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The Hype of Essential Oils in Skincare

The Wash

The Hype of Essential Oils in Skincare

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
Did You Know Facial Oils are Beneficial for All Skin Types?
How Facial Oils Heal Acne

The Wash

How Facial Oils Heal Acne

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
We may have heard it all throughout our awkward pimply adolescent years... oil is the enemy and we need to banish it with harsh apricot scrubs and alcohol pads. It turns out drying out acneic skin is a misnomer and the right facial oil blend will actually work to fight bacteria and heal your skin. Facial oils are all over the market, but it's important to understand exactly how they work and how to choose the right one.  A clean facial oil is great for all skin types, not just if you have acne. We know those with oily skin often avoid extra oil out of fear of clogging pores and creating more breakouts. Let's be clear, the right facial oil will not clog pores and cause acne. It's counterintuitive, we know, but the right facial oil can treat acne better than any harsh drying acid that was pitched to us over the past 30 years. Newsflash: most topical oils are not the cause of acne. The underlying root of acne often times runs on a deeper, systemic level and is exasperated by hormone disrupting chemicals found in food we eat, the things we put on our skin, and our environment that mess with our endocrine system.  Fight Fire With Fire Due to the chemical nature of breakouts, the cellular turnover of acneic skin is five times faster than non-acneic skin. With the overproduction of oil plus skin cells shedding faster than a person can cleanse, the skin becomes congested.  Using an oil on already oily skin sounds illogical, but a common mistake in acne treatments is to strip the skin of its natural oils or to use “oil-free” cleansers. When you remove the skin of its natural oils, it will compensate for the loss and create even more oil in an effort to rehydrate itself. The excess oil, plus extra dead skin causes clogged, angry pores. Courtney Buras, Master Esthetician at The Still Point Spa, sees many clients with acne and has seen firsthand the benefits of facial oils. Courtney shares, “Oils help balance out the overproduction of oil because it's lipophilic, so it makes its way into the follicle where oil is present and attracts oil from the pores. Skin is left hydrated but not congested." TOMA's Bioactive Regenerating Oil is infused with natural fruit acids and essential oils to micro-exfoliate and cleanse the pores for overall healthier skin. The specific oil and source are important Since lipids are rapidly absorbed by the skin, the chemical properties of the oil and source need to be understood. Some oils are comedogenic (meaning they clog pores), so oils like shea, fractionated coconut oil, and sesame oils should be avoided. Oils we recommend for acne:  • Tamanu Oil:  A Polynesian oil that's known for killing bacteria heals current breakouts, prevents future breakouts, and reduces scarring. • Grapeseed Oil: Contains antimicrobial properties that can treat breakouts by attacking bacteria and clears pores. • Argan Oil: Regulates sebum production and reduces breakouts. Its high antioxidant concentration removes damaged cells and fosters new cell growth, helping to fade scars. Healing acne is 90% done at home with a consistent, simple regimen with powerful plant-based formulas. Washing your face twice a day and hydrating with a product like TOMA’s Bioactive Regenerating Oil will turn your skin from greasy to glowing.
Discover the Powerful Benefits of Gua Sha Facials for Your Skin

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Discover the Powerful Benefits of Gua Sha Facials for Your Skin

