A COVID NEW YEAR

REVAMP YOUR RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR

If you recycle the same resolutions year after year like me, then it’s time to give them a Covid spin. Here are mine:

Last Year: Eat healthier
This Year: Live healthier
Perhaps making a cheese plate 7 days a week is not good for me. But covid comfort comes in many forms, and I’ve already given up a lot. Let’s balance our bad habits with good ones, like 1 cheese plate = 1 mile walk. I think I can commit to that.

Last Year: Drink less
This Year: Drink less alone and more with friends
Falling asleep with Netflix and wine is fine, once and a while. But every night might be a bit excessive. Let’s resolve to toast with friends; if not in person, than on a Zoom call.

Last Year: Lose weight
This Year: Lose dead weight
Kudos if you lost those love handles. But for the rest of us, shedding some unwanted baggage might be more achievable. Let’s agree to let go--of anything holding us back. Fear. Doubt. Anger. Guilt. I feel lighter already.

Last Year: Take time out
This Year: Take time back
With all the shut downs and shelter in place orders, we’ve had plenty of time off. But that time was wasted “waiting” for things to get better. Let’s resolve to use downtime wisely. More conversations. Less screen time. Unplug and reconnect.

Stuck Home for the Holidays

5 WAYS TO DE-STRESS WHEN YOU’RE SHUT DOWN

Locked down once again! And with the recent Shelter-in-Place order comes a stream of stress. “How do I keep my family safe?” “How do I afford gifts when I’m out of work?” “How to I tell my parents we can’t spend the holidays with them?” And the mental swirl goes on and on. Since your usual de-stressing outlets like the gym and the spa are closed, here are some at-home ideas to keep you sane this season.

1. Give Yourself an At-Home Facial. Stress wreaks havoc on the skin. The resulting increase in cortisol depletes ther skin’s barrier, resulting in irritation. And when our skin looks bad, stress goes up. Take time out to treat yourself to a little self-care by doing an at-home facial. Check out our Facial Kits here >>

2. Take a Bath. I know this one’s a cliche, but when was the last time you tuned everything out with a hot bath? I mean, who has the time? But there’s no better reset after a long day. And you know what they say…if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.

3. Video Conference with Friends. Being stuck at home can be a path to sweat pants. Nothing pulls you out of a pity party better than connecting with friends. It reminds you that there’s life out there, and being on video ensures you at least take a shower that day.

4. Plan a Family Game Night. It’s easy to sink into screen time when you’re bored at home. But watching Netflix every night just kills time along with your spirits. Bring the family together with a game night. They’ll complain at first, but a little competition will have them bantering by bedtime.

5. Connect through Massage. The power of touch works wonders on mental health. Ask a family member for a foot rub. Or give them a hand massage. After a few minutes, you’ll forget how much they’re “always there” and driving you crazy.

Happy Holidays!

Horrible Hormones

If you can't beat 'em, treat 'em!

Hormones play a huge part in our skin's health and appearance. They are essential in regulating all activities of the body including growth, reproduction, mood control, digestion, metabolism, and skin function. It's only when they fluctuate that they wreak havoc on our faces.

Hormonally Induced Pigmentation. Commonly referred to as "pregnancy mask," Melasma can occur any time hormones change. Lactation, contraceptive use, perimenopause, and menopause can all trigger the body to produce more melanin, resulting in large, dark patches that look like stains on the skin. And while the sun doesn't cause Melasma, it can definitely make it worse.

Hormonally Induced Acne. Hormone fluctuations, especially during puberty, menstruation, and perimenopause, can create an environment where acne flourishes. These fluctuations trigger an increase in oil production that causes the pores to clog up under the surface. Stress can also be a factor. While it doesn't cause acne, it can definitely make it worse by increasing cortisol levels that lead to additional oil production and inflammation.

Food Induced Hormones. We've all heard the phrase, "you are what you eat." But most of us don't realize how much food affects our skin. Dairy, gluten, and sugar can stimulate excess oil production that can lead to clogged pores and pimples. They can also kick-start a process called glycation, which breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles, sagginess, and a loss of radiance.

What Can You Do? Hormonal effects are best treated with a combination of spa services like corrective peels, microderm, and facials combined with at-home products such as lightening serums and acne gels. Talk to your esthetician to see which treatments would work for you.

Don’t Believe the Likes

3 skin care trends to avoid (#diyfail)

With the explosion of self-proclaimed beauty bloggers posting on Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube, it's easy to get sucked into viral trends that promise amazing results. But just because a post gets play doesn't mean that the content isn't too good to be true. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Pore Strips. We've all tried these. You get them wet, press them onto your nose, and then rip them off like a band-aid. Then you stare at amazement at all the blackheads sticking up from the strip. But guess what? There's more skin on the strip than oil. It literally rips your skin off, and only removes the superficial blackhead top from the surface of your skin. A few days later,  the blackhead reemerges.

