The number one question I get asked - How Can I Best Treat Aging Skin?

One of the number one questions my clients ask me is “How can I best treat aging skin?” This is so vital. The formation of wrinkles follows the patterns of our habitual expressions.  Negative thoughts and emotions can play a significant role in the appearance of the skin. I have noticed a look of disappointment  on many mid life women's faces.  When we don't attend to ourselves, emotions like sadness and disappointment will rise to the surface.  These feelings are our bodies wake up messages...something or some area of our life needs attending to.    If we’re feeling stressed, frown lines get worked over and over again, creating more prominent wrinkles. And if we smile, just slightly, that gesture lifts and supports cheek muscles and diminishes lines around the mouth, while incredibly, releasing endorphins that soothe the mind. In the same way, lifting the chin just a touch conveys a sense of surprise, without reinforcing the lines running across the forehead, as more shocked expressions do. Learning to be less reactive has an effect! So does changing habitual contrary thought patterns, and learning to manage emotions. Of course, it won’t happen overnight, but after 3 to 6 months clients do see a noticeable difference. 

I find great benefit in listening to guided meditations  to calm and centre myself.  Meditation brings me  out of my head and  into my body.   Becoming more mindful helps me respond to the bombardment of LIFE that comes at us on a daily basis. Here are some great FREE resources that I use regularly to ground myself and ease the tension in my day:

I enjoy Peter Renners gentle voice in these meditations, make sure to note the great yoga nidra meditation by local restorative yoga teacher Jennifer Piercy in Peter's line up of meditation offerings: http://www.heartmind.ca/meditations/

Esther Teule has good grounding meditations online: http://www.ekhartyoga.com/video/morning-meditation

Angela Thurston who lives here in Victoria has this unique meditation that connects you with your womb space...I find it a powerful way to get in touch with deep held emotions: http://angelathurston.com/meditation-gift/

Lastly I am a fan of OSHO meditations, try these ones: http://oshonow.net/online-guided-meditations/

While applying a serum or a cream can’t do it all, I want to share with you my positive aging treatment protocol for mature skin, which has helped so many of my clients. The idea here is to stimulate new cell growth, protect the skin from environmental elements, increase the elasticity of connective tissue and replenish the skin with concentrated, deeply penetrating nourishment and hydration. This protocol also compliments and inspires holistic living and healing at every level, helping us to find the ease and calm that slows the aging process while restoring skin’s radiance.

Kathleen's Positive Aging Treatment Protocol: All products are from the Dr Hauschka range.

Morning: Apply Cleansing Cream in the morning to wash away the waste products your skin has  eliminated during the night. Follow with a few sprays of the Facial Toner, 1 pump of Regenerating Serum applied to the entire face and neck area.  Apply a  rice size amount of Regenerating Eye Cream. Massage 1 to 2 drops of Clarifying Oil  onto skin and finish with Regenerating Day Cream.

Note:  This might seem like alot of work if you have been use to a wash and go routine.  Sorry there are no short cuts to healthy skin.  I get complimented on my skin alot and the truth is...I have to work at it to have good skin.  I take the  time to use the products that are going to feed and support my skin.

NIght: At night it's super easy.  Use the Cleansing Milk - wet face with warm water, and gently massage a few pumps of the milk onto your face and neck- rinse with warm water. Use 2 pumps of the Regenerating Serum, all around your eye area, face, neck and decollate. No night cream is needed.  The Serum is water based and allows your skin to breath out...just like the earth breathes out during the night producing dew in the morning. 

Weekly:  I use masks way more now that I am in my late 40's.  My evening ritual is to have a calming bath and I aways use one of the Dr Hauschka masks at this time.  Another option is to apply a mask in the morning after you have cleansed your face.  Leave it on while you make your breakfast and do your morning routine. 
 There is one more thing I absolutely must do once a week or else my skin is a wreak: Clay Mask. The Clay Mask by Dr Hauschka is unique in 2 ways. One it uses Loess Clay which is different from the typical benonite or kanolin clay...it full of minerals.  Secondly it also contains purifying herbs such as nasturtium and witch hazel. 

