it a stable shelf life. It contains alpha, delta and gamma tocopherols, all of which are forms of vitamin E, and silicon, chromium, copper and zinc. Jojoba oil is antimicrobial, non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (will not cause breakouts), all of which makes jojoba oil a great ingredient in skin care.
Jojoba oil is very similar to the natural sebum (oil) that is produced from our sebum glands, this sebum lubricates, promotes healing and protects our skin. Sebum production can decrease due to age, environment, hormones, diet and stress, by using jojoba oil you can moisturize and balance oil production of your skin. Often jojoba oil is found in: cleansers, moisturizers, shampoo and conditioners and baby care.
USES OF JOJOBA OIL
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Apply oil on a cotton pads to remove eye make-up. This is also good to condition and strengthen eye lashes.
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Apply a couple of drops on chapped lips for soothing relief.
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Put a couple of drops into your moisturizer to increase moisture absorption.
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Apply directly to skin after bathing while skin is wet for a great hydrating skin treatment.
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Massage into chapped/cracked hands and put on cotton gloves, wear overnight to wake to nourished hands.
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Massage into cuticles or soak fingers in a small dish of jojoba oil for its softening effects.
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For babies; use for cradle cap, after a bath and diaper change.
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For hair and scalp; massage into dry or damp hair, leave on for 30 minutes to overnight to prevent dryness and restore natural texture and luster.
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Use as a massage medium for face and body for a safe and wonderful slip and glide medium.
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Use as a carrier oil for aromatherapy essential oils.
I have been using Mambino Organics Tippy Toes Baby Oil to moisturize my body and I especially like it as a hair and scalp treatment. I use it about twice a week as a hair treatment and leave it on for thirty minutes. Normally I only need to shampoo once to remove the oil and if I get carried away with the application I either shampoo twice or just have heavier hair than normal. It really helps to combat the Arizona dryness.
Visit http://cwaskincare.com for skin care products designed with you in mind.
Tags: beauty, health, jojoba oil, massage. facial massage, misc., natural, organic, skin care, skin care ingredient
Posted in Homemade Recipes, Skin Care Ingredients | 3 Comments »
May 18th, 2010
With the impending hot weather of Arizona approaching I have begun to crave the coolness of cucumbers. Initially I hoped to write about homemade cucumber masks, but I could not find one that was satisfactory. One recipe I tried attempted to be a “peel off” mask by combining cucumber juice, aloe vera gel, tea and gelatin. It became a cold glob that couldn’t be applied to my face. Another one was to mix equal parts aloe vera gel and pureed cucumber this mixture was too watery. It would be great for sunburned areas, but difficult as a facial mask.
I thought of scrapping this topic, but as I continued to look at the benefits of cucumbers I had to write about them. Cucumbers are just too beneficial to ignore.
Cucumbers are anywhere from 90% to 96% water and; vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, silica, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. With its high percentage of water cucumbers are a natural diuretic that produces a cleansing action within the body. The high level of vitamin C coupled with vitamin A gives it antioxidant qualities. Not only are cucumbers refreshing they are low in calories. Skin care products often incorporate cucumbers for its soothing properties.
Applied topically cucumbers help to cool down a sunburn and reduce puffiness in the eye area. Peel and puree cucumber to make a paste for sunburned area and slice cucumber rounds for the eye area. When cucumber paste is mixed with aloe vera gel it can aid in soothing eczema. As with all natural ingredients be aware of any possible allergies and do a test patch.
Eating cucumbers will help to; regulate blood pressure, remove toxins, reduce heartburn and stomach acids, strengthen connective tissues, reduce inflammation associated with arthritis (gout and rheumatoid) and asthma, and supply electrolytes to hydrate the body and reduce water retention. The nourishing vitamins and trace minerals are great for hair, skin and nails, including treating eczema.
The only homemade cucumber skin care recipe I have found that I like is for a cool refreshing toner. Peel and seed a cucumber, roughly chop it and place in a blender. Add 1 cup of distilled water and blend. Strain mixture (I used a coffee filter). Proceed with only the juice add 1/4 cup witch hazel and mix. Pour into a spray bottle. Use as a refresher throughout the day. Keep in the fridge and discard any unused mixture after two weeks. According to Aubrey Organics Natural Ingredients Dictionary cucumber is an astringent so this mixture is best for normal, combination and oily skin. For dry to normal skin omit the witch hazel.
