Health & Wellbeing

According to ecologyskincare dry skin needs to be hydrating in diffrent ways:

Dry skin has many different causes.
From our age and genetics to our hormonal fluctuations, medications, skincare regime and even the weather.

A lot of these factors that cause dry skin affect our skin’s protective barrier function.
If we have dry or damaged skin, in most cases it’s because our skin’s barrier function is weakened or damaged.

A weakened or damaged barrier function can even cause skin to look more wrinkled or ‘aged’ than it really is …and for fine lines to be more visible.

What is our skin’s barrier function?

Our skin cells are like bricks.

And in between our skin cells, sits a ‘glue or mortar’ made up of cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides.

…it works like a living wall that keeps moisture in and allergens, microbes and irritants out.

(which is super important for keeping our skin healthy, soft and supple)

This collection of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and ceramides is what’s known as our ‘skin’s barrier function’.

If we’re missing component’s of our skin’s barrier function or if they become damaged, we might notice our skin is dry, flaky, scaly, itchy and fine lines are more visible.

We can support our skin’s barrier function from the outside with skin care products.
(including our lipid-rich Ecology Creams)

But that’s only part of it… we can also support, strengthen and maintain our skin’s barrier function from the inside as well.

Here are the 7 nutrients most helpful for softening and smoothing dry skin from the inside out…

#1. ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (OMEGA 3’S)

Making sure we’re eating enough good quality essential fats… is just as important as applying oils on top of the skin.

Why are Omega 3’s helpful for dry skin?

• If we’re not getting enough of these omega-3 fatty acids, the skin’s barrier function becomes weakened… leading to more moisture escaping from the skin and drier skin as a result
• Omega 3’s can also help increase skin’s moisture retention and firmness… improving the appearance of dry skin, acne, eczema and psoriasis.
• Taking in a balanced ratio of omega 3’s, 6’s and 9’s will have anti-inflammatory effects on the body and the skin. Unfortunately western diets with grains and vegetable oils tend to be higher in omega 6’s than 3’s.
• Increasing our intake of omega 3’s from oily fish may help with the balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut. And a happy gut equals happy skin.

Where can I find Omega 3’s?

Think ‘oily fish’, like…

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Anchovy
• Sardines
• Herring

These are the ideal source of omega 3’s. The smaller the fish, the less likely it is to have high levels of mercury.

If you don’t like fish or you’re not having at least 2 servings a week… then it’s important to be taking an additional omega 3 supplement

Try:

Thinking beyond the ‘fish fillet’ when you’re looking to increase your intake of fish or seafood… give these a go:

• Salmon and sweet potato patties
• Tinned mackerel in a stir fry
• Grilled fish tacos
• Sardines on GF toast or potato hash

#2. SATURATED FATS

Wait…what?

Why are saturated fats helpful for dry skin?

• Saturated fats make up the cell membranes of every single cell in our bodies… including our skin cells.
• They also help form our skin’s protective barrier function that helps keep moisture in the skin.
• Strong, healthy cell membranes contain a good amount of cholesterol and saturated fats. This helps our skin cells retain water. So skin cells are more likely to stay nice and plump, like grapes… rather than dehydrated like raisins.
• Interestingly, a Japanese study of 716 women found those who ate the most saturated fat had significantly less wrinkles and better skin elasticity.

Where can I find saturated fats from healthier sources?

Think traditional animal fats… and look for natural fats including:

• Grass-fed tallow
• Grass-fed ghee or butter
• Lard
• Avocado
• Coconut
• as well as foods that contain omega 3’s, like oily fish

Try:

• Sautéing veggies in grass-fed tallow or ghee
• Ghee fried eggs with avocado
• Coconut fish curry
• Slow cooking fattier cuts of grass-fed meat
• Adding avocado as a side ‘condiment’
• Adding avocado to a morning smoothie

#3. ZINC

Why is zinc helpful for dry skin?

• Zinc plays a role in maintaining skin’s structure and integrity. It’s found as an active component of at least 300 proteins in the body.
• When there’s a deficiency in zinc, it can weaken the structure of our skin’s barrier.
• There’s also the suggestion of a relationship between zinc and vitamin A… with zinc assisting vitamin A to do it’s job in the body.

Where can I find zinc?

• Oysters & mussels
• Mushrooms
• Grass fed meats
• Pumpkin seeds
• Yoghurt & kefir
• Soaked/sprouted legumes
• Crab & lobster
• Spinach
• Quinoa
• Raw cocoa

Try:

• Sprinkling pumpkin seeds on your cereal or salad
• Cooking quinoa with rice
• Spinach and mushroom omelette for breakfast
• Mussels with GF pasta or zucchini noodles

#4. VITAMIN A

Why is Vitamin A helpful for dry skin?

