One of the most economical, safe, and pleasurable treatments for improving skin tone and reducing cellulite is massage.  (I know it sounds too good to be true, but I am not making this up!)

Perhaps the reason why this method has not gained more notice is because it is too time-consuming and expensive to visit a massage therapist daily to receive a good anti-cellulite massage.  But nevertheless, it is still true that vigorous massage stimulates circulation, improves lymph flow, and helps to move stagnant fat deposits.   Each of these actions diminishes cellulite and gives you smoother, lovelier skin across your whole body.

Want to know the most fabulous secret about anti-cellulite massage?  You can actually do it on yourself at home. (I am not making this up either!)  This is a huge time-saver and money-saver, and it means you really can do the massage daily, which increases the effectiveness by a ton.

Here is how it works ~

•  Begin by dry brushing.  Use firm, brisk strokes moving towards the heart.  Aim for between 30 to 70 strokes per body part. (Click here for all the details on how to dry brush.)
•  Shower or bathe.
•  Right after your shower or bath, towel off and begin your anti-cellulite massage.

Anti-Cellulite Massage:

1) Lift one arm straight up toward the sky. Bend that arm in half so your elbow is now pointing towards the sky.  Rest your hand of that same arm on the back of your shoulder.  Use the knuckles of your other hand to firmly and briskly stroke from your pointed-up elbow towards your armpit.   Do at least 40 to 80 strokes. Repeat with the other arm.

2) Press firm, strong, clock-wise circles around your belly button using your knuckles.  Do 40 to 80 circles.

3) Starting with your calves, press your knuckles firmly against your skin and stroke towards your heart. Do at least 40 to 80 firm, brisk strokes.   Continue on with your thighs, buttocks, hips, belly, waist and arms.  Do at least 40 to 80 firm, brisk, knuckle-strokes per body part.  Use both hands whenever possible.

4) Starting with your calves, do firm, brisk circular strokes with your knuckles. (Ultimately these circular strokes move towards your heart.)  Continue on with your thighs, buttocks, hips, belly, waist and arms.  Do at least 40 to 80 strokes per body part.  Use both hands whenever possible. (Always use clock-wise strokes for your belly.)

5) Starting with your calves, squeeze, pull and press your skin as if you were kneading bread dough, then gently and rapidly “pinch” your skin, pulling your skin lightly away from your body.  Continue on with your thighs, buttocks, hips, belly, waist and arms.  Do at least 40 to 80 kneads and pinches per body part.  Use both hands whenever possible.

6) Starting with your legs, finish the massage with broad, long, relaxing, luxurious strokes towards your heart.  Use the palms and fingers of your flat hands.  Stroke your whole legs, whole torso, and whole arms. At least 20 to 40 strokes per body part.  Use both hands whenever possible.

Massage Tips:

1) Use a great body moisturizer or body oil to do this massage with.  Apply just enough for your hands to glide easily across your skin, but not so much that your skin is slippery and your knuckles can’t get any traction.  High-quality body creams and oils not only improve the texture of your skin, some of them can even help to diminish cellulite, too.

2) Don’t forget to include every part of you in your anti-cellulite massage… like your inner thighs, the backs of your thighs, the tops of your thighs, your outer thighs, the backs of your calves, etc…Don’t miss anything.

3) Do the massage daily. Or as often as you can.  Your persistence and focused energy will pay off.

4) Do what you can. This massage gets easier and faster the more you do it.  Start with fewer repetitions or fewer days per week if you need to, until you build your stamina and the whole routine becomes do-able.

5) Give yourself a jump-start. Need some inspiration and immediate gratification?  Receive the Lush Botanical Body Wrap at Rich Earth. This stimulates healthy circulation, healthy lymph flow and the release of excess weight retention in a deeply relaxing, rejuvenating way.  You will be primed, ready and inspired to continue on successfully with your anti-cellulite massage at home.

Massage Caution:

1) You may notice some bruising at first- this is actually quite normal.  We tend to bruise more easily in places where circulation is weak… which is exactly where cellulite and poor skin texture show up. Improving our circulation not only improves how our skin looks, it improves our health as well.

2) If stimulating circulation or performing a vigorous massage on yourself could be less than optimal for your particular state of health, check with your healthcare practitioner before beginning.

Other Tips for Success:

•  Drink two to four (or more) cups of high-quality green tea and/or white tea per day.
•  Drink enough high-quality water each day so that your urine is generally clear to pale in color.
•  Eat plentiful amounts of greens, vegetables and fruits, along with high-quality protein each day.  High-quality fats (in amounts best for you) are important, too.
•  Go easy on flour products, processed foods and sugary foods, most especially in the hours before bed.
•  Find releasing motion you love (dance, yoga, hiking, walking, biking, swimming, Stretch Appeal, Argentine Tango, something else fabulous…) and give yourself the gift of doing it often.  Each day if you can.

For more information or to purchase these products, call (503) 729-5261 or email Marna@RichEarthOrganicSpa.com .

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

“Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you will ever own.” ~ Mary Schmich

“You are as amazing as you let yourself be. Let me repeat that. You are as amazing as you let yourself be.”
~ Elizabeth Alraune

Image Credit

• Beach Chair Image by Petr Kratochvil

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is educational, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is always advisable to check with your health care practitioner before beginning a new health care regime, such as exercise or vigorous massage.

Spring Cleanse for Your Complexion~

ilike organic skin care created one of the most incredible facial treatments ever experienced.  This treatment is the ultimate in detoxifying your skin and increasing oxygen intake to create a healthy, glowing, lush complexion.  It immediately improves the color and texture of your skin, while repeated treatments do everything from heal blemishes and improve rosacea, to smooth fine lines and increase firmness and radiance. Nearly every skin type (including sensitive, eczema, psoriasis, anemic, dull, clogged, normal, sun-damaged, stressed, aging, acne-prone, rosacea-prone, oily, dry, dehydrated, imbalanced, hyperpigmented) benefits profoundly from this treatment.

It used to be available in professional facial treatments only.  Until now…
For the first time ever, this incomparable treatment is available for you to use at home.

This is a huge boon to you, because even though you see immediate, positive results after just one application, this treatment works best when applied one to two times per week. Since it can be financially challenging to receive a professional facial one or two times per week, this gives you the chance to do the treatments more economically at home… and see the results you may not have known were possible.  After several weeks of applying this treatment regularly, you will notice an incredible difference in your complexion.

Here is what is in store for you…
AHA fruit peel & Hungarian paprika gel treatment (for home use)~

AHA fruit peel: This biological peel with fruit acids (20% AHA) has an amazing result with every skin type or skin problem.  A regenerating wonder, it offers countless benefits, including:

• restructures your skin, cleansing it inside and out as if it were reborn;
• reduces inflammation;
• improves your blood circulation and the functions of your circulation system;
• refines your skin’s surface.

The AHA fruit peel is rich in apple, grape, naseberry, fruit acids, malic acid, lemon balm oil, lactic acid, pectins and vitamin E.
The AHA fruit peel is meant to be layered under the Hungarian paprika gel treatment. Apply them together one to two times per week.

