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Switching to Natural Deodorant

Let me tell you a story, once upon a time in 2012 I decided I wanted to make the switch to natural deodorant. I went to a health food store, picked one out that smelled good and started using it. The end. No, NOT the end. More like my pits were dripping like Niagara Falls, I had wet marks on my shirt and I smelled like onion soup on a hot day. Here is my journey to making the switch!

Let's rewind, when I decided to make the switch it wasn't because it was trendy, it was because I was getting hard painful lumps in my underarms. They were pea to dime size lumps that hurt when I lifted my arms and would appear every few weeks. Based on what Google said I was sure I was dying. I went to the doctor and she said I have clogged hair and sweat follicles and I should stop using deodorant for a few days and apply hot compresses. Luckily, her recommendations worked and the lumps went away, but what happens when I start using deodorant again? It got me thinking and I went down the rabbit hole into armpit research.

Why we sweat

We have two types of sweat glands, eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are all over our bodies and regulate our body temperature. This is the salty type of sweat that contains water and sodium. Apocrine, on the other hand, is mainly found in the underarm region and is triggered by stress, anxiety and fluctuating hormones. This type of sweat also produces bacteria, it's the reason why we smell and also why we use deodorant in just our underarms and not our entire bodies.

Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant

Deodorant works by helping to fight bacteria in the underarm and scent the area. While antiperspirants will actually clog or shrink the sweat gland with ingredients such as aluminum. This stops the body from regulating body temperature, releasing toxins and sweat. 

When I read that I am essentially stopping a natural body function from happening and holding on to toxins in my body that was the moment I decided to make the switch. That fact grossed me out more than anything.

Toxic Claims

One of the main ingredients in antiperspirant is aluminum and it gets a pretty bad wrap. In a 2002 study, there were some finding that aluminum may contribute to the formation of breast cancer since it's applied regularly and near breast tissue. It's said that aluminum may mimic estrogen contributing to breast cancer. It has also been linked to seizures, Alzheimer's disease and kidney disorders. However, these findings are mixed and whether or not it's true, why risk it and stop my body from performing a natural body function?

We can't forget the other ingredients in commercial deodorants that are not so healthy.

Parabens -  a preservative that mimics estrogen and throws off hormones.

Propylene glycol - used to increase absorption of ingredients, but a known irritant.

Triclosan - kills bacteria and fungus - linked to an increased risk of cancer, allergies and thyroid function.

Synthetic fragrance - a known skin irritant and hormone disruptor. 

Phthalates - used to make products "feel" better but have been found to be a hormone disruptor as well.

Making the switch

The first thing you need to know about making the switch is your body will have to adjust and go through a detox period. Think about it, most of us started using deodorant once we hit puberty and that is years and years of us fighting a natural body function. Our body essentially has to figure out how to regulate itself again. 

Let me warn you, you're going to sweat a lot more than normal for a little bit and you will probably smell like a middle school locker room. Your pores will unclog and start to function like the way they were intended. When the sweat and stink start pouring in this is when most of us start running back to their trusty antiperspirant. Stay strong people, stay strong! This process usually last for 2-4 weeks with most people and I advise doing this switch in the winter months when it's not super hot to make it more bearable for yourself and other people around you!

How to survive the deodorant detox

Exfoliate your pits - This is I think one of the most important steps to natural deodorant success. Commercial deodorant causes a sticky chemical residue on the skin. This is usually was gives people that dark appearance to the skin.

Also, if you have layers of dead skin building up chances are you are holding on to bacteria there too. This means once sweat hits that area and mixes with the natural bacteria we all have on our skin = smell city. Exfoliating mitts work really well and are my personal choice. You can also use a body scrub or make a paste with baking soda and water to exfoliate a few times a week. 

Pit mask - Clay masks are known to be super detoxifying and can also be used in the armpit area for the same effect. I recommend bentonite clay + apple cider vinegar + water a few times a week for 15 mins. 

Sweat it out -  Working out, steam rooms or dry saunas will really help you sweat out all those toxins and speed up the process.

Drink water - Drinking water will stimulate the lymphatic system and this will help flush your body and detox even quicker.

Does it work?

