Embrace change.
Your whole body is covered with new skin every 15 to 30 days. This fact never and will never get old for us. The body is incredible with how it can regenerate and revive in different ways. However, as we age this skin renewal cycle slows down. For some it is gradual but for the most of us it happens overnight it seems. You wake up, look in the mirror, and GASP…is that…yes it is?! A fine line and/or sun spot has magically appeared on your forehead. No, we don’t don’t wake up to a magical rainbow with a pot of cold but instead to the realization that our mother was always right. It does catch up to you eventually.
Now we can either throw a full-out tantrum and denounce all make-up, hair products, clean clothes, bathing, etc. whining it’s too late for you and tell your friends to save themselves or we can stop, take a moment, and simply breathe.
Change. It is difficult. It is scary. It is exhilarating.
It makes us feel more alive.
We are aging everyday and we are changing everyday. Once we accept this everything falls into place.
To also ease this transition, there is a powerful aid in softening the external aging effects. Exfoliation. A gentle exfoliant can be used on the face up to 2 times a week to help rev up your skin renewal process and reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion. The removal of dead skin also helps make fine lines look softer by removing the excess of build-up that makes the lines look deeper that what they really are. We recommend our Eminence Organic Skincare products Strawberry Dermafoliant (for the more sensitive) and the amazing Pear and Poppy Seed Microderm Polisher.
In additon to the face, body exfoliation is crucial and widely used in Ayurvedic Medicine. According to Yoga Journal Magazine, dry body brushing is excellent for stimulating circulation and removing dead skin. Use a natural-bristle brush or a loofah glove and brush toward the heart. Dry brushing is believed to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is important for developing a strong immune system. Lymph ducts are located all over the body and drain into the blood circulatory system just above the heart. So, in theory, brushing toward the heart could improve the function of the lymphatic system. Start with the soles of your feet, brushing in a circular motion. Move up the legs, then do the hands and move up the arms. Do your back and abdomen last. Avoid any irritated skin. Brushing is best done before your daily bath or shower, when the skin is completely dry.
Once a week, treat yourself to the following body scrubs if you like. The ingredients can be found at www.bazaarofindia.com and www.mountainroseherbs.com
For oily or blemished skin: Combine one cup of chickpea flour, one teaspoon of turmeric, two tablespoons of white sandalwood powder, one tablespoon of red sandalwood powder, two tablespoons of neem leaf powder, and two tablespoons of powdered orange peel. Add enough water or yogurt to create a thin paste. Brush the paste over your skin, working toward the heart, and leave on for about 20 minutes. Massage off, vigorously for unblemished kapha skin and gently for sensitive, blemished skin.
For dry skin: Combine one cup of chickpea flour with one tablespoon each of red sandalwood powder, white sandalwood powder, Indian madder, arjuna, brahmi, and shatavari. Add slightly warm milk to make a paste. Brush the mixture onto your skin, working toward the heart, and leave it on until dry. Remove with more warm milk.
We hope you take time to breathe and embrace the beautiful changes happening to your body, mind, and spirit.
Can sunscreen harm you?
There is no question about it…sunscreen is crucial and absolutely essential in preventing aging and skin cancer. But before you lather up this this summer, take a quick moment with us to learn about some of the harmful ingredients found in today’s chemical sunscreens.
According to Skin Inc. Magazine, chemical sunscreens can actually change the way your skin naturally produces melanin and can possibly even cause long-term cancers other than those of the skin. Some studies have even showed these harmful chemicals can cause skin cancer cells to develop more easily due to their free radical-generating properties. The list is long of the chemicals but the following are the most common:
1. Octinoxate(octyl methoxycinnamate)- an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormonal imbalance and increased rates of cancer.
2. Oxybenzone (a derivative of benzophone)- a chemical that may cause hormone disruption. In Europe, products with 0.5% or more of this chemical must come with a warning label.
3. Avobenzone- a free radical-generator that absorbs UV radiation energy and since it cannot destroy it converts the light energy to chemical energy which is topically released as free radicals in the body.
Scientists are currently studying the effects of these chemicals in the bloodstream, being that they are easily absorbed into the skin. The longer they sit on the skin, the higher the threat they pose.
At Lotus, we believe in using 100% natural SPF 30 or above sunscreens that contain the physical-blockers minerals zinc and titanium oxides. These have be proven to be more effective in protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is an essential mineral for the body, promotes healthy skin and hair, and boosts the immune system. As for titanium dioxide, it is a highly reflective mineral that is non-irritating, non-allergenic, and non-comedogenic. Many complain of the chalky effect from these minerals but this can easily be amended by adding it to your moisturizer or liquid foundation.