• Vitamin A is an important fat soluble nutrient needed for the creation and repair of skin cells. It also plays a role as an antioxidant in combating inflammation throughout the body.
• Vitamin A promotes cellular turnover in skin. It can slow down the breakdown of collagen and elastin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
• One major sign of vitamin A deficiency is rough, dry and scaly skin

Where can I find Vitamin A?

Vitamin A (as Vitamin A) is only naturally found in animal food sources, in particular

• Liver, and
• Egg yolk

However, orange and red coloured fruits and vegetables contain provitamin A.

Our bodies have the ability to convert provitamin A to vitamin A in the body.

Supplementation of vitamin A can be dangerous if not under the guidance of a healthcare professional. But one great way to get a safe and effective dose of vitamin A is through the consumption of cod liver oil.

Try:

• traditional liver pate on GF crackers
• carrot and pumpkin soup
• sweet potato and egg muffins
• scrambled eggs with oregano

#5. VITAMIN E

Why is Vitamin E helpful for dry skin?

• Vitamin E is an abundant fat soluble antioxidant found in the skin
• It’s also an essential component of sebum (our naturally produced skin oils), which acts as the protective outer coating on the skin

Where can I find Vitamin E?

• Nuts & seeds
• Whole grains
• Cold pressed vegetable oils
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Egg yolk
• Avocado
• Sweet potato…

Try:

• Snacking on a trail mix of nuts and seeds
• Avocado, eggs and rocket on GF toast with goats feta
• Using wheatgerm in your next soup, stew or casserole

#6. VITAMIN C

Why is Vitamin C helpful for dry skin?

• Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the regulation of collagen in the skin. Collagen is essential for the structure of the skin barrier itself
• One of the signs of scurvy (a condition of extreme vitamin C deficiency) is dry and rough skin

Where can I find Vitamin C?

Think colourful red, green, purple and orange foods in particular… as well as fermented vegetables.

This is why it’s important to include a rainbow of fruits and vegetables in your meals throughout your day.

Try:

• Kiwi, zucchini, spinach and raspberry smoothie
• Berries on your cereal
• Lemon juice dressing on salads
• Dips with carrots, capsicum and cucumber sticks
• A side of kimchi with your meal

#7. COLLAGEN

Why is collagen helpful for dry skin?

• Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s particularly important in providing structure within the skin
• As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen… resulting in a greater chance of developing dry skin and the formation of wrinkles
• Eating or drinking collagen boosts the body’s own collagen production, helping to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
• As mentioned above, collagen and vitamin C are a power duo. Vitamin C helps provide the foundations for collagen to build upon
• Collagen also has a key partnership with water. Collagen acts like a sponge. So the more hydrated someone is while taking collagen… the greater effectiveness the collagen will have with ‘plumping up’ the the skin.

Where can I find collagen?

Think bone broth (chicken, beef, fish) and soups or stews made with the bones or connective tissue in them (even if the bones are later removed)

You can also get collagen in powdered gelatin and collagen supplements

Try:

• Using bone broth instead of stock in your next soup or stew,
• Osso bucco
• Making a curry or stew with chuck steak

If this feels like a lot to remember, don’t worry we’ve got a handy graphic below to help… and if all else fails, it’s helpful to remember to ‘eat a rainbow’ of fruits and veggies

What makes colourful Fruit and Veggies helpful for dry skin?

Fruits and veggies contain lots of fibre, vitamins and minerals that are essential for skin health. They also contain water for bonus hydration!
(remember water is helpful for collagen’s ‘plumping’ effect in the skin)

Try:

Challenging yourself to eat every colour of the rainbow during your day. We eat with our eyes, so having a plate full of vibrant colours is a lot more appealing to our body and to our brain.

BONUS KEY FACTOR = GUT HEALTH

As always, gut health has an important relationship with our skin health.

If our gut isn’t happy, we won’t be absorbing all those lovely nutrients that we’re eating.

I love the saying… “you’re not what you eat, you’re what you digest and absorb” …and it’s so true!

Some people have digestive issues with absorbing fats… and as you’re now aware we need natural fats to help our skin maintain moisture levels

If you sometimes experience:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Explosive diarrhoea
• Fluid retention
• Stools that are light in colour and float or stick to the bowl

…it would be worth having a chat with a Naturopath or health care professional about your gut health.

Wishing you silky smooth skin!

We should provide our skin essential needs to help the skin function in its correct way. HOW? let’s dive in:

#1. OMEGA 3’S + COMPLETE OMEGA SUPPLEMENTS FOR SKIN

Why are Omega’s helpful for dry skin?

• Essential fatty acids are essential for helping skin retain moisture skin to look and feel soft and supple
• If we’re not getting enough of these omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, the skin’s barrier function becomes weakened… leading to more moisture escaping from the skin and drier skin as a result
• Taking in a balanced ratio of omega 3’s, 6’s and 9’s will have anti-inflammatory effects on the body and the skin. Unfortunately western diets with grains and vegetable oils tend to be higher in omega 6’s than 3’s
• Increasing our intake of omega 3’s from oily fish may help with the balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut. And a happy gut equals happy skin

What do we need to know about Omega supplements?