You betcha it does! Since I jumped on the natural deodorant train I have spent more time talking about armpits and deodorant with my friends than ever! I know many people that have made the switch as well. All have said the same things, it was tough at first but now they hardly smell or sweat as much. Plus, no more armpit dark residue. I even have a friend that completely stopped wearing deodorant at all! I notice that after my hot yoga class I don't smell at all. It's the craziest thing and the body is pretty amazing!

Ingredients to look for:

Baking soda - since baking soda is naturally alkaline it helps to neutralize acidic odor causing bacteria.

Arrowroot powder - derived from a root plant and helps absorb wetness.

Coconut oil - naturally antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial. 

Essential oils - some essential oils like rosemary and citrus are naturally antibacterial and smells great too! 

My picks

After trying about 96,433,647 brands over the years, I have 3 top winners - Schmidt's, Primal Pit paste and Lavanila particularly the Sport Luxe. This varies for many people as what works for one may not another and it may take some trial and error. 

Schmidt's comes in a variety of scents and my personal favorite is the Bergamot + Lime. 

I even got my husband to start using natural deodorant too and he uses the Cedarwood + Juniper scent which I nicknamed "lumberjack in a stick" and it's delightful! 😍

Primal Pit Paste in Lavender 

Lavanila Sport Luxe

Tips for success

+ Exfoliate your pits 1-2 times a week

+ You don't need to apply as much as you would for commercial deodorants as it may leave a residue on clothes. A little goes a long way!

+ Make sure you are applying to clean underarms as natural bacteria on the skin may cause odor

+ Accept that if you have been working all day and are headed out for the evening, you may need to do a quick wipe and reapply. (Unscented natural baby wipes are GREAT for a quick freshening up!)

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Cleansing 101

Creams, gels, oils oh my! With so many different types of cleansers on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose one that is best for suited for you.  So I thought, let us get back to basics and I will walk you through all the different types of cleansers, cleansing techniques, tools and skin tips!

What to look for in a cleanser?

All cleansers have the same basic function to remove dirt, sweat, excess oil, makeup, bacteria, pollutants from the air and dead skin cells. However, picking the right cleanser formulated for your skin type and conditions is super important and base of all other skin care steps. When choosing a cleanser I recommend looking for natural ingredients, hypoallergenic and non-drying formulas. Skin nourishing ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants and plant-based ingredients that serve a function are ideal to look for. 

I would steer clear of cleansers with sulfates, synthetic fragrance and dyes. These three ingredients are completely pointless and nonbeneficial to the skin. Synthetic fragrance and dyes simply "adds" to the user experience, but may cause irritation and is proven to be a hormone disruptor. Colored cleanser, why? There is absolutely no reason your face wash needs to be blue. Sulfates are added to make cleansers foam and give that "squeaky clean" feeling but lead to surface dehydration and irritation.

You'll know a cleaner is not right for you if you feel tight, dry, itchy or that your face may crack if you smile! It doesn't matter the skin type - you should feel clean and refreshed after cleansing, not dry. Squeaky clean feeling = the skin has been stripped of it's natural and necessary oils.

Dirty word in the skin care world = bar soap

Bar soap is usually the first thing we washed our faces with as kids so why wouldn't it be good? Most people have heard the term "ph" back in high school chemistry. Here is a refresher in terms of skin care. Ph stands for "potential of hydrogen" which is the measure of how acidic or alkaline a product is. This scale ranges from 1, being the most acidic and 14, being the most alkaline with a ph of 7 that is considered neutral. The natural and optimal ph of skin is slightly acidic and is around 5.5 and ideally, a cleanser should be around that ph.

The ph of bar soap is around 9 which is very alkaline. Skin that is too alkaline will be dry, dehydrated, fragile and have accentuated wrinkles. I've found people that use bar soap regularly to cleanse their skin usually have very dehydrated skin with wrinkles and stubborn blackheads that are holding on for dear life! No thanks to all of that! And even the old time fave Dove soap is a smidge better being around 7, but still too alkaline for a truly balanced skin.  

Types of cleansers

Gels

Gels are refreshing and perfect for cleansing the skin thoroughly without over drying. They are best for combination and oily skin types. For skin with acne, it's nice to give the skin a break from the harsh and drying ingredients used in typical acne cleansers like benzoyl and salicylic acids. 

