New Moon Skin Care Blog

Skin Care Rocks...

2008-05-15T04:58:00.001-07:00

Lots of clients ask about the music they hear in the treatment room. I tired of "spa sounds" ages ago and when I made the decision to go on my own it felt natural to incorporate my love for music somehow. I'm always looking for new music and artists. I also love it when a client asks about an artist that they hear. Yesterday during a brow and lash tint, it was "hey, is that Rufus Wainright?" And, hey....you know what? It was. So I had an immediate connection with that client that took us beyond the service that was being performed.

Anyway, I have started making mix CDs to give out to clients. And I welcome clients to reciprocate. If there is something that you've heard and love, please bring it with you to your next appointment. There is so much great music out there. I try to do my best to keep up but it's nice to get recommendations. Two of the artists on this mix were referrals from a friend. The rest is all stuff that I hear around...mostly on KCRW, which is pretty much all I listen to when I am home. Most of the sounds that you'll hear in my room and on mix discs are what I call "chick-centric." It's moody and sultry and sex and fun...I'll try to make these mixes about 60 minutes, the same length as my Skin Therapy facial.

Here's the playlist for New Moon Skin Care Rocks Vol. 1:

Duffy - Mercy
The Kills - Getting Down
Rilo Kiley - Dreamworld
Stars - My Favourite Book
Sia - Academia
Adele - Crazy For You
Cat Power - Naked, If I Want To
The Black Keys - Things Ain't Like They Used To Be
Goldfrapp - Little Bird
West Indian Girl - Indian Ocean
Radiohead - House Of Cards
Nouvelle Vague - Don't Go
Yoav - Adore Adore
Yael Nail - Toxic

Still "BUZZING" from my girls' trip to Las Vegas

2008-05-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

You can read ALL about it in last Thursday's Peach Buzz. I was excited that we may have been visible on camera but most of you who watched reported that there were little or no audience shots. I know it's shocking but I have STILL not seen the show. I was booked all day on Thursday, left work to go straight to a Radiohead concert (be still, beating heart) and then had a full day and evening on Friday. When I finally got around to watching it on Saturday, I realized that Friday's show taped over it. Doh! That's DVR 101, folks. Hopefully Oprah's people will air it again so I can see the debut of the side of my head on TV.

Speaking of TV, I will attempt to conquer my fear of being recorded on camera tomorrow as I tape a piece for our local TV morning show, CBS Better Mornings. Reporter Tracye Hutchins asked me to come on after she read about my services in the Daily Candy. It's taken a lot of scheduling and rescheduling but I'll finally tape it tomorrow morning. I'll report back on when it will air.

April and May have been a few of the best and busy and most fun months that I can recall...who knew all this was in store for New Moon Skin Care? I hope I can sustain it for a long time to come. I honestly get so much fulfillment talking about organic skin care and the whys and how tos of it. I hope that is what comes across on the TV appearance and not my visible pantyline. I have one other request:

Dear God,

Please don't let this be my Most Embarrassing Moment Ever. I really don't want to be the YouTube viral video of the week. The World will thank you.

Sincerely,
Amy

Rosacea - an interesting read

2008-04-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

My friend Jane Reinberg sent me an interesting read from the NY Times on Rosacea. I have several clients who suffer from this misunderstood skin disorder.

You can find the article here.

Green and Gorgeous....

2008-04-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

So, I know EVERYONE is going green for Earth Day. Go green with me at the Sandpiper boutique on Tuesday, April 22nd from 10-6pm.

New Moon Skin Care is Atlanta's first and only organic mobile green spa. All skin care products are made with certified organic ingredients, I use organic cotton linens and towels, biodegradable detergents, environmentally friendly cleaning products and, get THIS: I just traded in my SUV for a Toyota Prius! I may have downsized but I mos def did an upgrade! I'll be getting a whopping THREE times the gas mileage that I was getting in the tank that I was driving. I'm personally loving that I've driven all around for the last three days and I am still on FULL.

