Hello Kefir, Goodbye Acne

Those of you who have acne may have already figured out that the gut and acne are closely correlated. Research has shown that many people suffering from acne have also been suffering from gastrointestinal distress. Stress may be a factor in this as well, since stress causes a disruption in the normal function of our intestinal health. Unfortunately, many treatments for acne can also cause this issue to heighten.  Birth control pills are often prescribed to those who are suffering from hormonal acne (usually those who have adult acne will use this as a treatment) or oral antibiotics; which both disrupt the flora in our intestines causing stomach discomfort and eliminate the good bacteria that keep our bodies functioning at the best of its ability. This affects our skin because the good bacteria in our gut prevent skin inflammation and it also stands for the opposite.

If you’ve ever been treated for acne at an acupuncturist, you will notice that they don’t come anywhere near the face or where the acne resides. Instead they insert their needles where the gut is, because that is most likely where the infection is coming from.

THE GOOD NEWS: KEFIR

The first time I saw kefir I almost couldn’t bare the thought of ingesting it. It resembles the thickness of heavy cream and yogurt. It’s thick and creamy and doesn’t look at all appetizing. For those of you who are wondering why Kefir could help acne when most dermatologists and estheticians tell you to avoid dairy, well this is completely different. Kefir is actually not necessarily considered dairy. The probiotic content is so powerful that is breaks down the dairy and acts as a high-powered yogurt. The probiotics in the kefir will help restore the good bacteria in our gut and take down the inflammation in our intestines, which is showing on our face. YUCK. Within days of drinking this you will see a considerable difference in the appearance and texture of your skin. Your complexion will be more vibrant and soft and glowy and you will want to buy it by the gallon and bathe in it you will love it so much. Be sure to buy the plain kind. Do not get the flavored versions they are packed with sugar and in my posts below I’ve discussed how terrible sugar is for people suffering with acne or any skin or health condition. Since this is such a thick, “yucky” looking drink I’ve come up with the perfect concoction to incorporate it into your everyday schedule, and it tastes amazing!

The Recipe

• ½ cup almond milk (unsweetened)
• ½ cup Kefir
• 1 frozen banana
• handful frozen mangos
• handful frozen blueberries
• 1 tsp agave or natural honey
• Blend and enjoy!

If you have a hard time blending this because it’s too thick you can add a little bit of water or home brewed unsweetened organic green tea, cooled (decaf). If I decide to drink this after a workout I add some peanut butter or protein powder and it’s a great boost.

Educate Yo Self

I wanted to share some really awesome youtube channels/websites/blogs/books I have come across over the past 2 years that have not only helped me clear my skin but have had a huge impact on my thinking and my lifestyle and I highly recommend all of them to you if you are struggling with the same issues or just need to adjust your life to a healthier way of living or thinking. They have some really helpful videos even just about new yoga poses or some really great recipes. 

The first one, I really really swear by. http://www.epicbeautyguide.com/ she also has a youtube channel which you can find if you look up epic beauty guide.

I actually downloaded the book she had written about holistic skincare and lifestyle. She has cleared up her acne mainly by her diet and some all natural skincare routines. Her dietary information is extremely informative. I learned a ton about nutrition that I really thought I knew but didn’t actually know the accuracy or the truth about a few things. She also talks about the zones of the face that your acne has resided and what it means in the body. It makes it a lot easier to treat when you know the underlying cause and dermatologists and other doctors don’t usually ever get to the root of the problem they just topically treat it or they medicate you with antibiotics and other harmful medications, that in turn actually wind up causing more harm on the body and on your skin. She also has a youtube channel as well as a blog.

The Second one I want to tell you about is High on Health. http://www.highonhealth.org/

Fran also has a youtube channel and a book. I have no read her book because it has a ton of the same information from what I have heard about it as Stephanie from epic beauty so I decided to stick with one set of info. Sometimes when we oversaturate ourselves with too many things dealing with the same issue we actually become overwhelmed, confused and wind up over treating or hurting ourselves by shocking our bodies with too much of something or not enough of something else. So it’s important to take all information with a grain of salt. Find out what is best for you and what works best with your body. Fran uses a few methods that aren’t 100% holistic. She does use antibiotics on occasion. It’s all up to you and what you are comfortable with.  I really love all of her videos and her accent makes them even more interesting and fun to listen to J

The third one I have the most connection to for my own lifestyle. I find that a lot of her principles as far as caring for her skin and her diet and her lifestyle, exercise and even the books she reads and the way she thinks about the world, are very similar to my own beliefs. I love her videos and her blogs.  I hope you find them as great as I do. You can find her blog/website at http://www.thelovevitamin.com/