Milk + Creams

Cleansing milk is great for dissolving makeup and cleansing the skin but also known for its moisturizing properties. Milky cleansers are good for normal/balanced, dry and sensitive skin types. 

Cleansing creams also fall into this category but are much richer in consistency and best for very dry and mature skin types. 

Both of these types of cleansers may be used in two ways. Applying to dry skin and wiping away with a tissue or cotton pad. Or applied to the skin and rinsed away with warm water for a traditional cleanse. 

Foams

Since the natural oil in our skin is a wax-like consistency, people with very oily skin need a cleanser to really break down that oil and thoroughly cleanse the skin. Foams are by far the most cleansing and best for oily and acne prone skin types. 

Oils + Balms

The oil cleansing method works by the "oil attracts oil" philosophy by breaking down excess oil all while still nourishing the skin. They are used by applying to dry skin and massaging into the skin, breaking down oil and makeup. It may be wiped off with a tissue/cotton pad or even a clean warm wet washcloth. This cleansing method is best for makeup wearers with sensitive, dry, mature, combination and eczema prone skin types. 

Cleansing balms are the thicker more emollient cousin to cleansing oil. Personally, I like a cleansing balm because it's just so creamy and dreamy on my skin! They are especially great for dry and very dry skin types.

Exfoliating Cleansers

Exfoliating cleansers generally have beads in them that range from jojoba esters to micro-pumice. Personally, I am not a fan and don't recommend them to clients. Exfoliating cleansers tend to be one of two things in my opinion - too much or too little. Either there is more cleansing gel versus the number of beads in the formula giving the illusion you are exfoliating your skin. (Which is more of a marketing tactic.) Or it's too aggressive to be exfoliating every day which will lead to dryness and stripping the skin of its natural oils. 

Active Cleansers

Active cleaners are wonderful for treating skin conditions like acne, dullness, hyperpigmentation and have many anti-aging properties. These may include enzymes made with papain (from papaya) which helps to break down dead skin cells. Or anti-aging and brightening acids such as lactic and glycolic. Typical acne cleansers will contain benzoyl and salicylic acids to kill bacteria, break down what is clogging the pores and dry out acne. Sulfur cleansers are also really great for acne as well as rosacea skin as it aids in calming inflammation and killing bacteria. Just be aware that sulfur is a common allergy so test patch! I wrote blog posts on enzymes and acids if you care for more information. 

I am a big fan of keeping TWO cleansers in a skin care routine, I know more products! One should be a gentle everyday non-active cleanser and the second should be an active cleanser. You may want to switch off every other day or go with how your skin feels day to day. If I wore a lot of makeup one day or sweat a lot during a yoga class I will use my active cleanser. It's nice to have options!

Here are some examples!

Sensitive skin Non-Active: Cream, milk or oil cleanser - particularly in a sensitive formula Active: A gentle enzyme cleanser to remove any dry patches

Dry skin Non-Active: Cream, milk or oil cleanser Active: Lactic cleanser to slough off flakey skin cells

Combo skin Non-Active: Gel Active: Glycolic acid or an enzyme cleanser to dissolve dead skin cells, brighten and preventive for aging.

Oily skin Non-Active: Gel or foam Active: Salicylic cleanser to break down excess oil in pores to prevent blackheads/acne from forming and reduce the amount of oil in the skin.

Acne Non-Active: Gel or foam Active: Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser to dry out acne and break down what is clogging pores or sulfur cleanser to calm inflammation and kill bacteria. (This is a personal preference as some people can't tolerate one ingredient but do fine with another.)

Cleansing Tools

Clarisonic Brush We have all heard of or by now owned a Clarisonic brush. The Clarisonic brush is a great investment for the skin as it deeply cleanses the skin, removes makeup better and breaks down flaky skin cells. It will also enhance product penetration of your skin care products.

I personally think using twice a day a little much for most people and the most important cleanse is at night to wash away the day. Also, using the correct brush head is important and will give you a better experience. They now have several options and there is one for everyone, even the most delicate of skin types.

Daily use? You betcha. I have taken about 10 classes in my career over the years at different spas I have worked at directly from Clarisonic and it is safe to use daily. It is actually a CLEANSING tool, not a once a week exfoliation tool. If you are using the correct brush head, speed and pressure (not sanding your face off with a power tool here!) you should be totally fine!

