... Who's the fairest of them all?
Let's be totally honest -- genetics do play a role in the baseline appearance of your skin. And, people with dramatic cheekbones and jaw lines tend to show fine lines and wrinkles before others. But, your habits also contribute a lot to whether you look and feel like a glowing goddess, or a flakey mess. Beauty is about more than products.
Having a locally-owned store that works hard to bring you products that are good for you, your family, and the environment... we have lots of people asking about the best products for your skin. And, whether skin products or others, we're always happy to do the diligence to bring you the "best of the best"...
... But, the secret is, products alone won't give you glowing skin.
So, what can YOU do to make sure you're giving your skin the best chance to glow?
Preventative measures go a long way. Daily application of quality SPF will block harmful UV rays that cause aging and put you at a greater risk for skin cancers.
Smoking is harmful to your skin (and your lungs), because it reduces circulation and decreases the amount of oxygen in your blood. Smoking can add years of "aging", giving your skin pre-mature wrinkles. So, if you want healthy, glowing skin... we recommend eliminating cigarettes.
Hydration is key! Keep a glass by your bed, on your desk, near you while you're preparing meals, and anywhere else that might make it easier to consume the recommended 8 glasses (or 64 fluid ounces) a day. If you need to, start a habit journal to make sure you're taking in enough fluid daily.
Get physical. Circulation is key to radiant skin!
And speaking of circulation, facial massages and our rose quartz facial rollers can help with not only circulation but also lymphatic drainage.
Get a good night's sleep on the regular. Your skin is your body's biggest organ, and it's busy all day long with temperature regulation, and protecting your organs. Your body produces collagen and elastin (which is responsible for elasticity, firmness, and tone) while you sleep.
If you're stressed, your diet, sleep schedule, and lack of physical activity could all be contributing factors. The same behavioral changes that will improve the luster of your skin will also help to de-stress your system. We carry beautiful adaptogenic blends in our store that will help you buffer the affects of stress, too. Goldmine Adaptogen™ Powder is among them, and we sell both jars and individual packets, designed for convenience. Contact us if you have any questions or want some recommendations.
Your diet has a significant impact on your skin -- even more of an impact than specifically what products you are using. Lean protein, greens, and healthy fats give your body and skin a boost, and contribute to your overall well-being. If you eat a diet heavy is greasy foods and sugars, your skin will reflect that. Dairy is a food category known to cause skin flare ups as well -- causing acne, rosacea, and cystic bumps. The hormones in dairy can interfere with your own endocrine system. People who eliminate dairy from their diets notice an improvement in the tone and texture of their skin. Maybe you don't want to eliminate dairy from your diet, but it's better to know the facts than to be in the dark about what's causing your skin to flare up. Adding more fresh, leafy greens (e.g. arugula, kale, collard greens, spinach, etc.) and vegetables to your diet will improve the look of your skin, and help balance the pH in your body.
Try a few recipes from the Oh She Glows Cookbook (we're not being paid to promote this book -- the recipes are just amazing, and you feel better after eating these dishes chocked full of vegetables and plant proteins). The African Peanut Stew is one of my absolute favorites!
So about skincare products. We are all about keeping it simple. Also, knowing that certain skincare products cancel each other out will play to your benefit. We recommend a simple routine -- cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Use SPF. Vitamin C under your SPF can help to target free radical damage. Exfoliate regularly -- this doesn't mean using an abrasive scrub on your skin, necessarily. Members of the alpha hydroxy acid family are used as an active ingredient is several overnight exfoliating serums. Let your skin do the work. Several lines that we carry are just that straight-forward with a basic cleanser, toner, and oil to lock in moisture. Top it off with Kosas Tinted Facial Oil (with moisturizing oils, and seed oils), and you're golden. Then you can highlight and low-light as you wish. But you're starting with a good foundation. We are happy to show you our clean beauty products in-store, too.
A lot of these changes might be easy for you if you work on establishing good or better habits. Habit journals are cool, and trendy!
But, for some of you, nutrition might be your weak link. Comfort foods, salt, sugars... it can be hard to steer clear of them if it's all you've known. We have a variety of plant-based cookbooks in-store that will help give you some of the basics on a lifestyle change, and some delicious recipes. But, if you're looking for some guidance with how to be making whole, nutrient-dense meals for yourself and/or your family, we recommend seeking the help of a professional. In our circle, we're lucky enough to know a couple smart ladies who make choosing plant-based, healthy options and meal planning much less daunting. Without further delay, please meet Barb and Asha... check out their work, and reach out to them to help you if you're ready for disciplined guidance. We carry Asha's Wellflower and Phasey products in-store, so the next time you pop in, ask us about them and we can talk you through the info!
Meet Barb Campbell Biagoli
Barb is a board certified holistic health coach and nutrition consultant. She works with women and families to improve their health by enhancing their habits; and specializes in supporting women through fertility, conception, pregnancy and postpartum.
She received her nutrition training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2014 and has since been working with clients one-on-one and in group coaching workshops. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre-Law from Siena College. Combining her expertise in food policy, nutrition and holistic health; while drawing on her firsthand experience and knowledge of prenatal and postnatal health, and childhood health and wellness, she works with women to help them make sustainable lifestyle changes that produce real results and reach optimal health long-term.
With a love for cooking and eating healthy food, Barb loves to share her passion for a plant-based lifestyle, pregnancy and women’s health, and believes in a balanced approach to health and nutrition.
She lives with her husband and their two little daughters, toddler Eloise, and baby Lilia, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her two year old, Eloise, loves lentils, apple, avocado, black beans, berries, oatmeal, kale salad, roasted broccoli, banana, quinoa, pesto, hummus, nut butters and her very favorite, sweet potato. Lilia’s favorites include: kale, peas, blueberries, banana, apples, peaches, tomatoes, avocado, watermelon, lentils and zucchini.
Meet Asha Carroll McCullough
Asha Carroll is a holistic nutritionist and three-time natural foods entrepreneur whose work has been featured in publications including Food and Wine and Cooking Light.
When a reproductive health scare required her to take time off from her first business, Asha turned to whole foods as part of an integrative health plan for healing to much success. Phasey and Wellflower were born, and can now be found in a combined 30 retailers nationwide.
No stranger to good food, Asha has worked as a pastry chef and developed products for brands like Bob’s Red Mill, Justin’s Nut Butters, and Almond Breeze. In addition to her work for Wellflower, Asha runs a certified nutrition coaching practice specializing in the link between nutrition and reproductive health, including menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and peri- and menopausal nutrition. Asha lives in Tinmouth, Vermont.