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Mineral Mask Mash Up

Ready to get dirty?

At Très Spa, we approach face masks differently. When we set out to create our face masks, we wanted to make sure we followed our well established innovation process. But we wanted to incorporate a bit of fun so we made them dry so you can have it fresh blended they way you want it when you are ready and you only need to make enough to use so you will have zero waist. We wanted a product that would allow you to respond to the seasons and natural bio-availability. We start with the foundation.

Très Spa Face Mask Collection

Think of this as a general guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. It’s based on years of serving hundreds of customers as well as the properties that are in each one of the powdered masks. While all of the masks can be used with plain water, you can always alter the effect by choosing a different wetting agents. For example, if you use the Lemon and Kelp and you want to soften the drying effect, then use a wetting agent that has some pureed avocado in it as well a splash of coconut milk. This will create a rich moist mask.

Orange RosehipFrench Pink Clay, Kaolin Clay, Orange peel, and RosehipsWorks for All but especially maturing or sensitive skin
Moss & CharcoalGentle Kaolin Clay, Sea Moss, Activated Charcoal from Coconut HusksWorks for All skin types but may be too strong if you suffer from rash conditions.
CalendulaFrench Yellow Clay, Kaolin Clay, Calendula PetalsWorks for All skin types, all ages, and all conditions. Great for spot treating acne
Lemon Sea KelpFrench Green Clay, Kaolin Clay, Lemon Peel, Sea KelpGreat for oily or combination skin. Fine for normal and even maturing skin. Great for spot treating acne. May be too strong for dry skin.
I was in the mood for a little Calendula that day.

You really can’t go wrong with any one of the face masks since you can change the effect with the choice of wetting agents. Typically, I start with 1 or 2 tablespoons of powder and then gradually add the agent to the desired texture. I like a nice thick pancake texture and I like to brush mine on.

Wetting Agents

This is where you can really play with your face mask to personalize your experience. First, lets talk about what a wetting agent is. A wetting agent is what is sounds like, it’s anything used to add moisture to a dry product. We want you to incorporate your unique circumstances to support your natural beauty. So when you are selecting the agents to put to work for you, try visiting your local farmers market or stepping out to your garden and seeing what is fresh. Play with peaches when they are in season. Sure, you can use frozen in the winter months, but why not have fun and use what is available in abundance in the moment? We’ve listed some of our favorite agents but the list is not complete, it’s a start. Feel free to cross over and mix and match agents. Of course you can always just use water. That is what I use when I travel.

Wetting Agent Some Known Benefits
Avocado – Healthy fats that promote softness and prevent wrinkles, chlorophyll to reduce inflammation, water to hydrate, Vitamin E to fight free radicals, fibers that
Cucumber juice or puree – Vitamin C and caffeic acid, which both fight to reduce inflamed or irritated skin, and hydration thanks to its high water content. The peel contains silica, which firms up sagging skin. Can have a cooling effect.
Celery juice or puree – Phytonutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to help smooth the skin and reduce inflammation. It also has high levels of vitamins, notably vitamins K, C, and B6
Coconut Milk – Vitamin C which helps maintain elasticity and flexibility of skin. It is also rich in copper, and prevents wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots. You could also try other plant milks like Hemp milk or Flax milk for super rich Omega fatty acids.  
Fruit juice or puree – Mangos, Papaya, Strawberries, pomegranate and Watermelon to name a few. rich in vitamins A, E, C, and K, flavonoids, polyphenolics, beta-carotene, and xanthophylls.
Citrus juice or puree – Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) helps regenerate collagen, cleans and exfoliates, prevents pigmentation and UV-induced photodamage. * If you have uneven pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, or keratinization, try using lemon to get glowing skin ** Another bonus note on citrus juices, if you want the acid peel effect then simply use citrus juices. The naturally occurring asorbic acid is a perfect replacement for the synthetic AHAs found in most all other face care brands out there.
Banana – Vitamin A to fade dark spots and blemishes and smooth out rough skin, vitamin B to reduce dryness, vitamin E to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and potassium to moisturize and hydrate
Tea – Tea for you, and a sip for your face! I have an amazing collection of roots and herbs and barks to make teas with. It makes it fun to experiment. I encourage you to try a variety of teas but 2 that are most popular are 2 of the most common teas out there; 1) Green tea – rich with the antioxidant power of EGCG can help repair DNA damage caused by UV rays from the sun. Vitamin B-2 to maintain collagen levels, anti-inflammatory properties to reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling. Polyphenols can be a useful tool for controlling bacterial growth that can cause acne. 2) Chamomile – Powerhouse of antioxidants to protect the skin from free-radicals and repair damage Helps fade spots, eliminate acne scars and fight breakouts, due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. 
Herbal Infusion – Based on the plants used in your infusion any number of benefits can be achieved; Anti-Aging, Healing, Moisturizing, Collagen Production, Circulation, Antioxidant. Raid your herb garden for what ever is fresh. Did you know Parsley can help you fight outbreaks and acne. Reduces wrinkles and fine lines with its unique ability to increase skin regeneration. Basically, it’s a miracle herb of sorts **
Floral Infusion – Don’t just stop and smell the roses, pic a petal or three and make a lovely infusion to use on your face. Flowers are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help moisturize, cleanse and smoothen skin, as well as fight early signs of aging and free radical damage. Which flower is the best one? Which ones are available? Use that. Honestly you cannot go wrong with flowers in an infusion added to your face mask. You don’t need to use too many when a few will do. **