Other Cleansing Brushes The difference between many of the other cleansing brushes and the Clarisonic brush is other brands the brush spins, tugging the skin. The Clarisonic brush oscillates (moves back and forth) which is much gentler and effective in removing makeup, oil and dirt on the skin. So be aware what you are purchasing! 

Loofahs Not a fan, they are too aggressive, scratchy and they hold bacteria. Enough said, ouch and ew.

Konjac sponges A sponge without the square pants. (I kill myself!) These sponges are actually made from a Japanese root vegetable and used to cleanse and lightly exfoliate the skin. When wet they are mild, remove makeup and give you a nice glow. However, be aware they do have a shelf life and should be tossed after about a month, it is a vegetable after all!

The "double cleanse" method

The double cleanse is an old school esthetician facial practice as well as popular in most Asian skincare cleansing methods. The thought is to first remove and break down any excess makeup, dirt and oil then thoroughly cleanse the skin. 

Oils and balms are also perfect if you practice the "double cleansing" method. This is to first to use an oil cleanser followed by a second cleanse with a water based cleanser like a gel. 

If you just get right in there with cleanser and don't remove makeup first you will essentially just be smearing all that junk around your face and into your pores. Nope! Remove makeup first with a gentle unscented makeup wipe or a makeup remover. I recommend oil based makeup removers for mascara and full coverage foundation wearers. 

Water temperature

The old school thinking was to wash your face with hot water to "open" pores and at the end of cleansing splash your face with cold water to "close" pores. This has been a long time belief by many and has been passed down from generation to generation, but it's actually incorrect! Pores do not open and close as they do not have involuntary muscles, which makes that physically impossible. What does happen is since natural sebum in the skin is waxy in consistency, hot water "melts" the oil and allow products to penetrate better and oil to come out. The opposite is true for cold water on the skin, it basicilly solidifies the oil. This means hot water will strip the skin of natural oils drying the skin and cold has a harder time breaking down dirt, oil and makeup.

The Ideal water temperature is warm - even luke warm. If you wash your face in the shower, do it last and turn the water to an appropriate temperature.  

Technique

+ If you tend to get clog pores or break out around your hairline and near your ears, reevaluate your cleansing technique. The normal motion when most people wash their face is in a circular motion ending right at the ear, hairline and jaw area. Essentially you are pushing the dirt, makeup, bacteria that you are trying to wash off right into that area. And since it is an area that is hard to see being the side of the face, all that junk could be settling there! 

+  Now this tip may be a little strange for some people. Unless you have oily skin, don't wash your face in the morning. Now stay with me here, if you give yourself a good cleanse in the evening before bed and you have slept on (what I hope) are clean sheets, how "dirty" could have gotten? If you have dry, sensitive or even combination skin you can totally get away with a simple splash of water or a few sprays of toner on the skin before applying day products and SPF. It will add some hydration and overall it's great for the skin to bask in its natural oils!

A word on Cetaphil

Yes, yes, I know this product is dermatologist recommended. Many advise patients on using Cetaphil when a person is reactive to many other products and their skin needs a break. Or they are using topical prescription treatments for acne which tend to be drying and harsh. But why is that? It's because there is nothing in it! There is literally nothing beneficial for the skin in this cleanser. No vitamins, antioxidants or nourishing skin oils. In fact, I will tell you what's in it, there are eight ingredients in the classic formula and all are man made except water. Three of those ingredients are parabens, (THREE!!) because apparently, a bottle of this stuff needs to last until the year 2050! Do yourself a favor and get a sensitive skin organic cleanser with skin benefiting ingredients like this one from Acure that is Babe on a Budget friendly! (Under $10!)

Next skin care step, toner. Check out my blog post do I need a toner?

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Elmer's Glue and Charcoal Face Mask: Good or Bad?

Back in elementary school, there was nothing more satisfying than pouring Elmer's Glue all over your hands and peeling it off once it dried. Now, we have grown up and apparently, we still want to smear glue on ourselves!

