Skin Care IS Self Care

I connected with skin care guru Tammy Fender to discuss her holistic approach to skin care. This was an honor for me as I've been a longtime admirer of Tammy's holistic approach and incredible products, which I've used for almost ten years. Tammy Fender is a holistic skin care brand bringing beautiful intelligence to luxurious products for restoration and rejuvenation.

What drew you to a holistic approach to skin care?

For me, taking good care of the skin is part of a holistic lifestyle that encompasses body, mind and spirit. Naturally radiant skin seems to glow from the inside. That's because the skin is our largest organ and reflects so much of our internal state—our eating habits, sleep habits, stress levels and sensitivities. I love to work with clients holistically not only because that's when they see the best results, but because these big picture shifts are where true wellness lives.

What inspired you to create your own products?

When I first started out as an aesthetician, I wanted to find a line of products offering the most luxurious formulas made from only the most precious and pure natural ingredients. I searched high and low, but it didn't exist. So, I started blending my own customized formulas in my kitchen, in order to meet the needs of my clients. While we've grown quite a bit since then, the focus has always been the same. Each formula was created in relation to what I see in the treatment room, not the trends of the moment.

Tell me more about how you see skin care as a ritual.

Slowing down to care for the skin is a beautiful way to dip into gratitude, self-care and connection, and for me that intention shows in the way the skin responds. Creating the space for contemplation, for re-centering in who we are, is a beautiful way to melt stress. You could do something similar sitting on a mediation cushion, of course. But using the hands and the sense of touch to anchor that presence is a profound practice.

What are the benefits of using a Gua Sha?

I love the way the ancient practice of Gua Sha enlivens the skin, activating circulation, which helps not only detoxify the tissues, but imports vital nutrients deeply. I use Quintessential Serum, blended with rejuvenating Rose, and sculpt and contour the facial muscles. The ways that we hold tension in the face can cause fine lines, but also this practice just feels so good. It's a refreshing, revitalizing start to the morning.

What is most often overlooked regarding skin care?

Less is more. I truly believe that taking a simpler approach can be really beneficial, whether that means giving the skin some downtime, where you are not boosting it or asking it to do anything or whether it means looking for products that are made with natural ingredients that the body can relate to most easily. So many of us have a tendency towards wanting to overwork the skin.

What is your skin care advice to women in their 20s?

In your 20s, it's time to start moisturizing well. So many young women will carry over skin care habits from their teen years, but this is the time to keep the skin lightly hydrated.

How can we integrate wellness with skin care in our lives?

Start by removing things from your schedule--and from your diet--that don't serve your long-term goals. We can all get excited and want to add newness into the routine, but sometimes removing what's not working, what feels depleting or stagnant first can be much more beneficial.

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I thank Tammy for her holistic approach to skin care that focuses on body, mind, and spirit and shows how the daily ritual of skin care is self care. Stay tuned for me to share my experience trying Tammy Fender's Gua Sha and Quintessential Serum.