Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Trophy Skin. Review and opinions are my own.

Blackheads on my nose and chin have long been an issue for me since my teen years. Having oily skin for most of my life, and not a good skin care routine in my younger years, created a perfect storm for my pores.

Now in my mid-40's and losing skin elasticity by the day (it seems), means those large pores can appear even larger when clogged. Add in now having "mature skin" (yes, I am literally doing air quotes), means my skin has a tendency to get dry in some spots leaving my skin looking dull.

In between monthly spa facials, I began using Trophy Skin's LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula to unclog my pores, and exfoliate my skin without ever applying a scrub or mask to do so. If you've been wondering about this beauty tool, read on for my review!

What's Included:

The LaBelle device, charging adapter, storage case, and user manual. Mine also came with a promo for a free travel size skin care item (I plan to get their Argan Stem Cell Serum.)

How it Works:

The LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula is a professional grade extraction, exfoliation and infusion beauty device. It has two modes - scrubber mode and infusion mode.

Scrubber Mode is the mode in which you are exfoliating, deep cleaning and extracting dirt and debris; you do this with your face wet. But don't be fooled by the name - you aren't physically applying pressure to scrub your skin. The LaBelle does all of the work for you with ultrasonic waves moving at 30,000 Hz.
Infusion Mode is used after Scrubber Mode and aids in deeper infusion of your serum. You'll be able to accomplish both modes in under 5 minutes. Recommended use is 1-2 times per week the first few weeks and then 2-3 times per week once your skin is used to it.

My Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect of this skin spatula and I made sure not to read other reviews prior to using it so that I could form my own opinion on its use.

It easily fits in your hand and comes in a handy case for storage. My device was fully charged, so that made for a great out-of-the-box use. The manual is very easy to understand, so you don't have to be a professional to use this beauty device.

I was a little awkward the first time I used it when trying to make sure I was using the correct side of the device for scrubbing and then for infusion; I kept referring back to the manual as I used it. I even put way too much water on my face the first time causing the ultrasonic waves to gently bounce a spray of water into the air, scaring the life out of me and making me laugh out loud. My kids wondered what in the world I was up to.

After the first use, it was smooth sailing and I really liked that this was a super quick skin treatment and didn't require much from me.

Scrubber Mode

As you glide the spatula across your skin in Scrubber Mode, you'll watch the dirt and debris on your skin seem to effortlessly lift and find its way onto the spatula. It was oddly satisfying to watch, especially since I really wasn't doing any physical labor to make it happen. You do have to make sure to keep your skin wet when using it or you do feel the pulsing slightly. It doesn't hurt, but it makes you aware that the water has evaporated off your skin.

Scrubber Mode only took about 90 seconds to use - it's very quick! I paid special attention to my nose and chin since those are my main problem areas when it comes to blackheads and being prone to blemishes. You can use the device anywhere on your face, but you do have to keep it away from your eyes.

If you have an active breakout, you need to avoid that area as well. When you are done, make sure to wipe the spatula clean (it will have lots of gunk on it) and wash your face with warm water, patting dry when done.

Infusion Mode

This is the second button on the LaBelle Ultrasonic Skin Spatula. First pat on your favorite skin serum (do not rub it in as you want it lying wet atop your skin.) Next, press the Infusion button and lie the flat end of the spatula on your skin moving in circular motions.

Do not apply pressure as you do this, as the ultrasonic waves will do the work for you just like it does for Scrubber Mode. You'll begin to feel when the serum has absorbed as you move across your face. This mode took maybe 45-60 seconds at most.

Does the Skin Spatula Work?

I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in the appearance of my skin after the first use. I watched with my own eyes as it removed the dirt and oil, and then delivering my serum deeper really seemed to help soften some of my wrinkles due to being well-hydrated.

For the two months that I have had the chance to use this product, my face has not been dry at all and I haven't had a break out at all. I'm really impressed, but I almost feel guilty in a way because it was very little work to see such great results.

So does it work to improve your skin? It did for me! Try it for yourself at TrophySkin.com. 

What makes skin crepey? Crepe skin is the thin, loose, wrinkled skin that we tend to find on our hands, arms, legs, face, and neck as we age. Different from the deep-set kind of wrinkles we find on our face, the wrinkles found in crepe skin tend to cover larger parts of our body and give the appearance of thin, fragile skin.

Cancer is an all encompassing disease. From the physical to the psychological, head to toe, cancer is a thief that tries to rob you of everything. While its toll on the body is most obvious, how it affects our mindset - not being in control of the cancer or the treatment - can get worn down.

Here in the Poconos, cancer patients and survivors are blessed to have a cancer wellness center called The Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA that offers health and wellness treatments. It was because of this that I learned that treating cancer isn't just reserved for the hospital and doctor's office.

