Spring Skincare with Health Resonates

In recent blog posts, we’ve explored how the change in season can affect not only your wardrobe but your entire mindset. For many, the longer brighter days can give new life to your day-to-day, but surprisingly, this seasonal transition can be just as irritating to your face. As plant life comes up, allergens and pollen are being released into the air, which can trigger histamine reactions that present in the skin as rashes, irritation, and blemishes. Our question then is how do we prep the face for sunnier days ahead?

Making small changes to your skincare routine and even your diet can have a powerful impact on maintaining clear, dewy skin this spring. I recently was invited by my friend and trusted massage therapist, Tara to visit her spa Health Resonates to not only discuss spring skincare tips, but also to experience her current special: the Forever YOUTHful Facial. Although there are many wonderful spas in Portland I choose to visit Health Resonates over-and-over again not only because I adore Tara and because she is incredibly talented, but because at the core of her business her mission is to empower other women.

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’ve been working as a licensed massage therapist for eight years with a background in energy work and deep tissue massage. What I do is unique in the sense that I combined all my vast knowledge into your session no matter what you are coming in for. My training is in Polarity Therapy, deep tissue massages, Thai massage, Ashiatsu massage, and myofascial release.

I became a licensed medical aesthetician five years ago. Being taught and working in a medical spa environment, I never thought I would be so passionate about natural skincare remedies and products. Currently, all the lines we use at Health Resonates are all-natural, vegan skincare. I specialize in skincare treating aging and acneic skin. I also provide facial and body waxing as well as brow and lash tinting.

What inspired you to start Health Resonates?

I started Health Resonates to fill a void for wellness practitioners. In my personal experience working in a spa, the setting is a lot of mental and physical stress. You often have a requirement of shifts you have to work that can be really exhausting if you are fully booked for all of those shifts. It also can be very difficult to start your own business from nothing.

How does your business empower women?

Health Resonates provides a furnished space, support with advertising, online booking as well as a team environment, and standards we all uphold. The women who work at Health Resonates don’t work for me, but with me. We do a commission-based pay structure that favors the practitioners. There is no space at Health Resonates for anything less the professional, focused work that provides our clients with the ideal environment for overall wellness.

Why would you say a facial is self-care and not an “indulgence?”

Skincare is self-care. Your skin is the largest organ you have, holding together so many physical and emotional beings within. Physically treating your skin with massage, top of the line products and attention at least once every other month is so important. If you don’t think facials are for you I would recommend coming in for a skincare consult to build your at home products and having an in-home spa day every other week! For me this looks like a facial massage with some of my favorite skincare oils, face mask and hair mask all while soaking in an essential oil filled bubble bath, followed by my evening skincare routine.

What are your spring skincare tips?

It’s time to shed sad winter skin. I recommend getting a focused facial during any season transition. Currently, we are offering this spring facial special. I also would encourage you to then feed your skin at home with some potent serums to keep your fresh spring skin thriving.

Try this amazing product duo:

Vitamin A Serum, it will help support collagen production and renewal at the cellular level.
Advanced Renewal Night Cream, to seal in moisture while you sleep, this is formulated with marine algae and a rich formula of shea butter and jojoba.

What do you hope people gain from an experience at Health Resonates?

Whether you come in for a massage, facial, or doctor’s appointment you should feel like our sole focus your entire visit. The women at Health Resonates are masters of their trade and have the ability to give you top of the line services to support your overall wellbeing. Health Resonates is something you will bring home with you.

Pulling from springs natural elements, soothing botanicals, and antioxidants like fresh flowers and plant extracts can not only help repair and restore your skin’s barrier, but many have photo-protective properties as well. The Forever YOUTHful Facial starts off with a heavenly rose petal & Chamomile facial steam, which helps to open up and calm the skin. During the steam, Tara gives a relaxation back massage so that you not only leave with soft skin but feel well-rested and rejuvenated on all levels. Once you are fully relaxed and steamed she uses key products from the natural YOUTH Skincare line, infused with essential oils to help uplift your skin.

Whether you plan to get a facial at Health Resonates or give yourself one at home this spring, here are the steps that goes into a thoughtful skincare routine:

Cleanse

First things first—it’s super important to thoroughly clean your face and neck with a gentle facial cleanser or facial oil. Tara recommends a soap free cleanser that won’t strip or dry out your skin. Not only does this remove dirt from the skin, but it aids with circulation. This step can also still be hydrating with the right product.

Steam

Using a bowl of hot water, drape a towel over your head and the bowl—the steam will open your pores and prepare your skin for the facial. This can be done before, during or after the cleanse. Steaming is a great way to purify and deep cleanse the skin. Tara showed me how you can use fragrant herbs or essential oils to the water, such as lavender or rose hip to not only help with skin inflammation, but to incorporate aromatherapy for deep relaxation.

Exfoliate

Using your fingers, gently give yourself a massage with an exfoliating facial scrub. Make sure to focus on areas around your nose and forehead. When finished, rinse with warm water and pat dry. The purpose of the scrub is to remove dead skin cells and loosen up dirt and congested pores.

Massage

Pat dry your skin and apply your favorite facial oil, ours are by Herbivore, they treat, hydrate and relax all at once. Massage in contouring motions around the jaw, cheekbones and eye area. This will help hydrate your skin and stimulate cell reproduction and elasticity in your skin.

Mask

Depending on the mask, apply per directions and leave on for the suggested amount of time. Make sure to choose a mask made for your skin type. Once complete, remove the mask with a warm washcloth, using circular motions—another opportunity for a massage!

Treat

Now is the perfect time to lock in your powerhouse products. Using a Vitamin A serum and C + E serum at this time with help uplift your skin while fighting age & sun spots and overall texture and plumpness.

Hydrate

Last but not least smooth a moisturizer over your face and neck using upward strokes. Hydration is essential! When your skin is hydrated, it has the ability to function at peak performance, allowing the younger skin cells to rise to the surface and reveal a more youthful glow. To really amp up the hydration, Tara recommends added hyaluronic acid to your skincare regimen!