It is an exciting time to be in the skin care industry. Aesthetics technology is finding new techniques and ingredients to improve the skin; the industry itself has grown so much that many different specialties that were once tiny niches have expanded into major aspects of aesthetics. Holistic skin care continues to gain popularity with skin care professionals each day. Once believed to be less effective than conventional and medical aesthetics, holistic skin care products and practices have greatly improved and now boast results that are comparably dramatic and may be even longer lasting than conventional practices. Though holistic skin care has gained popularity among aestheticians and consumers alike, regulation has not quite caught up with this rapidly growing trend. Therefore, there is still a great deal of ambiguity and confusion regarding terminology, efficacy, ingredients, labeling and shelf life of holistic products. Read More

Lemon and lemongrass are two fresh, clean and lively oils recommended for use in the spa. Lemon, with its fresh, sharp citrus smell combined with the strong, lemony and more herbaceous aromatic fragrance of lemongrass creates a wonderful uplifting aroma each time the client enters the spa. Together, they certainly provide a clean aroma and a gentle boost to start the day. Lemon Originating in Asia, lemon made little impact in the world until the middle ages when it found its way to Europe. This oil gained popularity when it was issued to sailors on board in an effort to counteract the effects of scurvy. Lemons grow today throughout the Mediterranean, though Florida and California are the largest producers of the oil. Read More

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) belongs to a genus consisting of some 20 varieties and hybrids, all containing essential oils in their stems and leaves. Native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, mint is now grown in temperate regions all over the world with the United States being one of the largest producers. Amongst the many types of mint cultivated, peppermint is the most commercially and medicinally important. Read More

Of all the essential oils used in clinical aromatherapy, lavender is undoubtedly the most versatile, having a wide range of properties from analgesic to antiseptic. The name Lavender, derived from the Latin word lavare, meaning to wash, was the aromatic of choice by the Romans to scent their bathwater. Without doubt, if you had to choose a single essential oil to keep in your first aid kit, lavender would be the undisputed choice. More commonly known as a sleep aid, the most important property of lavender is its ability to restore unbalanced states, whether of mind or body, to a place in which healing can take place. Read More

Meditation, Stillness and Tranquil Contemplation The range of human emotions that we experience has never changed, only times and circumstances do. The way we respond to stress, chaos and hectic lifestyles and the resultant outcomes such as depression, fear and confusion have always been there over the centuries. The purpose of both frankincense and sandalwood oil is to bring us back to center and return calm and clear minded. Read More

Bergamot oil, like those of orange, lemon and grapefruit is obtained from the cold expression of the rind of a citrus fruit. The rather small Bergamot fruits that look like tiny oranges are picked for distillation while still unripe and green. The smell of Bergamot is not unlike orange and lemon being light, delicate and refreshing with a slight floral overtone. For those of you that are tea drinkers it is Bergamot that imparts its unusual flavor to Earl Grey tea. Read More

Geranium is a bushy perennial shrub belonging to the Pelargonium genus which is very extensive family including over 200 species. Most originate from South Africa but it is Pelargonium graveolens of the Reunion Islands which is thought to produce the oil of highest quality, often referred to as Bourbon geranium. The unfortunate side of this fine quality oil is that today it is often blended with other less expensive geranium oils from other countries. Some people refer to Bourbon geranium as rose geranium because of its “rosy aroma.” Unlike other oils there seems to be very little historical reference. Read More

The aromatherapy tree, botanical name, Citrus aurantium var. amara, is unique to aromatherapy production. The tree earns its name because three different essential oils are obtained from the same plant: Neroli, from the beautiful blossoms; Petitgrain, from the leaves; and Bitter Orange, from the peel of the fruit. Despite the fact that the bitter orange tree looks very similar to Citrus sinensis (the tree from which we obtain Sweet Orange essential oil) they are two separate species and not just cultivated varieties of one species. It is thought that Citrus aurantium probably originated in China, then spread to India and Persia (now Iran) and was introduced to the Mediterranean countries by the Arabs in the 11th century. Read More

Each organ in the human body plays an important and unique function. Similar to the organs in the body, our cells contain a compilation of distinctive organelles, each playing an important role in the health and function of the cell. The mitochondria are of particular importance to cell health as they function primarily to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy of the cell. It is almost as if they are the lungs of the cell, driving cell respiration. Looking at the cellular metabolism at the mitochondrial level and how their improper function can have negative ramifications on skin health allows a unique perspective on how skin changes throughout time (intrinsically) and when exposed to different conditions (extrinsically). The skin care industry is currently engaged in research to determine the best ways to harness mitochondrial functions for use in the fight against premature aging and skin cancer and to provide clues on winning the ongoing quest for healthy, youthful skin.  Read More