International Orange » face

The “No-Tox”: NEW Acupuncture Restorative Facial at IO

phil.wilde — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:34 +0000

Need an easy way to detox without the (Bo)Tox? May we present our newest facial, the Acupuncture Restorative Facial.

Just in at our San Francisco spa, the Acupuncture Restorative Facial, is our newest addition to the IO skin menu. The highly-anticipated facial, needles and all, is here to stay.

Before the launch, I had a chance to catch up with Amy to get the inside scoop on why needles on the face truly bring out the best in us – inside AND out. And, it goes without saying that Amy’s top wellness rule to live by is prevention, prevention, prevention.

What is the principle behind acupuncture?
Acupuncture needles are a method of communication between a skilled practitioner and the interior of the body. We use the needles to cause microtraumas to carefully chosen acupoints, thus drawing an immune response of fresh oxygenated blood carrying white blood cells and nutrients to the area.

What is the Acuppuncture Restorative Facial all about?
I always start by treating the body so we can address any underlying issues that are mirrored on the face – primarily stress, hormones, poor digestion, pain, toxicity. From there I move to the face where the needles address fine lines and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation and acne.

Seems scary. Needles on the face? Ouch. What does it feel like and approximately how many needles are used? Everyone’s different. Treatments are tailored to each client’s unique physiology. I might use anywhere from 10 plus needles on the area of the face, but keep in mind these are teeny tiny hair thin needles. I find it to be gentler than extractions.

Which points on the face are used?
We’ll start by choosing a few lines or scars to work on, other popular points are located along the jaw to release jaw tension, above the brow to prevent eyelid drooping, and some wonderful points on the neck to help lift the neck.

How quickly can one see the benefit?
You’ll begin to notice a difference after 3-5 treatments. And, not to be overlooked here, the amount of internal medicine that is received in the course of several Acupuncture facials amplifies the benefits from the inside out.

However, these treatments are most effective when performed weekly over a period of 3-6 months, but because it causes such a flush of circulation to the face, you’ll notice a lighter and brighter countenance that lasts longer and longer with each treatment.

Is this OK for expecting mothers? No
Or men? Definitely!

Who should avoid this treatment?
Mainly expecting mothers, anyone with a cold/flu, herpes outbreak, skin that is having a reaction, recent history of migraines, uncontrolled hypertension, using blood thinners, etc. I will also avoid any areas where one has had laser treatments, botox or fillers within a certain period of time.

Give it a try,
Sofia

Which one is for me? Deep Cleanse Facial or Custom Enzyme Boost?

phil.wilde — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:12 +0000

Are you a facial newbie? Or a regular in need of a change?

Everyday at our San Francisco spa we hear this question, “Which facial is best for me?”

So we’ve put together a quick guide to determine which facial is right for you.

First, consider yourself lucky. Both our Deep Cleanse Facial and our Custom Enzyme Boost Facial will leave your skin dewy, radiant and purely undeniable. Both facials draw from select products made with essential oils, naturally active enzymes and antioxidant vitamins. Unlike other spas, organic products are used in every facial, and no generic products are every considered.

So, either way way you will walk out of our San Francisco spa radiant and ready-to-be-seen.

A few key questions to answer:

First time for a facial?
Congested or seeing blackheads from 4 feet away?
Simply put, in need of a deep, pure cleanse?
Was your last facial over 3 months ago?

If you answered YES to any of the above, the Deep Cleanse Facial (75 minutes for $155) is for you.

Does your skin look dull, lackluster from winter hibernation and/or indoor heating that has sucked your skin dry?
In need of desperate exfoliation?
Time is of the essence and you need to get in and out as quickly as possible?
Are you on autopilot with the Deep Cleanse and in need of a change?
Big date this weekend and need to dress to impress?

If you answered YES to any of the above, the Custom Enzyme Boost Facial (60 minutes for $135) is for you.

Now do right by your skin and don’t make let suffer any longer. Get your facial on today. Call 415.563.5000 to book your appointment today.

Face forward,
Sofia

We’re in love: New In Fiore Masque Royale + Veloutée Lip and Eye Balm

phil.wilde — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:00:57 +0000

Our latest skincare obsessions in our back bar (that’s code for our back of the house of professional use) are In Fiore’s new Masque Royale + Veloutée Lip and Eye balm.

We just can’t get enough of In Fiore’s newest products. Here’s why.

MASQUE ROYALE ($185)
More than meets the eye. While the name includes “masque,” don’t just think of it as so. The newest gem from our coveted In Fiore line, the royale delight can be used as both a mask and a deep overnight treatment crème. It’s the latter that our skincare team has fallen head over heels with.

Perfect for those who are seeking firm, toned skin. Supremely crafted as an ultra-fortified regenerative compound made with the wonder nutrient royal jelly, honey, Masque Royale rises above all the other masks currently on the market with this outstanding property: it contains over 30 floral constituents derived from rose petals, jasmine flowers, white peony, calendula blossoms, honeysuckle, rose hips, sacred blue lily, white lotus, and orange blossoms.

This decadent, rapid healing golden crème will leave your face feeling resplendent from temple to temple. (Acne-prone skin: you can use it too!)

VELOUTÉE Lip and Eye Balm ($58)
Like a world class traveler, this new balm packs it in with grace and style. Packaged in a beautiful gold compact, the multipurpose balm stands out from the crowd with its nourishing extracts of oils like carrot seed and resveratrol from Japanese bamboo. It’s more than nourishing, it goes 1 step further to counteract the environmental free radical damage and counter acts the development of fine lines around the eyes and lips. Read: everyone needs this!

Personally, we’ve been over-generous in our usage, applying on our eyes and lips hourly. But the impending winter season is upon us and the humectant properties of the new Veloutée is guaranteed to bring us bright eyed into the new year.

Royally yours,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Masks with Eleanor Bagley

phil.wilde — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:00:24 +0000

Ooh, masks. Luxurious yet, intimidating.

In this Secrets in the Steam interview, esthetician Eleanor Bagley, helps us break down the reasons to (or not to) mask. Eleanor, when not at our San Francisco spa, can be found eating at small local restaurants or pursuing her other passion, fashion.

What is the purpose of a mask?
Masks are great for overall skin health and also good for treating skin conditions such as acne or dehydration.

Using different masks or mixing masks is appropriate when you’re trying to achieve results. A tip: select the appropriate mask for your skin type is important. For instance you wouldn’t want to put a drying clay mask on when your skin really needs hydration!

What are the benefits?
A quick fix to your skincare needs. Masks should be incorporated into your regimen when skin needs a pick me up. Some days your skin will feel dry, dull or broken out, and that’s the perfect time to mask!

How often should one mask?
Ideally 1-2 times per week or whenever the skin needs a little TLC. Or when you just feel like doing a mini treatment at home!

Best time/tips on how to apply a mask?
Apply a layer all over the face, neck and décolleté. Let the mask sit on your face for approximately 10- 15 minutes before you wash. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also apply the mask with a brush.

What is the difference between professional grade and over-the-counter masks?
Professional grade masks have higher concentrations of active ingredients. They are formulated to be blended with other ingredients such as higher concentrations of acids or enzymes and should only be applied by an esthetician.

Over-the-counter masks are intended to be a part of a complete skincare regime at home to help the integrity of the skin.

My all time favorite masks are:
Astara Blue Flame Mask ($41)
For impure skin. This mask contains powerful purifying ingredients such as tea tree and healing Kaolin clay. Great as a spot treatment as well.

Arcona Wine Hydrating Mask ($38)
This luxurious hydrating mask is jampacked with antioxidants and nourishing oils such as borage and macadamia to help quench dry and sensitive skin.

For triple threat masking, I love the Astara Mask Madness Kit ($61). This combo is purifying, hydrating and revitalizing. Also comes with a fun masking brush!

Thanks to Eleanor for the 101 on masks!

Here’s to masking the night away,
Sofia

Why Get a Facial?

phil.wilde — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:00:52 +0000

It’s safe to say that if getting a facial was as commonplace as brushing your teeth was, we’d not only have brighter faced futures, but just more wellness in our lives.

This week, I’ve decided to tackle a basic question that’s often overlooked: Why get a facial?

To many, getting a facial seems like a decadent luxury that’s beyond budgets and lifestyles to be considered essential or is something that they don’t need (e.g. there’s nothing “wrong” with my skin).

So, in defense of facials, here are a few reasons for why getting a facial is more important than you think.

It’s the ultimate anti-aging treatment
Staying young and fresh-faced means taking care of yourself and your skin. What you do at home is only 1 part of this equation. The other is receiving the deep cleansing, exfoliation and hydration only a facial can provide. Getting a facial means you are doing your part to slow down the clock.
Think of getting a facial as analogous to going to the dentist for a routine cleaning. Brushing at home is necessary, but you rely on a professional for the deep cleansing and maintenance to keep your pearly whites in tiptop shape. Why stop at your teeth?
A little TLC goes a long way
Facials are more economical than you think. For 4-6 weeks after a facial, your skin will appear radiant, resilient and even-toned.
That’s a heck of a return on your investment! Not only will your skin continue to renew itself after your facial, but also your spirit will be lifted knowing that you’re doing right by your skin.
Better than a good night’s rest
Believe it or not, people have mistaken the results of getting a good night’s for a facial.
The effects are similar, but facials go 1 step further to remove toxins and dirt accumulated over the weeks, months and years. And at our San Francisco spa, our facials incorporate extensive facial massage, which improves circulation for an even-toned complexion.
If you’re simply craving that dewy, healthy glow and can’t get a good night’s rest get a facial. It won’t disappoint – and you’ll sleep better too!

Not convinced? Just give it a try. I promise I won’t be the one to say, “I told you so!”

It’s more than just a frou frou frill,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Rahnie Smith on Skincare through the Ages

phil.wilde — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:58 +0000

Life transitions happen! Every 10 years, we transition through another decade.

Do you know what your skin needs throughout the ages?

This week, I sat down with Rahnie Smith, a member of our San Francisco spa and Esthetician team, to break down the most common complexion offenders and what we should be paying attention to as we transition through the decades. As a former makeup artist, Rahnie brings a deep understanding the skin’s needs from cleansing to waxing to makeup application.

We all want to look fabulous at every age. What should we focus on at each decade?