Celebrate the earth at the Sandpiper on Tuesday in Vinings...and again on May 1st at the Roswell Rd location! I will be donating proceeds from facials performed at both events to the Georgia Conservancy.

New Moon and The Plum

2008-04-08T17:52:00.001-07:00

What does the New Moon have to do with The Plum? The answer is StudioPlex! I will get to a better explanation in a moment, first I must digress...

Lots of people have asked what the Daily Candy article did for my business and to say that the article has opened new doors for me would be the understatement of the universe. I've met so many great new clients and I continue to be moved at how many people are making the decision to detox from their drugstore skin care products and make a move toward organics, be it from Juice Beauty or another line of their choosing.

One email that I received in response to the DC piece was from Elicia Woodford , which resulted in another wonderful introduction to Danica Winters of The Plum Salon in the StudioPlex building. StudioPlex is located in a great historic intown Atlanta neighborhood, the Old Fourth Ward, which was the birthplace of Martin Luther King, jr. It is also home to Ebenezer Baptist Church and the famous Sweet Auburn District. Elicia and I met last week to discuss my involvement in her startup site, WhereWellness. During our meeting I happened to mention the potential need to grow outside of my tiny little loft "spa" in the upstairs of my Virginia Highlands home. She asked me if I knew of a little salon called The Plum, which I did not. Then she made the suggestion that I meet with Danica Winters, who has started an organic hair salon at StudioPlex. I called Danica almost the minute that Elicia left and scheduled a time the very next day to have a look at her space.

To say that her space is perfect for New Moon Skin Care wouldn't get the point across. It's like we were both just waiting to be introduced...she with an empty aesthetics room and me with a skin care business about to burst from the upstairs of my home. It's even decorated with nearly the exact aesthetic as the spa room that I have designed in my head. Dark walls, light furniture...a little spa womb, if you will. So, beginning this Friday, I will begin integrating my services into her salon. I am so excited about this opportunity as it will allow me to grow and extend upon my tiny menu of services. It'll be transitional there for a little while but now I can see clients on the days when Miles is not in school and on weekends without having to displace Miles and Steve.

The world needs more women like Danica and Elicia and I owe Daily Candy for bringing us all together. Strong women and female entrepreneurs are the ones that I most enjoy as company. I feel so inspired by people looking to make a change...either within themselves or helping others to achieve something new. I love the "you can do it!" attitude...hopefully it'll rub off on me as I try to. Look out for New Moon and The Plum to be a part of the launch of WhereWellness this Spring.

Frat Party...

2008-03-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

Last week I was asked to give a presentation to female students of Emory University. The event was part of history week for Alpha Phi Alpha and was held at their fraternity house on the Emory campus. I was so moved that the boys of the frat house were so thoughtful to do this for the girls. This wasn't your brother's frat house...they had rose petals on the floor and tables, strawberries and a chocolate fountain, a massage therapist, a couple educating on herbal supplements, myself and another woman presenting on skin care. It was a great experience and I thank the boys of Alpha Phi Alpha for letting me be a part of it.

The girls had some great questions about skin care and my favorite was about toner. What is toner and what purpose does it serve? Should I use it every day? Poor toner is the most misunderstood of the beauty and cosmetics industry; the bastard child if you will. Toners are also known by many other names...astringent, mist, tonic, hydrating water, cleansing water, among others. Despite the marketing term chosen to sell them, they do serve a purpose.

I explain it like this...after you cleanse, use a spritz to remove traces of makeup that may be left after the cleansing process. A good toner will also hydrate the skin, reduce sensitivity and restore the pH to the skin after the cleansing process. Not to mention removing mineral deposits or calcium that may be left on the skin from your tap water. I also use it to freshen the skin after my makeup application and throughout the day to hydrate and keep my makeup looking as if I just applied it moments earlier. During the Summer it's great to keep it in the fridge to use after a long walk..not to mention it's so refreshing. Keep it in your gym bag to use after your workout.