The clay mask is my holistic way to exfoliate the skin.  Beware of harsh and extreme exfoliating products and procedures..they weaken the skin over time, lead to sensitivities and throw your skin off of it's natural rhythm. Nature is smart, clay is a safe way to effectively exfoliate and mature skin needs a weekly exfoliation treatment to help remove dead skin cell build up, as the skin has a harder time sloughing off these cells, which then leads to dull, tired looking skin.

Looking for a gift experience for a loved one?  My Holiday Facial Package includes a 
1 hour Dr Hauschka Facial and a Body Care Kit for $79.99....a savings of more then $44 Available until December 24th.  Details here: Holiday Gift Certificate
 Email or call to purchase: kdaunhauer@shaw.ca    250 294 9913

My Special Offer To You

For a limited time I am offering a Free bottle of the Regenerating Intensive Spray when you purchase any two products from the Regenerating Line. (Regenerating Day Cream, Regenerating Eye Cream, Regenerating Serum, Regenerating Neck and Decollete Cream). 

Intensive Treatment 04 for Mature Skin – one bottle, one treatment, use morning and evening instead of Toner until the contents are finished. 

I recommend at least a treatment in summer and winter. The composition brings together selected treasures from nature in rhythmitised form; revitalising precious gems blue tourmaline and amber, regenerating gold, the moisture-preserving medicinal herbs madonna lily and marsh mallow, invigorating gingko and olive leaves, royal jelly, natural thermal salt water from a therapeutic spa with high mineral content and Sandalwood Hydrosol. These ingredients help the skin to retain its moisture and give new vitality. It also helps preserve and activate the skin’s regenerative powers.


A 28-day course of Regenerating Intensive Treatment works wonders for dryness and skin prone to wrinkles. 

How to use: In the morning after cleansing apply 5 sprays of the Intensive Treatment to your face and neck.  Complete with your chosen Dr Hauschka Day Cream.  

In evening cleanse and simply use 5 sprays of the Intensive Treatment. (Do not apply any cream over this.)


While supplies last I am offering a free bottle of the Regenerating Intensive Spray (retails $110) when you purchase any two products from the Regenerating Line.

To take advantage of this offer call 250 294 9913 or email me at kdaunhauer@shaw.ca 

Were my art degree is leading me...helping women look and feel great!

What do you get when you cross a fine artist with an art degree with a passionate, holistic, positive aging expert?  Some one who is excited and thrilled to be helping women in their late 40's, 50's, 60's and beyond learn how to use makeup, colour and light to bring out their features.  On Sunday November 23 from 12pm - 4pm,  I will be hosting my 2nd makeup event at my home studio in Fairfield.

Sadly in our age or ageism, makeup is not geared towards mature women.  Makeup artist mainly work with young models who's facial features and skin is far different then mature women.  I see the potential in each woman I work with for how she could look her most beautiful  in a way she feels thrilled about  and comfortable with.

Sunday November 23 from 12pm - 4pm  @ 316 Moss Street

 This is a one hour, one on one sessions with me.  I will teach how to use makeup on your beautiful mature face.  The cost for the session is $50.  As a bonus you will receive a gift bag of Dr Hauschka products worth $40 when you purchase makeup on the day of the event.

Space is limited and they go quick.  Please call me at 250 294 9913 or email me at kdaunhauer@shaw.ca to reserve your spot.

This Seasons Little Gem: Dr Hauschka's Eye Balm

This month I want to share with you about this little gem of a product.  If you have had a facial with me, I use the Eye Balm as a intensive treatment for your eye area.  It's an amazing product to get familiar with as the colder weather sets in.  Here's why;

Dr Hauschka Eye Balm has many special features but the first one I want to highlight is the fact that being a balm it contains no water.  This makes it  super concentrated, packed with healing, strengthening oils and medicinal herbs.  The colour of the eye balm is a warm orange/ yellow, which tells you that it is very high in anti oxidant rich oils in the form of apricot kernel, jojoba and castor seed oil  But the real stand out ingredient is carrot root extract.  Rich in pro vitamin A, carrot root extract is able to smooth the skin.   Vitamin A is is fat soluble, meaning it needs to be taken with fats to be absorbed.  With the beautiful plant oils present in the eye balm absorption into the skin is guaranteed.

