Natural skin treatments - Glow with Mei

The Everything Oil: Signature Facial Treatment Oil

I am beyond excited to share with you my latest creation – The Everything Oil by Glow with Mei.

As someone who is passionate about natural skin care, I’ve spent countless hours researching and experimenting with different oils and ingredients to create the perfect facial treatment oil that can do it all: cleanse, massage, moisturize, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin. After months of testing and refining, I’m thrilled to say that I’ve developed something that I’m truly proud of.

The Story Behind The Everything Oil

I have a little secret to share with you, The Everything Oil was created out of a selfish desire to have a signature facial treatment oil that I could trust and that would also provide a sensory experience to use in my facial protocols. After not being able to find what I was looking for, I worked with an aromatherapist to formulate my very own blend. It was originally meant to be used solely for face massage, however I quickly realized the uses are endless! I sprinkle it into each of my custom facial treatments where it counts the most. Hence the name, “The Everything Oil”.

Carefully Selected Carrier Oils

I was careful to stay away from including heavy oils that clog pores or nut oils to allow the use on everyone! The carrier oils in The Everything Oil were carefully selected to nourish and improve a multitude of skin conditions. They help to improve skin tone, soften skin, reduce signs of aging such as helping to smooth wrinkles, reduce post-inflammatory pigmentation, while keeping the skin clear from breakouts. Each oil has unique properties that work together to provide a nourishing and balancing effect on the skin:

Apricot Kernel Oil is antiseptic and antibacterial, which makes it ideal for healing blemishes and protecting against environmental damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Milk Thistle Seed Oil is a unique addition to the blend, offering many skin benefits for all ages and skin types. It’s particularly effective in treating acne and pigmentation, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Milk thistle seed oil helps fight the damaging effects of free radicals, which can cause premature skin aging like pigmentation and inflammation. It’s also great for dry, chapped, and cracked skin, balances the skin’s moisture, and leaves it soft and smooth.
Cacay Seed Oil is an excellent source of Vitamin A and helps encourage skin cell production, keeping your skin firm and healthy. It contains over 68% linoleic acid, which improves the skin’s barrier function. Linoleic-rich oils like Cacay oil are non-comedogenic, meaning that they won’t cause breakouts, while easily absorbing into the skin.
MCT Oil is one of my favourite carrier oils due to its extremely light texture that absorbs without any residue. It is derived from coconut, which provides antibacterial and antifungal qualities.

The Power of Essential Oils in The Everything Oil

The essential oils in The Everything Oil were chosen for their ability to work harmoniously with the carrier oils to build the skin’s resilience. Each oil provides unique benefits such as calming irritation, killing acne-causing bacteria, and improving skin elasticity:

Blue Tansy calms irritation and kills acne-causing bacteria.
May Chang and Lavender are deeply calming to the nervous system and also great to calm skin inflammation.
Frankincense strengthens the skin and improves its tone, elasticity, and defense mechanisms against bacteria and blemishes. It also reduces the appearance of scars.
Tonka Bean (Benzion resin) increases skin resilience, regenerates and nourishes, maintains the hydro-lipid balance of the skin, improves its elasticity, and inhibits the process of premature aging of the skin.

How to Use The Everything Oil

How do you get the most out of The Everything Oil? It depends on what you’re using it for!

For deep cleansing: Apply 4-6 drops directly on top of makeup and sunscreen, massaging the oil into the skin and concentrating on areas of congestion. Use a warm face cloth or cotton pad to remove the oil, sunscreen, and makeup. Rinse the face cloth and wipe again up to three times.

For massage, gua sha, jade rolling, or cupping: Apply 2-4 drops after cleansing, toning, serum, and cream. Add more oil for slip if needed.

For added moisture: Mix 1-2 drops into your face cream or foundation.

A Versatile, All-Natural Facial Treatment Oil

This oil feels absolutely amazing on the skin. I’ve been using The Everything Oil for a few weeks now, and I can honestly say that my skin has never looked or felt better. I love how it gives me that dewy, radiant glow, and it’s helped to even out my skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Thank you to all my loyal clients who have encouraged me to retail The Everything Oil! It’s a beautiful facial oil that I’m proud to be able to share with you.

To purchase The Everything Oil, pick up a bottle for $55.00 CAD at the Glow with Mei clinic located in Leslieville, Toronto.