Her youtube channel and videos are also listed on her site I believe. She swears by Manuka Honey as do I, and I just tried my clay mask by Plantogen with a little Manuka oil and apple cider vinegar, followed by a Manuka honey mask with cinnamon and my skin feels so soft and not dehydrated at all which is a nice change since it’s been flakey and dry this winter. I find it is the hardest to control my acne when my skin is dry because when our skin is dry our body thinks that it needs to produce more oil, which actually causes an overcompensation of oil, clogging your pores and leaving your skin a slippery, bumpy mess. So the manuka keeps my skin in check, I don’t really need too much moisturizer after it either which is nice, because I don’t always like to use moisturizer. It is extremely important that you wear it though, especially if you have acne prone, oily skin for those exact reasons I listed above. If you dry out your skin, you are actually creating more of a problem. Just make sure the moisturizer isn’t packed full of synthetic ingredients, preservatives or pore clogging oils etc…  

An etsy site that I absolutely adore, even just to browse through is skin apotheke. I use the ubtan face scrub. It has neem, turmeric, Ashwagandha root.  There are a lot of homemade all natural organic serums, lotions, scrubs etc… They are really great and I love the packaging. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Zria?page=1

enjoy :)

Manuka Honey!

I would consider Manuka Honey a miracle product. Actually, it's not even a product it's a food but one of the best findings I could have come across, thanks to the Plantogen Sales Rep at my school. As soon as she saw my skin, she couldn't wait to get her hands on me. I was skeptical, as I usually am with my skin because I have tried every single thing under the sun to get my cystic acne under control. It has been a nightmare. An extremely expensive trial and error process as well as emotionally draining. But I have her to thank times a million. Immediately after the first application I saw a dramatic difference. The inflammation, and redness had gone down by 50% and I was ecstatic.

Manuka Honey is not the typical honey you would find in a supermarket. It's actually not even from a bee. It's from a manuka honey bush that are usually found in australia or new zealand.  It has antibiotic and inflammatory properties that have actually healed extreme cases of decay and fungus that people have had on their skin, from surgeries, healing wounds etc.. Which is why I like to think of it as a miracle. It unfortunately is the most expensive honey you will ever come across, but each honey pot has a different percentage of active ingredients. Obviously, the higher the percentage the better the results, but every bottle is different so be sure to read the labels. 

Manuka Honey is not the only miracle I want to tell you about. The plantogen line is amazing! The combination of both plantogen and manuka honey has literally changed the entire course of my skin. I don't have a single cyst on my skin. All the inflammation and bumps are completely gone and now the scar and hyper-pigmentation is the next battle. But I would never be up to this point if it weren't for both of these products.

My routine is pretty simple. I use the plantogen combination/oily skin cleanser with my clarisonic mia at night. Then I usually follow it up with the Plantogen geothermal mask, after that has dried I gently wash it off and follow it with the manuka honey. I scoop out a very little bit, about a half of a teaspoon. A little goes a long way and this stuff weighs heavy on your pocket so make sure you keep a light hand. I apply that to a dry face in a thin layer covering all the areas that need it the most. The geothermal mask draws all the impurities to the surface and the manuka honey kills the bacteria and takes down the inflammation. The team of the two works amazing! After I wash the manuka off (about 30-40 mins later) I apply the vitamin c serum to a dry face and then the combination skin lotion both from Plantogen. I have been using this routine for about 5 months mixed with salicylic acid peels and glycolic acid peels and I see a huge improvement. If nothing else, purchase the manuka honey. It will be the best money you have ever spent. And since you try everything else under the sun to clear up your skin, why not try one that actually is proven to work and is all natural and pure.

Good luck :)

Organic Skincare

For the past few months I have been facing a difficult battle with my skin. Which I mostly thought was due to stress since I have had an extremely difficult and emotional year but that has only been one factor in a number of underlying issues. Which led me to a lot of research, discovery and experimenting with products, nutrition and speaking to a lot of Naturopaths, Dermatologists, and Aestheticians and reading a great deal on the internet from people who took the holistic approach rather than treating it cosmetically, which in turn is for temporary relief and doesn't get to the root of the problem.

In my discovery, I have gone through an obscene amount of products and spent a great deal of money testing things and becoming overzealous trying to treat and fix everything immediately which actually worsened my condition and caused more of an issue but I believe you learn a lot from your mistakes.

