Healthy Skin

You're NEVER too old to start

You're NEVER too old to start

Just as the sun rises every morning, introducing a fresh start, remember - you, too, are never too old to begin anew. This is a gentle reminder that the magic of starting fresh knows no age limit. After two transformative decades in the holistic skincare, I am excited to share my insights and hopefully, ignite that spark in you to start whatever it is that's been waiting in the wings of your heart.

Skin Repair and Circadian Rhythms

Skin Repair and Circadian Rhythms

The changing of seasons displays how brilliantly nature creates periods of rest and restoration to manage its energy resources. These innate cycles called circadian rhythms are natural processes that respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including humans, animals, plants, and even microbes. One example of a light-related circadian rhythm is sleeping at night and being awake during the day. I can’t help but wonder how we might be able to sync our daily habits and rituals to maximize our own cycles.

Why the Skin Ph is So Important

Why the Skin Ph is So Important

Did you know that the pH of your skin can determine how healthy, glowing and vibrant it is? Thats because the skin's pH plays a key role in maintaining a healthy and strong lipid barrier, providing a thriving environment for your skin's microbiome and immune system.

In the health and wellness community, we are encouraged to keep our bodies alkaline to avoid chronic inflammatory conditions and disease. However, our skin should NOT be alkaline. In fact, healthy skin should have a pH of around 4.5 - 5.5. A neutral pH is 7; so anything below that is considered an ACIDIC environment and anything above it is termed ALKALINE.

Bolstering Your Immune System

Bolstering Your Immune System

According to Premier Research Labs, one of my vitamin and supplement suppliers says:

“Scientists are concerned that genetically engineered bio-stressors are globally emerging within our bio-network and can burden the body and trigger atypical responses by our immune system. These bio-stressors potentially contain a genetic code designed with so-called “gain of function” properties that allow it to spread beyond usual means. Some bioinformatic experts have presented clinical evidence demonstrating the protein structure of these bio-stressors have different ways to directly and indirectly burden the immune system by means of potentially disrupting the gut ecology.

Rising Out of the Ashes

Rising Out of the Ashes

Do you think everything happens for a reason? I do. I've always believed in a celestial force that is rooting for me, nudging me towards my life's purpose, providing endless growth opportunities, chance meetings and auspicious guidance. If we see all life's events as lessons, even the failures, the heartbreaks and illnesses will inevitably unveil deeper meanings and hidden clues.

In the pursuit of excellence, we willingly endure the price of transformation, while at times we cling to the familiar, kicking and screaming as change becomes inevitable. No matter how we get there, it's a magical moment when life seems to fall into place and evidence of divine intervention becomes clear.

Live long and look good doing it

Live long and look good doing it

Clean Eating. The number 1 thing we can do to slow the aging process. What exactly does "clean" mean?

Naturally, everyone's version will revolve around taste preferences and sensitivities. But universally, to arm your cells with superpowers, it's our job to feed it a diet free from harmful toxins and chemicals. To me, this means organic, nutrient-dense foods, rather than empty calories and processed foods. Personally, I live by a 90/10 rule. 90% of what I eat is for fuel, beauty and health benefits, 10% is for (hopefully) non-guilty pleasures. That doesn't mean that my 90% doesn't taste good! I crave fruits and veggies. They are the staples of my diet.

If you're wanting to get on the clean team, the following tips will help you get on the right track.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic Reactions

I love trying new products, exploring new foods and am always searching for the most advanced ways to reduce the effects of aging.   I’ve learned the hard way that while being adventurous is a positive trait, there are some things to consider before diving in.   It may not seem like a big deal to introduce something new, but adverse reactions can be scary and embarrassing.  

I always start with research.  I want to know it’s purpose, how it interacts in my skin or body,  and understand possible side effects or contra-indications.   And of course any qualified reviews or referrals will help me decide whether I feel confident in trying it personally. 

In a perfect world, the best way to get accurate feedback on a new product is to introduce it while all keeping all other variables the same.  If you have a handful of new factors to consider,  dealing with adverse reactions can be frustrating and misleading.   In a controlled study, ingredients or products are isolated to provide accurate correlations of cause and effect.  Rarely in life do we have such a sterile environment.  Thank goodness!  Rather, our worlds routinely consist of fluctuating stress levels, diet quality, water intake and other variables.  Unless the cause and effect are without question,  I always test a product 2-3 times if I am suspicious of it to ensure no other factors are involved.   If I do experience a skin flare-up, I allow my skin to recover (approximately 3-7 days) then I reintroduce the product while keeping all other variables relatively consistent, while eating clean and drinking lots and lots of water.   The best time to check for reactions is first thing in the morning or after wearing all day. 

