beauty cosmopolite

Why I Wouldn't Use an $850 Skin Cream

Is some skin care worth its weight in gold?

Hi all! A while back, a luxury retailer very kindly sent me a new night cream that was about to make its debut on the marketplace to the tune of $850. Yes, you did read that price right, and no, I didn't forget a decimal point!

I checked out the ingredients on this (famous brand-name) product and decided it wasn't something I was willing to test out (I really do practice what I preach!) So... I had some friends test it out instead. :) I gave fair warning about my concerns, but no matter, they were all eager to give the cream a go and see if it lived up to its pretty fantastic claims!

Before I get to their results, here are my thoughts on the ingredients. First, I don't have anything against luxurious ingredients that can truly help improve skin. In fact, some of my personal favourites can be pricey -- a reflection of the rarity and challenge of obtaining the ingredients. Examples of these include certain plant extracts and essential oils -- and there were costly botanical extracts and oils in this skin cream.

The problem was that, in my opinion, the value of these special, active ingredients was negated by the "dead" and potentially toxic synthetic ingredients -- including several synthetic preservatives with known concerns. The product also -- unbelievably for its price point -- contained mineral oil, a very cheap synthetic emollient that actually dries out the skin in the long run! Frankly, what the price truly reflected was sky-high marketing and packaging costs.

So, how did my friends feel about the cream? It was a generous size, so I divided it amongst three women of different ages, skin types and even ethnic backgrounds. They agreed to use the cream every night on one side of their face and practice their usual skin care on the other, without revealing to anyone which side was the "expensive" one. (And that's about as far as my "science experiments" go!) For each person, the cream lasted about two months, which was ideal, as the company said full results would visibly show in that time. Here are the anecdotal results.

L. - Throughout her test period, L. asked friends and family to see if they could detect any difference between each side of her face -- none could. Just as she was nearing completion, L. saw her dermatologist. Her derm, intrigued by the experiment, tried to guess which side of her face she was using the cream on -- and couldn't. The office esthetician was brought in; she examined L.'s skin carefully under bright lights, and admitted she couldn't see a significant difference, but thought there was perhaps a marginal improvement on the test-cream side. Both the dermatologist and esthetician advised her that this possible improvement didn't warrant the price of the product -- and then, not surprisingly, tried to sell her a cream for $100 they said would do at least as good or better a job. L. declined -- I think she was through with "miracle-creams"! ;)

V. - V. is a skin-care aficionado, and kept close watch for changes, but couldn't detect any herself. Towards the end of her experiment, five women, including myself, checked out V.'s face to guess which side she had been using the cream on. We looked carefully under different lights, and all of us unanimously chose the same side of her face. Ironically, we didn't choose the test-cream side -- we all thought the other side looked plumper and smoother! 

S. - I didn't get a chance to check out S.'s face personally, as she was out of country. However, she diligently reported back to me every week with the same, boring results: "no change, no change". In fact, she told me she actually preferred her much less expensive product in terms of feel and effectiveness.

So, the point of this story isn't that pricey skin care doesn't work. But that you want to choose skin care that contains potent, active, and "alive" ingredients, without potential toxins and irritants that can negate their benefits -- like synthetic emollients, preservatives, fragrances, colour, and more. (And you definitely don't want to pay for a company's advertising costs!) There are a lot of choices out there for good, natural skin care, some at very reasonable price points. :)  Have a beautiful week, everyone!

Red Gold for Glow

 

Hi all, hope you're enjoying some summer sun! I've been thinking about other foods that will boost the natural glow and tone of our skin. One that is in season right now in my part of the world is wild salmon!

A hairstylist who once worked with Jennifer Lopez told me he thought she had "the most gorgeous skin" he had ever seen -- and that she attributed it to regular servings of salmon. Whether this is true or not, I have no idea -- but I wouldn't be surprised if that played a role in her glowy complexion! Along with beautifying essential fatty acids, salmon contains a carotenoid called astaxanthin. This amazing antioxidant, which is what gives salmon its deep red or pink colour, has been called "red gold from the sea." And no wonder -- it is said to be 100 times more potent than vitamin E and 10 times more powerful than beta carotene. Salmon is true skin-food that works on a cellular level! 

