Stressed Skin?

I initially want to take this post to point out that we are living in a world with so much stress!  Don’t eat this, take this supplement, lock up your kids, sanitize 2002 times a day, the lists are going on and on and we are becoming so fearful.  Of Life! Remember that stress is just as harmful as a bag of sour patch kids.  It’s harmful for your mental wellbeing, your heart, your weight, AND even your skin.  I’m reminding you to BREATHE and just do what you CAN.  We are juggling a gizzilion things in a very new world.

Ok so let’s get to skincare.  When you turn around your products just take a quick glance at what’s inside.  If there is water in it, it NEEDS some preservatives to prevent bacteria, so that’s ok!  If there are parabens in it (isobutylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and isopropylparaben), it’s a good idea to start looking for a cleaner product.  As I’ve said before, check your stuff on EWG.org/guides/.

However, the EWG does not take into account the amount you use, the frequency you are using it OR if you are washing it off.  Look more specifically at your ingredient lists and remember that those that are listed first are the most abundant in your product.  If the EWG is knocking a product down a point for having less than 1% of an ingredient and you are using that product 1 time a week and rinsing it right off, you are probably ok.

I also want you to realize that eating whole, clean foods is much easier than putting clean, whole products on your skin.  There are few whole ingredients that are safe for skincare and can be preserved on a bathroom shelf.  That said, the gold standard of “only buying things you can pronounce” should still stand for food but you can be a little more lenient on your products.  Few skincare brands are USDA Organic.  Dr. Bronner’s is one that I have mentioned before and that I use for my whole family.

In summary, look for trusted brands that promise to be clean.  Steer clear of generic terms and parabens and when at a loss, compare it with EWG’s rating (taking it’s limitations into consideration).

I’m so passionate about wellness but I never want “doing better” to unleash stress or fear in any way.