So how do you know if a product doesn’t agree with you?   Signs of an Adverse Reaction

Yes, Toners Are Necessary

Yes, Toners Are Necessary

1.  Toners are crucial to the cleansing process.  Toner removes the final residue of make-up, dirt & oil leftover cleanser and unless you are using filtered water to cleanse your skin, there is chlorine, calcium, flouride and other heavy metals in the water that will be left on the skin.  When the chemicals dry, they shrink, leaving a white film, and ultimately leaving you feeling tight and dry.   If you put a moisturizer directly on top of these chemicals, you will continue to dull and dry the skin.  The film must be removed with toner using a cotton pad. 

Middle Aged: Crisis or Comeback?

The wrinkles and less defined jawline. Less camera love and jeans that don’t fit like they used to.  Mystery bumps and lumps popping up like ground hogs and gray hair sprouting like wildflowers.  AHHHH.  The joys of middle-agedom. I’m a 44 year old grandmother and things are starting to get real.   I recently found myself keenly aware of the lightning speed in which years fly by, pondering life’s existential meaning.   After obsessively scrutinizing the loss in volume in my face and neck, it dawned on me that I’m the youngest I’m ever going to be RIGHT NOW.  And that NOW changes incredibly fast.  So I may as well embrace it and enjoy the ride.   As an esthetician and health coach the quest for eternal youthfulness is not only a passion but also a core part of my life’s work and mission.  I’m responsible for keeping my clients young and vibrant, and truthfully I want to age as gracefully as possible.  When our personal passions are married with our life’s work, it’s magic.  I vigilantly research new skin rejuvenation techniques, ingredients and products that both safely turn back the hands of time, and preserve our reserves for the long haul.  I love it.  But these things are only part of the equation.  Growing old gracefully means continually loving every part of ourselves as things inevitably change while doing everything we can to promote healthy aging physically, mentally and spiritually. 

Powerful detox foods

Powerful detox foods

If our cells get blocked and are unable to expel waste and take in nutrients, this can cascade into more serious blockages in our blood and organs as well causing a host of issues including acne, premature aging, cellulite and sluggishness and eventually disease.  Luckily, eating the right foods and supplements can greatly reduce our toxic load and help our bodies find balance and homeostasis.  I have compiled a list of the most powerful detox foods and supplements that can be incorporated into your current diet or as a complete detox program such as The Beauty Detox.  

Trying to minimize processed foods, sugar, dairy and meats is the best way to support your body's natural detoxification processes. The less we consume things that are harmful the less our body has to work to eliminate. 

Anti Aging Ingredient #1

Anti Aging Ingredient #1

Hyaluronic acid has been used in the cosmetic industry for many years to keep our skin hydrated and youthful.  HA, is a water binding component found in the deeper layers of our skin alongside collagen and elastin. It’s function is to bind and hold water in order to provide cushion to our joints, turgor & elasticity to our skin. As we age, our bodies produce less HA so supplementation is necessary.

When it comes to topical skincare, size matters.  Size of the molecules that is.

A Survival Guide for Detoxing

A Survival Guide for Detoxing

I woke up a few weeks ago feeling groggy and irritable, my right eye puffy and swollen like a bee sting, newly forming pimples and my body feel stiff and achy. After determining these were symptoms of a sluggish and overloaded lymphatic system, I decided I needed a detox.  

Just like we wouldn’t expect our car to work indefinitely without ever changing the oil or getting a tune up, it’s the same for our bodies.  Each day, we’re exposed to harmful substances in the air we breathe, foods we eat, products we put on our skin and use in our home.  The ability of our cells to expel waste and absorb nutrients is ESSENTIAL to our overall health and well-being, slow the aging process, as well as our happiness, clarity and focus.  Sometimes, our elimination systems have trouble keeping up with the toxic load and symptoms such as acne, brain fog, bloating and weight gain begin to appear. To keep our bodies a "well oiled" machine, a periodic cleanse will boost the removal of damaging toxins and pathogens from our organs and blood, prevent premature aging and the onset of chronic diseases. 

I’ve always been someone who LOVES to eat and HATES feeling hungry.  I eat from the time I wake up, until I go to bed.  Even though I eat a highly clean diet, I am a snacker and have never done a cleanse before, so the idea was daunting.  In order to succeed and create sustainable change, I created a "Beauty Detox" that kept me satisfied, not deprived, supercharged and not groggy. My 14 day liquid meal plan consisted of organic fruits and veggies in the form of juices, smoothies and pureed soups.

So how do we know if we need a detox?