Skincare and Pregnancy: What to Avoid

Anyone who has experienced or is experiencing pregnancy can tell you there’s a lot of advice, information, and guidelines out there. About what to avoid during pregnancy. About what you must do. About changes to your body you maybe weren’t even taught about. So what about our skincare? Your body is going through a lot of changes… does your skincare need to as well? 

Here’s a straightforward guide regarding ingredients to avoid (and how they intersect with the skincare lines we offer at Menari) to take one stressful spiral off your plate. 

Retinoids (Vitamin A Derivatives)

Retinoids are often found in anti-aging creams and acne treatments, and they’re the most important one on this list likely to keep an eye on. These derivatives might show up as tretinoin or retinol in your ingredient lists for topicals. It’s important to think about oral retinoids as well, such as isotretinoin (previously known as Accutane) which has a correlation with birth defects.

While Laurel Skin, a mindfully sourced plant and herbal-derived skincare line, doesn’t have any products containing these ingredients, our other skincare line Osmosis does offer a line of serums with Vitamin A derivatives. 

You can investigate their Vitamin A Serums to see what products you might already have, but the percentage of retinaldehyde does not exceed recommended dosage for safety during pregnancy in any of their products. Osmosis is derived to be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

High-dose Salicylic Acid

The use of salicylic acid itself isn’t inherently unsafe, but if it’s at a high enough dose it is discouraged during pregnancy. This is due to its similarities to aspirin, which can also cause issues. 

Avoid over the counter products with high levels of this acid as well as heavy chemical peels or potent serums. 

Neither the Osmosis Skincare or Laurel Skin lines have any products where salicylic acid is of concern. 

Sprinolactone

This medication is often prescribed to women for hormonal acne, among other uses, and should be avoided due to its effects on said hormones. As you would typically be prescribed this via a doctor, you don’t need to worry about this one having snuck its way into your skincare at any point. You’ll know if you’re taking it. 

Essential Oils

High concentrations of essential oils can cause uterine contractions or bleeding and should be avoided in your skincare products. Specifically, avoiding rosemary, sage, and clary sage as they have the strongest links to these complications.

For Osmosis Skincare, there are only a few products that have essential oils from rosemary and clary sage, and none with sage. Their Clarify Serum has rosemary leaf extract while their Hydrating Herb Mask contains clary sage. Neither is above the recommended oil dilution, but if you’re concerned, avoid those two products. 

The majority of Laurel Skin’s products contain essential oils at a low dilution of less than 1%, far below what would be considered a danger. Their products with higher levels of essential oils include: Blemish Treatment, Anointing Oil, California Body Oil, and Sun Body Oil. If more sensitive, these would be the products of theirs to avoid during pregnancy. 

The Takeaway and Substitutions

Always, these are just general guidelines and a medical professional can provide a more nuanced conversation, but every person’s body is different. Some are more sensitive to oils or retinol, while some have less of a response. It’s important to listen and trust your body during this time. 

The best pregnancy skincare routine often comes down to a simple gentle cleanse, moisturizing regularly, and wearing sunscreen to protect your skin. Choose mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for optimal protection, and you can always swap retinoids for azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid. There are always options with your skincare, even when certain things need to be avoided, to leave you feeling your best. 

DISCLAIMER: this information is for educational purposes only, always consult your OB-GYN or Dermatologist for personalized advice. Every person’s body is unique. 

Establishing a Teen Skincare Routine

It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. The earlier you begin a skincare routine, the easier consistency becomes. An effective skincare routine doesn’t have to be a complicated one!

Understanding your skin type is a great first step for deciding what products are best suited for you. What do you have?

• Dry Skin. This skin type is often rougher, potentially itchy, and dull with smaller pores. As you’re shedding more skin cells and your skin fails to produce oils, your skin struggles to stay hydrated and plump. 

• Oily Skin. Just the opposite! Your skin is happily producing oils which in turn can clog pores, cause shine and breakouts, and bigger pores. Because oil production is affected by hormones, there are any number of things in a teens’ life that can trigger this excess. 

• Combination Skin. It’s just what it sounds like: a combination of the two. Your ‘T-Zone’ (forehead, nose, and chin) tend to lean more oily, while other areas of your skin are dry. You may need a combination of products to handle both skin types. 