I love indulging in salmon. It's an easy summer meal to cook at home, and when I'm out for Japanese food, I always order salmon sashimi -- so delicious and skin-enhancing with all those natural oils raw and intact! (And a much healthier choice than tuna sashimi, which can unfortunately be very high in mercury).

If you happen to not like salmon, lobster, shrimp and crabs also contain astaxanthin. And if you are a salmon fan like me, be sure to always go for wild salmon, as opposed to farmed, which is pro-inflammatory and NOT beautifying or healthy. Happy eating, everyone! :)

One 'Skin Oil' I'd Never Use

Would you rub petroleum on your face?

Hi all, hope you're well! Regular readers know I'm a big fan of natural oils for skin care. There are so many beautiful ones out there for every skin type and condition (even oily and acne-prone skin types, contrary to conventional opinion, but that's another post!) But there's one I would never use and that is mineral oil. I get a lot of questions about which ingredients to avoid in personal care products -- and mineral oil is right up there on my list!

Mineral oil and petrolatum (as in vaseline) are highly processed derivates of petroleum. These ingredients can be found in skin lotions, sunscreens, cosmetics, and even, sadly, baby oil and other infant products. They are a very cheap way to bulk up and provide the emollient factor in moisturizers; you'll see mineral oil in the most inexpensive drugstore brands as well as, ironically, expensive luxury brands! If you're using a certain super-pricey, cult-beauty-moisturizer from, ahem, "the sea", be sure to check out the ingredients. See something called "Paraffinum Liquidum"? That's just a fancy way of saying mineral oil. It also contains petrolatum -- yet the product is about 200 times more costly than a jar of vaseline!

Some claim that mineral oil and petrolatum are great skin moisturizers because they supposedly keep in moisture with their occlusive nature. But that is exactly the problem. Using a mineral-oil based product is like stretching a sheet of plastic wrap over your skin. It interferes with your skin's natural ability to release toxins, keeping them trapped and clogging pores. And while the product may feel very emollient on your skin, it disrupts its natural sebum functions and moisture-adjusting ability -- ultimately leaving your skin dryer! It can also aggravate and even cause acne. And if all that weren't enough, mineral oil and petrolatum are suspected carcinogens.

On the other hand, pure, high-quality, natural oils can meld with the skin rather than sitting on top of it like a coat of plastic. Instead of interfering with your skin's natural processes, they can work with them, feeding and nourishing the skin. Just a few examples of lovely skin oils include almond, avocado, coconut, pomegranate, argan, apricot kernel, neem, rosehip... the list goes on! Check your products for mineral oil or petrolatum -- my advice is to toss them out if they contain these ingredients -- and trade up for oils that are truly skin-enhancing! See you soon, everyone!

Do's and Don'ts for Adult Acne -- and for Healthy, Glowing Skin in General!

Cleanse, nourish, treat -- on the inside as well as out -- to deal with acne and other skin issues.

Hi all! Hope my Canadian and American readers had a great weekend celebrating Canada Day and Independence Day respectively -- I enjoyed a mini-break and celebrated both!

I've been meaning to do a post on adult acne for ages because I get a lot of questions about it. But even if you don't suffer from acne, read on, as the do's and don'ts below can apply to anyone interested in healthy, glowing skin!

My latest question on the topic came from a 34-year-old reader who has been to four (!) different dermatologists in an effort to "cure" her acne. She has tried prescription-treatments as well as over-the-counter products, all of which, she writes, "pretty much made it worse". How frustrating -- I feel for her, as acne can be a challenging skin issue -- one that many people deal with at some point in their lives.