Lately, all over the Internet, there are beauty YouTubers and bloggers posting instructional videos on a "Charcoal and Elmer's Glue blackhead mask." If you are familiar with pore strips, the concept is the same and this is the cheap alternative. The idea with this glue mask is to mix together Elmer's glue with activated charcoal powder to make a thick paste. It's applied to the skin, the charcoal will "draw out" impurities and it's peeled off once it's dried in hopes blackheads will be attached to the strip. But, is this good for your skin, effective and even safe? 

What is glue made out of?

There are two main ingredients in glue besides water. Glue is chemically produced and made of polymer vinyl which is also used to make latex paint and wallpaper adhesive. Glue also contains acetone, which is a volatile flammable compound that is used in you guessed it, nail polish remover. Sexy right?

What is glue doing to your skin?

The chemicals used in glue are not formulated for skin. That means this DIY may not even be effective and/or you could run into adverse skin reactions. In fact, on Elmer's own website it states, "if on skin, immediately wash with plenty of soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation develops." That leads me to think just maybe it should not be applied to the skin at all let alone the delicate skin on the face.

While the bottle says "non-toxic" that does not mean it's hypo-allergenic or non-comedogenic. Issues like allergic reactions, irritation, redness and even ripped off skin may occur.  Since it's not meant for the skin it won't be non-comedogenic, so glue may cause clogged pores leading to blemishes. Last but not least, the tugging on the skin to peel this mask off can cause broken capillaries. 

It's understandable the satisfaction of peeling off a mask and feeling like you removed a layer of skin and/or blackheads. There may be a mild exfoliation effect, but it's not really adding any benefits to the skin and it may be worse off than before this DIY.

Effectiveness + Pores

The key is first understanding how pores work and how blackheads occur. Blackheads are in the pore and not just on the surface. So adhering a sticky product like glue to the surface of the skin doesn't actually absorb into the pore and break down what is clogging it. If a pore has been clogged for quite some time, attempting to mechanically rip out the blackhead with something sticky or even a pore strip isn't effective. It's especially important to take the gradual breakdown approach. It is more effective and less damaging to the skin. 

Some of you may have already tried this DIY. When you pulled off the strip I am sure you saw all kinds of gunk sticking out and thought, "wow, this totally worked!" Well, it may not be exactly what you thought and most likely it was a combination of dead skin cells, tiny hairs and mostly sebaceous filaments.

What is a sebaceous filament you ask? They are tiny hairs that are basically a "bridge" for oil to reach the surface of the skin. This is how our skin produces its natural hydration and everyone has them. It is easy to confuse a blackhead from a sebaceous filament, as they do look similar especially on a pore strip or peel off mask. The main difference is blackheads are firm like a "plug" and have a gray/black tip because they are oxidized from being exposed the air. They are raised and not uniformed in location. Sebaceous filaments are usually tan or white and look for lack of a better word, creamy in texture when squeezed out and hair like when pulled out mechanically. They are also even in consistency so most people assume they are blackheads on the nose, but in reality, they are your normal pores and sebaceous filament!

So what should I be doing for my blackheads instead?

There are many ingredients and treatments that are simply better, more effective and less damaging to get rid of blackheads. 

Non-peeling charcoal products

The issue with the glue mask isn't the charcoal as it is a safe ingredient for the skin. It's highly absorbent and perfect for the oily congested areas like the nose, chin and forehead. Though it may be a bit drying for some skin types to be applied all over the entire face. I recommend NON-peeling charcoal masks because they are more gentle and it's actually not the peeling off process that is effective in breaking down clogged pores. It's the charcoal ingredient itself. 

Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding is the perfect blend of detoxification of the pores with charcoal and clay Plus, it's non-stripping and leaves some moisture on the skin.

Clay Masks

There are many different types of clay and there really is one for every skin type. They work wonders for detoxing the skin as well as keeping the pores clear. Plus, they are so much more gentle and natural. These are two of my favorite and both can be customized for your skin by what you decide to mix it with as they come in powder form. Rose hip oil is great for dry skin, organic aloe vera gel is cooling and soothing and plain old water is good too! 

Herbivore Pink Clay Mask is wonderful for dry, sensitive and combination skin types and may be used 1-2 times a week. 

Fig + Yarrow French Green Clay is perfect for acne, oily and combination skin types and especially effective around the oily areas like the nose, chin and forehead.

Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acid Products

Salicylic acid products are great for absorbing into the skin and breaking down what is clogging the pore from the bottom up. It's a natural acid made from the bark of a willow tree. Though salicylic acid products come in many forms, I recommend a product that will stay on the skin and do the "dirty work" instead of washing it off like in cleanser form.

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum is a great product that is gentle enough to be used every evening on the clogged areas like the nose and chin.

EmerginC Facial Peel + Clarifying Kit is one of my new favorite at home exfoliation products. This is a 2-step peel process that may be used 1-3 times a week. The peel pad first exfoliates the skin then rinsed off then the clarifying pad leaves a treatment layer on the skin.

Get a professional facial with extractions

If you don't want to deal with blackheads yourself, book a facial. When you receive a facial your esthetician will properly prepare your skin for the extraction process. I would recommend getting a professional strength peel during your facial because it will really dissolve oil and dead skin cells that are clogging the pores. Often this minimizes the extraction process because the peel helps digest some of the surface clogged pores.

My last thoughts

While I think there are many amazingly talented beauty Youtubers and bloggers out there, be aware the majority of them are not licensed cosmetologists, estheticians, dermatologists or cosmetic chemists. This means they have zero actual training on the physiology and science of the skin. Or for that matter experience with anyone else's skin other than their own. They are recommending products based on their personal experience. Which is awesome and TOTALLY fine to give a review on an amazing lipstick,  favorite eye cream or the trendiest new way to contour. Rock on, do your thing. But this is when I have open my mouth as the opinioned feisty chick I am. It's totally different when a beauty blogger recommends using a potential damaging chemical meant for crafts on their skin because it's a current trend and they are unaware of the adverse effects due to lack of training/education.

When someone that is trained and it's their profession, we don't make recommendations based on just what works for ourselves. We think of factors like all skin types, all skin conditions, allergies and other things like the use of a topical medication or that your skin is super dry at the moment due to the current weather.

So out of a place of concern, love and great passion for the beauty industry and skin health, CHECK YOUR SOURCES!! Or better yet ask me, ask your esthetician, ask your friend that does hair or better your dermatologist!

Ultimately, the decision is yours on what you do with your skin. I wrote this blog post to give an education so you can make an informed decision on what is right for yourself. 

xo Dana

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Why rose hip oil should be your new BFF

Rose hip oil has been making a big buzz in the beauty world lately. And with good reason! It is a truly remarkable naturally occurring oil with a slew of skin benefits! It can help heal acne, calm sensitive skin, lighten pigmentation and is a wonderful an anti-aging oil! Not to mention give the skin that glow we all crave!

The History of Rose Hip Oil

Rose hip oil is produced from the fruit and/or seeds of the rose plant. This is the fruit left behind after the rose has flowered and dropped its petals. It has long been used as medicine by the Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans because of its amazing healing properties. It has been know to help menstrual cramps, nausea and indigestion if made into a syrup and ingested. Currently, the majority of rose hip oil is produced in Chile. 

Skin Care Benefits of Rose Hip Oil

+ Rose hip oil contains vitamin A, which has a small molecule and can penetrate deeper into the skin.

+ Good for acne! Rose hip consists of a high percentage of linoleic acid (44%) which has been shown that people with acne have low levels of linoleic acid in the skin. (source)

+ High in essential fatty acids, which help to improve texture, tone and pigmentation.

+ Contains vitamin C which is an antioxidant and helps your skin stimulate collagen production.

+ Anti-inflammatory which may aid calming redness, eczema and rosacea

+ Packs beta-carotene and lycopene to fight free radicals. (Yes, what is in tomatoes and carrots!)

+ Contains vitamin E which is deeply moisturizing

+ Helps to alleviate dry and itchy skin

+ Helps and heals burns

+ Promotes skin regeneration which aids in the ability to smooth as well as prevent fine lines and wrinkles as well as reduce scars.

+ Great for sensitive and reactive skin types

+ Wonderful for stretch marks

Usage of Rose Hip Oil

+ Unfortunately, the shelf life of rose hip oil is not very long. To prolong your bottle keep it in a cool dark place. (I like to keep my OUT of my bathroom which can get steamy from showers.)

+ Rose hip oil is considered a dry oil because it absorbs into the skin relatively quickly. It can be used morning and night and even under makeup. 

+ Use underneath a creamy mask for an extra boost of hydration.