Hungarian paprika gel treatment:  This masque revitalizes your entire complexion.  It is the “go to” masque to use before important events as it leaves your skin velvety, firm, fresh and glowing.  It is a powerful catalyst as well, as it increases the potency of the AHA fruit peel layered under it.  It provides an astounding number of additional benefits, including:

• increases healthy cellular metabolism as well as blood and lymph circulation, which gives you a healthier, more luminous complexion;
• boosts collagen formation, which increases facial firmness;
• provides potent anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects;
• improves your skin’s nutrient and oxygen intake.

The Hungarian paprika treatment is rich in st. john’s wort, sage, walnut leaf, horsetail, marsh mallow, Hungarian cherry pepper, lavender oil, honey, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, trace elements, Vitamin B2 and C.
The Hungarian paprika gel treatment is meant to be layered over the top of the AHA fruit peel.  Apply them together one to two times per week.

Both the AHA fruit peel ($68) and the Hungarian paprika gel treatment ($48) are now available at Rich Earth.  (Not available on the Rich Earth website just yet.)  For more information or to purchase these products, call (503) 729-5261 or email Marna@RichEarthOrganicSpa.com .

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

“April is a promise that May is bound to keep.” ~ Hal Borland

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

For Love, for Beauty, for Fun, for an Exquisite Complexion, and for February Only….

Enjoy 15% off these intensely robust, skin-rejuvenating skin care products through the end of February, 2012*.
(*or only while supplies last. Not to be combined with any other offers or gift certificates).

Why these specific skin care products?
Besides offering profound improvements that you must experience at least once, click here to find out…

Also, through February only enjoy 15% off the unparalleled  Natural Facelift Facial and  the  extraordinary Dreaming Moon Facial.

Why these two facials?
Because each one prepares your skin to receive the maximum benefits from the superb products listed below. Ooh la la….

The Epicuren Enzymes
(Superb for all skin types except for extremely acne-prone and rosacea-prone)

Enzyme Skin Conditioner: Invigorating enzyme activator. Maximizes the skin’s ability to drink in the benefits of the Enzyme Concentrate.

Enzyme Concentrate: The essential crux of the invigorating enzyme system. This intensive enzyme concentrate is packed with vitamins and protein nutrients. Improves the appearance of skin elasticity, color, tone and overall health.

Enzyme Gel Plus: Seals in the intensive benefits of the Enzyme Concentrate, as well as works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Protein Mist: Gently stimulates the beneficial enzyme activity of the Conditioner, Concentrate and Gel Plus within the skin. Skin can be re-misted with Protein Mist throughout the day to reinvigorate the potency of the beneficial enzymes. Protein Mist can also be misted into hair to increase its health and sheen.

The DNA Health Institute Cryogenically Preserved Stem Cells
(Exceptional for all skin types)

Cryo-Lift Stick: Contains vital nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, growth factors…which are naturally in the correct percentages to effectively communicate with your skin for proper cell communication, improved cellular memory, and ultimately, profoundly healthy cell renewal. By being skin tissue specific, there is a matching of biological functions. This is why the Cryo-Lift Stick is so effective at correcting and re-educating your skin cells. By introducing a product that functions at the same cellular level as your skin, a natural communication pathway is already established. Since your skin is already familiar with these communication patterns, it recognizes the information and effectively utilizes the resources provided. Your skin is in synchronicity with the nourishment of the Cryo-Lift Stick and draws from this resource to repair, heal and rejuvenate itself. This will help repair free radical damage, create moisture reserves, activate protein synthesis to promote collagen and elastin production (which helps to smooth and firm your skin) and help to improve over-all color. The Cryo-Lift Stick provides the dynamic skin rejuvenating benefits of inter-cellular communication, helping to deliver the corrective properties that influences how your skin will look both now and in the future.
Click here to see a before and after photo of skin treated with the DNA Health Institute’s cryogenically preserved stem cells:

Epicuren Orac Serum (Excellent for all skin types) This is the quintessential antioxidant serum that corrects, plumps and protects your skin. Deeply hydrating, powerfully regenerative and supremely effective anti-inflammatory treatment.
Click here for more info:

ilike organic skin care Rich Grape Anti-oxidant Moisturizer (Beautiful for all skin types except extremely acne-prone) Overflowingwith the supremacy of OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) from red grape skins and seeds. An antioxidant phenomenon, found to be 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Collagen and elastin integrity is protected. Damaging free radicals are halted in their tracks.

Derma Roller: A profoundly effective, non-surgical instrument to smooth wrinkles, diminish scars, and stimulate collagen and elastin production. The Dermal Roller also intensifies skin care product penetration, allowing product effectiveness to increase exponentially.

Click here for more info:
To purchase, call (503) 729-5261 or email Marna@RichEarthOrganicSpa.com so I can apply your sweet 15% discount…

To receive 15% off your Natural Facelift Facial or Dreaming Moon Facial, call (503) 729-5261 and book your appointment in February, 2012. We’ll find a good time for you to come in.


Enjoy this!

Happy St. Valentine’s Day, Beauties ~

love love love,

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

Image Credit:

• Smelling Bouquet of Flowers by Vera Kratochvil

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

Why is my skin looking worse this year than last?
We can always increase the rate that our skin cells renew through exfoliation.   However, if the new cells replacing the old cells are not nourished and healthy, they are not going to look much better.

If the skin cells beneath the surface of the skin are weak and malnourished (due to a lack of adequate feeding from the body’s own nutrients and a lack of sufficient topical nourishment) they are not able to fight mutations and wrinkles when they emerge on the surface of the skin. As the new, undernourished cells emerge around an existing scar or wrinkle or discoloration, they will simply take on the same deterioration of the skin cell they are replacing.

Robert Heiman, the Creator, Founder and CEO of Epicuren breaks this phenomenon down for us: “All cells have memory specific to their type and function.  Cells copy each other, which is why the memory of each cell must be changed to a healthier state.  If this change does not take place, cell memory continues to decline.  This is the main reason why scars don’t diminish.”

That is also one big reason why other skin deterioration (like premature lines, wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, enlarged pores, etc.) remains present and gets  worse.

On the other hand, if the new skin cells replacing the old skin cells are deeply nourished, they in turn become vibrantly healthy and function at their peak performance levels, able to overcome mutations and degradation. This allows you to rewrite the future of your complexion. Fully nourished and effectively fueled skin cells (accomplished by nourishing the body internally as well as nourishing the skin topically) improve the metabolism and memory of each cell. This literally changes how you look.

How can skin cell function (memory) be improved topically?
The best way is to work with your skin’s natural physiology to stimulate beneficial change.

Epicuren’s proprietary enzyme solution activates your skin cells to self-rejuvenate by profoundly nourishing the cells and stimulating the skin’s healthiest chemical reactions.  This is sort of like giving your skin cells an incredibly healthy, rejuvenating daily work out regime to strengthen and improve them.

