Tag: hormones

My Skincare Routine

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Anyone else have acne-prone skin?  Even as a 30-something? It is something I have dealt with since puberty.  As a teenager, my dermatologist put me on antibiotics for EIGHT years to clear my skin. It worked, but at great harm to the rest of my body- read about my story here. Since then, I’ve been trying to battle breakouts constantly. While I am somewhat still trying to figure it out, my skin is now clearer than it has ever been, so I’d love to share what I have learned.

First- your skin is usually a reflection of what’s going on inside your body. We can try all the skincare products with little or no results. Stop trying to put a bandaid on the symptoms and find the reason behind your issues.

The majority of people suffer from breakouts due to hormonal imbalances. Whether you are suffering from acne or a multitude of other hormonal issues (inability to lose weight, fatigue, hair loss, blood sugar imbalances, mood swings), I highly recommend visiting a functional medicine doctor who can test your hormone levels.  Our environment, food and lifestyle (hello stress!) are all filled with things that impact our hormones. Most of us suffer from imbalances. It’s super important to understand your levels and find out how to adjust them- there are plenty of natural ways to feel so much better.

Another reason for breakouts can actually be from food sensitivities. Now that I’ve identified what mine are and started removing them from my diet, I realized how much of a symptom it was for me. Beyond food sensitivities, sugar definitely affects our skin (and immune system), so keeping it at a minimum is best.

Of course, there’s also the obvious reasons we break out- a build up of dead skin, dirt that clogs pores and bacteria that irritates pores and causes blemishes.  This is why products to clean, moisturize and protect are still important. We all have different skin types that require different routines and ingredients.

I have been deliberate to remove toxic chemicals from my home to reduce exposure to those harmful ingredients (many are hormone-blocking), both in our food and household products. As I ran out of my skincare products, I started looking for a safer replacement. Through my research, BeautyCounter stands out above the rest- they have a lot of products, they actually work, and clean ingredients are of utmost importance to them.I worked with my friend Kaity to figure out what products I should try based on my skin type (oily, acne-prone) and to prioritize within my budget. She was an awesome resource, so I definitely recommend her as a consultant. Here is the routine & products that have worked for me:

Morning & Night Hormone Balancing: Progesterone Cream – for natural hormone balancing, I use a dab (rubs in like lotion). I established the need for this schedule with my functional medicine doctor. I definitely notice my skin breaks out if I miss just one application.

Morning Cleanser: Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil – a gentle cleanser that leaves the skin feeling super moisturized.

Morning & Night Treatment: As I mentioned, most people break out due to built up dead skin cells & bacteria. Salicylic acid gently takes off the surface layer of skin so it is the best treatment for the dead skin cells and dirt. Benzoyl peroxide is the leading treatment to kill the bad bacteria on your skin BUT it is super harsh, so cannot be used at the same time as salicylic acid. I remember trying to alternate as a teenager and not seeing results. I really needed them both morning and night.

BeautyCounter uses an ingredient called bakuchiol in their Countertime products that is an extremely effective anti-bacterial without being harsh and drying, so you can use at the same time as salicylic acid. I apply these in this order immediately after cleansing and before moisturizing.

  1. Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum – has salicylic acid
  2. Countercontrol All Over Acne Treatment – has anti-bacterial bakuchiol

Morning Moisturizer: Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer – This has the perfect amount of coverage to even out the skin and has SPF for daytime protection.

Makeup Removal: I am obsessed with this microfiber Makeup Remover Cloth!

Evening Cleanser: Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser – I like this for daily gentle exfoliation and it makes my skin feel very clean and refreshed.

Treatment again, then Evening Moisturizer: Nourishing Night Cream

1-2 times/week, I do Deep Exfoliation and Cleansing with a couple different masks:

 

As Needed Spot Treatment – I love these natural Avarelle Acne Patches for when I have a breakout. The blemish disappears or is greatly diminished overnight.

Let me know if you try these products and see results! Good luck!

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Ladies- Check Out the Cup!

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Ladies – We all know it’s never fun when it’s that time of the month, but I’m about to share a recommendation that can make it a whole lot better!

Cramps and pain have become the norm. It’s not supposed to hurt.  I used to suffer for days each cycle, but have made a few changes that have dramatically relieved the PMS symptoms I experienced for years.  One was adding a natural progesterone cream to my routine. Another change was using magnesium regularly.  Changing what I used during menstruation was one I never imagined would have such a huge impact.