+ Look for cold pressed rose hip oil as it hasn't been altered by heat or lost any nutrients. 

+ It can be used alone as a moisturizer, under lotion/creams or by adding a few drops to your moisturizer.

+ Works wonders for a dry scalp

+ If you are concerned with acne and using oil on the skin don't fret! Oils are rated on a scale of 0-5 called the comedogenic rating, 0 being totally non-pore-clogging and 5 being very pore clogging. Rose hip comes in at a 1! This is great news!

Some of my favorites

ACURE Rose Hip Oil

Foxbrim Organic Rose Hip Oil

KORA Organics By Miranda Kerr Rose Hip Oil

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How to fix Winter skin woes

Ekkkk! Dull winter skin in full effect! For many people, the cold air can bring more than a rosy glow. It can bring dryness, peeling, tightness and irritation. Not to mention your makeup may not look so amazing at the moment due to skin dullness. The air outdoors lacks humidity and indoor heat in your home can really dehydrate your skin. Plus, certain winter lifestyle habits such as hot showers or hot tubs can really suck the moisture right out of your skin. However, there are some simple changes you can make to alleviate these winter skin woes.

Switch up cleansers

Gel cleansers are great for deeply cleansing the skin when it's hot and humid but can be a bit stripping when it's cooler outside. It's a good idea to switch to a more hydrating cleanser during the colder months of the year. Milk and cream cleansers, as well as the oil cleansing method, are great choices for the dry winter months. They will leave a light layer of hydration on the skin and your face shouldn't feel tight after cleansing. These are great options, especially for dry, mature, sensitive and combination skin types.

100% Pure Organic Argan Oil Creamy Cleanser 

If you are oily or and/or acne prone using a creamy cleanser may seem a bit scary. There are options for you too! If you tend to use a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleanser daily, you may want to switch to using it every other day. The in between days, you can add a gentle non-active cleanser such as an aloe cleansing gel to give your skin a break from the drying acids. 

Naturopathica Aloe Cleansing Gel

Add Moisture

Adding a hydrating serum under your favorite moisturizer can really alleviate many of these seasonal issues. A water based hyaluronic acid serum will add water and hydration to the skin without oil. This ingredient can really benefit all skin types, but best for combination, oily and acne-prone skin.  Oily skin can still become tight and dehydrated because of lack of water in the skin. A hydrating oil serum is another option, such as organic jojoba oil or my personal favorite organic rose hip seed oil in the evening can really benefit dry, sensitive or mature skin types. 

Exfoliate

This is definitely one of the most commonly underrated skin care steps that can really alleviate dry winter skin. If you are not removing that crunchy layer of dead skin, when you moisturize that layer is sucking up all the hydration like a sponge. Foundation and concealer will stick to these patches of dry dead skin resulting in a patchy makeup application. Removing that layer of dead skin will allow the penetration of serums and moisturizer to be absorbed more effectively. In turn making your skin MORE hydrated.

Enzymes are definitely my preferred recommendation of exfoliation, especially for cold weather because you are removing and dissolving dead skin without stripping the skin like a traditional scrub may. Not to mention it is way less irritating and aggressive than a scrub. Enzymes work by applying a thin layer to the skin and letting it do it's magic for the recommended amount of time (usually 5-10 mins) then rinsing it off. If you would like to read more check out my blog post on enzyme peels. 

ACURE Brightening Vegetable Peel

Mask it up!

Sometimes you just need an added hydration boost. After exfoliation is ideal for applying a mask for better absorption. I recommend avoiding any clay or charcoal masks when you are looking to add moisture. Hydrating sheet masks and cream masks are really great. An added benefit of a cream mask is that you can apply a thin layer as you would a moisturizer at night and you can actually sleep in giving you an added boost. 

100% Pure Aqua Boost Mask

Things to avoid

Though a nice hot shower may feel amazing when it's cold out, washing your face with hot water is a big no-no. Hot water heats up and melts any sebum in the skin stripping the skin of it's natural moisture.

Toners and tonics with witch hazel or alcohol should be avoided. They can also strip the skin of it's natural oils causing further dryness, irritation and redness to the skin.

Don't forget about your body

Hands, feet and pretty much your entire body can feel tight, dry and itchy as well. These areas also need a good exfoliation and moisturization. Body scrubs that contain oil are really great because it will exfoliate and also leave a light layer of moisture on the skin. 

