When I was offered a free facial at Spa SWINA, of course, I said “Yes!” The day of my appointment, I walked in not knowing what to expect, and was welcomed by one of the front desk assistants.

The Spa SWINA Experience

I patiently waited for my appointment, and one of the student aestheticians walked towards me with a clipboard and asked me to fill out a couple of forms. After I filled out the forms, she walked me over to a private room. She asked to me remove my shirt, and to wear the spa wrap. Then, she stepped out so that I could undress myself.

Undress The Skin

A few minutes later, she checked back in, and when I gave her the “Ok,” she walked in, and told me to lie down. She asked me about my skincare routine, my main concerns, and if I had any allergies. She was very soft spoken and caring. Then, she wrapped my hair in a towel and began to gently remove my makeup with a simple solution mixed with grapeseed oil and water.

Cleanse The Skin

Once my makeup was removed, she laid a damp warm washcloth on my face. Then, she massaged Hylunia Cleansing Gel on my face and neck. This cleanser contains hyaluronic acid, lavender, geranium, rosemary, thyme and cypress, which all help clean out dirt and impurities without overdrying the skin. She laid another damp warm washcloth again to remove the cleanser. She repeated the process once again but with Hylunia Cleansing Lotion.

Tone and Examine The Skin

Toner was one of those skincare products I thought my skin could do without, but I was sadly mistaken. My aesthetician-in-training told me that toners help restore and repair the surface of the skin. Therefore, if I wanted smooth, “poreless” looking skin, then I was going to have to tone it up! She applied Hylunia Colloidal Silver, which removes bacteria, helps heal the skin, balances sebum, and reduces inflammation.

Afterwards, she called her instructor to examine my skin. They put goggles on me to block out the LED light shining above my face. They complimented my complexion and proceeded with an antioxidant rich face mask to calm free radicals that irritate my skin.

Mask and Massage The Skin

The aesthetician stepped out for a little while to whip up the face mask, and then she applied an enzyme mask on my face. She asked me if she could also steam my face, while the face mask worked it’s magic. I agreed since I wanted to experience the full effect. While I was waiting for the mask to set in for about 10 minutes, she massaged my feet. Then, she removed the face mask with a washcloth, added toner, then applied the facial mask. From there, she massaged my hands and repeated the process. Then, she applied Ultimate Antioxidant Cream and Facial Day Lotion to moisturize and protect my skin. She concluded with a neck and shoulder massage, which I absolutely loved!

Thoughts

In conclusion, I was grateful for the overall experience, and the treatment worked phenomenally! My skin texture is more even and feels smooth. What made this treatment even more meaningful to me was that it incorporates elements of reflexology in the process. This demonstrated an appreciation for the whole self, not just the physical body. After the treatment, my aesthetician recommended I drink plenty water, use sunscreen, and to not exfoliate for 5-7 days. She also gave me a list of all the products she used during treatment just in case I wanted to purchase them in the future.

Here are some tips I recommend to prepare for your next Spa SWINA visit:

Do not exfoliate for a few days before your treatment. There will be plenty of exfoliation during treatment.

If you don’t feel comfortable enough to remove all your clothes, wear shorts or a bring a pair of casual shorts. They’ll be massaging your face, neck, shoulders, hands, and feet, so you’ll want those parts to be bare.

Wear socks. I wore a pair of flats, and my feet kept sliding back and forth because they were so moisturized (not a bad thing!).

Expect to be there a little over an hour. My appointment was at 1:30 PM, but the treatment ended around 2:45 PM, and then I left 5-7 minutes after that. So, plan accordingly.

Why is it important to inspect your cosmetic products and make a more conscious decision when buying skin care items? Well, think about it this way… How many different cosmetic items do you use? Then, take into account how many ingredients are in each of those products. What purpose do all those ingredients serve, and what do they do to the body? Unless you have a toxic-free regimen, chances are you’re consuming up to hundreds of harmful ingredients! Yes, the skin is a barrier to certain elements such as water, but other ingredients are just microscopic enough to seep into the skin, then into the bloodstream, and off to your organs where many of them may cause damage over time. Therefore, it’s important to take care of your skin with clean and nourishing products. Follow these 4 simple steps to detoxify your skin care routine!

Less is more.

Look for products with fewer ingredients and names you’re familiar with, which will lessen your exposure to harmful chemicals. Another important note: read from top to bottom. For cosmetic products, the law states that the ingredients must be listed in descending order from greatest concentration to least, unless it constitutes less than 1%.1 In that case, those ingredients can be listed in any order, and if there is an active ingredient that treats the skin, like acne medication, it’s listed first.