Sheet Masks. Sheet masks are the rage right now. We love them in the spa environment, too. But unfortunately, the ones you buy in the store or online are very different than what you receive during a professional facial. Anything sold to the masses is going to be less active than what's sold to licensed estheticians. Is the Hello Kitty sheet mask you bought on Amazon fun? Sure. But it really won't do anything except give you a great #selfie.

DIY Skin Care. I understand the lure of kitchen cosmetics. What's more fun than scouring social media for recipes you can concoct at home? Everyone has the mad scientist gene, but there's a reason why skin care products are regulated. It takes the knowledge and skill of a cosmetic chemist to create safe, effective formulations. Even if you use the same ingredients, you can easily burn your face (baking soda masks) or rip off your skin (homemade charcoal masks).

Sweet News

CHOCOLATE IS BETTER FOR YOU THAN YOU THINK!

Valentine’s Day is upon us. Which means the likelihood of receiving a heart-shaped box of chocolates is a pretty safe bet. But often, this sweet treat is met with retreat due its “bad for you” reputation. Well I’m here to say, “indulge away,” because dark chocolate especially has some amazing health benefits.

Good for your skin. Dark chocolate is rich in cocoa flavanols, plant compounds that help protect your skin from UV damage, fight free radicals, and increase blood flow. It also helps reduce stress hormones that can lead to collagen breakdown (wrinkles) and excess oil production (acne).

Good for your hair. Dark chocolate promotes blood circulation in the scalp, which leads to increased hair growth. Infused with the goodness of several hair-benefiting ingredients, it also improves the overall health of your tresses, making them super-glossy and voluminous.

Good for your health. It is hard to believe that a sugar-enriched substance can balance the blood sugar levels, improve vision, lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the arteries and heart, and reduce the risk of stroke, but it’s true! Dark chocolate also aids in the production of endorphins that help improve one’s mood. So I can eat chocolate guilt free? I feel better already!

24 Karat Skin Care

This hot ingredient gets a gold star every time!

When it comes to skin care, there's one ingredient that's worth its weight in gold: Gold! It's not just one of those new trends that celebs are paying a premium for. Gold has some amazing properties that produce real results. Eureka!

Calms Inflammation & Sensitivity. Gold has natural anti-inflammatory properties. When used on the face, it can reduce redness, calm acne inflammation, and soothe the skin.

Fights the Signs of Aging. Gold activates the skin's basal cells, which helps improve elasticity and firmness, repair skin damage, and retexturize to reveal a renewed complexion. Naturally antioxidant, it also fights free radicals that lead to wrinkles and sun damage.

Guards Against Environmental Hazards. By helping to reinforce the skin's natural barrier, gold helps defend against environmental hazards including the sun and pollution that damage collagen and overall skin health.

Brightens and Adds Luminosity. Due to its light-reflecting properties, gold is also known to create a brightening effect and helps the skin appear more even and smooth. It can add a luminous glow and make skin look more radiant, as well.

Ritual Day Spa's Bride Guide

HOW TO LOOK YOUR BEST ON YOUR BIG DAY.

If you're a bride-to-be, chances are you're using one of those countdown checklists that tell you what to do every month leading up to your wedding. When to buy your dress. When to book the venue. When to find a photographer. But most lists don't include any schedule on how to get "you" ready for the big day. Until now...

12 MONTHS PRIOR

Get Monthly Facials: Make up artists can cover a lot, but wouldn't you rather have glowing skin? Getting monthly facials can help correct physical flaws like acne and brown spots so you'll look your best on your big day.

Change Your Regimen: Your at-home products might be just fine under normal circumstances. But this is your wedding! You need to make sure you're using the right products to achieve your skin care goals. And there's no better person to help you chose them than an esthetician.

6 MONTHS PRIOR

Start Shaping Your Brows: Nothing frames your face like great brows. But great brows take time. Since you may need to grow them in or start training them in the right direction, see your esthetician as early as possible.

Get Monthly Back Facials: Most dresses show a little skin. And you don't want blemishes, pigmentation, or dry patches stealing the show. Back facials can help clear things up so you'll look flawless from every angle.

3 MONTHS PRIOR

Start Getting Monthly Massages: Planning a wedding is stressful. And extra stress can take its toll on both your body and your skin. Monthly massages can help alleviate the mental pressure and keep Bridezilla at bay.

Start Waxing: No doubt you'll want to be hair-free and carefree on the big day. But if you're not a regular waxer, you need start now to ensure your skin gets used to it. Plus, starting to wax a few months prior helps the hairs sync up so you'll stay smoother longer. Arms, legs, lip, bikini--we do it all!

