The Lantern Skin Studio | Murfreesboro, TN 37128

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Why Pumpkin Makes for a Great Facial Ingredient

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As the seasons change, I enjoy featuring skin care treatments and facial services that highlight seasonal ingredients. Those seasonal and festive ingredients we love to eat and smell are often great for the skin too. Such is the case with the very multi-faceted pumpkin.

This fall, I am featuring an indulgent and aromatic Pumpkin Spice Facial that not only smells amazing, but also packs some major corrective benefits for the skin. So, aside from smelling amazing and putting us in a cozy autumn mood, what are the benefits of using pumpkin on the skin?

Pumpkin possesses a nice long list of biologically active properties that are well-known for producing beautiful results in the skin.

Natural Fruit Enzymes and Alpha Hydroxy Acids work to exfoliate dead surface cells leaving the skin soft and silky smooth. This softening and smoothing reduces the appearance of fine lines, improves skin texture, allows for better absorption of topical nutrients, and provides a more healthy glow to the skin.

Pumpkin is rich in Vitamins A and C. These powerhouse antioxidants soften and smooth skin while also boosting collagen production and working to combat the visible signs of aging in the skin. Antioxidant protection is a critical factor in skin health. Sun damage and other aging factors can be improved with adequate antioxidant levels both internally and topically.

Zinc is another beneficial active found in pumpkin. Zinc regulates oil production in the skin and can help decrease active breakouts as well as healing blemishes in the skin.

Pumpkin seeds, in particular, are high in Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin E. These properties provide moisture to the skin as well as much-needed barrier restoration to dry and compromised skin types.

Pumpkin Seeds in Skin and Facial Care
Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids.

The many skin-improving and anti-aging properties contained in pumpkin have made it a favorite among product formulators.

It is noted for increasing smoothness, firmness, and elasticity while also improving skin tone. Pumpkin is widely used in anti-aging formulations, and of course, smells delightful when used topically.

If you’re located in or around the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area and are ready to experience a luxurious combination of corrective skin care and blissful aromatherapy, definitely check out the limited-time-only Pumpkin Spice Facial!

Fun Fact: Research as shown that homes scented with pumpkin stay on the market shorter periods of time than other listings!

How a Silk Pillowcase Can Help Your Skin!

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As a skin care professional, one of my professional obligations is to maintain the appearance of my own skin. So, over the years, I have tried a myriad of lotions, potions, creams, and assorted tools all in efforts of finding a handful of the best products to provide to guests in my skin care studio. I have sought effective answers to skin care concerns – within an affordable price range.

And so my story begins about the quite simple, but beautifully effective – silk pillowcase.

A few months ago, I began to notice very thin horizontal lines under my eyes. I have been blessed with having very few signs of visible aging, so seeing these little lines was no minor matter for me. As I approach 40, I only ponder what these lines will look like in another 10 years. I use all the best cleansers, moisturizers, serums and eye creams. Yet, these particular lines seemed to be forming despite my doing everything “right” in my own skin care routine.

That’s when it occurred to me that it isn’t the products failing. It’s how I sleep.

I am a tummy or side sleeper. I’ve tried the back thing; it just doesn’t work for me. I’m one of those crazies who sleeps with my face smashed in a pillow, and I really don’t have a lot of desire to disrupt my cozy sleeping position. Though, I have tried – all in the name of beauty – I still find myself, face smashed into the pillow upon waking.

But what does that have to do with those (currently) barely visible horizontal lines under my eyes? Everything!

You see, when we sleep on our stomachs or sides, the pressure on our faces is pushing our cheeks up – this creates what I call a “crinkle” in the skin while we sleep. That crinkle is temporary, and goes away after we’re awake… for years. But one day… out from nowhere… we look into the mirror and that darned crinkle has actually begun to be a more permanent wrinkle. Well, we’ll call it a line. But lines become wrinkles later on. And although we may be armed with the most amazing peptide-rich cream, or be getting the most stellar professional skin care services in town – all that squishing up of our facial skin all night long can’t be completely corrected by products or treatments.

