Facial oils are beneficial for ALL skin types.

Yes,  that’s right!  Anyone with skin from oily and blemish-prone, to dry and aging, can benefit from their healing properties.  The trick is to find the right oils for your own skin type and skin concerns.

Those of you with oily skin may fear that facial oils will increase breakouts, but they may actually decrease breakouts by balancing the oil production of the skin.   If we are prone to breakouts, common sense tells us we want to use products that will dry up the oil.  However, no matter what our skin type, our skin needs oil and when we use products that strip the oil from our skin, we cause it to produce more, increasing breakouts.

Facial oils can also help to heal skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, acne and premature aging due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Be aware that not all brands of facial oils are created equal.

Many brands can be pricey, ($50 to $100 and more for a 1-ounce bottle) and price certainly doesn’t always equal quality, but most importantly, some of the ingredients in store-bought brands may not even be safe or natural. This is the reason I like to create my own oils blends for myself and my clients.

By using natural raw materials in my blends, I know exactly what is going into them. I use pure, cold pressed plant oils and pure essential oils to create elixirs that nurture and heal the skin. There are no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or harsh chemicals that can irritate and damage the skin.

Contact me for a complimentary “Get Your Glow On” skin consultation and I will create an elixir just for you, or read on and I will show you how you can make your own.

How to make your own custom facial oil.

First, it is important to determine which oils or combination of oils are appropriate for your unique skin. Remember every “body” is different. I will give you a guide for that later in this post, but you will need two different types: carrier oils and essential oils.

There are many different oils you can use and it can get overwhelming for beginners, so I’m going to keep it simple for you and include some basic oils that are easily attainable at your local health food store, natural grocery store, or from reputable online companies, and are relatively inexpensive.

Two types of oils needed for your custom facial oil

1. Carrier oils: These are usually plant-based oils extracted from the nuts or seeds of plants. They will make up the bulk of the mixture and are used to “carry” essential oils which need to be diluted and not used directly on the skin. It is best to use cold pressed and when available, organic varieties of these oils, since refined versions do not have the same benefits.

2. Essential oils: These have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes.  Essential oils come from distilling or extracting all parts of plants including flowers, leaves, barks, roots, resins, and peels.  The healing benefits of these oils come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making them very beneficial for our skin.

***It is important to use pure essential oils from a trusted company, as many oils on the market may be filled with added ingredients and undesirable chemicals. My oils of choice are from Neal’s Yard Remedies.

Basic formula for ratio of carrier oils to essential oils

To keep it simple, I recommend using up to 10 drops of essential oils to 2 Tbsp. (approximately 1 ounce) of carrier oils. Different combinations of oils can be used, but be sure not to exceed 10 drops of essential oils. They are very powerful and a little goes a long way.

Note: For those of you with very sensitive skin, you may choose to use fewer drops of essential oils to determine how your skin reacts. You can even eliminate the essential oils and just use carrier oils, as they provide many healing properties on their own.

Which oils are appropriate for your skin type? 

Below is a list describing each oil and which types of skin they are recommended for.

Carrier Oils: These oils are listed from the lightest to the richest.

1. Grapeseed oil: A light and easily absorbed oil, good for all skin types, but especially ideal for acne-prone and oily skin. Grapeseed oil is high in linoleic acid, which has been found to be low in those that suffer from acne. It has astringent properties which help to tighten skin and reduce large pores.

2.  Jojoba oil: Technically considered a wax, but feels like oil, Jojoba has a similar composition to our own natural sebum in the skin, making it great for all skin types including oily/acne and sensitive skin. Jojoba is high in vitamin A,  is deeply moisturizing, but has a thin texture and is easily absorbed. When in doubt, use jojoba, you can’t go wrong.

3. Almond Oil: Good for normal, dry, and sensitive skin, almond oil has been shown to protect the skin from UV damage due to its high antioxidant content.

4. Argan Oil: Great for anti-aging, dry, and mature skin. High in skin-loving vitamin E.  Agran is also a wonderful hair conditioner.

5. Avocado Oil: Great for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin including eczema and psoriasis. It has a thicker texture than the above oils and is often better mixed with other carrier oils.

Essential Oils: Below is a list of my favorite essential oils to add to facial elixirs. If you haven’t had experience with essential oils, it can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from. These 4 oils are all you really need.

1. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca): Great for acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also anti-fungal and is beneficial for athletes foot and nail fungus.

2. Lavender: One of the most widely used essential oils in the world, Lavender is great for all skin types due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. It also calms and regulates the nervous system and helps with sleep, headaches, and anxiety.

3. Geranium: Good for all skin types especially acne/oily skin. Helps improve circulation and acts as an astringent, reducing pore size. Antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.

4. Frankincense: Known as the “King of Oils” and my favorite, frankincense can be a bit more pricey than the above oils, but is worth the investment. It is beneficial for all skin types due to its strong anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Especially good for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, frankincense helps to calm our nervous system and boost our immune system.

***Again, choose carrier oils and essential oils based on your unique skin.

Below are some recipes you can use as a guide. These are formulations I’ve had good success with for the corresponding skin types. It’s a good idea to start with  1/2 of a recipe and see how you like it before making a larger quantity. Make sure you like the smell of the oils and how they feel on your skin. It’s like cooking, get creative, make changes if needed.

Each recipe makes approximately 1 ounce. Store in a 1-ounce blue or amber glass bottle with a dropper. Store in a cool, dry place and most oils will last up to a year.

 Acne/ Oily Skin

2 Tbsp. Grapeseed oil, 6 drops Tea Tree Oil, 2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Geranium

Combination Skin

*1 Tbsp. jojoba oil, *1 Tbsp. Grapeseed oil, *3 drops Tea tree oil, *3 drops Lavender, *3 drops geranium

Normal Skin

*1 Tbsp. Almond oil, *5 drops frankincense, *5 drops lavender

Aging/Normal to dry skin

*1 Tbsp. Argan Oil, *1 Tbsp. Almond oil, *5 drops frankincense, *5 drops Lavender

Aging/dry/sun damaged

*1 Tbsp. Avacado oil, *1 Tbsp. Argan oil, *3 drops Lavender, *4 drops Frankincense, *3 drops Geranium

How to use your Custom Facial Oil.

Use morning and night on damp skin directly after cleansing.  Apply 4 to 5 drops and pat onto face. A little goes a long way. Then follow with a moisturizer. Facial oils can be substituted for serum and often have a more beneficial effect on the skin.

I hope that you will explore this ancient beauty and discover the healing benefits that facial oils can deliver. Our skin needs both water and oil, no matter what type of skin we have. So for healthy glowing skin, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, infuse your skin with antioxidants and vitamins by using natural carrier and essential oils, and use natural skin care products that are free from harsh chemicals that can damage and irritate your skin.

Please comment below about your experience with these oil,s or contact me with any questions at [email protected]. Also, check out my complimentary “Get Your Glow On” skin consultation and I can help you create your own natural face elixirs

Written By:

Shelly

LMT & Esthetician

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. Lets end the stigma!

Mental Health and Massage

Some people joke that they’re getting massage to help keep their sanity, but there is some truth to that statement. Massages are great for mental health in many ways! They’re positively a great tool to have in your tool box for when things get tough in your world.

1. Massage helps with insomnia
   There is nothing worse than not being able to get to sleep at night. If getting a massage just so you can fall asleep isn’t a good enough reason to get a massage we don’t know what is. How does it work? Different techniques in massage have been shown in research to help to reduce stress which leads to increased levels of serotonin, which in turn helps you to relax so you can fall asleep more easily.
2. Massage stimulates production of feel-good hormones that help to alleviate depression
   When dealing with depression, getting out of bed in the morning can seem impossible. Studies show a high correlation between massage therapy and alleviation of depressive symptoms. Massage has been found to affect body chemistry, increasing serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that are involved with depression.
3. Massage increases energy
   Massage helps to increase circulation, which helps to remove toxins leaving your body feeling more energized.
4. Regular Massage soothes anxiety
   If you are anxious, the simple idea of laying, trapped on a massage table for an hour with your thoughts may seem like a personal hell but we promise, massage helps anxiety! Massage helps to reduce built up stress in your body that leads to everyday anxiety. Massage has also been proven to reduce the levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone, by up to 30 percent! This helps your body’s ability to fight off anxiety. Massage also offers a safe space away from your anxiety and personal triggers.
5. Massage improves concentration
   When yo’re tight and tense in your shoulders, your body is pushing blood flow to that part of your body instead of your brain. When you get a massage a loosen up those muscles in your shoulders, the blood is readily able to flow to your brain, improving your overall concentration.

