02/29/2012 In Skin Nutrition by bien-être

Ive recently been adding liquid chlorophyll to my drinking water and I am absolutely LOVING it, I even have my husband asking for it daily.

As we remember from science class (or Billy Madison,) chlorophyll is the “green stuff” found in all plants that helps transfer sunlight into energy. Interestingly enough, this “green stuff” was found to be the closest match to our blood composition. So, does this mean that we are giant walking plants? Maybe, but that’s not why I’m drinking green water. I’m drinking it because of the tremendous health and skin benefits.

Chlorophyll aids in digestion, increases the health of red blood cells, increases energy, aids in detoxification, helps assimilate minerals like magnesium and calcium, helps you retain the water you drink so you can fully benefit from it, acts as an amazing antioxidant, helps in wound healing and brings oxygen to the blood and tissues. Every single one of these also works to benefit the skin and keep it youthful and clear!

When one of my dear clients told me how wonderful she felt after adding chlorophyll to her daily regime, I thought Id test it out myself. I chose the peppermint flavor (natural peppermint oil is used, no artificial flavoring for me!) I love that it also acts as a breath freshener and tastes like mint tea…bonus! Try it out (with a doctor’s approval if you are being treated for any health condition, of course) and let me know what you think.

For more information, read this great article on chlorophyll.

Continue Reading...

No Comments

02/27/2012 In Spa Community by bien-être

It’s rainy and cloudy in San Diego today, so I thought I’d give you a cute little photo to help brighten your day, wherever you may be! Studies show that smiling can help raise your happiness level. Happy people tend to eat better, get more sleep, have more energy and have prettier skin as a result.

Although this isn’t directly related to skincare, it is really cute – and will make you smile, which will make you happier…

Continue Reading...

No Comments

02/21/2012 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Product Knowledge, Spa Community by bien-être

Bien-etre is featured on Discover SD again for the month of February! They love our Osmosis Stem Cell Facial almost as much as we do, and told their readers as much. Thanks for the love Discover SD, and for those of you who haven’t yet tried the Osmosis Pur Medical Skincare Line…do it! It’s a medical grade line formulated with the help of Dr. Ben Johnson. The ingredients are all organic and work by calming inflammation while boosting the health of the skin’s natural functions.

From Discover SD:

In a rejuvenating stem cell facial offered at Bien-Etre Spa, the skin is healed using the Osmosis Skin Care line also sold at the spa and online. Used on even the most sensitive of skin, nutrients within Osmosis Skincare are non-inflammatory and still highly efficacious. Osmosis addresses every aspect of skin damage including collagen/elastin production, scar tissue build-up, loss of skin nutrition and growth factors, and DNA damage. By using advanced ingredients, Osmosis is the first to offer DNA repair strategies using Zinc Finger Technology. Available products at Bien-Etre include the Osmosis Quench Moisturizer, Clarify Serum, Deep Clean Cleanser, Calm Serum, Catalyst Serum, and the Purify Cleanser. For more information, visit bienetrespa.com.

Continue Reading...

1 Comment

02/16/2012 In Ask-the-esthetician answers by bien-être

Hello,
I wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your blog. I am actually an esthetician myself and have been licensed since 2005. I have to say, I am so inspired and impressed with your knowledge and regularly read your posts for informative purposes. I recently completed RN school and received my license in search of something on a greater level to help with my esthetics career. I found an insatiable thirst for more knowledge, as I realized how much I do not know. The reason I am writing you, is with hopes that you will share you story and recommend your favorite knowledge sources for an esthetician. Thank you! – Erin

Erin,

Thanks so much for your email and the wonderful compliments! Here’s a little more information on my background.

I became licensed in esthetics when I was 17, and haven’t looked back! After school, I actually trained with some local estheticians and then trained with the Lancome Institut de Beaute, Paris. I worked as a Lancome Spa esthetician (they no longer have these spas in the United States – they are only in Paris now) for a few years, and then went on to work for other local day and resort spas. In each position, I continued to educate myself by reading, going to classes, and receiving treatments at local spas (one of the best ways to learn, actually.)

I worked as an esthetician at local day spas while getting my degree in Journalism and Art History at the University of Florida. While there, I took a few months off to live in Paris. I studied French at the Sorbonne, frequented as many museums as I could, ate lots of pastries and visited tons of spas! I received treatments, toured the Lancome Insititut in Paris and essential oil and parfum (perfume) factories, met with spa owners, etc. My experiences in Paris led to my determination to continue my work in esthetics and one day open my own business.