It’s a sad fact, but as an honest esthetician – I have to tell you we are not superheros. There are some things we can’t fix. Tummy-sleeper-eye-line-syndrome is one of them. I can plump that line, I can smooth it, I can even strengthen the tissues around it – but as long as that “crinkle” is being formed all night long, a line will eventually result (and worsen with time).

This article actually IS about silk pillowcases, but we had to cover the preliminary findings first. 🙂

After becoming quite disgusted with my crinkles, I began searching all around for solutions. From how to sleep differently, to very bizarre pillows that keep your head at a very bizarre position, to pillowcases, to tape – I researched a ton.

The bizarre pillow was several hundred dollars. Sorry, but if I’m investing a few hundred bucks into my bedroom – it won’t be for a pillow. As noted previously, I tried the sleeping on my back thing. Not happening. Then the tape… affordable solution, but strange feeling, and I can’t quite guarantee that leaving tape on my skin all night long wouldn’t eventually lead to some entirely different issue. So, the final test was a silk pillowcase.

Now, I don’t mean a satin pillowcase. I don’t mean a faux silk pillowcase. I don’t mean some synthetic silk-esque pillowcase.

I mean a bonafide silk pillow case.

I will give specifics a little later.

A silk pillowcase isn’t going to stop you from smashing your face in your pillow. But, it will reduce the tension and friction on your facial skin overnight. Because silk doesn’t wrinkle in the same way cotton does, or tug the same way other fabrics do, when your face is pressed against silk – you have less impressions left behind on the skin, and less pulling of the skin due to reduced friction between the skin and the surface of the pillow.

I was happy to have less crinkly-impact on my skin overnight, but then I discovered a whole benefit I didn’t know existed!

By about day 3 of using my fabulous new silk pillowcase, I noticed something rather remarkable when I washed my face… My skin felt completely different under my finger tips. Maybe you don’t pay attention when you cleanse your skin, and that’s totally okay! But, I do. So when I could tell the texture of my skin felt notably more smooth as I cleansed, I began some further research on what may have caused this, as the pillowcase was the only change to my routine.

What I learned is that silk does not absorb moisture like cotton does. Why does that matter?

Well, I’m sure you’ve heard or read somewhere to wear cotton socks and undies. Ever wonder why? It’s because cotton is super absorbent! It literally wicks away moisture from other surfaces. This is why we use cotton bath towels; think about it!

Silk, however, doesn’t do this. When sleeping against cotton, we’re exposing our skin to a substance that is quite effectively pulling moisture away from us all night long. Not a huge deal really – unless you’re speaking from an anti-aging standpoint. Moisture is critical to beautiful, healthy, youthful looking skin, so just a few days of my face resting on silk instead of cotton – and I was hooked.

Another added benefit is that due to its slippery surface, silk also keeps your hair in better shape. Silk pillowcases cause less hair breakage, again due to reduced friction and tension. I have also noticed a look somewhat less like Medusa in the mornings. My hair is notorious for looking CRAZY when I wake up – something in the silk has at least reduced that to semi-Medusa status. Some ladies actually use silk scarves to wrap their hair at night, but since skin is my focus – I’m just not dedicated enough to do the hair wrap at night. Feel free to try it yourself if you’d like.

So to recap:

  • Tummy and side sleepers actually develop lines on the face as a result all that crinkling of the facial skin going on against the pillow
  • This can’t be totally eliminated without a change in the way you sleep, but a silk pillowcase can definitely help
  • While you’re getting less crinkles, your skin will stay much more hydrated because silk won’t be sucking all the moisture out of your skin
  • This makes silk especially useful for dry skin – even if you don’t have crinkles yet
  • Silk pillowcases are great for your hair too

A few other points:

  • Silk pillowcases are fine for oily skin as well.
  • Some people do have an allergy to an enzyme in silk. But, I don’t care what substance it is – someone will be allergic to it. It’s the times we’re in. Rest assured, silk is a natural and safe substance and unless you DO have an allergy to it, it’s fine. Promise.
  • Don’t get cheapy knock-off pillowcases from who knows where made from who knows what. Shoot for 19 or higher momme charmeuse silk when possible. Momme is simply a measurement for the quality of silk.
  • Care for your silk according to manufacturers directions.