Next time you go to book a massage, remember you’re doing it for your mental health as well as you over all health and wellness!

What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salts are naturally occurring pure mineral compounds made of sulfate and magnesium. They’re names after a saline spring in Surrey, England, where Epsom salts were first discovered. Epsom salts are most commonly used in a hot bath or foot soak to reduce stress, detox the body and have even been used to help promote weight loss.

Benefits of an Epsom Salt Bath

When Epsom salt is added to a hot bath, magnesium and sulfates are broken down and absorbed through the skin, when they are absorbed through the skin, they penetrate into the bloodstream, much like any essential oil. Adding essential oils to your Epsom salts adds a nice relaxing touch while also giving you the many health benefits of whatever oil you choose. Epsom salt will pull harmful toxins out of the body through the skin, which will allow the magnesium and sulfates to enter. Sulfates are needed in the body to help maintain healthy joints as well as nervous and skin tissues.

Benefits of Epsom Salt Foot Baths

• Fibromyalgia
• Stiff joints and tight muscles
• Ingrown toenails
• Psoriasis
• Insomnia
• Poor circulation
• Stress
• Migraines
• Inflammation
• And much more!

Epsom Salt Bath Recipe

• 1-2 cups of Epsom salt
• 1 cup of baking soda (optional)
• 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar (optional)
• 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oils (optional)

Take 20-30 minutes out of your day and take time for YOU with an Epsom salt bath! Not only will you get all of the amazing health benefits that an Epsom salt bath brings, you will leave the tub feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Written By:

Clare

Front Desk & Website Management

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only choose one skin care product to have with you, a good quality Vitamin C serum would be your best bet. For a healthy complexion, Vitamin C is an ingredient you don’t want to skip. It’s one of the few active skin care ingredients that benefits all ages and skin types and there is plenty of scientific evidence to back it up. Vitamin C applied topically to the skin can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, protect us from UV rays, brighten and even out skin tone, hydrate, calm, fight acne, and give your skin a serious glow. 

Our bodies don’t make Vitamin C, so we need to get it through our diet. Although consuming foods high in Vitamin C and taking supplements can be great for our overall health, it is difficult for nutrients to get to the top layer of our skin. Applying a serum after cleansing is the best way to ensure our skin cells are receiving their C.

Top 5 benefits of using Vitamin C on your skin

1. Antiaging: Vitamin C promotes collagen production. For anyone interested in anti-aging, collagen is what we want more of. Collagen is the protein in our skin that keeps it strong and firm. Vitamin C can not only work to soften fine lines and wrinkles, but prevents new ones from appearing.
2. Protects our skin from sun damage: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which lessens the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. Used in conjunction with a sunscreen it gives our skin an extra layer of protection.
3. Brightens and evens out complexion: Vitamin C can help to reverse hyperpigmentation(brown spots) and other sun damage, leaving a smoother more glowing complexion. Vitamin C fights hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme and preventing melanin production. 
4. Anti-inflammatory : Vitamin C is a strong anti-inflammatory, and can both help clear up acne and reduce the redness and scarring  associated with it. It is very calming to the skin and can also benefit other inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, and eczema. 
5. Hydrating: Vitamin C helps to deliver water to the skin and prevents moisture loss. Our skin needs lots of water. Dehydration can be a factor in many of the skin conditions listed above.

How to find a good Vitamin C serum

Not all Vitamin C serums are created equal and a high priced one is not necessarily better. In fact serums can range anywhere between $30 and $200, so you want to make sure you check the quality.  Because it is a water- soluble substance it can start oxidizing quickly and lose its power. Make sure it’s in a dark container to block out light and has a pump delivery as opposed to a product that can be opened to air. There are different forms of Vitamin C, but experts agree the best form for the skin is L-absorbic acid in a 10 to 20 percent concentration.

My recommended brand of Vitamin C serum is Skin Script

This serum fits the bill. Skin script is a company that produces high quality natural skincare.

This serum is 10 percent L-absorbic acid and also includes other antioxidants such as green tea and Vitamin E which boosts the benefits of the Vitamin C.  It comes in an opaque container with a pump system. One of the best things is the low price point at $36. 