20s: The Radiant 20s
Skincare in the 20’s is about keeping the skin clean, fresh and protected from the sun and the environment. Because skin in the 20s has an abundance of collage and elastin, the skin always appears firm, plump and has healthy glow.

Your 20s regimen:
Cleanse: Arcona White Tea Purifying Cleanser ($42)
Tone: In Fiore Toning Floral Essence ($60)
Antioxidant: Arcona Desert Mist ($32)
Hydrate: Arcona Magic White Ice ($38) is a great all purpose, all skin types hydrator.
Protect: Use at least SPF 30 daily.

30s: Prevent wrinkles + pigmentation
Skincare in the 30’s is similar the 20’s, but in the 30’s signs of sun damage begin to appear as a result from our teenage years spent in the sun. Also some aging signs such as pigmentation and fine lines may appear in the mid-to-late 30’s.

This is the perfect time to start introducing alpha/beta hydroxy acids and retinoids into your evening regime so the skin can repair while we sleep.

Your 30s regimen:
Cleanse: Dr. Alkaitis Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser ($65)
Tone: Dr. Alkaitis Organic Herbal Toner ($55)
Antioxidant: Arcona Youth Serum ($87) (a Vitamin C in the AM) and Arcona Vitamin A Complex ($68) (a retinoid or alpha/beta hydroxy acids in the PM 2-3x/week)
Hydrate based on your skin type (normal, combination, oil, acneic)
Protect: sunscreen (at least 30 SPF daily)

40s and 50s+: Reverse the damage + strengthen
In these 2 decades, the skin begins to lose radiance due to declining levels of estrogen, which effects skin elasticity, pigment, firmness and tone.

Time to introduce peptides! Peptides stimulate collagen and improve the skin’s texture and elasticity, and are perfect for anti-aging, age reversal and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Your 40s and 50s regimen:
Cleanse: If your skin is on the drier side, be sure to use a cleanser that is nourishing and gentle so you don’t strip away your skin’s natural oil: In Fiore Treate Gentle Cleansing Base ($58)
Tone: It’s important to use a hydrating toner: Arcona Cranberry Toner ($32) with cranberry extracts and rice milk
Antioxidant: Skinceuticals Phloretin CF (normal to oil skin) or Skinceuticals CE Ferulic (dry skin)
Hydrate: Arcona Peptide Hydrating Complex ($95)
Protect: Sunscreen (at least SPF 45 daily)

What is consistent throughout the ages?

1. Know your skin type
People of all ages have acneic, oily, dry or combination skin. Any of these types may also be sensitive. It’s very important to know your skin type to buy products designed for your skin.

2. Get facials, the ultimate anti-aging treatment
A little TLC on your face goes a long way. Facials will give you a deeper cleanse, exfoliation and hydration. Facial massage detoxifies, increases and stimulates circulation so your tone and complexion will be radiant!

3. Retinoids are the whole package and proven
Retoids fight acne, build collagen and fade spots. They are DO-ers. What more could you ask for?

4. Always wear your sunscreen
The only way to keep your skin at its best is to always wear a sunscreen of at least SFP 30. Daily. No exceptions. Yes, on those foggy SF days, our skin is still exposed to the harmful UVA/UVB rays.

And, then get out there and smile!

With secrets in the steam,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Ashley Smith on Exfoliation’s 5 W’s (and How)

phil.wilde — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:47:49 +0000

Now that we just celebrated our nation’s birthday, let’s talk about another re-birthing process: exfoliation.

Overwhelmed by the thought of it? Not to worry, I’ve brought Ashley Smith to the rescue to break down the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How’s of exfoliation.

With over 5 years of experience, Ashley brings an unparalleled passion for exfoliation to the IO team. (Just look at her ever-glowing skin!) She practices what she preaches. Outside of our San Francisco spa, Ashley can be found cooking at home or noshing at La Taqueria in the Mission.

Without further ado, here’s are Ashley’s 5 W’s and How on exfoliation:

Who needs it?
Everyone! Mature, acneic, dry, oily and pigmented skin types all benefit from exfoliation. Exfoliation is essential to making any major differences to the skin. Exfoliation makes the skin look alive! (After all, it is our largest organ.)

What are the benefits?
There are 2 types of exfoliation: manual and chemical.

Manual exfoliation, or scrubs, encourages removal of dead skin, which contributes to congested skin, and also helps brighten up dull or aging skin.

Chemical exfoliation encourages new skin cell growth every 5-7 days to every 28 days. It helps to even out skin tone and bring overall brightness and clarity to the skin.

When is the best time to exfoliate and where should you exfoliate?
Apply a manual exfoliant on your face and décolleté in the morning or before a night out. For optimal results, use 3 times per week, preferably having used a chemical exfoliant the night prior.

Chemical exfoliants work best while we sleep, when the skin is regenerating itself. Because ingredients can cause sun sensitivity, avoid using during the day. In general, it is essential to protect yourself from the sun with a broad-spectrum sunscreen while using an exfoliant.

Why exfoliate?
As the skin begins to mature, it naturally regenerates more slowly. Exfoliation helps stimulate collagen and elastin fibers, which keep skin looking younger, brighter and firmer.

How often for each skin type?
Normal skin: 2-3 times/week.

Problematic: (acneic/congested) Use a salicylic or glycolic acid 3-4 times/week. Skin with blackheads benefit from a scrub, while skin with breakouts should focus on chemical exfoliants.

Dry: Lactic acid is ideal for dry skin because it is gentle and can hydrate the skin. Use a gentle scrub 2-3 times per week to remove dead skin cells. Enzymes also work magically on this skin type.

Sensitive: This skin type can benefit from very gentle exfoliation such as using the Clarisonic brush with a gentle cleanser and a non-acid based chemical exfoliant like Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator. Both of products can be used daily.

Mature: Mature skin can benefit from lactic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol to target fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and loss of elasticity up to 5 times per week.

When shopping for an exfoliant, what are the key ingredients to look for?
Lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acids, and retinols are the most effective chemical exfoliants. Choose based on an individual’s skin type (see above).

Best all-time exfoliators?
1. Arcona’s Gentle Solution and Raspberry Resurfacing Peel are my favorite chemical exfoliants.
2. Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator: great for dry or sensitive skin.
3. In Fiore Lustra Cleansing Balm: The best scrub at IO. Devotees call it, “divine mud” and “facial in a jar.”

With secrets in the steam,
Sofia

Inside Out: Summer Skin Protection beyond SPF

phil.wilde — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:07 +0000

San Francisco summer is in full effect. Overcast, cold, windy, foggy. Time to escape SF city limits in search of sun and heat.

After all these years living in San Francisco, it seems as if I’ve forgotten what summer is really like. Life beyond the fog belt does exist, but what to bring to protect the skin? SPF, a hat and sunglasses?

While essential, SPF works only on the outside. We forget to protect the skin from the inside, which is a critical element to preventing sun damage and slowing the skin’s aging process. Much like our San Francisco wardrobe, summertime is time to layer it on.

Layer on: Antioxidant serum then SPF
Before you apply your SPF (use at least 30 or 45+ for sunny tropical destinations), apply an antioxidant serum like Arcona Booster Defense Serum or Arcona Youth Serum that protects the skin from the inside. The best part? It transitions well into daily skincare routines focused on preventative aging.

Both Arcona serums are supercharged with high concentrations of antioxidants such as Green Tea, grape seed extracts and dismutase, which help to neutralize the damaging affects of UVA/UVB rays.

Why is this important?
Antioxidants help to protect the skin from premature aging and reduce free radical damage, which ultimately is the culprit of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

Extra credit: Hydration and balms
It’s also important to keep skin hydrated. Properly hydrated skin gives way to a youthful glowing complexion and helps to maintain the skin’s resilience against photo aging. Pick up the Arcona Wine Hydrating Mask or my personal favorite, the Astara Golden Flame Hydration Mask to soothe, refresh and quench the skin post beach time.

Last but not least, antioxidant rich and celebrity-loved In Fiore Fleur Vibrante is the final deal to seal, heal and counteract sun damage. Highly recommended for those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer. To apply: rub thin layer between palms and press into your skin before bedtime.

And, if you can’t escape the San Francisco fog, step into our spa in San Francisco. Our steam room leaves no-body out in the cold.

Summer days are here again,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Karen on Balinese Beauty Rituals

phil.wilde — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:00:50 +0000

With a passport full of international stamps, our very own Karen Waage lives for traveling and discovering beauty rituals of the world. While not globetrotting, Karen can be found at our spa in San Francisco working her magic on clients of all skin types.

Can’t make it to Bali this year? Read on for Karen’s secrets in the steam:

Where in the world have you experienced the best facial?
Bali!! More for the uniqueness of the facial and the beautiful outdoor spa it was in!

What made it outstanding?
The Balinese incorporate the island’s riches into their treatments. Getting treatments was a great way to experience all that the island has to offer.

What are the skincare rituals of the Balinese?
The Balinese utilize the island’s treasures and foods such as honey, oatmeal and flower petals. What goes on their skin is what they eat at home.

For example during my traditional honey cucumber facial, oatmeal was used to exfoliate my skin while the honey softened my skin. Honey is a great antioxidant. The cucumber was used as a finishing mask for its cooling, tightening and moisturizing properties. I had a rose petal bath following the facial. Rose is a wonderful anti depressant and astringent treatment.

Throughout your travels, have you found common elements across the cultures you’ve experienced?
I’ve found that no matter who you are or where you are women (and men) all over the world have beauty rituals. It’s inspiring to me that all women have this in common. Though the ingredients may be different, beauty rituals are something that are passed down to children and grandchildren, etc. So, it’s important for us to think about what we are passing down!

What have you learned from your travels?
I have learned to appreciate and embrace what you have, but be open to finding new ways to incorporate other culture’s practices into your own skincare ritual.

For instance, the Balinese women use ingredients from their own kitchen. There are skincare gems at our fingertips that we often overlook!

What are your 3 essential skincare products?
1. Skinceuticals Phloretin CF: Preventative care that creates a strong foundation and fights free radicals.

2. In Fiore Lustra: With crushed organic flower petals, it’s the most beautiful exfoliant I have gotten my hands into! Along with exfoliating, it has great hydrating and detoxifying properties, which will leave your skin glowing like you wouldn’t believe.

