Preparing Skin for Autumn and the Change in Seasons

Often with the Autumn breezes and color changes comes drier air. Nature gets ready to let go (there go the leaves!) and prepares for the temperature swings that are around the corner.

It's the best time to pamper ourselves ~ revive and rejuvenate the complexion from summer, and deeply moisturize, detoxify, decongest, and boost the blood flow and skin-brightness. Yes!

The shift from summer's air to dryer Autumn often takes a toll on our skin. Many complexions become imbalanced, dry patches appear, and skin can start to feel tight as we bring out the scarves and boots.

Happily, we have a variety of masks to prepare our skin for Autumn.

When we say skin 'condition,' we mean the current condition of the complexion. Skin that was once moisturized, or maybe on the oily side before, may now be dry and a little rougher than before... or just different. 

Skin swings are normal and can be expected. And it's ok! Our skin is not made of plastic ~ it lets us know when we're happy, when we're tired, when we're sick, when we're in love (look at that glow!), and yes, lady friends, even when we're having our cycle.

It's not uncommon to switch-up the everyday skincare routine to adjust to the change in weather, or our hormones, which sometimes seem to fluctuate more than the weather! Ha! (Well, not so funny.)

An over-active oily complexion, a dry complexion, a congested complexion, a dehydrated complexion, a sensitive complexion... our masks can assist the skin to become happily balanced and healthy no matter what our skin is doing.

For the full details and benefits, tap on the mask to be directed to the full information on our site. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to ingredients and their benefits.

Here are some basic nudges in the right direction for various skin conditions:

1. An oily complexion, congested skin, prone to breakouts, rough skin, sensitive skin ~ Green Tea Mask with Raw Cacao. It provides a multitude of antioxidants and light exfoliation of stale sebum and dead cells. Matcha tea (Matcha skin benefits) and organic cacao (look at these cacao skin benefits) in their raw, organic forms... lovely.
2. A complexion with both dry and slightly oily areas, an occasional breakout, skin upset or red areas, bumps or areas needing healing, sensitive skin ~ Honey Cream Mask with Active Manuka UMF 16+. 
3. A dry or dehydrated complexion, a complexion feeling tight or thinned, a complexion lacking luster or firmness, reddened skin on the surface, sensitive skin, tired looking skin ~ Lavish Serum Salve.
4. A complexion needing a boost of vitamins, a surge in microcirculation, a lift from the benefits of essential fatty acids and free-radical fighting antioxidants, and skin needing a gentle exfoliation ~ Antioxidant Mask with Cranberries. Why cranberries? Here's why. 

Smoothing, purifying, hydrating, and free radical fighting ~ these masks are freshly made, pure and potent, and can be used sparingly ~  as is the same with all of our concentrated formulas.

Our masks fall into our Treat & Enhance Skin Suite for a very good reason. We love our core products... cleansing oils, botanical toning waters, gentle exfoliants, and day or night serums. Then there is the next step... that extra little something that we pamper ourselves with 1-2 times a week (or more if your skin allows for it), for just a few minutes while the actives go to work.

We often say that our Treat & Enhance products are just 10 extra minutes, 1-2 times per week, and are the difference between decent skin, and divine skin.

We love to mask before bedtime. We're starting to unwind, our face is cleansed and gently exfoliated, and why not take just a few minutes to apply some botanical love onto our skin? It's a "treat" for our skin ~ ingredients and actives that are not in our everyday routine, but skin-loving and proven performing elements nonetheless. We formulate each treatment to "enhance" our natural, healthy complexion. Our facial features are all different and unique. Let's love and enhance what we've been given! 

We prefer to heal and reveal rather than cover up. That doesn't mean we don't like a little cover up here and there, but it means that with healthy, glowing skin we should feel like we can 'enhance' our natural beauty rather than cover it up. Get it? Thought so.

I regret taking such good care of my skin... said no one ever.

Many of our products are multi-functional. We hear about ways our products are being used all of the time that help the face, body or hair in different uses and at different times.

Here are some DIY recipes and add-ins that have become popular with our masks:

• 1 teaspoon of organic, raw pumpkin (canned is ok)
• 1 teaspoon of Green Tea with Raw Cacao mask.

Mix to make a paste and apply for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away. The antioxidant and smoothing action of the mask, combined with the alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids, add to the overall boost of antioxidants that help protect skin from premature aging while fighting free radicals. And talk about smooth skin... delight!

~ ~ ~

• 1 teaspoon of organic, plain dairy-free or regular yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon Antioxidant Mask with Cranberry

Mix to make a paste and apply for 5-10 minutes. The lactic acid in dairy yogurt can help dissolve dead skin and cleanse the pores, and the dairy-free version adds a protein benefit and anti-inflammatory agent to feed and nourish the skin. Use refrigerated, cold yogurt for added calming and comfort.

~ ~ ~

• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg (or both!)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Honey Cream Mask with Active Manuka UMF 16+

Mix the two together and apply a thin honey veil to the complexion. Applying on wet skin or with moistened fingers may be easier. The Manuka honey naturally softens and heals, and the added boost of cinnamon and/or nutmeg increases the circulation and can help reduce redness from blemishes and acne. Uneven areas may be brightened and evened out.

~ ~ ~

• 1/4 teaspoon of any of these above masks
• 1/4 teaspoon (or less) Lavish Serum Salve

Mix to make a paste, and apply liberally on the skin like a mask. It's a double-whammy of healing, calming, and hydrating benefits from the mask and our Lavish Serum Salve. Either mix a little paste of the two ingredients before applying, or apply a thin layer of Lavish Serum Salve on the complexion and add your favorite mask over the top and voila, you have a few minutes to relax while the botanicals go to work for you.

~ ~ ~

Our products all play well together. Experiment, enjoy, and have fun with them. Most of all, feel confident in knowing that there isn't one artificial or synthetic ingredient in anything we formulate and share with you.

When adding anything to our masks for fun, use organic whenever possible.

It IS mask month ~ boo! Don't hide behind the mask, show some skin and let it glow!

In October, SAVE 10% on our masks... Smoothing ~ Green Tea Mask with Raw Cacao, Purifying ~ Honey Cream Mask with Active Manuka UMF 16+, Hydrating ~ Lavish Serum Salve, Free Radical Fighting ~ Antioxidant Mask with Cranberry. Use this code for the savings: MIXANDMASK

Have you hugged your body serum today? We have a lot of skin to take care of ~ don't stop at your neck.

Skincare is essential. Makeup is a choice. 

Every day we have choices to make. Make them count.