I wanted to share my discoveries with some of you in case they can be of any help to anyone that maybe suffering from the same issues with their skin or even have an occasional breakout here and there. Having poor skin can be really damaging and can cause a lot of isolation, depression and emotional suffering. The most important thing to remember is that it will eventually go away and even more importantly YOU ARE STILL AN AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL PERSON despite the skin issues you see when you look in the mirror. Try to keep a positive outlook as hard as it can be sometimes this will definitely help in your aid to recovering the beautiful healthy skin below the surface :)

One of the greatest things I've learned is that acne or skin issues stem from a number of things disagreeing with our bodies amongst all the other oil/bacteria/clogged pores etc... It is extremely useful to be aware that our diets and our lifestyles 100% play a role in all of it. If you've ever heard the expression "you are what you eat" well this is true especially when speaking about the skin. What we put in our mouths will/can effect your appearance and skin conditions. Everyones bodies react differently, so what can be causing one persons issues may not at all effect some one elses but it's important to experiment with your diet and find out what allergies or what foods can be inflaming your skin. Below is a list of foods and tips that you should avoid or try for a trial period of 4-6 weeks. Depending on your medical background you should always check with a doctor before making any changes to your diet. You may find that eliminating them one at a time for a week or two might be helpful to find out what food maybe causing the concern. Wheat and dairy are a big issue for some people dealing with acne since many people seem to have an allergy to one or both. You may even want to get some allergy testing done before or after you change your diet to see if some thing else can be avoided or if you are avoiding the correct food.

Helpful Tips

Sugar 
Eliminating sugar is extremely important in clearing up your skin. Cookies, cakes, breads, anything white in general will definitely play a role in inflaming your skin and causing you to break out. If you have a sweet tooth try replacing sweets with a healthy fruit smoothy made with almond milk, an organic apple and some raw almond butter or any other combination of a fruit low on the glycemic index and either water or almond milk. Do not use soy milk or any dairy products which I will address later on.

Wheat
Wheat has been known to be a huge allergen in our digestive tracts. Our digestive tracts have a big effect on our bodies, including our skin. It effects the amount of nutrients our body absorbs and it can also cause a great deal of skin aggravation if our bodies do not agree with wheat. Try to limit the amount of grains you consume as well. Things like cereals, oatmeal and other grains like couscous or quinoa. I do eat Brown rice and Quinoa on occasion and oats a few times a week - make sure it is the close cooked oats.

Dairy 
Dairy is extremely important!!!! not only is it rich in fat it also contains a male hormone androgen which can lead to an imbalance of hormones especially if your acne stems for hormonal issues to begin with (based on the chin and jawline). It is crucial to avoid all cheese, eggs, milk, sour cream, cream cheese and butter. Do not use soy substitutes either. Try replacing butter with olive oil and if you must eat eggs make sure they are organic, grass fed, local farm raised which means they are free of antibiotics, added hormones and pesticides which can cause a number of problems in the body.

Meat
I have never been much of a meat eater, even when I was younger I used to hide my steak in my napkin and flush it down the toilet when no one was looking so this came naturally to me being a veg for almost my entire life, cutting out meat again was a no brainer. This is really about preference. Eliminating meat all together is up to you, if you choose to stick with the meat try to cut back on your intake of red meat and chicken and always make sure they are organic, grass fed and local farm raised!

Increase your greens 
Eating greens have amazing effects on your skin your bodies overall. It aids in repairing the skin and giving it a really healthy glow. It's also full of nutrients, minerals and antioxidants that are crucial to getting your skin back on track.

Increase your omegas 
Although I don't eat any animal fat I do in fact eat wild fish such as salmon etc... These are full of omegas and good fats that are really good for the skin and are a great source of protein if you aren't eating meat. I also take a supplement of Omega 3/6/9 which helps support your skin and immune function. I also try not to eat too many nuts, seeds or avocados which are high in omegas but can also have reverse effects on your skin if you consume to many. If you have a huge craving for some nuts only have a handful. I do have raw organic almond butter for lunch or breakfast on millet bread which is made from millet flour as well as zucchini flour or Ill have a tsp or 2 of it with an organic apple or in a shake.

Get your but in gear 
Exercise is key to clearing up your skin. Not vigorous amounts but about 45 mins to an hour of exercise a day is vital to get your circulation moving in your body and to release all the toxins that are causing your skin conditions. I suggest doing yoga, walking with a friend or riding your bike.