3. Arcona Night Worker: Perfect for outdoor types and dry skin. A night serum packed with Vitamin C and fruit enzymes that helps hydrate and promote collagen production. Collagen is important for everyone. Collagen breaks down faster with sun exposure, so it is important to protect your skin while out in the sun!

What are your top 3 skincare rules to live by?
1. Never go to bed with a dirty face
2. Always use preventative treatments
3. Exfoliate!!!

With secrets in the steam,
Sofia

A Spa Retreat for Your Insides: CAN CAN Cleanse

phil.wilde — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:12:47 +0000

Four times a year the seasons change. And with each change, we season-proof our wardrobes, cars, homes, skincare and even travel essentials.

But too often do we forget to clean our insides.

I’m not talking about the infamously intense Master Cleanse, where your body goes into shock. I’m talking about the CAN CAN Cleanse, a nutritional, organic 1-day or 3-day liquid cleanse that is a San Francisco spa retreat for your insides. The CAN CAN Cleanse is a healthy and sustainable way to check in with your health and wellness goals and re-set. All systems a go!

The reasons to cleanse are plenty. Here are just a few:

give your digestive system a break
boost energy and self-esteem
reset poor eating habits
jump start weight loss goals
simply feel what it feels like to truly feel good!

Last week I completed my spring 3-day cleanse. I’ve tried a handful of cleanses and have never found the right fit. They’ve been unsustainable, awful tasting, or are too hard to manage given my on-the-go-lifestyle. After CAN CAN’ing, I walked away more clear headed, pounds lighter and skin glowing like I just had a facial!

Teresa, founder and chief inspiration officer, sets you up for success and overcomes the pain points that makes most cleanses unsuccessful. (She even sends you a note of inspiration during the day just at the right moment – when you think you’ve had enough!)

It actually tastes good!
No more depriving yourself or your taste buds. The CAN CAN cleanse consists of 8 liquids/day (2 fruit juices, 2 green vegetable juices, 2 herbal teas, 1 nut milk, 1 savory soup), sequenced approximately every 1.5 hours, and never leaves you feeling hungry.

Each time you start to feel hungry, it’s time to grab another can. Added bonus: each liquid is actually something that I would drink on a regular basis!

Opt for delivery or pick up
Like takeout, you can decide whether you’d like to pick up your cleanse or have it delivered to your home or office. Cleanses begin on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

No brains required
Each can is labeled 1 to 8, so all you have to do is count to 8. Teresa also provides pre-cleanse and post-cleanse guidelines that help to transition your diet for a more effective cleanse.

Eat seasonally, eat organic and support local farms
All fruits and vegetables are in-season and whenever possible sourced locally from Sonoma and Central Valley farms.

Permissible eats
Bathing your digestive system with nutrient rich liquids is the goal, but eating is OK if needed. The CAN CAN Cleanse believes that all bodies and cleansing experiences are different and provides a list of “permissible eats” such as a ½ of an avocado or an apple. Best to have on hand before so you aren’t reaching for cookies instead.

I simply CAN’t say enough.

You CAN CAN Cleanse,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Anna Crowley + Food for Skin

phil.wilde — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:45:24 +0000

This week I chatted with IO esthetician Anna Crowley, who loves to talk food. It’s not a secret that what we eat is an integral element to maintaining bright, radiant and healthy skin.

So giving us more than just food for thought, here are Anna’s tips on how and why we should eat and do right by our skin:

Let’s start with the basics. How does food affect the skin?
We are what we eat! We have all seen and felt the effects of taking good care vs. taking poor care of our bodies. When we eat well, we feel healthy and well balanced. Like it or not, our skin is the ultimate indicator of our well being. Complexions speak a thousand words. See someone with bright, dewy skin? I bet you they eat well!

What should we be eating for a brighter, healthier face forward?
Pack in the antioxidants!

Oh, buzzword, antioxidants. Why is it important to eat them?
The simple answer is that antioxidants protect us from free radicals, which are molecules that destroy healthy cells. Antioxidants help to stave off the skin’s natural aging process of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

What foods are packed with antioxidants?
Antioxidants are found in small red beans, strawberries, artichokes, nuts, spices such as ground clove, oregano, cinnamon. Even the Russet potato has antioxidants!

At our San Francisco spa, each esthetician custom-blends food grade ingredients and products into the facials.
We incorporate food constituents like enzymes, cranberry extracts, sugar and milk “acids,” along with other plant and flower extracts and essences. Many of our backbar (professional use only) products have ingredients such as oatmeal, olive oil, white and green teas, vitamins C and E and even silver! You can find other tasty ingredients such as raspberry, rice milk, and red wine in our cabinets of treats and tricks.

Sounds like breakfast! What are the benefits of oatmeal, silver and honey?
Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant that helps to soothe irritated skin. Silver is antibacterial and helps to aid in infections. Finally, honey is a natural humectant, so it helps to retain moisture and is also an anti-inflammatory.

What are your 3 favorite antioxidant rich products?
1. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF: With its antioxidant properties and Vitamin C, apple seed extracts and bran oils, it helps to reverse sun exposure.

2. Arcona’s Desert Mist: Packed with Vitamin C, E, witch hazel and marjoram extract, it acts like a shield, working against pollution, chemicals, weather. Apply in the morning.

3. Malin+Goetz SFP 30 sunscreen: A must have. Prevent while we can!

With secrets in the steam,
Sofia

To Be, or Not To Be: Wallet-Friendly IO Spa Membership

phil.wilde — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:37:20 +0000

It seems as if the world is laden with memberships – professional groups, social networks, flash-sales sites. Usernames, key fobs, passwords, we all have them. Don’t you think it’s a constant juggle to stay involved?

The one membership in town that you’ve got to get in on is the cost-friendly IO Memberships to our San Francisco spa. It’s all about stripping away the chaos and getting back to life’s essentials: wellness.

With a savings of up to 25% OFF, you’ll have the peace of mind that each month you’ll be taking care of yourself. Of your body. Of your skin. Of your mind. No more work-takes-over-my-life. Putting yourself as a priority is life lesson #1 in my book.

Frankly, the benefits are long lived. Members receive priority and personalized continued attention with your favorite bodyworker or esthetician. Much like a bootcamp or marathon training program, this is your wellness program.

The road to better health is long, and with more time on the table, you’ll get to know your body and skin in ways you never thought you could. With consistent treatments, problems melt away much faster, and 60 minutes starts to feel like 90 minutes.

The 4 levels of membership:

1. IO Spa Membership (Monday-Friday) $280/month
   2× 60 Minute IO Massages, 1 Deep Cleanse Facial and 10% off in-spa retail purchases

2. IO Spa + Yoga Membership (Monday-Friday): $360/month
   2× 60 Minute IO Massages, 1 Deep Cleanse Facial, Unlimited Yoga (any class, any day of the week) and
   10% off in-spa retail purchases

3. IO Spa Membership: $320/month
   2× 60 Minute IO Massages, 1 Deep Cleanse Facial and 10% off in-spa retail purchases

4. IO Spa + Yoga Membership: $400/month
   2× 60 Minute IO Massages, 1 Deep Cleanse Facial, Unlimited Yoga (any class, any day of the week) and
   10% off in-spa retail purchases

As an IO member, you will receive special benefits such as the ability to share your membership with a guest up to 4 times per year.

What more could you ask for? Save money and get good on your health with the best spa in San Francisco? Double down, please.

For more details, visit our Spa Membership page. To inquire about Membership at IO, please email our Membership Coordinator at membership@internationalorange.com.

Join us,
Sofia

Secrets in the Steam: Yolanda Porrata, product-lover extraordinaire

phil.wilde — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:08:49 +0000

I’m thrilled to share a project that I’ve been working on for a few weeks: Secrets in the Steam, our IO esthetician interview series.

With each interview, I’ll go behind-the-scenes and into our back spa to uncover IO’s best-kept secrets and learn how estheticians always keep picture perfect skin (it’s not just genetics!).

This week I spent some with Yolanda, a self-professed product junkie who at an early age opened a spa in her bedroom called “Beauty Weird,” where she performed 3 services: nails, custom-blended masks and weird hairdos.

In addition to her highly reputed Brazilian bikini wax, Yolanda is known for her impeccable attention to detail (no pore or hair is left unturned!) and passion for always keeping things fresh. When not at IO, she can be found eating at Bar Argicole, shopping for ballet flats at Gimme Shoes and re-arranging her house furniture weekly.

Her daily regimen: product cocktails
I am not afraid to mix things up. I believe in variety so my skin can’t predict what’s coming. This insures that my products are working effectively, and I never become bored with my routine.

This means I make a little product cocktail in my hand, which might look like this: 1 pump Arcona Magic White Ice, 1 pump Arcona AM Acne Lotion and 2 drops of InFiore Pur Oil. I appreciate the rules and protocol, but once you know and understand them, you can break them.

Beauty inside and out: Yolanda’s bathroom cabinet

Timing toners and tonics: Apply before and after moisturizers
The perfect time to apply your serums and moisturizer is on a fresh damp face. I like to use good quality rosewater, In Fiore Vitale Toning Floral Essence or Dr. Alkaitis Organic Herbal Toner.

So tone, and while your skin is still damp, apply your moisturizer and serums. This will allow the product to penetrate evenly, and you may not have to apply as much.

Once you’re done layering, spray toner again directly onto your face or into your palms and press it into your skin. This final step will set your product, plus you will be left with a beautiful dewy complexion.

Yolanda’s survival skincare essentials
1. Preserve Face Cleansing pads: They are the perfect multi-use product, keeping me feeling and looking fresh without drying out my skin.

2. In Fiore Soleil Fleur: a multi-use heavy hitter. Anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and antibacterial, it’s packed with antioxidants and prevents and heals UV skin damage. Oh, and it smells amazing, so it’d be my perfume as well.

3. Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick: It’s a lip saver for all situations!

Yolanda’s top 3 skincare rules to live by
Exfoliate, hydrate and protect. Try not to pick – that’s four. Don’t forget about your décolleté (men have a chest and ladies, we have a décolleté) – that’s five.