If you don't have a cancer wellness center near you, look into these 8 nutrition, fitness and spa treatments you can take part in to treat your whole self during and after the battle with cancer.

Yoga

Yoga is beneficial for cancer patients as it helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It's not a secret that living with cancer can cause emotional distress. The more stress and anxiety, the worse your health becomes. Stress can lead to high blood pressure, immune system impairment, headaches, and more. Beginners’ yoga is a wonderful place to start to alleviate stress if you are new to yoga.

Pilates

Pilates is another gentle form of exercise that can improve movement in cancer patients post-treatment. Whether you’re currently living with cancer or are now cancer-free, Pilates can be beneficial as it can help patients overcome fatigue, improve physical function, and deal with other symptoms to improve the quality of life. The gentle stretching and toning of your muscles also helps to prevent muscle loss and atrophy during a long cancer battle.

Massage

Massage should be a must for cancer patients. Massage can not only help with pain in the muscles, but massage can also help combat nausea experienced in chemo patients. Massage also lowers anxiety levels and improves mood. Those that get regular massages have an overall feeling of well-being.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture also helps combat nausea and improves digestion. It can help with pain, fatigue, stress management, and emotional support. Those going through chemotherapy should definitely consider acupuncture treatments. 

Meditation

Meditation improves feelings of well-being, combat stress and anxiety, and help cancer patients focus. Meditation can also aid in improved sleep. Cancer patients should start practicing meditation as soon as possible. You’ll find that you regain control of your feelings and learn to live in the moment. This is something you can even begin right away in the comfort of your own home with apps like Calm and Head Space.

Facials

Chemotherapy can be hard on the skin. A facial can be a way to combat the damage to the skin. Hydrating facials are best for chemo patients and will help repair the skin by adding moisture. When booking your treatment, make sure the spa is aware that you are on chemotherapy so that they can help you choose the best treatment possible. They'll also be able to recommend a better skin care regimen, as your current one will no longer suit the change in your skin. (Try our hydrating lotion to address dry skin on your body.)

Nutrition

It’s not all massage and facials. You also need to focus on an improved diet during and after cancer. Cancer treatment has a lot of side effects, and nutrition plays an important role in lessening and combating these effects. Diets high in fruits, vegetables and protein are essential for cancer patients; calories play an important role as well. Ask your oncologist to get you connected with a nutritionist to guide you towards the right foods to eat to help alleviate side effects and keep your body healthy to win the battle against cancer.

Exercise

Lastly, you need to be active. Whether you do yoga or pilates or some other form of exercise, being active can help boost your mood, battle fatigue, and give you an overall sense of well-being. Get out and walk with a friend when possible, stretch and tone at home for 15 minutes a day with resistance bands equipment, petal on a stationary bike to get those endorphins going - anything to stay active.

Cancer symptoms can be widespread and overwhelming. Unfortunately, treatments can be just as damaging. Chemotherapy has many unpleasant side effects. The good news is there are spa and wellness treatments for cancer patients that can improve your quality of life. 

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Cardio or weight training, which is better? Both have many benefits. It also depends on what you hope to achieve from your workout plan. Women often feel that weight training will make them bulk up, but that's not true when specific training is done to create lean muscle instead.

The Benefits of Each Workout

Cardio workouts are recommended because they improve cardiovascular health, but the health benefits don’t stop there. Cardio workouts are also great for lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, reducing asthma symptoms, reducing chronic pain, aiding in sleep, helping with weight loss, improving the immune system, and boosting brain power and mood. Best of all, cardio workouts are affordable to anyone and can be done by almost any age group. Examples of cardio workouts including brisk walking, swimming, jogging, running, cycling, playing sports, and even heavy cleaning and gardening. Weight training has its own set of benefits. As we age, muscle mass can turn to fat. Weight training helps ensure your muscles stay muscles. It can also give you the strength and stamina to work harder and for longer. It’s not without its health benefits either. Weight training improves bone density and strengthens connective tissue, muscles, and tendons.

The Right Plan for Your Needs

What’s your goal? If you’re trying to improve your health and lose weight, cardio is definitely the way to go. It is recommended that you do 2 to 3 intense cardio sessions per week to lose weight. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about toning your muscles and making your body stronger to prevent injury, weight training is the best option. If you have arthritis or mobility issues, resistance cords may be of benefit to you.

How You Can Benefit from Both

Alternately doing cardio and weight training is the best way to drop the pounds while toning up, strengthening and sculpting your body. Each of these workouts complements each other. What you won't get from cardio, you can get from weight training and vice versa. As you can see, it’s not so much a question of if you should do one or the other, but why you aren’t doing both. Both forms of exercise can help your body. Cardio focuses on everything from your heart to your immune system while weight training helps you get stronger so that you’re less likely to injury yourself. Everyone can benefit from both. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Peels are essentially an exfoliation process that removes dead skin cells, mainly through the use of acids that loosen the bond between the cells, and dissolve debris away.

