The Refinery Wellness Center

03/24/2026

Well this was a fun trip down memory lane. I looked up the formula for one of the products many of us used in the 80s and 90s (yes… the late 1900s for the younger crowd 😄).

Sea Breeze:
Water, Alcohol Denat., Camphor, Peppermint Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Eugenol, Sodium Benzoate, Yellow No. 5, Orange No. 4

When you break it down, a formula like this has a high chance of compromising the skin barrier, especially with regular use.

Alcohol high on the list can strip the skin. The combination of camphor, peppermint, clove, and eucalyptus creates that strong cooling/tingling feeling many people thought meant it was “working” — but that sensation is actually irritation.

Add in fragrance components like eugenol and synthetic dyes, and you have several ingredients that can increase sensitivity over time.

It might feel refreshing in the moment, but repeated use can lead to dryness, redness, and a weakened barrier.

Your skin barrier does much better with ingredients that support hydration and lipids instead of stripping them.

Amazing how much formulas (and our understanding of skin) have changed.

03/23/2026

Did you know?

Jen, of Three Oaks Health and Wellness (located right next to my room), and I work hand in hand with your supplement stack and your skin related concerns. Take this example: "I introduced a new Vitamin A supplement a few months ago and the acne purge is real, ugh! What is going on?"

Anyone can purge from taking any supplement, but it typically doesn't last long. You also want to make sure you're taking supplements that support absorption, in this case, zinc, dietary fat, and other fat-soluble vitamins such as D and E. A deficiency in any of these cofactors can impair your body's ability to use the vitamin A effectively.

If you're seeing me for acne but haven't had any of the holistic functional testing done I encourage you to get on that! Having both Jen and I on your acne journey isn't just crucial for a short term fix, but a lifelong solution to better overall health inside out.

03/23/2026

Sometimes I think we’ve gotten a little too comfortable with the idea that being tired is a reason to skip the small things that take care of us.

You hear it all the time: “I was too tired to wash my face before bed.” But the truth is, nighttime is when your skin does a lot of its repair work. That simple routine — cleansing and moisturizing — is one of the easiest ways to support it.

And I say this with love: we’ve become so used to comfort and convenience that we sometimes avoid the tiniest bit of effort, even when it benefits us.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t always mean big, complicated changes. Often it’s the simple, consistent habits that matter most. Washing your face. Putting on your moisturizer. Drinking the water. Going to bed a little earlier.

These things take just a few minutes, but they add up over time.

So if you’re tired tonight, I get it. We all are sometimes. But take the extra minute, wash your darn face, put your moisturizer on, and give your skin what it needs.

A little discipline today becomes the results you’re grateful for later. 💛

03/20/2026

Horizontal Neck Lines + Crepey Texture

Between phones, laptops, and desk work, many of us spend hours each day looking down. Over time, this repetitive position creates what professionals call “tech neck.”

When the neck stays flexed forward, the skin repeatedly folds in the same place. Combined with gravity and daily movement, this can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin — leading to horizontal neck lines and crepey skin over time.

From a chiropractic and physical therapy perspective, constantly looking down also shortens the muscles at the front of the neck while weakening the muscles in the upper back that support good posture. This imbalance can lead to forward head posture, neck tension, and reduced circulation to the skin.

A few simple habits can help prevent it:
• Raise your phone to eye level instead of lowering your head
• Take posture reset breaks throughout the day
• Strengthen upper back muscles with chin tucks and scapular squeezes
• Massage the neck daily to stimulate circulation

When applying skincare, use upward strokes from the collarbone to the jawline and gently massage across any horizontal lines.

Supporting the skin with targeted ingredients can also help. I’ve been incorporating Eminence Organics Hibiscus Ultra Lift Neck Cream, which helps hydrate and support elasticity in the delicate neck area.

Your neck carries your head all day. It deserves the same care and attention as your face.

