The best natural skincare products!
We are exposed to so many chemicals and toxins in our world today, and our amazing bodies can process and handle a lot! The things that make the biggest impact, however, are those chemicals we put on our bodies every single day. That’s why switching to products that don’t contain harmful chemicals can take the toxin burden off of your body. If your body is already dealing with a poor diet, underlying infections, autoimmunity, stress, and gut health issues those small, cumulative toxic exposures overtime cause build up and cause downstream issues. So let’s help our bodies out!
If I’m being really honest, I was a pretty late adopter to the whole natural skincare thing. I started to become really interested in the food I put into my body and how it made me feel when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Adult-Onset Still’s Disease) at 18 years old. Up until that time I had no idea that food really made a difference in how I felt and functioned aside from making me gain or lose weight. Really.
It wasn’t until many years later that I began to get curious about the products I was putting on my skin as well. I remember working as a RN and applying Fentanyl pain-killer patches to patient’s skin to ease pain from various ailments. I was always so amazed that a topical application of a drug onto the skin made such a big impact. It took this example for me to think, huh, I bet that the products I’m putting on my skin through makeup, face wash, lotions and serums are having an impact on me as well.
And the truth is they are. The average woman puts 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every single day without even knowing. That’s quite a bit considering the chemicals we get from our environment and food as well! There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today and many don't have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry. Many of these chemicals are linked to cancers, asthma, endocrine disruption, autoimmunity and more [1].
If you’re thinking what I did back in the day, “Well this product can’t be that bad if it’s made it to the general public!” you’re unfortunately wrong. There is surprisingly very little Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation for beauty products. The FDA has no authority to require companies to test cosmetics products for safety and the agency does not review or approve the vast majority of products or ingredients before they go on the market. Additionally, there are no legal standards for personal care products labeled as “pure,” “natural” or “organic,” so we really have to look beyond marketing and become conscious consumers to know what we are putting on our bodies.
We are exposed to so many chemicals and toxins in our world today, and our amazing bodies can process and handle a lot! The things that make the biggest impact, however, are those chemicals we put on our bodies every single day. That’s why switching to products that don’t contain harmful chemicals can take the toxin burden off of your body. If your body is already dealing with a poor diet, underlying infections, autoimmunity, stress, and gut health issues those small, cumulative toxic exposures overtime cause build up and cause downstream issues. So let’s help our bodies out!
No need to go throw out all of your products immediately, ok? The main message here is just to become a conscious, informed consumer like we do with food, and work towards using more toxin-free products. I recommend just swapping one thing out at a time so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. My #1 recommendation is to start with deodorant as that’s a product that can contain a lot of unnecessary, harmful chemicals and is that you use daily in a very absorbable part of the body!
Here are a few of my favorites to get you started:
Natural Body Care
Primally Pure Deodorant. The best natural deodorant on the market. Hands down. I’ve successfully converted all of my girlfriends (and fiance and male friends as well!) to this deodorant. When transitioning to natural skincare, deodorant is one of the easiest and most important steps we can make because it’s something we use every day in our highly absorbable lymph area! Read more here about why you want to make the switch and trust me, this is the best I’ve found (and I’ve tried them all!). For all Primally Pure products use the code “LIVEWELL” to get 10% off your first order!
Dr. Bronner’s Body Wash. This has been a go-to of mine for years as a good, toxin-free body wash. I’m partial to the peppermint one but they have tons of lovely, natural scents!
Lavender & Eucalyptus Body Butter from Primally Pure. This stuff smells amazing and leaves your body feeling so buttery soft. I use it after showers and it keeps my skin soft and moisturized for the entire day!
Flower Bath Soak from Primally Pure. This bath soak is pure heaven. This mix of relaxing epsom salts, coconut milk powder, organic flower petals and essential oils of lavender and geranium leaves your skin feeling insanely soft. For me it transforms a bath into a spa-like experience and makes me feel very cared for. I’ve yet to try the Sea Soak but that’s next on my list!