Through this rejuvenating action, your skin cells’ rate of healthy metabolism (taking in nutrients and oxygen and eliminating toxins, among other crucial actions) increases and improves.  This improves cellular memory- which ultimately improves how your skin looks. Epicuren’s enzyme solution acts as the catalyst that stimulates this beneficial cellular change.

Other enzymes (like pineapple or papaya enzymes) cannot improve cellular metabolism because your skin cannot recognize them as familiar.  Epicuren’s enzyme solution (niacin, biotic and riboflavin) was formulated to be a skin-specific enzyme that your own skin cells can recognize and benefit from.

The most concentrated skin care products available with the Epicuren enzyme solution:

Enzyme Skin Conditioner: Invigorating enzyme activator.  Maximizes the skin’s ability to drink in the benefits of the Enzyme Concentrate.

Enzyme Concentrate: The essential crux of the invigorating enzyme system.  This intensive enzyme concentrate is packed with vitamins and protein nutrients.  Improves the appearance of skin elasticity, color, tone and overall health.

Enzyme Gel Plus: Seals in the intensive benefits of the Enzyme Concentrate, as well as works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Protein Mist: Gently stimulates the beneficial enzyme activity of the Conditioner, Concentrate and Gel Plus within the skin.  Skin can be re-misted with Protein Mist throughout the day to reinvigorate the potency of the beneficial enzymes.  Protein Mist can also be misted into hair to increase its health and sheen.

For more info or to purchase click here or call (503) 729-5261

Increasing skin cell health with the DNA Health Institute’s Cryo-Lift Stick:

Cryo-Lift Stick: Contains vital nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, and growth factors, which are naturally in the exact percentages to effectively communicate with your skin for proper cell communication, improved cellular memory, and ultimately profoundly healthy cell renewal.  By being skin-tissue specific, there is a matching of biological functions.  That is one of the reasons why the Cryo-Lift Stick is so effective at correcting and re-educating your skin cells.  By introducing a product that functions at the same cellular level as your skin, a natural communication pathway is already established.  Since human skin is already familiar with these communication patterns, it recognizes the information and effectively utilizes the resources provided.  Your skin is “in tune” with the components of the Cryo-Lift Stick and draws from these resources to repair, heal and rejuvenate itself.  This activity will help repair free radical damage, create moisture reserves, activate protein synthesis to promote collagen and elastin production (which helps to smooth and firm the skin) and helps to improve over-all color.   The Cryo-Lift Stick provide the dynamic skin rejuvenating benefits of inter-cellular communication, helping to deliver the corrective properties that influences how your skin will look both now and in the future.

For more info or to purchase call (503) 729-5261

Both the benefits of the Epicuren enzyme products and the DNA Health Institute’s Cryo-Lift Stick will be intensified ten-fold by using them with the Derma Roller.
Click here for more info.

How can skin cell function be improved from the inside out?
“…Your skin really can look better than ever — no matter how old you are — once you recognize that what happens on the inside, on both a physical and emotional front, truly does show up on the outside. That’s because the aging you see in your skin is biological, not chronological, and can be delayed or even reversed with a holistic, natural approach that includes optimal diet, lifestyle and product choices.” ~ Dr. Marcelle Pick

Healing Chronic Inflammation~
According to Dr. Marcelle Pick in her essay on healthy aging, healing inflammation is the vital key in maintaining health and youth. Her ideas are outlined below:

Chronic, low-grade inflammation has been linked to premature aging. It has also been linked to acne, dermatitis and rosacea.

Chronic undiagnosed food sensitivities, poor diet, stress, hormonal imbalance, toxic overload and a sedentary lifestyle weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight inflammation on the inside.  On the outside, sun exposure, weather, pollution, bacteria and environmental toxins trigger an immune response that ultimately weakens collagen, dilates surface blood capillaries and clogs pores.

How this manifests in your skin is individual to you, but for most of us it appears as uneven skin tone, sporadic or chronic breakouts and, of course, premature aging.

This is cellular, or biological, aging, not chronological aging. It means that the DNA inside a healthy cell has become fragmented or shortened, which affects the mitochondria inside the cell.

Mitochondria are the fuel factories in our cells that convert the food we eat into energy. When mitochondria malfunction, the cell dies. How well we age, including our vulnerability to disease, is due in part to how healthy our mitochondria are.

“What causes mitochondria to self-destruct? One convincing theory is the presence of systemic inflammation.”  ~Dr. Marcelle Pick

If you would like a beautiful burst of knowledge and inspiration on how to have healthy mitochondria, click here.

A very common cause of inflammation is too much sugar. This type of inflammation causes a related action in the body called glycation, which causes a cross-linking action to occur in collagen protein, which ultimately creates premature wrinkles on your skin.
(To read more about glycation, click here and scroll to the “Wrinkles Form While You Eat Sugar” section.)

Free radicals also cause and increase inflammation.

Free radicals are highly unstable oxygen molecules that ultimately set off an inter-cellular inflammatory response.  Some common sources of free radicals are the sun (according to Dr. Pick just five minutes of unprotected sun exposure causes rapid and heavy-duty damage to the collagen layer of the skin) as well as pollution, heavy metal and prescription drug overload, a poor diet including too much sugar and trans fats, undiagnosed food sensitivities or food irritants and smoking (one cigarette creates billions of free radicals).

It is impossible not to have exposure to free radicals.  However, they can be rendered harmless.  How?  With anti-oxidants.  Our bodies rely on antioxidant-rich nutrients (found significantly in leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, berries, green tea, white tea, supplements and other sources) to quench inflammation.

Some major anti-oxidants are:
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Coenzyme Q-10, Alpha-lipoic acid, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Selenium.

When our bodies don’t receive ample anti-oxidants, free-radicals cause profound damage to our collagen and elastin, which is the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth.

“The first place to start improving the health of your skin is your diet. Following a cleansing, anti-inflammatory diet…will help you understand how powerfully your diet relates to the condition of your skin.” ~Dr. Pick

To read more about free radicals, click here and scroll to the “Wrinkles Form While You are Exposed to Free Radical Damage” section.

Powerful, anti-inflammatory skin care product:
Orac Serum… Deeply hydrating, powerfully regenerative and effective anti-inflammatory treatment for your skin.
Click here for more info

Powerful, anti-oxidant-rich skin care product:
Rich Grape Anti-oxidant Moisturizer… Overflowing with the supremacy of OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) from red grape skins and seeds. An antioxidant phenomenon, found to be 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Collagen and elastin integrity is protected. Damaging free radicals are halted in their tracks.
Click here and scroll to ilike moisturizers for more info

Emotions and Skin

“…Your feelings can be as inflammatory as dietary and environmental factors.”
~ Dr. Pick

Stress perception involves the brain, and your skin is mediated by your brain. When your brain sends out a stress signal, your skin responds by activating the immune cells. If the stress signal is ongoing, as in chronic stress, the immune cells over-produce and inflammation is the result. Chronic inflammation is one of the ways the degradation of aging can begin. (Chronic inflammation can also induce atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea.) For more information on emotions and the skin, click here.