1 MONTH PRIOR

Book Your Spa Bridal Shower: Who doesn't love a little pampering? Ritual Day Spa is the perfect venue to host your friends and family for a bridal shower that's truly unique.

Aging Gracefully

Skin Care in Your 60s, 70s, and Beyond

Have you ever noticed that skin care after 50 seems publicly non-existent? After a certain number of birthdays, the world stops talking to you. No more products, no more articles, no more advertising. It's like they assume you stop caring about your skin. Let's change that!Everyone ages differently. But certain conditions like dryness, thinness, age spots, wrinkles, and sensitivity are common for most. It's easy to look in the mirror and think, "maybe it's too late." But the key is not to focus on younger skin, but on healthy skin.

1. Cleanse. Cleansing your skin morning and night is just as important in your 70s as it is in your 20s. Choose products that remove oils without stripping your skin. Suffering from menopausal acne? Try a cleanser with alpha-hydroxy acid twice a week.

2. Exfoliate. Your skin is constantly regenerating, but cell turnover slows significantly as years go by. Gentle exfoliation can help speed up the process by sloughing away dead skin and pushing damaged cells up and out. Facing dark spots? Consider a daily spot treatment with hydroquinone.

3. Smooth. The key to creating a smoother-looking complexion is moisturizing. Consider double-duty formulations that contain a humectant (to draw in water) and a sealer (to prevent it from evaporating). Incorporating retinols and antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and vitamins C and E can also help minimize skin imperfections by increasing collagen production.

4. Protect. Sunscreen use can significantly slow the signs of aging, so slather up. It's important to use a product with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. And see your dermatologist if you experience any rough patches, pimples that don't heal, or bumps that bleed easily.

Must-Have Masks

15 MINUTES, TWICE A WEEK, CAN SAVE YOUR SKIN!

Nothing beats getting a facial. Seeing your esthetician once a month can help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and blemish-free. But what you do at home is crucial to extending the effects of your facial and maintaining overall skin health. You may have your daily duties dialed in, but using a mask twice a week will help take your regimen to the next level.

Exfoliating Masks. Chock full of natural fruit enzymes and plant acids, exfoliating masks can accelerate cell turnover by gently dissolving dead skin.

Clay Masks. If you have oily, clogged, or congested skin, a clay mask can really help. Ingredients like sulfer, kaolin, charcoal, and bentonite draw out imperfections while purifying the pores.

Cream Masks. Cream masks are perfect for dry, dehydrated, and aging skin types. Depending on the types you choose, they can help hydrate the skin while brightening, lightening, and soothing.

Sheet Masks. These easy-to-use paper masks have the same properties as cream masks with no clean up! Simply take the mask out of the package, place it on your face, and remove after 15 minutes. Add a glass of wine and a movie and it's the perfect Sunday night!

SPF BS

4 myths about sunscreen debunked!

1. The higher the SPF the better. I hear this a lot. Here's the deal: SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Go any higher and there's barely a detectable increase in protection. In fact, the FDA has proposed new labeling rules that cap SPF at 50+. And remember that the higher you go, the more chemicals you introduce into your skin. Is an additional 1% protection worth it?

2. Pick physical sunblocks over chemical sunscreens. Hmmm, not necessarily. I like products that have both. The physical ingredients (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) provide a wall between you and the sun, which is great! They also start working immediately, unlike chemical sunscreens that take 20-30 minutes to absorb into the skin. But physical sunblocks can also feel thick and look pasty, making them harder to wear. Chemical ingredients (oxybenzone, avobenzone, PABA) are absorbed into the skin and filter/deactivate UV rays. When you combine the physical and the chemical ingredients together, you get an easier-to-wear powerhouse product that protects from all angles.

3. But chemical ingredients cause cancer, don't they? Once again, the organic activists have extrapolated scientific findings to the point of absurdity. A widely publicized study claimed that chemical ingredients mimic hormones and disrupt the endocrine system. But in that study, oxybenzone was directly fed to mice in huge doses, not applied to the skin. And while oxybenzone can be absorbed through the skin, it is absorbed in much smaller concentrations. No study has ever shown it to cause cancer in humans. It's also worth noting that none of the health organizations have recognized the findings.

4. My moisturizer/makeup has SPF, so I'm covered. There's a dirty little secret about dual-purpose products that the manufacturers won't tell you, and it's all about dilution and efficacy. An SPF goes into your moisturizer as 30...that's what the bottle says anyway. But there are a lot of ingredients in moisturizers that don't play well with SPF ingredients, breaking them down and turning your 30 into more like 7. Additionally, SPFs are very drying, thus counteracting the hydrating properties of your moisturizer. And don't even get me started on SPFs in makeup and how nobody applies a thick enough layer to get that level of protection. Bottom line: keep your SPF separate.