Skincare

I've struggled with acne breakouts since my late 20's.  I would get the hard cystic acne knots on my chin and it was always so frustrating.  I began to read and study and research what I could do to do better.  Things we come in contact with are always changing and so are our hormones but here are the 3 things that have made such a difference for me. 

1- What I Eat

It used to be a radical idea but more and more research shows that food causes inflammation in our body and inflammation can cause a lot of problems throughout our body.  

When you have breakouts on your face, you are desperate to try anything and The Clear Skin Prescription by Dr. Perricone caught my eye at Barnes & Noble one day.  You can read more about the book here but my main takeaway was about food. Even though by this time in my journey I had eliminated most sugar and grains.  However I learned from him that the banana in my smoothie every day was just too much sugar for my body.  After eliminating it, cutting back on fruit sugar, and continuing to eliminate grains and sugar from my diet, I really began to see an improvement.  The hard knots went away and the cysts under the skin on my chin smoothed out and went away. 

2- The Skin Care Products I Use:

Every products claims to work and I'm sure for some people it does.  I had gone to several estheticians and tried what they suggested.  I finally found an amazing who understood why all the things I had tried had not worked and together we found a real solution that worked.  

She recommended that I needed to stick to one line of skincare products. They are formulated to work together.  The products I use are from an Atlanta Company called Institut' DERMED.  Specifically I use (not affiliate links - I just love these products so much and won't use anything else):

Clarifying Cleanser

Clarifying Toner (if I had to choose just 1 product this would be the one - my son has also used it since he was 14-15 and it has kept his skin clear through the teenage years).

Vital A Serum

Vital C Serum

Clarifying Moisturizer 

Eye Cream Complex

If I had to pick 3 things it would be the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.  It comes in a starter kit so it is great to try.  If I could only pick one, it would be the toner. My teenage son would also use this toner and his cheeks would clear up immediately.  I would say for the ingredients that are in it and for the price, it is the best thing on the market.

Dr. Perricone recommends topicals such as Glycolic Acid & Salicylic Acid.  The Cleaner contains Salicylic Acid along with Tea Tree Oil (See more about Essential Oils).  The toner (and this is why I think it works so well) contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid.  

It is important to me that their products do not contain parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfates, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. They are made in the USA and are not tested on animals either.  

I also did a lot of research and read about oil cleansing.  I know a lot of people simply oil cleanse and that is all.  I tried coconut oil at first but it tends to clog pores so I started using Jojoba oil.  I used that for awhile and then I found Myrah Luminous Cleasing Oil.  I love that I can use it to remove my makeup and then I following my DERMED routine.  I still use the jojoba oil as the carrier oil for my essential oil and for an all over moisturizer. 

3- Cosmetics

It took a long time but I finally found a clean makeup routine I really love. 

Dermed Loose Mineral Foundation (I used to use Bare Minerals which I liked but this one is equal if not better and easy to get since I am ordering the skincare line)

Their concealer is also amazing - I haven't found one that is better than this.  You don't need much and I only use it when I occasionally have hormonal breakouts  use sunscreen that makes me break out (let me know if you know of a good one you like because I am still searching in this department)

I used to use this mascara from Thrive Market - I put it in my subscription box every few months and it helps me to remember to replace it like I need to (discount code below) Now my guilty obsession is Flutterhabit lashes. I checked the ingredients on EWG's Skin Deep guide and there weren't any concerns so I've loved using the ones called The Flirt! Get a discount of your first purchase using this link.

Bronzer from RMS Beauty I like that RMS Beauty products are formulated using raw, food grade, organic, wildcrafted and natural ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible.

Blush from RMS Beauty - I use Crushed Rose

Eye Pencil this one I order from Thrive Market (RMS Beauty now has one and I tried it but it seemed to not stay on well and smear so I'm sticking with this one)

Get 40% off your first Thrive order by using this link 

I like to order products from Thrive because I can take the time to look at the ingredients for food, beauty, and skin care and filter by ingredients that I don't want as well. 

Personal Care

Deodorant- this is what I get asked about the most. Look for one that is just a deodorant and is aluminum free.  Those are the key things to look for. You don't want to not sweat because that is how your body gets the toxins out. I know this is a hard concept to get used to.  I also recommend using a mineral clay to pull the toxins out of your pits as you are making this switch.  This will help your sweat to be less stinky.  Also, eating whole product clean food plays a big part for our skin so keep that in mind.

Shampoo

Conditioner

Detangler - I have long hair and need a detangler to comb it out after I wash it.  I create my own Detangler using my conditioner and essential oils. 

Mermaid spray - Beach Hair Spray or whatever you want to call - I make this with Witch hazel, water, and my favorite essential oils in a glass spray bottle.  I spray this in on days I don't wash my hair after I comb it out.  It smells great and can keep lice at bay.

Dry shampoo - I also make my own 

Cleaning

All purpose cleaner - I use Thieves 

Essential Oils

Coming Soon