I like to think that I take a realistic approach to selling skin care products to my clients. If someone comes in who only uses soap to cleanse the skin, I probably am not going to send them home with a bottle of toner. My main goal is going to be to get them off of bar soap and onto a facial cleanser that is formulated and correct for their skin type. But if a client has a good routine that includes several skin care products and they are looking to perfect it, then I would suggest adding a toner or a mask or eye cream - all products that are often overlooked in skin care.

Some people might say I'm legit...

2008-03-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

Check out who made the Daily Candy - Atlanta today...

I was a publicist for eight years and this is the first time anyone has written about me. I'm going to allow myself to walk on air for about 10 minutes, then I've got to go do some facials!

honey/moon herbal compresses

2008-03-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

I am not a huge fan of facial steamers. It's not that I think they are awful or have an overall negative impact on the skin or that they don't do what they are claimed to do (soften skin, open pores), it's just that from my experience that they can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not cared for properly. I notice the same thing on the humidifier that I keep in the house...it develops this weird white stuff around the metal bars that create the heat that makes the steam. Ew. It make sense though, because where there is moisture and heat, there is likely funk...

Enter the warm towel compresses that I love and use in treatments. Warm (and/or cool) towel compresses can benefit every skin type. It's great to use tepid or cool towels on my clients who suffer from rosacea or who have extremely delicate skin. Almost every one of my clients lets out a giant sigh as I lay the first towel on their forehead; it's as if that feeling of warmth is a sign that it's ok to let go of whatever exists outside of my treatment area.

I've been using a custom blend of essential oils in the water that I use to heat the towels and to wet my hands during treatment...however, since meeting Brandi Barnes of Just Add Honey I have been able to get my hands on some dried herbs and have been playing around with them to try and create an intoxicating and invigorating blend that I will dub the Honey/Moon Tea Compress. I've tried a few on clients this week and so far the feedback has been great.

I always remind clients that they CAN try towel compresses at home. I have doubts that anyone does and my feelings aren't hurt. Hopefully it's one of the reasons that clients come back to see me!

Friday Afternoon With Juice Beauty

2008-03-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Tikia Dixon and Bethany Walden-Ramsey, both from Juice Beauty, for taking time out of their schedule on Friday to meet with me. They were both in town for meetings with Sephora and were able to spend a few hours with me, giving me the low down on what's coming up and in store for Juice Beauty this Spring and Summer. I can't spoil the surprise now but I will say that there are some exciting things on the horizon and some great new products coming down the pipeline that I am very excited about. As usual, Juice Beauty is staying ahead of the curve in certified organic skin care!

I loved trading skin care tips and secrets with these ladies and I can't WAIT to try out some of their tricks on clients in the next few weeks. Tikia also works as an esthetician with a mobile waxing and facial business in Washington, DC. She shared some of her experience with me and was so great to do so. Maybe next time we can trade facials at the New Moon HQ! I was also able to give them some of my ideas and shared my experience using their skin care products in service. Before I knew it, we'd been sitting at Starbuck's for two hours. I hated to leave our little pow-wow and look forward to the next time I can get together with them.

It's so exciting to have gotten in with this company and I look forward to watching them grow and to growing with them! Thank you, Juice Beauty...

What exactly is "fragrance"? - scary!

2008-03-06T04:53:00.000-08:00

I'll let the video speak for itself. Buyers, be aware of what is in your cosmetics!

Just Add Honey...

2008-03-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to be serving custom blended teas to my clients and at spa parties. The tea comes courtesy of my new friend Brandi Barnes and her company, Just Add Honey.

I first tasted Brandi's tea at the Save The Date cocktail party last month at the Paisley Umbrella. We blended her freshly brewed Berries! tea with champagne and concocted a mimosa with herbal and fruit essences...yum! I have been blending the same brew with a seltzer water and it's so delicious yet won't get you tipsy!

Winter Dry Skin Tip - use the humidifier!

