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!

SPF BS

4 myths about sunscreen debunked!

1. The higher the SPF the better. I hear this a lot. Here's the deal: SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Go any higher and there's barely a detectable increase in protection. In fact, the FDA has proposed new labeling rules that cap SPF at 50+. And remember that the higher you go, the more chemicals you introduce into your skin. Is an additional 1% protection worth it?

2. Pick physical sunblocks over chemical sunscreens. Hmmm, not necessarily. I like products that have both. The physical ingredients (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) provide a wall between you and the sun, which is great! They also start working immediately, unlike chemical sunscreens that take 20-30 minutes to absorb into the skin. But physical sunblocks can also feel thick and look pasty, making them harder to wear. Chemical ingredients (oxybenzone, avobenzone, PABA) are absorbed into the skin and filter/deactivate UV rays. When you combine the physical and the chemical ingredients together, you get an easier-to-wear powerhouse product that protects from all angles.

3. But chemical ingredients cause cancer, don't they? Once again, the organic activists have extrapolated scientific findings to the point of absurdity. A widely publicized study claimed that chemical ingredients mimic hormones and disrupt the endocrine system. But in that study, oxybenzone was directly fed to mice in huge doses, not applied to the skin. And while oxybenzone can be absorbed through the skin, it is absorbed in much smaller concentrations. No study has ever shown it to cause cancer in humans. It's also worth noting that none of the health organizations have recognized the findings.

4. My moisturizer/makeup has SPF, so I'm covered. There's a dirty little secret about dual-purpose products that the manufacturers won't tell you, and it's all about dilution and efficacy. An SPF goes into your moisturizer as 30...that's what the bottle says anyway. But there are a lot of ingredients in moisturizers that don't play well with SPF ingredients, breaking them down and turning your 30 into more like 7. Additionally, SPFs are very drying, thus counteracting the hydrating properties of your moisturizer. And don't even get me started on SPFs in makeup and how nobody applies a thick enough layer to get that level of protection. Bottom line: keep your SPF separate.

Dermatologists & Estheticians

DO YOU NEED BOTH?

There’s always been a sort of rivalry between dermatologists and estheticians. They think all we do is pop pimples and rub lotion on people’s faces, and we think all they do is recommend Cetaphil and write prescriptions for Retin-A. But as a consumer, you need both on your team to ensure a win-win for your skin.

Estheticians Offer:

• A holistic approach to overall skin health which includes the evaluation of products, diet, and lifestyle.

• The ability to immediately address concerns through facials, which might include extractions, advanced exfoliation, and/or targeted hydration.

• The “spa experience,” which blends results-oriented services with relaxation and stress relief.

Dermatologists Offer:

• A task-centric approach to fixing a particular problem.

• The ability to target internal factors affecting skin, including hormones, using prescription strength oral and topical medications/antibiotics.

• More aggressive alternatives such as Botox, fillers, and laser to treat advanced issues.

In basic terms, there is only so much estheticians “can” do and only so much dermatologists “will” do. We can help fade pigmentation, but we can’t “zap” it away. They can help clear up acne, but they won’t extract your blackheads. Sometimes you need a facial; sometimes you need a pill. Seek the services of both professionals and your skin will thank you.

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.

Facial Fundamentals

PART II: WHY? WHEN? HOW?

If you missed Part I of this blog where I explain what facials entail, check it out here >>

Why should I get regular facials? Two reasons: Skin Health and Mental Health. In simple terms, getting regular facials helps keep you looking and feeling good. Your skin changes constantly, and it helps to have an expert identify what it needs right now. And let’s face it, no matter how good our intentions may be, we fall off the wagon at home anyway.Additionally, the value of taking time out to relax and let someone else take care of your needs for an hour is immeasurable. Kids, spouses, work, laundry…the demands of life take their toll. And you need some recharge time to ensure that you don’t have a Mel Gibson meltdown moment, or end up hiding in a closet rocking back and forth.

When should I get a facial? As often as your schedule and budget will allow! Seriously, we all get busy with work, kids, and social obligations. But facials only take an hour. I waste an hour every day dinging around on Facebook or watching re-runs of Big Bang Theory. And the price of a facial is the same as one nice dinner for two. Surely keeping your skin healthy is worth that? Getting a facial once a month is ideal. At a minimum, come once a season to see what your skin needs and what you should be doing at home.

