Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you have a Rose and Blue Treatment line?
I created the Rose and Blue Treatment lines in response to the skin conditions I see most as a holistic aesthetician. The first is irritated, red, and sensitive skin. The second is skin that is out of balance – as exhibited by the classic oily T-zone with the outlying areas of the face being too dry.
Which one is right for my skin – Rose or Blue?
In general, either line will restore your skin to a more vibrant, healthy and balanced condition. Here are the specifics:
Rose is for skin that is dry, devitalized and /or lacking in luster; as well as delicate and/or mature skin. Essential oils of rose geranium, rosewood, and carrot seed harmonize, balance and restore luster and vitality. Blue is for skin that exhibits signs of sensitivity, redness or areas of irritation. Essential oils of blue chamomile, lavender, and immortelle calm and soothe.
Trust your sense of smell to help you determine which one is right for you. If you prefer the fragrance of one over the other, then choose that one. These formulations were developed to be effective, yet gentle enough to heal and balance all skin conditions.
Won’t putting Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil on my already oily skin make it even oilier?
A small amount of oil will actually slow down the sebaceous gland’s production of oil. In a homeopathic sense, you are treating like with like. I chose rose hip seed oil specifically for its healthy Omega 3 and natural vitamin A content; as well as its ability to penetrate the skin quickly, leaving no oily residue. It cleans and clears tiny dermal pores more effectively than anything else I have ever used. I actually advise it for treating acne, in combination with clay and steam. It seems counter-intuitive to think that putting oil on oily skin would work, but you just need to try it to see results!
How long do your products stay fresh?
We do not warehouse our products. Rather we make them fresh by hand every month. Each batch is numbered and dated with an unopened shelf life of one to two years. The Rosehip Oil contains no preservatives, which is why I sell it in small sizes with a pump top. That way it doesn’t need to be opened every time you use it. Once opened, I recommend using all my products within 4 to 6 months. If stored away from heat and light they will maintain their fresh vitality. We guarantee the quality, freshness and effectiveness of all our products. If you are dissatisfied in any way, we will fully refund your purchase price.
What is the Sea Algae Serum and when should I use it?
Our Sea Algae Serum, with sea buckthorn oil, is a silky, sheer, light-weight antioxidant serum. It is appropriate for all types of skin; especially mature skin with fine lines and wrinkles. It can be applied after cleansing, or after a clay mask treatment. Sea Algae Serum tones, firms and softens skin damaged from too much sun. It can also be used under foundation and/or sun block, and will keep sun block from migrating into the eye area.
Why do the Facial Tonic Hydrosols smell different from time to time?
We source our pure Facial Tonic Hydrosols from a few select small, organic farms. Each batch is delightfully unique, much like a vintage wine. Each reflects the magic of the crop, the year, and the land from which it is harvested. This is the charm of using fresh pure plant waters. For instance, our lavender hydrosol smells like the authentic lavender plant itself, and not a synthetic fragrance approximation. It is warm and herbaceous with a slightly sweet honey-like note.
Why don’t you use alpha hydroxy or salicylic acids in your line? How can I exfoliate my skin without them?
I don’t believe in dissolving the epidermal layer of the skin. The epidermal layer is there for a reason. Our skin has many crucial jobs to perform. As the first line of defense, the skin exhibits awareness and sensitivity. It has a protective ability, and is always changing and adapting to your environment. It is a barrier against germs, prevents the loss of fluids and regulates body temperature. Use of acid peels weakens the skin’s ability to defend itself.
However there is a safe and easy alternative. The natural alternative is a clay mask treatment. Clay will maintain and respect the integrity of the skin, while drawing toxins and dead skin cells out of tiny dermal pores. It detoxifies infection, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces excess oil – all while leaving the skin softer and smoother, naturally.
After I cleanse in the evening, my skin is dry. What can I use?
I believe that the less you use at night the better. As a self-regulating organ, the skin will produce its own moisture over time. However, during a transitional phase, it’s okay to use a very small amount of Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil mixed with a Facial Tonic Hydrosol. Don’t forget to treat dry skin from the inside, too. Make sure your diet has adequate essential fatty acids from sources such as salmon or flax seed oil.
Do you use parabens?
No, we don’t use parabens, phenonip, or any synthetic or petroleum-derived ingredients. Parabens are a group of chemicals used as preservatives in food and cosmetic products. This class of chemicals is also known as esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Some common names include methylparaben,propylparaben, butylparaben & ethylparaben.
In a study, entitled “Concentrations of Parabens in Human Breast Tumors,” published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology 24, 5 – 13 (2004), parabens were linked with breast cancer. In this study, researchers looked at breast tumors and found parabens in eighteen of the twenty samples. It is the first time parabens were detected within tumors, suggesting that chemicals accumulate in the breast tissue and are being absorbed through the skin.
Repeated exposure to industrial chemicals from many different sources on a daily basis, including cosmetics and personal care products such as the daily use of an underarm roll-on deodorant, are believed to contribute to the build up of toxins in the body. The skin is the body's largest organ, and absorbs whatever is applied to it. You can become an informed consumer by familiarizing yourself with the ingredients listed on your skin-care products. Reputable companies will offer full disclosure of ingredients in descending order. Ask the company to explain any ambiguities in their labels.
