On Earth Day, let's stand together and proclaim, Our commitment to protect our home, Earth’s precious domain. From Kanehsatake Mohawk lands in Oka, Quebec, sacred land, where my mother was born, To the indigenous lands we stand on, we must adorn.  For centuries, these lands have been nurtured with care, By the hands of those who understood their worth and share. Their wisdom teaches us to cherish and defend, The Earth, our home, on which our lives depend.  Let's heed the call to protect this sacred place, And honor the indigenous guardians with grace. Thei ..read more

Spring is finally here, bringing back the greenery, warmth and sunshine we've been longing for. But along with the beauty of spring comes the dreaded allergies. Whether it's dry, itchy skin and eyes, sinus congestion, or puffiness and swelling, allergies can really put a damper on the season. At ORESTA, we're all about natural remedies. That's why we're sharing some of our favourite ways to combat spring allergies, naturally. 1. DRY BRUSHING During the peak of allergy season, dry brushing is a beneficial practice to support the body's detoxification process through the ski ..read more

Managing sensitive skin is a struggle for many. Whether you have difficulty finding products your skin doesn’t react to or are dealing with constant redness and irritation with little relief, here are my top tips for soothing and strengthening sensitive skin. Avoid harsh products that strip or irritate the skin. Your skin should not feel tight, burning or tingly. Harsh products will damage your skin's healthy protective barrier. Reducing inflammation is key when addressing sensitive skin. This includes an anti-inflammatory diet, and skin care. Avoid hot or cold water. Sensitive skin do ..read more

Hey there sun-lover! The one who thought Bain De Soleil, Baby oil and iodine were your tanning friends. Who knew the chaos they'd unleash on your skin... Those dark pigmentation spots that keep creeping up have now become your most un-welcome friend. These are my top tips for helping lighten pigmentation, whether from the sun, hormonal changes or acne scarring: Use sunscreen. It's easier to prevent than correcting pigmentation. Apply and reapply SPF every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Inflammation causes pigmentation. Focus on reducing inflammation and strengthening your skin with an ..read more

We cannot stop or reverse aging! There is no such thing as anti-aging skin care, it just marketing jargon but skin care for radiant mature skin is a thing. These are my top tips to embrace healthy aging and a beautiful complexion that is naturally you! 1. Oil will become your skin's best friend. It won't cause clogged pores. Trust me.. 2. Inflammation is the root of premature aging. Focus on reducing inflammation and strengthening your skin before introducing actives into your routine. 3. Proper hydration is key for healthy, plump skin. Be generous with your toner for optimum product absorpt ..read more

Dryness goes beyond surface-level discomfort, often resulting in increased sensitivity, dullness, and fine lines. As we journey through different stages of life, addressing dryness becomes essential to maintain a vibrant, plump complexion. These are my top tips to keeping your skin quenched, bouncy + radiant! Toners are a game changer for dry skin. Dehydrated skin is different than dry skin. Toners address lack of water or hydration, while moisturizers and balms address lack of oil or moisture. Both are important in addressing dry skin. Oil is your skin’s best friend. As we age, our skin prod ..read more

Skin care doesn't have to be complicated, but it does includes more than 1 step. We get asked all the time which order you should use products and how to best layer them. We've created a simple guide to layer products for your day, night and weekly routines. AM + PM STEP 1: Cleanse or splash face with water in the am (no need to cleanse unless you've done a morning workout). STEP 2: If using Vitamin C or another water-based serum, apply 2-3 drops or pumps and gently compress into the skin. Allow to dry before next step. STEP 3: Generously spray toner (6-8x) directly on the skin. Don't use cott ..read more

My journey as an esthetician began with my personal battle against adult acne. I am very passionate about guiding those with acne-prone skin towards a clearer, calmer complexion, and the confidence that accompanies it. These are my top tips to dealing with acne: Avoid harsh products that strip or irritate the skin. Your skin should not feel tight, burning or tingly. Removing all the oil from your skin is not the answer to clearing acne. Stressing about your skin can worsen its condition. Remember that you are so much more than your looks! Treating acne can be complicated and of ..read more

This is our final installment of EMPOWERED AGING: Our Female Entrepreneurs Series that features women in our ORESTA community that are shifting the narrative surrounding aging while leading intentionally and boldly in business. Thank you for following the series and we can't wait to bring you more stories of amazing women! Meet Elizabeth, the owner of The Unrefined Olive, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar with 2 locations is Ottawa and an online store. Elizabeth had a unique journey to entrepreneurship, she originally studied and working in Marine Biology! She is deeply involved in ..read more

Not all cleansers are created equal. But is it worth investing in a high quality cleanser or will a drugstore brand do the job?  We've come across those who swear by washing their face with bar soap or a "sensitive skin" cleanser from the drugstore (you know, the one that rhymes with "parfait") but them wonder why their skin is dry or red. We've also met customers who want to invest in serums and treatments, but not in their cleansers. Skin care can by confusing, but that's why we're here to help! Here's the truth: Cleansers are a crucial step in your skincare routine. They ..read more