2008-03-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I contracted the flu. This was the first time in decades that I've had the flu and it put it's viral foot firmly into my rear end. Part of living in the petri dish with a toddler, I know. But something good did come of it and I'm not talking about the few pounds that are lost due to the inability to eat for a few days.

By week two, I had developed this awful upper respiratory cough and chest congestion so I brought out the humidifier which, until now, has primarily resided in Miles' room. What I noticed after a few days was not so much that it was helping with my cough but that my skin was getting a nice winter break thanks to the addition of a little night time humidity. I'll be keeping this one in my room and buying a new one for Miles to use.

If you are like me, you suffer from terrible dryness this time of year. My skin does best in the hotter and humid months. Oily skin is the opposite, tending to break out in the Summer and acting on its best behavior in the cooler climates. I usually address this problem by addressing my skin care routine. In the Summer, I can lay off the heavier moisturizer in lieu of something lighter. I always exfoliate on a regular basis and I always, always use night cream.

I've found that every esthetician has his or her theory on night cream. A client came in recently and said that she'd heard it was best to not use anything on the skin at night...to let the skin "breathe" while you are resting. Interesting theory but I have to be contrary. I believe that at night you should use a cream that is higher in it's active ingredients. I also use a serum beneath my night cream. The serum should be your "treatment" part of your skin care routine so the two that I use are Juice Beauty's Soothing Serum (for red skin) and the Antioxidant Serum (for dry and aging skin.) I alternate using these two...one under my moisturizer during the day and the other under my night cream. During the day, your skin has to battle so many elements...dry air, humidity, sun, wind. The worst culprit for breakouts in the jaw area are our cell phones, which we use relentlessly all day and are one of the worst for transferring bacteria to the skin. We text message and email with our dirty fingers, then answer a call, transferring all of that nastiness right to our face. I caution my clients with this problem and suggest keeping them clean with a Wet One or some sort of anti-bacterial wipe.

New Moon Skin Care Joins The Paisley Umbrella!

2008-02-13T05:24:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to announce that I have joined the Paisley Umbrella , a co-op for the creative bride. Paisley Umbrella is the brainchild of Katriesa Raines, the designer and owner of Olive and Olive Bridal. Katriesa has assembled some amazing vendors to work together collectively as the Paisley Umbrella. Services include bridal apparel, wedding planning, photography, invitations, floral design, jewelry design, pastry/dessert, calligraphy, bridal gifts and bridal accessories and of course - now spa services courtesy of New Moon Skin Care.

I am very excited about this partnership. I remember all too well how much stress can be involved in planning a wedding. What Katriesa has done is create an all inclusive shopping experience for brides. You can potentially nab multiple vendors at a time and everyone works so well together. I look forward to hosting spa parties for brides and their attendants and to working with brides to help them achieve their skin care goals in time for the big day.

If you are a bride, please check out the Paisley Umbrella
, we host "Save The Date" cocktail parties on the first Thursday of every month and you'll have an opportunity to stop by the studio and meet the vendors. Email me for more info - amy@newmoonskincare.com

An exciting time...

2008-01-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

Wow, this has been an exhilarating and exciting time for me and for New Moon Skin Care! I had a client from the neighborhood come in for a facial last week and she subsequently posted a glowing review to our neighborhood E-blast. That resulted in quite a few referrals and appointments, which is something that I am over the moon about! Yes, the moon pun was intended.

I am working on another exciting relationship with a co-op here in town but will wait until things are in place before writing about that. I've always known that you get back what you put out there and this has been a lesson that has left me with chills over the last few weeks. It's all going so fast that I've hardly had a moment to really consider it all. Thanks again to everyone for their referrals and for the support. It's great to feel part of such a wonderful community of moms and entrepreneurial women!

