AJRadmin – AJ Retreat

Winter Feet!

Here we are deep into the winter season and we are all struggling with Winter Feet!

The reason why winter is so harsh on our feet is because of the elements inside of winter itself. We have cold conditions, and if we are not wearing boots, our feet may be wet during the winter. Then we have the dry heat inside our houses that are drying and cracking our heels and toes. Then we are wearing socks every day, so like soldiers in their military boots, we have the risk of athlete’s foot.

So many possible issues and were are here to help you take care of a very important part of your body. You need your feet to hold all the weight of your body and walk.

1) Make sure to keep your feet dry and clean. Wearing boots and thick socks may keep your feet warm and toasty in the winter, but it can also cause them to sweat a lot. Damp feet get cold more easily and are prone to bacterial infections. Keep your feet clean and dry by putting foot powder in your socks, treating yourself to footbaths throughout the winter, and drying your feet thoroughly after each footbath.

2) Wear cotton and wool socks. When choosing socks for the wintertime, go with natural fabrics like cotton and wool instead of synthetic blends. Wool wicks moisture away from the skin and keeps your feet dry. On the other hand, socks made of synthetic materials can cause your feet to get sweaty and smelly. Excess moisture can also cause the skin to cool down more quickly and potentially lead to frostbite.

3) Wash your feet daily! Wash your feet thoroughly every day with soap and water. Keeping your feet clean can prevent toenail fungus and other unpleasant problems. Make sure that your feet are completely dry before you put socks and shoes on again. Change your socks daily. It’s also a good idea to soak your feet in Epsom salt and warm water every once in a while to relieve discomfort and prevent infections.

4) Treat yourself to pedicures during the winter to file off unwanted dry and cracked skin. It is okay to splurge and treat yourself during the winter. Your feet will thank you for it!

So, whether you’re slogging through deep snow and sub-zero temperatures in the north, or contending with dampness, chill, and muddy conditions in the south, it’s important to take care of your feet all winter long.

Call us to set up your next pedicure appointment this winter and let’s make those feet a priority!

~AJ Retreat

Dry Skin Dilema

It is winter and that means the dreaded “Dry Skin.” Do you feel it? Do you have it?

There is no single cause of dry skin. Dry skin causes can be classified as external and internal. External factors include cold temperatures and low humidity, especially during the winter when central heaters are used. Internal factors include overall health, age, genetics, family history, and a personal history of other medical conditions.
External factors that cause dry skin include:

– over-washing with harsh soaps,
– overuse of sanitizers and cleaning agents (alcohol),
– cold temperature,
– low humidity.

As you can see by this diagram, oily and dry skin look very different. Dry skin is very prone to wrinkles yet oily skin is more prone to blemishes and pimples.

Dry skin has very fine pores while oily skin has very large pores. Both types have pros and cons, but trying to get your skin to a balanced state is more appealing.

During the cold winter weather, turning up the thermostat doesn’t help, either. Indoor heating strips even more moisture from the air — and your skin. We also love hot showers in the winter to warm up. Standing under that hot spray long enough to warm up though, is also a no-no. The longer you linger in the shower, the more you dry out your skin.

Also, don’t put just any bar of soap into your shower dish — they’re not all the same. Wash with a harsh soap and you’ll send your skin’s natural moisture barrier straight down the drain.

What kind of lotion should you use? Rub on a rich cream containing ingredients such as soothing ceramide for sensitive skin, or urea, lactic acid, dimethicone, or petroleum jelly (petrolatum) for very dry skin. And make sure you do not use the same lotion on your body as on your face.

We recommend Codi lotion for hands and body. Please come and check it out in our shop.

This is the best hand and body lotion! Unique delicate fragrance that absorbs quickly into your skin leaving it so moist and supple. Even better, it is non greasy so you can dress immediately after bathing or showering! Everyone using it has had great reviews about this product.

We hope that you have success in keeping your skin hydrated and balanced this harsh winter season!

~Agnes & Joanna

AJ Retreat 525 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 784-0077

The Benefits of Aloe

We have all heard it before, Aloe is like a wonder potion. Well, in fact it is true!

People drink aloe, people lather up in aloe, people use it in the sun, in the shade, and everyday. Here is the reason why aloe is so powerful, and we should keep doing what we are doing with it!

According to the website Drugs.com, “Topical aloe appears to inhibit infection and promote healing of minor burns and wounds, frostbite, as well as in skin affected by diseases such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, although studies have had conflicting results.”

The plant has been shown in studies to help heal minor wounds eight days faster than standard dressing, not to mention it’s an antibacterial and contains vitamins and minerals that can ease eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. But creative and enterprising beauty experts are using it for a lot more than the occasional cut or rash; they’re using it to get gorgeous, too.

Every time we have used aloe after a sunburn, think about how soothing it has been on that burn? That shows us the great affects of aloe. Carrying a bottle on vacation is a smart thing to do!

Aloe Vera contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids – no wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies! The bulk of the aloe vera leaf is filled with a clear gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water. Humans have used aloe therapeutically for over 5000 years – now that’s a long-standing track record!

Aloe Juice has many benefits if you drink it! It detoxifies your system, it supports your immune system, it lowers your cholesterol and blood sugar, it supports digestion, it helps with hair growth, and boosts your vitamin & mineral intake.

These juices can be found at your local vitamin store and even WalMart!

We love for you to check out our website at: www.ajretreat.com to see how we use natural practices to enhance natural beauty.

AJ Retreat 525 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 784-0077

Why Use Glycerin Soap?

SIMPLE: Its Natural, Moisturizes Your Skin, Its Gentle, Great Cleanser & has Anti-Aging Properties

Glycerin – What Is It?