Skin Script Vitamin C and Green Tea Serum is available at Shelly Metzger Skincare at Sandstone Therapeutic Massage.

Written By:

Shelly Metzger

LMT & Licensed Esthetician

1. Facial Massage Promotes Blood Circulation
   Studies say that massage helps to improve blood circulation in the body. This also applies to the face. The more blood that circulates to the face, the better! This means your face and skin is getting all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and glowing!
2. Facials Help To Detoxify The Skin
   Our skin, which is the largest Organ in the body, needs to get rid of the waste and ickys that it accumulates over time. Skin detox is necessary because your skin can have massive breakouts without it. Imagine a shelf in your house getting dusty over time, now imagine that is your skin. Gross, right? When detoxifying the skin, therapists will use things such as antioxidant creams, oils, sea salt and herbal extracts to make your skin fresh and glow!
3. Tightens Your Skin
   As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, this happens because the production of collagen diminishes. During a facial, the therapists will use products such as face masks, creams, lotions, serums and oils that are packed with botanical extracts to activate the production of collagen in the skin.
4. Prevent Aging
   Regular facials and the face massages that come with it are great for promoting collagen development and cell regeneration. This leaves you with more youthful, glowing skin.
5. Expert Care
   With every facial, you’re going to get expert opinions and advice. We can read as many blogs and articles as we want but that advice is not the same as getting it from an expert who has seen and cared for your skin face to face and one on one. An expert will analyze your skin and recommend products that are going to be good for your personal skin type.

   There are so many benefits to getting a Facial monthly and these are just a few. You can try out Facials here at Sandstone any time with our in house Licensed Esthetician, Shelly Metzger. From 5/8/19-5/10/19 Shelly is running a special deal on 3 packs for her facials! You can get a 3 pack for $30.00 off of our normal pricing!

   Written By:

   Clare
   Front Desk, Social Media & Website Development

   

Did you know? Mother’s Day as we know it now, started in the United States, by Ann Reeves Jarvis in the early 20th century. Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1910 in  West Virginia.  It wasn’t until 1914, though, that Widow Wilson signed the proclamation naming the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, a national holiday to celebrate Moms across the country.

We believe, as do many others that mothers are priceless and they do for us more than anyone else does. Not only do they give us life, but they play such an important role in getting us through that life and forming us into the adults we are and become.

A good quote to describe Mother’s is “We are born of love; Love is our Mother” or When you look into your Mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.”

Here is a list of things to do with mom for Mother’s Day:

Mom & Daughter Yoga

Massage

Manicures

Pedicures

Family Game Night

Family Movie Night

Go on a weekend getaway

Make her her favorite foods

Go shopping at her favorite places

Go out for ice cream

Take her to a sports game

Take her to a concert

Go to the movies

There is so much you can do with mom on Mother’s Day! Remember to make mom feel extra special this year, she deserves it!

Written By:

Clare

Front Desk, Social Media & Website Development

1. Reduce Stress- Long term effects of stress can take a tremendous toll on the body, both emotionally and physically. Massage therapy can help to reduce the stresses of everyday life as well as the tension in the muscles caused by stress. Massage may help to relieve things such as tension headaches and neck pain caused by stress!
2. Better Sleep- Having trouble getting to sleep due to pain or stress? Research suggests that massage can help to improve sleep in those with insomnia, pain, fibromyalgia, lower back pain and many other health conditions.
3. Increased Range of Motion- Massage is great for those of us in sports, as well as those of us who are not. Massage can help prevent injuries, improve exercise performance and most importantly- reduce muscle tension.
4. Boost Mental Health and Wellness- Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Stress can be affected directly with massage therapy, research suggests.
5. Manage Pain- Research shows that massage therapy can help to reduce pain in the low-back, headaches, Carpal Tunnel, neck pain and so much more.

Written By:

Clare
Front Desk, Social Media & Website Development

Tomorrow:
Amanda (Thai Body Work): 3pm – 6pm
Bismah (Reflexology): 9:30am – 11:30am
Candice: 12pm
Jessica: 3:15pm – 6pm
Rob: 9am
Steve: 1:30pm – 6pm
Call now to reserve your spot! (248) 348-8770