Yours truly,
Mei-Lana xo

Oil Cleansing: Say Goodbye to Dirt and Hello to a Glowing Complexion

Hey there, beautiful people! Lately, my clients have been asking me about natural ways to cleanse their face. So today, we’re going to talk about one of my favourite skincare practices: oil cleansing! If you’re tired of traditional cleansers that leave your skin feeling dry and stripped, oil cleansing may be the right method for you.

Oil cleansing is a popular skincare trend that has been gaining momentum in recent years. It involves using oil to cleanse the face, which is a natural and effective way to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities from the skin. It is also an excellent way to deep clean, moisturize the skin and improve its overall appearance. Let’s explore the benefits of oil cleansing, discuss the base oils that can commonly be found in your pantry, and the right way to oil cleanse!

The Benefits of Oil Cleansing

Some traditional cleansers on the market can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Oil cleansing on the other hand can help to balance the skin’s natural oils. Many people who have oily or acne-prone skin believe that they should avoid using oil on their face. However, using the right oils can actually help to regulate the skin’s natural oil production, reducing the appearance of oiliness and breakouts.

One of the best things about oil cleansing is that it’s natural and effective. Instead of relying on harsh chemicals, you’re just using oil to cleanse your skin. This helps to maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is so important for keeping your skin soft and supple.

Oil Cleanse to Remove Makeup and Impurities

Oil cleansing is fantastic for removing makeup, sunscreens, and other impurities from the skin. If you’ve ever struggled to fully remove your makeup at the end of the day, you’ll love how easily oil cleansers melt away even the most stubborn products!

My Favourite Oil Cleansing Bases

Now, let’s talk about the base oils, some of which you can find in your pantry.

Jojoba Oil

One of my favourite bases to use for oil cleansing is jojoba oil! It’s a great all-around oil that’s gentle on the skin and won’t clog your pores. Jojoba oil is also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which help to protect your skin from environmental stressors.

MCT Oil

MCT oil, or medium-chain triglyceride oil, is another great option for oil cleansing. It’s a lightweight oil that’s easily absorbed by the skin, making it perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin. MCT oil is also antibacterial, which can help to reduce breakouts and inflammation.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a fantastic choice for those with dry or mature skin. It’s rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, which help to nourish and hydrate the skin. Avocado oil is also great for reducing inflammation and promoting collagen production, which can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Grape Seed Oil

Last but not least, grape seed oil is a great all-around oil for oil cleansing. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and won’t clog your pores. Grape seed oil is also rich in antioxidants, which help to protect your skin from free radical damage.

The Right Way to Oil Cleanse

So, how do you oil cleanse? Oil cleansing may seem simple, but there is a right way to do it for the best results. Follow these three simple steps below and your oil cleansing routine will be effective and hygienic!

My Simple 3 Step Oil Cleansing Method

Step 1: Apply Oil to Dry Skin

Start by adding 2-3 drops of your selected oil to your palm, rub your hands briskly together, and apply all over your dry face. Make sure your face is completely dry! This is important since oil does not mix with water; applying oil to wet skin makes it difficult to properly remove dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and other residue from the day.

Step 2: Massage Oil into Your Face

Gently massage the oil into your skin using circular motions with your fingertips for 1 minute. Take your time, focusing on areas that are prone to congestion or breakouts, and don’t forget your neck. Massaging the oil heats up both your skin and the oil, helping to break down and lift dirt and impurities from your pores.

Step 3: Use a Warm Fresh Face Wash Cloth

Use warm water and a damp washcloth to gently wipe away the oil in sweeping motions. Gently press the wash cloth onto your skin for a minute, allowing the heat to emulsify the oil. The emulsifying effect is key for proper oil cleansing. Rinse the cloth with hot water, wringing it out, and lay the warm cloth over your face for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat this three times to ensure that all the oil is removed from your skin. The warmth of the cloth gives you a mini steam, helping to soften built-up debris in your pores, while the cloth itself will help to remove the oil and any dirt or impurities that the oil has lifted.

Pat dry with a clean face towel, follow with toner, serum, and moisturizer.

And that’s it! Enjoy the benefits of a clearer, more radiant complexion!