As we learn more about the powerful connection between our emotions and how our skin looks, perhaps stress-relieving alternative techniques such as biofeedback and meditation will be used as often as we use creams and pills to treat chronic skin disorders. ~ Dr. Pick

“One of the most effective stress-relief tools we have is meditation. When we meditate, our breathing slows, blood pressure decreases, and stress hormone levels fall. In terms of aging, the most significant conclusion is that the hormonal imbalance associated with stress- and known to speed up the aging process- is reversed. Beyond these significant health benefits, the greatest gift of meditation is the sense of calm and inner peace it brings to your daily life.” ~ Deepak Chopra

To book a facial at Rich Earth, call (503) 729-5261.

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

Sources consulted in writing this blog:

• Epicuren Discovery Professional Training Manual by Robert Heiman
• Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra
• Healthy Aging by Dr. Marcella Pick

Image Credits:

• Spring Pieces by Jose Luis Hernandez Zurdo
• Birch 3 by Larisa Larisa
  

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

How Emotions Can Cause Premature Aging ~

“The mind and skin are connected on many different levels.  Nerve endings are connected to the skin, which wraps around a person’s organs, so as emotions are played out neurologically, they can be expressed through the skin…”
~ Karen Mallin, Psychdermatologist

Life can be daunting – and stressful.  When your body experiences chronic stress, the emotions associated with that stress actually cause your skin to age.  Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it reflects what is happening inside your body.

How chronic, stressful emotions age your skin:

• Stress perception involves the brain, and your skin is mediated by your brain.  When your brain sends out a stress signal, your skin responds by activating the immune cells.  If the stress signal is ongoing, as in chronic stress, the immune cells over-produce and inflammation is the result.  Chronic inflammation is one of the ways that premature aging can begin.  (Chronic inflammation can also induce atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.)
• Stress emotions affect your hormones, which in turn affects your skin.  The production of adrenaline gets promoted during times of stress, so blood is directed away from your skin and is sent to your muscles for increased strength to deal with emergency situations.  However, when stress is chronic, there is an extended release of adrenaline.  Not only is the nourishing blood flow continuously directed away from your skin, but oxygen is as well, making it difficult for your skin to “breath”.  This eventually creates dull, pale, sallow, lifeless skin.
• Intense, stressful emotions like anger, frustration, anxiety and excitement stimulate the release of certain hormones and enzymes, which increases oil-gland production.  If these emotions are chronic, this can clog pores, create pimples and invoke an unhealthy pallor.
• Muscles tend to get stiff and tense as a reaction to stress.  This hinders the normal blood flow to your skin and diminishes the process of removing waste and toxins from underlying tissues.
• Chronic stress inhibits your skin’s natural process of renewal.
• Chronic stress increases the production of the cortisone hormone.  This weakens your body’s natural defenses and leaves your skin vulnerable to environmental pollutants.
• Chronic stress undermines digestion.  First, your body cannot absorb all the nutrients from the foods you eat and second, undigested impurities tend to accumulate faster than your body can get rid of them.
• Chronic stress speeds up the aging process by harming your DNA.
• Chronic stress is one of the chief contributors to an increased population of free radicals in your body, which causes premature aging.

Chronic and predominantly stressful emotions and stressful states of being (like rage, envy, frustration, despair, depression, hopelessness, despondency, guilt, shame, anxiety, worry, fear, distress, tension, rigidity ) can provoke aging and illness, as well as these specific signs of premature aging in your skin:

• Collagen and elastin production slows, which decreases the firmness of your skin;
• Dead skin cells take longer to turn over;
• New skin cell production is diminished;
• Underlying plumpness and fat beneath your skin is lost, resulting in hollowness and sagging;
• Bones shrink away from skin due to bone loss, which increases skin sagging;
• Fine lines and wrinkles form.

On an energetic level, emotions that are repressed through shame and guilt form a type of stress that constricts the healthy flow of energy (also called your “life force”) through your body.  Depression, for example, is a state of almost complete non-flow of energy or life force, and is associated with illness and premature aging.

How Emotions Can Stimulate Profound Health and Beauty~

“We have a say in the stress-aging relationship. We can offset the impact of stress.”
~ Scott Pelley, CBS News Correspondent, reporting on a University of California study with world-renowned cellular biologist Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel on accelerated aging and stress.

Not only can you stop the rapid aging caused by chronic, stressful emotions, you can reverse it.

It is natural and human to experience the broadest spectrum of emotions.  It is not really realistic to remove every single stress-invoking moment from your life. Even still, the power you do have over how stressful emotions effect your body is enormous.  The key lies in allowing yourself the relief of releasing stressful emotions after they have run their course…This means allowing their complete release, without suppressing, diverting or clinging to them. Their cycle ends, and you let them go.    It is only when stressful emotions become chronic or stagnant that they become detrimental to your health.   But by simply feeling these emotions fully, and then in turn by releasing them fully, they can do no harm.

The next step in cultivating the deepest, truest form of health and beauty is the daily encouragement of life-giving emotions.  Love, compassion and joy are vital for wellness.  On a physical level, they cause the chest cavity to relax, and they instigate slow, regular, healthy breathing.  The expression of compassion, love and joy triggers your body to create serotonin, a natural, chemical powerhouse that erases depression and, when placed in a test tube with tumorous cancer cells, causes the cancer cells to self-destruct.

On an energetic level, love is considered the most basic emotion that human awareness can feel; therefore, it is the closest source of life force, or life-giving energy that we can know.  The burst of well-being you feel when you fall in love is due to the fact that you unconsciously increase the energy and the life-force that flows through you.

Your body, in its optimal state, is energized with freely flowing life force.  Love, compassion and joy open the floodgates to this flow, and every cell in your body responds to it by producing youth-and-health encouraging biochemical reactions.

“…the activity inside your cells is directly influenced by how you think and act. We are no longer in doubt about the fact that invisible wisps of thought and emotion alter the fundamental chemistry of every cell. This knowledge raises the hope that the mistake of aging can be abolished at its source, in the depth of cellular-awareness.” ~ Deepak Chopra

To book a facial at Rich Earth, call (503) 729-5261.

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

Sources consulted in writing this Blog:

• Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra

Image Credit:

• Spring Pieces by Jose Luis Hernandez Zurdo

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

It doesn’t have to get all crazy and complicated.  Take a deep breath.  Exhale.  Relax.  You and your skin can look and feel very good even during an intense holiday season.  You can rest easily and confidently on these 12 gentle, useful tips…

1)  Epsom Salt Bath…Sound weird? Just try it. The benefits are nothing short of staggering and Epsom Salts are shockingly inexpensive (and easily found at any pharmacy or health store).  Just add Epsom Salt to your bath and you are literally helping your body to be more youthful.  Here is what Epsom Salt can do for you: Soften your skin, draw toxins from your body, relax your muscles, relieve pain and cramps, relieve headaches, calm your nervous system, ease stress, lower your blood pressure, reduce swelling and inflammation, improve circulation, neutralize foot odor, improve absorption of nutrients and provide your body with easily absorbable magnesium (which helps to regulate over 325 of your body’s enzymes as well as helps your body’s electrical impulses and energy production to function well, and also helps to produce serotonin, the mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation).  It is believed that bathing with Epsom Salt at least three times a week not only makes you look and feel better, it increases your energy.  Plus, Epsom Salt baths are deliciously pleasant to experience.  You can keep your bath simple with just Epsom Salt and warm water, or you can dry brush your skin first and then enjoy a full detox bath, followed with a high-quality moisturizer.

