The Aveda Company has a loyal fan base, but somehow, only insiders seem to know the wonders of their effective and advanced skin care products. Founded by Horst Rechelbacher, the Aveda mission statement is “to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society.” They are true environmentalists in practice not just in theory and business practices, but literally too – they use recycled packaging and make eco-friendly products. They believe not only in protecting and preserving the environment, but also in helping the environment to continue to grow and flourish. They partner with many indigenous cultures to create mutually beneficial arrangements that bolster economies in foreign developing nations and encourage locals to become self-sufficient.
Now, as we all know, environmentally friendly cosmetic products tend to be either A) really smelly B) devoid of scent or C) tend not to work very well. And, when it comes to my skin, well, let’s just say that I’m obsessive. I’m also tired of too many products. When I travel, I have to pack a separate suitcase just to support my skin care regime. Now, you know I love the Jurlique line. What’s not to love? But after two years I thought a change was in order, and I definitely needed to simplify. Let me preface this entire article by saying that no skin care regime will change your life or your skin forever. Changes in diet, stress, sleep patterns, and hormones all affect your skin. But, if you make a practice of nurturing yourself on the inside as well as the outside, you’ll see dramatic results in the health of your skin. Makes sense, right?
I made the switch to Aveda about a month ago after I had an Aveda facial in Miami. My skin was winter-dry, dull, and clogged. Afterwards it was smooth, clear, and soft. How can this be in a world where the temperature won’t reach 50 degrees? The answer is Tourmaline, the main ingredient in Aveda’s Tourmaline line. Tourmaline itself is a natural gem, which acts as an energy reserve that intensifies the effects of other ingredients in the products.
The Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Crème combines 12 plant derivatives, marine elements, 10 antioxidants, vitamins, and of course Tourmaline. Tourmaline, which acts as a conductor for the plant energy and the crystalline energy, energizes the skin and boosts it with moisture and vitamins.
If your skin is sensitive Tourmaline is not for you because the product’s ability to promote cell turnover and empower other ingredients will prove harsh. for your skin and Aveda has an entire line for sensitive skin. Likewise, if you’re prone to breakouts, like I am, prolonged use of the Tourmaline Cream is not recommended because the cream will be too rich for you. For daily moisturizing, Aveda makes a lightweight daily face lotion called Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion.
If your skin tends to be oilier, especially around the t-zone, you can also try the [b]Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion[/b] with SPF 15 as a daily moisturizer. The lotion is oil-free and it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamin C and E, natural fatty acids, and Vitamin A to smooth fine lines and boost cell turnover. Those of us who break out or have lackluster skin need to exfoliate because our skin can’t do it alone. There are several ways to exfoliate – you can scrub to physically remove dead skin cells, or you can use a chemical exfoliant like Lactic or Glycolic Acid, found in serums, lotions, and peels. As a person with sensitive, combination skin who often experiences break outs, scrubs and glycolic acid mean one thing – irritated, dry, flakey skin.
The Tourmaline Charged Radiance Fluid has worked wonders in less than a month. Using Tourmaline and plant essences such as lavender and geranium, the Radiance Fluid reduces the size of pores and boosts cell turnover without the negative side affects of alpha-hydroxy or glycolic acids, which tend to leave your skin irritated and susceptible to sun damage. Plus, the Radiance Fluid is suitable for most skin types.
The Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser pairs well with the Tourmaline line as a cleanser, or with the Hydrating Lotion. It cleans while normalizing the skin with lavender, chamomile, and Vitamin E. But no skin care routine is complete without an eye cream and the Tourmaline Charged Eye Cream is great for treating shadows and fluid retention. Being of Mediterranean background, I suffer from the dark-circles-under-the-eyes-syndrome.” The eye cream helps reduce my dark circles and leaves the skin under my eyes so soft that under eye-concealer goes on like a dream. The crème seals in moisture, improves skin elasticity, and brightens dark circles with “light diffusing silica.”
If you like the spa experience but can’t always get to the spa, the Tourmaline Charged Radiance Masque will help you to exfoliate those layers of dead skin with corn-derived sugar, muru butter, avocado oil, shiitake mushroom, lycopene (a tomato derivative), and of course, Tourmaline. Depending on your skin type, you can use the masque with one of Aveda’s Balancing Infusions in one of three essential oil formulas: dry, oily/acne, or sensitive Skin.
If you need a protein pack to condition your hair or you skin is really dry, from your cuticles and elbows to your feet, our last suggestion is the Aveda Beautifying Composition; its blend of lavender, rosemary, bergamot, jojoba oil, and vitamin E make for an effective supplement to hair and body products. Mix it with your favorite body moisturizer to seal in moisture after a shower or add a few drops to your bath at night. The lavender will relax and soothee you, helping you to get your beauty sleep.
Every skin type is different and I strongly recommend going to the Aveda website http://www.aveda.com to find an Aveda Salon near you. The Lifestyle Salon/Spas and the Concept Salon/Spas are your best choices because the Aveda-trained cosmetologists there really know the ins and outs of the products and will deliver a proper and accurate skin consultation.
