Tag: Skincare

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Organic Tinted Moisturizer

My new skincare addiction is Organic Tinted Moisturizer by Sanre Organic Skinfood.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why I love it:

🔹 Its all natural and organic (for real) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🔹It makes my skin glow in the off summer months

🔹It doesn’t clog my pores or make me break out (my skin is sensitive to breakouts) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹I can continue to use it into the spring/summer, get a nice glow without overexposing myself to the sun ⠀

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

I got this product a few weeks ago after trying a sample tinted moisturizer from a non-natural company and loving the way it made my skin look. The problem was, after using it for a week long, my pores started to clog with the toxic ingredients in the product. This was another reason (in addition to always looking for more natural products) to look for something with more pure ingredients. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I’ve been putting the tinted moisturizer from Sanre Organic on my face as a lotion during the daytime to test it out everyday over the past week and a half. After, I’ve been putting on the hibiscus tea on my checks (the trick I showed in my video 2 posts ago). When doing this, I’ve had people comment on my “tan, glow, Caribbean tan”! I even went out to dinner last night and used the same process INSTEAD of using foundation/bronzer/blush on my face and did my (eyes/lips) as per usual & it looked great. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

The Ingredients are ALL ORGANIC (except for the iron oxide & titanium dioxide)

INGREDIENTS: Safflower Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Purified Water, Beeswax, Aloe Vera Gel, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Citrus Extract, Essential Oils of Lavender, Rosemary, Jasmine Absolute, Sweet Orange, Thyme, Patchouli, Hyssop

I also have been using their products for a few years now and really love them. Their ingredients are the real deal- all natural and organic and not just marketed that way. I feel so comfortable knowing I can trust this brand when I use it.

Two of my other favorites by them are:

C-LOVE . I love this for my neck, chest and eyes or for face if I’m super dry. It smells AMAZING

Footsie Fiesta. I’ve never been one to use foot lotion, but I was very impressed with this. The texture and smell is perfect for the feet, locking in moisture and helps to relax.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sunbathing & Natural Sunscreen

☀️When I was younger, I would bake out in the sun for HOURS at a time seeking a dark tan & didn’t use sunscreen. After learning about how many chemicals are in synthetic sunblock, I am not sure if loading up on the sunscreen would have caused more harm than good? ⠀⠀⠀⠀

Now, I have a whole different approach around sunbathing. I allow myself to get sun when I am walking around/in the ocean for about an hour or less & put a natural sunscreen on, or nothing on if I have a base tan. When I am not being “active”, I seek shade and also love using a hat & coverup to cover my chest/shoulders. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀

The sun IS good for us in healthy doses. I am Vitamin D deficient in winter months & it really affects my mood a TON. After being in the ocean/sun, my friends commented on my increased energy levels & overall mood change. There are also many studies that show that Vitamin D is super important for bone health. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I really loved @moonandbloom post from the other week. She is a Registered Herbalist. I share the same thoughts as her relating to ☀️. She recommends: “Exposing one’s eyes to the sun (safely in moderation) activates the pineal gland quite markedly, as we know from ancient practice of sun gazing. It’s so good for skin disorders and healing, and cleans & oxygenates the blood.

While the whole synthetic sunblock industry is WAY toxic to humans, animals, and the Earth, there are numerous plant oils with natural SPF. All skin types have their own unique thresholds for sun that can vary with age and genetics. When the sun is really strong, I like a blend of St. Johnswort oil (approx SPF 8), Sea Buckthorn oil (approx spf 30) & coconut oil (approx spf 4-6). Watch the amounts- the Sea Buckthorn & Johnswort will dye your skin orange.” ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

Face: I used a sunscreen by Naturopathica for my face for the first time & loved it! On the Think Dirty app it is rated as a 1 out of 10 toxicity level.

Body: I used a natural sunscreen I bought in Costa Rica and really like! See below for ingredients.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Moisturizing Hazelnut Body Polish-from leftover Nut Milk pulp

image4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups raw unsalted organic hazelnuts
  • 2 tbsp local raw honey or manuka honey
  • 1 vanilla bean or 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil

Directions:

  • This body polish is from leftover ingredients from my post on how to make your own Nut Milk.
  • After draining the ingredients with your Nut Milk bag, add coconut oil to finish off the scrub.

