Massage Special for July

1 hour swedish massage with our new massage therapist Charlotte is only $45.00 for the month of July. Book online @ www.gbtorganicspa.com

Flat Rate Shipping

Introducing everyday flat rate shipping of $5.25 on all online orders at www.gourmetbodytreats.com!

New Spa Treatment

We are now offering Organic Manicures for $15 and Organic Pedicures for $25. Make it a combo for only $40!  We still have the organic hand therapies for those needing more reparative treatments.  Call us or make an appointment online at www.gbtorganicspa.com

COLLEGE/MILITARY DISCOUNT

GBT ORGANIC SPA NEAR AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO TEXAS  IS EXCITED TO NOW OFFER A 20% DISCOUNT ON SERVICES TO COLLEGE STUDENTS AND MILITARY PERSONELL. VALID COLLEGE/MILITARY ID IS REQUIRED! CALL TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!  (210) 659-7992  or visit us online @ www.gbtorganicspa.com

GBT Organic Spa – Now Open

Well, hard work does pay off. Our organic spa is now open and ready to schedule appointments. If you are in Schertz, or close to Schertz, please come say howdy, we would love to see you there. Our address is: 537 Main  Schertz, Tx  78154

To see what services we will be offering and why we’re and eco friendly spa please go to www.gbtorganicspa.com

Protecting Your Skin from the Summer Sun

It’s finally summer, and as the temperature climbs, we all want to get out of the house and enjoy the great weather.  It’s time for beach trips, barbeques, pick-up sports games, hiking, fishing, and all sorts of outdoor fun.  The shorts, tank tops and bathing suits come out of winter storage, and more of our skin is exposed to the warm summer air.  Despite all of the outdoor fun that comes with summer, it is important to remember that while the warm summer sun is drawing you outside, it can also potentially damage your skin.  How do the sun’s rays impact your skin and cause damage, and how can you protect yourself from damage?  Read on for some tips and techniques to keep your skin healthy while you enjoy the summer.

How Sunlight Can Damage Your Skin

Sunlight is made up of a variety of waves.  One type of wave is ultraviolet radiation.  Ultraviolet, or UV radiation, has a shorter wavelength than visible light, so it can’t be seen by the naked eye.  When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, whether it is from the sun or from the UV lights in a tanning bed, DNA in your skin cells are damaged.  The body reacts by working to repair the DNA and by increasing melanin production to reduce damage in future exposures.  While the increased melanin production leads to darker skin, the skin has to be damaged first in order for the skin to create the “tanned” look, so there really isn’t such a thing as a “healthy” tan.

There are two types of UV radiation that affect your skin: UV-A and UV-B.  UV-A does not cause sunburn, but can provide some skin damage, including prematurely aging the skin.  UV-B is the cause of sunburn.  While sunburn provides some pain and discomfort, it generally heals within a few days.  However, exposure to UV radiation can also cause long term damage to your skin.  Studies have shown that exposure to UV radiation can result in several types of skin cancer.  Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays on a daily basis is the only way to prevent these types of skin cancers over the long term.

Protecting Yourself from Harmful UV Radiation

The simplest method to prevent sunburn and long term damage to your skin is to avoid exposure to UV radiation.  Of course, you don’t want to stay bundled up in the house all day, so there are some simple methods that you can use to reduce your exposure to UV rays.

Try to avoid being outside while the sun is highest in the sky, specifically between 10AM and 3PM.  During these hours, the sun’s rays pass through less of the atmosphere than they do at the beginning and end of the day, and the UV rays are the most intense.  If you need to perform strenuous activities, such as yard work or outdoor exercise, move those activities to the early or later portion of the day to take advantage of weaker UV rays and cooler temperatures.

Another way to block UV rays is to keep your skin covered.  Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, and wear a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off of your face.  Your eyes can also be affected by exposure to UV rays, so wearing sunglasses can not only prevent damage, but reduce eye strain from glare.  Wearing light colored clothing can also help reflect sunlight and keep you cooler, while dark colored clothing absorbs sunlight and can make you warmer. When outside, try to stay out of direct sunlight.  Stick to shady areas under trees or awnings, or use a beach umbrella or canopy to block the sunlight.

If your skin is going to be exposed, applying a quality sunblock with a high sunburn protection factor (SPF) will block the UV rays before they can damage your skin.  The higher the SPF value, the more of the sun’s rays that will be blocked.  The SPF value is based on the amount of time an average person can spend in the sun without being burned.  If it takes 15 minutes of sun exposure to get sunburn, an SPF of ten theoretically means that the exposure can be expanded to 150 minutes, or over 2 hours.  However, this value is dependent on so many factors, that it should not be relied upon.

