It should come as no surprise that I am passionate about the skin, it quite literally is what I do. I have spent years helping others achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy complexion. We all love to look and feel beautiful and I certainly am honored to be part of that journey. However, what isn’t quite so obvious is perhaps why I care so much about skin health apart from aesthetics. Simply put, it is one of the most vital parts of our overall health and one of the most overlooked. Skin is the body’s largest organ, it is complex, it is our foremost barrier, and it often reflects what is going on inside the body. We encounter countless harmful and toxic elements daily. From microbes to harmful chemicals, our skin does a ton of heavy lifting and takes a ton of abuse. However, I have a little trick (albeit well known yet often forgotten) up my sleeve that combats all those toxins and uses the skin in a kind way while it pampers it (and you). Detox baths, my friend.

Hydrotherapy is ancient, yet so underutilized. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, around the 5th century began to recognize the power of water and its therapeutic benefits with its varied minerals and properties. Though practiced in spas for centuries, detoxifying baths are seldom if not at all utilized in the home. So, ladies with all that is available to us in the current century, let’s take advantage, shall we? It doesn’t have to cost a ton and is just as great for the soul as well as the body.

First though, let’s start with some basics. Personally, I make my detox baths a ritual. Come Sunday night the door gets locked and everyone stays off the radar. Even my youngest knows my bathroom is off limits for the next hour or retribution comes swift in the form of an early bedtime and an out of sorts Mama. I grab my tea, diffuser, and my favorite essential oils. I like to add my EO’s straight to the bath for better dispersion throughout. Another key ingredient I am apt to use is Epsom salts.  They boost the magnesium levels that so many of us lack. Magnesium is the “helper molecule” and vital to so many of our bodies biochemical reactions. Seriously, I challenge you, google “magnesium” and you will be amazed. It is easily absorbed through the skin and helps flush out toxins and heavy metals from our cells. Not to mention, it eases muscle pain, improves nerve function, relieves stress, reduces inflammation, and prevents/eases headaches and migraines.

A second gem is Apple Cider Vinegar. Okay, so I realize ACV doesn’t have an amazing smell, but the benefits make it worthwhile. Just SOME of its gifts are restored PH levels to the skin, as well as its softening ability to the skin and shine to the hair. It is a natural source of B and C vitamins and combats fungus and bacteria. Again, doing some further research on ACV will make you wonder why you waited so long in adding it to your weekly bath routine. Below, I’ve posted one of my favorite detox baths that brings together the best of both worlds. Keep in mind, the warmer the water the more effective the detox will be. The bonus here is that you will sleep like a baby. Your body temperature naturally lowers at night. The change of temperature from a warm bath to cooling when you step out will naturally relax you.

Another favorite of mine is the Oxygen Bath. Remember when hydrogen peroxide came out from under the sink when you skinned a knee or elbow as a kid? I don’t know about you, but this is when I would run. Scary stuff then, but there all sorts of benefits using this food grade hydrogen peroxide (link) now. By this I mean the 35% pure stuff instead of the 3% like most of us have at home. It oxygenates the blood and oxidizes the unhealthy cells to eliminate the bad without hurting the good cells.

Now there will be those days that you are short on time and maybe even resources. For those days or while I am traveling I like to keep pre-made bath bombs on hand. Young Living makes two mineral-rich bath bombs, Lavender Calming and a Stress Away Relaxing. You simply add it to a warm bath and you’re on your way to calmer, smother and ultra-moisturized you. And the best part is that its Young Living so it’s almost a given that it is paraben, phthalate, petrochemical, synthetic preservative, synthetic fragrance, and synthetic dye/colorant free and of course it is made with 100 percent naturally derived ingredients and pure essential oils. Win!

Young Livings Stress Away Relaxing and Lavender Calming Bath Bombs.

Finally, when choosing your EO’s look at purity. I like to choose relaxing or grounding blends for my baths and it just depends on what I need. Eucalyptus for sinus support, Lavender if I need to relax, or Frankincense for an extra little skin pampering. Begin with the basics and build from there. Most importantly, take this time for you. Yes, this is good for the body but also consider that these moments are necessary to put your mind and soul inline with what you want to bring to the world.