For a scrumptious cellulite minimizing homemade body scrub, check out my coffee scrub recipe! 

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Ahhhhhh #weekend #saturday #selfcare

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HAPPY 2017 BABES!! May your year be filled with happiness, health and great eyebrows! 🎉🍾 #nye #newyear

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Getting ready for my #nye glow with @100percentpure Aqua Boost Hydrating Mask.

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Who had one of these?! #tbt #throwbackthursday

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LOVE this @essiepolish polish Angora Cardi. 😍

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Remember to change your beauty blending sponge every 3 months! #tiptuesday

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Are expensive beauty products worth the money?

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Is expensive skin care better?

What is the difference between expensive beauty products and over-the-counter brands? Many people would go straight for a pricier brand thinking it will yield better results. What are we really paying for?

The Business of Pretty

When a new skin care line is launched the brand is also deciding their target market and their price point. It is not solely based on the cost of ingredients in their formulations, it is also where they would like to be sold and the image they would like to portray. We all know that drugstore products cost significantly less than spa/salon and department store brands. This reputation has been marketed to consumers to think that expensive automatically equals better. Fortunately, for us consumers that is not always the case! There is definitely "business" added in the cost of pretty.

Formulation + Ingredients

It's hard to say for sure if a $500 moisturizer will work better for your skin than a $50 brand, but I can tell you a few things. As an "ingredient junkie" I can say without a doubt you should not judge a product by its price tag. Some of the best products I have ever used professionally and personally had a reasonable price tag. 

Plain and simple, it's all about ingredients and the formulation, plus being an educated consumer. Some ingredients do cost more money to extract or obtain and some do not. For example mineral oil is a cheap ingredient that is a refined version of petroleum. A 400-pound drum cost $346.00. While a 400-pound drum of rose absolute essential oil cost $37,674. See the difference? It's true, in some ways you get what you pay for, however, I don't think you need to spend your entire paycheck for a few quality skin care products. There are definitely ways to be an educated consumer and pick great products without spending a ton of money.

You may be also paying for clinical research, packaging and advertising. Since most companies do not publish such clinical research unless it's favorable to them, there is no reason to pay extra.

Finding the best value

Finding the best bang for your buck is really about educating yourself. You can absolutely find quality ingredients and formulations that are effective in products that actually work. Many "cheap" ingredients usually are added to make the product glide on the skin, they make the product feel and smell nice which is a selling point for a lot of people. However, if you care about quality they are not necessary.

Ingredients to avoid:

+ Petroleum + Artificial fragrance and phthalates + Artificial coloring/dyes + No silicones or sulfates + Parabens

Great ingredients to look for:

+ Essential oils + Hyaluronic acid + Nourishing oils such as hemp seed, jojoba, rose hip, avocado etc. + Vitamins such as A, B, C and E.

Where to spend

There are some steps in your skin care routine that you can definitely cut costs on. For example, in my opinion, a product that is worth spending money on is facial serum. The reason being is you will be receiving the most concentrated result driven ingredients which will yield the most significant results. While using an appropriate facial cleanser for your skin type is important, it really is a product that is on and off your face in a matter of a minute and washes right down the drain. I don't think using a $50 face wash is absolutely necessary!

Another area you may want to consider cutting costs on is moisturizer. Ekkkk! I know, I know that may be a scary thought since moisturizer is one of the staple products that generally the most money is spent on. However, if you are using a high-quality antioxidant serum underneath your moisturizer all you are doing is locking that serum in. Why spend $100+ on a moisturizer if all you really need is something that is made for your skin type, has sunscreen for the day-time and contains no fragrance, parabens etc?

Bottom line, day/night serums and eye creams are where to shell out the cash. Everything else can be quality ingredients, appropriate for your skin type and conditions but cost mid range. 

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I couldn't resist this @covergirl Katy Perry lipstick in Kitty Purry! So gorg! 💄💋

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How cute is this @benefitcosmetics vending machine at the Las Vegas airport? 😍

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NEW BLOG POST: Are charcoal skin care products right for you? #ontheblog #linkinbio 🖤

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1940's themed Christmas party! #fotd 🎄🎄🎄