Show Thanks...For Your Skin

Thank Your Skin

Usually around this time of year we focus on gratitude and showing thanks. We want to make sure we show our appreciation to our largest organ, our skin! It is often overlooked, but our skin really deserves more love and attention.

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Under Eye Care

One of the most delicate areas of skin is sometimes the most neglected, and that is under the eyes! We’ve chatted a little bit about this, but it’s always good to revisit.

Every single person has thin skin under their eyes. Yup, you read that right. Every single person. Did you know that the skin under the eye is some of the thinnest on the whole human body?! Crazy, right?

So what can we do to properly care for our under eyes? Here are a few things you can implement to ensure you’re taking care of that delicate skin the best way possible!

1. Get plenty of sleep

2. Drink a lot of water

3. Keep a healthy diet

4. Supplement your diet with nutrients you are missing

5. Avoid rubbing and aggressively scrubbing (use our gentle makeup remover to easily remove eye makeup!)

6. Use our illuminating eye cream to decongest, reduce puffiness, and restore hydration

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Turkey Necks Unite!

Possibly even more under appreciated than our under eye is our necks! This skin is thin and delicate as well and is often overlooked when it comes to care. To prevent your neck from becoming something that looks oddly similar to a turkey neck, there are a few things you can do!

1. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

2. Moisturize, moisturize. moisturize

3. Be sure to wash your neck when washing your face. Don’t stop at your jawline!

4. Use care when applying products

5. Use products specifically made for your neck

6. Use our Neck Reserve Cream!

Neck Reserve Cream

This must have neck crème incorporates two special peptides that focus on the loss of elasticity around the chin, jaw, and neck areas. This crème also helps to reduce the appearance of excess fatty tissue that accumulates in the neck area which causes sagging and puffiness.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract improves brightness in skin tone while dramatically increasing hydration levels.

Signs of improvement will be noticeable within just a few days of application!

As you are prepping for the Holidays & making sure you have something for everyone on your list, make sure you are taking care of those sometimes neglected areas of your skin!

A Hair-Raising Good Time!

Creeping it Real About Hairloss

We couldn’t help ourselves with the ridiculous pun 😂. But in all seriousness, hair loss is no joke! It can be embarrassing, frustrating, depressing, and can make you feel less than great about your appearance. And unfortunately, hair loss can happen because of many different factors!

PC": @iamerinblackwell

Causes of Hair Loss

The first thing to remember with hair loss is that some hair loss is completely normal! Because of the natural shedding cycle, it is typical to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. If you feel like you are losing more than that, here could be the culprit:

• Tight hairstyles: Are you consistently wearing your hair pulled back tight into a bun or ponytail? This could be causing hair loss! The constant pull on your scalp is called “traction alopecia” and it can cause unnecessary friction on the follicles causing your hair strands to weaken. Give your hair a break from the tight ponies!

• Hormonal changes: Yup, just like your skin, your hair is greatly affected by hormones. This is one reason women deal with excessive hair loss after having a baby. Menopause or a thyroid imbalance can also play a big part in your hair loss.

• Medications: Blood thinners, acne medication, antidepressants, and cholesterol-lowering medications all have been known to cause hair loss. If you notice an increase in hair loss while taking these medications, talk to your doctor!

• Nutritional Deficiencies: If your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, it could be manifesting that in your hair health! If you think your diet is affecting the quality of your hair, consider talking to a dietician about making changes to your diet.

• Hereditary: One of the most common causes of hair loss is heredity. As you get older, your hair turns grey and it falls out. This is a natural part of aging, but for some people this begins at a much younger age.

• Stress: Commonly called telogen effluvium, this kind of hair loss isn’t permanent, but it can come on pretty fast. Often occurring a few months after the initial stressor, stress caused hair loss can sometimes lead to a cycle of continued hair loss.

• Fast Weight Loss: Losing weight too quickly through calorie deprivation can force the body to think it is malnourished. When this happens the body stops providing the necessary nutrients for healthy hair growth.

• Product Buildup: Using products like dry shampoo and mousse frequently clog up your follicles so they can’t create new hair. Because of this, the hair isn’t able to produce new. It’s important to exfoliate and get rid of the grime!

What to do About it?

Like we mentioned before, dealing with hair loss and poor hair quality can take a toll on your mental health. We recommend using a specialty hair care system to keep your hair looking and feeling as it should.