Also, take whole food vitamins that contain Vitamin D3 and eat foods that that are high in this as well. For example, mushrooms, eggs, and wild salmon.
Remember to still expose your skin to the sun 10 minutes a day without sunscreen to reap the amazing benefits of Vitamin D for your body but never between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. After those 10 minutes, apply a mineral based sunscreen such as Eminence’s Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream. This vanilla and shea-buttered infused cream hydrates and revitalizes your skin while also protecting it with SPF 30 and zinc oxide.
Lime, Grapefruit and Ginger Juice
With Summer on its way and warmer weather already here, this juice recipe is a perfect replacement for the typical Lemonade used to quench your thirst. Enjoy!
This juice is quite strong – but invigorating! You can make it more/less sweet, to your tastes. And you can mix it with more/less water sparkling water, also to taste. You can also double the recipe if you need to use up more citrus. The juice freezes well in baggies or ice cube trays. I typically use ruby red grapefruits here.
3 tablespoons natural cane sugar
2 tablespoons ginger, peeled then grated
1 cup / 240 ml watervery scant 1/2 cup / 95 ml fresh lime juice – 2 juicy limes
1 1/3 cups / 310 ml fresh grapefruit juice – 2 juicy grapefruits
In a small saucepan, over medium heat, stir together the sugar, ginger, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, transfer to a glass bowl or cup, and place in the freezer for a few minutes to cool.
Strain the ginger into a pitcher along with the lime and grapefruit juices. You can either strain the citrus juices or leave them pulpy, just be sure to catch any seeds before they go in. Stir and taste, if you want a bit more sugar, go for it, but I find this plenty sweet. Serve straight in a tiny chilled glass with ice. Or use a splash to freshen up a glass of sparkling water.
Makes about 2 cups / 1 pint
Spring Rejuvenation
For the majority of us, our skin becomes drier and thicker in the winter. This is
the body’s natural way of protecting again the harsh elements during these cold
months but can also be a sign of more serious conditions within your body.
According to “Perfect Health for Kids: 10 Ayurvedic Health Secrets Every Parent
Must Know” by Dr. John Douillard (a book we highly recommend not just for tips
for children but for adults as well), winter dryness leads to spring mucous that
in turn affects our skin and immune system, leading to more diseases.
Spring is known for its rain, high humidity, and growing plants. Your skin and body
start to go through the same cycle as the Earth by regenerating and shedding
off winter layers but sometimes needs a little help if the winter months have
packed on dead skin and toxins.
Dr.Douillard goes on to explain that when the skin is supple, moist, and in
balance, the skin drains toxins and waste products efficiently into the
lymphatic system; which then carries the wastes away from the skin and out the
body. If the skin stops functioning, the lymphatic fluid will also stagnate and
the waste will begin to back up the skin. Along with the liver and kidneys, the
skin is one of our primary organs of both processing and eliminating toxins.
With the amount of pollution we are exposed to and chemicals people use of
their skin, you can imagine how important the skin’s drainage into the
lymphatic system can be. In the simplest terms, your immune system’s strength
is showed through your skin. Dry skin loses its luster and the immune system is
compromised.
To help your skin bounce back from winter and detox this Spring (which by the way
is the BEST time for a detox), eat whole fruits and vegetable and drink lots of
fresh juice. Moisturize with an oil suitable for your skin type with either our
Suki Balancing or Nourishing Oils and speed up your natural cell turnover
process by exfoliating. We also recommend our Eminence Pear and Poppy Microderm
Polisher. This is full of powerful antioxidants such as pear, green apple, and
green tea. Poppy seeds and fine walnuts help to gently remove dead skin and
provide instant radiance. This is perfect for all skin types!
Beautiful Eyes
Beautiful Eyes
Vibrant, clear eyes are a sign of good health. The under eyes are the most delicate part of the face due to the absence of sebaceous glands directly under the eyes leaving nothing to lubricate the skin. As a result the eyes are the first to show signs of aging, Stress, anxiety, worry, insomnia, water retention, sun damage, dim or bright light, overwork, and excessive amounts of alcohol all strain the eyes and lead to crows-feet and fine lines. Here are some remedies to relieve and avoid eyestrain, prevent wrinkles, and give more sparkle to the eyes.
Blinking: Blinking helps keep your eyes from straining, improves your vision, and lubricates the eyes. Normally the eye blinks 3-4 times per second. When reading or looking at a computer for long length of time, get in the habit of blinking your eyes at least 2x per line. Or try rotating your eye clockwise and counterclockwise in a complete circle.