Dry Brush. Ok so this isn’t really a “skincare product” but it’s part of my bodycare routine so I thought I’d share. Dry brushing helps to exfoliate skin and to promote lymph flow and drainage. I usually dry brush before I take a shower (using small, light strokes in an upward motion towards the center of my body) and then moisturize after. It has made my skin so soft and feels so invigorating that I actually crave the process!
Everyone Natural Hand Sanitizer. As a RN I’ve used my fair share of harsh handwashes and sanitizers loaded with chemicals. This hand sanitizer spray is 99.9% effective against most common germs, thanks to alcohol derived from non-GMO sugar cane. It’s also got aloe and vegetable glycerin to keep your hands from drying out. It’s EWG verified meaning it’s met rigorous standard for safety. I have it with me in my purse to use when traveling!
Natural Skincare
Organic Cleansing Oil from Primally Pure. If the thought of rubbing oil on your face to cleanse it sounds totally counterintuitive, I get it. I used to blast my face with harsh cleansers to try and clear up my acne, and I always just made it worse. I started using this oil cleanser and was so in love with how it gently cleansed without over drying or irritating my face that I haven’t looked back! Oil cleansing works for all skin types when the correct oil ratios/types of oils are being used. Here is a guide for how to properly use an oil cleanser for maximum effect. Hint: you need a warm washcloth!
Blue Tansy Beauty Cream from Primally Pure. I use this beauty cream at night for serious hydration. I’ve used it for about 6 months now and It’s made my face so soft and hydrated and has really changed the texture of my skin! Love it.
Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Mist. You guys, I go through bottles of this stuff. It’s a beautifully smelling and refreshing facial mist made of rose flower oil and water (specifically “Vor-mag Water or water that has been vortexed and magnetized to raise the energy to a higher vibration) so, hey, there’s that too! I use this as a refreshing facial spray anytime throughout the day when I need a little pick me up. It works wonders!
Everything Spray from Primally Pure. I use this as a toner after I wash my face (instead of spraying it I pour some onto a cotton pad). It’s a combination of organic lavender hydrosol which soothes and calms irritated skin. Organic witch hazel which tones the skin and reduces inflammation. Organic raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral) which balances pH levels and contains powerful healing enzymes. Organic tea tree essential oil which acts as a disinfectant and organic lavender essential oil to heal and regenerate.
ProSkin Eczema from Mama Nature. A few years ago I dealt with perioral dermatitis on my face (so frustrating and awful!) and in addition to a lot of gut healing and inside work, this lotion was the only thing I could use on my face that didn’t irritate it further. I don’t use it daily anymore, but highly recommend trying it out if you’ve ever had issues like this! It’s a little bit pricey (so tell me if you have a similar version!) but to me it was so worth it and the best lotion I found.
Balancing Charcoal Facial Mask from Beauty Counter. I use this mask about once per week to absorb excess oil and draw out impurities. The activated charcoal in the mask minimizes the appearance of pores and makes my skin feel really smooth and exfoliated. Overall it has help my complexion immensely. It can be a little drying so I only leave it on for about 10 minutes max and that seems to do the trick!
Natural Beauty
RMS “Un” Cover Up. To be honest I’m still working on compiling my favorite non-toxic makeup products. I’ve been using this concealer for about a year now and it’s stuck with me! I use it to cover up blemishes and as an under-eye concealer. It rates a 1 on the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database which means the natural ingredients present a low-level risk.
Dew Skin Moisturizing Cover (with SPF 20) from Beauty Counter. This has become my favorite tinted moisturizer that I use every morning. It’s light weight, goes on smoothly and gives a nice, subtle tint to cover any sort of redness or uneven skintone. It also has this nice “dew-like” quality to it and makes my skin look like it’s glowing!
Love and Salt Beach Hair and Body Mist from Olivine Atelier. I use this spray in my hair after showing to get some nice, beachy waves! It smells so good and gives hair a nice, messy texture without being crunchy or sticky.
*Some of the products in this post contain affiliate links meaning I get a small commission if you purchase them through my website. The commission I earn helps me keep my small business, Live Well, up and running. Thanks for your support!
Are you addicted to sugar?
