How does a Dr Hauschka Facial differ from a holistic facial?

One of the things I love to do is teach other estheticians the Dr Hauschka facial treatment. In a short while I will be training a new group of estheticians and that got me thinking about what makes a Dr Hauschka facial different from the training estheticians get in school?  What exactly is a Dr Hauschka facial?  You may have had one yourself or read about them.  How does it differ from a holistic facial?  The best way to share with you the answer to this question is to start at the beginning and look at how the treatment originated. 

The  Dr Hauschka facial  was created by a woman named Elizabeth Sigmund.  In the 1950's Elizabeth had a spa in Stockholm and created her own skincare products to use on her clients. Elizabeth was also a student of Rudolf Steiner, who has been described as a ' Austrian mystic, philosopher, social reformer, architect, and esotericist.'  Many people have heard of Waldorf  education which is based on Rudolf Steiner's idea's. Another of Steiner's more well known contributions is biodynamic gardening.   Elizabeth was a student of Steiner's teachings and she was also familiar with another student of Steiner,  Dr Rudolf Hauschka. Dr Hauschka created a company in the 1930's called WALA which makes homeopathic remedies based on anthroposophic medicine (another brain child of Rudolf Steiner).  Elizabeth had been purchasing Dr Hauschka's homeopathic preparations and adding them to her skincare products.  Dr Hauschka heard about this and they began to correspond, eventually this resulted in Dr Hauschka inviting Elizabeth to come to WALA to collaborate with him in creating a skincare line. 

So what does this all have to do with a Dr Hauschka facial?  The skincare line went on the market in 1968 and by the 1970's estheticians were asking for a facial treatment that used the product line but also incorporated an anthroposophical approach to treating the skin.   Elizabeth created a facial treatment that addressed  4 distinct aspects of the body as taught by Steiner.   Steiner believed that we are more then just a physical body.  We have an 'etheric' body, similar to what some understand as chi or prana.  There is also our emotional body,  called our 'astral' body. The forth aspect is our spirit, which Steiner believed lives on after our physical body dies. In addition to the treatment addressing these 4 distinct aspects it also incorporates rhythm, as Steiner believed that ' rhythm carries life'.

Let me introduce you to a few ways anthroposophic philosophies are weaved into a Dr Hauschka facial treatment. 

The treatment begins with a warm sage foot soak to calm busy minds, creating a grounding effect.  Since so much of a facial is focused on the head there is wisdom behind the approach of soothing the feet before the treatment begins. It pulls energy down from the head and calms thinking, resulting in tension leaving the head. Also of importance is how soaking one's feet at the beginning of the treatment addresses the warmth aspect.  Warm feet physically effect our whole body in a harmonious way. In anthroposophical medicine the doctor will insure that the patients warmth processes in the body are functioning well as this assist in any medicine prescribed work optimally.

Cleansing addresses the physical body or earth element. Cleansing of the skin can begin with warm calming lavender compresses to the face and upper chest. Cleansing is done with care to not disturb the skins natural protective acid mantle.  This is followed by a herbal steam and clay mask application, where the connection to the earth element can be easily understood. The skin our earthy - physical organ  is fully  cleansed and the treatment moves on to address the etheric body. 

At the heart of the Dr Hauschka treatment is a unique form of lymph stimulation. Lymph stimulation promotes cleansing and strengthens of the elastic fibres in the connective tissue.  A completely non invasive technique that supports the skin to remain strong and firm from the inside out....watch out Botox!   Lymph stimulation enlivens the entire being as there are corresponding relationships between areas of the face and systems of the body. The forehead and eyes are related to the head, nerves and senses. The nasal area and upper cheek to the heart and lungs. The lower cheek and chin to the metabolism and movement. By addressing the fluids of the lymph we effect our etheric body. 

Light, air and warmth which correspond to the astral body are addressed by incorporating warm fragrant biodynamic body oil massage to the chest, shoulder and neck.  Warm lemon compresses followed by cool compresses to the skin remove the mask and assist in the awakening from the quite inwardness the treatment produced to the activity of the world. 

The treatment leaves the whole body harmonized and that is reflected in a healthy glow to the skin, and inner radiance that shows on the face.  When your inner world is restored to harmony your outer appearance reflects this transformation. 




Kathleen offers women a transformative skin care experience that goes far beyond what the typical facial can offer.  As a Certified Dr Hauschka Esthetician since 2001, she has a passion for wellness and a deep understanding of the complexity of the skin.  Dr Hauschka estheticians are experts in caring for the skin, employing unique methods and products that soothe, calm and balance skin conditions with gentle, non invasive but powerfully effective techniques.

To book an appointment email

 kdaunhauer@shaw.ca    or call 250 294 9913