Beauty Pure and Simple ─ The Ayurvedic Approach to Beautiful Skin

"Beauty Pure and Simple provides an all-natural, holistic view of skincare and beauty drawn from both the latest in skincare science and from Ayurveda, a system of wellness that has been practiced for thousands of years on the Indian subcontinent. In this practical guide, Kristen Ma, who is both a popular esthetician and an Ayurvedic practitioner, provides a skincare and beauty regimen that is easy to use, safe, and effective. Ma gives a clear and readable explanation of skin biology and the basics of Ayurveda as it applies to skin health, helps readers determine their true skin type according to their specific dosha (physical constitution according to Ayurvedic principles), and then recommends individualized regimens with easy-to-obtain products. She also covers such topics as the influence of diet on skin, dealing with skin changes that come with aging, protecting skin from the sun and pollutants, the effect of stress on skin and how to cope with it, and how to treat common problems such as dark circles under the eyes, breakouts, acne, eczema, rosacea, puffy eyes, hyperpigmentation, and many others. Ma is a persuasive advocate for chemical-free products and biodegradable or recyclable packaging, and she alerts readers to the harmful ingredients that are ubiquitous in most products and treatments on the market and recommends alternatives. "--

Kristen Ma is the co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., a group of holistic spas in Toronto with its own line of natural skincare and mineral make-up. She is an Ayurvedic practitioner and esthetician who writes and lectures on the subject of holistic beauty. Ma has an active blog readership (www.holistic-vanity.blogspot.com) and a comprehensive website (http://www.pureandsimple.ca/). Ma has been voted "Best Facialist in the City" by Toronto Life Magazine.