Below are three DIY facial peels to make at home. They're known as chemical peels, which sounds scary, but it's the acids in the ingredients that are doing the work. As with all products, you may find one that feels the best to you or gives you the results you most want. Try them all to find out which one is your favorite.

DIY Sugar Peel

Ingredients
1/4 cup of sugar
1/4 cup yogurt

Combine the sugar and the yogurt to make a paste. Using your fingers apply to the entire face while avoiding the eyes. Let the peel rest for about 15-minutes and remove with cool water and a towel if necessary. This peel will help restore hydration and even out dark spots.

DIY Peel for Wrinkles

Ingredients
1 egg white
½ cup of de-seeded cucumber pulp
1 tsp lemon juice

Beat one egg white and mix it with cucumber pulp. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and mix well, creating a paste. Apply the finished product to your face and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with water. This combination of egg whites, which naturally smooths wrinkles, with cucumbers will help de-wrinkle and moisturize the skin and is the perfect peel for springtime skin.

DIY Sensitive Skin Peel

Ingredients
1 cup green tea
1 cup of chamomile tea
1 small cucumber
1 tsp unflavored gelatin
4 ounces of water

Green tea calms irritated skin, while the cucumber provides ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which can soothe skin irritations and help reduce swelling.

Steep the chamomile and green teas together in approximately 4 oz of water and add the unflavored gelatin. Blend a cucumber until it resembles the consistency of a paste and add the cucumber juice to the tea and gelatin mixture. Before applying to your face, allow the mix to cool in the refrigerator for about a half an hour to thicken it up. Apply to your face for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it completely dries, and then peel off the mask using warm water.

Many thanks to The Lantana Spa at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa for providing us with these DIY mask recipes. 

If your skin has been looking lackluster lately, it may be time to exfoliate. Exfoliation will help to slough away dull looking skin and help it to reveal a healthy glow. A good body scrub can do the trick and we rounded up 5 cruelty free body scrubs that you can find on Amazon. 

BROOKLYN BOTANY MATCHA GREEN TEA SCRUB

Matcha is not only great for your health, but it's also great for the skin. Matcha is very popular for treating inflammation and diminishing the sign of aging. Matcha is good for all skin types, so everyone can use this body scrub. This body scrub will help to exfoliate and eliminate dead skin cells, then rejuvenate the underlying skin to improve your skin tone. Peppermint oil adds to the refreshing quality this scrub has. It is 100% natural and it is cruelty-free.

LALICIOUS SUGAR TIARE FLOWER EXTRAORDINARY WHIPPED SUGAR SCRUB

This body scrub comes in travel size or is perfect as a way to test out if it's for you. This sugar scrub is coconut oil based, giving skin a gentle exfoliation with maximum hydration. The scent is a heady blend of exotic flowers making you feel like your shower is an island getaway. Bonus is it's natural, with fair trade ingredients and cruelty free.

BAEBODY BEAUTY COCONUT MILK BODY SCRUB

This delicious smelling blend of Dead Sea Salt and coconut milk will whip your skin into shape. This scrub has a plethora of hydrating oils from avocado oil to grapeseed oil. Your skin is sure to be left supple after using it. It's also natural and cruelty free.

COPPER+CRANE JOJOBA BODY BUFF

You will definitely fall in love with this luxury body scrub. It will help to renew your skin, leaving it fresh and smooth from first use. The scrub contains jojoba beads and fruit acids to exfoliate and hydrate skin, and aloe vera to soothe it. This scrub is cruelty free and hypoallergenic.

SYNERGY HIMALAYAN SALT SCRUB

Forgive us for being biased, but the latest scrub from A Girl's Gotta Spa! is a dreamy mix of Pink Himalayan Salt and a botanical blend of soothing flowers and essential oils. The fine grit of the salt buffs skin , while lavender essential oil relaxes the mind, and organic Sunflower and Safflower Seed Oil moisturizes skin. This body scrub will give you a unique experience! It's also 100% natural and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free.

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Or check out our natural bath and body line!

People love the polish of flat ironing, but sometimes it can create hair that doesn’t want to move, hence the term “broomstick ends.” Andrew Carruthers, Education Director for Sam Villa, suggests using diagonal sections, a low and slow pass and a slight bevel for polished hair that is shiny and bouncy.

Diagonal Sections

Using diagonal sections helps to create a very polished finish while maintaining movement in the hair. Horizontal sections create flat sheets that lay over each other, where as diagonal sections (especially with a bevel) create sheets that fall on a diagonal so they move much better.