• The best source of essential omega 3’s – DHA and EPA – is in oily fish like mackerel or sardines and fish oil from these sources
• And source of essential omega 6’s for skin – GLA – is in borage oil or evening primrose oil
• Quality is important – a high quality fish oil is a must when choosing what to buy. Freshness, regular testing for mercury as well as sustainable fishing practices are all markers for quality
• Cheaper fish oil capsules can sometimes contain rancid oils that will be more pro-inflammatory than anti-inflammatory
• If you’re unsure, cut your fish oil capsule in half and smell… you’ll know if it smells like rancid oil!
• If you’re consuming fish a couple of times per week. You’re unlikely to want to ‘correctively’ supplement omega 3’s. It would be more of a ‘supportive’ supplementation for dry skin to keep it soft and supple
• Supportive supplementation – A supplement that contains both fish oil and borage or primrose oil will supply the body with the omega 3’s, 6’s & 9’s it needs to support healthy skin

How to supplement with Omega’s?

• Omega supplements can either be a soft gel capsule or in a liquid form
• Liquid is generally easier as you can take it once a day
• Capsules are generally taken a few times per day. They’re good for those that don’t like the feeling of liquid fish oil (even though many are great tasting flavours these days)

#2. COD LIVER OIL

Why is Cod Liver Oil helpful for dry skin?

• Cod liver has all the amazing benefits of Omega 3’s… plus it also naturally contains vitamin A and D
• Vitamin A is important for the creation and repair of skin cells. It helps slow the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin
• on the other hand Vitamin D helps with skin cell production and repair

What do we need to know about Cod Liver Oil supplements?

• Cod liver oil is ideal for those with dry, acne prone skin
• Quality is important – Freshness, regular testing as well as sustainable fishing practices are all markers for quality
• Also this liver oil should not be consumed by those that are pregnant or looking to conceive

How to supplement with Cod Liver Oil?

• Cod liver oil can either be a soft gel capsule or in a liquid form
• Also Liquid is generally easier as you can take it once a day
• Capsules are generally taken a few times per day. They’re good for those that don’t like the feeling of liquid fish oil (even though many are great tasting flavours these days)

#3. COLLAGEN FOR SKIN

Why is Collagen helpful for dry skin?

• Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s particularly important for providing structure within the skin
• As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen… resulting in a greater chance of developing dry skin and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles
• Eating or drinking collagen boosts the body’s own collagen production, helping to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
• Both Collagen and vitamin C are a power duo. Vitamin C helps provide the foundations for collagen to build upon

What do we need to know about Collagen supplements?

• There are different types of collagen and gelatin
• Gelatin – has the same amino acids as hydrolysed collagen, but it ‘gels’ in liquid forming a jelly (making it good for some desserts)
• Hydrolysed collagen – is soluble in liquid making it easy to add to smoothies, soups, stews and drinks
• Hydrolysed collagen can also processed in different ways to make it targeted to hair, skin and nails or to joint health
• This Hydrolysed collagen also can be ‘generalised’ making it helpful for muscle recovery and gut health
• This means that doing your research and knowing what you are wanting to achieve is critical to choosing a type of collagen
• Quality is important – Look for grass-fed
• Collagen powders that are flavourless and water soluble are very versatile
• Hydrolysed collagen can be ‘naked’ or it can have extra nutrients added (like Camu Camu for Vitamin C support or greens)

How to supplement with Collagen?

• Collagen can be a powder, or in the case of collagen targeted to skin, it can be in capsules
• AlsoCollagen powders are easily dissolved in water, juice or your favourite smoothie
• Even Collagen acts like a sponge with water. So the more hydrated someone is, the greater effectiveness the collagen will have with plumping up the skin

#4. BONE BROTH

Why is Bone Broth helpful for dry skin?

• High quality bone broth is an excellent source of collagen
• Bone broth is also a good source of hyaluronic acid which helps skin retain moisture. On a side note, hyaluronic acid is also found in many topical cosmetics, it helps hydrate skin by binding water
• Bone broth contains the amino acids glycine & proline, which are critical building blocks for healthy hair, skin & nails
• The glycine in bone broth is also extremely beneficial for the health and repair of our gut
• Without a healthy gut, we’re unable to properly absorb all the beautiful nutrients that we’re eating for our skin

What do we need to know about Bone Broth?

• Pre-made bone broth can be bought as powders or liquids
• Or you can make it yourself at home. There are plenty of recipes online to help you make it yourself
• Quality is important – Look for bone broth made from grass-fed and preferably organic bones or if you’re making it yourself, look for grass-fed bones

How to ‘supplement’ with Bone Broth?

• You can treat bone broth like an ingredient in your meals, for example you can add it when cooking soups, stews and stir frys
• Or you can enjoy it on its own with hot water as a nutrient dense warming drink (this is called a ‘brothie’ ;)) 

#5. VITAMIN C

Why is Vitamin C helpful for dry skin?