The good news, though, is that there are many things you can do to relieve and eliminate acne problems. My approach may be different than what many people hear from their dermatologists. For instance, I was shocked when one woman told me her dermatologist said diet has nothing to do with acne (so NOT true)! This woman focused on "attacking" her acne with prescribed topical treatments, which seemed to help her acne for a short while but ended up leaving her face extremely irritated, rough, and dry -- along with continued acne issues!

My belief is that cleansing, nourishing, and repairing must begin internally -- skin reflects what's going on inside. Everyone's case is different, so approaches to treating acne should be individualized depending on cause and severity. But the general principles of, for example, keeping down inflammation both internally and externally, balancing hormonal issues, and practicing rejuvenating skin care can apply to anyone. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider, starting with the don'ts and moving on to the do's!

DON'T

• Take antibiotics (at least without seriously considering other options first!) Even just one round of antibiotics can seriously compromise the good bacteria in your gut, leaving you vulnerable to digestive problems, yeast infections, food sensitivities and more -- all of which will end up furthering skin issues.
• Use harsh cleansers/toners/alpha hydroxy acids/topical treatments which harm the skin's protective barrier, exacerbate skin issues in the long run, and accelerate the appearance of skin aging. Drying products used to remove oil simply cause the skin to produce more oil as it tries to re-balance itself. And when skin is dried and stripped of its natural defenses, pimples below the surface may not "move" through the skin as they need to, instead staying suppressed for longer periods of time (prolonging the healing process).
• Use drying soap, and especially antibacterial soaps, which can destroy the good bacteria on the skin that is necessary for a healthy, blemish-free complexion.
• Eat blood-sugar spiking, pro-inflammatory foods, which can often be the root problem of acne and other skin issues. That includes refined, deep-fried, and sugary foods (and foods that quickly turn to sugar in the body, like breads, corn, pasta, cereals, and starchy vegetables like potatoes).
• Overuse cosmetics, hair products, skin products which can exacerbate or even result in acne (if you suspect that any of your cosmetic products may be contributing to your acne, try eliminating it for at least a week to see if there is any improvement).

DO

• Consider natural supplements which can help in the healing process. Ayurvedic herbs like turmeric and neem can help reduce inflammation, nourish and cleanse. One you might consider is DermaCare. Other supplements to consider and speak to your healthcare practitioner about would be zinc, fish oil and evening primrose oil, along with a good multi-vitamin.
• Consider a high-quality probiotic to help repair digestive issues and optimize gut health, especially if you have taken any antibiotics. Good gut health is absolutely essential for healthy skin, I can't emphasize this enough (I need to do a post on gut health alone!) There are lots of good brands out there, but my favourite is Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics.
• Optimize your Vitamin D levels for a healthy immune system response, which again, is essential for healthy skin. Consider having your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor, and taking a supplement if necessary. A moderate amount of sunshine (be very careful not to burn) can be extremely healing.
• Indulge in plenty of whole foods, making sure to focus on good fats (avoid pro-inflammatory hydrogenated oils!), high quality proteins and plenty of vegetables, especially dark greens which will help detoxify.
• Seek skin care that is soothing and purifying. Avoid drying ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and other irritating chemicals, and instead opt for naturally-based products (helpful ingredients can include essential oils with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and neem oil which is soothing and antimicrobial.)
• Make every effort to get enough good quality sleep, which is critical for skin repair to take place.
• Manage stress levels. Stress affects everything from digestion to hormones to circulation, and almost always ends up showing itself on the skin in one form or another. Consider practicing visualization techniques, which have been shown to be very effective in helping with skin issues. Spend a few minutes every day taking slow, relaxing breaths and visualizing your skin calming down and healing. The mind can affect healing in the body in profound ways!

Okay, this has turned into somewhat of a long post, and yet it's just a starting point with suggestions for dealing with acne -- don't lose hope on what can be a challenging skin issue to address, there are solutions!  Many thanks to the reader who contacted me on a issue that so many people can relate to!