I have come to the professional conclusion that everyone should have a silk pillowcase! I absolutely adore mine, and it not only feels amazing to the skin, it has a very functional purpose: assisting the skin in staying hydrated and crinkle-free. Or, at least crinkle-reduction. Nothing is magic, but silk is pretty close!

DIY Citrus Foot Scrub

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Get ready to dazzle those open-toe and open-heel shoes! This simple and aromatic foot scrub will help you put your best foot forward!

Items You’ll Need:

  • 1 Cup Epsom Salt
  • 1/4 Cup Almond Oil or Olive Oil (almond oil has the most beautiful, delicate scent, but avoid it if you have nut allergies)
  • 10-15 drops Orange Essential Oil (available at most health food stores)

Now, all you need to do is find a container for your scrub, mix up your ingredients and you are DONE!

To Use Your Scrub:

1. Soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. The water does not need to be hot, just warm. You can add some Epsom Salts into your soak water for extra softening power!

2. Get out a generous scoop of your glorious scrub and work over your foot, be somewhat more aggressive on areas of thickened skin, and be more gentle on more delicate skin – especially on the top of your feet – don’t overdo it! Repeat on your other foot.

3. Rinse away salt and excess oil with warm water. You can use the tiniest amount of body wash to help lift excess oil from the skin, but this should be minimal – leave some of the oil in place.

4. Perform a gentle filing of both feet using either a pumice stone or a gentle foot file. Focus on your heels and areas of hardened, thickened skin. Do not file the tops of your feet! Rinse your feet again with warm water.

5. Apply moisturizer to your feet. One of the best topical treatments for dry feet is 100% pure, unrefined Shea Butter. Now, Shea Butter is thick, and you don’t want to be getting it all over the place, so I recommend that you do this just before bed, throw on a pair of comfy socks – and sleep in the Shea Butter. If you’re not heading straight to bed, and can’t really roam around in socks, just go for a nice moisturizing lotion. But, using the Shea Butter and sleeping in it will improve your feet tremendously.

A couple of notes:

  • These DIY jobs are always much more fun when you have a nice container! Specialty mason jars are a fun way to store your scrubs. But, on the quick, a plain old plastic container with a lid will do.
  • It is quite alright to play with this recipe a bit and switch up the type of essential oils you use. Lemon and lime are other nice options for a citrus flare. Be cautious with your essential oils, however. Essential oils are very concentrated, so start on the lower end of the drops – and add more if you need it.
  • Do NOT use this scrub on your face or body. I am not a fan of the overuse of salt on the skin of the body. Salt can be drying and too abrasive for scrubbing more delicate skin. Opt for sugar scrubs like my Olive Oil and Lemon Scrub for the skin of your body, and use ONLY professional exfoliants for your face/neck/decolette.

I hope you’ll enjoy this fabulous Citrus Foot Scrub! If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below!

Summer Skin Care Tips

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Check out these tips to learn how to keep your skin healthy, clarified, and vibrant all summer long.

  1. Don’t over-cleanse. Though you may be tempted to use aggressive cleansers through the summer when oil production increases and pores expand, there is no need to attack your skin with heavy hitting cleansers. Cleansing should be a gentle process. Eliminate excessive rubbing and scrubbing, and use only as much cleanser as you truly need to lift makeup and oil from the skin. When cleansing, always use “less cleanser, more water” – water creates slip and will enable you to cleanse thoroughly without wasting cleanser and stripping your skin. Cleansing properly will reduce surface debris while allowing the skin to stay hydrated and supple through the summer.

    Favorite cleansers for warm months: Lira Bio Enzyme Cleanser is great for normal and dry types. Osmosis Skin Care’s Purify is an excellent choice for normal to mildly oily skin, and Osmosis Skin Care’s Deep Clean or Lira’s ICE Sal cleanser are fabulous for oily and breakout prone skin.

  2. Don’t over exfoliate! Your skin is a protective layer that keeps much-needed hydration in and toxins and pollutants out. Constantly trying to strip away that layer of protective cells will prematurely age your skin more quickly than sun exposure! Exfoliation at home should be limited to once or twice weekly depending on skin type. Go for enzyme based exfoliants instead of aggressive rubs and scrubs. Enzymes gently munch away at dead surface cells and provide a more optimal (and skin friendly) exfoliation than harsh scrubs.