How do facials help at my age?
In your 20s, it’s all about starting good habits that minimize bad ones…like drinking, staying out late, eating poorly, and stressing out over college. Oh the memories! Regular facials can help unclog pores, minimize breakouts, and counteract sun exposure that leads to damage down the road.

In your 30s, hormones and job stress run rampant causing adult acne and dehydration. Additionally, fine lines start to appear. Regular facials help re-texturize, nourish, and maintain muscle tone to help prevent pimples and fine lines from forming.

Your 40s and 50s require more: more exfoliation, more active ingredients, more hydration. Cell turnover starts to slow way down, and the elastin fibers that give your skin volume flatten out. Plus, the effects of aging, life-long sun damage, and menopause manifest in pigmentation, crow’s feet, dehydration, and new unexplainable growths. Fun times! Regular facials including peels and microdermabrasion can deliver advanced exfoliation to help correct these facial flaws while encouraging collagen production.

Your 60s and 70s can be a bit of a blessing because you just can’t see what’s going on anymore. But that is exactly why you need someone looking out for you to pick that giant blackhead or tweeze that long chin hair. Collagen and elastin continue to break down, forming deeper wrinkles. Regular facials help improve circulation while stimulating new cell growth for thinning skin.

Check out our facial menu >>

Facial Fundamentals

PART I: WHAT IS A FACIAL, ANYWAY?

People often ask me, “why should I get facials?” And every single, this question takes me by surprise. To me, it’s like asking, “why should I brush my teeth?” or “take a shower?” or “pay my taxes?” or “watch Game of Thrones?” It’s obvious, isn’t it? But if you’re not an esthetician, maybe it isn’t. I realized that, to a lot of people, facials are a luxury. An expense. A special occasion. So I decided to write this two-part blog to explain how facials are not an indulgence, but a necessity.

What is a facial? When questioned by her 5-year old daughter, one of my clients replied, “mommy is going to get her face washed.” This made me chuckle, and also admit that if you’ve never had a facial, you may not really know what they entail. All facials are unique, but there are some fundamental steps:

Cleansing. Yes, we wash your face. But usually with more excitement than you do. Especially after a long day of work, kids, and stress. This stimulating cleanse removes make up, pollution, and daily build-up while increasing blood flow to feed the skin.

Exfoliation. Next we apply either a scrub or an enzyme to help loosen dead skin cells and stimulate new cell production. Producing new cells helps heal almost any skin imperfection from acne to wrinkles to sun damage. Sometimes we use steam. Sometimes we don’t.

Extractions. To pick or not to pick, that is the question. Dermatologists everywhere have put the fear of God in us by preaching that picking leads to scarring. Well this is not entirely true. If you leave the pores clogged, then they can become distended and enlarged. Additionally, if a pimple lingers too long it’s going to pigment anyway since the body produces melanin as a response to inflammation. But there is a right way and a wrong way to pick, and estheticians know the right way. We also have a wonderful tool called High Frequency that helps sanitize the skin and reduce redness.

Masking. Applying a mask at this stage of the facial can really help address skin health. Your skin’s needs change all the time. Sometimes you’re broken out. Sometimes you’re dehydrated. Sometimes you’ve had too much sun. We pick just the right mask for your needs, and apply it when your skin is prepped for maximum absorption.

Massage. All facials address skin health, obviously. But to us, mental health is also a very important part of the facial experience. It’s your time to relax and recharge. So we incorporate a scalp, shoulder, and hand massage into every treatment. This also helps you forgive us for all of those extractions.

Infusion & Hydration. The skin is the body’s largest organ. And it needs nourishment. Facials incorporate vitamin-rich serums, ampoules, and moisturizers that feed the cells so that they can fight free radicals, combat the signs of aging, and repair environmental damage.

Education. Probably the most important part of every facial is ensuring that your home care matches your skin’s needs. Estheticians can only affect so much in the treatment room. What you do at home extends the facial service and continues to improve your skin’s health. Maybe your products are working fabulously, but maybe they’re not. Maybe your skin’s needs have changed. Facials give you a chance to ask questions and get advice.Watch for Part II (coming soon) when I explain why you should get facials, when you need them, and how they help at every age.