Turmeric- more than just a flavor in foods

Turmeric originated in Southeast Asia, and is one of the most beneficial spices for health and wellness. Turmeric is grown as both a kitchen spice and for medicinal purposes. It has a bold bitter flavor and is used in curry and soups and also in mustards and cheeses. Turmeric is usually responsible for that bright yellow color you often see in spicier dishes. It is most commonly used in its dried, powdered form but sometimes you can also buy fresh root in food markets or grocery stores.

One of the primary healing agents in turmeric is from its yellow/orange pigment, curcumin. The whole spice contains all sorts of other complimentary phytonutrients that work with curcumin. Turmeric and its curcumin has been said to be even more effective than some of the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, and you don't have to deal with any of the side affects! 

Ayurvedic Tradition

Turmeric has a long history in the ancient Ayurvedic tradition, because it contains curcumin which is a chemical compound with antioxidant effects. Turmeric has been turned to for thousands of years for it's health benefits. 

Antioxidant Superstar

Antioxidants are the compounds in food that are said to help stop damage to our cells by free radicals. Free radicals are scavengers in the body that can harm our cells if they go unchecked. Antioxidants dramatically help to remove free radicals while also enhancing the natural antioxidant abilities of our own bodies. Turmeric is said to be a plant with one of the highest levels of antioxidant power. Studies show that the curcuminoids in turmeric are very effective at finding and neutralizing free radicals. 

Nutrilite Research

Researchers at Nutrilite are always looking for plants with botanicals that support cellular protection against free radicals. This led to the discovery of PhytoProtect™, an optimal blend of turmeric, rosemary, and fava d'anta plant concentrates that supports the body's antioxidant defense. The concentrates found in these plants are prepared in an exact ration to provide cellular protection against free radicals. This PhytoProtect™ blend plays a big role in Nutrilite Double X Vitamin/Mineral/Phytonutrient supplement, where it works with the other vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to help your body fight excess free radicals. Turmeric is also included in Nutrilite Liver Support for extra antioxidant and phytonutrient support and in the n* by Nutrilite Turmeric Latte. The latte mix is made with turmeric root extract, and when you mix the packet with warm water you create a yummy drink that helps support your joints and general health. 

To get any of these awesome turmeric products or with questions, contact me, I'd love to help😊

Sensitive Skin

This is for my sensitive skin gals! 

What are the characteristics? 

If you have sensitive skin you have probably found that skincare or makeup products are very hard to use, creating itching, flaking, reddening, or flushing. 80% of women think they have sensitive skin when actually only 10 to 20% of women actually have the characteristics of it. If you are in that 10 to 20%, you probably have fair skin and/or red hair and/or suffer from other allergies like asthma which cause the release of histamines which makes your skin more reactive. Stabilizing your skin and treating it with products that won't cause these reactions is the way to get your beauty shining through!

How to care for sensitive skin..

1st eliminate any unnecessary products from your skincare regime. Most women use 5 or 6 different skincare products which exposes their skin to over 100 chemicals per day. If you have sensitive skin, you need to find a skincare line that is specially formulated for sensitive skin and is allergy and dermatologist tested. However, the most important products are a good cleanser, a moisturizer with sunscreen, and an eye cream. 

2nd avoid products containing ingredients most likely to cause sensitivity. These are usually fragrances, colors, and preservatives, but remember, you could be sensitive to anything. Again, try and find products that are natural and allergy and dermatologist tested. Natural products often contain calming ingredients like lemon, milk, licorice, and chamomile. 

3rd really treat your skin with care. Make sure you are gently cleansing and that you are removing your makeup at the end of the day. Your skin is more likely to react when it is over-exposed to a product, like if you leave your makeup on. Use very light, creamy cleansers and soft, soothing wipes. Restrict cleansing to once a day. I would recommend doing it at night before you go to bed. 

Lastly, moisturizing is important. The more dry your skin is, the more susceptible it is to sensitivity. Apply a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning to prepare your skin for the day and then apply a light moisturizer at the end of your day and as the last step in your skincare routine (the above linked moisturizer has chamomile as it's main ingredient which is known to be soothing and calming). Once a week try and use a hydrating mask to re-hydrate your skin and to infuse it with a long-lasting moisture.

