Friday, November 11, 2011

Today's tips brought to you by the number eleven!

1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water & take a Lecithin supplement. Coffee isn't water, neither is soda. 


2. Don't be afraid of oil. Oil is necessary, it's beneficial, it will keep your skin glowing all winter long. 
My faves: Osmosis Immerse, Aromatherapy Associates Intensive Skin Treatment Oil, Decleor Angelique Aromessence.


3. Make time for a mask. You know how awesome your skin looks & feels after a facial? You can have that anytime. 
If you're dry go for a cream mask like YonKa Masque No. 1. Oily skin needs to get OSEA's Red Algae Mask. Sensitive? Try Ilike's Linden and Marigold Rejuvenating Treatment. Acne responds well to Cosmedix Clear Clarifying Mask.


4. Take advantage of the bounty of orange foods (squash, carrots, etc.) this winter. Beta Carotene is a fantastic antioxidant, fighting signs of aging from the inside out. Beta Carotene is also important for wound healing and calming inflammation, so it's a must for acne. Here's a simple recipe for carrot ginger soup.


5. NOW is the best time to get a dramatically effective deep peel. At my studio, re:surface skin, I have peels for acne, for aging, and for uneven skin tone. I find that a series gives the best WOW factor, so be prepared to do one every couple weeks, up to 6 treatments. And then be prepared for the compliments!


6. Up your vitamin D intake. The sun is MIA but it's easy to take a supplement, and Costco has gummy vitamin D


7. Winter is hard on body skin, be sure to scrub your body regularly with an oil-based exfoliant, and instead of slathering on a thick cream, try a body oil like Extra Virgin Coconut oil. Apply the oil while your skin is still damp from the shower.
Favorite scrubs: Mediterranean Spa Fig Salt Cream, 100 Percent Pure Meyer Lemon Body Scrub, Bella Lucce South Seas Body Buff for a super deep smoothing scrub or Avocado Ootanga Body Scrub for a super gentle nourishing scrub.


8. Get plenty of beauty sleep! It's so dark here, you know you want to cozy up and go to bed early. Don't resist! Plenty of sleep makes you pretty (or handsome, if that's your thing).  I find that a heated mattress pad helps me sleep like a baby. If you're slightly more sleep-challenged, get some Natural Calm and some Theanine Serene and prepare to sleep like a pro.


9. Take an bath. It's warm, relaxing, and it can be very detoxifying if you add a handful of dried seaweed. I like Wakame or Dulse. If you want a more cosmetically elegant bathing ritual (and less mess) I've been using the OSEA Green Marine Detox Bath and it is the Rolls Royce of bath salts.


10. Make your daily routine into a ritual that you look forward to. Enjoy the hell out of putting on your lotions & potions... Because it doesn't work if you forget to put it on. I created a vanity, when I get home and change out of my work clothes, I can't wait to wash my face and put on all my goodies. It's such a nice thing to do for yourself!


11. If you're breaking out: instead of buying out the entire drugstore, call me and we can chat about it. Together we'll come up with a customized, affordable plan. If you're not in Portland, find an local esthetician that specializes in acne treatment. There's nothing like having a professional on your side.