With secrets in the steam,
Sofia

Calling all Brides! IO Blissful Bride Package

ron.wilde — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:02:03 +0000

This year, my best friend is getting married. She’s not one to be fussy beauty-wise. But like most brides, she’s turned on the amplifier and is ultra-focused on looking her best for the big day. Who can blame her?

In fact just last week she asked me what she could do to prep her skin for the big day. Talk about breakthrough! I had been waiting for her to ask. Time to up-the-ante on her skincare regime for her best face forward.

Because I have a hunch that there are other brides-to-be out there, I’ve decided to share how we at IO are here to take care of your pre-wedding jitters with the IO Blissful Bride Package.

Crafted with the bride-to-be’s needs in mind, we launched the IO Blissful Bride Package ($379, a 15% savings), a series of 3 Custom Enzyme Boost Facials plus 1 Décolleté Love and 1 Bright Eyes Add-on.

With the 3-part series, each bride-to-be receives a customized program designed to seal in the ultimate glow for the big day. With a 15% savings, it’s easy on the wedding budget.

Each esthetician blends a specialty fruit cocktail enzyme mask of pineapple, papaya and grapefruit that breaks down dead layers of skin and accelerates regeneration of new cells. This is the trick to getting that glow that all brides crave. You need to break down the old to build up the new.

We recommend that each facial be scheduled at least 1 month apart with the final facial scheduled no less than 2 weeks before the big day. An added bonus? The final facial is extended to include the Décolleté Love and Bright Eyes add-on. The Décolleté Love brings generous attention to the oft-forgotten upper chest whereas the Bright Eyes will tighten and brighten the eye area with a collagen treatment. Bye bye fine lines and puffiness!

Rest assured, brides will radiate all the way down the aisle and be one step closer to pure marital bliss. My best friend couldn’t be happier.

Finally, it’s not just brides who are glowing. San Francisco Brides is also raving about this, too. Click here for our recent press. Then jump on your to-do list and request an appointment online.

Perfect your glow for the big day,
Sofia

Interview: Jennie + Jennifer on Preserve Skincare Pads

ron.wilde — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:48:11 +0000

Jennie and Jennifer, 2 of IO’s very own estheticians, have more in common than the first 5 letters in their names. With over 20 years of combined experience, they are the powerhouse behind newly-launched Preserve Skincare cleansing pads, sold exclusively at IO.

The pads ($38 for 45 pads) are the ultimate, all-natural cleansing pad and are flying off the shelves at the spa and IO Webshop. I had a chance to catch up with the dynamic duo to get down-and-dirty, behind-the-scenes on the new product line.

1. What was the inspiration?
Honestly, we loved the idea of an easy cleansing step. We found that clients were often going to bed without washing their faces. As natural problem solvers, we came up with the perfect fix. We knew clients were attracted to the convenience of pads and wipes, but there wasn’t anything that had high quality ingredients or something that we’d recommend.

2. How long did it take to conceptualize and develop the line?
The whole process took about 2 years. We worked closely with our chemist, doing ample testing and sampling which allowed us to develop a product we truly believe in.

3. What is the difference between the 2 pads: Orange Blossom vs. Geranium Leaf?
The Orange Blossom is a wipe-and-go pad: cleanser, toner, hydrator all in one. The Geranium Leaf is a deep cleansing, slightly foaming pad, especially beneficial for clogged, congested or imbalanced skin.

4. How are the pads different from other pads (e.g. Arcona Cranberry Triad Pads)?
We wanted a pad that was thick, substantial and luxurious. Something that would act more like a cloth and could be used on the face, neck and décolleté.

5. So, are they re-usable? How often can you use them?
Yes! Use them anytime. Anywhere.

6. Tell me a little more how you selected the all-natural ingredients.
This was the most exciting element of creating our product. It was important for us to select the best ingredients that would be most effective and beneficial. We researched the therapeutic and aromatic attributes of the extracts and essential oils and ultimately came up with amazing blends that not only treat the skin, but the senses as well!

7. Let’s get dirty. Based on the confessions on the facial table, 8 out of 10 people skip washing their face at least 2-3 times a week! Is that really true?
Hopefully we haven’t broken any confidentiality assumptions. But yes, unfortunately, what we’ve gathered is that our clients lead busy lives and aren’t perfect. They travel, work long hours, and put lots of babes to bed, not leaving much time for skincare.

8. What’s next for the line?
A 3rd pad is in the works for a dry, sensitive skin type!

9. Anything else you’d like to add?
Preserve what you’ve got. Wash your face. Please.

To purchase, visit the SHOP at IO or the IO Webshop. I think you’ll never go to sleep with an unwashed face again.

Wipe it all away,
Sofia

Peel, Intelligently

ron.wilde — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:01:48 +0000

Intelligence need not be just an I.Q. thing. It’s also an IO-thing.

Last week, in honor of the New Year, I treated my skin to the IO Intelligent Peel ($38). For years I’ve been devoted to my regular Deep Cleanse Facials for glowing, clean skin. But with each passing year, I find that I need more of a “boost.” Some extra juice. Then, it occurred to me. Like everything else, why not start off the year intelligently?

The Intelligent Peel, the newest addition to the IO menu, is an active, advanced facial add-on that offers a powerful one-two punch of exfoliation and antioxidant delivery for cell renewal and restoration. It’s perfect for distressed, tired or overexposed skin, and targets acne, sun damage, wrinkles and/or hyper-pigmentation with the use of natural remedies.

The Intelligent Peel is exactly what my skin has been craving for after another year of the elements: airplane travel, sunny days at the beach, and winter-parched skin from my walk to work. The peel, when applied to your skin feels a bit tingly, adds another layer of exfoliation while at the same time infuses the skin with antioxidants to replenish skin and combat free-radical activity. Double-whammy bliss.

Yet, the true beauty of the Intelligent Peel is: the ingredients of Lactic, Salicylic, Glycolic and/or Retinol, are naturally derived. This means they are more compatible with the skin’s natural function.

Unlike other (chemical) peels, the Intelligent Peel contains NO synthetic ingredients, leaving your skin bright, smooth, clear and radiant. Not all peels are created equal, so it’s up to us to choose wisely. I say no thanks to stripping my skin raw with chemicals.

And so, to my esthetician’s recommendation, I’m now supplementing my Deep Cleanse Facials with the Intelligent Peel through a series of 4 treatments. Depending on your skin (sensitive?) and wellness needs (pregnant?), each IO esthetician will select the right combination of ingredients for you.

The best part? No need to carve out extra time in your calendar. An additional 5 minutes is all it takes. Intelligent beauty at its best.

Peeling away the layers,
Sofia

Organic Detox Facelift

ron.wilde — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:56:39 +0000

Please, please, please stay out of the plastic surgeon’s office for at least another day! This facial does the best we can do to naturally help the skin stay healthy. Plus, this is one really healthy way to spend seventy-five minutes.

Have you ever had a facial? Okay, have you ever had an IO Facial? Okay, so have you ever had the IO Organic Detox Facelift facial? Let’s just say, you might want to check it out. This one is as good as it gets in the land of organic facials. Period.

The IO Organic Detox Facelift is artfully crafted for those seeking purely organic anti-aging remedies. This supreme facial combines skin cleansing and enzymatic exfoliation and uncovers plumped, dewy, revitalized skin. Invigorating facial massage serves to pamper the skin, increase elasticity and stimulate the lymph for toxin and fluid release. Utilizing only pure organic ingredients, the facial draws upon the power of able hands to elevate both skin and spirit.

A pristine product selection of the best of the best includes organic luxury skincare lines such as Kahina, Dr. Alkaitis, Dr. Hauschka and In Fiore. Based on skin type and needs, our experienced IO estheticians create exact formulations for each client. To top off the skin-pampering experience, local organic edible products such as raw honey are added to seal in the curative benefits.

Love your face.

Try an Organic Facelifter,
Amy

Three Words: Organic. Detox. Facelift.

ron.wilde — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:50 +0000

I try to refrain from making this blog a forum for the blatant promotion of IO products, but occasionally I feel so passionately about one of our services that the need arises for me to get up on my soapbox and blab a bit. So here goes.

The Organic Detox Facelift is our brand new facial on the menu at IO. To call it a facial is underselling its magnificence, as it’s really a holistic combination of a whole body skin-invigorator, blissful head and neck massage, and skin savior.

The Organic Detox Facelift employs a pristine selection of my favorite skincare products, some of which we sell in our boutique, and some of which we reserve for back-of-house treatments. For this skin-pampering experience, we use the best of the best.

An exact formula is always tailored to your particular skin type and needs, but we’ll customize a combination of all-organic luxury products by Kahina, In Fiore, Dr. Alkaitis and Dr. Hauschka… all personal favorites of mine.

Oh, and some raw, local, organic honey for your face. Yum.

Getting a facial is a sensory experience that always reminds me to treat my skin a little better. And spending 75 minutes in the loving hands of our one of our experienced estheticians is a gift I give myself whenever I can.

Beyond caring for your skin, it’s about caring for your whole self – body mind and soul. ‘Cause ain’t that what it’s all about?

Happy face,
Amy

Summer Skincare in Your Own Kitchen

ron.wilde — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:13:44 +0000

Forgive me if I sound like Martha Stewart when I say this, but I find it delightfully empowering to know that I can whip up my own skincare recipes right in my kitchen at home, with a few simple ingredients from the farmer’s market. (Or, maybe I’m actually channeling Alice Waters).

And if, of course, I can’t find the time, I know where to buy the real-thing already whipped up and packaged for me at IO. Options can be empowering too, but here’s a way to do it yourself. Here’s a recipe I recently mixed together:

Rose Geranium Coconut Balm

Rose geranium is a lovely plant that’s edible, pretty, and extremely pungent… in a good way. This time of year, you can get your hands on a bunch at local farmer’s markets for about $2.

It only takes a tiny bit of the leaves to impart a lot of flavor to your balm, so rinse off a wee pinch, and then put the rest in a small vase to freshen up your loo or bring some Spring to any corner of your house.

Throw it in a blender with some coconut oil… the good old cooking variety will do. (Here’s a little tip: chop up the rose geranium first, then blend in the oil at a very low speed, only briefly. Too long and too fast will alter the chemistry of the oil in less than desirable ways.)

Pour it into a recycled jar, and voila! You have yourself some fresh, practically edible hand balm.