2)  Hydrogen Peroxide Bath:  Hydrogen Peroxide (yes, that super inexpensive stuff from the drugstore or pharmacy) is essentially oxygen.  Oxygen stimulates energy production as well as continuous rejuvenation throughout your entire body.  Oxygen also helps to heal bacteria-related skin issues, like breakouts.  Pour Hydrogen Peroxide into your bath…you might be quite surprised at how refreshed you look and feel when you are done.  (Hydrogen Peroxide must be properly diluted.  Click here and here and here for more info on that, as well as more details on the many profound benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide baths.)  After your bath, apply a high-quality moisturizer.  Your skin will say “ahhhhh.”

3) Frownies: Let’s be honest; Frownies are not perfect.  They can’t lift and firm and smooth your entire face the way facial exercises and the Natural Facelift Facial can.  However, if you are short on time, motivation and cash, they are an inexpensive, simple, and pretty quick way to smooth your forehead and eye area.  And sometimes having an improvement like that is just the ticket.  (Frownies also work well as an added boost to your regular Facial Exercise regime and/or series of Natural Facelift Facials.)

4)  Clarasonic Facial Brushes: Sick of having clogged pores and perhaps breakout-prone skin?  Or frustrated with sensitive skin that seems to get reactive to any exfoliating product?  Clarasonic Facial Brushes, along with a good skin care regime at home, can be just the boost you need to awaken your smoothest, clearest, most glowing, peaches and cream complexion.

5)  Jane Iredale Mineral Make-Up: If you have sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, clogged pores, or breakout-prone skin and you wear make-up on a fairly regular basis, check out Jane Iredale Mineral Make-Up.  Her ingredients and formulations are so good, not only does her make-up not aggravate problematic skin conditions, it can actually improve them.  (You also might want to check out her make-up simply because it creates a beautiful finish.)

6)  Tea for Beautiful Skin~ White tea is the least processed Chinese tea, and is proving itself to be an anti-aging powerhouse.  Research has so far uncovered that white tea is very effective in boosting the immune function of skin cells and protecting them against free radical damage.  White tea has been tested against 21 plants and herbal extracts with potential healing benefits, and white tea blew all 21 out of the water.  (After white tea the closest contenders were rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate.)  In a nut shell, white tea offers profound reduction of inflammation, in addition to ample support for collagen and elastin strength… Each of which create healthier, more youthful skin.  Two cups a day (or more) are recommended.

7)  Water~ Completely vital to your complexion’s radiance…and its so easy to let your intake lapse in the winter when a cold glass of water probably doesn’t sound very appealing.  First, why you need water: Water is critical for good digestion, effective detoxification, and ample hydration.  Each of these areas must be optimal in order for your skin to truly be healthy and to glow.  So, consider trying warm or hot water with a slice of fresh lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit…When its cold outside, this may beckon to you more.  Daily, ample water offers you easily obtainable and truly far-reaching visible benefits. In the long-term, nothing can take its place.

8)  A Body Wrap at Rich Earth~ For a long time I resisted offering Body Wraps at Rich Earth.  I had always trained and worked in very large, traditional spas, so the Body Wraps I worked with, while they were very effective and very relaxing, were also time-consuming, messy, extremely smelly (in the case of the seaweed body wrap- phew!) and required a full-on shower for the client at the end.  I assumed that body wraps that didn’t replicate all this hoopla were not very effective, and since I could not do all that in my single cozy treatment room, I did without.  Then Epicuren (leave it to the most innovative skincare company around) came up with a brand new body wrap design plan…incredibly simple, effective products (that naturally smell exquisite), time-honored methods of execution, and gorgeous results.  I was a total skeptic, but allowed the Epicuren representative to give me the treatment anyway.  And…it was great.  Simply great.  The treatment itself was intensely pleasurable.  I felt extremely relaxed at the end but also energized.  My skin was unbearably soft and smelled divine.  (My hair smelled divine, too.)  Most fun of all, I noticed my jeans fit a bit more loosely when I got dressed after the treatment.  It was treat in every way, and its one I absolutely love passing along to you.

9)  A Facial at Rich Earth~ A few weeks ago the Oregon State Lottery was up to some imaginable squillion dollar number, and a friend and I were dreaming about what we would do with all that money if we won.  I surprised myself by knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would want to continue giving facials.  Its challenging, heart-felt work and what I give to you on the treatment table is exactly what I would want for me.  Providing the best possible skin care I can is a calling, and a privilege, and it nourishes me continually to bring nourishment to you…Nourishment in the form of a relaxed face, a relaxed body, a calm mind, skin that radiates with beauty, and an understanding of what your skin is asking for to be at its best.

10)  A Back Facial at Rich Earth~ a treat on many levels.  Deeply restorative and pleasurable, easier on the pocketbook than you might think, and it leaves the nape of your neck, shoulders and  back enticingly smooth and luminous… for when you slip into your favorite little holiday dress.

11)  Simplicity~ Its easy to get wound up in complications surrounding skin care- but the truth is you can go far with just the basics. (And when you do decide to add more oomph to your skin care regime, you get more benefit from it when all the basics are already in place.)  Its nice to know that all the simple things you already know are true, are still true.  It’s inspiring to be reminded.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, just take a deep breath, exhale, and start at the beginning:

• Healthy Skin and Hair
• Maintaining Beautiful Skin
• Optimal Health Essentials

12)  The Truest Beauty~ Part of our beauty radiates from the inside out.   One way to nourish and bring out this beauty in ourselves is to be able to see it in others.  We can recognize that we have common ground with everyone else in that we want to be loved, needed, useful and fulfilled.  We can also reach out…to another, or to a good cause.  Or, we can simply appreciate something about our lives right here and now… 94 ways of saying thank you

13) Bonus Tip: This is the season above any other that you will probably make goodies, bring goodies, give goodies, share goodies, eat goodies, and want goodies.  The only hitch here is lots of  junky sugary crap equals skin that looks like hell.   As I am a huge fan of goodies myself, I would never advise to abstain from all.  Instead, I’d love to share with you goodies I have found that are easy to make, surprisingly good for you, and super delicious:

• Everything chocolate and good…
• Fudge Brownies
• Delectable and also gluten free…
• Sophisticated and fabulous…

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find Rich Earth:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

