Are you tired?

I saw a new client who recently had a baby. I asked her why she came in for a facial, and she said she needed some “me time.” I love and appreciate how she understood that without taking good care of herself she can’t possibly be at her best for everyone in her life, including her newborn.

I said something to her that is so simple, so easy, but so many people don’t follow this path: If you’re tired, you need sleep; if you’re hungry—food; thirsty, water. And so on and so on. Even just a 10 minute, quick “power nap” can go a long way to helping your body recover if it’s tired. Usually, however, instead of heeding our body’s urgings, we load up on caffeine or sugar or sodas—legal “uppers”—when it is so clear what we need, which is simply sleep!

How do you take care of your body? Do you pretend not to hear the gentle call to action or do you listen to all the nuances and warnings your machine—your body—is giving you?

For more information, see:

• Skin care and sleep loss: “I need help!”
• HEADSPACE: Get your meditation on 
• Bathroom = Sanctuary—really! 

At-Home Facials—A DIY How-To

About this photo: Eat the kiwi slices—don’t put them on your face!
See A word about food as products.

I was wondering how I can give myself a facial at home. I have combination skin and usually break out on my chin. I don’t have much time to go and get a professional facial (I have two kids). 

An at-home facial incorporates exfoliating, using a clay mask, and relaxing. To accomplish this, you’ll need about 30 minutes or so. If you’re too busy to slow down completely, you can just exfoliate and mask, then be on your way. However, putting aside time for you gives you more energy to give to others. It’s a simple principle, although not always so easy to implement.

To begin your at-home facial:

• First, thoroughly wash your face. Don’t skip this step! Getting your skin clean is the #1 thing to do first before doing anything else to your skin.
• Next, use your exfoliator of choice. Be sure to take a little extra time and get all the nooks and crannies well exfoliated. Getting some of the dead skin off the surface of your face not only makes your skin feel smoother, there will be less of a barrier for the clay mask (next step) to do its job. 
• Now, apply a clay mask. You’ll want to keep the clay moist the entire time it is on your face. You’ve probably always heard to leave the clay on and let it dry on your face, but clay doesn’t need to dry in order to draw impurities to itself. Letting the mask dry on your face just dries that surface skin out; that takes you one step forward (clean skin), two steps back (now, dehydrated skin). Leave the mask on 15-20 minutes. 
• Have a spray bottle filled with clean, filtered water handy (or better yet: Yonka’s spray Lotion) and spray your face liberally when you first apply the mask, then spray intermittently during the time the clay stays on. As you may have heard me say, keeping the mask moist the entire time it’s on your face is imperative for the health of your skin.

Note: You don’t have to use a clay mask, you can use any type of mask. I prefer clay for all skin types because not only does it have a deep-cleaning action, it also helps stimulate circulation, and we can all use more of that for the health of our skin cells.

Last but not least, go to a peaceful place (either a quiet room in your home or a nice hot bathtub), and relax with the mask on. Breathe in calmness and exhale any stress you may be feeling. Deep breathing has a decidedly soothing effect. This step may seem inconsequential, but it truly is important.

When my clients come in for their facials, relaxation is an integral part of the procedure for the health of their skin. For some, the only peaceful place where they can relax—undisturbed—is in the facial room. Trying to replicate this type of environment at home is important to do if at all possible. Before starting your at-home facial, prearrange to have the kids taken care of (or whatever else) so you can just lie in the tub or on a couch, listen to some music, perhaps sip a nice glass of wine—and  truly relax.

When its time to remove the mask, I recommend doing so at your sink—not with the bath water, which is either filled with bath products or simply too hot. Now you’ll be thankful you kept the mask moist. If not, you’d have to remoisten it with water in order to get it off, which even then can be difficult. (Letting the clay dry can also make any skin look red and feel sensitive.) Another alternative would be to shower after your bath and remove the mask that way.

Once the clay is rinsed off, apply your toner and moisturizer. Don’t forget eye cream as well. If you took a bath, be sure to moisturize your entire body afterward. Use this time to treat your whole body, not just your face.

Although it may seem impossible to take time out for yourself, once you do, you will see it is possible. At-home facials can benefit you on several levels just like a professional facial can. Enjoy your home treatment and know you are helping yourself in many ways, not just your skin.

For more information, see:

• How to use a Clay Mask—Important Instructions
• At-home facials—Advanced steps
• Bathtime Quick Tips

MYTH: Skin breathes

I hear a lot of people say, “My skin can’t breathe,” or after removing a heavy cream or foundation, “Now my skin can breathe.” Well, the truth is your skin doesn’t breathe. Not externally, anyway. Your skin is nourished from the oxygen and nutrients carried in the blood. No measurable amount of oxygen is absorbed from the outside air. Your outer skin does eliminate toxins, sweat, and oil and absorbs moisture from the air.

When you put a heavy cream or foundation on for instance, your skin is less able to function properly. You might mistakenly say it “can’t breathe.” These occlusive coverings (foundations and heavy creams) can inhibit elimination and absorption, but not the actual oxygen nourishing the skin. Now you know—skin does not breathe.

For more MYTHS in this series, see:

• Enlarged Pores: Can they shrink?
• Facial exercises help reduce wrinkles and/or firm the skin
• Facials make your skin break out

“I’m pregnant! How will my skin change?”

I just found out I’m pregnant! How does skin change through pregnancy, new motherhood, and nursing?

 

First of all: Congratulations! 

How a woman’s skin will change—how your skin will change—when pregnant and during the nursing of your infant will be individual as to your own body’s chemistry and hormonal makeup. There really is no way to predetermine how your skin will change. Some women experience a clearing of problem skin and have a wonderful glow during the entire pregnancy, while other women develop breakout, redness, and other miscellaneous skin issues.

As I tell all my pregnant clients, the baby is in control—not you! I recommend letting go and giving into the process—really—and remembering you are creating a living, breathing miracle, even if your skin is suffering. As soon as you are finished nursing and normal menstruation begins, your skin troubles (if you developed any) will most likely be a thing of the past. And that is the worst-case scenario. Usually it is during the first and second trimester that the hormones cause problems with the skin. 

To read more articles on how to take care of your skin while you’re pregnant—and after, see:

• Pregnancy and Skin Care
• Pregnancy & Chloasma
• Pregnant with Problem Skin

For now, relax and enjoy the ride! 

Blemish Help Quick Tip

Dot clay mask on blemishes after your evening skin care routine and leave on overnight. Clay will help to diminish (but not totally clear) the spots. Although I always say to not let clay dry on your skin, in this case—with dots of clay—it is totally fine. Usually from tossing and turning during the night, the dots of clay will come off by morning.

You might be surprised how this small action can make a big difference in the size and redness of your blemishes.

Please read the following for more information and help with problem skin:

• Help for Breakouts
• Geranium (or lavender) essential oil—spot remover for breakouts: How to use it and how NOT to use it
• How to use a Clay Mask—Important Instructions