Hot Tips for Oil Cleansing

Have a set of 10 to 15 washcloths available on rotation to use during the week for oil cleansing. This ensures you always have a clean one on hand. White washcloths will become stained with make-up and sunscreen, so choose a dark colour if this might bother you.
When laundering your washcloths, use a high-quality laundry detergent, a long wash cycle and hot water to thoroughly clean them. This will prevent any bacteria buildup and ensure your skin stays clean and healthy. Add vinegar and baking soda or Oxiclean to the wash cycle, especially if you wear heavy make up or mineral sunscreens.

Nourish and Cleanse Your Skin Naturally

Remember to choose the right oil for your skin type, and to patch test any new oils before using them on your face. By following my oil cleansing method, you can nourish and hydrate your skin while removing impurities and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Stick with it, and you’ll soon see the benefits of oil cleansing and how it may transform your skin for the better.

Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a comment below.

Happy oil cleansing!

~Mei xo

Honey Lift Massage for a Rosy Glow

My Honey Lift Massage is the most luxurious, safe and effective method of treating the problem of dull, environmentally damaged, aging skin without surgery or painful non-surgical procedures. This type of massage is a lifting, toning, firming treatment for the face. It’s a natural face lift massage, which smooths fine lines, gently exfoliates, provides moisture, and gives your face a glowing look for days!!

The Secret? Raw Organic Honey!

Honey is one of the natural world’s health-producing wonders. As you know, honey is the nectar gathered from the blossoms of many flowers by industrious bees. After it is collected by some of the bees from a hive, it is then changed by the other bees to make it more useful in the hive. They condense the liquid out of the original flower nectar, producing a heavy syrup with a high percentage of natural sugar content. Though honey is used most often as a nutritional food, it has been used for thousands of years as a natural medicinal as well as in beauty products.

Sweeten Up Your Skincare Routine with Honey’s Many Natural Benefits

The antioxidants and active enzymes found in honey may play a role in protecting the skin from sun damage as well as aid in skin rejuvenation. Because raw honey is antimicrobial and the molecules take up and retain moisture, it it known to speed the drying of wounds. Raw honey also stimulates the regrowth of tissue, strengthens capillaries and the fibroblast needed for healing. It also encourages the dermis to develop new connective tissue and speeds up the growth of new epithelial cells.

More Benefits of Using Honey for the Face

There’s more! Here’s some other important benefits you’ll see when you apply honey to your visage:

Helps smooth fine lines
Provides a light exfoliation
Provides moisture and nourishment for dry, dull skin
Boosts the skin’s immune system
Improves circulation
Assists the skin to naturally express congested sebum (clogged pores)
Stimulates the synthesis of collagen
Antibacterial and antimicrobial

→ Follow my simple step-by-step instructions on how to Honey Lift Massage at home.

Be radiantly you, with natural face lift massages!

~Mei-Lana xo

How To Honey Mask At Home

Honey has so many amazing benefits for us, inside and out. Here is one of my recommended at home treatments you can easily do to help keep your skin maintained and glowing! I recommend using raw organic honey.

Honey Lift Massage: At-Home Treatment

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash hands to remove oils and dry thoroughly.

2. You may want to wrap your hair in a towel or ponytail and tuck it, so as not to get any honey in your hair.

3. Wash face using circular motion strokes for about 2 minutes. This is experienced as ‘massage’, so take your time. Rinse with water three times.

4. Dry the face thoroughly, as well as your hands. (Honey will not become sticky with a damp face or damp hands).

5. Place 1.5 teaspoon of honey on the tips of your fingers. Rub your fingers together and smooth it all over your face (avoid the eyes and neck).

6. Start by whipping the cheeks lightly with open fingers to somewhat ‘fan’ the face while you are ‘airing’ the honey to get it to become sticky. Once it starts becoming sticky, begin random tapping all over the face. Continue for 2 minutes or so.

7. Tap over areas of congestion (nose, chin, forehead) and pump fine lines and wrinkles. With all the active stimulation, your skin will probably be pink. Now, RELAX with honey on your face for up to 20 minutes.

8. Remove the honey. First wet your hands and begin to rub the sticky honey until it starts to feel silky. Once silky, remove the product with soft face cloth and then cleanse and tone. Without cleansing, the honey will leave a sticky residue on the face.

9. Finish by moisturizing: apply eye cream, serum and moisturizing cream. Your Honey Lift Massage Treatment is now complete!