I found a site with a great collection of cucumber recipes here. I am drawn to the cucumber granita using mint or tarragon and freezing the mixture in ice cube trays to serve in our cucumber water (cold filtered water with fresh cucumber slices) to our clients for a refreshing beverage after a facial. For another great drink designed to reduce uric acid in the body mix cucumber juice with carrot juice.
I will continue my quest for a homemade cucumber mask, until then I recommend Tasha & Co Cucumber Mask found at our online store http://cwaskincare.com.
Tags: antioxidant, beauty, cucumber, health, Homemade Recipes, mask, misc., natural, skin care, skin care ingredient, Tasha & Co
Posted in Homemade Recipes, Nutrition, Skin Care Ingredients | 1 Comment »
May 4th, 2010
Last week I wrote about the benefits of facial massage and mentioned Tasha & Co acai berry oil as my preferred facial massage medium. I thought I would follow up with more information about acai. This berry is receiving a lot of press regarding its nutritional value. It is also, finding its way into skin care and with good reason. All of the acai berry fruit is used in skin care, the oil is extracted and the remaining fruit is used as an exfoliating bioscrub. Acai oil is rich in anthocyanins, essential fatty acids, phytosterols and vitamin C.
Anthocyanins is the pigment in red grapes which is antioxidant rich and can be found in other great anitoxidant fruits and vegetables such as, blueberries, red cabbage. Studies show that acai has 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes. Antioxidants protect cells from destruction of free radicals which combats the aging process and helps keep the body free from disease.
Essential fatty acids are essential nutrients that our body requires, but doesn’t produce. Acai has essential fatty acids omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Omega-3 is alpha -linolenic acid. Omega-6 is in the form of linoleic acid which is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. Omega-9 is in the form of aleic acid a monounsaturated essential acid that softens the skin and delivers moisture.
Phytosterols are sterols from plant cell membranes that regulate and balance the lipids (fat) in the superficial layer of the skin. Phyosterols are great for dermatitis (eczema) by stimulating the regeneration process.
Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant.
This wonderful fruit is great for the skin as a dietary nutrient and when applied topically. You can find several skin care products that contain acai berry here.
Tags: acai berry, antioxidant, beauty, health, massage. facial massage, misc., Nutrition, organic, skin care, skin care ingredient, Tahsa & Co
Posted in Nutrition, Skin Care Ingredients | 3 Comments »
April 27th, 2010
Often clients ask me about the benefits of facial massage. Apart from the obvious that it simply feels good there are various reasons that a massage is performed during a facial. Usually the facial massage follows the extraction step, however for some skin conditions such as, acne it can be better to massage first then extract.
BENEFITS OF FACIAL MASSAGE
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Nourishes the skin by stimulating blood circulation, which brings oxygen to the cells and takes away waste aiding in detoxifying the body and skin.
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Reduces fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue, which helps to tone and firm the skin and underlying tissue. Best treatment for cellulite.
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Promotes warmth which increases the secretion of sebum (oil) making extractions easier.
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Makes skin softer, tones muscles and retards aging.
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Reduces puffiness by promoting circulation of the lymphatic drainage system.
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Reduces inflammation in the sinus cavity, helping those with allergies.
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Strengthens muscle fibers.
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Stress reducer by relaxing and soothing nerves and eases tense muscles.
TYPES OF MASSAGE USED IN FACIAL MASSAGE
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Swedish
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Acupressure
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Reflexology
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Aromatherapy
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Lymphatic Drainage
I incorporate all the various types of massage within each facial, provided my client doesn’t have any contraindications. For example; I don’t use aromatherapy when my clients are sensitive to any form of scent, synthetic or natural. My favorite massage oil is any of the Tasha & Co oils with acai berry. For clients with rosacea and/or scent sensitivity I use Mambino Organics baby oil or grapeseed oil.
Please visit http://cwaskincare.com for any of the mentioned products and more information regarding services.
Tags: acai berry, beauty, health, massage. facial massage, misc., organic, skin care
Posted in Massage | No Comments »