Palming: Every hour or so, close your eyes and gently cover them with your palms to cut out all external light. Relax and take deep breathes for a couple of minutes as you experience this “blackout.” If you still see light in your minds eye, take a few more minutes until you experience complete darkness. This technique helps relieve bloodshot eyes.
Massage: Massaging around the eye with the appropriate oil is particularly beneficial, since the eyelids are ten times more permeable to oils then any other part of the body. To prevent lines, gently massage the eyes at bed time using warm Ghee (clarified butter found at health food stores), almond or olive oil + a few drops of rose or sandalwood essential oil. (this blend can be found at Lotus)
- For relief of blood shot and puffy eyes, dip cotton pads in rosewater, lie down, and place eye pads on closed eyes for 10-15 minutes
- To rejuvenate and tone the delicate eye tissues, steep a teabag filled with Eyebright tea and place on the eyes once cooled. At Lotus we offer this technique in our eye treatment along with other beneficial remedies.
- For thicker lashes and brows, put a touch of castor oil or olive oil on them nightly.
- Protect your eyes, wearing sunglasses outdoors (lenses should be tinted smokey or green, not purple or blue.) And do not read in the sun.
At Lotus we offer an Organic Eye Treatment add-on to any facial. It is customized using the finest organic products and oil blends to revive and tone the delicate eye area. With the help of Eyebright, an herb used for centuries to refresh the eye area, this treatment is designed to nourish, smooth out fine lines and puffiness. The eye area is gently massaged using techniques to stimulate blood flow. To learn more about this treatment and other services we offer, or to make an appointment please call us at 304-876-1900.
Evening Primrose Oil
I was having a bad case of writer’s block for this month’s blog….Should I write about chocolate and roses being that it’s the month of love? Typical and boring. Should I write about shortcuts being this is the shortest month of the year? But then I was having a conversation with a friend who was talking about how evening primrose oil has changed her life. Aha! How could I forget about this amazing oil…it is perfection. This oil is amazing and the benefits are endless and crucial for women. Here is just a snapshot of what evening primrose oil can do for you…
The Basics….
Evening Primrose Oil is a flowering plant and was believed to be used by natives of Mexico and Central America before making its way to Europe in the 1500′s. There it was called “the king’s cure-all” for all its healing benefits. The oil comes directly from the seeds which contains linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is essential for a healthy body which unfortunately we don’t process naturally. The best way to take evening primrose oil is through vitamins and tea.
Now for the fun stuff…
It is a homeopathic alternative for menstrual pain and is believed to help with fertility issues. Some believe that it even helps to induce labor.
Taking it daily, it is a natural virus killer and a powerful boost to your immune system.
Aids in withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and helps relieve depression and anxiety.
And as for your skin….. excellent for eczema and dermatitis. Some even believe evening primrose oil is the next best thing to Vitamin C. By containing a high concentration of gamma-linoleic acid, it strengthens the skin’s structure and improves elasticity. At Lotus, we are in love with Suki’s nourishing oil. This organic, vegan moisturizer contains evening primrose and restores strength, elasticity, and brightness to the skin without clogging the pores.
A calming skin detox before the holiday rush…
As we are just recovering from an abundant Thanksgiving
dinner, the hustle and bustle of the holidays is in full swing. The holidays
are a wonderful time but can also be a stressful time for us as our calendars
fill up with events, the rushing to buy presents, and the eating of cookies and
sweets. All of this can take a toll on our bodies, especially our skin. A main
function of the skin is to cleanse and detox our bodies. As we become more
stressed and tired, our skin reacts by maybe breaking out, becoming dull or
gray, or even sensitive to the touch. What better way to help soothe your mind
and skin but with a detox. A simple one that easily be done on the weekend. Follow these simple steps and begin the path to a stress-free holiday…
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Begin your day with warm teas that are known to
calm inflammation and improve liver and kidney function. These include nettle,
ginger, and dandelion. These teas also help to improve eye puffiness. -
Before your shower, give yourself a quick dry
massage using circular motions with a body brush. This Ayurvedic technique
helps to stimulate cell renewal and give your skin a natural glow. -
After your shower while your skin is still wet,
apply either jojoba or sesame oil to your skin and then dry off. These oils
mimic your natural skin’s moisture and are healthier alternative to body
lotions. -
Focus your weekend on a whole food diet. This
mainly consists of fruits and vegetables. Eat antioxidant rich fruits and
vegetables such as cranberries, apples, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. Incorporate
lean proteins such chicken, turkey, and tofu. And please avoid alcohol,
tobacco, and all refined processed foods. -
And it’s essential that you keep up with your
skin regimen of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing using organic skincare
products morning and night.