24 Karat Skin Care

This hot ingredient gets a gold star every time!

When it comes to skin care, there's one ingredient that's worth its weight in gold: Gold! It's not just one of those new trends that celebs are paying a premium for. Gold has some amazing properties that produce real results. Eureka!

Calms Inflammation & Sensitivity. Gold has natural anti-inflammatory properties. When used on the face, it can reduce redness, calm acne inflammation, and soothe the skin.

Fights the Signs of Aging. Gold activates the skin's basal cells, which helps improve elasticity and firmness, repair skin damage, and retexturize to reveal a renewed complexion. Naturally antioxidant, it also fights free radicals that lead to wrinkles and sun damage.

Guards Against Environmental Hazards. By helping to reinforce the skin's natural barrier, gold helps defend against environmental hazards including the sun and pollution that damage collagen and overall skin health.

Brightens and Adds Luminosity. Due to its light-reflecting properties, gold is also known to create a brightening effect and helps the skin appear more even and smooth. It can add a luminous glow and make skin look more radiant, as well.

Ritual Day Spa's Bride Guide

HOW TO LOOK YOUR BEST ON YOUR BIG DAY.

If you're a bride-to-be, chances are you're using one of those countdown checklists that tell you what to do every month leading up to your wedding. When to buy your dress. When to book the venue. When to find a photographer. But most lists don't include any schedule on how to get "you" ready for the big day. Until now...

12 MONTHS PRIOR

Get Monthly Facials: Make up artists can cover a lot, but wouldn't you rather have glowing skin? Getting monthly facials can help correct physical flaws like acne and brown spots so you'll look your best on your big day.

Change Your Regimen: Your at-home products might be just fine under normal circumstances. But this is your wedding! You need to make sure you're using the right products to achieve your skin care goals. And there's no better person to help you chose them than an esthetician.

6 MONTHS PRIOR

Start Shaping Your Brows: Nothing frames your face like great brows. But great brows take time. Since you may need to grow them in or start training them in the right direction, see your esthetician as early as possible.

Get Monthly Back Facials: Most dresses show a little skin. And you don't want blemishes, pigmentation, or dry patches stealing the show. Back facials can help clear things up so you'll look flawless from every angle.

3 MONTHS PRIOR

Start Getting Monthly Massages: Planning a wedding is stressful. And extra stress can take its toll on both your body and your skin. Monthly massages can help alleviate the mental pressure and keep Bridezilla at bay.

Start Waxing: No doubt you'll want to be hair-free and carefree on the big day. But if you're not a regular waxer, you need start now to ensure your skin gets used to it. Plus, starting to wax a few months prior helps the hairs sync up so you'll stay smoother longer. Arms, legs, lip, bikini--we do it all!

1 MONTH PRIOR

Book Your Spa Bridal Shower: Who doesn't love a little pampering? Ritual Day Spa is the perfect venue to host your friends and family for a bridal shower that's truly unique.

New You X2

THESE POPULAR RESOLUTIONS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN, TOO.

Efficient? Productive? Multitasker? If these adjectives describe you, then you need a New Year’s Resolution that pulls double-duty. Check out these suggestions below. At face value, they’re clearly good for you. But the kicker is that they’re good for your skin, too.

Stop Smoking. Next to sun exposure, smoking is the biggest provocateur of premature aging. It asphyxiates the skin, which causes clogged pores, collagen breakdown, wrinkles, and a dull, lackluster appearance. Also, the constant puckering creates vertical lip lines that are impossible to erase.

Eat Better. Carbs and sugar kick-start a process called glycation, whereby sugar molecules bind to protein structures in your skin. This makes them weak and dysfunctional, which surfaces as wrinkles, sagginess, and a loss of radiance. They also cause a spike in blood sugar, which triggers the hormones that stimulate oil production and breakouts.

Quit Drinking. Excess imbibing has been linked to Rosacea, dehydration, and not washing your face before bed--all of which lead to inflammation that can break down collagen, create wrinkles, and provoke acne.

Get More Sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body increases its production of a hormone called cortisol. And when your cortisol levels get too high, inflammation ensues. This can trigger acne and eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. Additionally, the resulting dehydration from too few ZZZZs causes puffy eyes and dark circles.

Take More Time Off. Countless studies have been done on the effect of stress on the skin. And they all say the same thing: stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. So book that extra vacation. Spend a “sick day” at the spa. Your face will thank you!

Aging Gracefully

Skin Care in Your 60s, 70s, and Beyond

Have you ever noticed that skin care after 50 seems publicly non-existent? After a certain number of birthdays, the world stops talking to you. No more products, no more articles, no more advertising. It's like they assume you stop caring about your skin. Let's change that!Everyone ages differently. But certain conditions like dryness, thinness, age spots, wrinkles, and sensitivity are common for most. It's easy to look in the mirror and think, "maybe it's too late." But the key is not to focus on younger skin, but on healthy skin.

