Spring Cleaning Time!

YOUR WARDROBE ISN'T THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

It's spring! Time to box those boots, store those sweaters, and clean those corners. But what about your personal products? Since your skin changes with every season, it's the perfect time to change your skin care routine, too.

Throw Out Old Products. Most lotions and potions have a one to two-year shelf life, but cluttering your cabinets with products you're "saving for later" is just not worth it. Bacteria could grow. Expiration dates could pass. And efficacy could degrade. Toss 'em! Like that box of Benadryl that expired in 2010 and those pants that "may fit again one day."

Switch Your Moisturizer. Dry winter skin caused by heaters, ski trips, and colder climates clearly calls for a heavier moisturizer. But the temperate weather and humidity of spring means your oil production should normalize, and you'll want a lightweight moisturizer to keep things balanced.

Trade Your Retinol for Peptides. Retinol is the gold standard for anti-aging. But using it during sunny seasons can be dangerous, increasing the likelihood of pigmentation and chemical burns. Spring is a great time to switch to a peptide product that will continue triggering collagen production without the risks of retinol.

Get a Facial. There's no better way to prep your skin for spring than with a facial. Slough off dead cell buildup, clear out impactions, and get advice on what your skin needs this season.

The Truth About Organic Skin Care

"ALL-NATURAL" IS NOT ALL GOOD

The topic of organic skin care is a hot one. The media and marketing have painted a horrific picture of "chemicals," parabens," and the "toxic" nature of any product that is not "all-natural." So I completely understand why people have switched to shopping at Whole Foods for their beauty needs. But I stand steadfast on my personal pulpit. Organic products are not good for your skin, and they don't deliver results.Blasphemy, right? Now don't get me wrong, I love botanical and natural ingredients. But these ingredients must be combined with their synthetic brothers and sisters to actually work.

The Skin Won't Absorb Natural Ingredients Without Help. Eating blueberries, carrots, and the like is great for the body. But the skin is not so hospitable. If your skin doesn't recognize an ingredient applied topically, it will reject it in the form of allergenic reactions, acne, irritation, and the breakdown of collagen. In order for the skin to accept and absorb these unknowns, they must be mixed with biogenic ingredients (ingredients found naturally in the body) as well as lab-derived delivery systems designed to penetrate.

Chemicals and Parabens are Not Evil. In fact, they create stability in products that make them safer to use and more effective. You might have heard about some studies that said parabens were endocrine disrupters linked to breast cancer. But did you hear that these studies were later disproven? No, because the media didn't want to admit that they jumped the gun on creating a panic. Thus cosmetic manufacturers were forced to go paraben-free, not because they were dangerous, but because the truth was swept under the rug.

Organic Products Don't Deliver Results. It's true. They're simply unable to incorporate and use active ingredients such as peptides, retinols, and vitamins to fight aging. And natural ingredients that have beneficial properties like blueberries (antioxidant) or sulfer (anti-inflammatory) just won't penetrate without the help of cosmetic chemists and lab-derived bonding ingredients. So get the best of both worlds...use products that contain both!

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.