Education

I’ve always been a fan of baths. Thirty minutes in a warm bath after a long day and I can cleanse away physical and mental stresses, emerging renewed.

Recently, I’ve made it a practice to always include salts in my bath as a way to boost my overall health and well-being. I was amazed to find that something as simple as magnesium sulphate- otherwise known as epsom salts could have such bountiful health benefits, a few of which I’ve listed below…

• Stress depletes our magnesium levels- epsom salts help to replenish this much needed mineral.
• draws toxins from the body
• sedates the nervous system
• reduces swelling
• relaxes muscles, relieves pain and muscle cramps
• helps produce serotonin improving mood and sleep function
• increases stamina and energy

I think the most important thing that people overlook is using the appropriate amount of salts in their bath in order to get the therapeutic benefits. The recommended dosage is at least three baths per week  with one to two cups of epsom salts per bath.

You can make it an aromatherapy experience by adding 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mine is lavender for it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, healing and soothing effects.

Integrating salt baths into your routine doesn’t have to break the bank. There are some more upscale bath salts that you can treat yourself to, like Sea Flora’s Soothing Sea Kelp Soak 250ml $23.95. But straight forward epsom salts are quite affordable-  

 4 cups / 32 oz.  for $8 or 2 cups / 16 oz. $5. Now that’s a bath that’s worth its salt! 

I am a skin care therapist, so it may seem odd that I would get so excited about make up, but I am.  I’m not talking about make up in the traditional sense though.

Why am I so passionate about mineral make-up? It’s simple really- I work with clients to improve the health and quality of their skin. They spend money on their treatments and on professional products, only to have this work, time and money laid to waste by a traditional make up full of dyes, talc, fillers, mineral oils, fragrance etc.

Since we opened four years ago, I’ve been wanting to bring in a mineral make up, but none of the brands that I’d been introduced to were a fit here at Spruce Body Lab- until we found ColoreScience.

ColoreScience is a mineral-based, treatment cosmetic developed in 2000 by Diane Ranger- the inventor of mineral make-up.  In addition to the highest quality and concentration of minerals, ColoreScience contains the latest advancements in skin care ingredients including peptides, antioxidants and vitamins to arrest the triggers of aging in the skin. 

ColoreScience minerals limit sun exposure by providing an SPF 20, camouflage uneven pigmentation and improve skin health and hydration without ingredients such as talc, dyes, fragrance, mineral oil, tars and preservatives found in traditional make-up formulations.

There are many brand variations of mineral make-up in the cosmetic market to choose from. Points to consider when choosing a treatment cosmetic are: what is the concentration of minerals and are there fillers or preservative present in the formulation?

The flawless, light coverage that enhances the natural beauty of the skin, rather than covering it up is what I find so gratifying about these products. There is an amazing camouflage palette to address scarring and pigmentation variations in the skin, that’s fool proof to use. I could go on and on.

If you’re curious about these products, book in consult with a Spruce Body Lab Skin Care Therapist and put your best face forward- stop hiding behind your makeup! 

Oh- and they have Menerals too for guys. It’s not as scary as it sounds. A VERY light amount of titanium dioxide to even out the skin tone infused with antioxidants to prevent aging. We have some men trying it so far- they’re adventurous and they look great for it!

Holiday Spirit

So we’re hosting a shopping event this Monday, December 8th from 6-9pm.  Amongst all the great deals, one thing that I’m very excited about for this event is that we’re asking for donations to the Vancouver Food Bank.  Everyone that brings a donation will be entered to win a package of six, 25 minutes infrared sauna sessions.

Office Christmas parties being cancelled has been an unfortunate reality with the recent economic down turn. We’ve been fortunate to still able to celebrate with the Spruce team this year.  Usually we do a gift exchange, but in the spirit of gratitude and giving back this year we’re taking a charitable approach and asking our team to bring a donation to the food bank or socks for the ‘Sox in the City’ sock drive.  This is a local charity campaign run by Vancouver Coastal Health that I read about in the Courier this week. Sox in the City helps maintain the foot health of Vancouver’s homeless by warming up their feet with a salt bath, bandaging cuts and blisters and giving them a pair of new and more importantly, dry socks.  

To learn more about this cause, check out: http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=030239c5-acd8-4977-8002-06edc6c26772

A key ingredient to look for in a skin brightening product is Vitamin C.  It helps to build collagen in the skin, it scavenges damaging free radicals and it lightens pigmentation; it plays a very important role in keeping our skin youthful.

The type of vitamin C that is used in  a skin care formulation is actually quite important.  You need to look for a stabilized form otherwise the vitamin C will be oxidized before it gets anywhere near your skin and it won’t give you any result. Oxidized vitamin C may potentially contribute to free radical damage in your skin which is contrary to it’s purpose for the skin. Unmodified vitamin C is very costly but highly effective in boosting collagen synthesis.  It is also very acidic and has an exfoliating effect on the skin, so it’s usually not suitable for sensitive skins.

The most potent and stable derivative of vitamin C for use in skin care is MAP (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate)- which is water soluble, highly effective for collagen synthesis and non-irritating. It tends to be more affordable, however, you just need to look for products that contain a large enough concentration in order to benefit the skin. This ingredient is resistant to oxidation, but it isn’t infallible, so freshness and proper storage are still important. 

So how does vitamin C prevent and lighten pigmentation? Without getting into too much detail- vitamin C inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme which is part of the process of melanin production.  By inhibiting this enzyme the production of melanin is reduced and therefore the pigmentation of the skin is brightened.

So it would seem that you need to take your vitamins externally as well!

MAP 15 Regenerator

Pro-Derm Ultra C 10%

Our web store has expanded! For the holiday season last year we opened our web store featuring gift certificates for dollar denominations and treatments. This year, we’ve added the full range of Dermalogica and Pro-Derm products.  Products junkies don’t have to leave the house in order to reap the benefits of professional products and it’s easier to share the addiction with friends and family by taking the foot work out of holiday shopping and simply pointing and clicking your way to stress-free/ stress relieving gifts.

Here’s link to our store to see what’s new. Spruce Body Lab Shop

Keep an eye out for special Holiday promotions to come!