Can you recommend a sun protection product? What is the minimum SPF for daily use?
There are many fine sun care products available at natural food stores or specialty skin boutiques. Look for products containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient. An SPF of 15 to 20 will provide adequate protection for daily use. In exposed situations, consider sun-protective clothing and a hat with adequate coverage to the sides of the face. This is often where I see sun-damaged and hyper-pigmented skin.
During the summer months or prolonged outdoor exposure, increase the frequency of application and make sure enough sun block is applied. The most common problem with sun-block effectiveness is that not enough is applied. Applying Sea Algae Serum underneath your sun protection cream will provide an oil-free base that prevents the migration of sunscreen into the sensitive eye area.
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder that results in facial flushing, dilated capillaries, acne lesions, edema (swelling), and other symptoms. While there is no known cure at this time, rosacea can be controlled. Rosacea has two physiological components that are connected in ways that are not yet understood.
The first component is vascular (blood vessels). People with rosacea have an abnormality of the facial vascular system that causes excess flushing.
The second component is an inflammatory reaction of the sebaceous glands. It is believed that this is the result of the flushing, but how it happens or why is not yet understood. What is known is that this inflammatory response causes the acne of rosacea, which appears as two different types of lesions - papules (red, raised bumps) and pustules (pus-filled pimples).
While anybody can get rosacea, it is more prevalent among those with fair skin, 30 to 50 years, and those who blush easily. Symptom-provoking foods are wine (especially red), caffeine, spicy foods, and hot drinks. There are also environmental triggers for rosacea such as sun exposure, hot or cold weather, wind, and exercise that produces sweating. Emotional stress and synthetic scents and perfumes can also be triggers for a flare-up. However, not everyone who has rosacea will be sensitive to the same triggers. Everyone is different.
As an aesthetician who specializes in natural remedies for the skin, I focus primarily on the amelioration of symptoms by utilizing plant oils, plant waters (hydrosols) and clay.
Successful treatment must go hand-in-hand with an awareness of what triggers a rosacea flare up. Treatment should seek to balance excess sebum, minimize pore size, calm redness and flushing, restore acid/alkaline balance, and detoxify acne pustules. Suggestions for dietary changes should include reducing food and beverages that provoke inflammatory responses.
Rosacea Treatment Protocol
I have developed a treatment protocol that includes:
Blue Lavender Cleansing Milk: Dilute with dribbles of luke-warm water, massage into skin, and then rinse completely morning and evening.
Lavender Facial Tonic and Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil (Rose or Blue): Combine together and massage into skin. Follow with an additional saturation of Lavender Facial Tonic. Repeat as often as needed until redness begins to calm.
Shea Butter Face and Body Cream with Olive Leaf can be used in combination with our Rose Vetiver or Blue Chamomile Day Moisturizer, and/or with our Rosehip Treatment Facial Oils to provide added barrier protection for sensitive skin.
Green Tea Clay Mask Treatment: Use weekly followed by light application of Rosehip Treatment Facial Oil or our Day Moisturizer, together with Lavender Facial Tonic.
If you are experiencing an active outbreak of rosacea, wait until symptoms have calmed before treating the area with clay.
What can I use to keep keratosis pilaris - the rough, dry, bumpy and sometimes red areas on the back of my arms - under control without having to use glycolic acid body lotions? Would a loofa help?
One of the most effective topical treatments I have found for softening rough areas of the body is to massage a small amount of oil-rich Shea Butter Face & Body Cream with Olive Leaf into skin that is warm and slightly damp, such as after a bath or shower. Our whipped Shea Butter is rich in therapeutic oils and penetrates quickly leaving the skin feeling velvety-smooth and soft.
You may choose to use a loofa, but avoid scrubbing the skin too vigorously…you're not taking stains off a driveway! It is a common misconception that the harder you scrub the softer, or cleaner the skin will become.
Keratosis pilaris can be a marker for vitamin A deficiency and I have seen many rough, dry, bumpy skin conditions helped by additions of oils rich in essential fatty acids such as the oils from cold water fish, or plant sources such as coconut, sesame, sunflower, olive, flax or hemp seed.
I believe, rather than overzealous scrubbing or relying on body lotions that contain harsh glycolic acids, a more holistic approach is to combine the two therapies by applying the Shea Butter Face and Body Cream with Olive Leaf on the outside, and treat the 'inner skin' with nutritional vitamin-rich oils and essential fatty acids which will have the benefit of softening the skin from the inside out. As always, consult with your health care provider for more information on nutritional recommendations.
I am taking prescription drugs to control my acne and now my skin feels very dry, flaky and sticky. I don't want to use the skincare products my doctor is suggesting because they contain mineral oils and a lot of synthetic ingredients. What can I use from
As long as you are taking prescription drugs and under the care of your doctor, then my advice is to continue to follow his/her advice. However, when you are finished, I will be happy to recommend a treatment plan to help re-establish healthy skin functions. Keep in touch!