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
Every woman is looking for the proverbial fountain of youth. After treating hundreds of women battling acne, wrinkles, and aging for years, we've come to realize there is no magic pill for skincare that will heal your skin overnight. Skincare is all about consistency. We can't stress enough the importance of a skincare routine. Give your face some TLC daily, and your skin will thank you for years to come.  Skincare routines do not need to be complicated. In fact, the easier, the better.  We're skincare minimalists, so we created an easy 3-step system for you to do a gua sha facial at home. We like to keep it holistic and straightforward because it saves us time, money, and improves our overall health. We're advocates of our TOMA Essential Skincare Kit that has done wonders for our clients and us, but today we are going to talk about an ancient Chinese facial massage that does more our for skin and health than any topical product we use. Ancient Chinese Gua Sha Facial Chinese Medicine doctors invented Gua Sha or "wind-scraping" to remove pathogens and improve circulation in our bodies. Oftentimes this causes redness and bruising as blood is being moved to enhance circulation. For use on the face, the intense scraping method is a  milder "gliding" version to help tone and firm the skin.    Similar to body scraping, facial scraping’s goal is to facilitate circulation and lymphatic drainage for a youthful, dewy glow.   As you gently "scrape" your face, fresh oxygenated blood stimulates cell renewal. The blood transfers nutrients that make cell regeneration and repairs efficient, which is vital for healing scars and boosting collagen production. Every woman should add gua sha scraping to their routine. It's highly effective and only takes 5 minutes.  Not quite sure how to gua sha at home? Learn how to with our "How-To Gua Sha Scrap at Home."  In just 5 minutes a day, you can experience al these wonderful benefits of gua sha!   Benefits of Gua Sha: Lymphatic Drainage   Your lymph is a clear fluid that transports white blood cells throughout your body. Lymph nodes are congregations of tissue that filter out old cells and create new white blood cells for your body.  Your lymphatic system is CRUCIAL to your immune system. It's twice the size of our circulatory system, yet unlike our circulatory system lacks a pump (or heart) to clean and move lymph automatically.    Lymph circulation or drainage through lymph nodes only happens through muscle contraction or movement or massage. With modern sedentary lifestyles, our lymph systems are susceptible to damage and sluggishness.  A sluggish lymph system can cause:   Swollen or puffy skin Chronic Fatigue Colds or illness Acne and Skin Conditions   Facial gua sha is just one piece of the lymphatic puzzle but works magic to heal chronic issues in our faces like sinus pain, mucus, oiliness, and jaw clenching. Opening up the lymph nodes in your neck and face can really help jumpstart the whole system and increase your overall energy.   Gua Sha Benefits: Cystic Acne   Yes, you can use gua sha on your acne as long as the skin is not broken and always on clean skin. An added benefit of gua sha tools is using it to calm the inflamed breakout. Place the tool in ice water for a minute then hold the flat side on the breakout for a minute or two. Never gua sha over broken skin or pustules!   People with cystic acne typically have sluggish and congested skin. Gua sha helps to move the congestion and improve circulation to the surface, which reduces flare-ups faster. Gua sha also helps the appearance of acne by reducing redness, size, and scarring of breakouts. Basically, it can help prevent and heal acneic skin, rather than allowing acne to sit there and try to heal itself.     Gua Sha Benefits: Acne Scars   As you gently scrape your skin, you're bringing fresh oxygenated blood to the surface which stimulates cell renewal. The boost of nutrient-rich blood makes tissue repair more efficient and effectively reduces acne scarring.    Gua Sha Benefits: Puffy Skin   With gua sha, it's all about circulation. Puffy skin, or edema, is due to the accumulation of excess fluids under the skin. Fluid retention can be caused by various things and can be as simple as overeating salt in your diet.     However, gua sha can help move blood and lymph to remove excess fluids from your face. When you eliminate excess fluids, you're effectively tightening your skin and contouring the skin to your muscle. The results are a tightened and more chiseled facial complexion.    Gua Sha Benefits: Dark Circles & Dull Complexion   Dark circles and a dull complexion are your skin’s way of saying, "you need more sleep." Some beauty naps combined with gua sha to improve blood flow to your skin will help you get rid of dark circles and bring back a rosy glow to your cheeks.    Gua Sha Benefits: Wrinkles & Fine Lines   In addition to improving circulation, gua sha does wonders to release facial tension. By relaxing our facial muscles, we can release wrinkles and lines that are created due to various tension patterns we hold in our face during stress.    Gua Sha Benefits: Jaw Clenching and Grinding   We recently went to our dentist who said she no longer treats as many cavities as she used to. What's keeping her in business? Cracks and tooth damages due to clenching and tight jaws.     As many as 20% of people hold their tension in the jaw and are unaware of grinding their teeth.   A gua sha facial massage can relieve tight jaw muscles and bring awareness to our clenching. By building our awareness, we can retrain our jaw muscles to relax.   Is gua sha an overnight treatment that will cure all? No, but you can see quick results. Skincare takes dedication and with gua sha added to your regular routine, the results will be remarkable.    Nothing beats a quicky at home gua sha sculpting facial.    
How to use a Facial Gua Sha Scraping Tool

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How to use a Facial Gua Sha Scraping Tool