Low and Slow Pass

Low temperature with a slow pass or high temperature with a fast pass? Low and slow will produce more even results because it allows the heat to distribute more thoroughly throughout the section.

Beveling

To avoid broomstick ends or a deflated look, create a slight bevel through the hair with the Sam Villa Signature Series Sleekr Professional Straightening Iron. Comb through hair and insert comb at the top of the section and trail it with the iron closed while creating a “C” shape through the midstrand straight through the ends. This slightly bevels the hair and closes the cuticle creating nice movement with polished ends. Make sure to check out the other posts on our blog with hairstyle tips from Sam Villa hairstylists! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Natural ingredient exfoliators for the skin can be mixed together to create a simple treatment that will address dryness, redness, dullness and oiliness. Here’s a recipe for a great combination of natural ingredients you might find in your own pantry:

Have you ever visited a lavender farm during the blooming season? It's a memorable experience you won't soon forget. The calming fragrance will waft through the air leaving you feeling very mellow and in a complete state of relaxation. Lavender has always been synonymous with relaxation and stress relief, but it also represents refinement, grace and elegance. The violet color from lavender is considered delicate and precious. Lavender's medicinal benefits and pleasant aroma make it one of the most used essential oils in the world. Because of this, we've rounded up some benefits of lavender for relaxation.

BENEFITS OF LAVENDER FOR RELAXATION

A Remedy for Anxiety Relief

Studies show that breathing in the scent of lavender or applying lavender oil can decrease anxiety and improve your mood by inducing a calming effect on the central nervous system. If you are struggling with anxiety or bouts of sadness (the non-clinical kind), mix lavender oil with a carrier oil (such as sunflower seed oil) and apply it to your skin or add it to your bath. It can help you to feel calm and improve your mood.

Lavender Improves Sleep Quality

Lavender is also a natural remedy for sleeplessness. Studies have shown that the scent of lavender can increase your sleep quality by 20%. Lavender may help quiet the brain and nervous system activity, which makes you feel relaxed and decreases the feeling of stress. By doing so, lavender can increase the time you spend in deep sleep. However, lavender cannot make you fall asleep, it is only an aid to induce relaxation. Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist your pillow and linens before bed to see how it helps to improve your sleep quality.

Lavender Helps Relieve Pain

Lavender oil can also help you reduce pain. If you are struggling with headaches, try to put lavender essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser or apply it to aromatherapy jewelry. You also can massage lavender essential oil (with a carrier oil) into the skin to relieve menstrual pain and cramps in the lower abdomen. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Synergy Himalayan Salt Scrub contains lavender essential oil and is a great way to take advantage of the aromatherapy and skin care benefits. If you have tried lavender essential oil before, please share your experience below. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

We all know that a steam room can be relaxing, but did you know that there are many health benefits to using one? It's true. There are many reasons why you should definitely spend time in the steam room during your next spa visit.

Improved Circulation and Lower Blood Pressure

If you have a problem with circulation, especially in your arms and legs, a steam room can help. Not only will the heat improve circulation, but it can also lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is also lowered when the hormone aldosterone is released. The time in the steam room releases the hormone in some people and help them relax.

Reduced Stress

Many of us are walking around with at least some level of stress. Spending time in a stream room can slow the production of cortisol. When this happens, you feel relaxed and more in control. Increased cortisol is also factor in weight gain, so think of the steam room as a tool in your weight loss arsenal.

Congestion Relief

The same way drinking a hot beverage helps clear congestion so does sitting in a steam room. If you’re fighting allergies, time in the steam room can be wonderful. The wet heat will help break up the congestion allowing you to breathe more easily. Oftentimes spas use eucalyptus essential oils in the steam room, which also help to open nasal passages.

Clearer Skin

The wet heat helps to expand skin around your pores and allow built up dirt and debris (like dead skin) to be released. This will greatly improve the look of your skin. Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your session and use a good cleanser post-steam room session.

Treats Sore Muscles and Stiff Joints

Heat is a wonderful tool for naturally helping sore muscles and stiff joints. A steam room session after a workout is great for workout recovery. The heat gets deep into the muscles and encourages the muscles to loosen. The same goes for stiff joints. Applying heat to stiff joints helps the joints become more relaxed and flexible.

Weight Loss

Before you get excited, it’s important to note that the weight loss from a steam room is water weight and will be replaced as soon as you drink water to rehydrate. However, spending time in the steam room on a regular basis can help with your diet and fitness routine. If you bypass the steam room at the spa or gym, it’s time to rethink it. There are so many great health benefits to using it and it's often included in the price of your treatment. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!