• Vitamin C plays a crucial role in the regulation of collagen in the skin and providing a supportive foundation. Collagen is essential for the structure of the skin barrier itself
• One of the signs of scurvy (a condition of extreme vitamin C deficiency) is dry and rough skin
• Also this Vitamin also helps protect skin cells from free radical damage
• It helps to rejuvenate the appearance of skin, speed wound healing and protects against early signs of ageing

What do we need to know about Vitamin C supplements?

• There are many stand alone vitamin C tablets and powders available …but naturally derived Vitamin C is generally better and causes less tummy irritation
• Best = a whole food source of Vitamin C
• Whole foods contain all of the other antioxidants, flavonoids and micronutrients needed to best absorb and utilise Vitamin C
• The best whole food sources of Vitamin C are – Camu Camu, Acerola and Kakadu Plum
• Camu Camu has the highest levels of natural Vitamin C of any food on the planet, followed by Kakadu Plum

How to supplement with Vitamin C?

• Avoid consuming more than 1000mg of Vitamin C at one time
• Split the dosing as it will be absorbed better

ou probably won’t be shocked when I tell you that, in reality, most of us just don’t get enough shut-eye. Lack of sleep is a worldwide issue that really isn’t taken seriously enough. You might think that a sleepless night will only have short-term side effects like grogginess or lack of concentration. But, as it turns out, the effects on the brain and body can be much worse.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can have detrimental long-term effects on your skin and overall health. So, let’s dive into how a lack of sleep harms your skin, some natural sleep aids, and some natural skincare home remedies.

What is sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is caused by not getting the proper amount of high-quality sleep each night. In reality, a lot of people aren’t getting the sleep that they need to perform at their best. For a healthy adult, the recommended amount of sleep is somewhere between 7 and 9 hours.

If you aren’t sure if you’re getting enough sleep, look for the tell-tale signs. In terms of your skin, you’ll know if you have a lack of sleep if you have dark under eye bags, redness in the face, or any puffiness. Other signs of sleep deprivation are moodiness, a change in appetite, or simply feeling weak or drowsy.

But when does lack of sleep (deprivation) turn into insomnia?

Sleep deprivation is not a defined illness or condition that you can be diagnosed with. On the other hand, insomnia is a serious sleep disorder that can take a serious toll on the lives it affects. Typically, you don’t choose to have insomnia, as it is something you cannot control.

So, here’s the difference. With sleep deprivation, you are prioritizing other things and putting your sleep on the backburner. When insomnia, you physically cannot fall asleep, have good-quality sleep, or sleep for long periods of time.

Why you need your beauty sleep

Lack of sleep can have some serious, and maybe even surprising side effects. The length of high-quality sleep that we get directly correlates to our skin health.

• One of the main things that will happen to your skin when you don’t get enough sleep is it will become very dry. This is because when you’re sleeping, your body is nourishing and providing moisture to your skin. When you don’t get enough sleep, the pH levels in your skin drop and your skin dries out.
• A lack of sleep can also cause signs of aging in your skin – yikes! Since you aren’t getting enough moisture, wrinkles can begin to develop. Also, your body will produce less collagen. Collagen is what produces the elasticity in your skin making your face look smooth and young.
• Another way that sleep deprivation can do damage to your skin is by darkening your under eyes. Dark circles are a common sign of sleep deprivation. But, the dark circles under your eyes can become chronic if the sleep deprivation is severe enough!
• Lastly, a lack of sleep can unbalance the water levels in your skin. This results in your face looking and feeling very puffy which is no good!

How lack of sleep harms your health and well-being

The effects of sleep deprivation don’t only present themselves in your skin, but they can do some serious damage to your overall health too! Here are some of the ways a lack of sleep can impact your health.

• Sleep deprivation can put you at risk for several diseases. Studies have proven that a lack of sleep makes your blood pressure higher. This can lead to heart disease which is the leading cause of death worldwide! Lack of sleep can put you at risk for diabetes as well.
• When you experience sleep deprivation, your memory and focus are both highly impaired – maybe even more than you think! Because of this, things like driving after a sleepless night can be highly dangerous. Some studies have even shown that drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving!
• Finally, a lack of sleep may cause weight gain. When you don’t get enough sleep, the hunger hormones in your body are elevated. This can lead to overeating and, eventually a few pesky extra kilos!

Natural sleep aids for lack of sleep

Thankfully, if you are experiencing sleep deprivation, there are some things you can do. Let’s talk about some all-natural methods for inducing sleep.