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
Facial gua sha scraping tools are Instagram's newest beauty trend. Just a quick search of skin care and you're sure to see women applying rollers and scraping tools to their face all in the name for anti-wrinkles and aging. Publications like Harpers Bazaar are even calling facial gua sha the "natural facelift" or "botox of the east" because it's non-toxic and delivers IMMEDIATE results. But gua sha existed long before Instagram’s inception. Traditional Chinese Medicine invented gua sha scraping treatments for whole body healing. In fact, gua sha translates to "scraping-wind" and is designed to remove pathogens from the body, often times with deep pressure.  There are TONS of benefits to gua sha. There's so many we won't get into the nitty gritty here, but if your curious, read all about The Amazing Benefits of Gua Sha Facials for your Skin.  Do a quick Google search for Chinese gua sha scraping and what you will see may scare you. You’ll find videos of Chinese doctors vigorously using a gua sha scraping tool to rake the skin inflicting red streaks that resemble a hickey all over their patient’s bodies. It’s a little rough, we know, but when done correctly, a gua sha scraping tool works wonders for moving energy, breaking up scar tissue, removing painful knots, and improving circulation.  Though body scraping is widely used in Chinese medicine, the facial gua sha scraping tool is becoming, “the secret to skin care” according to Vogue. In facial gua sha, the principles of moving energy remain the same, although the pressure is much gentler. The simple technique improves circulation, aids lymphatic drainage, improves skin elasticity, addresses adult acne, and helps build collagen.   In addition to the facelift effects of gua sha, the techniques may be used to treat: Jaw pain Puffiness Acne Oiliness Dryness Stiff neck Tired eyes  Facial gua sha is vastly different from body gua sha as it's gentle and is designed to improve circulation, not to remove pathogens. Though the techniques and purposes are different - one key element remains the same - gua sha is highly effective in improving your skin. Whether you're struggling with acne, wrinkles, or a sluggish complexion, daily gua sha scraping at home will enhance your skin's health.  Since the benefits outweigh the costs, we believe every woman should apply a quick gua sha regimen in her daily skincare routine.  Here's a breakdown of how to use a facial gua sha scraping tool so you can give yourself a natural face lift at home. The Technique to using a Facial Gua Sha Scraping Tool   Light to medium pressure with facial gua sha is recommended. However, under your eye always use featherlike pressure to protect the delicate skin. When you use gua sha, you want to scrape and lift up to improve circulation and flow. It is important to finish scraping one side of your face first before moving onto the other side. Doing one side, then the other helps move energy, circulation, and lymph all the way up your face.  The long curved part of gua sha tools is for the neck and areas that do not huge bone like the forehead. The V-angle is used to hug the bone in areas like the jaw, cheek, and brow. The longer notch is ideal for under the eye. This is how you use a facial gua sha scraping tool in three easy steps:  1. Cleanse Your Face before Using Your Gua Sha Scraping Tool   Always wash your face before you start scraping, so you don't spread oil or bacteria. 2. Apply Gua Sha Oil to Your Face Apply three-five drops of TOMA’s Sculpting Treatment Oil to help your gua sha tool glide over your face and nourish your skin.  3. Scrape Your Neck Then Your Face Always scrape your neck first before your face to improve energy flow and circulation.  Let's dive a little deeper and talk about how to use gua sha on your neck and face for the natural facelift everybody raves about. How to Use a Facial Gua Sha Scraping Tool on Your Neck Always start gua sha by scraping your neck. Scrape from your shoulder to the bottom of your ear lobe and massage with a wiggle movement Scrape from the middle of your throat to your chin and wiggle Scrape with the V-angle on your throat moving upwards and wiggle under your chin  Continue scraping all the way over to the other shoulder Once you’re done scraping your neck, move onto your face.  How to us a Facial Gua Sha Tool on Your Face 1.Scrape your chin, from your chin, along your jaw to your ear and wiggle                     2. Scrape along your cheek to your ear and wiggle  3. Scrape under your cheekbone with the notch to your ear and wiggle 4. Scrape very gently under the eye to the temple and wiggle 5. Scrape your brow bone to the temple and wiggle 6. Scrape your forehead from underneath the brow, over it, and up to the scalp and wiggle More and more women are opting for gua sha scraping over botox treatments. It's more than just an Instagram trend, it's using your body’s natural ability to get the results you want. It's a medicinal treatment because it WORKS. We promise you'll see immediate results just after scraping one side of your face.  But gua sha works deeper than just reducing fine lines and healing acne. Gua sha rebalances your energy not only for healthier skin but a brighter healthier you with less stress, more energy, and more happiness.   Can botox do this? We don't think so. KEEP READING: The Benefits of Gua Sha The Ultimate TOMA Rebranding Guide
The Ultimate TOMA Rebranding Guide 2019