Product of the Month - Lip Plumper

2008-01-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

I am a true lover of lip balm, chap stick or gloss. I am a sucker for the impulse buy lip moisturizer and wind up grabbing one almost every time I am in line to make a purchase...at the grocery store, clothing retailer, beauty shop, spa. You'll find tubes and containers in almost every drawer around my house, in my car and floating around the bottom of my pocketbook. Some might say that it's a problem...well, it was a problem until I discovered Lip Plumper from Juice Beauty!

They have formulated an incredible product that is vitamin rich and in an organic base of citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) juice and aloe barbadensis leaf juice. It includes organic essential fatty acids of evening primrose, linseed and borage. Organic jojoba oil soothes cracked lips, while organic honey acts as an emollient and humectant. Essential amino acids boost collagen and circulation and help to decrease depth of fine lines around the lips and mouth.

Lip Plumper is perfect for anyone with dry, sensitive and cracked lips....and we all suffer from that this time of year. But don't think you won't be loving it in the Summer months as well.

As a promotion, we will offer 10% off of Lip Plumper through February if you mention this post!

New Year, New Moon!

2008-01-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I can't believe that I let the entire month of December slip by without a post. I can say that the holidays were really wonderful and busy in the best of ways. I'm ready to launch 2008 with a bang. The new moon is a symbol of new beginnings as is the beginning of each calendar year. My website is done and New Moon Skin Care is officially open for business!

We spent the last weekend of the year with our "extended" family in Oxford, Mississippi. A huge thanks to the Speed family for putting us up for four days and also to the Owens family for opening their beautiful home and hosting two days of New Moon Skin Care spa festivities. I had the opportunity to give eight signature facials to clients who had never received a microderm treatment before and the response was so incredible. I am forever grateful to my friends there for showing their support to me in my new venture and it was wonderful to meet so many new and incredible Oxonians this time. I look forward to our next visit and more fun with you all!

I'm planning to host my own spa party in Atlanta soon and will be sure to post when the details are set. Now that the new year is in full swing, I am anxious to pass on the experience to many new people who have never had the opportunity to experience the benefits of a microdermabrasion treatment.

Ingrown Hairs - Those Pesty Little Buggers!

2007-11-29T09:21:00.000-08:00

A lot of my clients have questions about ingrown hairs...why they have them and how they can be avoided. Ingrown hairs are most common on the face and pubic ares, though they can occur on legs, arms, backs, etc.

Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis, are the result of the hair curling and growing back underneath the skin. If the hair is broken off or cut it can leave a sharp edge, giving it the ability to penetrate. These bumps can also happen if you shave in the opposite direction of the natural hair growth or by shaving too close to the skin. Oil can also get trapped in the hair follicle, creating a red, irritated bump that resembles acne.

Waxing is a wonderful option for people who experience ingrown hairs or who have course and curly hair that is prone to these annoying little pests. Because waxing removes hair at the root, it does not leave a sharp edge. Even better is that, with repeated waxings over the course of time, the root of the hair is eventually damaged, causing the hair to grow back thinner and more sparse. Threading, electrolysis, tweezing, sugaring and laser hair removal are all options that will leave you experiencing ingrowns.

If you prefer to shave there are a few things that you can do to try to eliminate ingrowns. First, exfoliate the area on a regular basis. If it's on the legs, back, bikini or any other area than the face, use a loofah sponge or scrubbing mitt and rub in circular motions. Keep the area clean, especially if it's in an area where you sweat, such as underarms or pubic area. Cleanse after exercising, especially. On the face, use a grainy exfoliant or a product with salycilic or glycolic acid. Try to find an aftershave that includes these exfoliants but also moisturizes. Exfoliating this often can dry out the skin, particularly in Winter. Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Sometimes, take a few days off from the razor will help it to be less irritating. Try to go "au naturale" on weekends if you have to shave regularly for work.

I try to encourage my clients to never, ever pick at an ingrown hair or try to extract it themselves. I know, I know...it's tough to let it go, but if picked at, an ingrown hair may actually become infected or, EVEN WORSE, could scar.

What do I do with that leftover pumpkin?

