Starting with clean skincare doesn’t have to be intimidating, it’s actually exciting!

It’s like giving your skin a cleanse by getting rid of all your products that contain any chemicals. Usually these products actually contain a lot of filler ingredients.  Which means once you start using products that are filled completely with intentional ingredients, nutrients and botanicals, you will see more benefits from the products you’re using.

MAKING THE SWITCH TO CLEAN PRODUCTS

I’ve personally decided to go the natural route when it comes to all my products and lifestyle, I did this as a way to improve my health after struggling with a rare disease and chronic illness. In doing so, I found that it really benefited my skin and now at 30, have still not felt the need or desire to get botox or fillers. I like to preface this not to shade these procedures in any way (there’s a multitude of reasons people get these and often out of medical necessity as well) but to give you an authentic idea of what these products are doing for my skin.  I personally appreciate when someone tells me they’ve had botox in addition to what they do get an idea of what does what. So with that said, these are skincare companies and products that I have been using on myself and feel I have really seen *actual* results.  Studying aromatherapy (essential oils) several years ago and natural skincare, I have a deep love for the potency that is in nature and the best ways to utilize them.

My skincare routine has truly become something that I enjoy and has become an intuitive process.  When I look at my skin in the mirror, instead of picking out my “imperfections” I think, what does my skin need today? How does it feel?  Was I wearing my mask for 6 hours straight yesterday?  Is it extra sensitive?  Do I have a breakout coming?  This is where I will add in something extra that day or modify it.  When we really tune into our bodies, they will guide the way.

BEST PRODUCTS FOR: Any skin type

Vitamin C this is one of my favorite ways to brighten the skin and gently exfoliate once a week

Pure Radiance Body Scrub – we often focus a lot on the skin of our face and forget that our bodies need just as much nourishment and care

All season serum great for all skin types and all seasons

Jane Iredale Smooth affair the perfect primer to put on your skin before you apply your makeup, trust me!

Gua Sha Jade Facial Tool bring circulation to your skin, boost collagen, tighten and lift your skin naturally using these facial tools

Rose Quartz Flawless facial tool comes with a roller and smaller tool to get in this harder to reach areas under the eyes

BEST PRODUCTS FOR: Eczema/Psoriasis Prone or Dry Skin

I struggled with chronic eczema for almost my entire life until a few years ago.  These are products are recommended to use if you are prone to eczema, psoriasis or dry skin.

Frankincense Best Skin Ever 

a go-to for sensitive skin and/or mature skin. This saved my skin using  it 3 times a day for about a week when my skin broke out in a very dry bumpy rash from having to wear a mask for multiple days straight

Frankincense Essential oil mixed with Jojoba Oil

especially during a bad flare up and a good all body oil

Night Nectar Serum

deeply hydrate and calm skin while you sleep

Rose Glow Creme

this is like a luxurious creme for dry skin and anti-aging benefits! It smells divine!

BEST PRODUTS FOR: Oily/Acne Prone Skin

Having acne can so debilitating, similar to eczema and psoriasis, it can feel like a constant battle.  When it comes to products its so important to choose brands that understand the difference between dry skin and oily skin. Here are some products that have healed up acne when no other harsh products and medications have:

SeaBuckthorn Best Skin Ever

Seabuckthorn is one powerful plant, it has so many healing and anti-aging benefits, this one acts as a 3-in-1, being a cleanser, moisturizer and makeup remover.  Perfect for healing acne!

Dew Dab

perfect spot treatment for bumps, fine lines, scars! Another oil I find helpful for “mask’ne”. The reviews on this blend are mind blowing and for good reason! It’s like magic in a bottle.

BEST PRODUCTS FOR: Anti-aging and mature skin

When it comes to aging, I try to think of what it means to age gracefully.  For me, it’s have a good relationship with aging and maturing.  I want to enjoy every age as much as I can. Looking good and feeling good can often go hand in hand and I’d like to have both throughout my life, not just up until a certain point.  With that said, I love using products that support the aging process because there’s no reason we can’t have beautiful skin at every age.  So many essential oils like rose, frankincense, immortelle to name a few and botanical oils (when of good quality) have amazing results when it comes to diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, boost collagen and tighten the skin.  Another key to have youthful healthy skin, is keeping it as hydrated as possible and not constantly stripping your skin of its natural oils (the skin has its own microbiome!) When we overtake our face, its actually doing more harm them good.  Using a little of the Best Skin Ever oils while you cleanse or a gentle cleanser like this one from True Botanicals will help to keep the moisture locked in.  Cleansing should really be reserved to the evening or lightly in the morning when needed.

