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NEW! Bio-Organiqué Facial & Products

Published on 10/18/11 11:36AM by Natalie Leighton

GM Collin Bio-Organiqué Line answers the needs of those who want to respect their skin and respect their environment without having any doubts about the choices they make. For this reason, GM Collin has observed the most stringent ethical guidelines required to create products with a natural and organic ingredients.

Ingredients Include:
Avocado: 
Nourishes and protects the skin with a rich supply of Omega 3, 6, & 9. It replenishes the skin’s barrier function and reduces transepidermal water loss.
Fig:
Envelopes the skin with effective natural moisturization while also preventing dehydration for a complete revitalizing effect.
Ginger:
Gently purifies the skin with its anti-microbial properties. It improves blood circulation while also providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Olive:
Promotes natural hydration and re-enforces the ski barrier with a calming, soothing effect.
Lavender:
Calms, gently purifies, and reduces skin redness while its soothing natural aroma awakens the senses.
Orange water:
Revitalizes and hydrates the skin. Rich in Vitamin C, it diffuse directly into the epidermis, enhancing natural hydration.
Concord Grape:
A powerful antioxidant, rich in polyphenols, that neutralizes free radicals to help the skin avoid the signs of premature aging.
Alfalfa:
Stimulated the natural synthesis of collagen, giving the skin a fresh radiance that leaves it revitalized and younger-looking.
Green Tea:
The ancient remedy and antioxidant has proven its great powers with the test of time. Its anti-inflammatory properties also heal and calm the skin.
Pumpkin Seedcake:
Soothes the texture and natural elasticity of the skin while revitalizing ski tone for a more youthful appearance.
Rice:
Eliminated dead skin cells for skin that radiated with brightness. Refines skin tome by unblocking pores, which also facilitates the crucial function of cell regeneration.
Wild Mango & Shea Butter:
A unique combination of highly nourishing actives that comfort the skin and promote its naturally repairing ability, leaving the complexion soft and smooth.
Argan Oil:
Lush and delicate, it is one of the most nourishing and protective natural elements for the skin. It helps cell regeneration and maintains ideal skin tone.


Organic ingredients used in G.M. Collin products are certified by three of the most venerable international organic certifications: Ecocert, QAI (Quality Assurance International) and NOP (the U.S. National Organic Program led by the USDA). *
The farming of these ingredients is done in a way respectful of the ecosystem and emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance the environmental quality for future generations.
Certified organic ingredients are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, or genetically modified ingredients. Mineral oils, silicones, prabens, artificial preservatives and animal products are equally not permitted, and all finished products, containers and packaging must be fully recycled and recyclable.
Organic certification also analyzes a producer’s manufacturing process, from the transportation and storage of ingredients and products to efficient energy use and environmentally responsible waste disposal.

 

*ECOCERT: founded in France in 1991, operated inspection agencies in over 80 countries, certifying food products, cosmetics, detergents, perfumes, and textiles.
QAI: Quality Assurance International: Founded in California in 1989, operates in the US, Canada, and Japan. Also coordinates with inspection standards in Europe and South America. Certifies food products and harvested produce.
NOP: The National Organic Program: Overseen by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) founded by the US Federal Government in 2002. Certifies and enforces national standards on organic agricultural production, handling, and processing.

2011 Winter Skin Care Guidelines:

Published on 10/18/11 11:35AM by Natalie Leighton

 

The low humidity common in many parts of the United States during winter can cause dry, irritated skin. When skin becomes dry and irritated, eczema can flare. Here are some tips to help skin feel more comfortable during winter or anytime the air is dry:

1. Use a humidifier. With the heat on and the windows closed, the air inside can become very dry in the winter, making the dryness and itching of eczema even worse. Use a humidifier to place moisture in the air. If you don’t want to invest in an expensive humidifying system, smaller, relatively inexpensive humidifiers can be obtained at a local drug store. Placing two or three of these around your home will help to humidify the dry air. This can keep skin from drying and becoming cracked and itchy.

2. Switch to an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come in ointment form contain the most oil because an ointment, by definition, consists of 80% oil and 20% water. This water-in-oil emulsion forms a protective layer on the skin and makes it more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions. Ointments are especially beneficial when humidity is low. Ointments should not be used on areas of the body that tend to get hot and sweaty.