When treating other problems like aging or pimples try and stick to one brand that claims it is allergy and dermatologist tested for all your skincare products (the above linked skincare line for pimples has chamomile as it's main ingredient in almost all products which is known to be soothing and calming effects). This helps keep your skin from being exposed to too many harsh chemicals. 

Top 5 Tips for Sensitive Skin

• Use products with fewer than 10 ingredients to reduce the risk of coming across something you might react to. Research has shown that applying too many ingredients to the skin can send the skin's immune system into overdrive.
• Wear products with sunscreen! Whether your moisturizer has spf or your foundation has spf, it is important to protect your skin from damaging uv rays
• Find two different skincare lines that really work for your skin and alternate them each week. Sensitive skin is prone to become sensitized to things it encounters often. 
• Make sure you read labels and know what you are more sensitive to and avoid those ingredients in your products. 
• Find a good hydrating mask to you once a week and really give your skin the deep hydration it needs. 

5 Key Products for Sensitive Skin

Soothing, calming facial wipes

Products with chamomile

Light moisturizer

Products with spf

Light Foaming Cleanser

Tips to Keep Your Summertime Nutrition in Check

 

Summertime comes with sunshine, plenty of time outdoors, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

But, it also comes with it's own set of nutritional challenges. With a little planning however, you can overcome these and make your summer count. 

Sunshine can do a number on your skin

Hitting the beach on a sunny day is the ultimate summer escape. But the cycle of swimming, drying in the sun, and repeating, can be so damaging to your skin. Even going to the pool; chlorinated pools can also leave your skin feeling tight and dry. 

To support your skin health, make sure your diet includes plenty of antioxidants like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or any brightly colored fruits and vegetables that pack a nutritional punch

For even more support, try something like this. It will provide phytonutrients, which are the natural nutrients in vegetables and fruits that give them their vibrant hues. It's designed to provide the phytonutrient equivalent of more than 10 servings of fruits and vegetables. 

Protect Your Hair

The more time you spend in the sun or at the pool can mean dry, damaged hair. A diet rich in protein can help nourish and protect your summer locks. Pick lean meats, or beans or legumes, low-fat dairy or other lean sources like this protein powder. 

Supplements can also help your efforts to keep your hair healthy. This hair, skin and nail health contains Biotin, a B-vitamin that may promote healthy hair; L-Cysteine, and amino acid that promotes the formation of keratin, a major protein in hair as well as your skin and nails; and horsetail herb extract, a natural source of silicic acid and ailica, traditionally associated with healthy hair and nails. 

Hydration and Electrolytes

You may be spending more time at the water in the summer, but are you drinking enough water? The more time you are spending outside exercising, playing or sweating in the sun, the more attention you need to pay to staying hydrated. Start your daily routine with a glass of water when you wake up to get yourself on the right track, then keep up the pattern throughout the day. If you are on the move, make sure to pack water, like the oxygen rich perfect water, which uses a unique purification process to remove contaminants before infusing trace minerals and electrolytes back in. 

Need more than water to replenish your body or just aren't good at remembering to drink water? Try this hydration drink mix. It is great-tasting, naturally flavored hydrating drink mix that helps you hydrate before, during, and after any adventure.

Combination Skin

This is for my combination skin gals!

What are the characteristics?

Combination skin is normally a mix of oily skin in the center of the face (an area commonly called the T-zone (see picture at bottom) plus dry or normal skin on the cheeks. Exactly which areas are affected changes often with age- teens find the forehead and nose are big problems and this tends to be caused by the hormones flying around in puberty; older women find chins sometimes break out too, and this is often linked to increased stress levels. Outside of your oily zone, the state of the skin tends to depend a lot on your skincare. Using products to tackle the grease dramatically dries out the cheeks and eyes. Tackling combination skin is therefore a matter of balance. 

How to care for combination skin:

Your goal is to treat the problem area of your skin without harming or drying out the other areas of your face. Your first step is cleansing. Avoid harsh cleansers that are formulated for oily skin or milky cleansers formulated for dry skin. This system was made for people with combination skin. Hawaiian acai berries and moisturizing liposome for lasting hydration. Marine plankton helps maintain skin hydration level. Medium weight nourishing cream gel absorbs quickly and deeply hydrates. This system will help strip through the oil on the greasier parts of your skin but won't dehydrate the cheeks at the same time. 