Using Sunblock to Reduce Damage from UV Rays

Using sunblock effectively requires only three simple steps:

• Choosing a sunblock.  Choose a sunblock that has a high SPF, and is less likely to wipe off or be absorbed into the skin.  Sports and sweat-proof formulations are best.  It is important that the sunblock stay in place on the surface of your skin to provide the best protection.  Also, choose a wide-spectrum formulation that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Good ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, avobenzone, and ecamsule.

• Applying a sunblock.  Sunblock should be applied before exposure to UV rays.  Sunblock should be applied in an even coat over all exposed body parts.  Using a sunblock with a spray applicator can help to provide an even application.
• Reapplying a sunblock.  Sunblock is only effective if it remains on the surface of your skin.  Be sure to reapply sunblock every 2-3 hours, and more often if you are swimming or performing activities that cause you to sweat.

Even if you aren’t planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, even small exposures can add up to damaged skin over time.  Wearing a facial moisturizer that contains sunblock daily can help protect your skin.  Don’t just limit application to your face, also apply it to your neck and décolletage area that may be exposed above your clothing.

Protecting your skin only takes a few minutes of planning before you go out and enjoy the great weather.  Keeping UV rays from damaging your skin will help your skin stay healthy for years to come.

New Product Just in Time for Summer

We’ve taken our Tahitian body oil and added some sun glow shimmer just in time for summer.  We’ve had many requests for a product like this by didn’t want to get rid of the original so we kept it.  You can now get both the original without any color and the new Tahitian Body oil with a hint of gold/bronze shimmer.  We’ll be using both in our massages as well (This was my sisters idea).  Find out more about our Tahitian Body Oil

Our New Organic Spa

We are opening up an organic spa here in Schertz, Tx  and have been remodeling and decorating the new spa as fast as we can.  Since we are a small family run business, we have done all the painting, decorating,  repairing and building ourselves but have to admit the spa is looking really cute.

Our grand opening date will be June 2nd @11am.  We will be providing complimentary facials that day so please call us to make a reservation.  Call us at 2106597992 or visit our spa website at www.gbtorganicspa.com. We will be posting some pictures of our new spa very soon here on our blog and on our site so you can take a quick peak at the spa.

The Gourmet Body Treats Family wants to thank you all, for allowing us to do what we love doing the most.  Making great smelling, skin loving, eco friendly products for all of you to enjoy.

Treating Acne Naturally

Acne is caused by the production of excess sebum.  This sebum builds up and blocks pores.  A variety of factors can lead to over-production of sebum including: fluctuating hormones, stress, medications, tight fitting clothing and genetics. Over the counter and prescription products can treat acne. But those products may also come with a list of warnings and side effects. You can treat acne naturally with significant results. Natural remedies are usually much safer for your health and the environment.

Zinc. People with acne tend to be zinc deficient. Eating foods naturally rich in zinc, such as beef, chicken, yogurt, many nuts and beans will boost your zinc level. You can also try zinc supplements.

Omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids give the skin healing power. Omega-3 helps to clear up acne by thinning the sebum that clogs the pores. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish and fish oils and vegetable oils. Salmon and flaxseed oils are known for boosting Omega-3.

Chasteberry Tea. For women who have acne flares up during their menstrual cycle, chasteberry tea is the recommended treatment. It has been shown, in studies, that chasteberry tea helps regulate female hormones. One cup per day should do the trick. It is important that you don’t over-do this remedy. Drinking excessive amounts of the tea may worsen your acne.

Sugar. Cut the sugar out of your diet. I used to have monthly flare-ups of blemishes. The remedy that worked best for me was to give up sugar. I replaced the sugar in my diet with honey or molasses. Believe it or not, refined sugar is processed to remove the nutrients. The byproduct is molasses, which retains all the nutrition lost in the processing. If you must eat sugar, eat brown unrefined sugar and cut back when your acne flares up. Artificial sweeteners come with a variety of warnings and health risks. Splenda does not currently contain warning labels, but it is highly processed and refined and simply not what nature intended.

Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Aloe. Each of these may be used with positive results on acne. The vinegar and lemon juice work to clean your pours. The aloe works to heal skin damage. Studies have shown that treating the sores with aloe will reduce scars and speed healing.

Our New Retail Location

Our store front is all finished and ready for visitors so come by and say hello!

Gourmet Body Treats

537 Main

Schertz, Tx  78154

www.gourmetbodytreats.com