“…to be is first.  To be peace.  To be joy.  To be happiness…First, you have to focus on the practice of being. Being fresh. Being peaceful. Being attentive.  Being generous.  Being compassionate.  This is the basic practice.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

Sources consulted in writing this blog:

• http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/epsom-uses-benefits.asp
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/use-epsom-salts-13-wonderful-ways.html
• Facercise by Carol Maggio
• http://the-coveted.com/blog/2009/04/03/tea-beauty/
• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030130081227.htm
• http://kathrynvercillo.hubpages.com/hub/20-Foods-That-are-Great-for-Your-Skin
• http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahealthbenefits.htm Tips on brewing white tea
• http://www.skrewtips.com/2009/07/13/white-tea/
• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810085312.htm

Image credits:

• Dessert image by:  http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/chocolate-covered-recipes/
• Tea cups image by:  http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=14460&picture=hanging-cups
• Frownies before and after image by:  http://www.frownies.com/
• Bath tub image by:  http://planetthrive.com/2010/09/detox-bath/
• All other images by Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa

Need a super sweet stocking stuffer?
Or a gift that’s off-the-charts-spectacular?
Want a great pick-me-up skin care product for you?

Rich Earth has you covered- and for every budget, too.

Call to make an appointment to swing by and pick up the skin care goodies you want in person, or drop by on Holiday Night (Wednesday, December  14th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm) or pay via credit card over the phone and have your goodies mailed to you…or to the very lucky recipient of your choice. (503) 729-5261

(Special holiday Skin Care Sets and Kits are available through December only or while supplies last.)

~ FOR THE BODY~

1) The Fresh Rosemary Set $15 (You save $5)
(This is a perfect travel set or stocking stuffer)

* Rosemary Lave Cleanser~ 2.5 oz
This natural, creamy gel works brilliantly as a refreshing body cleanser, shampoo, bubble bath and shaving lave. It leaves skin and hair clean, hydrated and soft and has the invigorating, fresh and energizing aroma of rosemary.

* Moroccan Rosemary Moisturizer~ 2 oz
All natural, facial-quality, aromatherapy body moisturizer that promotes mental energy and clarity with its revitalizing scent. Skin is left healthy, fresh, and silky soft.

2) The Sweet Little Lavender Set $22 (You save $10)
(This is a perfect travel set or stocking stuffer)

* Protein Mist~ 2 oz
Hydrating, nourishing and revitalizing mist, excellent for face, body and hair. Rich in vitamins and amino acids. Perfect to mist over your skin just before applying moisturizer.

* French Lavender Moisturizer~ 2 oz
Facial-quality moisturizer for the body. The Natural aromatherapy of Lavender invites relaxation and ease of mind. Skin is left healthy, silky soft, looking lovely and smelling luscious.

* Tea Tree Oil Lip Balm~
The quintessential lip treatment. Heals even the most chapped lips and protects them from further damage, while encouraging fuller, rosier lips.

3) Tropical, Super-Food Nourishment for Your Skin $50 (You save $5)
(This kit provides powerful, beautifying nourishment for your skin…replete with the luxurious aromatherapy of the tropics. This kit provides complete body care).

* Tropical Lave Cleanser 2.5 oz ~
With coconut milk and papaya, this creamy gel works brilliantly as a body cleanser, shampoo, bubble bath and shaving lave. It leaves skin and hair clean, hydrated and soft and has a decadent, natural, tropical aroma.

* Papaya Pineapple Grape Seed Body Scrub 4 oz~
A body scrub in a class of its own. Formulated with papaya and pineapple enzymes and antioxidant-rich grape seed oil and jojoba oil, it smells heavenly, exfoliates perfectly, nourishes deeply and moisturizes completely… leaving your skin fresh and glowing.

* Papaya Pineapple Moisturizer 2 oz ~
Papaya and pineapple enzymes naturally smooth and soften the skin while the deeply quenching, nourishing power of aloe, B vitamins, amino acids, wheat germ oil, macadamia nut oil, kukui nut oil and shea butter create silky, firm, luminous skin over your entire body. The aroma is exotic and luscious.

* Avocado Moisturizer 2 oz ~
This nourishing powerhouse immerses your skin in vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Avocado puree, shea butter, green tea, macadamia seed oil, avocado oil and white sage oil deeply replenish, encouraging your most healthy, youthful skin to emerge.

4) The Bright Spirit Citrus Set $65 (You save $5)
(These skin care products work together to awaken a luminous glow across your whole body. The scent is naturally uplifting. This set offers complete body care.)

* Citrus Herbal Cleanser 2 oz~
Highly effective foaming cleanser infused with fresh, citrus aroma from natural citrus oils. Leaves your skin sparkling clean.

* Mandarin Orange Body Scrub 4 oz~
Rich with orange oils and orange peel extract, this body scrub offers superior aromatherapy to brighten your mood and lift your spirits. Specially honed particles of apricot, walnut and almond are used to smooth your skin to a polished luster.

* Orange Blossom Moisturizer 2 oz~
Rich, bright, citrus is blended into the butter-rich creaminess of an emollient enzyme concentrate to deeply enrich and beautify your skin as well as lift your spirits.

* Lemon Grass Moisturizer 2 oz~
Fresh and vibrant. Plant purees and extracts create a true aromatherapy experience. Leaves your skin replenished and soft as silk.

~ FOR THE FACE~

5) The Skin Care Kits from ilike organic skin care and Epicuren Discovery $60 to $100~
Each kit contains the essentials your complexion requires, in just-right sizes ranging from generous travel-size to full- size; Each kit is customized for your specific skin type and skin issues; Each Skin Care Kit comes in a sincerely cute, convenient and sturdy travel bag. (These kits have gone quickly ~ only a few are left.) See more info here.

6) The Complete Enzyme Kit $180~ (You save almost $70)
This is the most potent skin care kit you can get. Everything you need to repower your complexion from the inside out is here. This single kit contains the unparalleled Epicuren Enzyme trio- also referred to as “liquid gold” for their singular, irreplaceable rejuvenating action on your skin. This kit also contains all the other essential products needed to support this rejuvenation. (The Apricot Cleanser, the Apricot Scrub, the Enzyme Toner, the Enzyme Concentrate, the Enzyme Gel Plus and the Facial Emulsion Moisturizer…all in the regular, 2 oz size.)

The rest of the skin care gift suggestions are not sets or kits- they are superb products on their own…

7) ORAC Age Protect Serum 1 oz ($150)~ One of the newest, most effective serums in the Epicuren arsenal of extraordinarily effective anti-aging skin care products. If you are looking for extreme hydration and rejuvenation in one serum, you have found it.  See more info here.

8) Rich Antioxidant Grape Moisturizer 1.7 oz ($60)~ Overflowing with the supremacy of OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins) from red grape skins and seeds. An antioxidant phenomenon, found to be 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Collagen and elastin integrity is protected. Damaging free radicals are halted in their tracks. Dry, dehydrated, mature, loss of elasticity skin, skin with fine lines or deeper wrinkles as well as normal skin will find the perfect pillar of support in this concentrated, healing cream.

