BEAUTY
is hydrated, our sebum simply secretes and rolls over our complexions protecting it will a layer of moisture. When it’s dehydrated, our oils harden and become stuck in our pores, creating the little corks of comedones. This is also why I have found steaming to be good for blackheads. Not only do you sweat out pore impurities but the warm steam hydrates your skin on a deeper level. Hydrating internally is also important. I have seen major changes in the skin of my clients when they increase water intake, decrease caffeine and alcohol, and start eating a more hydrating diet. Detox Your Body – I just mentioned the importance of hydrating from the inside out – and part of this is proper elimination, because when we are constipated, this dries out our entire body. Other dietary changes, such as cutting out refined sugar and avoiding dairy, also helps. Dairy and other fats can translate into excess sebum production, and according to Ayurveda, our sebum is a byproduct of our body fat. Refined sugars are also bad because they lead to inflammation and poor digestion – both of which are dehydrating and play a role in improper elimination. Exfoliate Gently Regularly and Intensely Occasionally – Regular peeling helps decrease the amount of debris and dead skin cells that accumulate in our pores. But it also encourages better circulation, which encourages collagen production (this increases hydration). Along with this, exfoliation clears away the blockages that impede absorption allowing us to truly benefit from our hydrating products. I recommend exfoliating two to three times per week to maintain healthy, comedone-free skin. But I also advocate more intense exfoliating treatments either monthly or seasonally. My personal fav right now is the Aquabrasion – a microdermabrasion treatment using high pressure water. This blasts away cellular buildup but also infuses the skin with oxygen and moisture while doing so. It’s excellent for sensitive skin as the water is cooling unlike other heating and irritating abrasions. A treatment like this banishes blackheads in the short-term and long-term as well as helps to shrink pore-size. Skeptical? So was I, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes! Now, this isn’t to say that after all this, I now have poreless skin – alas, once your pores get enlarged from comedones, it’s difficult to completely erase any sign of having them. I will say that my pores are definitely smaller than they were as a teen but I will probably never get back to having skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Still, I’m okay with settling for a comedonefree complexion with slightly noticeable pores when I’ve banished my bad blackheads for real.
Kristen Ma is the co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., a group of Holistic Spas with its own line of Natural Skincare and Mineral Make-up. She is an Ayurvedic Practitioner who has studied in Canada, the United States and India. She is also a Certified Esthetician with eight years of practical experience, having worked in Canada as well as Australia. Most recently, Kristen has authored “Beauty: Pure + Simple” which was published by Mc Arthur and Company. Kristen has written on the subject of Holistic Beauty for Vitality Magazine, Blink and Jasmine. She is also a regular contributor to B Magazine, Tonic and Sweat Equity Magazine. For more information on Kristen, please visit www.holisticvanity.ca.