Spa Night at Home by Yourself Essentials
#relax #restore #rejuvenate
Spa Night At Home by Yourself Essentials
photo by Christian Mackie
Full Body Spa Night from the Inside Out
One of my favorite things is a spa night at home. Below, I will go over a 3-step day spa routine and the long-term benefits backed by research of each step in this at home spa experience. The spa essentials recommended for each step are linked at the very bottom of this blog post. This 3-step spa routine is a simple way to bring the spa home.
photo by Marks of Mana
Here’s How We Will Bring the Spa Home
Step 1: Stretch.
Bullet points taken from International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy’s article and this pubMed study. Physical benefits of stretching include:
photo by Laura Stone. Using a stretch strap.
Increases muscle length.
Aligns collagen fibers during muscle healing.
Increases connectivity in muscles that are aged.
Will allow blood to flow to the areas that are stretched. *This will prepare you for the next step, step 2 in your spa night at home (BELOW).
Recommended Spa Essential: A stretch strap. *Spa essential linked at the bottom of this blog post.
A stretch strap will give you an even deeper stretch. Stretch straps are super easy to travel with after a long day of sitting in a car or plane. Here, I also mention a stretch strap in my blog post Packing Light for a Girls Trip! Which Products I Picked!
Step 2: Infrared Sauna Blanket Treatment.
Bullet points taken from this study from the National Institute of Health , this study by Mackay Medical College and this study by Dr. Cheng-Lung Lee, the health benefits of an infrared sauna blanket include:
photo by Laura Stone
Far infrared sauna heat penetrates deeper into fat and the neuromuscular system than traditional warm sauna air.
Decreases cortisol levels (stress levels) in the body.
Growth hormone (HGH) increases during and after a sauna session (this is an anti aging hormone).
Reduces inflammation in the body.
Far infrared sauna’s are effective in “scavenging superoxide anions in blood.” This means it has an anti-oxidative effect in the human body, even through the blood.
Step 3: LED light therapy facial mask. Listen to your favorite music while enjoying the many benefits of benefits of LED phototherapy.
Bullet points taken from The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology and this study at the Department of Dermatology at the National Medical Center , LED phototherapy has many benefits and has an “excellent safety protocol.” Some of the benefits of LED light therapy include:
photo of Dermashine PRO 7 Color LED Face Mask
Acne clearing.
Wound healing.
Psoriasis.
Skin rejuvenation.
Collagen synthesis.
Growth factors.
Extracellular matrix production by activating cellular mitochondrial respiratory pathways.
Lifting and tightening of the skin.
No adverse effects were reported with LED lights.
Brightened skin tone.
Improved skin texture.
Recommended Spa Essential: Dermashine PRO 7 Color LED Face Mask. *Spa essential linked at the bottom of this blog post…..This is the LED face mask I have. My review on the Dermashine PRO 7 Color LED mask is I love how there are 7 options of wavelengths to choose from, and this mask so easy to use.
Bonus Recommended Spa Essential: Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% (30ml) by The Ordinary. *Product linked at the bottom of the blog post.
Apply Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) on your skin before your LED phototherapy session. According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, “Photodynamic therapy with ALA has been used to treat a range of conditions, including from pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions and photoaged skin.”
THE SPA ESSENTIALS. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
I hope you enjoy your spa night at home by yourself and enjoy how you can bring the spa home with these spa essentials. This 3-step spa routine is very simple, yet delivers research-backed and long-term results. Cheers to your spa night!
Xx,
Laura
Insta: @ooohlalastone
Raiding Products in the Pharmacy in France!
Scroll through and see my French pharmacy product picks! :)
One of my favorite parts of France is visiting their pharmacy.
French FDA regulations for cosmetics in France are different than in the United States. So, certain skincare ingredients are found in French products, but these ingredients are not found in the U.S. version of the same product.
Here are the products I picked and why….
