Good Vibrations

An exciting new skincare category that channels energy healing

To promote skin health and release stress for clients, Mineni integrates vibration with everything from an ultrasonic scrubber to a massage tool made with rose quartz (a stone that represents unconditional love, purification and heart opening). In fact, the possibilities in vibrational beauty are myriad these days: mechanical wands, weighted face masks, sonic light therapy, tools from gua sha stones to rollers and serums packed with high-frequency gemstones.

As Mineni suggests, if we can combine physical and metaphysical vibrations, then we’ve really hit the jackpot. When Neyda Figueroa-DeMarie first created her acupressure Wiings Wellness Face Masks, she intended to help clients with “overwhelming nervous tension” get more restful sleep. Over time, she began to observe that these therapeutic pressure-point face masks also had beauty benefits.

As she defines it, vibrational skincare is “magnetic resonance that activates reparative processes in the skin, fascia and muscle.” Wiings—which are filled with natural ground basalt—are meant to be worn for 20 minutes a day to reestablish a healthy connection between the muscle and skin by clearing adhesions and electrical disruptions in the fascia (or connective tissue). That sets off a chain reaction, activating the lymphatic system to help detoxify. In essence, vibration therapy like this is meant to rebalance the organic function of skin.

“Basalt is thermal and naturally absorbs heat, which is stored as tension in the fascia and muscle,” Figueroa-DeMarie explains. “So, these masks work on three levels: thermal, magnetic vibration and ayurvedic point placement.” The benefits range from smoothing lines to soothing sinus pressure and complementing meditation practice. Next up, Figueroa-DeMarie is working on a similar mat for the body to help with digestive issues, menstrual cramps and other fascia imbalances.

For those who are new to vibrational beauty, starting simply, with the most literal form, can be a great way to integrate this facet into a skincare regimen. Kat Burki launched her eponymous line back in 2013 based on notions of “nutritional science,” combining ingredients like reishi mushroom with vitamin C. As soon as the concept of a vibrational tool was raised, she realized that her now-beloved Micro-Firming Wand would be the perfect “transdermal delivery system” to complement serums. The super lightweight tool uses ionic technology to begin vibrating against the skin when it senses the moisture of a product and stops when that product is absorbed. So, the microcirculation is anti-aging and also helps products penetrate up to 30 percent more deeply.

Compared to these more technological options, some vibrational skincare tools might seem downright primitive to the untrained eye, but they offer a different set of benefits. Gua sha tools and rollers are probably the most well-known self-care face massaging tools that also harness the power of specific materials—like crystals—to boost skin health and relax the nervous system. “Clear quartz is employed in creating and casting radio waves, which [shows] that gemstones carry tangible vibrational power,” says Wren McMurdo Brignac, creative content specialist at Herbivore. “All crystals carry their own individual frequencies. For instance, rose quartz casts heart-healthy vibrations, jade helps to stimulate circulatory health and lapis is known for its ability to encourage reduced headaches and mental fogginess.” The company makes gua sha tools and facial rollers, as well as products, infused with vibrational gems like its Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish and Brighten Instant Glow Mask with white tourmaline for rejuvenation.

Valerie Grandury, founder of Odacité, seconds that notion. “I’m a firm believer that each crystal has a different vibration,” she says. Her gua sha tools come in rose quartz (for unconditional and self-love), blue sodalite (for harmony and grounding), green aventurine (for good luck and new opportunities) and amethyst (to remove bad vibrations).

Crystal and gemstone tools can take forms beyond gua sha and rollers too, as with Angela Caglia’s Goddess Masks that lie on the face like a cold weighted blanket to increase circulation and aid in lymphatic drainage. In other cases, crystals and gems are integrated into the skincare products themselves. Debra Haugen, founder and chief alchemist at Gemstone Organic, handcrafts her lotions, serums and elixirs, always integrating what she calls “the magical properties of gemstone essences.” It’s the regenerative power of nature that inspires her to trust in these natural ingredients. “I believe gemstones carry the healing power of Mother Earth and can be a bridge to reminding us that we also carry her power and beauty within,” she says. “I strongly believe that gemstones hold a unique healing vibration just for us.” Her creation process is quite complex: She uses water that has gone through reverse osmosis, so that it’s clean and open to taking on gemstone properties. Then, she incorporates the energies of the moon (especially new and full moons), letting her intuition guide her in choosing the right gemstone for each batch.

Annie Tevelin of SkinOwl built her entire line around the idea that skincare should offer a deep sense of relaxation—a vibration like a hum. She’s used yet another vibrational material for her White Turquoise Beauty Wand. “I really wanted to find a stone that signified strength, as well as divinity, femininity and stillness,” she explains.
“White Turquoise can effectively calm your upset or harried state-of-mind. If you are looking to alleviate puffiness, fatigue and deeply relax, [it] gifts you glowing skin with a clear mind and clarity in areas you feel stuck.” The wand itself is shaped like a funnel with one larger rounded end to use for deep massage and a narrow end for pressure point activation and delicate under-eye massage.

And what could be more relaxing and regenerating than a long bath? Ritual Baths, a new book by Deborah Hanekamp (an energy healer and shaman known as “Mama Medicine” by her A-list clients), offers suggestions for vibrational soaks. Each bath has a different purpose and is delineated by aura color, and she suggests using the book like a “divinity tool” by closing your eyes and opening it up to any page which might just be what you need most. “When you work with elements from the earth like stones, plants and liquids, you alchemize the energy from the places where each unique element is gathered,” she says. “When these materials are gathered with respect, care and love, you can feel the vibration of the love and support the earth gives us when you use them. It’s something we can all feel without totally understanding.”