1. Cleanse. Cleansing your skin morning and night is just as important in your 70s as it is in your 20s. Choose products that remove oils without stripping your skin. Suffering from menopausal acne? Try a cleanser with alpha-hydroxy acid twice a week.

2. Exfoliate. Your skin is constantly regenerating, but cell turnover slows significantly as years go by. Gentle exfoliation can help speed up the process by sloughing away dead skin and pushing damaged cells up and out. Facing dark spots? Consider a daily spot treatment with hydroquinone.

3. Smooth. The key to creating a smoother-looking complexion is moisturizing. Consider double-duty formulations that contain a humectant (to draw in water) and a sealer (to prevent it from evaporating). Incorporating retinols and antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and vitamins C and E can also help minimize skin imperfections by increasing collagen production.

4. Protect. Sunscreen use can significantly slow the signs of aging, so slather up. It's important to use a product with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. And see your dermatologist if you experience any rough patches, pimples that don't heal, or bumps that bleed easily.

Must-Have Masks

15 MINUTES, TWICE A WEEK, CAN SAVE YOUR SKIN!

Nothing beats getting a facial. Seeing your esthetician once a month can help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and blemish-free. But what you do at home is crucial to extending the effects of your facial and maintaining overall skin health. You may have your daily duties dialed in, but using a mask twice a week will help take your regimen to the next level.

Exfoliating Masks. Chock full of natural fruit enzymes and plant acids, exfoliating masks can accelerate cell turnover by gently dissolving dead skin.

Clay Masks. If you have oily, clogged, or congested skin, a clay mask can really help. Ingredients like sulfer, kaolin, charcoal, and bentonite draw out imperfections while purifying the pores.

Cream Masks. Cream masks are perfect for dry, dehydrated, and aging skin types. Depending on the types you choose, they can help hydrate the skin while brightening, lightening, and soothing.

Sheet Masks. These easy-to-use paper masks have the same properties as cream masks with no clean up! Simply take the mask out of the package, place it on your face, and remove after 15 minutes. Add a glass of wine and a movie and it's the perfect Sunday night!

The Classic Skin Care Regimen

KEEP SKIN HEALTHY WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS

There's a lot of confusion out there about skin care. Which products do you need? What order should they be applied? Can you keep it simple? Everybody's needs are a little different, but the basics are the same. Here's my personal regimen for keeping skin of all ages healthy and looking great.

MORNING–5 STEPS

1. Cleanser
A lot of people tell me they don't wash their face in the morning. But here's what's actually going on while you sleep: You drool, you sweat, your partner drools and sweats cuddled up to you...on your pillow. Your skin and hair produce oil. And then you rub your face in that all night long. Wash it all away with a quick cleanse during your morning shower.

2. Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for keeping skin healthy. It hydrates, it brightens, it fights free radicals, it lightens pigment, and it even helps filter UV rays. Which is why it's the perfect serum to apply in the AM.

3. Eye & Neck Cream
The skin around the eyes and on the neck is very similar: thin, sensitive, small pores, and the first to lose elasticity. And your regular moisturizer just won't work because it's not formulated to penetrate this type of tissue. Pick a product specifically designed to treat these areas and keep crow's feet and turkey neck at bay.

4. Moisturizer
It doesn't matter if you're dry, normal, oily, or combo, a moisturizer is essential to keeping your skin balanced. A lot of oily skin people tell me that they just don't think they need it. But using a moisturizer will actually reset your skin's hydration levels so you'll produce less oil in the long run.

5. SPF
Sun protection should always be used as a separate product. Don't buy combo products like moisturizers or makeups that include SPF because they drastically dilute in the bottle. What started as SPF 30 dilutes down to like SPF 7. And since SPF ingredients are drying, they decrease the efficacy of the moisturizer, too.

NIGHTIME–3 STEPS

1. Cleanser
It's perfectly fine to use the same cleanser morning and night. But at the end of the day, you might need something with a little more kick to remove your makeup, sunscreen, and the day's pollution.

2. Retinol Serum
Retinols are the gold standard for fighting fine lines and wrinkles, triggering collagen production, and reversing sun damage. Breaking out? You can substitute an acne serum here instead.

3. Moisturizer
Use the same one from your AM routine. I don't believe in a "night cream, " unless you really need a lot of hydration and can't handle the feel of a heavier moisturizer during the day.

TWICE A WEEK

Exfoliator
Cell turnover slows as we age. And the subsequent buildup of dead skin cells leads to problem skin. Exfoliation helps treat acne, wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness, and pretty much every facial flaw you can think of. Scrubs and enzymes are the best choices for home care. Take it up a notch with a monthly peel or microdermabrasion at the spa.

Treatment Mask
Follow your exfoliation with a treatment mask. Pick one or two that address your skin's needs. A purifying mask for acne or oil. A moisturizing mask for dehydration. A brightening mask for pigmentation. They're fun! And 20 minutes twice a week really makes a difference.