Benefits for skin:

  • Hazelnut benefits:
    • Contains 86% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin E. Vitamin E: protects skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, such as skin cancer and premature aging. Keeps this skin hydrated.
    • Essential fatty acids also keep skin hydrated.
  • Honey benefits
    • Moisturizing
    • Anti-bacterial
    • Heals wounds

I use Ellie’s Best Nut Milk Bags to make this recipe. Use code Deanna10 at checkout to get 10% off your order!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Hormone Balancing Body Scrub

What we put onto our body is just as important as what we put into our body. The epidermis, or skin, is the largest organ in the human body and everything we put on topically gets absorbed into our body. In today’s western society, many people have hormonal imbalance due to toxic environmental factors and the food we eat. There are many skin products on the market which also have ingredients that can disrupt your hormones.  Also, artificial hormones are given to beef and dairy cattle to make them grow faster. When we eat the meat or dairy from an animal, we are consuming vitamins as hormones or steroids that were fed to the animals, disrupting our endocrine system in our own body. This causes many health problems and disease when ingested over extended periods of time. Some (more intuitive) symptoms from hormonal disturbances include PMS, period cramps, breast tenderness, irregular periods (for women) hormonal acne and more.

This scrub is made with Ylang Ylang essential oil and Primrose Oil. Both help regulate the hormone balance in one’s body. Below I listed all of the ingredients. I also went into further depth of the benefits of Primrose Oil and Ylang Ylang.

Ingredients

  • Coconut Oil- 1 cup
  • Avocado Oil- 3 tbsp
  • Sea Salt- 1 cup (or until desired scrub texture)
  • Primrose Oil – 3 tbsp
  • Ylang Ylang Essential Oil- 10 drops
  • Citris Bliss Blend Essential Oil – 10 drops

Ylang Ylang:

  • Helps balance hormones
  • Promotes healthy skin and hair
  • lifts mood while having a calming effect

Primrose Oil:

Primrose oil, obtained from the seed of the evening primrose plant. This oil is best known to help balance out hormonal levels.

Hormonal Health: This helps with hormonal related problems including PMS symptoms like menstrual cramps, breast pain, acne, depression, irritability, unclear thinking or menopause disorder. Primrose could also help with Polycystic ovarian syndrom (PCOS) which is an endocrine disorder that could occur in women who are of reproductive age. This can impact a women’s fertility and could lead to ovary cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, acne and other irregular symptoms.

Evening primrose is a rich source of Omega-6 fatty acids, which is one of the main reasons it helps with hormonal function in the body. This includes gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is essential for the proper functioning of the body. In particular, those who have lower levels of GLA are alcoholics and diabetes patients. This deficiency can cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and cardiovascular disease. Taking primrose can help with alcohol withdrawl. The human brain is prompted by GLA, which makes prostaglandin (a type of hormone). This helps in managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms like seizures and depression. It indirectly protects the nervous system and liver.

Skin Health: Evening primrose oil is considered the best remedy to cure eczema and many other skin-related problems. GLA, mentioned in the previous paragraph, a fatty acid content in this oil is essential for skin health. The oil is safe to apply to sensitive skin to help with skin hydration.  Primrose can also boost blood circulation, which prevents and treats tired looking skin and under the eyes when applied topically 2x a day. This oil also helps to nourish hair, scalp and nails.

For more, check my Instagram at @nychamptonshealth

References

“Evening Primrose Oil Treats PMS Pain & Infertility.” Dr. Axe, draxe.com/evening-primrose-oil/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2017.

“Essential Oil Usage Guide A-Z.” Essential Oil Usage Guide A-Z, doterra-oil.blogspot.com/p/essential-oil-usage-guide-z.html. Accessed 27 Feb. 2017.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Organic Homemade Body Butter

image17

Ingredients:
  • 1c Shea Butter
  • 1/2c Coconut Oil
  • 1/3c Olive Oil
  • 5 drops Tea Tree
  • 30 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

Directions: Mix oil and heat in double oil until melted. Put in fridge for about an hour to solidify. Storing in glass instead of plastic is essential when it comes to oils. Phthalates, a group of chemicals found in plastics to make them softer. They are Endocrine (hormone) disruptors & are oil soluble.

I realized I’m not a fan of olive oil on my skin (some people like it.) Next time I will try another base oil (sesame, jojoba, almond etc.)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Essential Oil Breakdown: You can trade out Tea Tree and Eucalyptus for different essential oil of your choice. Eucalyptus is an antiseptic and can help with skin infections, bug or mosquito bites and cuts. It helps relieve muscle pain. It is also cooling and refreshing. It is a stimulant and can remove exhaustion and mental sluggishness. It can be effective for helping with stress. Rubbing this all over your body in the morning and breathing it in all day sounds good to me! Tea tree is well known for its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. It can be effective with toenail fungus and athletes foot, so this could be a great hydrating foot cream. Tea tree has also been shown to fight against MRSA, a type of staph infection which is resistant to many antibiotics. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Dry Skin Brushing-Lymphatic Drainage

Why you should Dry Skin Brush

Dry skin brushing is a process of dry brushing skin with a natural brush to stimulate lymphatic flow, improve circulation, and exfoliate skin. The largest organ in the body is the skin. It is responsible for 1/4 of the bodies detoxification

. It is important to eliminate through the skin.