• One of the most common sleep aids out there is melatonin. Even though melatonin is in the form of a pill, it is an all-natural supplement. Melatonin is a chemical already made in your brain, so it is completely healthy to take. However, don’t make a habit of taking it too often. It is possible that if you take it too much, your body won’t respond to it as effectively.
• Lavender is another natural sleep-aid. For best results, use lavender essential oil in an oil diffuser when winding down for bed. This is a form of aromatherapy that is proven to be highly effective when used properly. Lavender makes you feel calmer and have a deeper, higher-quality sleep.
• Meditation and yoga help relax the muscles in your body, so it has shown to help you sleep as well. This is another way to fall into a deeper sleep so that you don’t wake up throughout the night.
• The last natural sleep aid that I want to talk about is magnesium. Magnesium helps activate certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for sleep and relaxation. You can either take magnesium supplements or eat magnesium-rich foods to accomplish this.

Home remedies for repairing skin health and lack of sleep

If you are a victim of sleep deprivation and your skin is struggling, don’t stress – I’m here to help! Here are some natural home remedies for repairing skin health due to sleeplessness.

• Exfoliation is one of the best ways to renew the skin, and it basically just means you’re removing the layer of dead skin cells that are sitting on top of your skin. You can do this by using a facial scrub or a face mask. A natural mask recipe is simply combining oats and honey for a calming experience that results in a natural glow. You can also create an olive oil and sugar scrub and gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin!

• Next, let’s talk about coconut oil. Coconut oil is everywhere, and people claim it fixes anything! But, it’s actually a great moisturizer for your skin. Since lack of sleep causes dry skin, coconut oil will naturally hydrate your skin and even help prevent acne!
• The last natural home remedy for skin health is aloe vera. The gel components in aloe vera help to refresh and soothe the skin. It’s also a great way to replenish your skin and give it the well-needed moisture it deserves!

Wrapping up with lack of sleep

Sleep deprivation is a serious topic that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can have some serious effects on your skin and health. With these all-natural sleep aids, you should be able to have long, high-quality sleep in no time. And if your skin has already seen the effects of sleep deprivation, try the home remedies for skin health. Overall, make sure you’re getting the right amount of sleep – your skin will thank you later!

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Healthy skin is more than just cleansing and having a solid skincare routine. In fact, there are many other factors in our lives that can affect our well-being and how radiant we look.

If you’ve perfected your face cleansing routine, then it’s time to do a quick check to see if you are undoing all your good work.

Sleep can improve our well-being and our skin

When you sleep at night, your body gives your skin some serious TLC. Getting into bad sleep habits will show on your face in more ways than those dreaded dark under-eye bags.

In fact, a lack of zzz’s means your skin isn’t getting the hydration it deserves. Sleep-time is when our body is working on re-balancing our skin to make it look healthy and glowing.  In addition, sleep helps to reduce inflammation and repair damaged skin cells.

So if you want to look naturally radiant, prioritise your sleep and let your body do the rest!

Stress

We all know how detrimental stress is to our physical and emotional well-being. But did you know that stress can be a major cause of our skin problems as well?

Too much worrying can make your skin look tired, puffy and flaky. Not to mention the pimple and acne breakouts…

However, don’t sweat it! Why not try mediation, yoga, exercise or dancing to reduce your stress levels? Not only is it a great way to get fit and  improve your overall well-being but your skin will thank you for it.

Diet Sleep can improve our well-being and our skin

Diet impacts our physical appearance in more ways than our waistlines.  A poor diet can really wreak havoc on our skin.

Too much sugary and starchy junk food creates inflammation, which can cause skin to look tired and dull. Not to mention overloading on salt – puffy eyes – not a good look!

Increasing the amount of healthy fruits, nuts, seeds and veg you eat will greatly benefit your skin. This is because of the magic ingredients they contain call ‘antioxidants’. You’ve probably heard this word before, but did you know that antioxidants help reduce skin cell damage to keep the skin looking healthy and youthful? Salad please…

Fitness Sleep can improve our well-being and our skin

If you’ve been struggling to find a reason to get yourself down to the gym, then listen to this…

Getting your sweat on actually increases blood flow to your face, which helps your skin to replenish and look radiant as toxins are carried away during this process too!

Plus, that feel good vibe you get from endorphins released during a workout can help you to combat your stress levels. Helping you to clear up those pimples and feel skin confident!

People around you

Toxic relationships, feeling stuck or depressed in our current situations can lead to stress. And we already know how detrimental that can be to our skin…

Instead, re-evaluate your friendships and how you spend your time. If you’re not happy, make changes. Whilst this can be difficult to start with, you’ll see positive results not only in your skin. Happiness and your overall well-being starts from within and shows on your face!

If you’ve seen an improvement in your skin after making a positive change to your health and wellbeing, let us know in the comments!  We’d love to hear from you!

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The last several decades have seen an increased interest in “clean” living, and being ultra aware of what we put into our bodies via the food and drinks we consume, the air we breathe, and even the medications and supplements we take—all in an effort to limit the numbers of harmful pesticides, toxins, and chemicals we ingest.

But, what about what we put on our body? Can the various personal care and cosmetic products we slather on each and every day make their way into our bloodstream, reaching our most vulnerable organs and glands within?