EXTRAS

Acne Spot Treatment
Always have a good spot treatment on-hand for those pesky pimples.

Toner
I love a good treatment toner after I cleanse. Depending which one you choose, it can help hydrate, tone, resurface, and restore you skin's pH levels. But if you're trying to keep things simple, you can skip it.

Microdermabrasion

What is is and is it right for me?

Microdermabrasion is a wonderful way to treat skin conditions like acne, fine lines, dark spots, large pores, and scarring with almost zero downtime.

What is it? Microderm is a method of advanced exfoliation that uses crystals and high-pressure air to exfoliate dead skin off the surface of the face.

Why is it better than what I am doing now? Exfoliation is the key to correcting skin issues. And turning over your skin cells faster encourages new cells to grow faster and correct problems faster. Even if you are getting regular facials/peels and practicing good skin care at home, nothing exfoliates as efficiently and effectively as microderm. It will also help your at-home products penetrate better.

How will my skin look afterwards? You may look a little pink after your session, but will typically return to normal within an hour. More sensitive people get a little bumpiness and remain pink until the next day.

What is the prep/post care? You will need to refrain from sun exposure and using retinols, glycolics, or other anti-aging/acne treatments 1 week before and after treatment. For best results, we recommend multiple treatments spaced 7-10 days apart.

Why Ritual Day Spa? It’s all about the machine. Unlike other units that utilize large crystals and low pressure, our brand-new, state-of-the-art machine uses small crystals and high pressure. This allows for a faster, more comfortable experience with less “aftermath” like redness and irritation. We can get better results in just one pass; no need for cross-hatching that can irritate the skin. It also allows us to treat areas that other machines can’t like the upper lip and eyelids! Unlike other systems, ours also includes an oxygen infusion which calms the skin and restores lost vitamins and minerals.

What about the newer diamond tip technology? Don’t be fooled by the fact that something is “new.” Diamond tip systems don’t allow for as much control as crystal systems do. Most of the time you end up with too much or not enough abrasion. We chose a crystal-based machine to allow for the maximum versatility to treat all skin types safely and effectively.

How much does it cost?

Check out our pricing here >>

'Tis the Season of Dehydration

LEAVE THE RED NOSE TO RUDOLPH THIS HOLIDAY!

This time of year I hear the same complaint over and over, "my skin's so dry!" Fine lines, flakiness, redness, roughness, itchiness, tightness, unusual breakouts...such are the woes of winter skin. But given the season, it's possible that dehydration, not dryness, is the real culprit.

Dry or dehydrated–what's the difference? Dry skin is defined as a lack of oil production. It is your genetic "skin type," and probably something you've dealt with your whole life. It can definitely be made worse, or better, by your products, the season, and your lifestyle. Dehydration is defined as a lack of water or moisture in the skin. Even oily skin can experience dehydration. It is a "skin condition," thus much easier to control.

What causes dehydration? Living in California, specifically during the winter, is especially hard on the skin due to the low humidity. And we all admit that when the temperature drops below 60 we start blasting our heaters, which evaporates water from the skin. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as holiday stress, hot showers, cold medications, winter sports, and increased party-going make matters worse.

What can I do? The key to treating dehydrated skin lies in retaining moisture. You need to re-hydrate the cells, from the inside and from the outside, while preventing water evaporation. Use moisturizers and serums rich in hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, and plant lipids, and don't forget to keep exfoliating or your products won't penetrate. And drink plenty of water. Sleeping with a humidifier can also help tremendously.

Learn More >>

Aging & Antioxidants

What's our beef with free radicals anyway?

You've probably been told that staving off the signs of aging requires using antioxidants to fight free radicals in our skin. And you probably nodded agreeably even though you were thinking, "what the heck is this person talking about?" "What's a free radical?" "What's an antioxidant?" "And why do I need a $75 serum?" Well for all of us afraid to ask for fear of looking stupid, here you go....

What's a free radical? Basically, free radicals are atoms that have lost an electron and have gone rogue. They live to become whole again. They need that electron back. So they go around and steal one from a happy, whole atom, hence turning that atom into a free radical, too. But alas, the stolen electron eventually gets rejected and the original thieving atom turns back into a free radical. And so the process continues exponentially.

What causes free radicals and why do I care? Smoking, drinking, sun damage, stress, pollution, and aging in general all cause electrons to die through oxidation. Clearly, a lot of these factors can't be prevented. Once an atom loses an electron and no longer functions properly, it can lead to tissue damage that appears in the physical form of wrinkles and sunspots. Who wants that?

What's an antioxidant? Antioxidants are electron-filled ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Retinol (Vitamin A), Peptides, and CoQ10 that are capable of counteracting the damage free radicals cause. They do this by donating compatible electrons to the defective atoms, allowing them to become whole and function like proper cells again. In addition to preventing future damage, antioxidants also help the body repair itself by encouraging cell and tissue growth. Sign me up, please!