Love the Skin You’re in
For as long as I can remember I've suffered with skin issues. In my younger years I was prone to breakouts, but my real struggles never began until after I had kids. Looking back, I remember thinking how great it would be when I got older to not have to deal with acne, boy was I wrong!! Because here I am, now in my 40s, still feeling the physical + emotional frustrations of cystic acne, rash breakouts, eczema, and other forms of dermatitis. The kinda stuff that makes you want to curl up in a ball and hide in a dark corner of your closet until it goes away. And that's typically what I've done! I've held back on sharing a lot of my skin struggles because it feels almost shameful. Like who am I to be leading others in health when mine appears to be lacking? But I've realized this is the wrong approach (and a limiting belief!). I pride myself on being honest with all of you, openly sharing the real life that we are all so desperately in need of. I guess we can consider this a growth in my realism….so basically you and I have reached 3rd base in our wellness relationship status ;)
I had a conversation with a friend the other day that was really eye opening. She said “We are constantly judging + treating our bodies like something is wrong with them. Our bodies are always healing, it's what they are designed to do.” Does that hit home for you as much as it did for me? (It left me feeling like I have some serious self apologizing to do!) Rather than seeing this as a weakness, we need to understand that it's all part of the plan. If we choose to support + respect our bodies we will see (and feel) things in a whole different way. It's said that our skin is a reflection of what's going on inside our bodies. While this might be true it doesn't have to be negative, but instead an invitation to grow deeper in communication with our internal selves and further in our healing journey.
This blog consists of WAY more than I intended it to! If you came here thinking I was going to have a groundbreaking product or recommendation you might as well just stop reading now. One of the greatest barriers to our wellness (and a major factor in us quitting on ourselves) is the need for instant results. When it comes to our health, there is rarely one factor that contributes to its cause or healing. So consider this your warning that settling in to read this is a bit of a commitment, but I promise it will be time well spent!
Alright, I've broken this down into 4 main categories. What's going on your body, in your body, how you're caring for your body, and lastly (and one that is most often overlooked), the mind/body connection. Here we go…..
1. What's going on your body
Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? Yep, you heard right, it’s an organ. And it’s primary job is to protect you! So let's try to make that job a little bit easier shall we?
It only takes 30 seconds for what you put on your skin to be absorbed into your body. Between hair products, body wash, facial products, deodorant, moisturizer, makeup, perfumes and whatever else we might be using or applying, the average woman puts up to 500 synthetic chemicals (or more!) on her body every single day without even realizing. AND….60% of what we put onto our skin is absorbed into our bodies. GROSS!
The personal care product industry is a 6 billion dollar industry. The EU has banned over 1100 chemicals - many of which we use in our products in North America. This is alarming and unacceptable! Many popular brands marketed as "clean or non-toxic" still contain some of the most toxic ingredients like Fragrances, Pertrolatum, and Parabens.
So now that we know this, where can do we start? Well first, you can look into the toxicity level of your current products. Warning: you might not like what you see!
This app is the easiest way to learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. Just scan the product barcode and Think Dirty will give you easy-to-understand info on the product, its ingredients, and shop cleaner options!
This database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals in personal care products. You can also access this info through the Healthy Living App.
Once you get over the shock of how dirty some of your current products actually are, it’s time to start thinking about some changes. Start doing your own research and opt for brands you can trust. You can even look into making some of your own skincare products! Here are 2 of my favourite companies:
You guys know how much I love my oils! doTERRA is known for the purest + most potent essential oils in the world, but they also have an incredible line of personal care products free of harmful ingredients. In addition to the oils themselves, there are so many products we have implemented into our home that have helped us reduce our exposure to toxins and improve our physical + emotional health. Body soaps + lotions, handwash (and sanitzer), haircare, oral care (toothpaste + mouthwash), cleaning products, and DIY recipes we have made to replace other things we may have been using in the past. The facial skincare lines are insanely popular, but they just don't work on my overly sensitive skin (despite my efforts + multiple attempts to make them!!). Keep reading to learn what I'm currently using.
I’ve recorded a class with all the doTERRA oils + products that can support your skin from the inside out. Check it out below!
I've been using Beautycounter products for quite some time now. I love the quality, the commitment to natural ingredients, and the mission to educate about the importance of clean beauty. I love the makeup and sunscreen, and have recently invested in the Countertime skincare line. I feel relieved to have finally found a line of products that agrees with my extremely sensitive skin + meets my quality standards!
2. What's going in your body
DRINK UP
There are so many health benefits to keeping your body hydrated. When it comes to your skin, it's not necessarily that drinking water directly affects the appearance + texture, but moreso that it helps our bodies to run optimally.
Particularly for flushing out toxins, promoting detoxification, and aiding digestive processes.
To set yourself up for success keep a reusable water bottle handy at all times (preferably glass or stainless steel), keep your water in site so you have a constant reminder to keep drinking, replace another beverage you might be drinking daily with water, flavour your water with fruits/veggies (lemon, orange, or cucumber are great options), or add a drop of your favourite doTERRA citrus oil for added health benefits AND to make it more fun to drink!
Don’t forget that the quality of water you’re drinking makes a big difference! Drink filtered water as much as possible to avoid ingesting lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants that can be found in tap water.