**Please remember to only use fresh infusions. Do not try to store and keep for very long. You may get a couple days of use if you refrigerate. Infusions are from fresh plant matter and should be treated as such. Even teas should be used in the moment.

Here is our step by step process laid out for you from start to finish.

Keep your mask on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with clear warm water. I like to use one of my handmade hemp washcloths to get every bit plus I love the extra mild exfoliation and skin stimulation. Follow it with a lovely toner and a super rich moisturizer. You can do a full spa facial about twice a week if you really wanted to. Just create a regular routine the suits you for your unique situation.


We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

The information provided at Très Spa is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of the individual contributors, nor anyone else connected to Très Spa can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.

Nothing on Très Spa’s site or included as part of any project or product of Très Spa, should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.

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The beautiful truth

Beauty does not exist

At least there is no one fixed interpretation of what is beautiful. Is it a look, a smell, a touch? It is actually a combination of all of these things and more. But here is the most interesting truth about beauty, it is always open for interpretation. Like a work of art, you are beautiful. Everyone might not agree with us, but that is okay. They have their own internal definition of beauty and how it looks or acts.

The lens of what true beauty is is heavily influenced by a persons internal perceptions and experiences in life as well as the societal norms. For some people really long earlobes and blackened teeth are quite fetching, but that look is not for everyone. Some love the smell of lavender and others are revolted by it. I once knew a person who loved the smell of stinky feet. Can you imagine that?! Go figure!

Beauty requires diversity

Each of us determines the level of attractiveness for ourselves. We may have some similar interests that stem from primal survival and our desire to preserve. But how we pull them all together is unique for the individual. Thank goodness we live in such a diverse world with such wonderful variety of humans.

With so many people on the planet, we would guess that there is at least one of every kind and at least one admirer. But you don’t need to wait for validation from the outside world. Sure, it’s nice to have it. But you can feel beautiful and accepted all on your own.

Beauty is a feeling

We can all agree on this one thing; The most important characteristic of what makes you beautiful is how you feel about yourself. And, quite frankly, how you feel about you and how you treat yourself is the most important loving relationship you can form. After all, this is how you will express love and care for others. So beauty starts from within and it begins with you.

But feeling beautiful does not come easy for many of us. Some of us may feel discounted and over looked by the world around us. Some of us who have suffered ridicule may have an even harder time and struggle to even feel half way decent. So saying you have to feel beauty on the inside might pose a problem. Try these tips to help you spark your inner beauty.

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Introducing Coal & Kelp Organic Face Cleanser

Introducing our newest Organic Face Cleanser

Coal & Kelp featuring Activated Charcoal and Sea Kelp.

At Très Spa we strive to create unique products that nourish you Mind, Body, and Spirit while maintaining our commitment to design products in harmony with nature. We have had several requests for a black soap also known as charcoal soap. We heard you.

Your Face Deserves The Best

We choose your face. Why? Because of all your body parts, this is the one that faces the highest level of environmental assaults. The instant you open your front door and step out into the world, you are exposed to pollutants. The farther you go, the more you pollution you are exposed to. Hop into your car or the bus or the train and now you have exhaust particles to add to the mix. We didn’t even get to mention the products we pack on before we leave the house!

Needless to say, your face is constantly under assault and in need some extra T.L.C. . The other reason we choose to focus on your face is that in order for the charcoal to have any effect, it needs to stay on your skin longer than a shower would allow.

 

Natural, Gentle, & Effective

All this being said, it’s important for you to have a natural cleanser that is in harmony with nature. Gentle yet effective enough to cleanse without irritation. Activated Charcoal to help detoxify and life supporting Sea Kelp with power house mineral nutrients.  You can read more about how Activated Charcoal works in our blog. Activated Charcoal

Fair warning, while we did use our very popular Lemon Ginger snap essential oil blend, the scent of Sea Kelp can be very pronounced, but we didn’t make this to smell pretty, we made it to help you look pretty.  

 

Tres Spa Organic Face Cleanser Coal and KelpCoal & Kelp Organic Face Cleanser is now available on line and on Amazon

 

 

We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

The information provided at Très Spa is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of the individual contributors, nor anyone else connected to Très Spa can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.