Eat Your Way to a Tan?

 

Hi all, hope you had a 'sunny' weekend, regardless of the weather in your part of the world! It continues to be more like fall than summer where I am (summer clothes still in the closet and I'm sitting here in a big sweater!) so I figured now would be a good time to answer a reader question on "tanning" with foods instead of sunshine. :)

The reader wrote that she heard something about being able to achieve a golden, tanned look just from eating an abundance of certain vegetables like carrots. "If this is true," she wrote, "it would make me so happy because I'm so pale and I'd love to have some color... Should I start drinking big glasses of carrot juice everyday?"

I'm guessing what the reader heard was related to a recent study out of Bristol University. According to news reports, a scientist conducted a study with "before and after" photos of people who consumed a diet rich in orange and green fruits and vegetables. Volunteers viewing these photos preferred the "golden glow" produced in the skin when a diet high in produce was eaten -- and they also preferred this healthy-diet-related look over sun-tanned faces.

The key was the carotenoids -- pigments found in a wide range of plant foods. The full details of the study have yet to be released, but it appears from news reports that there may have been a focus on beta carotene found in orange fruits and vegetables like, yes, carrots!

But in answer to the reader's question, I wouldn't go crazy with carrot juices. First, carrots are really high in sugar, so while they can have a place in a healthy, beautifying diet, you don't want to consume copious amounts of them, especially in concentrated juice form. Second, if you eat too many carrots (or other orange and yellow foods that contain beta carotene like pumpkin, etc.) you could go beyond a lovely golden-glow to an actual yellowing of the skin (you'd notice this especially on your palms and soles of the feet). That yellowing would fade as soon as you backed off from the beta carotene-rich foods.

A produce-rich diet is critical for beautiful, glowing skin -- and it's healthier (and more fun!) to eat a variety of them. Include lots of different colours -- from green leafy vegetables to purple cabbage to red tomatoes to blueberries and blackberries to white daikon radish, and more. I especially like dark green vegetables -- they are loaded with nutrients and have a high water content which promotes blood circulation for healthy skin tone. I generally aim to eat enough dark greens to equal about one head of romaine lettuce a day -- in addition to other veggies and some fruits.

And remember that eating plenty of nutrient-dense produce will also help boost your skin's natural defense against UV rays!

Thanks to the reader above for the great (and timely) question. See you soon, everyone!

Sugar: THE Wrinkle-and-Sag Food

So cute! But we don't want those wrinkles... 

Hi all, hope you're well! I'm back from a productive road trip, where I also had the pleasure of getting to know some new people. One woman I met asked me about the wrinkles and sags she's starting to see on her face. "I don't want to end up looking like a Shar Pei! Is there anything I can do?"

So, this lovely (and funny!) woman looks nothing like a Shar Pei, but we did talk about various lifestyle factors that can accelerate wrinkling and sagging, including unmanaged stress, lack of sleep, too little or too much exercise, and more. But a major culprit I want to focus on in this post is SUGAR.

I can't stress enough the connection between high sugar-consumption and skin issues. When I'm talking sugar, I mean sugary foods and foods that quickly convert to sugar in our bodies -- chips, rice cakes, muffins, starches like potatoes, nearly every packaged food (including so-called "healthy" breakfast cereals), refined flour products, fruit juices, sports drinks, and more. These types of foods cause our blood sugar to spike rapidly, which results in a whole host of beauty and health problems -- but for this post, we'll keep the focus on the skin.

When we eat sugar, it kicks off an ugly process called glycation, which occurs when the sugar combines with proteins in our bodies, like collagen. Collagen, as we know, is what gives our skin its structure, strength, and smooth, healthy appearance. Glycation breaks down our collagen, and also makes it stiff and inflexible. The result? Wrinkles and sagging.

And it goes further. When sugar molecules attach themselves to collagen, inflammation occurs. This can lead to various unwanted skin issues, including puffy eyes, dark circles, brown spots, dullness, irritations, blemishes... 