Many women with combination skin find that they tend to get pimples around their nose as the dry flakes of skin from their cheeks stick to the oily areas and cause blockages. A gentle exfoliation will go a long way to help reduce this. However, for the ultimate blackhead-buster, use a clay mask to deep cleanse your pores. These are perfect for combination skin as they allow you to focus your treatment on the affected area. Try to only use once a week. 

The final step in your skin care is a good moisturizer. This moisturizer is a sheer cream that provides 24-hour hydration after just one use. A cool refreshing feel makes this a year-round, go-to moisturizer for soft, smooth skin. Medium-weight gel cream with slightly richer hydration. You want a moisturizer that during the day, when beating the shine is what counts, is working to soak up the sebum produced in your T-zone without drying out your cheeks. 

Top 5 Tips for Combination Skin

• Don't scrub oily areas, this irritates the skin and increases oil production
• Don't treat your whole face the same. Your T-zone (see picture at bottom) requires cleansing twice a day, while your cheeks need cleansing only once. 
• Make sure to use the clay mask on your nose, it will reduce redness and cut bacteria levels in the pores
• Avoid leave-in-conditioners. The ingredients in them can block pores on your forehead, making greasy, oily skin worse. 
• Don't forget the eye creams, you may need to avoid rich moisturizers some places, but you shouldn't skip them on the delicate skin around your eyes. 

Your 5 Key Products

Exfoliating mask

Clay mask

Cleanser

Combination Skin Moisturizer

Eye Cream

Dry Skin

This one is for my dry skin gals!

What are the characteristics?

If you have dry skin, your face probably never really feels comfortable. It probably feels tight and look dull and kinda grayish. It's usually flaky too (usually more so around the nose) and develops lots of tiny fine lines which can make you look older than you are. Dry skin occurs when the protective barrier of oil in the lower level of the skin starts to break down and water evaporates from the skin into the air. A number of things can destroy this barrier, like genetics, cold temperatures, or you can even lose skin oils if you're on a diet that is too low in fat. The biggest problem with dry skin is that it will make you old before your time. Not only is it prone to natural wrinkling but UV rays penetrate deeper when your skin is dry, increasing sun damage. Getting your moisture levels back up is vital to get your beautiful skin showing! 😍

How to care for dry skin:

To care for your dry skin effectively, you need to be sure that the products you are using have ingredients that are putting something back into your skin. You do not want to use products that contain alcohol or soap! You should be using creamy or milky cleansers that will add moisture and leave a fine film that boosts skin protection. This system is specifically made for people with really dry skin. It contains an antioxidant formula of rare blue lotus flower, hibiscus, and pear extracts to help relieve dry, thirsty, stressed skin. 

The moisturizer you use can make all the difference between dry and perfect skin. Moisturizers are suppose to hold water in your stratum corneum, or the outermost layer of your skin. Choose moisturizers that are high in water, this will help your face feel way more comfortable and less tight. I would recommend this moisturizer. It is a very rich and creamy moisturizer but also lightweight so it doesn't feel like you're clogging up your pores. With ingredients like blue lotus flower extract, it will instantly deliver a 197% increase in hydration. ALWAYS use your moisturizer as the last thing in your skincare routine whether it be morning or night. 

Also, exfoliating is important if you are someone with dry skin. One of the reasons why dry skin tends to look dull is that its cell renewal process has slowed and dead skin cell are sticking to the surface of your skin. If you use this exfoliating mask once a week, your dead skin cells will be gone and smooth and soft skin will take their place. Natural sugar cane crystals are what is used as the exfoliant. You could also use this hydrating mask twice a week until your hydration level feels comfortable and then just use it once a week. It will nourish your skin with all-day moisture. It has a moisture-locking formula that attracts and seals in water. It also has green to extract to shield your skin from pollution, wind, and intensely dry environments. 

Finally, because most cases of dry skin are caused by environmental factors, try to minimize the chances of dehydration in your daily life. Maybe invest in a humidifier for your house to keep water levels in the air high and to cut the amount the atmosphere sucks from your skin. In the winter make sure you're applying moisturizer all over and keep your skin covered. But, if you just can't seem to stay ahead in the winter, try this hydrating powder drink mix. It provides a refreshing, hydrating boost any time of day. It also contains vitamin C and cranberry extract to support healthy skin and protect from damaging free radicals. Healthy looking skin needs hydration from within.