9) Glycolic Medlar Rejuvenating Treatment Cream ~ 1.7 oz ($68) Bursting with refreshing naseberry, grape and apple, this activecream boosts the natural rejuvenation action of your skin. It awakens a smoother, more vibrant complexion and is fantastically renewing. If you are looking for a good moisturizer with an extra rejuvenating kick, you have found it. For fatigued and tired skin, dull skin, wrinkled skin, skin with fine lines, as well as for dry to normal skin.

10) Propolis Serum Moisturizer ~ 1 oz. ($41) Healing, nourishing, miraculous bee propolis from protected rainforest in Brazil is craftedinto this superb moisturizer…Overflowing with bioflavonoids, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and trace elements. Blended with the richness of extra virgin olive oil’s omega 3, 6 and 9 lipid amino acids. Powerfully boosts your skin’s immune system, accelerates healing and helps your skin to repair itself. A superior moisturizer. Outstanding for sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, break-out prone skin, eczema or psoriasis-prone skin, dry and dehydrated skin as well as all skin types. (Not for those with an allergy or sensitivity to bee products.)

11)Protein Mist 4 oz ($20)~ The ideal, hydrating, rejuvenating, refreshing mist. Exceptional for your face, but also good for your body and hair. May be misted on clean skin and then followed with your favorite serum and/or moisturizer. Protein Mist even smells great (from the lemon and apricot in the fabulous ingredients).

A Whole Team Cheering for Your Skin~

Each skin care product you use offers something different, specific and beneficial for your skin.

Really good skin care products will work together as a team, doing their individual parts to support the emergence of a unified whole – which is your loveliest, healthiest complexion.

The only real drawback to having a “whole team” of exceptional skin care products transforming your skin is that it can make a dent in your wallet.

There is good news for us though…The Skin Care Kits from Epicuren Discovery and ilike organic skin care are now here at Rich Earth.

The Skin Care Kits give us a boost by suddenly making the “whole team” more affordable…

Here is what the Skin Care Kits offer~
*Each kit contains all the essentials your skin requires in just-right sizes ranging from generous travel-size to full- size;

*All kits are  between $60 and $100;

*Each Skin Care Kit comes in a sincerely cute, convenient and sturdy travel bag;

*Each kit is customized for your specific skin type and specific skin issues;

*Each kit makes a simple, useful, very luscious gift (for you, for someone dear to you);

*Just for fun, and because the holidays are near, I’ve also included extra sample-size skin care goodies in each of the Skin Care Kits that are now in stock at Rich Earth;

*Each Skin Care Kit gives you a chance to experience a whole team of products  working for your skin’s healthy beautification without breaking the bank;

*Each Skin Care Kit offers an easy and fun way to enjoy something new.

Here’s what’s inside each one of the Kits now available at Rich Earth:
(Click here to read more about the individual products inside each kit)

Epicuren Discovery Kits~

Simple Solution for Dry Skin:
(Apricot Cream Cleanser, Micro-Derm Exfoliating Cream, Colostrum Hydrating Mist, Evening Emulsion Moisturizer)

Simple Solutions for Normal Skin:
(Herbal Cleanser, Extra Fine Citrus Scrub, Protein Mist, Facial Emulsion Moisturizer)

Simple Solution for Oily Skin:
(Citrus Herbal Cleanser, Micro-Derm Exfoliating Cream, Protein Mist, Botanical Elixir)

Simple Solutions for Acne-Prone Skin:
(Clarify Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide Scrub, Clarify Exfoliating Astringent, Acne Spot Treat Gel, Acidophilus Probiotic Cream)

ilike organic skin care Kits~

Time Reverse Regime:
(Rose Petal Cleansing Milk, Yogurt Power Peel, Rich Carrot Masque, Glycolic Medlar Rejuvenating Treatment Cream)

Vitalizing Regime:
(Lemon Cleansing Milk, Rosehip Exfoliator, Sour Cherry Masque, Rosehip Whipped Moisturizer)

Balancing Regime:
(Lemon Cleansing Milk, Rosehip Exfoliator, Seven Herb Masque, Sulphuric Whipped Moisturizer)

Calming Regime:
(Rose Petal Cleansing Milk, Sulphuric Exfoliator, Rosehip Masque, Rosehip Whipped Moisturizer)

For more info about the Kits, or to schedule a time to swing by and pick up the Kits you’d like to purchase, or to order Skin Care Kits through the mail, you are welcome to give me a call (503) 729-5261 or email: Marna@RichEarthOrganicSpa.com. (The Skin Care Kits are not listed on the Rich Earth website just yet.)

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find Rich Earth:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.”
~ Ivy Baker Priest

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

Autumn is the season for revealing your most vibrant and radiant skin. At long last, the weather is truly on your side for accomplishing this. :)

Lots of sun is not a good match for skin care products that deeply exfoliate. Lots of heat, travel and outdoor exposure is often not a good match for super stimulating skin care products, either. This makes summer (usually) not a great time to undertake major complexion improvements.

Now that summer is over, we don’t have to wait anymore. Let the beautification begin! Not only can we begin complexion improvements, we can remedy the ailments that summer may have wrought.

It is time to enjoy the benefits of luscious, complexion recovery…

What are great treatments to begin in the fall? Here are three different recovery plans for you…

Noticing large pores, fine lines or just an over-all “tired” look?

1) For Smoothing, Firming, Refining and Bringing Out the Glow ~

• Begin to use a high-quality, appropriate-for-you glycolic skin care product regularly at home. This will boost your skin’s own cellular renewal process, promoting smoother, more refined skin. Glycolic also helps whatever other serums and moisturizers you apply to penetrate more deeply. Epicuren’s Glycolic Lotion Face Peel and Clear Glycolic Face Peel as well as ilike organic skin care’s Glycolic Medlar Rejuvenating Treatment are excellent options. Each one is extremely effective without being harsh or drying.
• Begin to use a high-quality skin care product regularly at home that boosts your collagen production. This will promote skin that is firmer and more resilient. Epicuren’s Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Complex and ilike organic skin care’s Wrinkle Eliminator Serum are two excellent options.
• Complete the picture by choosing a magical skin care product that brings out your glow. As long as you are using glycolic, take advantage of the fact that it will help all other serums and moisturizers to penetrate better. For intensive over-all rejuvenation that brings out a glow, here are a few of my favorites:
  ORAC Age Protect Serum, The Epicuren Enzymes and Peptides, Instant Lift Serum, Alpha Lipoic Omega Serum, Botanical Elixir Serum….Not sure what to choose? Come in for a facial and I can make a good suggestion for your skin.
• Autumn is the perfect time to have a supremely rejuvenating facial that includes a high-quality peel that is just right for your skin. The Cleansing Fire Facial, The Eternal Sky Facial or the Dreaming Moon Facial at Rich Earth will each offer profound rejuvenation. (The Natural Facelift Facial is a supremely good option anytime, including the fall season.)