Depending on what type of skin you have, you want to tailor your products toward your needs, but regardless these three products are a recommended must for any teen skin: a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sun protection. 

Cleanser

Cleansing is an important step for clearing the skin of dirt, oils, and any other daily pollutants or dry skin buildup. This will ensure keeping your skin clean and healthy, limiting breakouts and flare ups. We recommend cleansing 1-2 times daily for teen skin. 

For oily or combination skin, a cleanser featuring salicylic acid will help with tackling acne. Avoid using harsh exofilants—many varieties are too abrasive and can cause unnecessary damage to skin.

Side note: if you’re a makeup wearer, you may need an additional step to ensure removal of waterproof products or heavy foundations. Some cleansers are up for the job, but it’s possible you’ll need to integrate a double cleanse into the routine. Products like Osmosis’s Lift Away are great options for dissolving makeup and hydrating the skin, followed by a gentle cleanse if needed. 

Moisturizer

Hydration is a must! Our skin needs moisture and water to feel plump and function at its best. 

If you’re dealing with dry skin, then you know how much hydration can help. Using a thicker, creamier moisturizer to lock in moisture (especially at night) is a great option to help support your face. 

On the other hand, a more oily or combination skin type might seek out an oil-free, lighter moisturizer. 

Sometimes, especially during hotter times of the year, using something lighter during the day but heavier at night may be a good option for any skin type. Plus, don’t forget to drink your water. Seriously. It’s that important to your skin health. 

Skin Defense

Again, a daily sunscreen truly is one of the best products in anyone’s skincare arsenal. Especially for teens. If you start with proper skin defense early, you’re protecting your skin from one of the strongest contributing factors to skin aging and potentially dangerous sun damage. 

Make sure to choose the right product for your skin. You’ll want to use something designed specifically for the face with at least SPF 30 so it both isn’t too heavy on and properly protects your skin. A proper coating on your neck is just as important as your face if you’re truly trying to reduce potential for sunspots, burning, and fine lines and wrinkles in the future. 

What Else Might I Need?

Don’t start too complicated. You have plenty of time to add, adjust, and tailor your skincare for yourself over the years, so put a focus on establishing routine and choosing the right products. Sometimes this takes experimentation, not to mention your skin may and likely will change over your teen years, so don’t be afraid to adapt as necessary. You’re doing your best, and that’s what matters. 

When in doubt, consult with one of our estheticians or your dermatologist for skincare advice.

The Power of Phospholipids: All About The Liposome Infusion

Osmosis’s Liposome Infusion is one of the newest additions to Menari Bodywork’s skincare arsenal, currently found in our Luminous Winter Renewal Facial. It offers big results through its use of phospholipids, which act as a second barrier for our skin by mimicking the skin’s natural lipids to seal in product. Then, the phospholipids help deliver the active ingredients deeper into the epidermal structure. The Liposome Infusion’s phospholipids enhance nutrient delivery up to 600%, which would sound too good to be true if it wasn’t, well, true. 

The Liposome Infusion is all about hydration. Phospholipids are both hydrophilic, i.e. attracted to water, and hydrophobic, i.e. repelling of it, which together combine to attract and fully absorb water to maintain balanced, hydrated skin. They also assist in reparative functions, supporting long-lasting comfort and visible softness. 

It’s a perfect tool for chapped, dry, and dehydrated skin—hydrating deeply, brightening, and smoothing. This is the most hydrating product in our toolbelt, providing long-lasting and visible results. Skin appears supple, smooth to the touch, and radiant with a glow you can feel immediately. You’ll love what you see, but, more importantly, you’ll love how you feel. 

Read more about the Luminous Winter Renewal Facial.

The 5 Best Winter Skincare Practices

Because maintaining your skin in the winter is just as important as in the summer! 

1. Moisturize Often & Routinely!

Using a rich, hydrating moisturizer, especially after washing your face or showering, will help maintain the hydration of your skin. If able, applying moisturizers while the skin is still damp helps the hydration reach more deeply. Depending on your skin type, an oil-based moisturizer as opposed to a water-based one may be more effective. 

Pro tip: Don’t forget about your lips! Use a SPF lip balm to protect your lips from chapping. 

2. Use Gentle Cleansers & Limit Hot Showers 

Use a mild, fragrance-free hydrating cleanser (or oil-based if your skin is naturally dryer or more sensitive) to avoid dry skin. Using harsh soaps can strip the skin's natural oils, leaving your skin less protected from free radicals and the weather. 