Of course, you can substitute the rose geranium with just about anything from your kitchen that smells good to you.

Experimenting like this is what inspired me to develop IO’s very own line of IO Organic Products, and if you use some imagination, perhaps you too can invent your own line of wellness items. Or at the very least, create a few balms or scrubs customized to your very own skin.

Here’s yet another empowered way to be a bridge to your better side.

Experiment and HAVE FUN.

Kitchen-unconfidential,
Amy

When You Are Stressed: Practice Simple Skin Care

ron.wilde — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:36:18 +0000

An unfortunate side effect of stress and anxiety (sensations that many of us are overly familiar with and even more these days) is that it impacts our skin directly and visibly. Impurities, wrinkles and other complexion messer-uppers love to show themselves just when we don’t need one more thing to manage.

The fact that we tend to sleep poorly, eat badly and exercise less when we are going through hard times only exacerbates the spiral effect of stress.

Even when the rest of your life seems hard to manage, even if it doesn’t seem like it, you always have some degree of control over how you treat your body’s largest organ, and getting a grip on your skin is just the first step (and a great bridge) to feeling in control of your body and your life.

AGUA
It starts with drinking lots of water.

The whole eight-glasses-a-day thing can be tedious, but I’ve found that spiking my Hetch Hetchy with herbal tea or citrus and then drinking out of an old-fashioned Ball Jar can make it more enjoyable. (Plus, the Ball Jar has ounce markings so I know I’m getting my measurable eight-per-glass. In fact as I write this, I have an 8 ouncer half full of agua con ginger y lemon. I’ve got a ways to go on my daily in-take, but I’m well on my enjoyable way.)

KEEP IT CLEAN
Keeping “cooties” off your skin is also important. We tend to touch our face when we’re nervous or bored. Consciously avoiding the spread of bacteria from your hands to your face helps prevent those unsightly eruptions (yes, pimples).

MOVE THAT BOD
Yoga is great for circulation, and therefore great for your skin. So is a brisk morning walk, or any outdoor time / fresh air you can squeeze into your schedule.

TREAT YOUR SKIN
And when some time frees up in your schedule, consider rewarding your skin. She works hard for you, quietly holding it all in, and she is your biggest organ. I’m partial to rewarding my skin at IO. It sounds like C Magazine agrees by the recent rating in their Best of Summer issue that names our fabulous Custom Enzyme Facial “Best of State Top Five”. But, then again, I don’t need to be convinced.

Keep it simple.

And reward your skin,
Amy

In Fiore: Let Fragrance Be Thy Medicine

ron.wilde — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:51 +0000

Thanks once again to The Coveted for featuring several of IO’s skin-friendly “eco-products” in their post about facial peels (read article here). And for highlighting the sage advice of IO senior esthetician Alicia Moody, who truly knows her stuff when it comes to what’s good for the skin.

A facial peel is like a really deep cleaning for your face. When I clean my house, I use non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, organic products. Likewise for my face. The Arcona and REN products that Alicia mentions are favorite sellers at IO, and I can testify that they are amazing. I am an avid user.

I save a special place in my heart for our In Fiore products because they are made with love and inspiration by a great friend of mine and they’ve long been a popular staple at IO. The Coveted mentions In Fiore’s Fleur Vibrante balm for soothing dry, parched or irritated skin post-peel. It’s truly good stuff.

The In Fiore motto is “let fragrance by thy medicine”. I adore that. Next time you are at IO, check out one of our tester jars and I guarantee you will fall into rapture over the precious garnet-colored glass vials of balms that smell like heaven itself.

But In Fiore balms are not just skin deep. They are elegant, couture holistic treatments designed to promote long-term skin health and radiance. Most In Fiore products use a base of the highest quality jojoba, grapeseed and vitamin E oils enhanced with precious aromatherapeutic essential oils.

I personally believe that a great, human-friendly product is only half the battle with skin care. Equally important is that you enjoy using the product, and I can’t imagine a more decadent self-pampering experience than In Fiore.

Love,
Amy

Chocolate, Is It Really Good For You?

ron.wilde — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:13 +0000

I always crack up a bit when I read an article in a magazine about “recent studies” showing that red wine, chocolate, and excessive sleeping are all secretly good for you.

A part of me thinks that we’re all just looking for a justification for our bad habits. But then again, how can something that makes me so happy be all that bad for me?

How can a tasty little substance known as “the champagne of the Mayans” be wrong? So let’s talk about chocolate.

The facts: chocolate contains a certain amount of sugar, fat and caffeine. But chocolate also contains a powerful antioxidant in the form of flavonoids.

Sure, vegetables also contain flavonoids. They just don’t happen to present the flavonoids with quite as much aplomb, in my opinion.

(Actually, the reason that chocolate contains flavonoids is that it’s made from plants. No mystery there.)

It’s actually the cacao plant, the cacao bean in particular, that contains the healthy goodies.

Antioxidants improve blood flow (especially to the skin, which helps makes us healthy AND beautiful), positively impact heart health, and lower cholesterol.

Other chemicals in cacao are thought to improve memory and reaction time by increasing blood flow to the brain.

Some claim that cacao can balance out certain hormones in the body and provide a rush of euphoria for a matter of hours. I think I’ve felt this one first hand.

Bottom line: chocolate makes me feel good. In moderation, dear ones.

I choose to believe that a well-deserved hot cocoa from Bittersweet on Fillmore Street in San Francisco (my ‘hood and right up the street from IO) makes my day a little sweeter.

It might not add ten years to my life. But then again, who knows? It might.

Chocolate lover,
Amy

Pocketbook-Friendly Wellness at IO

ron.wilde — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:00:18 +0000

Lately in our world we are inundated with fear-based information about the economic situation of our nation and the world. It is a reality. And it’s being felt in some way by every American.

Yet, amidst the gloom and doom, when I continue to wait in line for a seat at a restaurant on an average Tuesday night in my neighborhood and see smiling faces and hear laughing, I can’t help but think; wow, people are still having fun.

Many San Franciscans are finding ways to keep joy in their lives. And it’s encouraging. People are simplifying, because they have to, and many seem to be keeping some fun in the mix. Fun and laughter is my light in the dark. Having fun seems to carves out a space deep enough for hope to live in. A fun-well of sorts that I can dip in for a sip of hope when I’m thirsty for it.

At IO, our mission is to be A Bridge to Your Better Side. A subtitle to our mission statement is this: to be A Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Everyday our team at IO attempts this mission by consistently offering exceptional wellness care knowing full well that it’s always important to take care of your body and mind but even more so in stressful times.

Our hope at IO is that we make that a little easier for our community. We have always offered wallet-friendly options for our wellness rituals during weekdays, but we’ve dialed it up to answer the call.

7×7 Magazine listed us in April’s “The Seven: Best Spring Spa Deals”, citing our Massage Stimulus Package (our 60-minute IO Signature Massage for only $89 – a 15 percent savings).

We’ve always got a healthy handful of other spa offers that combine our consistently excellent treatment quality with wallet-friendly rates during off-peak hours. Check out our Spa Specials page for the nitty-gritty.

And remember, no matter what’s goes on in our crazy world, the stability of your own health and well-being depends upon treating yourself with care first. It starts with you and radiates outward.

We live in a world in flux. In our own hearts may we be steady, strong, rich in spirit, and as relaxed as humanly possible.

TLC time,
Amy

Evening Primrose Oil: Inside and Out

ron.wilde — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:00:29 +0000

When a smart acupuncturist friend recently mentioned evening primrose oil, I looked it up. There’s a great book called “Prescription for Nutritional Healing“ that offers natural remedies for pretty much anything that ails you.

I’m keen on learning about “miracle” herbal medicinals. I learned that it’s not just prescribed for (ahem) PMS and women’s health issues which I’d heard. Yes, another remedy to avoid feeling and acting like a grump a few days out of the month. But it’s more than that.

Evening primrose oil is also touted to promote heart health, aid in weight loss, reduce high blood pressure, and relieve pain and inflammation. And traditionally, it’s been used topically to treat skin conditions like eczema and inflammation.

Evening primrose oil’s primary weapon against bad health comes in the form of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid (EFAs). Fatty acids are essential for human health and are not produced by the human body.

Ideally, of course, we get GLAs from our diet in the form of things like fish, flax seeds, canola oil, and some nuts. But in lieu of a perfect diet, it’s good to know how to supplement, especially with targeted EFAs that are specifically designed by nature to affect our individual health needs.

You can pick up evening primrose oil in capsule form at Rainbow Grocery or any other natural food market that has a decent supplement section.

And we carry several products at IO that contain evening primrose oil specifically for the skin.

In Fiore, a favorite product line of mine and one we’ve stocked in our Shop at IO since its inception, is loaded with the stuff. I’ve been using In Fiore oils and balms on my face and body at least once a day since 2002. I’m a believer.

In Fiore is one of my “secrets” although not so secret anymore. Evening primrose as well as loads of other healing and smell-like-heaven flower essences and oils help make In Fiore powerful stuff. Both healing and heaven-scent.

Although the jury is still out on whether evening primrose oil is the magical elixir some claim it to be, why not give it a whirl.

Plus, it has just about the most romantic name for a nutritional supplement that I’ve ever heard. Say it. Evening Primrose. It makes you want to buy a bottle just to display it on your armoire.

As prim as a rose in evening-time,
Amy

Clarisonic: The Beauty Invention of the Year

ron.wilde — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:22 +0000

Once in a while, a revolutionary new beauty tool comes along that’s worth raving about in this blog.

Clarisonic is a laudable invention that’s been written up in the Huffington Post as being “spectacular” and “the skin care product — for women and men — of 2008”. We took the rave reviews to heart and tried it at IO, and it did not disappoint.

Think of it as a Sonicare toothbrush for your face. (It’s actually made by the same people who make Sonicare, so they know their stuff.) It’s basically a self-facial gadget that you can use every day to deep clean, exfoliate and brighten up your skin at home. It’s waterproof, so you can even use it in the shower.

How does it work? Their patented sonic frequency technology vibrates the brush across your skin at 300 movements per second, so it gets into your pores and the fine lines of your face (not that you have those!) better than cleanser and a facecloth alone could manage. This gentle cleaning and exfoliating action allows your skin to better absorb moisturizers and toners so that you get your money’s worth out of all of your beauty products.