La Roche Posay Sunscreen, Anthelios line
Star ingredients: Mexoryl, other names for Mexoryl…. Mexoryl SX (Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid or ecamsule), Mexoryl XL (drometrizole trisiloxane)
In Europe, skin care manufacturers have the option to choose out of 7 UVA-ray filtering ingredients that deliver better performance advantages than UVA filters available in the United States. The sun’s UVA rays cause premature ageing while its UVB rays cause sunburn. Mexoryl, protects against both UVA-1 and UVA-2 rays.
Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and avobenzone are UVA-ray filters used in the United States which don’t compare to the UVA protection offered by Mexoryl. **Mexoryl is a safe ingredient as far as I know, and is currently under FDA review in the United States **
“Research data has shown that Mexoryl in particular is more effective than either zinc oxide or titanium oxide alone in blocking UVA/UVB rays, and in fact blocks in a similar range to zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in combination. Mexoryl, available as SX (water soluble) and XL (lipid soluble), is very effective for two reasons: one, it is very stable [as a benzylidene camphor derivative], and two, because it absorbs light at a broader range of UVA wavelengths than many other chemical sunscreens. ”
My first choice for the La Roche-Posay, Anthelios line was Dermo-Pediatrics SPF50+ since its formula is sensitive enough for children, while still containing full UVA protection. I just prefer sensitive skin formulas in sunscreen.
The second choice was Anthelios XL 50+ since it contains Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX, and nice for everyday use, but also still perfect for the beach since it’s waterproof. It also comes in a 250ml bottle as opposed to the smaller bottle!!
Caudalie Vine[Activ] eye cream
Star ingredient: Resveratrol
Caudalie uses the antioxidant found in red wine, resveratrol, which is the highly coveted anti-aging antioxidant found in red wine. Researchers have found that topical resveratrol has a 17-fold greater antioxidant content than idebenone, which is also an expensive and powerful antioxidant used in anti-aging products. What better way than to invest in some anti-aging resveratrol when it’s sourced right from one of the main wine regions in France, Bordeaux and is at a bargain price when compared to the price sold in the U.S.!
Vine[Active] is amazing because it uses a high concentration of grape polyphenols, I like to apply this antioxidant defense in the morning lightly patting under my eyes, under my eyes and under my brow bone.
Caudalie Masque Purifiant
Star ingredients: Kaolin clay and Bentonite clay
I love Caudalie’s Masque Purifiant because it’s purifying with Kaolin (the second ingredient used) and Bentonite clay and also delivers a high concentration of antioxidants from plant origin. You can use this mask 2-3 times a week, and I like to apply to my face and décolletage. **All the ingredients are the same in this formula as in the United States’ formula, but the price is lower!
Nuxe Paris Huile Prodigieuse, a shimmering dry oil
Star ingredients: Camellia Oil, Argan Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Olive Oil, Rosemary extract, Tomato fruit extract
The next product I had to snag is by Nuxe Paris, Huile Prodigieuse. Not only does the bronze/gold oil contain shimmering gold particles, but it contains skin benefitting ingredients to nourish your skin at the same time. The finish is non-greasy and the scent is like wearing a perfume in itself. Definitely a favorite of mine, and of course, the price is unbeatable and cheaper than in the U.S.! The application is via a spray glass bottle accentuated by a beautiful gold cap. I love to apply it to my legs, arms, and décolletage when I’m wearing a dress or shorts on a night out. It can also be applied to your body or hair.
Savon Liquide de Marseille a’l’Huile d’ Argan
Star ingredients: Argan Oil, Rose essential oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Coconut Oil
The last product I grabbed on my pharmacy haul was Savon Liquide de Marseille a’ l’ Huile d’ Argan, for only 5 euros and at a 500ml bottle. With Argan Oil, Rose essential Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) AND Coconut oil, the price for this body wash is a steal. I saw this product as I was checking out and was amazed at the price for the amount in the bottle and the quality of ingredients within this. What’s great about body washes like this is that they are moisturizing enough to use as a shaving gel.
Tip—> If you aren’t headed to France anytime soon, check pharmamundi.com or frenchcosmeticsforless.com to order products overseas. The shipping time could be up to a month.
XO
Laura