Loving the SKIN You're In Pt. 1

This particular blog post is related directly to skin - from it's basic structure to how you can care for this very important part of your body.

[Facts marked with an ** are especially important to remember!]

Skin Basics

Your skin is your largest and most sensitive organ! It helps to keep a regular body temperature, absorbs Vitamin D, shields us from UV radiation, stores fat, stores water, gets rid of waste, sends you sensations, and constantly regenerates itself. Give your skin some thanks for always working for you and keeping you protected :)

Skin is made up of 3 layers - Stratum Corneum, Epidermis, and Dermis, or outer, middle, and inner layers. Every layer works in harmony with the rest so if anything throws it's functions off balance, it will effect all skin layers at once!

The body keeps itself soft and moist by sebum. Sebum is also located on your scalp and is HEALTHY but often scrubbed away as "dirty". We have developed this phobia of skin oils and continue to use commercial products that STOP production of sebum. Lookout for isotretinoin or "deep cleansers." (watch your shampoos too!)

When substances pass skin barriers, it ends up in blood vessels and lymph ducts in the epidermis and dermis layers. Chemicals absorbed by the body may combine with other chemicals present to create disease. Common "penetration enhancers" are any alcohols, glycols, surfactants and liposomes. **The greater the alcohol content, the deeper the solution can penetrate.

**carcinogen - agent that directly causes cancer <--remember this!

The Dangers of Products on the Market

While commercial products seem to be making a "natural" change, as with food, you should still read labels and check ingredients. I have compiled a few ingredients to look out for and keep OUT of your beauty regime.

Petroleum and Mineral Oil <-- VERY common is all cosmetics especially those geared towards African Americans. Both of these substances are clogging and do not allow skin, hair, or hair follicles to breathe. Go ahead and check your labels now, you'll be amazed at what you find!

**1,4-Dioxane - petroleum derived carcinogen. Potency is greater than pesticides!! This chemical is produced during manufacturing so it's NOT on ingredient lists. It is formed during ethoxylation.

• ethoxylation - this is a cheap shortcut that companies often take to provide mildness to harsh ingredients. This requires the use of cancer-causing petrochemical ethylene oxide (aren't these chemical names just scary?) which generates 1,4-Dioxane as a by-product.
• **Beware of ingredients ending in "eth". They most likely contain 1,-4-Dioxane

Phthalates - toxic chemicals linked to birth defects and illness; reproductive toxins

• DBP is found in nail polish
• DEHP is found in perfumes and is most often hidden under the generic word of "fragrance" (mist your clothes if you must, not your skin!)

• these chemicals are linked to hormone imbalances such as low sperm count, premature puberty, abdominal obesity, breast and testicular cancer and feminine imbalances
• located in most baby products so CHECK YOUR LABELS and aim for organic and natural alternatives. Our children may not know better but we do!

Aluminum - found in antiperspirants! Aluminum salts dry out sweat by injecting aluminum ions into the cells that line sweat ducts. When ions are drawn into cells, water flows in and cells swell, which squeezes ducts closed so sweat can't get out.

**Now I must point out that our sweat ducts, and armpits are waste shoots and help to remove unnecessary toxins from the body. Media marketing has led us to believe that sweating is a BAD thing but in reality, STOPPING the sweating is a bad thing. This contributes to breast cancer in women and Alzheimer's!

There are natural deodorants (not antiperspirants) on the market and some great ones can be found at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

[side note] I used to consider myself a "sweaty" woman but I've noticed since embracing a raw vegan lifestyle, I secrete less waste, sweat less, and if I do, It's odorless. I have found myself able to recycle work out clothes which was taboo before now. Ingesting lots of chlorophyll (green veggies) is a natural deodorant that works from the inside out.

Propylene Glycol - a common "penetration enhancer" used in cosmetics

• found in baby wipes, aircraft deicing fluid, hair dyes, and many more odd findings
• daily use of this chemical may trigger contact allergic dermatitis
• aggravates acne and eczema by rupturing cell membranes

**Remember, penetrations enhancers are ingredients such as alcohols, glycols, surfactants and liposomes. Found Commonly! Check labels!

Caring for Your Skin, Naturally

Skin gets drier as we age because it loses inter cellular lipids after 40. YOU MUST feed aging (and youthful!) skin with natural substances that resemble the skin's own oils!

Bathing: During the bathing process is when most of us unintentionally strip ourselves of our healthy oils. Have you ever gotten out of a bath or shower and felt "squeaky clean" or extra dry and dehydrated? You'll want to take note to two things; Your soap and your towel.

Take a look at your favorite soap or body wash, turn it over and check those ingredients. Do they seem as natural as you? Most likely, not. There is an ever expanding natural soap and body care industry, so there are healthy alternatives available but I prefer to stick with my natural African Black Soap. There are commercial grade "black soaps" that are actually colored black but REAL African black soap is BROWN and derives from plantain skin. Here's a picture of my remaining chunk of soap (top left). In the Raw!


Also, have you heard the joke, "What gets wet and dries at the same time?" Your towel! This thing will suck the moisture right out of you! Never use it on your face and use it sparingly on your body to make sure to leave your skin a little damp. You want to seal IN the moisture, not lock it out.



Moisturizing: After having a rough patch with my skin a few years back, I was desperate for something to end my dry/sensitive skin troubles and hives. I ditched my lotions and body creams and picked up some raw shea butter. I haven't looked back since, and my skin is as vibrant as ever. The shea butter comes directly out of a large nut and is 100% natural. It is solid at room temperature but a little body heat will quickly change that to an oil. I like to make sure my body is still a bit damp so that the shea can seal in that moisture. A little goes a long way with shea! If you like it creamier for an easier application, you can melt it down with some other healthy oils such as coconut and olive oil (organic of course!)

• Coconut oil and olive oil can also be used individually (or together w/ other oils) as a lotion replacement and are lighter alternatives to shea butter. This is especially beneficial for warmer weather where the shea butter may be too heavy.

Other healthy options for skin:
Keeping your skin exfoliated is very important so I suggest investing in some natural bath salts or a skin-brush (made from natural fibers).

• Skin brushing is typically done on dry skin (before bathing) and helps to exfoliate, improve dry skin, improve cellulite,  and increase blood circulation. The tingling sensation afterwards is amazing! Consistency is key for maximum results! This is also amazing when it's done in the sun (Vitamin D!) Find someone to do it for you for the best, and most relaxing sensation. Love yourself, brush lightly!

Here's mine! I found it at Whole Foods!

So now that you're checking what goes on the outer, please remember that what you put on the INSIDE will reflect on the outside. Fruits and veggies are sooo important for healthy skin as well as an adequate amount of water! (8-10 glasses/day) You can't consume waste via fast food, fried foods, and processed foods everyday and expect to have a beautiful, natural, glow.

You are what you eat!

Your input is your output!

As above, so below..and all that jazz!

So, this blog post has gotten pretty lengthy so I'm going to have to finish this discussion in Loving the SKIN You're In Pt. 2: Foods for Healthy Skin and Homemade Beauty Alternatives

 

-<3 Brooke Jay

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Brooke Johnson aka Brooke Jay is a Social Entrepreneur, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Wellness Coach,  for RAW! on Wheels., a DMV based live vegetarian service. 

RAW! offers Meal Plans, Juice Cleanses, Coaching, Catering, Yoga, & more! Click the link below for more info! http://www.RAWexclamation.com

Contact her directly at BJohnson@rawexclamation.com