Avoid long hot showers. Believe it or not, water can dry out your skin, too, and though it feels good, bathing in hot water for too long can leave your skin seeking out more hydration. Opt for lukewarm water instead. 

Pro tip: Gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing vigorously to avoid breaking the skin's natural barrier. 

3. Use a Humidifier! 

Indoor heating can significantly dry out the air. Using a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom, can help maintain the moisture in your skin through maintaining the moisture in the air. 

 4. Apply sunscreen daily 

Yes! Even in the winter seasons, your skin is still vulnerable to sunburns. More mild, perhaps, but still a risk with UV ray exposure, especially during those clear sky days. Using a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 on your face and hands will lessen the risk of skin cancer and lessen physical effects of skin damage.

5. Protect Your Skin From the Elements! 

Wear gloves, scarfs, and hats to shield your skin from cold, dry wind and UV rays. Both can agitate and dehydrate the skin, leaving chapped and even sometimes cracked skin behind. For hands, use a rich hydrating cream and apply it regularly to avoid dryness and chapping.

—Emily Iverson, Lead & Licensed AP Esthetician

The 10 Best Home Skincare Practices

What you do at home with your skin is just as important, if not more, than your routine facials! Our daily habits build on top of each other, much like brushing your teeth and flossing between visits to the dentist. Your skin’s resilience and clarity strengthen through routine, which is why we’ve compiled this list to help you best take care of your skin while at home. Set yourself up for success with these 10 skincare practices!

Number One: Cleanse

It’s simple, but it might be one of the most important things you can do within your skincare routine! Washing your face daily helps eliminate the buildup of oils and dead skin cells, keeping the skin clean and uncongested.

Using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, applying the product using your fingertips and making sure to fully massage it into the skin before removing with a clean washcloth. 

If you’re a makeup-wearer, it might even be beneficial to double cleanse the skin!

Number Two: Remove Makeup at Night

If we don’t remove makeup at night, we’re leaving product on our face to clog pores and irritate skin as we sleep. Removing makeup before bed will help avoid those clogged pores turning into breakouts, ensuring your skin takes part of the natural renewal process while you sleep. 

Any sort of cleansing balms or oil-based cleansers tend to be most effective for makeup removal.

Number Three: Moisturize!

Your skin craves moisture. Moisturizing daily helps maintain your natural skin barrier and prevent dryness. 

It’s important to moisturize according to your skin type! For oily skin, you may want to use a lightweight, non-pore clogging formula. While for dry skin, a richer cream formula with hyaluronic acid will keep the skin hydrated. 

If you happen to have combination skin, we suggest using a balanced formula or to even try separate moisturizers—something more hydrating for dryer spots, lighter for the T-zone. 

Number Four: Exfoliate 

When it comes to exfoliating, it’s best to only do it two to three times a week. We want to exfoliate regularly but gently. If you exfoliate more, the process can end up stripping the skin too intensely and lead to dry skin or acne breakouts, compromising the skin’s barrier. 

Exfoliation is beneficial for removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores to reveal smoother, brighter skin whilst allowing for better product penetration. 

Number Five: Sunscreen 

This step is so important, we almost should have put it first! Having a daily sunscreen, at least SPF 30, will prevent sun damage that can cause premature aging, dark spots, and increased risk of skin cancer.

Apply sunscreen after your moisturizer and every two hours when in direct sun.

Number Six: Add a Serum

Having at least one serum in your routine can help target specific skin concerns. Serums are potent products that have high levels of powerful, active ingredients. 

Vitamin C serums brighten the skin, which can be great for reducing dark pigmentation and protecting against harsh environmental toxins. 

Hyaluronic Acid serums hydrate and plump the skin, great for anti-aging. 

Retinol serums encourage skin cell turnover to reduce acne and fine lines. 

Apply these products after cleansing and before moisturizing for maximum effect!

Number Seven: Hydrate Within 

Your skin's health is closely tied to your overall health. So drinking plenty of water will keep your body and skin well-hydrated. Make sure to keep water handy to maintain plump, supple skin.

Number Eight: Sleep, sleep, sleep!

While you’re sleeping, skin repairs and rejuvenates itself. Insufficient sleep can lead to inflammation and aggravate skin conditions like acne. Try for seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night to set your skin up for success.