There are risks to using tampons and pads. Of course, the major risk from tampons is Toxic Shock Syndrome. The cotton often contains harmful chemicals and pesticides that can really mess with hormones. And the plastic can contain BPA, another hormone disruptor. The exposure for several days each month is likely more than you think. While going organic could solve those issues, you’ll also spend a lot. Plus, it’s still no help to the environment.

A few years ago, I found out about menstrual cups.  It was a healthier option that was re-usable, so better for the environment, and claimed to be more effective and comfortable. I decided to try the Diva Cup and I’ll never, ever go back to tampons or pads!!

My cramps went away almost immediately and I found it so much more comfortable.  I don’t ever notice wearing it, which is something I could never say about the other options. I also found it so much more effective. It truly lasts ALL DAY – 12 hours – and I’ve never had a leak.  PS- there is no risk of TSS from menstrual cups.

If you are still using tampons and pads, you absolutely must try the Diva Cup. (FYI- there are two sizes, one for pre-kids/age 30, and one for after). Many of my friends are now on this bandwagon and will also never go back.  A few also recommend other brands like FLEX or Luna if you want to check your options.

Skeptical? Let me know if you try it and what you think!

I’m also here to answer those awkward questions… like the “how to use” tips that me and my girlfriends have talked about while watching The Bachelor that I didn’t detail here 🙂

Monat: Natural Product Review

Published on by Christine1 Comment

Over the past few years, I’ve transitioned to using non-toxic products for health and home.  Some of the changes were quick and easy, but others have been hard- like hair and make up products. I’ve struggled to find a reasonable replacement, in cost or effectiveness.

effortless-styleToday, I want to share that I’ve finally found a natural hair care line that I can say, with confidence, works well AND is safe.  The product is MONAT (wondering how to pronounce? it stands for modern nature)!

I was initially wary because it is a multi-level marketing organization and I wasn’t interested in distributing anything. Plus, the price was high and it’s not grocery-store convenient. But dealing with terrible postpartum hair, I was desperate to try something that worked as well as everyone raved.  My expectations were low.

First, what I love about this product is the ingredients.  It’s made with essential oils (the products smell incredible!) and antioxidants to support hair health.  And it has none of the super harmful chemicals in almost everything else on the market – there’s NO:

  • Parabens – preservative in nearly all cosmetics that mimics estrogen, therefore disrupting hormone function; studies show it causes cancer
  • Sulfates – foaming agent that dries out your hair and irritates your scalp
  • Cyclic Silicones – makes the product spreadable, but causes lots of build up which is especially bad for curly hair like mine
  • DEA/MEA – a cutting agent you’ll find in most bath products to help mix oil-soluble with water-soluble ingredients; it increases risk for kidney and liver cancer because they are especially tough chemicals for our bodies to break down
  • Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – helps with product penetration; this ingredient may irritate sensitive skin, but the worse risk is how it helps other toxic chemicals in a product get into your system
  • Phthalates – a dissolving agent and fragrance carrier; disrupts estrogen and testosterone levels linking to infertility, effects unborn babies and young children most due to inability to metabolize through digestive system (source)
  • Phenoxyethanol – a common cosmetic preservative; the FDA has admitted it depresses central nervous system and European studies show it is a skin irritant and potential effects on fertility (source)
  • Petrolatum / Mineral Oil – our bodies cannot metabolize so levels continue to build over use, especially bad because it is linked to estrogen dominance and potential carcinogen (source)
  • Triclosan – antimicrobial that causes gut inflammation
  • Formaldehyde Releasers – common preservative and antimicrobial is known to inhibit the immune system and studies show it is a carcinogen (source)

Now that the SAFETY of this product is clear, let me share my experience with the EFFECTIVENESS…

Monat has several different systems depending on your hair type- a distributor could help you identify the best one for you.  I was wanting to tackle a couple problem areas for myself… through all the products I’ve tried, my hair has always ended up oily, frizzy and easily tangled. A bonus would be for my air-dried hair to look better and be easier to achieve.  For reference- my hair is fine but there’s lots of it, is uncolored and is long and naturally wavy.

