

Let’s reminisce back to a high school exam for just a second. Only this time you are asked to diagnose your skin type through the process of elimination with this one simple question:
What is your skin type?
a) Normal – Your skin looks clean, pores are nice and tight and it’s smooth and has good circulation. Even with minimal effort it seems as though you are a weekly spa devotee.
b) Oily and Acne Prone – Your skin usually looks greasy, thick, coarse, and shiny, has enlarged pores and tends to break out into acne.
c) Combination – Your skin has both dry and oily patches and you spend more money on products than necessary in order to even yourself out.
d) Dry and Dehydrated – Your skin is a natural sponge for moisture but no matter what you do it feels tight and flakey.
e) Sensitive – You have the most problematic skin because no matter what solution you seek, your skin will cause a reaction so bad that a night out with the girls will be questioned.
If you choose all of the above, I advice you go see a naturopathic doctor. With all jokes aside, this month I have searched from the world’s most expensive treatment masques to natural remedies that you can cook up in your very own kitchen. Each skin type requires certain key ingredients to help restore, revitalize and most importantly balance that complexion.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for a treatment masque:
You Answered: Normal
Your Best Ingredients: Vitamin C, mulberry, bearberry and acerola fruit extract for their powerful antioxidant properties to help fight premature signs of aging.
You Answered: Oily and Acne Prone
Your Best Ingredients: Algae, burnet, cinnamon, manuka honey and ginger extract to normalize oil secretions that lead to blackheads, whiteheads and to kills acne causing bacteria.
You Answered: Combination
Your Best Ingredient: Carrot and black cumin seed oil for their fatty acid properties that are clever enough to deliver moisture exactly where your skin needs it.
You Answered: Dry and Dehydrated
Your Best Ingredient: Shea butter, royal jelly and black caviar extract for their ability to bolster the skin’s natural moisture barrier and nourish cells while preventing loss of moisture.
You Answered: Sensitive
Your Best Ingredients: Chamomile, probiotics (from dairy) and argan oil for their ability to sooth and nourish cells while calming inflammation
Treatment masques are a great way to boost your at-home skin care regimen, so whether you pick one up at your favourite beauty boutique or make it at home, these natural ingredients will provide that perfect booster treatment to get through all your skin battles.
Raman Sekhon
~ is a facial beauty expert and the owner of Vida Skin Studio. She uses a non-invasive, healthy approach to help her clients obtain their desired results. rs@vidaskinstudio.com
For Mom and Baby
by Julie Watson