Number Nine: Aim for a Healthy, Balanced Diet

The skin not only is the largest organ on the body, but it’s also connected to every other organ in the body. What happens on the inside shows on the outside. 

Eating foods rich in healthy fats and antioxidants helps maintain softness, elasticity, and structural integrity. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins benefit the skin, while sugary foods can cause inflammation. 

If you’re dealing with any sudden skin changes and you skincare routine hasn’t changed, you might consider investigating if anything you’ve eaten triggered it.

Number Ten: Consistency is Key!

It’s true. For optimal effects, consistency really is key. Your skincare is designed to build on itself, healing and improving your skin over time. Stay consistent to enhance your visible results.

—Emily Iverson, Lead Esthetician, & Annie Lindenberg, Menari Blogger

What is Dermaplaning?

Whether you’re looking for extra exfoliation, comprehensive facial hair removal, or to rejuvenate your skin for a brighter and smoother complexion, dermaplaning can do it all. A minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, dermaplaning uses a specialized blade to clear away the uppermost layer of skin. It’s a painless and quick procedure that gives your skin a smooth glow for a special event or a fresh start for a new season.

While dermaplaning is a great addition to a facial when you have something special coming up, it’s also incredibly beneficial as a ritualistic treatment. Through dermaplaning’s effective exfoliation, you’re removing dead skin cells and dirt and oil that build up to cause acne breakouts. As you dermaplane, you’re stimulating skin cell turnover which will in turn improve fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and facial scarring. This service also stimulates collagen production, a vital protein for maintaining youthful, plump, and elastic skin.

Additionally, dermaplaning works to remove stubborn facial hair. It can be one of the easiest ways to get a softer, smoother skin. By removing peach fuzz from your complexion, your skin is allowed to glow brighter. Plus, if you’re someone who loves to play with makeup, you’re providing yourself with a smoother base without hair, dirt, or oils that limit potential absorption of your skincare topicals.

If you’re ready to give your skin a reset, dermaplaning will help reduce signs of scarring while revealing smoother, firmer, and healthier skin.

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger

How LED Light Therapy Supports Summer Skin

Adding LED light therapy to your skincare routine is beneficial all year round, but it packs a special punch when used to address summer skin concerns. Our estheticians use both red and blue light therapy in our Sun Alchemy Summer Healing Ritual, as well as any time you add LED to your facial appointment, to ensure maximum benefits. 

Blue light therapy combats summer breakouts by killing bacteria that causes acne while it also supports healing for skin impacted by sun exposure. This therapy is commonly used to treat sun and UV damage and even premalignant or malignant skin cancer growths. If that isn’t enough, it also improves skin texture, assists in diminishing or removing sun spots and scars, and helps reduce enlarged oil glands. 

By adding red light, you’re improving your cells' ability to work efficiently as well. Red light therapy works through the “power plant” of the body’s cells, also known as the mitochondria. This increased energy improves the cells’ ability to do things like repair skin and boost new cell growth. Collagen production is stimulated as well, supporting improved skin structure, strength, and elasticity which is essential during summer months when the sun can catch us unexpectedly. If you’re dealing with inflammation, red light soothes your skin to lessen redness and discomfort. 

Not only are you supporting your skin in healing by adding light therapy into your skincare rituals, but you’re also building your skin stronger and more resilient to the elements. In as little as ten minutes, light therapy does the work to give your skin its best chance at its healthiest state this summer.

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger

Why is my skin breaking out?!

Taking care of our skin can be a mystery. A puzzle where the pieces are always shifting. And the truth is, your skin is always constantly changing. Unfortunately, that means the way we’re addressing issues needs to change, too. But if you’re like me, then the most infuriating part is when we don’t even know why it’s happening.

While this list isn’t comprehensive, hopefully it can help provide a little context to ensure you feel more knowledgeable next time you’re experiencing a breakout. Nobody wants to feel lost when it comes to what’s happening with their own body.

Dehydration

It’s basic, I know, but it’s also TRUE. When we’re not drinking enough water, our skin gets dry, and in trying to fix that issue it produces excess oil.

If you’re noticing patches of dryness or roughness while also noticing fresh breakouts or sporadic bouts of oiliness that feel irregular, the answer might be simple: water. Research shows evidence that drinking more water can increase deep skin hydration and elasticity, as well as help reduce that dryness and rough texture. It’s never a bad idea for a little extra H2O.