“Carve out and claim the time to care for yourself and kindle your own fire.” - Amy Ippoliti

This time of year is full of emotions. We are all trying to better ourselves, strive for major goals, most of which have to do with losing weight and getting into shape. Ugh, right? We are slowly approaching our third week in “Resolution Month” and I would be willing to bet that most of us are feeling the pain. Well, I come to you this drizzly Wednesday as a soft place to rest your workout weary self for a moment and remind you to love your body because you are gorgeous! I will be honest though, a “love your body” mentality is something I have struggled with most of my life too. But with time comes experience, and we all know it is our best teacher. Over the years I have learn a few key things I want to share that have helped me on my journey to appreciate my body for the beautiful vessel it is.

1.       Go through the motions. I know those words typically have a negative connotation, but bear with me. Fake it till you make it. For example, do something that you might consider typically only a luxury and make it habitual. If rough, dry skin is something you feel insecure about, take the time to do more than apply your daily lotion. Like say indulge in luxurious Egyptian Milk Bath once a week and make yourself some beautiful smelling and amazingly beneficial frankincense moisturizer to follow. It may sound simple, but when you make an effort and take time to pamper yourself, it is an investment in you. Not only is it good for the body, it informs the mind to make you a priority on a regular basis because you are worth it and we don’t need a slogan to remind us darn it. If you have to bar the bathroom door and jam at an unreasonable volume to ABBA’s Greatest Hits to tune out the unsupervised Nerf gun war your children are in the midst of to pamper yourself, by God do it. Your couch cushions may get pummeled, but you will absolutely glow inside and out. And I promise, after time you will love the body you are taking such amazing care of.

2.       Find the beauty in others. Again, I know this sounds odd, but I have noticed over time my own conception of beauty has changed. Of course, I still find celebrities and the like aesthetically beautiful. I mean Charlize Theron, come on she’s perfect and does not age. Seriously, she might be a vampire. Though lately, I can’t help but see a more powerful beauty in the “real” and “everyday”. I find myself thinking much more often things like “wow, that woman has a such a healthy glow” or “that mother is stunning when she smiles at her children.” Sometimes it is easier for us to see the positive in others before we can see it in ourselves and realizing that we too are beautiful outside of the illusion of marketing media is a powerful tool in the effort to love our own selves.

3.       Fuel yourself with the best. No matter what detailed beauty routine you follow nor no matter how exotic, lovely, and effective the product you use is, its all for naught if what you are putting in your body is, well, junk. You will feel like junk, you will think like junk, and really who could love themselves in those conditions? I bet not even a Kardashian could. And here is the kicker, when you eat with high quality fuel, you perform like the machine you were meant to be. Own that stair climber. So, Grandma was right, you are what you eat so lovies, eat clean and eat happy.

Happy Wednesday Beautiful!

The Oily Esthetician

Ok, stay with me… I swear this isn’t some hippy, witchy voodoo technique. I questioned it to, until I started using it on my clients a little over six months ago. Rolling smooth, cold jade stones over your skin—using chic little beauty tools called jade rollers—

The idea comes from a centuries-old beauty tradition. Jade rolling is believed to have been practiced by wealthy Chinese women. Sounds pretty cool right? The jade is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a healing semi-precious gemstone and is considered a sign of power and immortality, which is how it found its way into holistic spas.

What is a Jade Roller?

So, no one is turning into a vampire after a session, but rolling jade across the skin will get you glowing. “It gets the circulation pumping, de-puffs the eye area, and improves skin elasticity—and since it promotes lymphatic drainage, it’s detoxifying.”

It can help calm and even out your complexion. I like to use the pretty little tool after I mask with a few chosen essential oils to raise your frequency and help support the aging process. 

This is how it’s done!

Put your roller in the freezer a few hours before you want to use it. Estheticians, make sure to warn your client that the roller will be a little chilly or have fun waking them out of their facial slumber with a shock!

Step 1

Cleanse your facial thoroughly.

Step 2
Exfoliate. This is a great way to incorporate your favorite exfoliate, one of my favorites is the Satin Mint Scrub by Young Living. Remember only exfoliate 2-3 times weekly. No more.