3. Before Going Outside in Winter:
• Apply a heavy layer of moisturizing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the face, hands, and any other skin that may be exposed. This will act as a barrier to help protect against the harsh elements and is especially important if you will be outside for any length of time. Sunscreen is important in winter as the sun’s reflective powers are great year round - 17% on the sand and 80% on the snow. Today, several products are available that combine oily, moisturizing cream with sunscreen. If you are unsure of which product to use, please call our receptionist or aesthetician.

• Grab those gloves. Protecting hands from the cold air and low humidity plays an important role in preventing flare-ups. Make sure the gloves are made from material that does not irritate your skin. Some patients find that wearing a cotton mitten next to the skin and a woolen mitten over the cotton one, keeps hands warm and dry.

4. Dress in layers. The most common triggers of the scratch/itch cycle are sweating and overheating. Wearing layers allows you to remove clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin.

5. Shed wet clothes and shoes immediately. These can irritate the skin and cause a flare-up.

Spring Skin Care: An 6 week program to get your skin ready for exposure

Published on 03/12/09 01:17PM by Natalie Leighton

It's almost the end of our famous New England winters and our Aesthetician Alexis, would like to get everyone ready for Spring Skin with some easy steps. Now is a good time to rejuvenate your skin by following these basic steps: Exfoliate, Cleanse, Nourish, Tone and Moisturize. Start your ‘New Spring Skin’ regime about 6-8 weeks before you plan on ‘exposing all’ to the world to give your skin a chance to renew itself…in the process, you’ll feel fresh and revitalized within and without.

Come in for a treatment and Spring Skin Outline specifically for your skin-type by making an appointment, call 413-253-2214. All products mentioned below are available at the office. Samples are available as well.


1. Cleansing

Cleansing lotions are gentle but effective and can be used daily to remove make-up and the grime that accumulates on the skin during the course of the day.

 

2.Exfoliation

Exfoliation in itself is a great way to not only remove layers of old dead skin that have accumulated during winter but to also stimulate the circulation in the skin and the production of new skin cells.  Microdermabrasion is one of the most effective methods of exfoliating, as well as one of the most sucessful.

Exfoliation can be done in a variety of ways: dry or moist, using a luffah mitt or a natural scrub of some kind or a combination of these approaches. When choosing your exfoliation method, you need to consider the part of your body you are working on: facial skin and skin in more ‘sensitive’ areas should not be too vigorously exfoliated, especially if you have a sensitive or delicate skin type.

Exfoliating scrubs that contain natural abrasives, such as fine ground rice, oatmeal, tea tree bark and pumice have been found to give good results, although pumice is not recommended for the face, neck and delicate skin areas.

Your scrub can be of a foaming type with a ‘soapy’ base or a creamy base type – in either case, the base provides lubrication to make use of the scrub more easily.

Exfoliation can be done daily if a very gentle scrub is used but generally it is recommended that exfoliation be done every second or third day to avoid irritating the skin. Also, exfoliation is best done BEFORE applying your toner, nourishing cream or moisturizer.



3. Tone and Calm

After you have completed your exfoliating and cleansing steps, it is time to tone and nourish your skin. Toning used to be done with alcohol-based toners but this practice has largely been discarded due to the drying effect that alcohol has on the skin. It is now more usual to use botanical-based products, Witchhazel, aloe vera, rosemary extracts and apple cider vinegar have a toning effects but be wary; if you feel any dryness discontinue use and ask your Aesthetician for a recommendation. Essential oils like chamomile or a Vaso-Tonic can also be used in toning preparations for an anti-inflammatory effect.

Toning helps to ‘calm the skin down’ and restores the acid mantle to the skin after exfoliating and cleansing.

4. Moisturize and Nourish

The final step to your ‘New Spring Skin’ is the application of nourishing and moisturizing creams, lotions or serums to the skin.

These products are formulated to retain moisture in the skin and to protect the skin from the effects of external factors.

Nut and seed butters and oils are commonly used as bases or carriers of other ingredients such as essential oils and have the added benefit of providing a protective waterproof layer to the skin surface. Inclusion of fruit extracts, botanicals and micellised vitamin preparations provide the nourishing component in this important step and also address the needs of particular skin types or skin problems.

Moisturizers should be used daily after cleansing and toning and especially after exposure to the sun, bathing or showering, to replace the natural protective oily surface layer to the skin.

The use of moisturizers in this way helps to prevent premature skin aging and other types of skin damage.

 

5. Protection/Nutrition
Sun screens are necessary to prevent and reverse aging skin and prolong young and healthy looking skin.
Remember, the sun is the number one aggressor to the health and appearance of our skin.