Detoxifying

Detoxification, or the body flushing toxins that can be harmful, is another common reason for breakouts. During a detox, our skin is an easy route for our body to get rid of those toxins. As our skin “purges” them, it’s natural for a breakout to occur. But why?

This cause can be a little trickier to diagnose. There’s a range of things that can cause this reaction — fasting, certain diets or a change in diet, detox teas. It’s not uncommon to face this type of acne if you’re a gym-goer currently pushing through a “cutting” phase. While our kidneys and digestive system do a lot of the work to detoxify, our skin also carries some of the weight through purging out what our body no longer wants to hold.

How do we care for our skin through this time? Keep it clean, hydrated, and maintain a consistent skincare routine. Your skin will adjust, but be patient. This is a perfectly normal response, and the skin should find its way back to a stasis as the process goes on. In the end, this may even lead to a healthier, more radiant complexion.

Stress

It’s a classic for a reason! When a body experiences stress, it starts producing additional hormones like cortisol, which in turn tells our skin to create more oil and become inflamed.  With more oil comes the chance for more buildup on our skin which makes it easier for bacterial growth and clogged pores.

The best path is continuing to respond to your skins’ needs through your skincare routine, ensuring products that exfoliate but aren’t too harsh and cleanse but are matched with hydration. Anything you can do to help get you out of a state of stress is ideal—meditation, asking for help with life tasks, setting work or family boundaries, etc. Think about what’s on your plate and what you might be able to take off to prioritize your own holistic health.

Hormonal Changes

What time of the month is it? What stage of life are you in? There are a number of moments in our lives when our hormones change, and in turn we experience a chain reaction that leads to breakouts. How fun! If you’re struggling trying to discover why your skin is doing that, it might be helpful to check in with a calendar and your body.

This breakout-style is not unlike stress, but we’re perhaps a little more challenged in preventing it. For women the experience of menopause, menstruation and the luteal phase, and pregnancy are all bodily changes that in turn cause shifts in our hormones. Things like going off birth control or for men changes in testosterone are other prime examples of how our body’s hormonal shifts can trigger acne.

Much like stress acne, we need to continue with our skincare routine and find opportunities to prevent additional factors that will compound our skin’s current challenges. Trying to reduce stress, protecting our skin from harsh factors like smoke or too much sun, and paying attention to what our body needs all benefit our skin. Using LED light therapy can be another helpful tool to combat hormonal acne.

Most of our hormonal changes are on a cycle of some sort, and as there’s a start there will also be an end. Stick through it, and your skin should calm as your body shifts again.

Friction

If you’re experiencing more breakouts on your cheeks specifically, it could be time to think about the items that regularly touch your skin. When was the last time you cleaned your cell phone? When was the last time you cleaned your pillow case? We often don’t think about these items that we are frequently coming in contact with. The possibility of friction and how this irritates the skin isn’t entirely avoidable, but that doesn’t mean we can’t set ourselves up for success.

Make sure your phone screen, glasses, or anything else that might routinely come in contact with your skin is clean. Additionally, if even a clean pillowcase is causing you issues and you don’t already own one, consider switching to a satin or silk pillowcase.

Makeup & Skincare

I know a lot of us hate this question, but… did you wash your face last night? It doesn’t matter what products you’re using if you’re not removing makeup or sunscreen from your face to bring your skin back to its natural state at the end of the day. If you notice acne breakouts along your hairline, this might even be from certain hair products you’re using or a sign you’re not reaching the edges of your face when you’re cleansing.

To prevent these breakouts, pay attention to how products react against your skin. Additionally, establish some sense of skincare routine that feels right for you. If you’re putting makeup or other daily wear products on your skin consistently, ensure you’re finding time to remove the makeup, cleanse, and moisturize at least. Even small self-care routines are beneficial for us.

Final Thoughts

The takeaway? Skin is complicated. It’s okay if it feels confusing sometimes. Often, our skin might be responding to a combination of the above reasons. Do your best to treat your skin with respect, and it will try to do the same back for you.

Plus, it’s okay to ask for help with what your skin might need. Whether that’s with one of our estheticians in a service or with our front desk team regarding skincare line questions. Nobody can do everything alone.

Our skin changes, and all we can do is our best to listen. Take a breath, and ask… what is your skin saying to you?