The lymphatic system consists of various sizes of lymph vessels and nodes. The system is part of the immune system, as the lymphatic fluid carries cells that fight off viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances. The lymphatic system does not have a pump of its own, like the blood vessels which have the heart. It depends on supplementary help to move the fluid around the body. Exercise is a great way to assist the lymphatic system as well as dry skin brushing.

The lymphatic system mobilizes waste and fluid back into the body’s drainage system so that the waste and fluid can be more effectively eliminated. As well, it increases immunity, promotes healing, and balances fluid metabolism in body.

This massage is especially useful for those individuals that feel that their system is sluggish, or those who seem to get regular colds and flu. It is also recommended for people who lead sedentary lifestyles, or those who want to reduce puffiness or swelling.

Manual stimulation directly applied to our epidermis to maintain overall health and wellness has been practiced by many since ancient times. From the Ayurvedic practices of India (which are still active today) to the Greek athletes using skin scrapers for circulation to various Native American tribes who used the sand from riverbeds for both strengthening the skin as well as beautification. These ancient societies were aware that the pores of the skin that need our focus as well as the lymph glands, just beneath o

fullsizerender-1

ur skin, that become sluggish with toxic waste.

How to Skin Brush 

1. Purchase a natural (not synthetic) bristle brush with a long handle so can reach all areas of your body.

2. Stand in a bathtub or tiled surface to catch any dead skin with no clothes on.

3. Begin brushing by starting at your feet and moving in long sweeping motions toward your heart.

4. Brush several times in each area, overlapping as you go.

5. Take care as you brush over more sensitive areas, like breasts. Your skin will become less sensitive the more you dry brush.

6. It is best to dry skin brush before exercise or before showering.

7. After getting out of the shower, pat dry skin and apply a oil (ex: coconut oil).

8. Dry skin brush everyday for best results. Clean your brush with soap and water once a week. Leave to dry in a clean, sunny spot to avoid any mildew accumulation on your brush.

Benefits of Skin Brushing

Cleanses the lymphatic system
Removes dead skin layers
Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands
Tightens the skin preventing premature aging
Increased energy and blood flow
Tones the skin
Strengthens the immune system

For more check my instagram at @dshamptonorganics

References

Lymphatic Skin Brushing for Breast And Body Health.” Lymphatic Skin Brushing for Breast And Body Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

“Start Dry Brushing to Reduce Cellulite + Toxins.” Dr. Axe. N.p., 04 Jan. 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
Posted on by — 2 Comments

Homemade Organic Chapstick

FullSizeRender (4)

Ingredients: 

  1. Beeswax Pastilles – 1 tbsp
  2. Coconut Oil- 1 tbsp
  3. Shea Butter- 1 tbsp
  4. Essential oil 2 drops- optional

Directions:

  1. Mix ingredients & heat on stove until melted
  2. Use a dropper to put liquid into lip holder
  3. Put in fridge about 5 min until solid

 

Like most people, I used to use Chapstick Cherry flavor, which is filled with harmful ingredients.Some ingredients include: Arachidyl propionate, camphor, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, D&C red no. 6 barium lake, fragrance, propylparaben, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, menthol, methylparaben, 

My general rule when reading labels is that if I don’t know what something is, it probably isin’t good for you. Below are two simple ingredients to keep an eye out for and are in many products. I also bolded and underlined these ingredients above.

Fragrance:  The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports that “95% of the ingredients used to create fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including benzene derivatives, aldehydes, and many other known toxins and sensitizers.” According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are potentially hundreds of chemicals in a single product’s secret fragrance mixture.

Parabens: Stay away from any word ending in “paraben” (as seen above). Parabens are used as a preservative in cosmetics, foods and drugs and are very commonly used. Parabens are known to cause endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity.

For more, check out my Instagram @dshamptonorganics

References:

“EWG.” EWG. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

“About Us.” National Academy of Sciences. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

“Parabens – Safe Cosmetics.” Safe Cosmetics. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

 

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Homemade Natural Hand Sanitizer

FullSizeRender (3).jpg
Ingredients:

  • Rubbing Alcohol 1 tsp
  • Aloe Vera Gel 1/4 cup
  • Cinnamon Essential Oil- 10 drops (natural antibacterial)
  • Tea Tree Essential Oil- 7 drops (natural antibacterial)
  • Distilled Water to get it to your desired consistency (in solid or spray form)

According to the Wall Street Journal’s article “Are Antibacterial Soaps Safe?“, since lab and animal studies both suggest these antibacterial soaps are unsafe, the FDA is recently taking a closer look at this $5.5 billion dollar industry. The FDA states that they will announce whether or not antibacterial soaps will be able to be sold as they are today. This announcement will be in September of 2016. If the vote is unfavorable toward companies producing antibacterial soaps, they will need to reformulate their line of antibacterial products without the harmful chemicals.