The answer is a resounding yes, and the implications to your health and wellness can be downright dangerous.

Through the Skin: Truly Transdermal

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, with a surface area of nearly two square meters on an average adult. Made up of two main layers—the outer epidermis and the inner dermis—our skin acts as a permeable barrier, keeping water, moisture, and nutrients in; and toxins and harmful bacteria out. However, our exterior is not a complete barrier, and chemicals that we put on it—either intentionally (think transdermal medication) or unintentionally—can penetrate into our bloodstream and adversely affect our health.¹

Transdermal absorption occurs in one of three ways: through skin cells (transcellular), around skin cells (intercellular), or directly through hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands. A number of factors influence just how permeable your skin is at any given time, including your skin’s temperature and hydration, where it is on your body, and the duration of exposure.¹

Not surprisingly, the higher the temperature, the longer the exposure, the easiest access to your bloodstream (like on your scalp, face, and underarms), and the more surface area covered, the higher the absorption rate through your skin layers and into your circulation.

Depending on what you are putting on your skin, this could be beneficial…or very detrimental.

The Downside of Absorption

If you’re relaxing in a natural hot springs renowned for its healing minerals, you want your skin to absorb as much of the beneficial compounds as it can, but for most of us, this is a rare (albeit wonderful!) special occasion.

In contrast, our daily lives are often rife with exposure to unwanted chemicals that can absorb through our skin, in everything from the water we wash up with to the personal care products we use. In fact, research shows that skin absorption can account for a whopping 64% of the daily volatile organic compounds (VOCs) we take in from tap water, such as during baths or showers!²

This means we have to take a closer look at potential chemical exposure in our daily routines. Here’s an example:

• You wake up, jump into a hot shower, and lather your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
• As you wash out your hair, the leftover product coats your entire body and you then use a different soap to clean your skin from head to toe.
• You apply shaving cream before rinsing and hopping out of the shower.
• Before you dry completely (because we all know lotions tend to absorb better on slightly wet skin), you slather lotion all over your body and let it soak in, and then swipe deodorant under your arms.
• Then, you focus on your face—cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sometimes make-up round out your facial routine.
• You massage hair product into your scalp, then use a hot blow dryer to set your style.
• Before you head out for your mid-day walk, you apply sunscreen to your face, arms, neck, and legs.
• As the day wears on, you use hand soap several times, followed by hand moisturizer to ease dry skin issues.
• As bedtime approaches, you again wash your face, and turn in for the night with a deep-penetrating moisturizer.

Before you know it, your delicate skin has been exposed to fifteen different products, all with their own lists of (oftentimes harmful) ingredients! Not only that, but you’ve incorporated several of the factors that increase your skin’s permeability, like heat, long-term exposure, and applying products near glands and over a large surface area.

Indeed, an Environmental Working Group (EWG) survey found that the average American adult uses no fewer than nine personal care products every day, encompassing 126 different chemical ingredients—and many people use far more.³

While per use exposure may be small, this chemical soup in many personal care products can build up in our bodies, leading to a distressing variety of health issues. And, in a vicious cycle, harsh chemicals strip aways oils and moisture, making your skin more permeable and vulnerable, often leading to the use of…you guessed it, even more personal care products.

The Personal Care Dirty Dozen

The David Suzuki Foundation surveyed more than 6,200 individuals to determine their exposure to 12 of the most toxic—and most commonly used—ingredients in personal care products, and the results were astonishing. Nearly 80% of products contained at least one of the “Dirty Dozen” ingredients, and over half of the products contained multiple offenders.⁴

Here’s a peek at the Dirty Dozen ingredients to avoid at all costs, and how they can harm your body:

1. BHA and BHT
These preservatives are generally used in moisturizers and makeup. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) can interfere with hormone function and may cause cancer, and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) can mimic estrogen and may cause liver, thyroid, and kidney issues.

2. Coal Tar Dyes (p-phenylenediamine and colors listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number)
Used in cosmetics and hair dyes, coal tar dyes may be contaminated with heavy metals and are recognized as human carcinogens.

3. DEA (cocamide DEA and lauramide DEA)
DEA compounds are used in shampoos, moisturizers, sunscreens, and soaps to make products creamy and foamy. High doses can lead to precancerous skin changes and even liver cancer.

4. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Mostly used in nail products and as a fragrance ingredient, DBP is a suspected endocrine disruptor, can lead to genetic mutations, can impair fertility, and may cause harm to unborn children.

5. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate)
These preservatives, which appear in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products, slowly release formaldehyde, which is a known cause of cancer.

6. Parabens
The bad boys of the ingredient world, parabens are the most widely used preservative in personal care products. Because they are able to easily penetrate the skin, parabens are especially dangerous as hormone disruptors and estrogen imitators. One particular paraben, methylparaben, is associated with DNA damage and increased skin aging.