Check out the EWG’s water filter buying guide.
SUPPS
These days, even if we are eating a healthy diet we aren’t getting all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function optimally. The foods available to us are not of the quality they once were. Having a supplementation program in place has never been more important for our health. High quality supplements will fill in the gaps that are missing in our diet!
Here's what I'm taking to support my skin (with other amazing side benefits for other body functions):
(includes multivitamin, cellular complex, and omegas)
Other helpful additions:
FUEL
The foods we ingest have a huge impact on our skin health. Even if they aren't causing noticeable digestive discomfort, things like refined carbohydrates, sugar, dairy, and saturated or trans fats can wreak havoc in our systems. This is mostly because of the inflammation they're creating within our bodies. Inflammation is associated with health conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, cancer, and obesity, so incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into the diet will greatly impact overall health + longevity.
Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains is highly recommended. Check out the image below for more healthy eating inspo.
3. How you're treating your body
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Did you know that stress is one of the leading causes of inflammation in your body? And we already know from reading above that chronic inflammation can lead to serious health conditions. So if your body is under continual stress you can imagine how that's effecting your daily vitality! Taking active measures to care for ourselves is a must if we want to manage our stress levels and truly be well in all areas of our health.
Here are few great practices for reducing stress:
1. Sleep - In order for your body to flourish you must get an adequate amount of rest. When we sleep we heal, simple as that (although it's not that simple so you can expect a blog on this topic in the coming months!).
There are a few things I swear by that you might like to try incorporating into your nighttime routine:
- Herbal tea - I love the Nighty Night blend by Traditional Medicinals)
- Bath with epsom salts (and oils of course)
- Diffuser running in the bedroom
- Oils applied to my feet
Some my favourite bedtime oils are Lavender, Balance, Frankincense, Serenity, and Easy Air/Breathe.
2. Self care rituals - Taking care of ourselves can no longer sit at the bottom of our priority list if we want to effectively manage our stress. Taking time for yourself IS NOT a luxury, it is a necessity for physical, emotional and spiritual health.
A few ways I choose to show up for myself:
- soaking in a relaxing bath
- movement
- meditation/yoga
- immersing myself in nature
- connecting with my people
- whatever else my body is intuitively asking of me
3. Natural tools - You guys know I love my oils, and I can honestly say they have literally saved my sanity. I diffuse, apply, and ingest them each and every day for many reasons, one of the most important being to support my mental health. Some of my favourites - Adaptiv, Frankincense, Copaiba, Balance, Serenity, and/or whatever else feels right in the moment. The feeling that comes from using these natural tools to care for myself and my family is one of true empowerment.
DETOX RITUALS
Stress has the ability to create an overwhelming amount of toxic buildup in our bodies. Our bodies often try to communicate this with us, and if we aren't paying attention it can lead to sickness, aches + pains, mental fatigue, digestive issues, and more. It's so important to listen to our bodies and honour the rest we might need, but also offer extra support for releasing these harmful toxins. There are so many easy practices you can add into your daily routine that will have a huge impact on your overall health!
My favourite detox practices:
1. Lemon water to start the day
(either fresh squeezed or a drop of doTERRA Lemon oil)
4. Sweating
*The links attached are sample days from my 30 to Thrive wellness challenge! It's education packed and guaranteed to make an impact on your daily healthy habits……oh and it's completely FREE! Opt in HERE
4. The mind body connection
This piece of the puzzle is the most recent addition to my skincare journey. If I lose you here and you start to think I'm a little off my rocker, I totally get it. If you would've told me 3 years ago that I'd be actively working to heal past life traumas as a remedy for health issues in this lifetime I would most likely laugh in your face, but here I am. It's important to respect the timeline your body is on, so just know this info is here for you when you're ready to tap into the more spiritual side of things.
AFFIRMATIONS
There is a strong connection between our thoughts, emotions and physical illnesses. Affirmations are positive statements that can help you overcome negative thoughts and beliefs. When you repeat them often (and actually believe in them) you can start to make positive changes. Think of them like exercises for your mind. Over time, these mental repetitions can reprogram our thinking patterns so that we begin to think and behave differently.
If you're looking for more guidance in this area, I would highly recommend checking out the work of Louise Hay. She has a wide variety of resources devoted to helping you gain more clarity and confidence!
NATURAL HEALERS
Over the past year I've been addressing physical issues my body has been struggling with for quite some time (including my skin!) with emotional + energetic healing practices. I've been loving spiritual counselling, reiki/massage, and emotional energy practice. If you're looking for access to more natural healing please get in touch as I'd love to point you in the right direction.
In the meantime, check out my friend and incredible healer Alicia Whalen on IG.
Don't say I didn't warn you! I know this was a lot of info to take in, but as with most health concerns, there usually isn't a quick fix. It's taken me YEARS to implement these practices into my life and I'm still a work in progress, as we all are! If you are struggling with skin issues my biggest recommendation would be to not get overwhelmed with everything you've read here. Take it one step at a time. If there was one section that resonated with you, start there. Our bodies are highly intuitive, so take a pause, listen to what it's asking, and honour the process.
As always, I'm here to offer support in any way that I can. I would love to work with you and offer my guidance as you uplevel your wellness! Please reach out if you have any questions,
