3 Reasons why Organic Facials are Better
Are organic facials really better than standard facials?
As much as possible, I’m trying to take a non-toxic approach to my health, wellness, and beauty routine. Over the last 5 years or so, I’ve been incorporating more organic food products into my life, checking labels and being mindful of ingredients lists. I want to eat food grown without chemicals or pesticides and with short ingredient lists.
But what about beauty products? I recently did a deep dive into all the products I’m using. Simply put, I want to use clean, non-toxic products. I have sensitive skin and as I age I’m finding myself even more sensitive to products and procedures.
Our faces are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies. We all know that sun, sleep, aging and stress can all contribute to our skin looking dull. If you’re like me, you even notice the difference in your skin depending on what you eat (or am I the only one who suffers from that puffy, “I ate too much salt” look?!)
Knowing that facials are recommended as a way to keep skin clean, supple and glowing, I’ve had several. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that beautiful glow I was looking for. I reacted to the products and the manipulation. My vision of glowing, healthy skin was replaced with the reality of blotchy, itchy skin. So when I saw that organic facials were an option, I was intrigued.
But I wondered.. are organic facials really better? So I set out to find out…
What’s the difference between organic and regular facials?
It may seem obvious, but the main difference between an organic facial and a regular facial is the ingredients used. The techniques are essentially the same, but organic facials use organic skincare products.
Natural and organic skincare provides your skin with the purest form of the ingredient on the market.
But what are organic skincare products?
Organic skin care products begin with organic ingredients grown and produced using sustainable practices. The organic ingredients are free from contamination because these products are grown without chemicals or pesticides.
What Are the Benefits of Organic Facials?
There are definite benefits to organic facials and they can make a real difference in how our skin looks.
- Although organic facials are beneficial for all skin types, because they are gentler on your skin than a regular facials, they are perfect for people with sensitive skin.
- Organic facials are chemical free. You can relax: you’re not being exposed to harmful ingredients or harsh chemicals.
- Many of the herbs, oils, and fruits used to make organic facials offer antioxidants. Skin is left looking and feeling better after an organic facial with antioxidants.
I’m a true convert. Organic facials can make a real difference to the radiance of your skin. You will be left feeling hydrated, relaxed and more youthful. And there are many treatment options - for battling anti-aging, fine lines and wrinkles, acne prone skin, firming, regenerating. You get the results you want, knowing that the ingredients are pure. A win-win!
Recommended Organic Facials
Find out about the 2 organic facials offered by Amatista and book one today. Enjoy!
Ariane Laird is a contributing guest writer for Spa Amatista.
How To Get Rid Of Dark Spots On The Face For Mature Women
I’ve struggled with dark spots on my face for years. As I got older, I began to notice hyperpigmentation, brown spots and sun damage steadily increasing beginning at around 40. As a 56 year old, hyperpigmentation is one of the many things that made my complexion look uneven. But I fought the battle and found ways to eliminate them.
What are Dark Spots on the Face?
Facial dark spots are also called hyperpigmentation. They can occur as small or large patches on your face, neck and decollate but can also affect small or large areas on the body.
Your skin contains pigment called melanin which acts as a protector. When dark spots occur, an excess of melanin is produced that forms patches of skin that are darker than your immediately surrounding skin.
Hyperpigmentation can affect any skin color but tend to affect those of us with darker skin.
They’re typically not unsafe but can occasionally be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
What causes Facial Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is usually caused by any type of injury to your skin that reacts by creating extra dark melanin pigment. Here are 2 examples that apply to the 50+:
Too much Sun
You guessed it. It’s that well known enemy #1 for skin called sun. When you sit out in the sun, you’re actually injuring your skin that results in that coveted tan – coveted only until that first dark spot appears.
The sun’s harmful rays stimulate melanin and the result is darkened skin that is meant to act as sunscreen protection since melanin absorbs energy from UV rays and redistributes it.
Inflammation
Skin inflammation can sometimes lead to dark spots. As it relates to 50+, this can include any skin reaction such as sun burn, bug bite, eczema, acne or allergic reaction.
As the irritated skin heals from the reaction or breakout, it naturally produces excess melanin which darkens the skin. The worse the inflammation, the larger and darker the spot can be. It’s also why it’s best not to pick at your irritations such as pimples – it can increase the likelihood of developing a dark spot.
Why do Dark Spots WORSEN as we age?
Some dark spots are commonly referred to as liver spots, age spots, sun spots that are catch-all terms for years of accumulated sun damage that show up in areas most exposed to the sun; face, hands, shoulders, decollate, back, forearms, and feet.
Why does it seem so much more pronounced in us 55+ year olds? Some reasons include:
- Older skin is thinner and more translucent and emphasizes the appearance of spots.
- Melasma is a specific kind of hyperpigmentation which is often triggered by changes in estrogen or progesterone that are commonly elevated when using hormone replacement therapies (HRT’s).
How to prevent Dark facial spots
It doesn’t take much to aid in the prevention of dark spots. Here are the top 2 things you can do to protect yourself:
- Applying and reapply SPF 30 sunscreen or higher every 2 hours – even if you’re inside your home. Remember that even your computer monitor emits skin damaging light.
- Avoid the sun, particularly between 10 AM and 4:00 PM. If you have to be out, be sure to protect your skin by wearing a wide brimmed hat or umbrella, and sun protective clothing.
Remember, if you have dark spots, they may get darker with continued exposure to the sun.
How To get rid of Dark Spots on the Face
There are many touted remedies out there with varying degrees of success that I can’t speak to. But I can speak to what has worked for me:
- Hydroquinone. Although many people can develop reactions to Hydroquinone, I have found this to be the gold standard in getting rid of my hyperpigmentation topically. I saw results in about 8 weeks.
- Vitamin C Serum. This is a must for daily use.
- Lasers. The most expensive option, but by far the most impactful for me. IPL has been my laser of choice and the results are outstanding. It took 2 treatments before I saw significant results.
- Microdermabrasion. I use this for maintenance for mild hyperpigmentation that occasionally pops up between IPL treatments. Spa Amatista has a new Microdermabrasion treatment and it's excellent for removing skin flaws.
Summary
Getting dark spots can understandably be disconcerting when they first appear. But with proper prevention and regular maintenance, they can be controlled. Sometimes, your skin can actually become better than ever!
Ariane Laird is a contributing guest writer for Spa Amatista.