Results You Will Experience from This At-Home Treatment:

A light exfoliation of the skin
Helps to smooth fine lines
Improves circulation: stimulates the synthesis of collagen
Super hydration: provides moisture and nourishment for dry, dull skin
Acts as an antioxidant
Increased immune response to the face: antibacterial and antimicrobial
Assists the skin to naturally express congested sebum (clogged pores)
Refreshing feeling to the face and relaxation to the body

I would love to hear if you’ve tried this at home, and how your skin feels afterward. Leave me a note below!

Yours Truly,
~Mei xo

Seed Cycling: The Natural Cure for Hormonal Breakouts?

In my 22 years of working in aesthetics, I have seen how many of my clients try to manage hormonal breakouts with birth control pills and topical prescriptions. Unfortunately, these methods just mask the root cause of the symptoms.

Don’t give up! I am here to educate you on these natural beauty and lifestyle secrets! There is more that you can do to have a balanced body and clear skin.

Could something as simple as eating seeds help to balance hormones naturally?

Say GOODBYE to mood swings, bloating, cramping, PMS and hormonal acne and say HELLO to happier days and smooth glowing skin!

What is Seed Cycling, anyway?

Seed cycling involves rotating seeds such as flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds throughout the month to help balance hormones during women’s menstrual cycles. The concept behind the cycling is that the seeds contain lignans that help to bind and excrete excess hormones. On the other hand, they also contain minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that support the production of hormones at different phases of your cycle.

Eating seeds in a certain format can ultimately help your body find balance! The result? A more even mood and clear radiant skin!

Basic Principles for Balancing Hormones

Estrogen and progesterone balance are key to healthy body. Too little estrogen can lead to a thin uterine lining or a lack of ovulation and too much estrogen can cause irregular periods, depression, and harsh PMS symptoms. Progesterone is essential for getting pregnant and sustaining pregnancy, but a deficiency has been linked to symptoms of PMS, fatigue, irregular periods and recurrent miscarriages.

Ok, with that said…

Throughout the menstrual cycle, the female body is dominated by estrogen for the first half of the cycle (days 1-14), and dominated by progesterone during the later half (days 15-28).

Seeds For BALANCING Estrogen (Days 1-14):

Flax seeds and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which allow the smooth transmission of hormones throughout the body.

Flax seeds contain lignans, which blocks the absorption of and assists the elimination of excess estrogen out of the body.

Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, calcium and magnesium content, which allows the body to release progesterone, reduce cramping and clear the skin. The combination of these two processes allows for the balance between the two hormones.

Seeds For Progesterone (Days 15-28)

During the second half of the cycle, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds will encourage the production of progesterone.

Sesame seeds are high in zinc, calcium and omega 6 fatty acids which are essential to progesterone production. As well as, reducing acne, headaches, cramping. Similar to flax seeds, the lignans in the sesame seeds deter excess estrogen production.

Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin B6 and selenium which support the liver, having a positive effect on the reduction of breakouts and removing excess hormones and toxins. They’re also rich in magnesium, which works with calcium to reduce cramps and calm mood.

Eats the Right Seeds During Your Cycle

Keep in mind (this part is very important!) to ONLY consume the seeds appropriate for your cycle on the given weeks. Aim to avoid sunflower and sesame seeds during the first half of your cycle, and avoid pumpkin and flax seeds during the second half.

Healthy tip: Choose raw, unsalted versions of each of the seeds.

In the first 14 days of your cycle, have one tablespoon each of ground flax seeds and ground pumpkin seeds daily. In the latter half of your cycle, work in one tablespoon each of ground raw sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Grinding the seeds breaks down the tough outer layers and makes their nutrients more easily accessible to the body.

How to Add Seeds to Your Diet

Add them to smoothies, salads or soups or even blend with water or juice for a quick drink. Make a sauce, salad dressing or your own tahini or seed butter. Go ahead, get creative! Smoothies, dips/spreads, dressings, sprinkle on yogurt, salads are great vehicles for your seed regimen.

Daily Dosage Guide for Seeds

Days 1 -14: 1 tbsp of ground flax meal & 1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds

Days 15-28: 1 tbsp. sesame seeds & 1 tbsp of sunflower seeds

*For extra support, add 1500 mg of Fish Oil (EPA+DHA) on days 1-14, and add Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) on days 15-28.