Rose Best Skin Ever

Royal Rose CoQ10 Serum

Rose Renewal Frankincense Firming Fluid

BEST PRODUCTS FOR: Sun protection

Living libations: Everybody Loves the Sunshine

an oil for face and skin to apply before being the sun, allowing your time in the sun to be nourishing for the skin

Everybody loves the Sunshine with Zinc Lotion

apply when you need an extra boost of protection without harmful chemicals found in more SPF lotions

BEST PRODUCTS FOR: Hyperpigmentation and Rosacea

Dew Dab

Ensorcell Serum

Rose Glow Creme

Looking at skincare from a Holistic Approach

Skincare doesn’t just start and end with what products we use on our face.  It’s also about our environment, stress and what going on internally.  Though I feel great skincare products is absolutely crucial in healthy skin, I believe that a lot of our skin lies within our health.  As a holistic health coach, I’ve worked with people dealing with multiple skin issues and see tremendous results in tackling things from multiple angles, my own skin included.  In regard to what we eat, I believe there’s no sized fits all and don’t believe in diets.  Adapting a healthy lifestyle is the best way to have sustainable results.  When it comes to foods, there are foods that inhibit healing when it comes to eczema and psoriasis and foods to age our skin more rapidly in my research. These being gluten, dairy, eggs and canola oil (vegetable oils) at the top of list.  These foods are going to allow your body to heal at a deeper level, especially if you’re suffering with acne and eczema, eggs and dairy feed viruses that are the root cause of these.  One of the most overlooked “foods” in so many of our products and restaurants in the US is rancid cooking oils like canola oil, safflower oil, and gmo corn and peanut oils.  These oils are extremely inflammatory and one of the things that ages our skin the most. Cooking more meals at home with pure ingredients and checking what’s in your food is always going to benefit not only your health, but your skin.

In addition to what we’re eating, our water plays a huge part of our health as well.  Our skin sort of acts as filtration system when our water isn’t filtered.  That goes for water that we drink and water we bathe and swim in.  When dealing with skin issues, removing chlorine  (which is a very strong chemical that really dries out our skin) and other heavy metals and ammonia that is unfortunately in our water.  Starting to swim in only salt water pools, oceans and filtering my bath/shower water made a huge difference in my eczema and the look of my skin.  My skin was always extra dry as I swam in a lot of chlorine and never used any water filters.  It’s one of the most important switches I’ve made, not to mention all the health benefits. For things first is clean drinking water!  The Berkey system is one of the best there is and they have different sizes depending on your family size.

Clean Water Essentials

Berkey Water Filter 

The ultimate water filter!  I am in love with my Berkley filter, I have noticed such a huge difference once switching over to this brand!  I have the travel size for 1-2 people

Live Pristine Shower Filter

the best filter on the market in my opinion (and lasts up to a year before needing a replacement cartridge unlike many other filters, this one gets it all out of the water)

Cuzn Bath Ball Water Filter

the best way to enjoy your bath! I like to add some rosemary and frankincense to the bath as well, this helps to clean the water even more and is really helpful for the skin.  Taking a warming bath is really good for our digestion and in Chinese Medicine to warm our system. I find adding some Epsom salts and using my Pure Radiance scrub is like a full body treatment!

Last but not least, something that is often not thought of when it comes to our skin, is the pillow we sleep on. It can really affect the skin on our face. If you’re a side or stomach sleeper (like myself) sleeping on the right pillow truly does have anti-aging benefits.  I slept on pillows for years and would constantly having a stiff neck and fine lines near my eyes and mouth.  When our neck and jaw has more tension, it pulls on our facial muscles actually contributing to fine lines and wrinkles.  When I started doing more research on a pillow that is not only completely organic but designed for the perfect sleep position in mind, I was really excited to try it.  Best decision I’ve made.  My neck pain has gone away( allowing me to do more physically, like more yoga)  my skin the morning is much more improved!