The Eye Balm is a product perfectly suited to the colder months as it is  highly protective of the delicate skin around your eyes.  A small amount goes a long way. Apply it before you head outdoors to give your skin extra nourishing protection.

I  like to use it a bit more heavy handed when I am at home during the day time.  I simply apply it liberally to my entire eye area and use it like an intensive treatment.  When I am ready to go out, I simply take a tissue and wipe off any excess.  

Don't worry about what you'll do with this product once spring comes, as its very soothing for irritated, sore eyes due to seasonal allergies.  Containing Neem Leaf Extract, it calms and soothes red, irritated, itchy eyes. 

This is my go to product for women who want to use an eye cream but have found the eye creams they have tried  in the past  irritating to  their eye area.  Eye Balm works like a charm for those with sensitivities and it's also healing for extreme conditions like eczema around the eye area.  

If all that weren't enough...I take a small amount and smooth it on my eye brows.  It keeps them neatly in place and adds a nice sheen to them.  Well groomed brows can really enhance your eyes.

Eye Balm 10m is $52 and is easily last you an entire year.

This is a product I aways have in stock.  If you would like to purchase call or email me.

250 294 9913 or kdaunhauer@shaw.ca

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Compliance is the Path to Great Skin.

Recently I read some advice given from a celebrity facialist in regard to how to have great skin.  Her one word recommendation was, 'compliance'.  Not what I was expecting.  Here's what the  dictionary says on compliance: conforming to a rule, such as a specification, policy, standard or law. Compliance sounds hardline when it comes to describing how to achieve great skin...but ladies....I agree one hundred percent.

Let me tell you a story.  Fifteen years ago I trained as an esthetician.  At that time I really knew nothing about skin care. I was in my early thirties and what I had learnt about taking care of my skin I mostly gathered from fashion magazines.  Fast forward fifteen years and I know alot.  What I know is that like most things in life that one excels at, it requires commitment, dedication and discipline.  Maybe not the most fun sounding adjectives, but there are benefits too!  One of the benefits I receive is being told on a regular basis that I have gorgeous skin.  Its still a bit of a shock to hear this.  I have to work diligently and consistently to keep my skin looking healthy.  Products aren't the only part of the picture to great skin.  I also eat wisely,  for me that means  taking the time each morning to make a potent green juice with my juicer.  I schedule time for yoga, walks, rest, and creative time.  But skincare health also depends on what products you are using, and having a skincare routine. 

Here is what my routine looks like.  On a daily basis  I ALWAYS cleanse my face in the morning with Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream.  I use the best quality moisturizer to protect my skin in the day time.  Usually at sometime during the day, I will apply a facial oil or eye balm to top up my protection. At night I cleanse my face and I use a mask.  Yes, every evening I put on a facial mask and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.  This usually happens while I have my evening bath.  At night I use super high quality water based products from Dr Hauschka to support my skin while I sleep.  That's my daily care. 

Most importantly and I can't stress this enough, is my commitment to a weekly facial ritual.  I do this once a week, usually on a Sunday and sometimes I might even do it twice a week...it makes that much of a difference.  My facial  ritual is to gently steam my face with Dr Hauschka Steam Bath and then apply the Clay Mask.  This transforms my skin and totally refines the texture of it.  The point of me telling you all this is so you understand that it takes time, and dedication to have good skin. If I do not do these things, I know for a fact that my skin suffers. 

Where I come into the picture to help you achieve skin that you are proud of is by offering a highly effective facial treatment.  Skincare is my passion and my livelihood.  There is no doubt in my mind that regular facials are crucial to having great skin.  My weekly or twice weekly ritual is a facial I give to myself.  Some of us need help to maintain routines, that's why we opt to go to a yoga class rather then practice alone at home.  If you really want to see dramatic improvements in your skin, a facial every 3-4 weeks is absolutely the place to start.  Facials have a reputation as being a luxury pampering experience.  It's time to rethink this and see facials as a essential part of our skins health.  If your budget doesn't allow for the regularity of a monthly facial, I can help you learn how to create a program for yourself at home...but you have to follow through.  At a minimum commit to having a facial seasonally.  This is a time when our skin can benefit from having support and guidance as it transitions into a new rhythm. 