PC: @iamerinblackwell

Our 3 part system is an easy step-by-step system that covers all the bases.

NUTRA PEPTIDE SHAMPOO - The first step of the 3 part hair care system. Hextapeptide-11 has been clinically shown to increase collagen production and improve hair growth. Extracts of sugar cane, lemon and apple are added for their natural exfoliating properties, helping to clear the follicles of dead cells and make room for thicker hair growth.

NUTRA PEPTIDE CONDITIONER - This conditioner is the second step of the 3 part hair care system. Hextapeptide -11 has clinically shown to help increase collagen production and improve hair growth. It also contains sea buckthorn seed oil enhances microcirculation of the scalp and improves epidermal regeneration. Extracts of sugar cane , lemon and apple are added for their natural exfoliating properties, helping to clear the follicles of dead cells and make room for thicker hair growth.

NUTRA PEPTIDE SENSORY SERUM - This leave on serum is the final step of the 3 part hair care system. It contains Hextapeptide -11 which has been shown to increase collagen production and improve hair growth. It also contains sea buckthorn seed oil which enhances microcirculation of the scalp and improves epidermal regeneration. Extracts of sugar cane, lemon and apple are added for their natural exfoliating properties , helping to clear the follicles of dead cells and make room for thicker hair growth.

Get Your Hair Fa-BOO-lous!

Just as a recap: first, determine if the amount of hair you are losing is out of the ordinary. Next, use our 3 part system to keep your hair looking it’s very best!

Reminder: Love The Skin You're In

Consistency is key 🔑

Picture Credit: @iamerinblackwell

With our skin being our largest organ, it is important to truly invest in it and take extra good care of it! Have you ever heard someone say, “Man, I wish I wouldn’t have taken such great care of my skin?” NO!! It is generally the opposite. We hear over and over how people wish they had taken better care of their skin. So, here are 5 simple steps that you can implement to make sure you are doing everything you can to maintain the integrity of your skin.

In order for your skin to be at it’s very best, you must be consistent in these steps! You can’t pick and choose what and when you do on a whim. You should be incorporating these steps regularly to see the best results!

Step 1: Drink Water 💦

Do you ever feel like the cure for all ailments is to drink more water? Well, in this case, how hydrated you are really does play a huge role in the overall health of your skin! If your skin is lacking hydration it can lose elasticity. Drinking enough water can help your skin tone, prevent premature aging, help your skin heal faster, and reduce puffiness. It can also play a role in preventing acne, prevent itchiness, maintain your pH balance, and promote a healthy gut which in turn helps keep clear skin.

Looking to up your water intake but sick of plain ol’ water? Try adding these for a fun twist: mint, basil, lemon, lime, or ginger!

Step 2: Use Good Products

Did you know that in 2021 it is estimated that $18.7 will be spent on skincare in the US alone? 😳 That’s a chunk of change! Using high quality skincare products that are specific to your needs is important in maintaining beautiful, youthful looking skin. Did you know we offer a skincare quiz to make sure you are using the correct products?

Making sure you use the correct products and then knowing when it is time to make adjustments is so important for your skin! Hint: as we change seasons it is time to look at changing products. Don’t know what to do? Ask! We can help.

Step 3: Moisturize

This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but it’s shocking how many people DON’T moisturize! Property moisturizing your face (and ears, neck, and chest!) plays a huge role in your skin appearance. Did you know these areas of skin shed cells more rapidly than other parts of your body? Moisturizing these parts regularly help repair those lost cells so your skin can look it’s best. Also, the act of applying moisturizer circulates your blood and helps encourage cell generation.

Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, properly moisturizing can help keep your skin looking supple and youthful!

Step 4: Get Enough Sleep

We know, we know… you are busy! But prioritizing proper sleep helps not only with your overall health and wellbeing, but your skin is greatly affected by the number of Zs you get!

After just a few nights of missed sleep your skin can appear sallow and you can develop puffiness around your eyes. If you have prolonged sleepless nights you can end up with fine lines, lackluster skin, and dark circles under your eyes. So take this as your sign to put the phone away, put your book down, turn the TV off, and get some rest. Your skin will thank you!