Top 5 Tips for Dry Skin

• cleanse your skin only once, at the end of the day. This will remove dirt and grime but will prevent further drying. In the morning, a splash of water and your deeply hydrating moisturizer are all you need
• Exfoliation is essential for dry skin. When choosing which mask to use, avoid ones that use seeds or salt as exfoliants, these will increase moisture loss.
• Try to avoid exposing your skin to really hot water. Hot water dries out parched skin. 
• Never dry your skin completely. One of the best ways to hydrate your skin is just to pat it with the towel after washing, then apply your deeply hydrating moisturizer to seal in that extra moisture. 
• Increase your intake of oily fish or take a supplement. One of the main telltale signs of deficiency of these essential nutrients is dry, flaking skin. 

Your 5 Key Products

Creamy cleanser

Exfoliating Mask

Hydrating Mask

Deeply Hydrating Moisturizer

Hydrating Powder Drink Mix

Oily Skin

This one is for my gals that are struggling with oily skin!

What are the characteristics?

On average, the pores on your face will secrete two grams of sebum (which is the oily and slightly waxy substance found on the skin) a year. The thin layer of oil this creates on the skin leads to a shiny surface, open pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. Your pores become more and more visible because the more the oil on the surface of your skin, the more it accumulates in your pores, and therefore stretching them out. Black heads appear when that oil on your skin is exposed to air and oxidizes. Whiteheads appear when dead skin cells get stuck in the oil and then degrade. I know this is pretty gross 😷, but it is the science behind your oily skin and breakouts, and I think it is important for you to know if you are going to properly treat it!

Sometimes following oily skin, is acne. But not always! There are various reasons for oily skin. Usually it is hormonal, which is why teens are prone to oily skin or why your face might become more oily when you're right around your time of the month. Oily skin can also be triggered by humidity. And lastly, oily skin can be caused by poor skincare. If you strip your face of too much moisture from not properly washing or by using products that aren't good for your skin type, the lower levels of your skin produce more oil to try and counteract this. Hydration is a MUST even if you do have oily skin. I promise it does not make your skin more oily if you use the right products. Just like your body needs water to function properly, so does your skin!

How to care for oily skin:

Treating oily skin is a matter of trying to reduce oil production and keeping the pores clean to prevent stretching and oxidation. Too many people automatically go to harsh cleansers and facial scrubs to try and get rid of their excess oil. This is counteractive, you are just harming your skin! Look for "non-comedogenic" or products that are specifically made not to clog up your pores. 

You can just use normal, light foaming cleansers (like this one). It will give you a deep clean that removes pore-clogging dirt without causing irritation. It also will reduce the oil on your skin by 97%. Simply wet your face with a washcloth, take your index finger and rub it in small circles onto your face and then wipe off with a warm washcloth. This process will remove most all dead skin cells that might block your pores and lead to whiteheads.

 

Follow with a toner. I recommend this one. Some people would say don't use a toner, but I disagree. Especially if you are someone who struggles with acne. This toner is actually called the "pore refresher" because it clarifies, purifies, and unclogs pores for clearer looking skin. By unclogging your pores, it reduces the appearance of your pores. It will also reduce the number of breakouts, reduce the severity of breakouts, and help your already existing breakouts heal. One last point on toners.. if you are using a treatment or serum on your face, using a toner to clean out your pores is key. Otherwise, your pores stay clogged and your treatment/serum can't get into your pores to do their job. 

So, now we'll talk about treatment/serums. For oily skin/acne prone skin, I recommend this gel treatment. It's job is to get into your pores and clarify and reduce most acne blemishes. It has witch hazel as a main ingredient which purpose is to soak up the sebum on the skin's surface and to keep you shine-free for as long as possible. It is dermatologist and allergy tested to ensure it doesn't irritate your skin. It also helps exfoliate your skin and improve your cellular turnover. Just put a pea size drop in your palm and apply to an already existing breakout or where you feel a breakout coming on and watch your skin heal and thrive! Only use your treatment in your night-time skincare routine, so it has time to work before covering it up with pore-clogging makeup. If you are doing your morning skincare routine, just skip the treatment step and go right to your moisturizer.