Consult with an aesthetician.

Ask a professional if you’re unsure of what your skin needs. They’ll study your skin and help you arrange the best skin care regimen suited for you and your skin type. Book an appointment at SpaSWINA with one of our very capable aestheticians-in-training and discuss any concerns on how to care for your skin.

Clean out your beauty cabinet.

No need to declutter your beauty cabinet all at once! Start small, and replace your most frequently used beauty products with more natural items. These natural ingredients are better for your overall holistic health. Soon, your skin (and your wallet!) will be saying, “Thank you!”

Do your homework.

Refer to the EWG’s guide to determine whether or not your products are safe. They use a simple grading system with explanations on how and why a product is considered unsafe. Just type in the name of the brand, and search for your product.

Stay healthy and free of potentially harmful chemicals when you follow these simple guidelines. Remember to do your research and consult with an aesthetician to help you develop a skin care regimen based on your skin type and lifestyle. When shopping for your beauty products, be sure to check the labels, and steadily replace your products with more natural ones. You’re also more than welcome to check out the products we use at the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, including Rhonda Allison, Hylunia and EltaMD! These products are natural, toxic-free, and good for your skin.

1 http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/Regulations/ucm126444.htm#clga

Sources:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11968/5-tips-to-detoxify-your-skin-care-routine.html

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2011/04/12/why-this-matters/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21478/5-rules-to-follow-when-shopping-for-green-beauty-products.html

When the seasons change, so should your skincare regimen. Next upcoming season: Winter. In Arizona, the biggest beauty woe experienced during the winter time is dry skin. Luckily, there are plenty of natural and holistic ways to hydrate and replenish your skin.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated.

First and foremost, the key to beautiful, healthy skin is maintaining a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. It’s important to nourish your body from the inside out. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, dairy, processed sugar, wheat, gluten, soy, processed vegetable oils and processed foods. Instead, indulge in seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits, high quality fats, organic animal proteins and non-glutinous grains.

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30.

Apply safe sunscreen year round, not just during the summer time. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA and UVB rays, which may cause skin cancer. Refer to the EWG’s Sunscreen Guide for toxic-free, organic sunscreen creams. Still not convinced that wearing sunscreen is important? Read this article by Hylunia.

Take shorter, lukewarm showers.

Another way to glowing, soft skin is taking quicker, lukewarm showers. I know, it’s tempting to take a long, hot shower, especially with the colder weather. However, hot water and longer showers make your skin more prone to dryness by stripping away natural oils. Plus, it’s also good for the environment and cuts back on your water bill.

Exfoliate weekly.

Avoid scaly, flaky skin by exfoliating once or twice a week. Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells, which allow moisturizers, face masks, serums, cleansers, etc. to more deeply penetrate into the skin. In a way, exfoliation optimizes the effects of face and body skincare products. Exfoliate with natural scrubs (e.g. sugar, salt, activated charcoal) or enzymes (e.g. greek yogurt, papaya, citrus). Also, dry brushing your body before you take a shower is another natural and effective way to soften and smooth skin.

Moisturize generously.

Moisturize after taking a shower or cleansing your face. This helps keep your skin soft and supple. Apply products that contain soothing and hydrating ingredients such as rosewater, olive oil, coconut oil, aloe, chamomile, calendula, hyaluronic acid, and seaweeds.

Naturally, taking proper care of your skin helps your skin retain moisture longer as these colder months approach us. To recap, 1) be sure to eat a balanced diet and to stay hydrated, 2) apply broad-spectrum safe sunscreen, 3) take shorter, lukewarm showers, 4) exfoliate at least once a week, and 5) moisturize with an emollient cream.

Skincare is an involved practice, and it takes time to establish healthy habits and routines. Incorporating holistic nutrition is one of the most beneficial ways to keep younger looking skin. Everyone’s regimen is different, so there is a little trial-and-error involved. Take the time to speak with a natural Skincare Practitioner who will know how to help you pick the best products and diet for your skin type. A career in aesthetics may be for you, if you enjoy helping others and understanding the intricate processes of skincare. Experience SWINA for your educational journey, where caring is natural!

Sources:

http://www.more.com/beauty/skincare/skin-care-tips/7-dry-skin-remedies-straight-desert

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/t-magazine/how-to-fix-winter-skin-kristina-holey.html

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/natural-dry-skin-care