Step 5: Wash Your Pillowcase

This one just seems silly, but in all actuality, washing your pillowcase is not only hygienic, but crucial to your skin health! Did you know that a pillowcase that hasn’t been washed in a week has over 17 thousand times the number of bacteria as a toilet seat. YES…you read that correctly…a TOILET SEAT 😳. We know, we were as shocked as you. But if anything that should motivate you to swap out and wash your pillowcase frequently. And if you think you wash it enough already, you don’t.

Wondering where those pesky blackheads came from? Chances are high they came from the dirt, oil, and bacteria on your pillowcase. Our hair holds on to bacteria more than anything else on our body and each night as you lay down, all of that bacteria is transferred to your pillowcase and then onto your face. To help keep germs at bay, we recommend washing your pillowcase every 2 days or so to keep it fresh and clean!

Picture Credit: @iamerinblackwell

We get it, trying to take great care of your skin, on top of everything else you have going in your life, can seem daunting. But the is why we are here! We are ready to help you determine what products are best for your skin, how to make sure your skin is getting what it needs, and how to limit the feeling of being overwhelmed in regards to how to take care of yourself.

If you are one of lucky people that feels like you are ready to take on another step in your routing, you HAVE to check out our product of the month.

A perfect addition to any routine, our Natural Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser is a deep pore foaming cleanser with Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids of Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic Acid. Natural Jojoba Beads gently exfoliate the skin. Grapefruit Essential Oil scented..

Picture credit: @iamerinblackwell

So remember, consistency (in just about anything) is going to be a huge determine factor in how your skin looks and how you age. If you are looking for a quick reference, come back and check out this blog AND follow us on Instagram to get all the tips, tricks, and conversation!

ABC & 123 ✏️📚

It’s time to get organized & get your skin care in check!

The hustle and bustle of back to school is upon us and the need to simplify routines and get organized is more relevant than ever! Whether you are going back to school, have kids going to school, or just need to re-evaluate your skincare, there is no better time than now to get it taken care of before the stress of back to school really hits at the end of the month!

Alexa, Add Skincare to My Grocery List

With school supply lists growing rapidly, we know that skincare might not be at the top of your list, so we have done everything we can to simplify the products you need and make your routine a breeze! We are so excited to add “Basic Kits” to our lineup of products.

Anything But Basic

We know that you are going to love the simplicity of our newest kits. With only 3 products they are easy to use and easy to implement into your daily life.

DRY SKIN BASIC KIT

OILY SKIN BASIC KIT

COMBINATION SKIN BASIC KIT

Introducing….Kid’s Kits!

Something we hear over and over again is that a lot of adults weren’t taught about proper skincare until adulthood! We knew we needed to create a kit that was easy for kids to use so they could start implementing and creating those good habits to ensure their skin is taken care of well into adulthood!

PC: @iamerinblackwell

Our kid’s starter kits are the perfect introduction to skincare! Created with little skin in mind, our kid’s bundle will help your child develop good skincare habits while providing them with high quality, natural products.

Each kit comes with our Daily Spa Cleanser, Natural Purity Oil Free Moisturizer, and a microfiber cloth. This kit is designed to help your child feel independent and in control of their skincare routine.

Now is the time to stock up on the essentials before school starts and schedules get crazy. Have you taken our skin quiz yet? If not, take it here so you know exactly which kit you need!

🎶 Somebody Call 911 🎶

At some point or another, regardless of age, we all end up with pesky blemishes! And when one pops up, we all wish we had the perfect spot treatment in our arsenal to send that zit packin’!

PC: @iamerinblackwell

Acne Affects All

Didn’t you think that once you were grown, acne would be a thing of the past? Wishful thinking! Acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting up to 50 million Americans.

The four factors that directly contribute to acne are: excess oil production, pores getting clogged by “sticky” skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation. There are also many indirect factors as well such as, hormones, menstrual cycle in women, hair products, skin care products, makeup, medications, and diet.

While a lot of these things can be tweaked and changed for a more positive outcome, you still sometimes need a little topical help. We are obviously BIG advocates of properly taking care of your skin (be sure to take our skin quiz!), drinking enough water, exercising, and having a healthy diet, but that’s not to say that acne won’t pop up.