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger

All About Osmosis Skin Care

Part of the Osmosis philosophy is beauty uncompromised, a declaration that everyone deserves skincare that both promotes healthy skin and inspires permanent results. Their ideology revolves around analyzing the skin and body as a whole, aligning perfectly with Menari’s own mission of holistic health. It’s through consideration of the person as a whole that we can best address and resolve issues, which is exactly why we love and support Osmosis.

The Osmosis brand was started by Ben Johnson, MD nearly 30 years ago as he sought to create non-toxic skincare products and treatments that combined naturally sourced ingredients with scientifically validated formulas. At Osmosis, their skincare is developed with the true sources of skin issues at the center, using science and knowledge to naturally stop problems at the cause. This combination of nature and science brings about enduring change to provide you with confidence that lasts.

Through consistent use of Osmosis, you’re choosing to treat and nourish your skin with patented, exclusive skincare and wellness technology that restores the skin to a youthful and toxin-free environment. You’re also choosing to invest in your self-care to promote your holistic health. Skincare builds, fostering change through consistency and intention, and at Menari we’re happy to guide you to the right combination of products that are perfectly derived for you.

If you’d like to get a firsthand experience with the Osmosis line, we have a range of facial services where our trained estheticians can guide you through the products that will be best aligned for your skin goals and needs. They can use their knowledge and pass it along—ensuring you’ll leave feeling confident in your ability to take care of your own skin!

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger

Osmosis Facial Infusion: A Game Changer in SkinCare

For a long time in the skincare industry, the focus has been on treatments that traumatize the skin to try and get rejuvenation- I’m sure you’ve heard of them- laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion…

What those treatments do is remove the outer layers- essentially damaging the skin, so that new, healthier skin can take it’s place and if you have ever had one of these treatments, you know that they do come with down-time, as your skin needs to heal afterwards, sometimes peeling or soughing off for days at a time. Not so fun.

What we didn’t know was that these treatments are not actually promoting cell growth or encouraging the production of collagen and elastin- the skin cell fibers that give us a youthful appearance.

What is new in the industry is the tremendous impact that can be made on the skin when the it is NOT traumatized and we focus on the holistic stimulation of collagen and elastin.

This brings me to the Osmosis Facial Infusion that will be available beginning September 2024.

Osmosis Facial Infusion is listed as a non-chemical “peel” that works at the cellular level to promote deep rejuvenation and renewal.

Unlike traditional chemical treatments, that use acids to damage the skin, this treatment avoids aggressive exfoliation and instead focuses on delivering potent nutrients directly into the skin to stimulate repair and regeneration- focusing on healing, not harming the skin.

So how do we do this? Osmosis has developed a unique delivery system – the RevitaPen Pro.

This little tool creates microchannels, similar to microneedling, but without creating a wound or inflammation in the skin- meaning no down time, just greater product absorption so your skin receives the maximum benefit from ingredients.

What types of skin issues does it address? ALL SKIN TYPES

-          Ageing

-          Redness

-          Breakouts

-          Heals acne & scarring

-          Hyperpigmentation

-          Laxed skin

-          Men, women

The future of skincare is here, and it’s all about working with your skin, not against it. The Osmosis Facial Infusion offers a groundbreaking approach—one that nurtures, heals, and truly supports skin regeneration without trauma, downtime, or damage. If you’re ready to experience a facial that restores rather than depletes, join us this September and discover the power of holistic skin renewal. Your skin will thank you!

—Written By: Olivia Hageman

Gua Sha vs Botox

Why Gua Sha is a Better Answer Than Botox

As we age our skin inevitably changes, and it can be hard to adjust to these newfound differences in our appearance and find power in how our beauty shifts as we grow. Most of us aren’t afraid of the wisdom, experience, and effervescence of aging, so why be worried about wrinkles? If you’re looking for something to increase your confidence, then we fully believe in Gua Sha as a tool to support skin aging without invasive treatments like Botox.

While Botox is an injectable toxin that temporarily paralyzes your muscles, Gua Sha is an ancient traditional Chinese medicinal practice that uses a stone for gentle facial massage to boost circulation, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and support lymphatic draining. While the desired end results are similar, the way these two techniques accomplish them are drastically different.