And it’s not just for the face. You can use the Clarisonic on your entire body for allover better skin health. You can apply any high-quality skincare product with it, or use it sans product altogether.

We’re generally reluctant to buy into gadget crazes at IO, so this is the only high-tech tool we use during our facial treatments. We’ve had so much good feedback about using it that we decided to offer it for sale in our boutique. For just under $200, this is the best skincare bargain around.

And on a personal note, I’ve been using my Clarisonic. I can absolutely see the difference in my skin.

Clarisonic!
Amy

Skin Doctor Alkaitis

ron.wilde — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:40 +0000

Somewhere in my mid-twenties I got the memo about taking care of my skin. It was right around the time we launched the spa. Extra pressure and extra stress had my skin working overtime.

Even those of us in the wellness world have to manage stress as we try to remember to practice what we preach. Plus, I wasn’t 18 anymore and my skin was changing. It needed more TLC.

When I was a kid, my mom’s beauty routine consisted of slathering on Kiehl’s face wash (before they sold to L’Oreal) and splashing her face with water. Both my grandmas had even simpler habits including Cold Cream mostly.

And yes, times have changed an with that the earth’s air-quality and atmosphere is altered. Many drugstore products of moms and grandmas era don’t do the trick to combat the pollutants, allergens and radiation from an exponentially stronger sun.

Fortunately, nature and science are doing a pretty good job of keeping up with the shifts in the needs of our pretty faces. I’m particularly smitten with a natural product line that we recently started carrying at IO: Dr. Alkaitis Holistic Organic Skin Food.

Dr. Alkaitis is not just some marketing concept; he’s actually a highly regarded research scientist with a PhD in physical chemistry and credentials in the research fields of cancer, viruses and genetics.

More importantly to me, he’s an ethnopharmacologist: one who knows how to heal with plants. He is not, in other words, simply a guy with a good idea. He’s a real, bona fide scientist with holistic intentions.

Dr. Alkaitis’ particular expertise is acutely apparent in his innovative, high-integrity product formulations. I’ve spoken with him personally on the phone when we were considering the line.

I can vouch for his serious passion for his work and his depth and breadth of relevant knowledge. I also find it refreshing to know there are Real McCoeys left in the world.

But aside from the founder’s star-striking credentials, the real integrity of Dr. Alkaitis products lies in their making. Unlike most skin care products that are based on water and alcohol, these are made with a base of aloe vera and very high quality oils and butters.

Dr. Alkaitis products use primarily “living” ingredients that are biologically active. Which means that they are minimally processed and still contain active nutrients that your skin readily soaks up.

These skincare products are food-grade quality so it’s good enough to eat, but please don’t!

I think the Dr. Alkaitis motto says it all: The Essential Foundation of Beauty is Health.

I’m all for that.

Healthy is beautiful,
Amy

The Almighty MUFAs: An Ode to Avocados

ron.wilde — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:56 +0000

I know it sounds like a dirty acronym. But what MUFA actually stands for is “Mono-Unsaturated Fatty Acid”. MUFAs are the good fats. And yes there is such a thing.

Fats have traditionally gotten a bad rap in our culture. They are often accused of being literally “fattening”. But in truth, they are a necessary part of a balanced diet. It’s just a matter of choosing the right ones and eating them in reasonable amounts. Because eating a small amount of fats daily is crucial to maintaining metabolic health focusing your fat intake on eating MUFAs is actually considered a good way to lose weight by most dietary experts

Replacing the “bad” fats (saturated fats and trans fats that is) and replacing them with MUFAs has been associated with weight loss (especially in the pesky belly area) and better overall health. The skin benefits greatly as well. In fact, Mediterranean cultures with their high consumption of olive oils and other MUFA-containing foods have an impressively low rate of heart disease and a high rate of healthy, pretty looking skin.

Finding MUFAs is easy. Besides olive oil, they are rampant in such yummy stuff as nuts, avocados (oh how I love you, avocados), popcorn, olives and whole grain wheat. Find out the breakdown of foods that contain MUFAs.

Oils high in MUFAs (like olive oil and peanut oil) are considered especially good for cooking because they remain stable at higher temperatures and do not become “hydrogenated” easily.

This is what the American Heart Association has to say about MUFAs: “Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Monounsaturated fats are also typically high in vitamin E an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.”

They’re the experts, I suppose. I’m sold on any excuse to eat more of my favorite things.

Cheers to the MUFAs of the world,
Amy

Aging Gracefully – and Realistically – with REN

ron.wilde — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:12:24 +0000

“We don’t like it that our bodies change shape. We don’t like it that we age. We are afraid of wrinkles and sagging skin. We use health products as if we actually believe that our skin, our hair, our eyes and teeth, might somehow miraculously escape the truth of impermanence.”

That’s Buddhist teacher, Pema Chodron, speaking.

It’s true that we are always looking for that one miracle product that is going to reverse the effects of aging, zap our wrinkles, perfect our skin and disappear our sags. The marketing lingo of most beauty products feeds right into our fears around aging.

But what if it wasn’t about being younger? What if we could be happy right where we are on our precious life path? I can keep dreaming can’t I?

What I love about REN products (new to us at IO) is that it’s not about performing a miracle. It’s about letting your skin be the best skin it can be at its given age. That doesn’t mean you are going to go to bed with REN Vita-Mineral Radiant Day Cream on your face and wake up twenty years younger. But it means that you’re going to wake up with skin that’s more hydrated, less stressed, and thus inherently more radiant and youthful in demeanor.

Chodron reminds us:

“According to Buddha, the lives of all beings are marked by three characteristics: impermanence, egolessness, and suffering… Recognizing these qualities to be real and true in our own experience helps us to relax with things as they are.”

Let’s face it. No beauty product is going to make us younger. But by treating ourselves to high-quality skincare products designed specifically for our skin, right now, at our age, maybe we can alleviate a little bit of our suffering around attachment to youth.

Convert to REN Buddhism?
Amy

Facials: Not What You Might Think

ron.wilde — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:15:02 +0000

If you’ve never had a facial, it might not be what you think. Many people have preconceived notions that this type of spa treatment is a decadent slathering of creams onto the face with little or no real impact. Honestly, at many spas these notions are a reality. At IO our facials are quite the contrary.

IO Facials include lavish massage of face, decollete, neck, shoulders, arms and sometimes even feet, plus often double-exfoliation, masks with enzymatic peeling power, serums to tighten and firm, oils to super-hydrate, all beautifully scented and many organic and natural products that really work. I think of a great facial as a health treatment for my body’s most visible, biggest and very important organ: the one that’s exposed to constant stress in the form of solar rays, urban grime and all sort of invasive pollutants that are unavoidable in modern city life.

Our IO facials are all performed with the same supremely high-quality products that we sell in our boutique, and are customized to your particular skin type and situation. We never use generic products, ever. Depending on the treatment, in various ratios a facial will hydrate, rejuvenate, deep-clean, and slow down the aging process. Regardless of the specialty, a facial at IO is meant to restore health to exhausted or ignored skin and give it the confidence and attention to bounce back.

Of course, a facial isn’t a face lift, but it is vastly safer, way cheaper, and feels better. You’ll likely leave the spa with the most radiant skin of your life for at least a few days. Continue to take good care of your skin at home and your friends will certainly comment about your amazing skin and maybe even accuse you of a recent round of Botox. Ha!

From Sonja of The Coveted’s “My Year of Beauty” post in January: “I had my ﬁrst facial at IO this year. It was the best facial I’ve ever had, which is no small feat, because I’ve had many over the years.”

And to reciprocate, The Coveted is a really great, edgy local blog that has gotten national exposure for its refreshing, sassy coverage of fashion, beauty and style. The all-female bloggers are especially interested in eco-beauty, vintage clothing, sustainable fashion, and all of those green-friendly catchwords we love to hear.

Never underestimate the power of a good facial.

Amen,
Amy

Wallet-Friendly IO Spa Yoga Lounge Memberships

ron.wilde — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:08:18 +0000

We’ve offered IO Spa and Yoga Memberships since we opened in May 2002 but now more than at any time since we’ve been in business, personal wellness is even more critical and needed. Stressful times require special measures to keep us healthy, happy and sane.

As an antidote for these times, we introduce our new cost-friendly IO Memberships available during January 2009. Just in time for all those resolutions you’ll be making. Here’s one resolution we can help you commit to… the commitment to your own body, to balance and to regular stress-relief.

Introducing three new memberships with superior wellness benefits including consistent and exceptional care of your body and mind. We offer Spa and Yoga, Spa-Only and Yoga-Only Membership options with exceptional pricing and including some very special perks:

Savings of Over 30% – deeper than our weekly offers stretch

Ease of Booking via Email – with your dedicated Membership Coordinator

10% Retail Savings – on all products purchased at IO

Share Your Membership – share 4 treatments per year with the guest of your choice

All of us at IO are dedicated to your wellness transformation. Now all you have to do is dedicate yourself.

Stretch your Mind. Move your Body. Feel your Skin.
Amy

This Holiday Season…Take Time for Number One

ron.wilde — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:20:05 +0000

This time of year it’s so darned easy to get pulled into the holiday momentum in a not so healthy way.

Are you feeling obligated to attend every last get-together while simultaneously crunching in work deadlines, shopping for gifts amidst the retail mayhem, hosting family, hanging decorations and trying to do it with a tighter budget and a smile on your face?

Well, that’s just crazy, isn’t it? Things can quickly become very overwhelming. Overwhelming and stressful.

I find it useful to remind myself that it’s normal to feel a little sluggish as the days get shorter and chillier. There was frost on the ground this morning as I took my morning walk. It even looked like there was snow in San Francisco on Monday morning since all the hail that fell the night before had piled up on street corners. It was a rare site and proof that winter is mere days away. Here she comes, the season of hibernation. We either choose to invite her in with a warm welcome or she comes blowing the door down anyway.

Biologically, in fact, our bodies are designed to go into a semi-state of hibernation this time of year. Of course, that’s not what ends up happening in our modern Western world. Still, there are ways to slow down even during the frenzied month of December. Here are some effective tips I’ve cultivated in my own life to help ease the pandemonium of the holidays.