The Wash

The Ultimate TOMA Rebranding Guide 2019

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
TOMA Rebranding Guide Essential Skin Therapy TOMA rebranded this year to create more advanced and sophisticated products that continue to heal your skin naturally. We rebranded because it was time for us uplevel our products to fit the modern women's needs. Though we reformulated some products and completely changed our look we want you to know we still work with uncompromising quality - we formulate all our products with only the highest quality potent organic and wild-crafted botanical ingredients. We take a natural healing approach to skin and believe in mother nature's innate ability to heal our bodies. All our products are non-toxic and cruelty-free because you deserve skin technology that's pro-skin, pro-environment, and anti-toxin. We're sure you have some questions about our rebrand, especially regarding which new products to use now. Read on to learn more about our latest products and formulas!   Why We Rebranded After seven years of testing various products, working with our estheticians at our sister spa The Still Point, and listening to our client's needs, we've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't in skincare. This year we took an opportunity to cumulate all our information to uplevel, enhance, and modernize TOMA. What You will Get out of our Rebrand With TOMA's Rebrand, our goal was to answer, "what is essential for our customers?" and "how can we be more environmentally friendly?" We don't believe any woman needs thirteen different skin care products on their skin. Who has time for that? Plus, we don't believe in polluting or harming our planet's natural resources. We only have one Earth, and it's our responsibility to care for it. Our solution was a simplification. We boiled down our skin care line to the bare essential products you need for minimal skin care with maximum results. Essentially our products have less fluff, more results, less waste, and more savings for you. New Environmentally Friendly Packaging TOMA loves your skin and also loves the environment. We want to make sure that all our products are maximized to leave a minimal carbon footprint, which means no chemicals, recyclable bottles, less shipping packaging, and less plastic. Here's how we've taken steps to be more green: Miron Glass We changed our bottling from amber glass to Miron glass - an ultimate preservation system for beauty products. Miron glass is a beautiful dark purple glass that effectively blocks out UV light. An experiment on Miron glass recently showed that a cherry tomato in Miron glass lasts 7x longer than a cherry tomato in a regular glass. Just like the glass protecting the tomatoes from degrading, the glass also protects our preservative-free skin care products from degrading in light, which means your TOMA products will stay effective for more than 12 months. Miron glass is more than just beautiful. This glass is biophotonic to prevent photoaging and protect the quality of ingredients while activating and energizing the healing energies of the ingredients stored inside this unique violet bottle. While many skincare companies use brown and green glass bottles due to cost and aesthetics, it provides little protection from degradation caused by light. Miron glass increases the shelf life of our products by one year and is 100% recyclable. Miron glass is also more environmentally friendly than amber glass. Contrary to common belief, amber glass is not recyclable if not sorted from other colored glass (few facilities do this); it is separated from clear glass and dumped. On the other hand, Miron glass is recyclable with all types of glass, making it a more environmentally friendly bottling for TOMA. Boxing & Packaging To reduce packaging and shipping costs, we created our own boxing system. Not only do our new packaging system reduce shipping costs by 20%, they also cut out on hundreds of pounds of single-use paper and plastics annually. By creating packaging for our product, we are also able to share more information about the products, ingredients, and how to use them.  Plus our box is also 100% reusable and recyclable! The TOMA Essential Kit If we could sum up our rebrand in one saying it would have to be, "Back to the Basics." Modern skincare marketing has misled women into believing they need tons of different products to achieve results. Like you, we know how frustrating it is to purchase products that don't work, wasting time, money, and further damage our skin. After years of experience, we understand one high-quality skin care system that delivers results is a much better investment in 10 low-quality products that don't. We rather you invest in quality over quantity, but first, we needed to look at our products to see which were the essential products you need to have healthy, vibrant skin daily. To give you a minimal beauty routine that delivers without compromising quality or burning your wallet, we created The TOMA Essential Kit. The TOMA Essential Kit is the cornerstone to our vision - a four-step minimal skincare routine that heals and protects your skin without breaking the bank. The TOMA Essential Kit has four different products: The Balancing or Rejuvenating Cleanser (normal/oily or normal/dry skin): Exfoliating Cleanser Replenishing Mist Bioactive Regenerative Oil All you need to do is cleanse your face twice a day with the Balancing or Rejuvenating Cleanser. Spray the Replenishing Mist, then add the Bioactive Regenerating Oil. A few times a week swap the cleanser for the Exfoliating Cleanser and follow the same steps. Viola! Skincare made easy! Curious about how to use The TOMA Essential Kit? Check out this great infographic we made! Enhanced Luxury Night Oil into Bioactive Regenerating Oil - A Retinol Alternative Old Name: Luxury Night Oil New Name: Bioactive Regenerating Oil Hero Ingredients Enhanced: Noni Oil Hero Ingredients Removed: NA Our Luxury Night Oil has always been our crowning glory, but we knew it was time to take this product to the next level in our rebrand, but how?  