When I took a position as national educator for two different skincare companies, I did extensive training with nurses, doctors, nutritionists, formulators, biochemists, and other educators. This training was focused on ingredient knowledge, chemistry, nutrition, and specific training in LED, Microcurrent, ultrasound, etc.

I am constantly searching out skincare classes, seminars, nutrition and health lectures and workshops, as well as reading up on each of these topics. I make a point to stay current, but tend to focus my education on non-invasive skincare techniques and nutrition. I encourage you to never stop learning and educating yourself, and to receive treatments regularly from other therapists and estheticians. Just don’t tell them you are in the industry – practice being the client!

My favorite knowledge sources:

• books, articles, and anything else I can read
• seminars taught by skincare experts, biochemists, doctors, or nutritionists
• webinars
• skin care classes, either at shows or offered by various skincare companies
• traveling; visiting spas and receiving treatments

Stay Inspired and Thirsty!!

Continue Reading...

No Comments

02/15/2012 In Ask-the-esthetician answers by bien-être

I recently received a great skincare question from the blog and wanted to share it along with my answer as I know many of you are wondering the exact same thing.

If you have any skincare questions you’d like me to answer, simply click on the “ask-the-esthetician” button to the right!

Hi! I really like you site, and how it offers natural alternatives and always stresses the importance of making the the skin beautiful from the INSIDE (through diet and lifestyle). And I am currently working on that. However I also have a question on the use of retinoids. Most dermatologists are recommending there use, however I am hearing reports that they thin out the skin, worsen the existence of noticeable veins, and break capillaries—if used for an extended period of time. And although initially these results won’t be seen, over time it peels off layers of skin and increases the rate of aging. However, others say that that the exact opposite is true. Do you think I should use retinoids? I am only 20, so it is not as if I need some kind of quick fix for wrinkles—rather I would like something that builds my immunity to wrinkles over time. The only reason I want to use retinoids, is to help with my existent sun damage—however I wouldn’t want to look “beautiful” now just so that later on it will look worse or make me dependent on them. I apologize about the long question; however, any help would be appreciated =)

Great question!  I’m happy to help. It can get confusing when it seems like you are receiving two opposite messages on skincare. Retinoids refer to topical Vitamin A. There are three parts that make up a vitamin: the ester, the alcohol, and the acid. RetinA is retinoic acid (the acid part of Vitamin A.) Retinol is the alcohol part of the vitamin. Retinaldehyde is the ester part.

Retinoids are affective in treating many forms of skin imbalances because the Vitamin A is readily accepted into the nucleus of the skin cells where it strengthens the cell functions and encourages more energy in the skin. That being said, the form and source of retinoid you use make a big difference in the results you get as well as the side effects.

Retinoic acid causes irritation in the skin when used, which can lead to inflammation, dryness, redness, sun sensitivity, etc. This will cause skin inflammation which could eventually exhaust and deplete the skin. RetinA (the name brand widely prescribed by dermatologists, made by Johnson and Johnson) is a synthetic form of retinoic acid. I do not recommend the use of RetinA for any skin condition for these two reasons: acidic form and synthetic source.

Retinol can be very effective for the skin if used in higher doses, but will still cause sun sensitivity. Usage of retinol is fine if limited to a short period of time and if you balance it with a natural sun block to protect, as well as other vitamins and antioxidants to noursih your skin.

Retinaldehyde is my personal favorite. It’s stronger than retinol but much more gentle. In small doses, it will not cause any skin sensitivity yet will provide wonderful results in skin strengthening. You will still want to wear a natural sunblock during your time outside, for general sun protection.

To sum up, Vitamin A is truly wonderful for the health of your skin. I do recommend it’s use for everything from Rosacea and Acne to fine lines and Pigmentation. Just remember to find the best form and source, and include other factors for best results: a whole food diet, lots of water, a natural sunblock, gentle products to clean and nourish your skin in addition to the Vitamin A.

I think you’d really like the Osmosis Skincare Line, as seen here.

**For these products, it is important to not combine them with products from other lines. They work best when used exclusively. Absolutely no synthetic ingredients, acids (AHAs and BHAs or retinoids from other lines should be used at the same time as these products.

Continue Reading...

No Comments