2007-11-09T19:13:00.001-08:00

Don’t throw away those leftovers! Pumpkin has long been used in skin care products and makes a fantastic ingredient for facial masks. It is wonderful for all skin types and is packed with useful enzymes that exfoliate the skin naturally, plus is high in vitamins A (alpha hydroxy acid), C (antioxidant) and Zinc. Adding honey, a natural humectant, is great for dehydrated skin…and almost everyone except my toddler son suffers from dehydrated skin. Mix in a bit of milk for moisture and you’re set. Here’s a basic recipe:

2+ teaspoons of fresh cooked pumpkin or certified organic canned pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon milk* (lactic acid, an AHA)

*If your skin is oily, use soy or skim milk; if your skin is dry, swap the milk for heavy whipping cream. Organic only please!

Mix ingredients together and apply to face using clean hands or a facial brush. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and relax, enjoying the Autumnal aroma of pumpkin. Rinse with cool water and follow with a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. If used during daylight hours, apply an SPF with or to follow your moisturizer.

This is also a wonderful mask for hands and feet. Apply and wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply hand/foot cream.

Happy Fall!

where has the time gone?

2007-11-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since my last entry. I have been busy, busy, busy during October. I just got the final version of the New Moon Skin Care logo and I am busy getting ready to make my official “launch.” I am testing out skin care lines on friends and getting to know my microdermabrasion machine, which I LOVE. I am so glad that I decided to go diamond tip, rather than crystal. I am looking at a variety of preservative-free, organic skin care lines. I’ll post here once I have more info.

October has given me plenty of ideas for things to write about. First of all, we had TWO trips to the beach. Earlier in the month, we were fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding at Daufuskie Island, off the coast of Hilton Head, SC. Then, two weeks later, we went with some friends to Jamaica for a trio of birthday celebrations. My husband Steve, along with our friends Charles and Curt, celebrated their birthdays so along with their wives and another couple, we went to The Caves Resort in Negril, Jamaica for four days. I highly suggest you get there if you need some R&R or just to recharge the batteries. Anyway, back to the skin care and all that the beach has reminded me about it…

First, I cannot say enough about how good the salt water is. For skin, it is so wonderful…just swimming in the ocean and soaking in the saltwater pool was reminder enough of how amazing it is for the body. Remeber how when you are ill or trying to heal from an injury an old homeopathic trick is to soak in Epsom Salt? This is for a reason. Salt water is detoxifying and pulls impurities from the skin and body. A nice thing if you spend the day indulging in pina coladas!

The next thing, and most obvious for me, is the importance of a high SPF – at LEAST SPF 15. I chuckled yesterday when a friend said, “You just got back from the beach? Where’s your tan?!?” Now, I am much more of a lounge in the shade person than one who prefers to tan. I have fair skin that never really tans but just turns pink, so I never have benefited much from lying in the sun baking like a potato. I have always favored sunscreen over a suntan. But I don’t fault people who do like to lay out or bronze themselves. I just try to educate about the damage that harmful UV rays can cause.

Trying to warn clients about sun damage is like trying to tell a smoker about lung cancer…they all know it’s a possibility but usually they find out the sad truth when it’s too late and they’ve been diagnosed with it. Even people who are blessed with darker pigmented skin can suffer from dark spots that are caused by harmful UV rays.

There are plenty of great suncreens available on the market. I prefer something with zinc oxide, which is marketed as a sunblock. I think the term “sunblock” is misleading because nothing truly blocks the sun, but it does reflect it rather than absorb it like a normal sunscreen would do. Zinc Oxide is tricky though, and people who have oily skin will most likely hate it. It actually stays on top of the skin, creating a barrier against the sun, so people whose skin is oily will feel like they are wearing a sweater. If your skin is more pigmented, you may find that applying it will cause it to look as if you put a layer of kabuki makeup on. Don’t be afraid…you may need to wait and see if it absorbs after a minute. If zinc oxide is not for you, just try to use something higher than an SPF 15. Just use a sunscreen at all…and re-apply often! There’s nothing like getting a sunburn on your first day of vacation, only to spend the next week looking like a snake shedding its skin!