The good news is that we can rejuvenate and improve our skin dramatically by replacing sugary foods with a wider variety of vegetables, good protein and fats, and high-fiber fruits in our diet. And you don't have to give up sweet tastes, when there are some great, healthy alternatives to sugar out there! 

More on the "sugar" topic in future posts. See you soon, everyone!

Bananas for Silky Skin

Banana and honey -- one of my fave glow-enhancing facial masks.

Hi all -- several people have asked me about the banana facial mask I referred to in my 'Reduce' for Increased Beauty post. It is super-easy and super-effective -- my favourite combo! Bananas have great antibacterial and hydrating properties and make an ideal facial mask for people who have normal, dry, or sensitive skin. The recipes below will gently exfoliate and soften the skin -- love it! By the way, once a week is plenty for any exfoliating mask (no matter how gentle). Enjoy!

Banana Gentle Exfoliating Mask

• cleanse face
• mash about half a ripe banana and apply to face and neck
• lie down with legs elevated (this will increase blood flow to the face) for about 10 - 20 minutes
• rinse with warm water

To give the banana mask a boost, I like adding honey, which is a fantastic skin nourisher; it'll help give that extra glow.

Banana and Honey Hydrating Mask

• cleanse face
• mash about a quarter of a ripe banana with 1 tsp. of raw honey
• apply to face and neck
• lie down with legs elevated for about 10 - 20 minutes
• rinse with warm water

8 Ways to "Reduce" for Increased Health and Beauty

Reducing the amount of time indoors, and spending more time outdoors doing activities you love, is one way to enhance beauty! 

Hi everyone -- hope you all enjoyed an inspiring Earth Day! Everywhere I went, I saw messages about Reducing -- and it made me think about how that message can be applied very effectively to our own beauty routines. I've always believed that, in many instances, less is more when it comes to beauty. Sometimes the less we "do" to ourselves, the better we look and feel! During my travels in Asia, I met a lot of local people and was struck by their glowing complexions, shiny hair, and healthy physiques. Many of these people, simply due to lack of means, did not have the option of indulging in much of what we take for granted in the West, whether it be skin and body products, cosmetics, gym memberships, fancy dietary supplements, and lots more.

So, I'm not going to suggest that we should think about giving up some of the truly beneficial beauty and health tools that so many of us are fortunate to have access to! I'm as much of a consumer as the next person and there are definitely things I wouldn't want to do without. But I think we can tend to over-expose and over-indulge ourselves, simply because we enjoy such abundance -- often to the detriment of our beauty and health. On that note, here are a few things I thought of to Reduce when it comes to beauty -- that will, in turn, benefit the environment, our wallets, and most of all, ourselves!

REDUCE:

1. the amount of personal care products you use. I was in someone's bathroom recently and their entire counter was filled with products -- cleansers, exfoliators, toners, moisturizers, sunscreen, night cream, neck cream, eye cream, serums, zit-zappers... This woman used all these products on a regular basis in an attempt to improve her skin, but, as she told me, her skin never felt "right". And no wonder -- all these products were "confusing" her poor skin! Our skin has its own abilities to cleanse, lubricate, protect and repair itself. Assaulting it with tons of products, especially ones with toxic ingredients, seriously impairs that natural ability.
2. personal care product ingredients. If you see a long list of unpronounceable, unrecognizable ingredients on your cosmetic labels, chances are there are things in there that you don't want on your skin. When it comes to skin care, a few high quality, natural ingredients can be so much more beneficial to your skin than an abundance of cheap, synthetic ingredients, no matter what they promise to "do". At the very least, avoid anything that contains parabens and phthalates. 
3. make-up. I'm not anti-make-up, but my personal opinion is that less is definitely more in this area. Most of us tend to look fresher and prettier without a lot of make-up. But aside from the aesthetics issue, it's important to remember that skin is meant to BREATHE. In fact, nature always intended that our skin be bare so that it can perform its natural functions and receive and produce important nutrients like vitamin D. If the thought of going "bare" freaks you out, think about trying one day a week with no make-up (that includes "natural" make-up like mineral make-up). You may find that you start feeling more comfortable about gradually paring down your make-up routine.
4. indoor workout activities. I hear a lot of people complaining about going to the gym -- they hate the expensive memberships; the hassle of driving there and finding parking; waiting in line for equipment; and just the lack of pleasure from being in a stuffy, sweaty, stinky environment. I'm not knocking gyms or any other workout establishment (I love my indoor yoga classes, after all!) but I suggest looking at ways to spend less time indoors and more outside, especially now that spring has arrived in many parts of the world! I believe that spending time outside in nature, moving our bodies and breathing in fresh air, is essential for our well-being. Taking in external beauty through all our senses truly enhances our own beauty.
5. hot water showers. I've said this before, but it bears repeating (if only to remind myself!) that long, hot showers really dry out the skin. Just think how much your skin, wallet, and the environment will thank you for reducing time spent in the shower!
6. shampooing. That "lather, rinse, repeat" idea is just a marketing tool to get you to use more shampoo. So is the idea of shampooing every day. Over-shampooing strips the scalp and hair, causing you to need more conditioner to replace what was stripped...an unhappy cycle. Over-shampooing impairs your scalp's ability to produce, in a balanced way, the natural oils necessary for shiny, healthy hair.
7. food wastage, especially when that food can be used for some fabulously effective beauty treatments! I thought of this because the other day a friend of mine was going to toss some bananas that had gone brown-ish and mushy. I don't blame her -- I don't like to eat mushy bananas either -- but these were the PERFECT texture for a banana facial mask! Think about ways you can use various foods that might have gone past the stage where they're palatable for eating -- but are great for masks and other beauty uses. I've posted some recipes in the past and will continue to post more!
8. time on the computer and in front of the tv. First, too much time in front of either is very detrimental to our eyes. Like our bodies, our eyes are meant to move, something they don't naturally do when staring at a small screen. Second, the more time away from the computer and tv, the more time we have to spend nurturing ourselves, whether it be pampering beauty treatments, or going outside for a walk, or spending time with people who make us feel great, or all those other things we often feel like we just don't have the time for in our busy schedules.

Okay, I know there a lot more things I could add, but this is just a start. If you have any ideas on ways to Reduce when it comes to beauty and health, I'd love to hear them! 

How to Be (Sort of) an Indonesian Princess, Part II

This lucky woman is receiving Lulur, a traditional Indonesian beauty treatment...

Hi everyone! Following my last posts about the beautifying benefits of eating turmeric, I wanted to talk about my other favourite way to use this gorgeous spice: on the outside. Asians have been using turmeric for skin treatments for thousands of years; its powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it popular for treating issues ranging from acne to eczema to sunburn. And its ability to cleanse and soften the skin, while leaving a subtle glow, has made it a star ingredient in body polishes and facial masks.

Just ask a Javanese Princess how beautifying turmeric can be. Since the 17th century, women of the royal court would receive regular skin polishing treatments known as Lulur -- a practice that continues today. The ingredients used in Lulur traditionally include a paste of finely ground turmeric, sandalwood powder, rice powder, and jasmine flowers -- often with the addition of other herbs and custom ingredients. The treatment begins with a relaxing massage to make the skin more receptive to the nourishing herbs. The paste is then applied; once dried, it's gently rubbed off, taking dead skin cells with it, and the body is washed off with warm water. A yogurt body-mask is then applied to balance and soften the skin. Finally, to finish -- a warm bath scented with fresh flower petals. Oh ya...to be a Javanese princess...

If you're inspired to try this at home, you can usually find the ingredients to make your own Lulur body mask (or you can buy it ready-made) at South-Asian markets or off the internet. Here's what to do.