Just Say No…To Evites
Ask yourself, if I say no to this party, will I really be missed? Okay, so you’ll be missed. But will you be missed to the extent that it’s worth stretching yourself thin to make this happen? Pick and choose your social outings based on what will make YOU happy, not what you feel obligated to attend.

One for Me, One for You
While you’re opting out of mad socializing, take the extra time to do something nice for yourself. Indulge in a restorative yoga class, treat yourself to a relaxing massage, or maybe just a nice hot bath.

You at the Top of the List
Put yourself at the top of your holiday shopping list. Even if it’s just a candle or some bath salts, give yourself a token of appreciation. Truly, I believe that we best serve others and the world by taking care of ourselves first so we are better equipped to give wholeheartedly and generously to others. I’m still working on this one myself, but I’ve made a lot of progress that shows me this lesson is a good one. Give it a try with me.

Wallow in Sleep
Get in bed a little earlier, at least once a week. Light a candle. Sip a warm cup of tea, hot milk with honey or hot apple cider. Crack open the book that you’ve been wanting to read, but have been too tired and too busy to pause for. Read a few well-deserved pages. Drift off into a sweet slumber. (Remember to blow out your candle first. A house fire would not be relaxing.)

Revel in Food
‘Tis the season. This time of year a little more food is called for. Go ahead, have some comfort food. Satisfying a yearning for comforting food can help prevent over snacking on sweets or junk. If you go easy on the alcohol then having a little more comfort food won’t result in weight gain. Enjoy the warmth of stews and soups. Remember to eat foods in season like root veggies and dark leafy greens with fortifying vitamins and minerals. Opt for cooked foods instead of raw for easier digestion during cold winter months. Keep your internal system warm and well fed. You’ll be healthier and more satisfied.

Don’t Worry Your Pretty Head
Go easy on yourself. Worrying less results in a sparkling glow from the inside out and fewer wrinkles. It’s proven. Don’t worry too much about the consequences of these simple suggestions above. None of these things are harmful to your health. Any lingering guilt you may have, toss it away. Plus, that’s what New Year’s Resolutions are for.

Have a little fun with taking care of yourself, as well as others, this season. Give yourself permission to hibernate a little too and send yourself into the New Year feeling healthy, balanced and recharged.

Take time for number one,
Amy

Beauty that Doesn’t Hurt: Mineral Makeup

ron.wilde — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:47:31 +0000

When we choose products for IO, we adhere to very high standards. With makeup, for instance, it has to help us look good, feel pretty, and it also has to be composed of clean, safe, non-toxic ingredients.

Results and integrity are a powerful coupling and a requirement for our product offerings across the board at IO. With product selection, we seek to bridge the gap between high-end cosmetics of dubious sourcing and all natural makeup that, frankly, doesn’t always do the trick.

Many of us are fortunate enough to live in the environmentally progressive Bay Area, where it is about to become mandatory by law that we recycle and that grocery stores no longer bag our items in plastic. And, those cute Smart Cars are showing up everywhere. Sadly, the cosmetic industry hasn’t quite caught on to this important trend. Although makeup manufacturers have to comply with “laissez faire USDA mandates to ensure safety”, according to a recent New York Times article, “safe” has yet to be defined. Ponder that one.

Okay, so your skin is your largest organ. Yes, I know you’ve heard this one before, but have you really paid attention to what that means? At least hold this question in mind when purchasing products for your skin and precious face. Shouldn’t you be at least as careful about what you put on your face as what you put in your belly?

Enter Arcona mineral makeup powders.

Arcona is a holistic skin care line that uses only human-friendly, all natural ingredients and looks gorgeous on your face. With no trace of the usual suspect chemical offenders mercury, coal-tar colors, or formaldehyde, Arcona’s powders are a safe bet, not only for your skin, but also for the environment and the animals in it.

This breathable foundation with SPF 25 sun protection brushes on powder-light, yet still offers good coverage. It protects skin from sun damage and premature aging with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide plus antioxidant vitamins C and E. It covers and protects with the light-diffusing effect of mineral pigments that allow the skin to breathe. It’s available in multiple shades, in an easy to use brush-on tube. I keep one in my purse, another in my makeup bag and take one with me to the beach or on a long sunny hike. Plus, it’s perfect for travel and is, thankfully, not a liquid so you’ll never worry about annoying holdups at airport security.

Take it from me; this is one of my favorite beauty not-so-secrets. And, it’s healthy too.

Cheers to beauty that doesn’t hurt,
Amy

Raspberry Antioxidant: Power for Your Skin

ron.wilde — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:46:23 +0000

Lately, my skin has needed some extra TLC. While my internal cleanse is certainly helping (see post from last week), I’ve wanted an extra topical boost.

Enter, the raspberry.

This red vine fruit with tangy sweetness has Medieval European roots before its migration to the U.S. Raspberry crops now flourish in the cool, wet climates of regions like Washington State, where I was born. I was an early fan of the raspberry, only then the application to my face only occurred as it smeared around my mouth from eating too many, too quickly.

Raspberry leaves can be used fresh or dried in herbal and medicinal teas and tinctures. They are also known to be effective in regulating the female menstrual cycle. Raspberry extract is used medicinally and topically for its antimicrobial and soothing qualities like reducing inflammation, calming irritation and toning the skin. The raspberry fruit is very rich in antioxidant vitamins C and A, and the chemical element, manganese.

Did you know that raspberries rank among the fruits with the highest antioxidant strength?

It’s true. Thanks to the dense contents of polyphenolic antioxidants like ellagic and salicylic acids. Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation process in cells, a process known to have a damaging effect on tissues. Much health research shows that people who consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may slow the aging process. Topical application of antioxidants is also thought to protect the skin from signs of aging.

Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel is my current lackluster skin booster. It’s exfoliating, hydrating and oxygenating my skin to improve circulation and minimize irregular pigmentation with a combo of mandelic, lactic and malic acids. As the season changes, it’s helping to heal and soothe my skin from summer sun and protect it for the chill of fall with a antioxidant-rich formula of raspberry and grapeseed extracts, green tea and lycopene.

Directions
Apply once or twice weekly, morning or night. A slight tingling sensation might occur. Leave on skin for 10-15 minutes, 5-8 minutes for sensitive skin. Rinse with warm water, pat skin dry and follow with a skin hydrator.

Berry good for your skin (and tasty too),
Amy

Start Fresh for Autumn: A Green Drink That Helps

ron.wilde — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:43:34 +0000

Autumn is the seasonal beginning of a downshift from the heat and activity of summertime and a move toward the hibernation of winter. During autumn we harvest the fruits of our year’s labor and stock up on resources that will get us through till the re-growth of spring.

As we begin to focus our energies inward again to reap the innate benefits of the fall season, it is a good time to help the process along by internally cleansing the body, letting go of unneeded waste and allowing the new phase to transition smoothly.

Here’s a healthy green drink that helps me move from summer to fall and cleanse my digestive system and skin. This drink has diuretic qualities so it helps release excess water weight that may have stored itself in bodily tissues. I say goodbye to lackluster skin and slow digestion as I welcome the fall.

I drink this smoothie first thing in the morning for a week or so before, or instead of, coffee. It’s an incredibly energizing drink that’s nice and tart, just slightly sweet, and very energizing.

Ingredients
3-4 Celery stalks, cleaned very well
1 Lemon, remove skin but leave the white pith (if in a hurry, juice it instead)
1 handful of Parsley, washed and stalks removed
1 Granny Smith green Apple, cored

Directions
Coarsely chop all the ingredients. Place ingredients in a blender and add water to about an inch above the contents. Blend until smooth. Serves one or two people.

Blending is preferred to juicing for this recipe so that all the helpful fiber is left in the green drink. Ideally, this drink is best when consumed within the first few hours of making it, when it’s still the most vibrant and full of nutrients.

Clean, green and ready for fall,
Amy

Beauty Secret from the IO Family Farm (OM OF NM)

ron.wilde — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:40:04 +0000

As one of IO’s founders and also a child of city folk turned organic farmers, I want to share an experience I just returned from as I journeyed to the high desert of New Mexico for the harvest.

Every year in the transition from summer to fall, I return to our organic farm to help my folks with the year’s biggest harvest. We pick all sorts of fruits like grapes, figs, apples, peaches, heirloom vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and medicinal, healing herbs like flowering mint and lavender.

My business partner and friend, Melissa, as well as IO Creative Director, Matt and IO Retail Director, Julie, have in years past also shared in the harvest experience and helped lend able hands to IO’s very own family farm, Old Monticello Organic Farms, New Mexico, otherwise know by the fitting acronym of OM OF NM.

After the harvest my parents, Jane and Steve, send me back from the farm to San Francisco with my healthy supply of freshly picked fruits and vegetables, my mom’s homemade stone-fruit granola, dad’s wood-aged balsamic vinegar, and lavender products to use at the spa and in my home bathroom.

Lavender Hydrosol is one of my favorite wellness products from the farm. In small batches, my parents slowly distill fresh, hand-cut herbs in their pure well water, producing the highest quality hydrosols and essential oils.

Nearly everyone knows what essential oils are, but hydrosols may be new to people outside of Europe. It is being learned that this “milky water” contains all key plant constituents, often even more than the essential oil itself, and can deliver the fullest medicinal value of the plant via inhalation or skin contact, both pleasingly and effectively.

Lavender is a healing herb known for its balancing, antiseptic and calming qualities.

Hydrosols are the pure water-based solutions created when essential oils are steam-distilled. They help maintain skin pH balance and absorption of product ingredients.

I love to mist Lavender Hydrosol generously on my face and body as a refresher and light fragrance. I always travel with a bottle to hydrate, calm and refresh. Since lavender has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties it’s also good for the germ exposure we encounter when traveling. Try it yourself.

A special thank you to my parents, Jane and Steve, and the fall harvest at OM OF NM for reminding me about the beautiful organic yields of nature and what delightful creations can be made with our own hands. What a combination.

Straight from the farm,

Amy

Vitamin D Deficiency: a Sunscreen Controversy

ron.wilde — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:19:42 +0000

Recently, our very own IO Esthetician, Cat Wargo, heard the following from a client:

“I don’t wear sunscreen every day. I heard that sunscreen makes it impossible to get vitamin D from sunshine, and that Americans are too obsessed with sunscreen these days.”