We looked to retinol. Retinol or Vitamin A is renowned for its unparalleled skin renewal and results. However, most people don't realize retinol products are chock-full of toxic chemicals like parabens and sometimes petroleum products. Besides, they are costly, you need a prescription, and the high concentration of Vitamin A can cause redness and irritation.  Popular retinol products never meet our uncompromising skin care standards, so we were inspired to create a natural retinol alternative that packs the same powerful punch without all the toxic fillers, expensive price tag, and skin irritation. We decided to reformulate our Luxury Night Oil into a retinol alternative, the perfect way to bring this best selling product to a new level. Our newly formulated Bioactive Regenerating Oil is an exquisite facial oil rich in essential fatty acids, critical antioxidants, and a potent blend of essential oils to hydrate, heal, and revive dull skin on a cellular level. We've added: Rosehip Seed Oil: A retinol alternative loaded with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega fatty acid for the skin's barrier protection, vitamin C to brighten the skin and vitamin A via carotenoids to improve tone, damage from UV exposure, and overall skin firmness. Pomegranate Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants that demonstrate anticarcinogenic benefits. The seed oil contains a potent blend of vitamins, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids. It has a retinol effect and promotes skin repair by stimulating cell production. Argan Oil: Contains vitamin E and fatty acids and protects against skin damage, balances the skin's oil production, hydrate the skin, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Palmarosa: Heals acne, calms inflammation, hydrates skin, and promotes cellular turnover. We recommend our new Bioactive Regenerating Oil for all skin types, even acneic skin. We are recommending this as a day and night lipid-based hydration. It serves as the primary source of hydration and layers well with the Tonifying Protective Lotion or Sensing Repair Cream for enhanced results. It is a beneficial oil and sloughs dead skin cells and increases cellular turnover much more than a pure retinol serum. To Use: After cleansing and toning, apply 4-5 drops in palm, gently rubbing hands together to activate. Press onto face and neck, focusing on recommended acupressure points. Ideal for morning and evening use, and used with serum or moisturizer for enhanced results. Pair With: Healing Enzyme Serum and Cellular C Serum for skin brightening, reduction of melasma, and overall skin healing effects. Ingredients: *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil , *Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, *Macadamia Integrifolia (Macadamia) Nut Oil, *Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, *Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, *Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Flower Oil, Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) Extract, *Rubus Idaeus (Red Raspberry) Seed Oil, *Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Vitamin E, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Leaf Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Wood Oil, dCommipihora Myrrha (Myrrh) Oil, Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, *Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Absolute, Helichrysum Italicum (Helichrysum) Flower Oil, and Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil *Ingredients from organic farming. 100% of our ingredients are naturally derived. All New Refining Mist is Now our Replenishing Mist Old Name: Refining Mist New Name: Replenishing Mist Hero Ingredients Added: Helichrysum, Linseed, Willow Bark, Oat Extract, Sea Fennel Hero Ingredients Removed: NA We loved our old Refining Mist, it smelled amazing, hydrated your skin, and could double as an aromatic spray for your house. However, the product was not doing much on a chemical level for us. We wanted this product not only to smell amazing but to provide results on an impactful level. We decided to add a unique, essential oil, willow bark, and algae extract to the Refining Mist to prep, exfoliate, and heal your skin. Our newly formulated product, the Replenishing Mist is now really a treatment for your skin that reduces inflammation and preps your skin for serums and facial oils. We've added: Helichrysum: Stimulates healthy cell growth and revitalizes damaged tissue. Linseed: Reduces inflammation, red spots, and sensitive skin issues Willow Bark: Provides antibacterial benefits and mild exfoliation. Organic Oat Extract: Provides a lifting and firming effect on the skin. Samphire, AKA Sea Fennel: Calms redness and sensitivity on contact. We recommend our Replenishing Mist for all skin types for toning and refreshing your skin.   