Based on this, I chose the Effortless Style/Soothing system. Shampooing with this product is a bit different- you have to put a little bit on first and let it sit- there will be no lather. Rinse and repeat and the second time it lathers a bunch. Let that sit and rinse and your hair will feel cleaner than ever!  Conditioning is normal, except you need to let it sit for 5 minutes.

air-dry-newI used the product for a few weeks and was totally disappointed / felt I had completely wasted my money.  My hair was only slightly less oily, but it was tangled worse than ever and still didn’t air-dry well.  The system comes with a blow-out cream, which I never used because I only blow dry my hair once a month. When I told my distributor about this issue, she switched it for the Air Dry Cream.

The new cream was a GAME CHANGER. Suddenly, my hair was healthy, didn’t tangle and air-dried fantastic. I use just a tiny bit (even on my long hair) after towel-drying and brushing and end up with nearly frizz-free (I do live in humid Texas after all) wavy hair.  While I do still have to use some dry shampoo to go a day between washes, the oiliness is much better than it used to be and continues to improve.

As for the cost, I agree it is super expensive, but I do believe it is worth it.  I became a “VIP” to get that discounted pricing with no obligation.  Also, it helps that it lasts- I bought my first bottles of shampoo/conditioner in mid-March and here I am just halfway through my second bottles nearly 6 months later.

I’m not a distributor of this product, but if you are interested in purchasing, I would be happy to connect you with the friend I buy from!

 

My Placenta Encapsulation Experience

Published on by Christine1 Comment

I remember first hearing about women consuming their placentas after childbirth on some tv show where a woman blended hers into a smoothie.  It was about the most disgusting thing I could think of and I thought it was absolutely crazy.  But, over the years, I heard more and more stories about the benefits of consuming your placenta and was intrigued.  I was never going to be a placenta smoothie maker, but the encapsulation process seemed harmless…. basically your placenta is dehydrated and then the powder is put into capsules that you swallow like a regular pill or vitamin (it’s totally tasteless too).

So why do people do this crazy thing?  The whole idea stems from the fact that many animals eat their placenta after birth.  It’s supposed to replenish valuable nutrients and hormones and help create balance going into the postpartum period.  There have been limited research studies done on this practice to prove that it is indeed helpful, but the anecdotal benefits are abundant.  It’s been said to help in the following areas:

  • Alleviate anxiety
  • Promote energy to combat fatigue from childbirth & little sleep
  • Restore iron levels in blood
  • Increase milk production
  • Decrease postpartum depression levels
  • Assist with the release of the hormone oxytocin

When I was pregnant, I researched the studies and read countless stories about how much it helped other women.  I found a local source who could do it for $100 (many others charge upwards of $500) and thought it was worth the experiment.  I know that the postpartum period can be really difficult for some women, and I figured that if this simple thing could help make it more positive for me, that I had to try.  It was so easy- the woman came and got my placenta from the freezer at the birth center and then delivered the pills to my house a couple days later.  I started taking a couple pills twice a day and decreased to just one pill a day after the first few weeks (they lasted for 10 weeks total for me, but it depends on frequency you take them and how large your placenta is).  They don’t have to be taken with food or anything… I just took them when I remembered.

Did it work?  I think so!  Would I do it again? Definitely.  Probably not worth the $500 some charge (am I in the wrong business!?), but certainly for $100.

I was pretty skeptical that I would see any kind of benefit.  As a first time mom, I had no idea how you were supposed to feel postpartum, so its hard to know what’s normal for me and what difference was made.  However, there were three positive ways I did really feel like the pills helped.  I noticed these things after forgetting to take the pills and either realizing it later or my husband asking if I had taken them.  And none of the three were a one time thing… I saw the pills make a difference repeatedly.

  1. Milk production – Due to my baby’s tongue tie and resulting ineffective latch, I struggled with milk supply.  I was able to pump several ounces more on days that I took placenta pills… I’m bummed I am out now!
  2. Breakouts – I was lucky to not have lots of blemishes during pregnancy, but it’s been awful postpartum with all the hormones.  My skin was definitely clearer when I was taking the pills.
  3. Emotional balance – This was the biggest one for me; even my husband would agree he really saw a difference.  The only times in the first few weeks I ever got super emotional where I felt out of control with sadness or crying were days that I forgot to take pills.  After taking them, I would feel much better, if not completely normal, within 30 minutes.  Placebo effect?  Maybe.  But, since my husband saw the change too, I feel it had to be true.

