skoah facials & select products

Ever since I moved to this city, I have been searching far and wide for a place to get a good facial. I had started going to a day spa earlier on, but for the prices they charged, it seemed a waste to just pop in and out for a facial, which is what I typically do. After trying Skoah out a couple times, I decided to invest in their fitskin membership – 8 facialiscious facials to be used in a year for $500. At $62.50 a pop, it is $37.50 less than purchasing each separately. The fitskin membership also comes with a 10% discount on Skoah products. Besides the price, I thought investing in the membership would force me to schedule regular appointments instead of the haphazard one every few months. I’ve been on track for a facial roughly every 6 weeks since joining, so that strategy appears to be working.

The Facial:
Based on the 3 times that I have gone so far, the facialiscious typically contains the following:

- Cleansing and toning
- Mask #1 (for me, typically the AHA mask)
- Foot/calf massage
- Extractions - from reading other reviews, there have been complaints that Skoah does not do enough extractions – I suppose people feel like they’re getting their money’s worth more so when they’re being poked and prodded at. I’m fortunately to have
relatively clear skin so the gentle extractions at Skoah are typically sufficient.
- Mask #2
- Arm/hand massage
- Cleansing and toning, round 2
- Serum, moisturizer, eye cream and lip balm application

Time allotted for the entire treatment is 90 minutes but it usually ends up being closer to 80, plus 5-10 minutes downtime for the estheticians while the masks are at work. Although I miss going to the Chinese day spas in Toronto, where the estheticians never leave the room and you’re being worked on the entire time, the price point at Skoah (and the fact that it has multiple locations) is very reasonable. Although there is “no pressure” to buy their products, one particular esthetician I’ve had twice at the Kensington location definitely laid on the pressure, to which I’ve had to say a firm “no”. The other two that I’ve had at the same location were perfectly ok with not making a sale.

Although I’m trying to use up my fitskin membership, Skoah typically has holiday-themed facials throughout the year. These are typically in the $60-80 range but are shorter in duration.

Verdict: good place to go for a quick but relaxing facial. I’m not sure I’ll be able to commit to the full fitskin membership for another year, but would definitely pop in once in awhile.

The Products:

Occasional high-pressure sales tactics aside, I have purchased a few of their products to try out. Skoah offers a solid return policy - 60 day exchange or refund with receipt (cosmetics and discounted products excepted). I haven’t had to return any of the products I’ve purchased yet.

face kream
This is a cream-based moisturizer containing olive oil, shea butter, sea kelp algae and hyaluronic acid. It has a pleasant scent, doesn’t feel greasy when applied, and a little goes a long way. I was worried the cream might be too heavy for my skin, but it seems to be working for me in spite of the cold, dry climate here.

Verdict: definitely a keeper for the winter months! ~2oz, C$40

hydradew mask
This is a gel-based mask containing glycosaminoglycanes (from vegetable skins!), sea kelp algae and other plant extracts. Unlike most other masks, which are meant to be left on and rinsed off shortly after, this can be left on skin overnight and removed in the morning. This stuff smells good enough to eat – just like a juicy honeydew melon. Just opening the jar and taking a whiff makes me happy. I don’t think it’s as moisturizing as it claims to be – after slathering on a thin layer and letting it soak in, my skin felt a little bit tight, so I still had to apply some face kream afterward. This mask does absorb into the skin quite quickly, so I can apply right before bedtime without worrying about leaving half of it on my pillow.

Verdict: would be a keeper if it felt a bit more moisturizing. I will use up what’s left in my jar, but will not purchase again. ~2oz, C$40

glow tonik
Skoah does not believe in manual (granular) exfoliants, preferring to use AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) instead. The glo tonik contains AHA and is meant to be used 2-3 times a week with either a cotton pad (for more thorough toning) or spritzed directly onto the face (haven’t tried this yet). I was advised to use this stuff on my T-zone everyday (which I have not been doing). The first few times I used it after purchase, there was a slight tingling feeling, which is supposed to indicate the AHA is working. However, that disappeared after the first week of usage. I don’t think it exfoliates as well as it claims to, as I still wake up in the morning with a few scaly patches on my nose.

Verdict: the bottle seems to last forever, but as it does not exfoliate as much as it claims to, I will likely be trying something else when I’m done with this one. ~8 fl oz, C$35

face balm
I received a sample of this from one of my facials (Skoah is great about letting you try before you buy). Like the face kream, a little balm goes a long way. However, the smell and texture is a bit too rich for me – I liken it to putting on petroleum jelly. It goes on shiny and takes a noticeably longer amount of time to absorb. I think this product would be great for parched skin or for people that are outdoors for long periods of time, but it’s not for me.

Verdict: I will not be purchasing this product (and likely will not be finishing up my sample either). ~3oz, C$50