To Use: After cleansing, mist directly onto the face and neck to refresh and renew the skin. Follow with a serum or Bioactive Regenerating Oil. Pair With: All TOMA products since the mist serves as a toner and skin prep for other products and enhancements. Ingredients:*Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water, *Glycerin, Crithmum Maritimum (Samphire) Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Populus Rremuloides (Aspen) Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, *Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Seed Extract, *Spirulina Platensis (Algae) Extract, *Helichrysum Italicum (Helichrysum) Flower Oil, *Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Flower/Leaf Oil, *Cymbopogon Martinii V. Motia (Palmarosa) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside *Ingredients from organic farming. 100% of our ingredients are naturally derived. All New Exfoliating Cleanser Old Name: Exfoliating Fruit Scrub New Name: Exfoliating Cleanser Hero Ingredients: Calendula, Combava (kaffir lime), Essential Oil Blend, Jojoba beads, Wheat germ oil As we were simplifying and downsizing our skin care products into the essentials, we felt there was an opportunity to formulate a completely new product that cuts a step out of your skincare regime. Previously, we had two separate exfoliator products to use after you cleansed your skin. We thought to ourselves, do cleansing and exfoliation need to be different steps? Alternatively, can we combine the steps for a simplified and more powerful skincare regimen? After testing and reformulating, we found we could combine a cleansing product with an exfoliating product for an easier and enhanced skin care routine. As a result, our Exfoliating Cleanser was born. We took our old Fruit Enzyme Scrub and reformulated the product into a creamy cleanser with jojoba beads for exfoliating. Our new Exfoliating Cleanser is meant to simplify your daily skin care regimen by using this product in place of your regular cleanser two to three times a week. Here's a brief list of the hero ingredients that cleanse and slough off dead skin cells: Calendula: Treats inflammation, heals the skin, and increases cell turnover. It is also a potent antioxidant that delivers a balance of carotenes, sterols, and anti-inflammatory esters to smooth the skin's texture and protect from damage. Combava (Kaffir Lime): An antioxidant super fruit, neutralizes free radicals and prevents damage with medicinal benefits. Essential Oils: A blend of blood orange, tangerine, and ylang-ylang oils combat sluggishness and revitalize the skin. Jojoba Beads: Gently exfoliate without scratching or tearing your skin. Wheat Germ Oil: Treats eczema and psoriasis. We use a minimal amount to prevent clogging pores. We recommend the Exfoliating Cleanser for all skin types for gentle exfoliation.   To Use: Twice weekly instead of regular cleanser, apply to damp skin with circular, upward strokes. Rinse with tepid water or a moist, warm cloth. For enhanced exfoliation, leave on congested areas for 5 minutes before rinsing. Avoid contact with eyes. Pair With: Choice of cleanser based on skin needs plus Healing Enzyme, Cellular C Cream, Time Defense Mask, and Bioactive Regenerating Oil. Also recommend additional moisturizer, Tonifying Protective Lotion or Sensing Repair Cream based on skin needs. Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Helianthus Annuus(Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Wax Beads, Glycerin, Cocoglucoside, Coconut Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, *Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Lauryl Glucoside, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Hystrix (Combava) Leaf Oil, *Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, *Calendula officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Blood Orange) Peel Oil, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Citrus Reticulata, (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid *Ingredients from organic farming. 100% of our ingredients are naturally derived. Refined The Lime and Lavender Cleanser to be The Balancing Cleanser Old Name: Lime and Lavender Cleanser New Name: Balancing Cleanser Hero Ingredients Added: NA Hero Ingredients Removed: Lime Essential Oil We received a lot of various feedback on our Balancing Cleanser, from, "it dries me out" to "I absolutely love it." We wanted to create a balancing cleanser for normal to combination skin that would work universally. What we did was remove the lime essential oil to reduce any drying effects while still maximizing skin cleansing. The Lime and Lavender Cleanser is now called the Balancing Cleanser, a luxurious blend of organic coconut and sunflower oils combined with essences to clear and calm skin. Here's a brief reminder of the hero ingredients in our Balancing Cleanser sans the lime oil: MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): An organic sulfur compound that's naturally derived during the earth's rain cycle and necessary for collagen production.  