Botox works to freeze muscles, and while this can help prevent facial expressions that heighten skin aging, it also blocks the flow of fluids such as blood, lymph, and qi (the body’s life force energy) to the areas you’re targeting. In contrast, Gua Sha does the opposite. It supports the movement and flow of these energies and fluids to not only reduce wrinkles but also support skin plumpness and radiance.

It’s no doubt that Botox can feel like a quick fix in response to our changing bodies, but facial Gua Sha is a better option for longevity. Through regular practice, like the Gua Sha work used in our Intuitive Facial Ritual, your skin will benefit from a sculpted suppleness that aligns with your natural beauty. It’s a way to both cherish the changes our body faces as we gain years and experience while honoring your true beauty. To let yourself shine inside and out.

If you’re looking to give Gua Sha a try and see the possible benefits for yourself, there’s no better way than to book an Intuitive Facial Ritual. Our highly skilled estheticians can assess and respond to your skin with techniques such as Gua Sha, facial cupping, and lymphatic brushing on top of using our skin care lines to support the skin. If you’re looking for another way to nurture your skin and self, give facial Gua Sha a try!

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger

Menari's Inutitive Facial Ritual

The Intuitive Facial Ritual is a deeply personalized experience. Through conversations regarding your skin goals as well as professional observations, your esthetician will craft a singular experience targeted toward your holistic health. This ritual guides you through a facial steam, double cleanse, exfoliation, mask, and the use of serums and mists. With both the Laurel and Osmosis skin care lines at their disposal, your esthetician will cherry pick the products your skin will love. 

The customization continues as your esthetician pulls from their entire repertoire of skills and techniques to further aid your skin and body’s health. Tools like gua sha, facial cupping, rollers, lymphatic brushing, and more can be integrated during the ritual to smooth, detoxify, and bring balance to your skin. 

Gua sha, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, uses a smooth-edged tool to glide over your skin. This ancient healing method promotes lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, relieves muscle tension, and helps move and balance energy all to promote your skin’s health. When used on the crown and neck, it helps target additional tension and blockages you might hold. 

Facial cupping can also help with tension and blood circulation. Using small facial cups, your skin and muscles will be stimulated and targeted. This increases collagen production to keep your skin firm, smooth, and hydrated—minimizing the appearance of scars and wrinkles. 

With a wide range of additional techniques your esthetician can choose to incorporate, you can be sure every step of the way this facial is crafted with your wants, needs, and preferences in mind. Matched with our experienced estheticians' intuition, knowledge, and talent, this 75-minute service will leave you feeling reinvigorated and your skin looking vibrant. 

To further support the holistic benefits of this experience, we recommend a solid routine. The customization of this facial is only amplified by consistency, allowing your esthetician to tailor to your needs every month—addressing your aims no matter the time of year or your current lifestyle. Through regular practice, you’ll notice reduced anxiety, puffiness, and pigmentation; improved blood stimulation, skin absorption, and hydration; as well as so many more benefits that can be reached more consistently and quickly through routine. Our monthly membership can be a great pairing with this ritual.

We also suggest beginning the ritual with your choice of a Private Infrared Sauna or Deep Sea Soak to open and relax the body, allowing your esthetician to do deeper work.

Here’s why the Intuitive Facial Ritual might be my favorite Menari facial yet: 

• Specialized. Using both of our skin care lines and all the tools at my esthetician’s disposal, this facial can be tailored even more deeply to my skin type and goals. Every step of the way, this facial is crafted for me.

• Flexible. Whether I come in with specific goals and wants or no plan in mind, my esthetician puts together the perfect 75 minutes of luxury for my face, skin, and neck. I can choose my level of collaboration depending on the day and be assured I’m always in skilled hands.

• Expansive. From gua sha stones, lymphatic brushes, facial cups, and more, my esthetician has numerous tools at their disposal to integrate into the facial. My esthetician uses their intuition, experience, and talent to design a ritual made for me. With such wide possibilities, this ritual can feel unique and special every time I experience it—which is great for keeping my facial routine feeling fresh monthly.

• Targeted Benefits. With every step of this facial curated for me, I leave glowing and vibrant. Whether I come in with concerns regarding dryness, facial tension, or simply stress, I know I will finish the service feeling stronger and healthier. Every session feels like taking my holistic health into my own hands and taking strides towards my goals.

Written by: Annie Lindenberg, MFA Creative Writing, Menari Blogger