By Kay Leaman, Health Architect, HealthyDay HealthyLife
Skin reflects what we eat, if we’re hydrated, if we’ve received some vitamin D from the sun, if we’re not feeling well, etc. Even though this article talks about what we use on the skin, what we eat and drink plays a big role on our skin. Just ask me what changes I see after eating some dark chocolate ice cream!
Skin should be nourished (This includes the men out there!) and cared for. It starts with using more natural soaps such as pure-castile soap, which comes in many different natural scents. Body washes also offer more natural options. The more natural ingredients, the less chance there is of reactions. This goes for shampoo, deodorant, makeup, lotions and potions as well. Remember, whatever you put on your skin is absorbed into the body. These products are more than skin deep. Healthy on the inside shows up as healthy on the outside.
There is no doubt that some people are more sensitive to ingredients and that includes natural. Unscented is a good choice and, of course, knowing what ingredients to watch out for. Take time to read ingredients. You can also take a picture of the ingredients and look them up online. This will give you a list of what to avoid. Focus on three or four ingredients that you want to avoid. Your list will grow as your knowledge grows.
NOTE: Glycerin is a humectant, a type of moisturizing agent that pulls water into the outer layer of your skin from deeper levels of your skin and the air. There are several benefits with the use of products with glycerin, but if it is not diluted enough, it can actually dry out the skin. Ingredients are listed in order of percentage, highest to lowest.
ewg.org is a site that offers great information on the use of chemicals in food, household products, skincare, makeup, etc. The upgrades on this site have made it a bit more difficult to dig into. So, if you search for a specific ingredient, look for the EWG link that can get you directly there. The U.S. allows dangerous chemicals to be used in the products we use and the food we eat, whereas many, many other countries have outlawed them.
This company also has EWG approved products so if you are easily overwhelmed this can be a great way to start; it’s how I found the makeup I use.
This topic is much deeper than my brief thoughts in this article. Sometimes starting simply gives us the success and confidence we need to continue to take control of our health. We don’t need to replace everything at once. Doing the work when it’s time to replenish gives us space to find our new favorites.
Moms, pamper yourself this year with ingredients that nourish your body and your soul.
Heres To Health!
succeed.hdhl@gmail.com
