With its characteristic sense of humor, autumn brings a dusting of snow one day and balmy Indian summer weather the next. Confusion reigns when it comes to wardrobe choices as well as skincare regimens. How best to cope as your skin adjusts to the dryer, cooler weather? Look to your favorite spa for solutions.
Seasonal Products and Treatments
Researchers at Bristol University in the UK have discovered that a rosy, slightly yellow skin is considered more attractive than tanned skin. The preferred look, they found, can be achieved by eating fruits and vegetables. Similarly, using skin ingredients rich in organic natural produce rejuvenates the skin, imparting a healthy golden glow. Signature spa treatments including facials, body wraps and manicures celebrate the season with fresh organic produce. Some of the hottest fall spa therapies are rich in antioxidant-rich seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin, cinnamon and apples.
At the John D. Stover Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii in Waimea, spa guests can choose from several different pumpkin-based therapies. Some of their 2011 fall selections include:
- The Pumpkin Spice Facial
- The Pumpkin Spice Body Peel and Wrap
- The Pumpkin Spice Massage
- The Pumpkin Spice Manicure/Pedicure
One of the richest sources of vitamin A, pumpkin is used in the pumpkin spice facial to reduce hyperpigmentation, heal blemishes and acne, and smooth wrinkles and lines. Spices such as cinnamon are used to calm redness and improve skin tone. The Pumpkin Spice Body Peel exfoliates rough skin and smoothes the skin leaving a soft glow. Used in combination with a Swedish massage, pumpkin improves the blood circulation and relaxes the nervous system. Used to soften and condition the hands and feet, spiced pumpkin rejuvenates the hands and feet.
Organic local produce is used to spice up the therapies at the top spas. Cynthea’s Spa in Burlington, Vermont is widely recognized for its Farm to Spa body treatments. Using fresh organic produce from the local Intervale Community Farm, Cynthea’s Spa has created unique treatments that nourish and heal the skin. Spa guests are invited to participate in the production of natural products made from fresh ingredients including maple syrup, apples, wine, honey, and pumpkin. Their signature Great Pumpkin Body Scrub and Wrap leaves the skin radiant and refreshed.
Recipes also abound for home-based facials and body scrubs using fresh or canned pumpkin and fresh grated apples. A list of simple recipes for do-it-yourself organic spa therapies is available at WebMD.
Commercial pumpkin lotions, masks, and scrubs are also widely available this year. Farmhouse Fresh’s Splendid Dirt contains a blend of organic pumpkin puree, yogurt, minerals and clays reported to deep clean the skin and unclog pores. Farmhousefreshgoods.com Renee Rouleau’s Pumpkin Smoothing Peel, which contains pumpkin puree as well as pineapple and papaya fruit enzymes, exfoliates skin, living a silky glow.
Hydrotherapy and Yoga Sessions
Hydrotherapy sessions, water aerobics and yoga or Pilates classes are all excellent ways to help prevent and reduce cold-induced joint pain and arthritis. Day spas, destination spas and wellness centers all have a variety of therapies designed to support and enhance both health and beauty. Spas accomplish this with therapies and classes which work to relax the body’s muscles and joints and calm the nervous system. Show your body that you care and reduce holiday stress by making your autumn health and beauty routines a priority. Scheduling regular spa therapies or arranging your own home spa sessions is the first step toward a spectacular fall season of enriched health and beauty.
Source:
Kate Devlin. “Fruit and Vegetables Improve Complexion More than Tan,” The Telegraph. Nov 17, 2009.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
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