7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
More than 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances in personal care products, but you’ll be hard pressed to figure out which ones, since companies aren’t required to list exact fragrance ingredients. These chemicals can cause everything from migraines and allergies to asthma.

8. PEG (polyethylene glycols)
Petroleum-based PEGs are often used as cream bases in cosmetics, and can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen.

9. Petrolatum
Frequently used as a moisture barrier in moisturizers and in hair products to promote shine, petrolatum may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can cause cancer.

10. Siloxanes (ending in -siloxane or -methicone)
These silicone-based compounds—used in personal care products to smooth, soften, and moisten—are endocrine disruptors, and may harm the reproductive system.

11. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Common in cleaners, shampoos, and bubble bath, sodium laureth sulfate is a foaming agent that may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which can cause cancer.

12. Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent and preservative common in cosmetics, cleansers, sanitizers, and deodorants. In addition to acting as a possible endocrine disruptor, triclosan may contribute to antibiotic resistance by wiping out beneficial bacteria. In one study, nursing mothers who used personal care products containing Triclosan had higher concentrations of the chemical in their plasma and breast milk than mothers who didn’t use such products.⁵ In another study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, researchers swabbed the noses of 90 adults and found Triclosan was present in the nasal secretions of a whopping 41% of them.⁶

What’s more, not only are all these chemicals associated with very real health risks, but they can do serious damage to one of your body’s most important defense systems: your skin microbiome. You see, within and on your skin lives a thriving community of beneficial bacteria that interact with your immune system, maintain your skin’s moisture levels, and fight off harmful bacteria that can make you (and your skin) sick.

The problem is that chemicals in personal care products can destroy these friendly flora, leaving your skin and your immune system open to threats.

What About Regulations?

So, where are the governmental recommendations? Can’t they protect us from dangerous ingredients? Unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t approve or review any ingredients or personal care products before they hit the shelves. This is in stark contrast to the European Union, which requires pre-market safety assessments and mandatory product registration for cosmetics.

Additionally, the EU bans more than 1,300 chemicals from cosmetics that are suspected to cause genetic mutations, cancer, reproductive harm, or birth defects—sadly, the FDA has only restricted or banned 11.6 And, according to the EWG, nearly 80% of the 12,500 chemical ingredients used in personal care products have never been evaluated for safety. Yikes!

As you can see, the Dirty Dozen are just a few of the thousands of dangerous and unhealthy chemicals present in skincare products. The EWG maintains a database of the ingredient labels of more than 60,000 personal care products and they’ve determined that one out of every five products contains ingredients linked to cancer, 80% contain ingredients with hazardous impurities, and 56% are specifically developed to deliver ingredients deep into the skin—further compounding the danger.⁷

This means consumers must be avid label readers, not only to look for and avoid chemicals that can directly cause health problems, but also for chemicals that can be contaminated with—or can degrade into—harmful substances.

The Valentia Difference

“First, do no harm.”

At Valentia, we believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body, and that you shouldn’t have to wonder what’s lurking in your personal care products. That’s why we’ve set out to create the world’s cleanest skincare line, using 100% natural, organic, understandable ingredients that are meant to nourish your skin and your entire body, from the outside in.

You won’t find any of the Dirty Dozen chemicals (or anything else that’s harmful or artificial!) in our products—just honest, pure, simple, and effective ingredients straight from the earth. Join us today in cleaning up your skincare routine to give your body and health the love and protection it deserves!

References:

1. Kielhorn J, Melching-Kollmuß S Mangelsdorf I. Dermal Absorption: WHO/International Programme on Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2005. Available at: http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/2006/ehc235/en/index.html

2. Brown, H. S., Bishop, D. R., & Rowan, C. A. (1984). The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. American Journal of Public Health,74(5), 479-484. doi:10.2105/ajph.74.5.479

3. Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2004). Skin Deep: A Safety Assessment of Ingredients in Personal Care Products. Retrieved from http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/2004/06/15/exposures-add-up-survey-results/#.Wba5a9OGOb8.

4. David Suzuki Foundation. (2010). What’s Inside? That Counts. A Survey of Toxic Ingredients in our Cosmetics. Retrieved from http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2010/DSF-report-Whats-inside-that-counts.pdf

5. Allmyr, M., Adolfsson-Erici, M., Mclachlan, M. S., & Sandborgh-Englund, G. (2006). Triclosan in plasma and milk from Swedish nursing mothers and their exposure via personal care products. Science of The Total Environment,372(1), 87-93. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.08.007

6. Syed, A. K., Ghosh, S., Love, N. G., & Boles, B. R. (2014). Triclosan Promotes Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization. MBio,5(2). doi:10.1128/mbio.01015-13

7. Prohibited or Restricted Ingredients. (2015, January 26). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceregulation/lawsregulations/ucm127406.htm#prohibited

8. Houlihan, J. Why This Matters—Cosmetics and Your Health. Retrieved from http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/why-this-matters-cosmetics-and-your-health/#.Wbf539OGOb8

According to https://www.self.com/

What does “healthy beauty” mean, anyway?