The Aspirin Mask

2007-10-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest DIY skin care treatments is the Aspirin Facial, or Aspirin Mask. The main ingredient in aspirin is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid, which is great for oily or acneic skin, because it is a form of chemical exfoliant. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory, meaning it can even be used on sensitive skin and some people who suffer from rosacea and acne. It can be drying, though, so if you’re skin is sensitive or dry don’t use it every day. Remember, as with any exfoliant, it increases the rate of cell turnover so be sure to wear sunscreen every day.

Here’s the recipe:

Crush several uncoated aspirin in a mortar and pestle or use powdered aspirin
Mix a bit of warm water*, just enough to form a paste
Spread on face using clean hands or a mask brush
Leave on 10 minutes, then wash off and follow with moisturizer and sunscreen

*you can also mix with aloe vera juice (sensitive and inflamed skin) and/or honey (dry skin)

How easy is that? Now, please be smart. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, DON’T use them on your skin. Pregnant women or women who are breast-feeding should also not use aspirin. If you suffer from diabetes, blood vessel, kidney or liver disease or if you are just not sure, please consult your doctor before using this on your skin.

Mineral Oils - The Crude Truth About Skin Care

2007-09-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

I was just flipping through an old copy of InStyle magazine that I found at my parents home last weekend and in it was an interview with Kate Walsh. She was talking about her mother, who she referred to as an old hipster who is really into skin care and uses olive oil and Vaseline on her face because her skin is so dry.

For years people in the Mediterranean have enjoyed one of the best kept beauty secrets – olive oil. Years ago, I visited Greece with my family and I remember remarking to my mom about how their skin looked so amazing; even the men and women who were noticeably older had skin with a smooth texture and glow. They also enjoy one of the lowest rates of skin cancer, despite how sunny it is.

Olive oil is one of the best oils for your body, both inside and out, and many skin care lines, such as DHC from Japan, use it as a main ingredient. It’s full of polyphenols, which are a form of antioxidant. Antioxidants are vital in helping our skin and bodies ward off the aging process because of their stabilization of free radicals. I could talk about antioxidants and their effects on skin forever…but will save that for another day and time.

What floored me about Kate Walsh’s mom is that she would balance something as positive as olive oil with Vaseline or petroleum jelly, a form of mineral oil. Mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation process of petroleum to produce gasoline from crude oil. I shudder to think of using it on my skin or the skin of my young son. One of the main reasons that manufacturers of skin care products choose to use mineral oil is because it is extremely cheap. It is commonly found in a variety of skin care lotions, creams and baby products. While mineral oil is extremely emollient, it is very hard for the skin to absorb and can actually clog the pores, making it impossible for the skin to perform one of it’s main functions – to eliminate toxins from the body. When it is absorbed into the body, it is broken down by the liver and passes through the digestive tract. Petroleum jelly can also increase the skin’s photosensitivity, promoting sun damage in the long term. It may also hinder the body’s natural ability to condition itself, which means it has an effect opposite of what it is advertised to do – to heal chapped or dry skin. Don’t believe me? Read the Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS from JT Baker. It has quite a few interesting facts about mineral oil that I think you'll find interesting.

There are many alternative oils that are derived from plants – apricot kernal, grapeseed, and jojoba are wonderful alternatives to mineral oil. Oils derived from plants have much more in common with the oil that our body produces – in fact, jojoba oil is actually the closest match to human sebum so I find it to be one of the best oils to use on the skin.

I am not a scientist, and do not pretend to be one. I only write from my personal experiences and opinions about mineral versus plant oils. You will probably find websites that say that mineral oils are completely safe and effective to use on the skin. However, I urge you to explore any unpetroleum skin care products that are available on the market today.

Why exfoliate?

2007-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Exfoliation is a very important step in the cleansing process that is often overlooked by my clients.

