Newsletter Volume 3:

Spring is a time of re-birth and regeneration, and a wonderful time to wake up our tired winter skin!

Many of  you are already using our wonderful, completely organic Eminence cleansers, toners and moisturizers, but have you thought about our masks? You know how you glow after a facial treatment at Skin Care at Civano?  Have you thought about using a mask at home? By using a mask once or twice a week, you will extend the benefits of your facial for weeks to come, and greatly improve the aging process.
        
Some of you have been with us since we first opened, and will remember that I used a different product line then. I got rid of them because I discovered a toxic ingredient in some of their cleansers, so switched to Eminence who, after over fifty years of growing and producing organic products could be trusted! One of the first things that I noticed (well - in addition to the wonderful aromas) was that the masks did not stay on my clients skin, they were absorbed into it! Since we want the nutrients in the products to nourish the skin, this was an amazing discovery.

Eminence has an extensive line of masks that address different needs and skin issues, and there are too many to address here. However here are a few to whet your appetite.  One of the most beneficial treatments is an exfoliating mask, which will remove the dead cells and help to increase cellular turnover . Eminence has several, but one that works well for many skin types is the Almond Mineral Treatment, which stimulates cellular metabolism while increasing circulation - definitely brings forth a glow!

Then there are rich, moisturizing masks for dry skin such as Blueberry Soy, Peach or Apricot. Is your skin dull and lifeless? An antioxidant mask such as Cranberry Pomegranate, or Mandarin Rooibos will help to rejuvenate and boost the immunity of the skin. Oily skin? Our favourite is the Pink Grapefruit Clarifying mask which removes impurities, balances oil production and helps to prevent blemishes. Looking for an anti-aging mask? Strawberry Rhubarb with Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent choice as it hydrates and enriches mature skin. Or a very new addition that is deeply nourishing is Firm Skin Acai mask made with the Acai Berry to provide high antioxidant phytonutrients to improve skin tone.
 
There are many, many more and you can read about them at www.EminenceOrganics.com.
   
Many people are confused about the purpose of serums, so let us clarify. Imagine that your cleansers,  moisturizers and masks are the food that nourishes our skin, then serums are like vitamin supplements. Just like supplements, there are many kinds that address different issues. Herbal Spot assists with blemishes, Grape firms and tightens, while Green Tea and Guava and Strawberry Rhubarb are perfect for anti-aging. If you do a search on the Internet you will find prices like $70, $155 and so on, often for a .5 oz container. Eminence offers pure organic serums for $42 for a full ounce, and like all Eminence products they are so concentrated, that only a tiny drop is needed.

Wishing you a very Happy Spring!

 

Newsletter Volume 2:

Eminence announces some exciting new products dubbed the “Sweet Cheeks Collection”. A delicious strawberry and rhubarb combination which contains natural Salicylic acid and plant based Hyaluronic acid. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that removes dead skin, and is found naturally in strawberries. The rhubarb is a natural astringent and disinfectant, containing lots of vitamin C for healing.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that we produce less of as we get older, and it works by binding itself to the water in our bodies. This means internally it helps lubricate joints, skin, eyes and arteries. For more information on this vital supplement available at Skin Care at Civano for only $34 + tax (much less than normal retail!), go to www.hyalogic.com.

Hyaluronic acid is also used topically in creams and serums for additional hydration. It helps to plump the skin through its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and deeply penetrate the layers of our skin.

Retail Sweet Cheeks items available are a Strawberry Rhubarb Masque with Hyaluronic Acid for $52, and Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic serum for $42. Some clients have asked what is the purpose of serums. The best analogy is that your regular skin care items, like moisturizer, are food for your skin, while serums are like vitamin supplements. Like supplements they are designed to address specific conditions such as acne, loss of elasticity etc. The Strawberry Rhubarb Serum is designed to plump and hydrate, while minimizing fine lines. 
  
There is also an exciting Dermafoliant (a lactic acid exfoliant ) which will only be available for salon use, watch for a luscious strawberry facial coming soon!

As you know, one of the most important functions of Skin Care at Civano is to provide education about dangerous toxins in personal care products. One of our best resources is The Environmental Working Group; a non-profit in Washington D.C. where they test and lobby for safe products. If you have not already done so, check out their website at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.  There was also an article in the New York Times recently, which I have available at the salon, or you can access via the following link: New Alarm Bells About Chemicals and Cancer: 

 

 

Newsletter Volume 1:

Eminence has announced yet another award, this time it is Favorite Skin Care Line from American Spa Magazine as voted by spa professionals. The Hungarian line has received numerous awards over its 52 years, and is one of the “greenest” companies in Europe. The newest products from Eminence are called the Immuni-Tea collection, because they feature free radical fighting  green, white and rooibos teas. Teas have long been used in Chinese medicine to boost immune systems, now recent studies have shown they also help prevent the effects from UVA and UVB induced skin damage!

The new line includes Lime Cleansing Mask which contains healing colloidal silver. This unique product is a two-in-one cleanser, as you apply it prior to the shower so that the steam can open the pores. This allows the restorative mask to impart hydration and repair, whilst it gently cleanses the skin. All skin types $44.

The cleanser would be followed by the Green Tea and Guava Fortifying serum to lift and hydrate, ($42) before applying the Guava and Bamboo Age-Defying Moisturizer to  return elasticity and hydration to tired skin after a long winter. All skin types $58.

The Mandarin and Rooibos Antioxidant Masque is ideal for weekly treatments to deliver powerful antioxidants and vitamins; all skin types $52.  Lastly the Lychee and Chestnut Firming Leg Treatment improves circulation and reduces the appearance of varicose veins when used daily;  In a study 90% of the volunteers reported immediate comfort after application and 80% of the volunteers reported relief of leg tiredness. $64.

Skin Care at Civano offers LED anti-aging and acne treatments from Revitalight. The anti-aging red light helps to reduce fine lines, and tighten skin by gradually firming collagen. LED was developed by NASA 30 years ago as a means to heal cuts scrapes and bruises in space. The red light is also used to aid healing after surgery to the eye, and it has been widely used as an esthetics tool for many years. Last year, German scientists did some experiments using green tea serum in conjunction with the red LED, and discovered that it produces results in 1/10thof the time than without the green tea! Green tea is full of antioxidants, and has a vital ingredient called catechins . When I first read this report, I set about looking for green tea serum, and the least expensive I could find on-line was over $90! But the good news is that Eminence read the same report, and started to work developing a serum. The new Green Tea and Guava serum will now be used to enhance our LED anti-aging treatments. If you have been contemplating cosmetic surgery, think about the non-invasive LED treatments first.  The results are not as dramatic or as quick, but the cost is just a fraction, and there are no hidden dangers or downtime.  And for acne sufferers, consider a series of LED blue light treatments to get rid of those unsightly blemishes. FDA approved to kill the germs that cause acne, blue light treatments are every two or three days until improvement is noted. LED treatments are $2 per minute, and an average treatment is fifteen minutes. After six paid treatments of either red or blue light, your seventh is free! Actually, an LED treatment is really a mini facial. This thirty minute treatment includes a combination cleans and exfoliation, Green Tea and Guava serum, the LED treatment, a toner, moisturizer and sun protection.  We have received excellent feedback to both treatments; of course the results are seen much quicker with the acne treatment, as rebuilding collagen takes time!