Are you addicted to sugar? Do you find yourself gravitating towards the candy bowl at 3pm every afternoon, or experiencing intense cravings for sweets that feel out of your control? I speak to many clients who feels as though sugar is their downfall. That they are able to eat really well, but then experience huge sugar cravings they can’t seem to resist.
Are you addicted to sugar? Do you find yourself gravitating towards the candy bowl at 3pm every afternoon, or experiencing intense cravings for sweets that feel out of your control? I speak to many clients who feels as though sugar is their downfall. That they are able to eat really well, but then experience huge sugar cravings they can’t seem to resist.
So why do we feel the cravings? What makes us addicted to sweets? What I want you to know is that it’s not that you lack willpower. Sugar has a really interesting effect on our body at a physiological level that causes us to get stuck in a cycle of highs and lows that lead to energy crashes and intense cravings that can feel out of our control.
Watch below to learn:
Why sugar is addicting
What your cravings are telling you
How sugar causes inflammation and nutrient deficiencies in the body
My #1 tip for getting rid of your sugar cravings for good
This video explains why sugar is addicting. Why is it so common to crave sugar at 3pm?
This video talks about how sugar causes inflammation in the body and how it can cause nutrient deficiencies
In this video I give you my #1 tip for getting rid of sugar cravings!
Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?
You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?
Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?
If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.
Should you avoid gluten?
Do you wonder if you should be avoiding gluten? If going gluten-free is just a fad or if there is really something to it? Watch the mini-trainings below to learn about what gluten does in our body, how it affects gut and immune health, who might want to avoid it, hidden sources of gluten and how to successfully eat a gluten-free diet!
Do you wonder if you should be avoiding gluten? If going gluten-free is just a fad or if there is really something to it? Watch the mini-trainings below to learn about what gluten does in our body, how it affects gut and immune health, who might want to avoid it, hidden sources of gluten and how to successfully eat a gluten-free diet!
This video explains what is gluten, who should avoid it and why.
This video talks about what gluten does in the body and how it affects gut health and inflammation.
This video discusses how to tell where gluten is in our foods and how to choose gluten-free options.
Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?
You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?
Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?
If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.
LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #34 - 4 ways to cope when you have a setback
Having a setback or bad day on your healing journey can bring up all kinds of emotions. It can make you feel like a failure. Like you aren’t trying hard enough. Like you are broken or unable to heal. I want you to know that you are not broken, you are not a failure, and you are doing so very well.
Having a setback or bad day on your healing journey can bring up all kinds of emotions. It can make you feel like a failure. Like you aren’t trying hard enough. Like you are broken or unable to heal. I want you to know that you are not broken, you are not a failure, and you are doing so very well. I’ve been there too and I know how hard you are trying. What you are doing is enough. And this too shall pass.
Although we’d rather they not happen, setbacks are part of the process of managing your autoimmune disease. Simple as that. When we can come to expect setbacks and learn how to relate to them differently, we take a lot of pressure off of ourselves and open ourselves up for learning opportunities and powerful healing. Watch the video below or read on to learn my 4 strategies for coping with setbacks.
1. We can expect them
If you come to see setbacks as a part of the process it’s a whole lot easier to cope when they do come up. Setbacks are part of the process of managing chronic health issues and do not mean we have failed in some way.
2. Check your self-talk
Take a minute to think about the first thing you think or say to yourself when you notice your symptoms creeping back up or having a bad day. Is it that you didn’t try hard enough, that you don’t know enough, that you’ll never get better, that other people can get better but not you?
Bringing awareness to our thoughts and giving ourselves some grace and love makes it a whole lot easier to work through a flare-up. After all, we’re the most important person on our care team!
3. Give yourself what you need in that moment
Instead of pushing yourself to where you want to be, give yourself what you actually need in that moment whether that is rest, moments alone in silence, or the support of others.
4. Learn from it
Setbacks, when simply observed with kindness and viewed without judgement can provide us with huge insights as to what’s going on in our bodies. They can offer us an opportunity to slow down, quiet down, and listen to what is going on internally and can be used as a great tool for healing and personal growth if we let them.
Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?
You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?
Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?
If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.
Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.
I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.