    Check out Osmosis Skin Care’s Polish exfoliator for a great at-home exfoliation treatment.

  3. Don’t skip professional treatments. We often think we don’t need as much care for our skin during the hot months, but regular professional treatments (of the right kind) are a huge help for maintaining great skin all summer long. Go for treatments that clarify and hydrate the skin without making your skin sun-sensitive. One of the best warm-weather skin care services is an UltraSonic facial. The ultrasonic technology does a beautiful job of deep cleansing and exfoliating the skin without disrupting the delicate lipid/water balance. Living cells are not disrupted, and nutrients can be pushed deeply into your skin creating maximum softness and plumpness. If you plan to have chemical peels or microdermabrasion during the summer, these should most always be extremely mild and light treatments. If you’re having more aggressive treatments in the summer, you should plan to stay indoors and not receive direct sunlight in the days following treatment. These services are best performed in the fall.

    Ultrasonic facials are a fantastic choice for a professional service that will deeply clarify and ultra-hydrate your skin during the summer months.

  4. Solar protection is important, but you don’t need to bathe in SPF. Despite all the scary warnings that the sun is evil, mankind was not designed to live in a cave. The fact is, we all need some Vitamin D. Where it gets tricky is that we have a melting pot of skin types in the USA and while some of us need very little direct sunlight (fair skin), and others needs considerably more to produce Vita-D (darker types). If you’re walking from your car to the grocery, or the grocery to the car – chances are, you’re better off to have no SPF protection and catch a few rays for Vitamin D. If you’re going to be out all day in the sun at the beach, the pool, the park, etc. of course, SPF is needed. The safest choices in solar protection are physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Steer clear of chemical sunscreens, although approved by the FDA, there is a lot of controversy surround chemical sunscreen agents that needs to be cleared up before I feel comfortable recommending them.

Summer is a great season to tweak your skin care regimen. Keeping your skin clarified while not stripping away precious lipids, choosing the right professional services, and making sun-wise decisions will all lead to a healthier, more vibrant complexion.

The Myth of “Fragrance Free” and Unscented Products

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Fragrance Free Skin Care

Can cosmetic and beauty products really be fragrance-free or unscented? Are these terms regulated? And, is it possible that some products claiming to be free of fragrance, or without scent, have actually had other chemicals added in order to mask the natural fragrance of the product?

Let’s take a look at the facts!

Nearly every cosmetic or beauty product that is manufactured will have some sort of “smell”. Think of all the substances that go into a typical beauty product (check the length of the labels), what’s the likelihood that none of those ingredients will have an innate scent? So, even if a product does not have added perfume or fragrance, and is lacking essential oils, there’s a good chance something in that product is going to give it some sort of scent.

But, the increase in allergies in modern times, increases in inflammatory concerns within the skin, and the over-use of synthetic fragrances has put a large sector of the population in increasing fear of anything with “fragrance” or that is not “unscented”. The beauty and cosmetic industries have not missed out on this trend. Any time fear is created about one type of product, there becomes a market for yet another type of product. And it is this fact that is driving the shelves at your local supermarket, beauty store, and possibly even your local day spa to have a host of unscented/fragrance-free options available for you to purchase. From shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotions, makeup, skin care products, and even deodorant, household cleaners and laundry detergent – the realm of personal care products has been saturated with products labeled as fragrance-free and unscented.

Any time fear is created about one type of product, there becomes a market for yet another type of product. 

The challenge with what I consider to be “shady labeling” is that these labels are often half-truths, if not completely dishonest.  Often consumers trust the labels without much further thought to the matter, and because it lists fragrance free or unscented – it must be healthier, right? Wrong.

Many products listed as fragrance free or unscented have been formulated with “masking scents”. These chemicals can cancel out the odor of certain ingredients, but some actually work to decrease your ability to detect the existing odor of ingredients! You may even find product labels that list “masking fragrance” as an ingredient! I’m not sure what’s worse – something natural that I can smell (even if I don’t like the scent), or some chemical that masks my ability to smell it in the first place. Think about that for a moment.