My bonus offering to you this November when you book a facial is the Spruce Bath Essence full size bottle.  This is a lovely warming product. Simply  add a small amount to the water you use to cleanse your face with.  It's warming and improves the circulation in the skin which in turn brings oxygen to your skin. The result, improve vitality.

Contact me at 250 294 9913 or kdaunhauer@shaw.ca to book an appointment.

Probiotics In Your Cleanser?

Last week I was doing a makeup event at Wholefoods and notice several natural cleansers featuring probiotics as the key ingredient.  I had to chuckle to myself, as the brand I trust and represent, Dr Hauschka Skincare has always been ahead of its time.  Introduced to the market back in 1968, (Was there any companies back then doing anything organic!!!!! I'd love to know) Dr Hauschka's creators, Elizabeth Sigmund and Dr Hauschka considered themselves avant guard when they created this skincare line.  A perfect example of Dr Hauschka being ahead of its time is their Soothing Cleansing Milk.  Made with a fermented grain extract, or more commonly known now days as a probiotic, Dr Hauschka skincare has aways had such a deep understanding of the skins needs.  Watch my video to learn about the benefit's of the Soothing Cleansing Milk and read below to find out about the specific benefit's it has for your skin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4MNi9VDwuQ

The following excerpt is from the Dr Hauschka website and it explains beautifully what fermented  grain extract is and how including it as an ingredient  in the Soothing Cleansing Milk  benefits you skin.

Fermented Grain Extract Sourdough bread made of freshly milled oats, wheat and rye is subjected to a second fermentation process, in which naturally occurring lactic acid probiotics transform the bread into a highly nutritive substance. The liquid portion that results is called Brottrunk which, literally means "bread drink"--a traditional European health drink. The remaining solid portion, rich in proteins, calcium, iron, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, E, and co-enzyme A, is used to make fermented grain extract. It contains natural ferments that help protect the skin's acid mantle and have humectant and soothing properties. Fermented grain extract also helps break down impurities while bringing moisture and vitality to the skin. Fermented grain extract contains gluten. During a Dr Hauschka Treatment I use this amazing cleanser to gently clean the skin and strengthen it.  Co-enzyme A is a popular anti-aging ingredient in many skincare products, but in the Soothing Cleansing Milk it is occurring naturally, not from a synthetic source.  This means your skin can easily utilize it, as opposed to a synthetic source which is hard for the skin to recognise use. If you would like to purchase the Soothing Cleansing Milk from me I sell it for $4o Canadian.  A bottle easily last 3 months.   For appointments or products email me at : kdaunhauer@shaw.ca  or call 250 294 9913 kathleendaunhauer.com

Puff the Magic Dragon Had Puffy Eye Because He Used Eye Cream At Night...tsk tsk

Puffy eyes?  The simple no cost, no product solution? 
 Don't use eye cream at night.   

We need to learn to work with our skin's rhythm.  The fact that your skin has a rhythm is probably something no one has told you...not your esthetician, not the cosmetician at your favourite beauty counter, and most certainly not your dermatologist.  

Humans have alot in common with mother nature and her rhythms.  At night our skin 'breathes' out, just like the earth 'exhales' at night and produces dew on the ground.  When our skin breathes out it is getting rid of metabolic waste products.  The most common sense way to achieve balanced skin is to work with your skin's rhythm.  At night when your skin is releasing waste products, you want to make it easy for your skin to do its job...not make your skin work harder. 

 Applying eye cream before you at night makes your skin work hard to eliminate the waste products through the layer of oils contained in your eye cream.  In the morning instead of looking refreshed, your eye area is puffy because the natural process of elimination was disturbed. 

 Save you eye cream for day time use.  During the day your skin wants protection. Fats and oils from plant, seeds and nuts protect and nourish you skin during the day when your skin is exposed to the elements and other factors like indoor heating.  The right time for your eye cream is day time.  Don't be silly like Puff, keep your eye cream for day time use only.