Glycerin is a colorless, odorless and viscous organic compound. It is a neutral, sweet tasting substance which has a high boiling point and freezes to form a thick gummy paste. Glycerin is a good solvent as it dissolves a lot of things easier than water or alcohol. It absorbs moisture from the air. It has soothing effect on your skin when diluted with water and is also known to soften the skin. This is the reason why it is so widely used in cosmetics.

Glycerin Soap Benefits – Natural

Soaps with synthetic chemicals can harm your skin in many ways. They can be responsible for irritation, redness, swelling and itching of the skin. Homemade glycerin soap is free of synthetic chemicals and is all natural. People who are allergic to chemicals or synthetic soaps can use natural glycerin soap without thinking twice. It will surely benefit them.

Glycerin Soap Benefits – Moisturizer

Glycerin is a humectant that is capable of drawing moisture towards itself. When you use glycerin on your face, it attracts moisture towards your skin and locks the water molecules there. This keeps your skin hydrated constantly and gives it a moist feeling. Regular use of glycerin soaps can make your skin softer and suppler.

Glycerin Soap Benefits – Skin Disorders

People with skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis find it very difficult to choose the right soap. Slightest amount of toxic chemicals in their soaps can aggravate their condition. Glycerin soap is very mild and gentle on the skin and can even help in relieving symptoms of certain skin disorders.

Glycerin Soap Benefits – Cleanser

Glycerin soap can be a very good cleanser for your face and can help you get rid of the extra oils and dirt that clogs your skin. It is also effective for acne prone skin and helps keep the acne away.

Glycerin Soap Benefits – Anti Aging

Glycerin soap keeps your skin moisturized all the time and prevents a lot of skin problems. It prevents the skin from developing wrinkles and stretch marks, thus acting as an anti aging product. It keeps your skin healthy all the time.

Our Soaps at AJ Retreat:

Our soaps captivate fragrances found in nature.

• Reviving Forest Freshness

• Blooming as a Northern Meadow

• Fresh as a Marine Breeze

Please come check out our selection of Glycerin Soaps and start enjoying the many benefits.

AJ Retreat, 525 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 784-0077

Polish Remover Mistakes

Not all nail polish removers are made equally…

Some of the nail polish removers out in the market today are very damaging to your nails. While it is proven that nail polish remover is not dangerous to your overall health, the health of your nails can suffer greatly with different brands.

Nail polish remover is actually a solvent. All nail polishes contain a small degree of this solvent, which helps the polish stay in its liquid form. Without the solvent, it would thicken and harden and polishing nails would be impossible.

When nail polish remover is applied to a polished nail, the remover breaks down the polish and liquefies it, bringing it back to the state it was in before it was applied to the nail and dried. It then dissolves the polish from the nail, hence removing it.

Acetone itself is actually present in the human body. It is said that acetone is one of the safest solvents other than water. So then…what sets different removers apart from others?

Well, the features and benefits of the remover does!

That is why we sell and use in our salon the Zoya Remove Plus product. Here is why…

Zoya Remove Plus is an award wining, gentle, yet highly effective 3-in-1 nail polish remover, nail prep and nail conditioner. Longer nail polish wear starts with Remove Plus. Polish remover is just the beginning of what this wonder 3-in-1 formula achieves. Clean and prep nails while moisturizing, nourishing and fortifying the nail plate for guaranteed extended polish wear. Nails are left without a trace of nail lacquer, without streaking or staining, hydrated and ready for a base-coat.

As you can see, there are many benefits of this remover.

This polish was noted in the magazine “The Cut” as the best remover for glitter nail polish. They said “The dispenser was like the kind you see at salons — simply push the pad down and you get the right amount. It removes regular polishes pretty well but had trouble with glitter, shredding a pad after two nails. I loved the pleasant floral scent it left on my fingers.” This product comes in several packaging sizes. 32oz and it is now packaged in the portable, spill-proof 8oz Big Flipper pump container.

Please stop by our salon to purchase your Zoya Remove Plus and enjoy one of our natural manicures where we believe that natural nail care is the only way to keep healthy beautiful nails. Stop by or call us today for an appointment.

AJ Retreat 525 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 784-0077

Why Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is the substance that holds the whole body together. It is found in the bones, muscles, skin and tendons, where it forms a scaffold to provide strength and structure.

Collagen production naturally declines with age, reducing the structural integrity of the skin and leading to sagging skin, the formation of lines and wrinkles and the weakening of cartilage in joints. While young, the body consistently produces collagen, but collagen synthesis begins to decline around the age of 40, with a dramatic reduction in synthesis in women after menopause. By the age of 60 there is typically a considerable decline in collagen production.

At AJ Retreat we have found the solution and answer for you.

This product is dedicated to people who expect skin care products to have specific properties and effectively delay the formation of new wrinkles.

Recommended for the face, neck and cleavage, it is also useful for the whole body, particularly for burns and minor skin defects. It calms the skin irritated by intense beauty treatments. The skin immediately becomes smooth, plump and elastic.

Regular use delays the formation of new wrinkles for many years. A lasting effect of revitalization and reduction of vascular defects is seen after about 110 days of regular use. This is the time needed for complete remodeling of collagen structure in the skin.

Pure Native Collagen Is: – Not allergenic -Does not cause skin irritation – Is paraben free AND – Contains no artificial pigments or aromas

This makes it our recommended product of the week. We hope you understand the importance of collagen in your normal beauty routine.

We offer Collagen Treatments in our salon. Please stop by our salon to purchase this amazing product or schedule your treatment appointment now.

AJ Retreat, Inc. 525 Winnetka Ave. Winnetka, IL 60093 (847) 784-0077