Now, let’s be clear. I’m not saying the over-use of fragrance in beauty products and personal care products is a good thing. In fact, 97% of “fragrance” added into personal care products is considered synthetic material, and I’m definitely not a fan of that. Natural fragrance (seemingly safer) comes from essential oils, herbs and various botanicals. But, even these natural fragrances can create allergic responses in sensitive individuals. I believe it’s important to make your product selections based on solid facts, and not be overcome with exuberance for a product just because it’s labeled as fragrance free or unscented. These two terms do not mean a product isn’t harsh, is free of chemicals, cannot cause a reaction, or are somehow of higher standards or quality. The terms fragrance free and unscented have no legal definition, hence the terms are not regulated. Further, companies that add masking fragrance to their products are not required to list this on the label.

Many products listed as fragrance free or unscented have been formulated with “masking scents”. These chemicals can cancel out the odor of certain ingredients, but some actually work to decrease your ability to detect the existing odor of ingredients!

For me personally, I am fortunate to not have trouble with a lot of reactions to household products with scents (laundry detergent, room sprays, cosmetic products, etc.). However, a simple walk through any heavily perfumed store (cough Ulta!), can really get my eyes, nose, and throat going. I have had to leave stores like this more than once due to the feeling of an impending asthma attack. So, though I don’t experience a lot of trouble with fragrance-reactivity, I can certainly feel  the pain of those who do. This is why I’m very selective of the types of products I use in my skin care practice and why I don’t scent my studio with the use of candles, sprays, or oils. You just never know if the next guest walking in the door may be a highly reactive type.

The terms fragrance free and unscented have no legal definition, hence the terms are not regulated. Further, companies that add masking fragrance to their products are not required to list this on the label.

This all said, I don’t buy into the hype of unscented and fragrance free products in my professional skin care selections, as I have seen people have allergic reactions to such products despite their lacking of a detectable scent. I opt for products where what I smell – is just what’s in the product – the actives- not added fragrance. I have a few products that have the scent of citrus, or smell a bit like vanilla. The reason? Because the products actually contain citrus and vanilla – not synthetic fragrance. If I have someone who doesn’t like either of those scents, obviously those would not be good product choices for the client. But, I would never dream of bringing in a line that claims to be completely fragrance-free or unscented because I know that in order to make a product have zero smell, there’s a huge chance that some chemistry-magic has been done to make that happen. It’s just unnatural for a product with 12-20 ingredients to have no scent whatsoever.

You’ll ultimately have to decide what’s for you, what you can tolerate, and what you can’t. But, the next time you see those friendly notices that a product is fragrance free or unscented, give it a second thought. And definitely start checking your labels for “masking fragrance”! Keep in mind, that the absence of masking fragrance on an ingredient list does not indicate that there aren’t chemical fragrance blockers in the product as these ingredients do not have to be listed.

DIY Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub

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Pumpkin Spice Facial | Murfreesboro, TN This super-aromatic homemade body scrub is sure to get you into the autumn groove.

A couple of notes before we get started on the recipe…

As a person who has fallen victim to the “more must be better” mindset, let me assure you in advance that when it comes to the use of cinnamon on your skin, more is definitely not better!!! I once added some extra cinnamon to a DIY face mask only to find myself looking like a close cousin to a boiled lobster for several hours after the “treatment”. So, please, though the body skin is tougher than the face – just don’t be heavy handed with your spices!

Lastly, this is a body scrub and isn’t appropriate for the delicate skin of your face, neck, and chest. Leave it for hands, arms, elbows, legs and feet. If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the almond oil for coconut oil. And as always, watch that slippery bathtub floor anytime you’re using oil-based scrubs!

Now for the recipe!

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/3-1/2 cup almond oil (can be substitute with coconut oil, though harder to mix coconut oil is a wonderful oil for the skin)

Directions:

  • Combine both sugars and all spices together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Add enough almond oil to saturate the mixture without having a lot of excess oil standing over the mixture.
  • Stir mixture thoroughly  to combine all ingredients and distribute oil.
  • Store in an air-tight container. Scrub should be used within 2 months. To avoid contaminating homemade scrubs, it’s always a good idea to remove the scrub from your storage container with a spoon or spatula instead of fingers.