Noticing that your skin looks “dirty”, dull, uneven in tone and color or has brown patches or darkened acne scars?

2) For Brightening and Awakening Luminosity ~

• Begin using ilike organic skin care Brightening Serum regularly at home. The serum is rich in stonecrop, lemon, parsley, bearberry, algae, horseradish, woodbine, nasturtium, bioflavonoids, pectins, chlorophyll, vitamins B and C, trace elements, mineral salts…all ingredients that intensively brighten and balance without being irritating. This serum is unique in that it is an effective lightener while being quite beautifying at the same time. (So many skin care products meant to heal hyperpigmentation are harsh and irritating and leave your complexion looking dried out.)
• Begin using the ilike organic skin care Stonecrop Whipped Moisturizer regularly at home. This is a soothing, regenerating, light moisturizer that lightens hyperpigmentation and leaves your skin calm and nourished. It works beautifully layered over the top of the ilike Brightening Serum.
• A great exfoliation product and a great sun protection product (even in the autumn) is a must to help your complexion to even out and brighten.
• Facials that exfoliate and calm are a great boost as well. (Any facial at Rich Earth can be customized to accomplish this.)

Noticing your skin is feeling irritated, sensitive, dry and flakey?

3) For Calming Dry, Irritated, Flakey, Sensitive Skin~

• Apply the ilike organic skin care sulphuric exfoliator masque at home 1 to 4 times per week. This treatment provides a very calming, anti-inflammatory effect and is so soothing it can even be used on extremely sensitive, rosacea skin types. The gentle exfoliation it provides is healing, not irritating.
• Apply the ilike organic skin care softening thermal moisturize regularly at home. It provides a softening effect on even painfully dry, scaly skin that is prone to psoriasis. The ingredients of the famous Hungarian thermal spring water are similar to those of human body fluids and heal skin with deep layer water deficiency. It also has a rejuvenating effect due to its castor oil content that vitalizes the skin and improves skin texture.
• Calming, anti-inflammatory facial treatments are a boost as well. (Any facial at Rich Earth can be customized to provide a deeply calming, anti-inflammatory effect.)

For more information on any of these skin care products or to purchase these skin care products, visit www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com or call (503) 729-5261.

To book a facial at Rich Earth, call (503) 729-5261.

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

Custom*Organic*Extraordinary

Facials, Body Wraps and
Phenomenal Skin Care Products
by appointment

Love Your Beautiful Skin

Click any of the following to find us there:
Website * Google * Yelp * CitySearch * Facebook

Awaken Your Luminous Skin

“It is no accident at all that wheels give us the ability to navigate with intention, direction and momentum.”
~ She Who Weaves the Web

Vibrant Autumn Leaves Image by David Wagner

Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa understands that we are all individuals- unique and singular. There may be a tip that does not fit with your individual needs. As always, you are your own best guide. The information provided in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

Years ago, while still in Los Angeles, I interviewed for a job in one of the bigger, chain spas (which shall remain nameless here). It was the policy of this spa to not use steam at all in any facial. Ever.

When it came time to do the “hands on” part of the interview (ie, give the head of the skin care department a facial) she quipped to me, “I mean really, all steam does is dry out the skin!” I knew that was not completely true, but I also knew enough to keep my mouth shut and not question or challenge the head of the skin care department in an interview.

Here is a deeper look into the conundrum of “is steam good for your skin or is it not?”

While it is true that steam (and all heat) can dehydrate your skin, it is also true that it can be wielded wisely, and used to create intense hydration and skin beautification.

This is important to know: After just a few minutes of steam exposure (or any heat exposure that induces sweat, like saunas, hot springs, hot baths, and of course steam rooms, as well as facial steamers) your skin begins to lose moisture faster than it can absorb moisture. For this reason, its generally not a good idea to expose your completely bare skin to steam for much longer than about six minutes or so.

This is also important to know: Heat and moisture causes the skin to become more absorbent, so steam creates a perfect opportunity to drive exceptionally hydrating and nourishing skin care products deeply  into the skin.

While too much steam on bare skin is dehydrating, steam on skin that is lathered with fabulously hydrating skin care products creates a profoundly hydrating treatment.

This simple and very effective protocol will leave your skin deeply moist with a lovely luster…

1. Clease your skin;
2. Exfoliate your skin;
3. Generously apply your favorite hydrating serum (essential);
4. Generously apply your favorite hydrating masque over your serum (optional);
5. Fully enjoy your sauna/steam room/hot springs/bath/home facial steamer time;
6. When all of your applied skin care product has been absorbed and/or sweated away, its time to get out of the heat. (If you are someone who does well with lots of heat, you may want to re-apply more product to enjoy staying in the heat a bit longer. Its up to you.)
7. Rinse well with cool water;
8. Immediately apply your favorite facial mist, rejuvenating serum and moisturizer.
9. Ta da! Your skin is radiant, and you probably feel deliciously relaxed and happy.

Good to Note:
*Enjoy drinking water before, during and after your sauna/steam room/hot springs/bath/facial steamer time. This is essential.

*Remember that heat all by itself is stimulating for your skin- you probably don’t need to apply a stimulating product while in the bath/steam room/sauna/hot springs/home facial steamer.

*Any product with acids (like glycolic acid or alphahydroxy acid) will be intensified by heat- which may not be desirable.

*Hydrating, nourishing skin care products are always a safe bet- like the Epicuren Aloe Vera Calming Gel or Epicuren Botanical Elixir, or the DNA Health Institute Zen Therapy Gel. The ilike organic skin care masques are superb for this purpose as well (the Sour Cherry Masque, the Rosehip Masque, and even the Rich Carrot Masque all come to mind.) Also, drenching your skin with any of the Zenbiotic mists is another lovely option that is superb for your complexion (and re-application is so quick and easy).

*Remember that heat and moisture help your skin to absorb whatever you put on it- so make sure its high-quality, lovely skin care stuff you are using, and nothing with ingredients that could irritate your skin.

*I personally prefer lighter-weight skin care products (like water-based gels and mists) as opposed to heavy, oily products for use with steam. Because our skin is also eliminating waste and toxins through sweat while in heat, ideally our skin care products are not thick, heavy and sticky, which could inhibit this process.

*Not all skin types do well with steam or even dry heat. Certain sensitive, rosacea, or couperose skin types will probably feel better with a hydrating serum and masque protecting their skin when exposed to steam or dry heat, but may do better over-all with minimal or no heat exposure.

*Some skin types are sensitive to the chemicals in tap water, so home bathing and showering always feels harsh on their skin. A good hydrating serum and masque while in the bath/shower will help, but a good filter on the shower head may be needed to provide more relief .(A good shower filter can even be helpful for hair, too.)

Love more tips on this topic?  Click here.

For more information on Rich Earth facials, body wraps and skin care products, visit www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com or call (503) 729-5261.

Cheers!

Marna Herrington
Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Spa
Skin Care Therapist
www.RichEarthOrganicSpa.com
(503) 729-5261

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