Why Does it Matter?

It’s the start of the year…..I’m guessing if you’re like me, there are probably more green things in your grocery cart this week, less junk food on your counter, more of a resolve to exercise – all things that over time will lead to better health. But truly it can be overwhelming.

Skin care options – yep, they are overwhelming as well. One walk through Sephora or Ulta and pretty much you want to try all of it and none of it all at the same time!

What packaging and labeling can you trust?  Just because it “says” all natural really doesn’t mean anything. The word “natural” is used on every type of packaging these days – you can even buy “natural” soda pop – which we all know does not equate with healthy! So we have to really dig deep and look at labels.

I’ve always said I don’t like to label my products as “natural””. One of my followers commented one time that the word “clean” was an accurate description and I agree! Within the products I make and sell, I try to use as minimal ingredients as possible, sourced from organic, cold pressed, trustworthy sources or companies as I can find.

I’ll list out the ingredients in one of my foundation powders – the Everyday Essential: Zinc Oxide (non nano), Arrowroot Powder, Cocoa Powder, Bentonite Clay, Iridescent Gold Mica, Cloves, Bronze Mica, Nutmeg, Ginger.

The Zinc Oxide is non nano – which is super important so it does not absorb into your skin as readily – also this provides some UV protection from the sun. The arrowroot and cocoa powder, as well as the cloves, nutmeg, and ginger you can find in your kitchen – but the ones I use are not your grocery store brands –  I source from trusted companies, they are very high quality organic powders. The mica powders have been used often in cosmetics – they are not something you would ingest, but are safe for cosmetics according to the FDA. I use both natural and synthetic micas – although the naturally occurring micas “sound” safer…..the ones that are pigmented in the lab actually are purer. From everything I’ve looked at, I feel comfortable using them myself and putting them in my products. If you are interested in knowing more about the mica powders, you can go to www.sliceof-themoon.com. And the bentonite clay – it absorbs oils and bacteria, has magnesium, calcium, and iron in it, and removes toxins. Believe it or not it’s formed from volcanic ash! The name “bentonite” actually comes from a place in Wyoming called Fort Benton, where there are large amounts of this. Many people ingest it or use it topically – I’m not recommending ingesting it – you’ll have to do your own research on that. Obviously I believe in the benefits of it’s topical application.

So why am I sharing all this technical stuff? Because it matters….not only does it matter what you eat and if you exercise, but it matters what you put on your skin. Your skin is actually your largest organ! Did you catch that? As you likely well know….your skin is very porous, meaning that what we put on it is very absorbent to the rest of our body and bloodstream.

Food changes, Exercise – those take daily dedication and monitoring…..your skin care, you can swap out a product, or maybe a few products, and simply change your health for the better. I’m not dismissing food and exercise AT ALL!! I truly believe it ALL works together, I’m just saying that little changes can snowball to make a bigger effect, and sometimes simply swapping out your moisturizer with unknown ingredients, for one that will truly moisturize and be healthier for your skin, is a very simple, easy change for the better this new year!