Hydrate
If there was only one tip I could give you to clearing up your skin, this would be it. Drinking a ton of water is absolutely the most important thing you will need to do to release the toxins in your body, to flush your system and to hydrate your skin. Especially after you exercise and if you live in colder climates 1-2 liters a day. If you drink a lot of herbal teas that also counts but make sure they are caffeine free. I also loooove coconut water, it's extremely hydrating and has a lot of potassium which is a lot better for you than the sodium packed sports drinks that are full of artificial ingredients and coloring.

Caffeine 
This was one of the most devastating changes I had to make in my lifestyle. I was a coffee junkie, I lived at starbucks, I still dream of my vanilla lattes which are now a recipe for disaster. However I have become extremely fond of tea! Eliminating caffeine from your diet will be very beneficial. Caffeine actually stimulates the stress hormone in our bodies which can cause our oil glands to act up and release more oil, pore clogging gunk. So stick to ORGANIC decaf green tea, yogi is my favorite they have a number of different kinds, I like the detox one too. Make sure it is organic green teas especially have a lot more pesticides than any other tea.

Alcohol 
This is a difficult one as well. Especially after a stressful day of work or a bad week there is nothing better than releasing a little steam with a cold beer or a glass of wine :) But beer and wine contain a few ingredients that can cause a lot of stress on our organs, skin and digestive system. For starters beer contains wheat, barley and yeast which are all terrible for your skin. Especially since a lot of acne can be caused by an over production of yeast in the body and allergens to wheat not to mention alcohol can cause an overproduction of oil and reck havoc on our sleep. Wine although it is packed with antioxidants in small quantities, it does contain a lot of sugar. So drink on occasion and in small amounts. No need to pray to the porcelain gods.

Pro-biotics
Or if you don't already take them you should go to your local health store and ask them what they suggest will be most helpful to you. A pro-biotic is a supplement that replaces the good bacteria aka flora in our intestines. This aids in immune system support, is really great for your digestive system and will help your skin. If your condition is caused by yeast than this is definitely beneficial to you!

Supplements
A lot of Dermatologists recommend vitamin A and B6 to aid in clearing your skin because it effects the oil production in our glands, however taking large doses of these vitamins can be extremely toxic to our systems and cause dangerous effects on our kidneys and liver. It is better to take a water soluble vitamin such a beta carotene which is a derivative of Vitamin A but even in excessive amounts can not be toxic. I take a few different things, vitamin c, vitamin d3 1000 mg, and sometimes a beta carotene. I also take a supplement from Eminence skin care for clear skin which contains two different pro-biotics, zinc and borage seed oil which works together to reduce acne and calm the skin. I love all eminence products. They are all organic and all natural and have a number of different products for whatever skin condition pertains to you.

You may also want to speak to a Naturopath that can come up with a few blends of herbs that can regulate your hormones or clear up your skin. Make sure they have a good reputation and have been in the business a long time and always research the herbs before you take them, make sure you don't mix them with certain medications that can be harmful.

These changes may be the slower approach then taking antibiotics or Acutane or skin topicals but having patience and sticking with it will definitely give you the results you are looking for. I chose to do this method bc I really believe that antibiotics can do more harm then good, they can destroy your digestive system and build up yeast in your body which can cause a lot of other problems along with skin conditions and acutane is extremely dangerous as well as harmful chemical topicals that strip the skin of its natural oils and use harmful ingredients such as parabens and synthetic ingredients. These are all cosmetic fixes to the skin and they are not curing the problem but rather temporarily treating the external condition and not the internal.

If you feel that you still want to use those other methods that is fine, to each there own, but you should still incorporate these natural methods so that when you stop whatever cosmetic fix you are on that the cause of the issue is still being addressed.

As far as skin care is concerned, there are so many products on the market, each one effects everyone differently. I personally had a bad reaction to a lot of the all natural products I tried mainly because I switched my entire routine at once. One suggestion in changing your skin cleansing routine is to keep it simple and to also incorporate one new product at a time. DO NOT change everything at once. Your skin will go into shock and can have opposite effects, causing inflammation and more breakouts. I find that a gentle organic cleanser and moisturizer (yes it's ok to moisturize if you have acne prone skin as long as it has no skin clogging/synthetic ingredients). A product I'm obsessed with and highly recommend is the organic Ubtan Clarifying Face Scrub by Skin Apotheke. It comes in a powder that you mix with water. It's really good for gentle exfoliation and if you are using other harsh products on your skin that are drying and cause your skin to flake then this is a really good product for you. Also contains neem which is great for clearing up skin!

Well I hope these are helpful.. good luck and smile :)