Nothing on Très Spa’s site or included as part of any project or product of Très Spa, should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.

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Natural Steps To Rid Yourself of Blackheads!

Are those pesky blackheads making you crazy?

Before you try to hide behind those Groucho glasses with the big fake nose, there is hope. You can eliminate blackheads naturally, without harsh treatments or toxic chemicals. You can have clear skin free of the congestion of trapped debris under the surface.

That is what a blackhead is, a congestion. Blackheads are simply trapped oxidized oil and dead skin cells resting inside a hair follicle. They can show up anywhere including your back and chest, but more commonly your face. The bridge of my nose was always my troubled area when I was younger.

How do Blackheads form?

While blackheads are a type of acne but they are a bit different in that they are not closed. The blackhead is trapped sebum that has oxidized and it has nothing to do with whether or not someone is clean. It can be a simple result of over production of sebum and rapid shedding of dead skin cells. They get trapped and the air hits it, the oxidation causes the black color and voila! A blackhead is born.

So what can you do to get rid of them?

Scrubbing harder when you clean is not the answer. In fact this could cause the blackheads to worsen. What you need to do is soften the skin and dissolve the trapped oxidized oil and let the pores flush it out naturally. You can also find lots of over the counter medicines formulated or this and the top two synthesized compounds are salicylic acid and retinoids.  Almost all of the acne fighting products will have one of these in it.

Salicylic acid is a chemical compound that was first isolated from the bark of a willow tree, similar to aspirin. It works by dissolving excess sebum and dead skin cells. Retinoids are a chemical creation that works buy forcing the skin cells to die off and regenerate at an unnatural pace. That’s probably why you would need to be very careful of sun exposure after treatment. Both of these chemicals are common and may be the way to go for severe cases. But we are looking for natural, non synthesized solutions to help right?

Simple Natural Steps to Complete Clarity

There are natural planet friendly plant based solutions that can help resolve and mitigate the appearance of blackheads. Sometimes the simple things really do matter.

Wash your face regularly

The act of washing your face helps the soften the skin and loosen surface dirt. It also helps clear out the debris of dead skin cells. Gently exfoliating while you cleanse is a great way to add extra power to your wash and it stimulates regeneration. With all of the benefits, it’s easy to see how adopting a simple face washing routine could be all you ever need to do. The best solution for cleansing is a super fatted soap since they wont dry your skin out. We have two options for you Très Spa Organic Face Cleanser. or one of our amazing Organic Bar Soaps. It’s perfectly okay to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.

Toners can also be used to cleanse the skin. Just a spritz or two on a cotton wipe then swipe on your face. Très Spa makes a great natural purely botanical one or use whatever toner you see fit. Just stay away from alcohol – (but then you are natural so, me saying that is like preaching to the choir). Alcohols are drying and may cause irritation.

Treat yourself to a mineral rich mask

The ultimate in product flexibility are the Très Spa Mineral Face Masks. You can make a tiny bit for a spot treatment or make a lot for the full facial effect. You cannot go wrong with this one since it is always fresh and always the way you want it. One of my favorite things to add from nature are Avocado and a piece of my Aloe Vera plant (so much goodness I can’t begin to tell you). You can read about it here.  In fact, if you don’t have a Aloe Vera plant, run to the store and get one! Mash that into a thicker paste for a small area or, if you are covering a larger area make into a spreadable consistency to cover the skin are you want covered. Check out our Mineral Mask Mash Up for more ideas on how to personalize your mineral mask. You can find our step process on How to mix up your facial mask for an easy to follow process.

Steam it out

Steam can help open the pores and soften the skin, making it easier for debris to lift up and get rinsed away. Add a little essential oil to the steam and you have a real treat for your Mind, Body, & Spirit and not just your face. There is something so special yet so simple about a steam treatment.

After Care

You need to replenish and restore the skin so it doesn’t dry out on you and get all clogged up again.  Contrary to what others may tell you, oil-less moisturizers are not natural and just because they have no oil, it doesn’t make them better. It’s a marketing angle. The ones I have seen are a blend of synthesized compounds seasoned with a couple of plant ingredients. I am not saying they are bad, they just don’t fit  into the Très Spa philosophy of creating products In Harmony with Nature and I know there are loads of natural plant oils that will not build up and clog your pores. You can find some of those amazing oils in our face oils. We also have a cream for that, called Defiance! 

We are not your Doctor

The Très Spa website may contain articles on science, or medical topics; however, no warranty is made that any of the articles are accurate.There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on science or medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. The overwhelming majority of such articles are written, in part or in whole, by nonprofessionals. Even if a statement made about science or medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms.

The information provided at Très Spa is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). None of the individual contributors, nor anyone else connected to Très Spa can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information presented on this web site.

Nothing on Très Spa’s site or included as part of any project or product of Très Spa, should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.