So, even though the evidence-based proof is limited and the placebo effect cannot be ruled out, I certainly saw a benefit and would definitely recommend to my friends.  Do you think you would ever try it?

P.S. Because I asked before getting it done, I thought you might also be curious.  Having gestational diabetes does not mean you cannot/should not get your placenta encapsulated; it will have no effect through the pills.

More about medical research on placenta encapsulation: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-placenta-encapsulation/

 

Seasonal Diffusing Blends

Published on by Christine5 Comments

Pumpkins on the porch, mums planted and the house smells like apple cider and cinnamon.  No more candles for me… I’m now diffusing essential oils to fill my home with fragrance AND get some added health benefits.

One of my favorite ways to use essential oils is through aromatherapy. Research has shown that the fragrance of essential oils can have a profound impact on the limbic system (our emotions), the hypothalamus (our hormones), and on the oxygenation & function of the brain.  Today, I’m sharing my favorite essential oil blends to put in my diffuser each season (but, of course, you can use them anytime!)

Fall BlendFall:

  • Citrus Fresh (3-4 drops) – This refreshing blend combines Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lemon, Mandarin, and Spearmint oils. It is purifying to the air and helps with focus and energy.  *If you don’t have the Citrus Fresh blend, orange or tangerine will work too.
  • Cinnamon Bark (3-4 drops) – This is a powerful oil for boosting the immune system and is perfect for the sniffles that Autumn brings.  For a variation, sub a couple of drops of Thieves blend for cinnamon as an additional immune boosting & disinfectant, with the added notes of clove and rosemary.

Winter BlendWinter:

  • Peppermint (2 drops) – Peppermint stimulates the mind, helping you focus. It is also great for the respiratory system and to soothe digestion.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Lemon is an invigorating and warming fragrance. It helps to cleanse the air, to boost immunity and promote relaxation.
  • Valor (2 drops) – The Valor blend originated with Roman soldiers who put it on to promote courage before going into battle. It instills great confidence and promotes alignment of the spine. This blend contains Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense.
  • Joy (2 drops) – One of my favorite blends for the wintertime blues, Joy promotes positivity and hope.  It eases tension and brings harmony to the household for those days everyone is stuck inside. Joy contains a blend of some amazing oils: Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Lemon, Coriander, Tangerine, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile, Palmarosa and Rose. If you’re looking for a new perfume this Christmas, I’d highly suggest this fragrance!

Spring BlendSpring:

  • Ylang Ylang (2 drops) – This romantic oil promotes hormonal balance and confidence.
  • Clary Sage (2 drop) – Clary Sage has notes of blooms in a spring garden and is very calming.
  • Lemon (2 drops) – Adding this will be perfect to help with and complement your spring cleaning!
  • Stress Away (2 drops) – Absolutely could not live without this one… it brings peace and tranquility, taking the stress away. This has been a saving grace for my adrenal issues!  It contains a soothing blend of copaiba, lime, cedarwood, vanilla, ocotea and lavender.
  • Variation: If you add lavender and remove lemon from this blend, it is perfect for bedtime relaxation anytime!

Summer BlendSummer:

  • Peace and Calming (2-3 drops) – This blend is amazing at uplifting spirits and creating emotional peace.  I also hear it’s great for crazy children home from school for the Summer! It contains Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Blue Tansy.
  • Lemon (2 drops)
  • Tangerine (1 drop) – Promotes happiness and relaxation, helping with nervousness (maybe about putting that swimsuit on?)
  • Lime (1 drop) – Reminds me of sipping a margarita by the pool, this oil is great for clearing the respiratory system.

Source: Essential Oils Pocket Reference

For more information on essential oils and why I chose the Young Living brand, visit this page.

P.S. It’s important to be careful how you diffuse essential oils into the air because when you heat them, it destroys the healing compounds. I use a cool air diffuser that uses ultrasonic technology to mix the oil with water and disperse into the air. This atomizer activates the healing effects of the oils and allows the aromas to stay in the air for longer.  Plus, it’s also a humidifier so is great to put by your bed when you’re sick.  When you order a starter kit from Young Living, it comes with an amazing diffuser – read here for how to get started.

Diffusing Seasons