Facials Unmasked: From Nature to Nurture, The Jurlique Difference

When we think of facials, we often think only of outer beauty. This month, let's reshape our ideas about facials, realizing that they are a great way to nurture ourselves by using the natural resources our planet provides. As we focus on Mother Consciousness and Earth Awareness, we can find ways to bring these creative aspects into our bodies and lives. When we use all natural, organic facial products, such as the Australian grown Jurlique line, we honor the earth and ourselves.

So first, what exactly does a facial entail? A variety of skin treatments are tailored to each person's skin needs, and usually includes cleansing, exfoliation, steaming, extraction and mask, followed by moisturizers, and sometimes includes massage. At Sanivan we use only the finest Jurlique products during your facial. Here is what founder, Ulrike Klein, had to say about the “Jurlique Difference”:

“In 25 years, Jurlique has grown hundreds of products, but the vision behind it remains the same. At the heart of every product is a potent blend of herbs and flowers brought to life in our formulas and delivered to your skin. Jurlique scientists complement our formulas with the finest, most potent, biodynamic, organics and natural ingredients sourced the world over – ingredients which meet Jurlique’s exacting standards. From farm to bottle, we are uniquely positioned to ensure the highest efficacy and optimum quality in our products"

Besides its outstanding quality, a Jurlique facial starts with a unique treatment, a warm herbal compress, which prepares the skin for the rest of the facial. By applying a soft cloth soaked in warm water infused with water-soluble essential oils, the skin is opened, relaxed, and refreshed, becoming more supple, and ready for exfoliation, while aromatherapy calms mind and body, so that the facial can be fully enjoyed.

After the compress comes exfoliation, which helps to maintain the skin by removing the dead cells that lie on the surface, clearing clogged pores, preventing acne and wrinkles, as well as exposing hair follicles on men, allowing for a more comfortable shave. The skin is our largest organ of detoxification; by removing the dead cells that clog our pores we allow them to do their natural job of oxygenating cells and eliminating toxins. Exfoliation is usually done after cleansing the skin. Jurlique's non-granular Daily Exfoliating Cream is a great way to gently cleanse and exfoliate at the same time, while soothing your skin with it's all natural formula of herbal extracts. "While there are many wives' tales surrounding the benefits of certain ingredients, scientific studies have proven that such ingredients as Chamomile have demonstrated healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically (excerpt from Wikipedia, natural skin care)".

After exfoliation the face is steamed, opening up the skin up for extraction. While most spas currently use newer steamers that blow warm moist air out of a tube onto the facial surface, we prefer the old fashioned steamer that the Jurlique founders trained us with. To use this steamer you sit upright with the head inclined and the face is placed into an upright facial cup that gives off herb infused steam. By inclining the head you allow gravity to assist toxins in coming to the surface so that they can be released by the opened pores, and even more exciting, it's a perfect opportunity for us to give you a shoulder and neck massage! Once the pores have opened the skin is gently dried as you lie down and extraction begins.

Facial extraction can be done a variety of ways. At Sanivan, we use a comodon technique, which involves a special tool that removes blackheads and whiteheads without causing redness and swelling as some other methods can. Your facial technician should look at your skin under a lighted magnifying glass that makes clogged pores readily visible. While extractions can sometimes be uncomfortable or even a little painful if toxins are deeply embedded, it is a valuable tool that truly promotes not only beauty, but health as well, by cleansing the body of waste. Throughout the extraction process Jurlique Calendula Lotion is applied to calm, soothe, disinfect, and reduce redness and inflammation. This is a great lotion to use throughout the day, especially the first few days after a facial when the skin may be slightly sensitive.

After extraction is complete a refresher or toner is applied to replenish and hydrate the skin. This can be in the form of a spray mist or liquid toner. We prefer to use one of Jurlique's herb infused toning mists, as misting is less irritating because there is no rubbing; the face is directly and softly sprayed with an herbal infusion. Misting after extraction calms and balances not only body, but mind as well through the use of aromatherapy naturally provided by herbal extracts. Toning mists also protect the skin before application of further products.

Exfoliation, steaming, extraction, and misting have now prepared the skin for a clay or mud mask that usually contains herbal extracts. As the clay and extracts harden and dry, they pull toxins out of the skin and pores, smoothing and cleansing, while herbs, vitamins, and minerals revitalize, calm and moisturize the skin's many layers. While the mask is drying we use the opportunity to provide massage and reflexology. For more information on one of our favorite masks - Jurlique's Purifying Mask, please see “Product of the Month Feature” in our May eNewsletter.

Now that the face has been fully and deeply cleansed, toning mist is sprayed again and moisturizer is applied, either cream, lotion or oil, depending on skin type. By ending with a moisturizer the face is rehydrated as well as protected against environmental pollutants, as skin can be slightly exposed and vulnerable immediately following a facial. Two of our favorite moisturizers are Jurlique's Soothing Day Care Lotion and Jurlique's Skin Balancing Face oil. We also love Jurlique's lotions, creams and oils because the herbal extracts smell so wonderful that they keep refreshing and relaxing for hours after application.

At Sanivan we do our best to make sure you get the most calming, cleansing, and balancing facial possible. We evaluate your skin type and tailor which Jurlique products we use to meet your personal skin care needs, as taught to us by the founders of this amazing skin care line. We hope you will treat yourself to an incredible Sanivan Jurlique Holistic Facial now that you know how wonderful they are for body, mind and mirror! We want you to be able to share this experience with your loved ones as well, so take advantage of our Mother's Day Special this May. Give mom the gift of nurturing through nature: when you purchase a facial treatment for mom, receive 20% off your own facial and a complimentary Love Balm salve by Jurlique.

We're proud to end this article with a final word from Jurlique explaining how a sustainable growing philosophy can lead to beauty and health, and how we can turn nature into the gift of nurturing for both ourselves and the planet.

"With respect for life and nature, we use biodynamic farming methods, sustaining and enriching the soil with each harvest cycle to optimize the living energy in our plants, in our products, and on your skin. We focus on the health of the soil by observing the cycles of the earth that affect seeding, propagating, growing, and harvesting. This is how we maximize the living energy present in plants as they grow. While we never use pesticides or herbicides on our farm, biodynamic farming goes beyond common organic practices – to ensure the most natural herbal and plant extracts possible with maximum ‘life-force’ and no residual, unnecessary chemicals. This makes Jurlique different – and how we are able to create the most natural and efficacious skin care products, in dynamic formulas made possible only by Jurlique."

(Jurlique quotes taken from official website at www.jurlique.com/page/discover_farm)