This clearly got Cat thinking since she/we recommend daily use of sunscreen. So, she checked out the scientific credibility of this claim.

It seems to have started with Dr. Michael Holick, a professor at Boston University and a leading researcher in the area of vitamin D synthesis and deficiency. His views and opinions were presented on MSNBC in 2004. He contends that Americans are too hyper about their sunscreen application and that the body needs sunshine exposure to get vitamin D, since food is generally a very poor source. It should also be noted that he has accepted funding from the indoor tanning industry.

In the 1930s, when rickets (a bone disease caused by vitamin D deficiency) was a problem for the American population, the dairy industry started to fortify milk with vitamin D, and that largely eradicated the problem. Unfortunately, now even common vitamin D-fortified milk does not contain the necessary amount (1000 IU per day for adults up to age 70) due to the decline in dairy quality over the years.

BOTTOM LINE
People who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency: anyone who goes to work and comes home when it’s dark outside and does not spend any time whatsoever outdoors. In which case, potential vitamin D deficiency is the least of their worries, it would seem.

Also at risk (geographically): people who live anywhere in or above the latitude of Boston. In the winter, there’s not enough sunlight there to synthesize vitamin D, whether the person is wearing sunscreen or not.

SOLUTION
1 dose/day of Arctic Cod Liver Oil fortified with vitamin D. Otherwise, exposure to hands, arms, and legs to sunshine for 5-15 minutes, twice a week is enough to provide proper vitamin D levels for humans.

So, wear your sunscreen to prevent wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is no excuse in my book.

My favorite sunscreen for the face is Arcona’s mineral makeup powder called Sunsations. Pick the color that matches your skin tone. I also keep a small, 2 ounce bottle of Malin + Goetz Sunscreen handy in my purse.

Industrial-sized, bulky tubes of sunscreen are not my cup of tea. I never finish them before they have collected unwelcome sand and dirt in the cap or have begun to smell “off”. Plus, I don’t like to be wasteful. Instead, I choose sunscreen that’s high-quality, easy to use/carry and comes in a smaller container, so I use what I buy.

Enjoy the sun and protect your beautiful skin,

Amy

Bike Accidents and In Fiore Balm

ron.wilde — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:40:22 +0000

I took up a new sport recently, bought myself an extravagant birthday gift, a carbon-fiber TREK road bike, and became a cyclist-in-training.

Since I no longer own a car, biking seemed like a great way to get around and have weekend adventures on breathtaking back roads around the Bay Area. I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and explore my dream of doing a century ride (100 miles) through Marin or Big Sur.

While I am known for big dreams, unfortunately, my visions of Lance Armstrong riding up beside me, telling me I had great form and asking me if I wanted to ride with him, came to a screeching halt when I had a close encounter with a cement wall a week ago.

At that tail end of a 50 mile biking weekend around Marin County with my good friend, Jessica, I had a nasty crash.

We had just taken a yoga class to tend to our sore muscles, still adjusting to biking long distances. Biking home, we crossed a narrow path on a cement bridge (that I should have been, as the signs suggested, walking my bike on). On the downhill section of the bridge I had problems with my left foot clipping into my pedal (clip-ins, by the way, are the main cause of falls for new bikers).

You guessed it, I bit the dust. But before I landed squarely on my rear, I managed to slide along the cement wall. My mouth hit first then my chest, which was clad only in a yoga tank top. I got road rash and deep abrasions from my nose, upper lip, chin all the way down my chest and a gash on my left hip. I am blessed that I didn’t break my nose or lose any teeth. I thank my lucky stars.

But, I’ll be honest, it wasn’t pretty and after a full day in bed, I was on a mission to make sure my ghastly scabs didn’t become scars.

Just over a week later, my face is seriously, almost magically, back to normal with only a slight amount of pinkness. Here’s what worked for me…

TIPS FOR HEALING SKIN QUICKLY

Get Your Rest
Sleep and relaxation is key so your body can focus on healing.

Homeopathic Remedies
Arnica and Rescue Remedy should be taken for shock and pain. When you feel better, you heal faster.

Drink Lots of Fluids
Your body must be hydrated internally to heal externally. What you do on the inside supports what happens on the outside. It’s just that simple. Drink lots of water, herbal tea to hydrate and pineapple juice for extra healing enzymes.

Vitamins
Get enough vitamins internally. I took two packets of Emergen-C per day.

Keep it Clean and Dry
Until the wounds dry out, keep them clean and uncovered as much as possible and only apply antibiotic cream at this point. Minimizing the possibility of infection is critical for speedy healing.

Hydration and Regeneration
Once the wounds are drying out, apply In Fiore’s Fleur Vibrante to hydrate and regenerate your skin. Alternately, between applications of Fleur Vibrante, apply Aloe Vera gel (100% pure only). Once the scabs begin to fall off, continue to apply Fleur Vibrante at least once a day and at night.

Protect New Skin
Wear sunscreen on the new skin which is extra sensitive and more likely to hyper-pigment.

Be healed,

Amy

Pass the Peas and Peptides, Please.

ron.wilde — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:32:05 +0000

Yes, I am a good girl and I do generally eat all the peas on my plate. I am also a believer in looking after my skin and keeping it healthy, even indulging it from time to time.

So, what do peas and healthy skin have in common? Read on to find out.

Since it’s the only skin I’ve got, I do what I can to maintain it. Instead of doing the nip and tuck thing, healthy eating habits and a simple daily skin routine can keep skin supple and healthy (maybe not ageless, but who really wants to look like a mannequin anyway?).

I trust Arcona’s natural and highly effective skincare products to take care of my skin. With every new product I learn something valuable and gain another helpful tool. I was most recently impressed with their peptide product made with sweet peas. What do you know, peas aren’t just for dinner anymore.

Arcona’s newest product, Peptide Firming Complex, is specifically for skin that needs a little extra attention, whether it be fine lines or a loss of moisture. This powerful anti-aging serum contains advanced tripeptides to help combat wrinkles and age damage. These peptides encourage collagen and elastin production. Arcona delights me again with this product as they utilize unexpected natural ingredients – Peptide Firming Complex contains natural pea extract which has been shown to tighten and strengthen skin. I know my mother would approve.

Peptide Firming Complex by Arcona
Anti-aging serum, rich in skin remodeling peptides, helps reduce fine lines, loss of elasticity and repairs age-damaged skin. Attracts and binds moisture to the skin with hyaluronic acid, a powerful natural hydrator. Leaves skin luminous, firm and revitalized.

USE
Use daily, morning and evening. Apply 1-2 pumps to clean skin in AM and/or PM.

If you don’t indulge your skin, who will?

Pass the peptides, please,

Amy

Healing Your Skin with Honey

ron.wilde — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:33:12 +0000

Recently, our eagle-eyed IO Esthetician, Catherine Wargo, showed me an interesting National Geographic article (June 2008) on the subject of honey as a healing aid for the skin.

Honey, the sweet nectar of flowers, the bi-product of honey bees, has long been used in healing and beauty products and, of course, as a syrupy sweetener of food and drink.

Egyptians used honey for healing wounds as well as for beauty treatments. The legendary Cleopatra, who was known for her beauty and gorgeous complexion, had a few tricks up her sleeve, like bathing in milk and honey to soften and purify her skin.

As it turns out, Western physicians are now starting to use honey, the manuka variety especially, to treat burns and infections because of its antibacterial and antibiotic properties. For these same reasons we use honey in our facials at IO and it’s also the same reason that one of the main ingredients in Arcona’s Toner Tea Bar is manuka honey (a special kind of honey made by New Zealand honey bees).

In our curative IO Facials, we draw from select products made of fresh herbal and plant extracts, essential oils, naturally active enzymes, alpha-hydroxy acids and antioxidant vitamins. No generic facial products are used in any of our facials and, in fact, we mix many of our treatment masks with honey for its added healing and purifying qualities.

Arcona’s Toner Tea Bar is an antioxidant facial cleanser that heals and strengthens the skin as it tones and minimizes pores. It neutralizes free radicals, calms and protects skin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory green and black teas. It nourishes and clarifies with antibacterial enzyme-rich manuka honey and vitamin E.

Toner Tea Bar is good for all skin types and guarantees great results without any fillers, chemical stabilizers, artificial colors, emulsifiers, petro-chemicals, animal bi-products or drying alcohols.

Product Usage Tip
Cut the cleansing bar into halves or quarters so it lasts longer and for easy to use travel sizes.

Thanks, honey!

Amy

Tea Tree Oil is a Quick Fix from Mother Nature

ron.wilde — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:58:17 +0000

Tea Tree is one of marvelous Mother Nature’s quick fixes for the face. The human race didn’t actually invent the “quickie”, Mother Nature did.

I am indeed a proponent of abandoning fast food, but “fast face” certainly has a time and place in my life. I appreciate some things for their slowly unfolding benefits (like fine wine, aged cheese, even some perfume oils), but others for their efficiency and ease. Tea Tree fits into the later category. It’s fast acting.

This healing and cleansing essential oil is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia, a plant native to Australia, and has a long history of use for healing infection. Australian aborigines relied on these leaves to treat wounds, burns and abrasions.

Tea tree oil has proven to be effective as an antiseptic and applying the oil to your skin kills petulant acne causing bacteria. The elements found in Tea Tree oil are highly beneficial to the skin and have been shown to reduce inflammation quickly.

Tea Tree ‘Green’ Factor: One tree can actually provide oil for over 60 years, meaning the trees do not need to be harvested for their oil. How’s that for sustainability?!

One product that I use at home, and we use in facials at the spa, is the TEA TREE MASK by Arcona. It’s a cleansing, purifying mask that detoxes and refines skin texture. Antibacterial salicylic acid and tea tree extract help exfoliate, decongest and diminish pore size. Sulphur and grapefruit extract assist in detoxifying and reduce breakouts. Anti-inflammatory mint balm, allantoin and lavender extracts help heal and calm the skin.

DIRECTIONS
Once or twice weekly, morning or night. A slight tingling sensation might occur, but I like that part! Leave it on your skin for 10-15 minutes (or if you are have sensitive skin then only 5-8 minutes). Rinse with warm water, pat skin dry and then hydrate your skin with your favorite cream, oil or lotion. Results are quick and gorgeous.

Who can resist a quickie?

Amy