Step 3
Apply serum, moisturizer, or a mask. You can roll in any of these 3 steps. My personal favorite way to do it is with a DIY essential oil serum. It’s seriously my favorite thing I do with my skin. I use 2 drops of Rose, 2 drops of Myrrh, 2 drops of Frankincense and a drop of Lavender. Talk about raising your frequency! 

Step 4
Start rolling! Either start at the chest or the forehead, using outward and upward motions doing about three up-and-out passes per area. After just a few strokes on your face, neck and décolletage (that’s your chest ladies) you’ll see that your skin is brighter and your fine lines are rolled away.

Keep it up for 3-5 min. 

Rolling with product on will push the product deeper in the dermis for a more dramatic effect. You may start to see flushing in the area, this is good, you’ve increased the circulation and are collagen building.

Step 5

Yay, you’ve now done your 1st treatment and your skin should look great. Now grab a warm towel maybe infused with your favorite essential oil and remove the serum, mask or cream. This will make you feel like a million bucks. I love to do this treatment in the mornings as my skin always looks simply beautiful after. Make sure to wrap up with toner, serum of choice and your cream for the day. So how many times should you practice this ritual a week? It can absolutely be done everyday, but reality check… we are Mom’s, so 3-4 times a week is suggested. You can also use this treatment to destress your pounding head or jaw line. 

Interested in bringing this technique to your home, Spa or Salon? Check the SHOP button here in The Oily Esthetician.

Ok ladies… this mask has been a game changer for me. I just recently started to use it on my clients, as I like to test out treatments awhile on myself before I give it a try. It’s pretty easy to make, which is important for me and it has mega benefits. #winwin #oilyesthetician

Let’s talk turmeric... Indian brides have long used turmeric body scrubs and masks before their wedding days to illuminate from head to toe. 

Benefits of Turmeric:

• reduces redness
• treats breakouts
• helps with age spots
• reduces scarring and hyperpigmentation
• helps to heal psoriasis and eczema
• brightens and tones
• anti-inflammatory

Apple Cider Vinegar is no slouch either. 

• helps treat age spots and uneven skin
• It restores your PH balance to the skin
• supports acne with its antiseptic and antibacterial properties

Honey, your skin’s new savor

• Full of antioxidants
• extremely moisturizing and soothing
• helps to clarify the skin

Honey is also great for problematic skin because of its antibacterial properties.

Now that we have all these pretty amazing natural products already in our cabinets, let’s bring it up like a billion notches and add some of my favorite essential oils to give this mask a pretty serious kick! 

Lemon, Lavender, and Sandalwood are my tops picks when it comes to uneven skin. You will want to add these in your mask for the ultimate outcome. Make sure you are using pure essential oils, no fillers allowed. Need to know where you can find unadulterated eo’s? Check out my site at yldist.com/revive

So, I promised you easy, here’s the recipe.

Even You Out Facemask

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of ACV

1 tablespoon of honey

2 drops of YL Lemon essential oil

2 drops of YL Lavender essential oil

2 drops of YL Sandalwood essential oil

Follow me on Facebook here or on Instagram for some more great recipes.

So, one of the many reason’s I chose to start living a more chemical free lifestyle was because of harmful ingredients like talc. For the past few years I’ve heard more and more about how this dangerous chemical is and it is still allowed in our cosmetics and body care. It’s in everything from face makeup, soap, to antiperspirant. I have my ultimate chemical free makeup covered with my Savvy line from Young Living. They also make some pretty awesome soaps and shampoo’s. I like taking the guess work out and ordering from a reputable company. You can go down some crazy rabbit holes looking for information about products. One thing I haven’t found is the replacement for baby powder. You may ask “Why would a middle aged (UGH) woman need baby powder if her youngest is 8. Well I blame my mother (it’s in chapter 5 of things we blame parents for in my book). She has me addicted to it. See, I wasn’t genetically blessed with the thigh gap many girls have. Nope, unfortunately my thighs… they rub together with enough friction to cause forest fires. There, I’ve said it, it’s out in the cyber world now. I’m more likely to see a rainbow unicorn than a thigh gap. So, this is where I took control and made my own safe and healthy powder to protect my three-year-old thighs. It’s easy to make and works like a charm. 

Thigh Gap Magic

1/2 cup of arrowroot powder

2 drops of chamomile essential oil

2 drops of lavender essential oil

You can store this in sugar shaker jar for quick easy use.