Enter the 911 Acne Spot Treatment 👏🏻

911 Acne Spot Treatment

This clear liquid treatment helps purge skin of toxins and blemishes, absorbs excessive oiliness and provides antiseptic benefits to irritated, reddened skin. Salicylic Acid is naturally derived from Willow Bark Extract and accelerates the removal of the outer layers of dead skin cells, eliminating the build-up of oil and waxes around hair follicles. This quick drying liquid can be applied at any time over or under makeup. It can be applied directly to the problem area so those antiseptic properties can get right to work on the irritated skin!

This little roller ball is tiny, but mighty! It is a great size to throw in a makeup bag, gym bag, purse, or overnight kit. It’s gentle, but effective!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

This time of year is absolutely beautiful with all the blooming flowers, green trees, bees buzzing around, allergies flaring up.

Wait, what?! Who said allergies were beautiful?! If anything they probably cause more discomfort than anything beauty related. If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer and it shows in your eyes, we feel you. And we are here to help!

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Let’s get down to it!

Your under eye area is extremely delicate and needs to be treated as such! Many people have under eye discoloration which can be caused by lack of sleep, thinning skin, excessive eye rubbing, hyperpigmentation, overexposure to sunlight, and those darn allergies.

Dark under eyes can be frustrating and can make you appear older and more fatigued than you are. There are a few things you can do and a few recommended products that can help.

First, make sure you are getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. It’s crazy how much of our skin health and appearance is tied to these two things. Next, get a great eye cream! We recommend our Illuminating Eye Creme!

PC: @iamerinblackwell

This soothing, certified organic Cannabis Sativa based eye cream is anit- Inflammatory, reduces puffiness, and decongests. DiPeptide-2 help reduce inflammation and water retention. Blends of lavender and & citrus essential oils helps to sooth and decongest.

Hemp Seed Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helps skin conditions such as eczema, and skin irritations. Hemp Seed Oil is cold pressed and contributes to the to the light green natural color in this creme.

Use Care!

Since the skin under your eyes is so thin & delicate, it is important to use care when removing your eye makeup. Tugging and pulling on that thin skin can make it even more thin and papery. Make sure when you are removing your eye shadow, mascara, and liner that you use a gentle remover. We have a great one! You can find it here!

PC: @iamerinblackwell

Formulated and designed to be similar to tears in order to prevent stinging or drying to the delicate tissue around the eye area. Oil-free, sulfate free & fragrance free. This makeup remover is perfect for your eyes, but can also be used to remove foundation, as well as lipstick.

Last Up…

Lastly, it is important to make sure your skin care products are appropriate for the season. As we enter the hot, dry, summer months, now is the time to ensure you are using the products that will best suit your needs! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel like you could use different products. I want to make sure your skin is looking it’s very best!

Here Comes The Sun ☀️

Are You Prepared?

As the months fly by and summertime approaches, everyone will be heading outdoors and spending more time in the heat and sun. Making sure that your skin is protected from the sun is one of the single most important things you can do to preserve the integrity of your precious skin!

How To Protect Yourself From The Sun

There are some super easy things you can do to protect your skin from the sun like wear a wide brimmed hat, wear protective clothing that covers your most vulnerable skin, stay out of the sun when it is the strongest, be aware if you are on medication that makes you more sensitive to the sun, and lastly, wear sunscreen!

Photo Credir: @iamerinblackwell

Don’t Forget The Sunscreen!

Correctly (and consistently!) applying sunscreen will be crucial in protecting your skin from sun damage, age spots, and wrinkles. Did you know that sunscreen isn’t just a one and done application? If you have prolonged sun exposure, are sweating, or swimming, you may need to re-apply more frequently.

If you’re looking for a fantastic face and body sunscreen, look no further than our Daily Hydrating SPF 30 Face & Body.

Photo Credit: @iamerinblackwell

Light milky lotion with the natural essential oil of Chamomile provides full-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. 

Designed to lightly hydrate your delicate skin with natural ingredients. The powerful anti-oxidant Japanese Green Tea Extract is known for its anti-irritant properties, preventing redness, rough skin, and peeling caused by sun-drenched skin. 

Vitamin E a anti-oxidant ingredient added to this unique formula that helps protect the skin from free radical damage. Specialty and beneficial Extracts include Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, and Licorice to revitalize and condition sluggish skin. 

The best thing you can do is be prepared to be out in the sun! Grab a hat, your sunscreen, sunglasses, and get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

Rosy Rosacea

What is Rosacea?