SELF is a health brand, which means that we approach everything we create and publish through the lens of wellness. As the senior beauty editor, I’m always thinking about how to cover my beat in a way that will serve our central mission of helping people feel better. Our brand philosophy is that feeling comfortable in your skin is as essential to living well as eating nourishing foods, getting enough sleep, or moving your body; in that sense, beauty (and all it entails) in inextricably tied to wellness.

We recognize our favorite new beauty products every year in an annual awards package. This year we renamed the awards the SELF Healthy Beauty Awards, to bring the focus back to wellness, and the many roles that beauty plays in helping people feel their best.

But what does “healthy beauty” mean, actually? With our healthy beauty package, we’re celebrating three distinct pillars of it: taking care of yourself, being an informed consumer, and expressing yourself. Here’s how we’re addressing each of those pillars.

1. Taking care of yourself

Health conditions that affect the way you look can have an emotional impact, and learning to live with and manage those health conditions and their symptoms can be an important avenue toward feeling better physically and psychologically. Beyond the more medical applications, beauty products and routines can also be tools for self-care in general—I’m talking bath bombs and face masks for relaxation, of course, although the act of taking care of yourself goes much deeper than that.

Our goal is to be a resource of accurate and expert-approved product recommendations, advice, and intel for everything from skin cancer to dandruff, and we work closely with dermatologists, cosmetic chemists, and scientists to bring you the most up-to-date, research-backed information. At the same time, we also feature stories from people living with those conditions every day, sharing their personal take on how beauty helps them feel better.

For the Healthy Beauty Awards this year, we included product roundups for people with both sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. As part of the larger healthy beauty editorial package, we’ve also published pieces about what life is like for people with various conditions that impact their appearance, including alopecia, rosacea, and eczema. We included a list of products that people swore by when they were pregnant (a condition with its own challenges!). And as one writer shares in How K-Beauty Helps Me Manage My Skin-Picking Disorder, we explore how establishing a beauty routine can be an avenue toward psychological healing.

2. Being an informed consumer

Beauty aisles are awash with products marketed as “clean” and “natural.” But how do you know which ingredients are really worth worrying about? We look at the science behind the claims to help you better understand what’s real, what’s hype, and what we do and don’t actually know.

To be clear, we’re all about personal choice when it comes to what you put on or in your body. There are a lot of lab-made ingredients out there that are super effective and safe, but if you prefer to go natural with your beauty routine, that’s a valid personal decision. Our goal is to help you make the best choices for yourself by providing you with the best information available—which includes making sure you know that “natural” doesn’t have a strict definition when it comes to cosmetics, and that it’s not synonymous with “safe” or “gentle.” That’s why all but one of the categories of awards this year don’t focus on “natural” products at all. (The one category that does—The 11 Best Natural Skin-Care and Makeup Products is for those of you who are still all about that natural beauty life, because we got you covered.) Meanwhile, read “What the Research Says About 10 Controversial Cosmetics Ingredients” to get the rundown on those scary sounding ingredients everyone keeps talking about, and hopefully feel a bit less freaked out and confused.

3. Expressing yourself

Beauty products can be remarkable and magical tools that help you to express your personal identity and style, enhance what makes you unique, and feel your best. The way you do—or don’t do—your hair and makeup is one way to help you feel most like yourself. And as beauty companies focus more on inclusivity by offering a wider range of products, more people will be able to have access to those tools that help them feel most at home in their own skin.

At SELF, healthy beauty is personal, and we’re always learning more.

Whether brushing your teeth in the morning is the extent of your beauty routine or you’ve got a 10-step Korean beauty skin-care ritual, our goal is to help you find what works best for you along this journey.

Have a specific question that you want answered? Want to see something different? We’d love to hear from you. You can reach us on Instagram, Facebook,  or via email atInfo@sezihealth.com.au

For many of us, the dream balanced diet isn’t always achievable – even if we know deep down that it is what we need for both happy skin and a happy mind. The field of nutritional psychiatry is constantly growing, meaning more studies which means more learnings. 

These learnings usually point towards the fact that our mood can be defined by our food – ever notice you’re a bit snappier when you had a bag of jellies for lunch instead of your usual soup? No judgment though, every once in a while we need a day like that. 

The brain and the skin are both organs and in this, they benefit from the same nutrients. Why? Because often, inflammation is the root of both skin problems and mood changes. A diet rich in antioxidants and probiotic ingredients (as well as the right amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) and low in foods and things that can inflame us, like caffeine, alcohol, processed foods and refined sugar, benefits both your brain and your skin. 

So – let’s do the maths – eating “clean” or as clean as you can means an improvement in both how you feel and how your skin feels, and you also feel better when your skin feels better, and your skin feels better when you feel better… A bit confusing, but essentially, looking after yourself can nearly change your life entirely.