Lastly, moisturizer. And, as I said earlier, this is so, SO important, even if you have oily skin. Many people think if they have oily skin, a moisturizer will only make it worse, but a good moisturizer will balance the oil and water on/in your skin, making your skin look healthier/plumper. If you already struggle with excess oil, make sure you find a moisturizer that is oil free. This moisturizer is OIL FREE and contains antioxidants like vitamin C, acerola cherry, cucumber, chamomile, and vitamin E. Oxidation wants to kill healthy skin cells. These ingredients help prevent it from doing that. It is what they call a "light lotion" so it absorbs into your skin quickly. It hydrates while reducing oil and therefore reducing shine. 

One last thing, once a week, try a clay mask. This will help draw out any more impurities and deep-cleanse the skin and also shrink your pores.

If you're 25 and above and are still struggling with oily skin, try this line!

Top 5 Tips for Oily Skin:

• cleanse only twice daily. If you clean it more than that, it will produce a panic response 
• Make sure all your products are oil-free. even your makeup
• cut down on fast food. The iodine in fast food can contribute to blemishes on your face
• if you get painful pimples, dab a little lavender oil on that spot and it will help reduce inflammation 
• in emergencies, whiteheads can be dried out with toothpaste😉

Your 5 Key Products

Foaming Cleanser

Pore Refreshing Toner

Oil-free moisturizer

Anti-acne treatment

Clay Mask

What type of skin do you have?

To create perfect skin you have to treat each individual cell within it perfectly. You need to know if the cells need more water, less oil, etc. The only way you're going to do this is to know your skin type. Maybe you think you know what your skin type is already, but many of us are wrong. First of all, skin type changes with age, so oily skin in your teens doesn't necessarily mean you'll have oily skin in your 20s, 30s, or 40s. Skin types can even change with the seasons, because temperatures affect the levels of oil and water in the skin. Skin types can change with your diet, and even according to your time of the month. So to truly know your skin type, you have to reassess it regularly. 

Just answer the following questions and whatever letter you get the most of will help determine what skin type you are. 

-First thing in the morning, take a look at your face closely in the mirror. What do you see?

            a- it's shiny with noticeable blackheads

            b- it looks flaky and feels taut

            c- my forehead, chin and nose are shiny, while the rest is tight and flaky

            d- it's very pale, and there are occasional red or flaky patches

            e- the surface is dull, I am low on color, and there are noticeable lines and                     wrinkles

   - Wash your face with some plain soap and water (even though you're not supposed to). Wait about one half hour-- now what do you notice? 

            a- it looks less shiny

            b- it looks and feels tighter, plus it's gone a grey color

            c- it is less shiny on my nose and forehead but now my cheeks feel awful

            d- it is itchy, red, and flaky- thanks a lot

            e- my lines and wrinkles are even more noticeable- but I have some color back                 into my skin tone

    - Do you get pimples?

            a- yes, i am prone to blackheads, whiteheads, or big red ones that really hurt

            b- not really, only around my period or if I use thick moisturizer

            c- only on my nose, forehead, and chin

            d- yes, but they're red rather than whiteheads, or I get rashes 

            e- hardly ever

    - Look at your nose and around it- what do you notice most?

            a- blackheads, whiteheads, and oil

            b- flaky patches and redness around my nostrils

            c- my nose and cheeks look like they're from two different faces- my nose is                     shiny and my cheeks are dull

            d- there are lots of little red veins and high color on my cheeks

            e- i have lots of open, noticeable pores

    - Take your index finger and lightly press your cheek upward. What do you see?

            a- nothing really

            b- I get loads of tiny lines that go away when I let go

            c- some lines appear, but when I stop, they go away

            d- The area goes white, then red or feels hot

            e- I get folds of skin forming and it takes awhile to snap back to normal

    -Now get into some good natural light and really get close so you can see your pores. what are they like?

            a- big, black, and shiny

            b- practically nonexistent

            c- big on my nose, chin, or forehead but nonexistent elsewhere

            d- practically nonexistent

            e- large but clear- there's no oil there

    - Apply your makeup as normal in the morning, then mid-afternoon, take a look in the mirror. What happened?

            a- what ever is left is shiny, but most of it has disappeared

            b- It is blotchy and flaky

            c- My cheeks aren't so bad, but my nose is shiny

            d- My skin looks a bit red and irritated. 

            e- It is settled in the lines on my face or looks dry

RESULTS:

Mostly A's: you have oily skin

Mostly B's: you have dry skin

Mostly C's: you have combination skin

Mostly D's: you have sensitive skin

Mostly E's: you have aging skin