April is Rosacea Awareness month and since as many as 415 million people worldwide are affected by this, we knew we needed to devote a whole post to it!

Rose Gallagher @mixedgemsbeauty

Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes redness and often small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face and small, visible blood vessels. It is often mistaken for acne or other skin conditions and generally affects those with fair skin.

Rosacea Triggers

The actual root cause of rosacea is unknown, but it is said to be a combination of health factors and heredity. Rosacea can also be triggered by certain food & environmental factors. These include: hot drinks & spicy foods, red wine & other alcoholic beverages, temperature extremes, sunlight or wind, emotions, exercise, drugs that dilate blood vessels, and cosmetic products.

If you have rosacea it is important to determine which things trigger flare-ups, since not everyone is the same.

How to Treat Rosacea

Rosacea can be frustrating and painful, but it can also be made better by how we treat it! There are creams that can be applied topically to soothe inflamed skin & reduce redness. This will help alleviate discomfort and will help you feel more comfortable in your skin.

Image: @iamerinblackwell

Products That Can HELP!

Here are two products that will be extremely helpful in treating your rosacea.

Aloe-Cort Cream is a medicated ointment that can be used on your rosacea, rashes, insect bites, and allergic reactions as it will reduce swelling and itching. It is the perfect addition to your first aid kit as well! It is to be used sparingly on the affected areas (not as an all over moisturizer!) and it is highly effective in bringing comfort and relief. NOTE: As a hydrocortisone cream it is NOT intended for prolonged, frequent use & do not apply the cream onto the delicate, thin tissue of the eye lid.

Another effective treatment is our Keep It Calm Relief Serum. This serum is really great for reducing the redness caused by rosacea. This formula is designed to bring instant calming to irritated skin caused by rosacea, as well as peels, blemish extractions, waxing, or other skin irritants. This serum is gentle enough to be used every day under your moisturizer, morning and night! It can also help aid in relief from environmental irritants such as pollution, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

If you are affected by rosacea, know you aren’t alone and there are things you can do to manage and treat it! If you would like more information on how I would recommend treating your specific skin condition, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Are You Ready For March Masque-ness?!

Have you ever wondered if face masques actually do anything for your skin? Or if they are just a way to make you look silly (and let’s be honest, sometimes straight up frightening). Well, we are here to tell you that YES! Using a high quality, correct for your skin masque can be very beneficial for the overall look and health of your skin.

Things to consider…

There are some important things you should consider when doing a masque. The first is preparation.

You want to make sure your skin has been properly cleansed and toned. Applying a masque to a dirty, unprepared face will do more damage than good.

The next is application and duration.

How should the masque be applied? Should it be applied to the face AND neck? And how long should it be left on before washing off? Can it be left on the skin to continue absorbing without washing off at all?

Lastly, you need to determine frequency.

Is the masque you are using gentle enough to be used daily? Or would that be damaging to the skin? Most masques are not gentle enough to be used daily and should be used a couple times a week instead.

Masques To The Rescue!

You didn’t think we would just give you that information and not have the PERFECT product for you to use, did you?! We would never. We have two incredible masques that have the ability to do wonders for your skin! Keep reading for all the info…

Natural AHA Marine Masque

If you are looking for a masque that will stimulate your skin cells to shed smoothly and rapidly, then the Natural AHA Marine Masque is for you! With key ingredients like Fruit of Kiwi, Grape, Honey Extract, Bentonite, Horsetail Extract, Sea Kelp, and Aloe Vera Gel, you will see softer and more toned skin!

Plus, it’s the iconic light green color to make any spa day feel even more luxurious. With a scent of natural Rosemary and Spearmint oils, you will feel like you are at an actual retreat while treating your skin to the love and attention it deserves.

Calming CBD Sleep Masque

Specially formulated for dry, dehydrated skin recovery, the Calming CBD Masque is gentle enough that you can sleep in it! While you’re getting your beauty sleep, this amazing cream is reducing inflammation and sensitivity, while allowing you to wake up refreshed and hydrated.

You can apply directly to the face & neck and hit the hay!

Masque for YOU!

As you can see, masques can be a relaxing and beneficial part of your skincare routine! If you have any questions about our masque options, don’t hesitate to reach out or leave a comment!