It normalizes collagen formation, radically improve skin health and can alleviate skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Works together with Vitamin C to build new, healthy tissues. Vitamin C: An essential component in the body's production of collagen and a potent antioxidant that can help rejuvenate aged and photo-damaged skin. Lavender Oil: A natural antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory product. In ayurvedic and holistic medicine, it is a well-known healing plant. This essential oil reduces scarring and speeds healing by stimulating blood flow to the skin. Cayenne Pepper: A fragrant spice that stimulates the blood flow to the skin enabling oxygen and necessary nutrients to reach the cells. Also, aids in calming skin conditions such as psoriasis. We recommend TOMA's Balancing Cleanser for Normal to Oily skin as well as for psoriasis and rosacea concerns. To Use: Apply with damp hands concentrating on congested areas. Rinse with tepid water. Avoid direct contact with eyes. Pair With: Healing Enzyme, Cellular C Cream, Time Defense Mask, Bioactive Regenerating Oil, and Tonifying Protective Lotions Ingredients:*Potassium cocoate (Coconut Oil), *Potassium Sunflowerseedate (Sunflower Oil), Water/Aqua/Eau (Deionized Water), Hamamelis Virginiana Water (Witch Hazel), Lavandula Angustifolia Water (Lavender Hydrosol), Glycerin (Kosher, Vegetable), Tetragonoloba Gum (Guar Gum), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Bud Oil, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, *Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, *Capsicum Annuum (Cayenne) Extract, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, *Potassium Castorate (Castor) Oil *Ingredients from organic farming. 100% of our ingredients are naturally derived. Same Products with Different Names Many of the product formulas we love as is, but we thought the names did not correctly reflect the properties and results of the product. Here are the products with new names: Protective Enzyme Lotion now called Tonifying Protective Lotion A Lightweight moisturizer to boost the skin's barrier and replenish devitalized cells Nourishing Botanical Cream now called Sensing Repair Cream     Creamy moisturizer to nourish and reduce the effects of oxidative stress. Facial Hydrate (Harmonizing) now called Sculpting Treatment Oil A lightweight facial oil for our at home gua sha facial kit. Clients may choose to continue to use this as a facial oil, and we highly recommend the Bioactive Regenerating Oil since more complex and offers more significant results. Products with No Changes at All We loved these products so much, we didn't bother changing them one bit. Why fix something that's not broken? Firming Peptide Eye Cream A lightweight eye cream to strengthen collagen and elastin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Time Defense Mask An antioxidant-rich mask to combat cellular aging and brighten your skin. Cellular C Serum A lightweight serum to restore sun-damaged skin for a brighter complexion. The product is an enhancement since it enhances the results when used with other products. Healing Enzyme Serum A lightweight serum controls and heals your breakouts as well as reduce redness. Refined and Minimized Our Product Line To help you refine your skin care needs, we let go of fluff products so we can focus on delivering only the essential products to keep your skin healthy and vibrant. Not sure if your current products were discontinued? Not sure which products to use instead? Keep reading below! Discontinued Products: Citrus Foaming Cleanser Protective Enzyme lotion in two Essential oil blends (now just harmonizing blend in Tonifying Protective Lotion) Balancing Antioxidant Cream Exfoliating Fruit Scrub Resurfacing Enzyme Scrub Cucumber Cooling Mask Clarifying Clay Mask Antioxidant Hydrating Mask Replenishing Oxygen Mask Replenishing Peptide Serum Sea Bright Serum One of your products discontinued? No fear here are the products to use instead: Citrus Foaming Cleanser: Use Balancing Cleanser or Rejuvenating Cleanser Protective Enzyme Lotion: Use Hydrating Protective Lotion Balancing Antioxidant Cream: Use Bioactive Regenerating Oil or Cellular C Serum Exfoliating Fruit Scrub: Exfoliating Cleanser Resurfacing Enzyme Scrub: Use Exfoliating Cleanser as a mask Replenishing Peptide Serum: Bioactive Regenerating Oil Cucumber Cooling Mask: Tonifying Protective Lotion Clarifying Clay Mask: Use Exfoliating Cleanser as a mask Antioxidant Hydrating Mask: Bioactive Regenerating Oil or Cellular C Serum Replenishing Oxygen Mask: Time Defense Mask Sea Bright Serum: Bioactive Regenerating Oil + Cellular C Serum Conclusion TOMA started as a mom-and-pop custom skincare operation whose vision was to educate women on natural skincare while unlocking our skin's innate ability to heal. Though we've grown, our vision for the company is the same - uncompromising quality plant-based skincare products that minimize your skincare routine and maximize your skin's health because we all deserve to live in our best skin. Our brand is more than a logo, packaging, and formulas, TOMA is the total experience of living in our healthiest lives with unconditionally clean, radiant skin. Still not sure what products you should be using? Reach out to us! We are more than happy to consult you on your skincare needs. With love, TOMA

