All Things Skincare with Ronit Shapow Malloy
By Ronit Shapow Malloy
I’m so excited for one of my favorite Los Angeles-based estheticians to be sharing her insight with us today. I met Ronit Shapow Malloy, the owner of SanctuarySpa90041 several months ago when she so kindly reached out via Instagram and offered this tired, newly pregnant lady a facial. It had been a long since I had gotten any kind of facial or self-care treatment and it really was such a treat. Her knowledge runs deep and her practice is filled with an abundance of warm, calm energy. As many of you know, I have been going through some hormonal breakouts during this pregnancy and asked Ronit if she could share some thoughts on dealing with skin during and after pregnancy. Enjoy!
As a Holistic Esthetician I treat not only your skin- but treat your whole body system… because it’s all connected. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense, so when the inside world is out of balance.. it shows up on the skin. When the outside world is not serving you… it shows up on your skin. Your skin's function is to protect you… honor that by strengthening it with nourishment and gentle exfoliation and love.
My first rule of thumb for skincare during pregnancy and post pregnancy during lactation is an ingredient list of no no’s in skincare. Things to actively avoid for the health of your baby (and you!) during this time :
Willow bark
Salicylic Acid
Retinol
Sage oils (can start contractions)
Rosemary oils (hormone disruptor)
Oxybenzone in sunscreens (hormone disruptor)
Things to focus on in skincare:
CLEAN PRODUCTS
I love to use products both personally and in the treatment room which are predominantly food grade. Why? What you put on your skin enters into your bloodstream, so why choose products that are not clean enough to eat? My all time favorite brand is Botnia who’s ethos is clean, sustainable, small batch, organic, and is waaay beyond in quality what the price tag requests. Trust me…I have used the top of the line skincare products in my makeup kit for years - this brand delivers in both quality and performance.KEEP YOUR SKIN MOIST… YOUR FACE AND YOUR WHOLE BODY
You are going through a lot … you are creating life. Nourish yourself with oils and creams (and love) to keep up your skin’s elasticity.KEEP YOUR CLEANSERS & MOISTURIZERS GENTLE, SIMPLE AND CLEAN
Some of my favorite products for pregnancy/post pregnancy/sensitive skin:
Cleanser : Botnia Gentle Cleanser, or Agent Nateur Oil Cleanser
Face cream: Botnia Daily Face Cream
Extra moisture: Botnia Hydrating Serum
Face Oil: Botnia Replenishing Face oil
Eye creams: Botnia Eye Cream & Agent Natuer Holi Glow
Body cream: Botnia’s Body Cream
Body Balm: Poppy and Someday Mama Sunshine Balm (for all over the body)
Hydrosols: Botnia’s Rose Geranium Hydrosol, Sonoma Bee Company Lavender Hydrosol
Each product I carry at SanctuarySpa90041 is highly curated and are what I consider a stockroom of my “hero products” and all star line up. I just love to play match maker with products and clients. I find happiness in connecting good skincare with good people.
LOVE YOURSELF AFTER THE BABY COMES
Love is boundless when you meet your new bundle of joy… so self care could seem unnecessary or even a bit of guilty pleasure. This is far from the truth. When momma is refreshed, happy and balanced, baby is refreshed happy and balanced. I created SanctuarySpa90041 as a retreat that I wish I had during my pregnancy and in the years after the birth of my son. A place to recharge the mind body and soul… if only for an hour a month.DRINK PLENTY OF WATER (ESPECIALLY IF BREASTFEEDING) BUT REALLY ALL OF THE TIME
I carry around a water jug to visually see the amount of water I have had throughout the day. I always feel more energized when I am properly hydrated.TRY TO SLEEP
I know this one is tough. I am not going to sugar coat it, nor did I get any for the first 3 years of my sons life. But really, when you are resting, this is the only time your skin regenerates itself. And, let’s not get started on how lack of sleep affects your whole body system (blood pressure, sugar and fat cravings, mood etc).DRINK CAFFEINE-FREE TEAS OR HERBAL INFUSION TEAS
Plant power doesn’t just stop with skincare and food… you can nourish and calm your adrenal glands with the right herbal teas. I love Herbal Infusion Teas (teas that are heated and covered for 4 hours or overnight to get the most nourishment out of the plant) and sip it throughout the day. I offer tea blends online, and often refer my clients to an Herbal Sommelier like @mamalier to create custom blends based on skincare goals and lifestyle needs.LOVE YOURSELF, ENJOY THE RIDE, AND REMEMBER TO BREATHE
Take three deep belly breathes before you get out of bed in the morning, and when you close your eyes to sleep at night (or even when you are feeling overwhelmed) This is simple …but effective to oxygenate your whole body system, nervous system, and digestive system.TREAT YOURSELF
If you are local in Los Angeles, and have the time and space for a treatment, I have two services I highly recommend at SanctuarySpa90041 during and post pregnancy : The Organic Facial Escape or the Gua Sha Fusion Facial.
The Organic Facial Escape is a customized treatment in which facial masks are blended for you using organic raw ingredients from an herbal apothecary. Ingredients are selected to promote your specific goals while leaving out ingredients which don’t serve you. With this treatment, the power of plants nourish your skin while you relax with a shoulder, neck, hand & foot massage…. and a live sound bath. Because when your whole body system is at rest… that’s when your skin can regenerate itself. Leave with your skin nourished, deeply clean, and glowing while addressing your goals.
The Gua Sha Fusion is a deeply relaxing facial in appreciation of traditional Thai and Chinese traditions. This treatment uses Gua Sha gemstones in combination with a warm Herbal compress of green tea, lemongrass and lavender known as an Herbal Poultice. This treatment releases facial tension while opening space for lymphatic drainage with specific massage techniques to reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce and heal acne and leaves your skin hydrated and glowing.
With love,
Ronit