The article continues saying “We now know we can measure small amounts of ingredients in blood and that things you put on your skin can potentially be absorbed into the body,” Dr. Theresa Michelle states. Her advice for now? “Wash your hands with plain soap and water, because we do not have enough data demonstrating antibacterial soaps are any better” in fighting disease.

The below ingredients are currently under review. Since it is not proven these ingredients are safe to use on your skin, it would be a good idea to avoid using them, not only in hand sanitizes but also in other cosmetic products you use. All of the recipes I post on my website are all natural.

  • Isopropyl Alcohol- Used in the hand sanitizers nurses and doctors use various times each day, the high concentration and frequent exposure is a concern.
  • Triclosan- This was found in high levels in human breast milk and urine and may interfere with normal development and function in humans and animals.
  • Benzalkonium Chloride- This ingredient comes with potential hormonal disruptions and is a possible carcinogen.
  • Benzethonium Chloride- Possible effects on fertility issues, body weight at birth, growth and development.
  • Iodine- Should never be used on pregnant or breast feeding women.
  • Chloroxylenol- Has been found in internal tissues after skin application.

References:

Landro, Laura. “Are Antibacterial Soaps Safe?” The Wall Street Journal. 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 16 Feb. 2016

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Natural Deodorant for Summer

FullSizeRender(13)

Ingredients:

  • Shea Butter (Organic)
  • Arrowroot Powder (Organic)
  • Coconut Oil (Organic)
  • Baking Soda (Organic)
  • Beeswax Pastilles
  • Witch Hazel
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Vitimin E
  • Essential oils.

Sandalwood is great for men and I like Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils for myself.

Directions:

  • Heat Coconut Oil & Beeswax on the stove.
  • Remove Coconut Oil & Beeswax off stove
  • Mix in all other ingredients

Why this is a great summer deodorant: Beeswax Pastilles preserve coconut oil so this deodorant is good for warmer months since coconut oil has a 72 degree melting point on its own.

When switching from antiperspirant deodorant to natural deodorant, ones pores start to unclog and function properly. Therefore, toxins are released and ones body odor may temporarily increase. This purging usually lasts about 2 weeks depending on the toxicity level in the body. Make sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water to help the purging process be more odorless.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Detox Bath

IMG-2949
Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt
  • 2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Bentonite Clay (if its the powdered form & about 2 cups if its the liquid form as seen in photo)
  • Warm water

Directions:

  • Stay in bath for 25-40 minutes (25-30 minutes for first timers until your body adjusts)
  • Have a water bottle next to you to stay hydrated. (Epsom salt pulls water out of body)
  • Submerge your whole body up to your chin for the most benefits.
  • Take before bed-makes you tired.
  • Shower after
  • Take 1- 2x a week or more once your body adjusts.

*Do not stay in this bath for more than 40 minutes. I once stayed in for about an hour and became very sick after with sinus infection, sore throat, fever etc that lasted between 24-48 hours. My read on this is that too many toxins were brought to the surface and it was too much for my body to handle.

Benefits

  1. Epsom Salt relieves pain and muscle cramps. It is great for detoxification and also good for after a hard workout. Epsom salt helps to detoxify your body by making you sweat out toxins. Also, you will absorb some of the minerals and trace minerals found in the salt such as magnesium.
  2. Bentonite clay external benefits include: detoxify heavy metals stored in body tissue, acne, aching joints, sprains and strained muscles, relieve symptoms of Herpes 1 & 2, Eczema, Psoriasis, skin rashes, heals cuts and bruises, pulls out infection from a wound or sore and more. Do not use metal with Bentonite Clay because it makes the clay less effective.
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar provides relief for those with joint problems, arthritis and tendonitis. It also is very helpful for excessive body odor. ACV can naturally help kill fungus and bacteria on the skin. It provides relief for skin problems like eczema, dandruff, dry skin and acne. ACV can also help with UTIs by helping to kill off the yeast or fungus. I like Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

The main drawback to using water to detoxify is that all tap water is contaminated with things such as chlorine, flouride, heavy metals, bacteria etc. Steps you can take to help purify your bath water are:

  • Dechlorinate your bath with a Crystal Bath Ball  Dechlorinator or Vitamin C
    • FYI-the Crystal Bath Ball you have to move around in the tub for 5-8 minutes before bathing. If you are someone that is pressed for time, the Vitamin C might be a better option.
  • Using Bentonite Clay in the bath. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.

-Consider using a dry skin brush before taking bath for added benefits.                                     -My first 20 baths or so were very draining on my body but as my body adjusted, the baths have gotten less draining and I added a little more Epsom salt (about 1/4 of a cup) to get the same effect I had gotten previously.

References:

Jeffrey A. Morrison, M.D.,  2011. Cleanse You Body, Clear Your Mind, New York, New York, The Penguin Group