Mix the following, and then add a splash of water to make a thick paste.

• 2 tbsp finely ground turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp finely ground rice powder
• 1 tsp sandalwood powder
• jasmine oil for fragrance if desired

First, massage all over with a favourite body oil (coconut oil works wonderfully!) Carefully smooth the Lulur paste onto your body and let dry. Gently (don't scrub!) rub the paste off. Rinse in the shower. Then, to balance and to cleanse the skin of remaining traces of the paste, rub your skin with plain yogurt. After rinsing, if you really want to go all out, you can finish with a traditional warm bath filled with flower petals.

If this all sounds like wayyyy too much effort, you might be able to find a spa that offers Lulur in your area! :)

And since I already know I'll hear from people telling me that they simply don't have the time to be an Indonesian-Princess without the personal beauty-attendants that generally come with this title, here's a much simpler and less time-consuming facial mask (that can be used on the body as well) for silky-smooth skin.

Mix about half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with some warmed coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Very gently smooth onto skin. Leave on for five to fifteen minutes and then wash off. You can also mix the turmeric with yogurt instead of oil.

Just a caveat about all of the above: you know how I mentioned the glow-enhancing benefits of using turmeric on the skin? Well, turmeric can literally leave a golden tinge, and if you're very fair, you'll want to be aware of this. If this is a concern, you might want to try the recipes above on just your legs or feet at first. If you are left with too much of a golden glow, don't worry, it'll wear off quickly.

And -- as turmeric can (temporarily) stain skin, just be aware that it can also stain towels, bed sheets, white counter tops... Don't let that dissuade you from trying it, though. I've shared various turmeric recipes with others throughout the years, and almost everyone who has tried it has loved it for its skin-smoothing abilities!

Shirodhara for Blissful Beauty

 

Hi everyone -- I hope you're all doing well! I'm back from my travels and had a fantastic time. I love going to Asia for so many reasons -- one being that traditional Asian beauty philosophy resonates with my own. Beauty is seen as a holistic concept that stems from a healthy and balanced body, mind and spirit. And -- harsh, punishing skin care, diet, and exercise regimes are eschewed in favour of those that truly nourish, inside as well as out -- yay!

I did a lot of beauty research there for a new project I'm working on -- some of that "work" involved spending time in spas, something I don't normally do when I'm in the West. The spa culture in Asia typically focuses on prevention and rejuvenation from a natural (as opposed to clinical) viewpoint. One of my favourite treatments was Shirodhara. Basically, Shirodhara involves having a continuous stream of warm, specially blended oil drizzled all over your forehead and scalp -- doesn't that sound great? ;)

Actually, it was sublime. Shirodhara, an Ayurvedic treatment thousands of years old, is designed to bring your mind and body into a state of deep relaxation. Oils are softly poured onto what some ancient traditions refer to as the "third eye" area (the acupressure point is right above the bridge of the nose between the eyebrows).

Shirodhara is said to have many benefits. For example, it apparently helps ease tension and stress and their effects on the nervous system; reduces problems like headaches, depression, anxiety; relieves eye, ear, nose and throat imbalances; strengthens hair follicles and nourishes hair; improves complexion for a radiant glow; and helps with insomnia. (Perhaps the insomnia relief is due to what some believe is the third-eye's relation to the pineal gland in our brain, which produces melatonin).

So -- I can't speak for all those benefits, but I have to say I did feel "glowy" afterward, and my hair was soft and moisturized from all that wonderful oil (it did take a couple of shampoos to really get it all out, though!) And I had an especially deep sleep that night after my treatment. And most important, the treatment was incredibly, blissfully relaxing. And relaxation is the REAL secret to beauty (will write more on this in later posts!)

Shirodhara is becoming more popular in the West these days, so depending on where you live, you may be able to find this treatment at one of your local spas (this is not a do-it-yourself thing). If you can, I definitely recommend treating yourself!