The Wash

Our Roots: Classical Acupuncture

by Tori Paide on May 21 2023
As holistic health practitioners, we believe that balance is the secret to whole-being wellness. While our bodies inherently strive to achieve balance, the stressors of modern life can interfere with what comes naturally–sending the mind, body and spirit into a state of distress. Our approach to wellness is based on our training in Classical Five Element Acupuncture (Wu Xing). Using this ancient healing practice, we gently encourage the body back into balance, allowing it to take over and do the work of healing on its own.What is Classical Five Element Acupuncture? While Five Element Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has some notable differences from modern TCM. Deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and practiced for centuries, this style of acupuncture is individualized to the unique needs of every person. Like many time-honored healing modalities, its philosophies arose from what practitioners observed in nature. At its heart is the belief that everything originates from the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. How do the elements work within us?The elements work synergistically to support one another; when one gets out of balance, they all get out of balance. When the elements are functioning in balance within us, energy moves smoothly and we feel well– physically, mentally, and spiritually.Everyone has a predisposition to favor one of the elements. Your dominant element is both your strength and also where you may wobble off balance. For example, if you tend to live mostly in the earth element, physically you could show up out of balance with excess weight and acne. Mentally and spiritually, you may worry constantly and give more to others than you care for yourself. In balance, you have proper boundaries, you prioritize self-care, your body and skin are healthy and radiant, and the other elements that govern aspects of your body, mind, and spirit find balance.How do the elements relate to one another?The five elements relate to one another in two different cycles. The Generation Cycle, or Sheng Cycle, shows how each element nourishes the next. This relationship is known as the mother-child relationship. Like putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting your child, Sheng Cycle teachings show us that we must nourish the mother element in order for the child element to recover from a state of depletion. It’s like the old saying goes: you can’t pour from an empty cup! The Controlling Cycle, or Ke Cycle, shows how each element controls the behavior of another. Also referred to as the grandmother-grandchild relationship, each element needs to be restrained by another so that it doesn’t reach a state of excess. This type of relationship is readily found in nature: think about how the banks of a river (earth) control the flow of water or how water extinguishes fire. What is Yin and Yang? The iconic black and white image of Yin and Yang represents the philosophy that everything in the universe exists in balance as complementary, but opposite, elements. Think of lightness and dark, hot and cold, motion and rest. They are constantly striving to achieve balance: together they create wholeness. The interaction between Yin and Yang plays an important role in Chinese medicine–how they work together tells us how and where imbalances can occur within us.  There are four key ways that Yin and Yang work together: They are in opposition to each other but their relationship is relative to one another. They are interdependent, they cannot exist without each other They are mutually consumptive, if one is out of balance, the other is affected. They are inter-transformative, they have a dynamic relationship and one can turn into the other just like day transforms into night. The concept of Yin and Yang can be seen in all we do as practitioners from how we diagnose imbalance to how we treat it. We use this concept in TOMA’s formulations as well–energetically balancing our formulas to create whole, stabilizing formulas that focus on the underlying health and balance of the skin.  How do these teachings inform our skincare? Elemental imbalances often show up as varying states of skin stress. However skin stress manifests for you–dryness, irritation, breakouts or uneven tone–our formulations bring your skin back to radiant balance. The key is botanical ingredients that are adaptogenic in nature, meaning they adapt to your skin’s needs to restore balance. That’s what we mean when we call our formulations bioadaptive: they can shift their effects based on what your unique skin requires.