Skin is made up of five layers. The outermost layer, or epidermis, is made up of cells that reflect light. If that top layer is smooth, it will reflect light evenly. Your skin will look radiant and will have a soft glow. If you do not exfoliate regularly, dead skin cells will accumulate, causing the skin to look dull and lifeless.

Virtually everyone needs to exfoliate at home on a regular basis. People with oily skin or skin that tends to be acneic can benefit the most because acne is a result of the buildup of dead skin cells and bacteria. If you fall into this category, you can exfoliate 2-3 times a week, though you should reduce that amount during cooler weather since this is when oily skin is usually the least active. People with dry skin should exfoliate 1-2 times a week, but should lay off in the warmer months because this is when your skin will be at its best. People with mature skin can exfoliate daily if not using an aggressive exfoliant.

Exfoliators fall into two basic categories – mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliators are often in the form of a scrub but also come in the form of sponges, loofahs and pads. Take your exfoliant and rub it in circular motion onto the skin, then rinse with cool water. Be gentle when exfoliating thinner areas such as the neck and face. Chemical exfoliators are found in the form of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids and Salicylic Acids. These can be a bit harsher on the skin and you’ll often feel a slight tingle from the product you use.

When choosing an exfoliant or scrub, it’s very important to pick something that is gentle and not too abrasive. Certain scrubs contain pieces of shell, which can lodge into the skin, creating tiny little tears that you won’t be able to see with the human eye but are very damaging. I, personally, would never use a loofah on my face because it’s too abrasive. Also, because loofahs are often left in the shower to dry they have a tendency to grow bacteria. You should never, ever use an exfoliator that is designed for the body on your face. It will be way to abrasive and can cause damage to your skin.

No matter what product you choose to exfoliate, always remember to follow with an appropriate moisturizer and sunscreen. After exfoliation, whether on the body or the face, is the most opportune time to apply a self-tanner. You should find that your tanner lasts longer and that your skin glows!

Mechanical Microdermabrasion or D.I.Y. Microdermabrasion Kit?

2007-09-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

There are several companies out today that are advertising and selling do-it-yourself microdermabrasion kits. I can’t begin to tell you how this gets under my skin (pun intended.) While a gentle exfoliation at home is a very good thing, trying to accomplish a skin resurfacing technique at home can be fairly hazardous and irritating to the skin.

One of the main reasons not to DIY is the tendency to be far too abrasive and aggressive. Some of you (you know who you are) may try to achieve that deep exfoliation that you get with a microderm machine. Although at home kits are much milder than a machine, they can often cause skin irritation. If used too harshly, aluminum oxide crystals can be left on the skin, and in some cases have actually been found embedded into the skin. These potentially harmful crystals, if left in the skin, can also lead to breakouts and irritation, and even worse, mild scarring.

Another reason not to use an at home system is the tendency to cause breakouts and/or inflammation. These are mostly due to harmful chemicals that are found in the cream that the crystals are in but are also sometimes caused by operator error, mostly because the purchaser of these creams isn’t aware of whether microderm or skin abrasion is right for them. Estheticians and dermatologists are trained, licensed and certified to give these treatments for a reason. We are aware of the indications and contraindications for certain treatments and will know when a particular person falls into either category.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all in favor of regular exfoliation at home. Almost everyone can benefit from a little scrub…just try something gentle and mild! You can even make your own scrubs out of ingredients that most of us have lying around our kitchen. If you are interested in more information about making your own skin care products, check out Pure Skin: Organic Beauty Basics by Barbara Close, founder of the Naturopathica skin care line. She gives some wonderful recipes that you can try out at home.

If you are considering microderm or would like more information on the microderm offered through New Moon Skin Care, please contact me. The average cost of an at home microdermabrasion kit is $50, not that much less than one 30-minute treatment at New Moon!

Bottom line: DIY might be great for some things like making your own organic skin care products, but leave the microdermabrasion to the professionals!