03/20/2026

👀Looking for deals and steals? 👀

Head over to the link and sign up for text messages. This is the only place I'll be notifying people of my sales throughout the year outside of our holiday open house!

If you sign up tonight, you'll get first dibs on something exciting coming up!

By signing up, you agree to receive periodic promotional texts from Refinery Esthetics + Wellness Center. Joining this program is not a condition of purchase. MSG and data rates may apply. Text STOP to unsubscribe from texts from this business at any point, or HELP for more information.

03/19/2026

A fully immersive experience that leaves you feeling fresh and uplifted inside and out!
We begin with a light aura clearing, drench the body in warm Refinery Signature Blend oil, and proceed into full-body lymphatic drainage. This system collects any waste materials in the tissues and produces antibodies to fight infections. It aids in the removal of cellulite by softening, breaking down and freeing trapped toxins and waste materials in the connective tissue through normal body function.
We apply a gentle exfoliant and emollient cedar and lemongrass whip, then wrap you into a cozy cocoon while we provide Reiki to the head.

03/18/2026

Winners of the March Giveaway!

03/18/2026

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the transition between seasons is just as important as the seasons themselves. We don’t jump abruptly from winter to spring — we pass through a subtle “in-between” phase governed by the Earth element. And this is often when our skin starts acting… unpredictable.

Winter is ruled by the Water element — deeply yin, inward, restorative. Skin tends to be dry, tight, dull, sometimes flaky. We protect, nourish, and seal in moisture. Then spring arrives under the Wood element — upward, expansive, detoxifying. This is when we see congestion, breakouts, redness, and reactivity as the body starts to move stagnant energy that accumulated over winter.

But that bridge between Water and Wood? That’s Earth.

In Chinese Five Element theory (Wu Xing), Earth represents digestion, assimilation, and stability. It’s the pivot point. When Earth is balanced, we transition smoothly. When it’s taxed — from heavier winter foods, less movement, stress, or poor sleep — we see it on the skin. Puffiness. Breakouts around the mouth or jaw. Sensitivity. A feeling like your products suddenly “aren’t working.”

It’s not random. It’s your system recalibrating.

This in-between phase often brings what I call “confused skin.” You’re still dry in spots, but now you’re also oily. You might feel inflamed but tight at the same time. Your barrier can feel fragile because your internal terrain is shifting from deep storage mode (winter) to upward movement and detox (spring).

Supporting Earth during this transition is key. Think gentle exfoliation rather than aggressive resurfacing. Lymphatic movement instead of harsh detox. Warm, cooked foods instead of jumping straight into cold smoothies. Simplifying your skincare instead of layering actives.

When we respect the rhythm between seasons, skin becomes less reactive and more resilient. The freak-out phase softens. Instead of fighting your skin in March and April, you can support it through the shift — honoring that transitional space where the body is reorganizing itself.

03/18/2026

03/17/2026

Your acne won't heal if your lymphatic system is sluggish.
It's responsible to draining bacteria, toxins, and inflammation stuck under your skin.

The lymphatic system sits right under your skin and acts like your body's built-in trashcan. It collects extra fluid, bacteria, toxins and waste from your tissues and moves them to your lymph nodes, where your immune system then needs to filter and get rid of them.

When lymph isn't draining well, that waste gets stuck. It sits just under the skin and eventually gets pushed out through your pores - showing up as clogged pores, inflammation and constant breakouts.

The lymphatic system relies on your body's movement, deep breathing, muscle contraction and proper hydration/nutrient balance to keep the lymph flowing.

What helps?
Sweating (work out or sauna)
Fresh fruits and veggies (6 cups a day)
Body treatments (facials, massage, body wraps)
Water (half your body weight in ounces a day)
Herbal teas

03/16/2026

Ceramide Repair Balm feels like a rich, comforting layer of moisture for skin in need of some extra TLC.

Shop Now
https://eminenceorganics.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Eminence-Site/en_CA/Default-Start