And ONE last suggestion! Did you know parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, etc. are found in every day beauty products? These are toxic chemicals that are absorbs through your skin, and can alter the natural rhythm of hormones. Scary right?

Use Natural Products and Facial Treatments

If you’re going to give seed cycling a go, I would highly recommend switching to natural facial products (if you haven’t already) and choose to have organic holistic facial treatments, which can help prevent further alteration of your hormones.

Hormones can take a while to balance using natural methods, so be patient and give yourself at least 3 months for this process.

Please let me know how you do, or if you have any questions! Feel free to drop a comment below.

Until next time,
Mei-Lana Chow RHN

Soothe Your Skin and Your Gut

Hello friends and beauty enthusiasts! My name is Mei-Lana Chow. Thank you for dropping in to my first blog post!

My Purpose: Glowing Skin

I have been working as an aesthetician for 16 years. 10 of those years as a Medical Aesthetician at a dermatologist office in Toronto. I am also Registered Holistic Nutritionist, a Bellanina facelift massage specialist, and now finally a blogger?!

I know what you’re thinking…I sound all over the place! But the common thread here is: I know skin: how to take care of it, how to keep it looking great ,while keeping you feeling even better.

My goals is to share what I’ve learned throughout my years working as a skin care specialist. I would love to help you find what you really need for your skin to stay healthy and vibrant! I highlighted “you” because there are so many different opinions and theories out there as to what works to make your skin glow. But the thing is, what works for one person won’t necessarily work for the next. Sometimes we have to blend all sorts of methods to find the right fit to achieve beautiful, lasting, illuminating results.

I truly believe that beautiful glowing skin is a by-product of a healthy body. And a healthy body begins with gut health and is supported with healthy lifestyle choices and habits!

My #1 Advice for Skin Care

The number one thing I always recommend to my clients is to start taking a high quality probiotic every day. Look for probiotic that delivers 20 to 50 billion live organisms per dose and contain a combination of different strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Take as directed, preferably once or twice daily with meals. This “friendly bacteria” helps to keep your digestion running smoothly and also will have a direct impact on the clarity and tone of your skin.

Another way to incorporate gut-friendly probiotics into our daily food choices is to eat fermented foods! Sauerkraut, kimchi, organic yogurt, kefir, and kombucha…yum!!!

One thing I must point out though!!! It’s the fact that some people are unable to properly digest milk proteins, and this can irritate their bodies creating an abundance of mucus in the tissues and ultimately having an “ugly” impact on their complexion. If you suffer from cystic or even mild acne, cutting out all dairy might just clear up your skin!! Try cutting out ALL sources of dairy from your diet for a minimum of 2 weeks. Betcha you’ll notice less breakouts?

Healthy Food & Healthy Skin

Now I’m going to put a spin on this and suggest you also put the same food you’re eating for a healthy body and put it on your skin for a healthy glowing complexion! YUP!

I have honestly had the most compliments on my skin the days after I apply this turmeric mask on my face. I also put this mask on my boyfriend once after he came home from surfing in November. Yes, he surfs in the icy waters of Lake Ontario, with a wetsuit of course! He just loves catching waves!! Well, this one time he came home with a serious case of wind burn. His skin was so irritated it was screaming out for the soothing, anti-inflammatory nature of this mask. I mixed it up and smothered it all over his face, left it for 15 min, washed it off and BAM, his skin looked and felt normal again!

This is definite must-try at home facial treatment, especially if your skin is inflamed, irritated, or acne prone!

Turmeric Mask for Glowing Skin

At Home Treatment

Ingredients

1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. raw honey
1 tsp. organic yogurt

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a small dish. If it is too runny, add more turmeric powder.
Apply to face for 10-15 mins.
Splash with water and gently wash off with a dark-coloured wash cloth. Be careful with blonde or white hair, or light/white towels, as the turmeric can stain!
Follow with applying a lightweight, natural moisturizer.

Benefits of these amazing ingredients: Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Raw unpasteurized honey is antibacterial, moisturizing and softening. The lactic acid in the milk product will gently exfoliate the skin.

*Note: If you suffer from acne, use cooled green or black tea instead of yogurt!

Well, friends and beauty enthusiasts, that’s it for today! Thanks for reading! I’ll be back soon with more helpful tips on how to feel great and keep your skin glowing.

~Mei-Lana Chow xo