Have  you ever had issues with commercial skin care products?  Have you ever really stopped to question why nothing seems to work, or you end up changing your skin care routine on a regular basis because it seems like the products will work for while, then stop working? Could it be the skin care toxins in the products themselves?

I’m not sure about you, but for me finding commercial skin care products that I can use on a regular basis has been a challenge for me most of my life.  I remember when my mom first let me start wearing makeup.  I was so excited and I got to try a well respected “National Brand”.  It worked great for the 1st month or so then I’d start to break out when I’d use the cleansers, and the make up.   Thus began my love and hatred of makeup  and skin care over the next 30 years of my life.

You name the product I’ve tried it.  From the cheap dollar store stuff, to the high end stuff you can ONLY buy at “Needless Markups”.  It didn’t matter if it was cheap or expensive – the result was the same.   I could use it for about two months before I’d start to get a burning reaction when I used the product.  Eventually I found two product brands that I could use for six months before needing to switch.  But the longer I used the products the length of time I could use them continued to decrease to the point where I couldn’t use either product.

As a professional, I have to maintain a certain appearance when I’m working with clients, business suits, makeup, styled hair, etc.   I have to say this is one of the things I dislike the most about consulting with clients on a face to face basis in my day-to-day job.  If you don’t look the part, it doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are, people won’t take you seriously.

Chaos always wants to wear makeup like mommy, when mommy would rather go au natural when it comes to makeup.  Why?  I hate how it just sits on my face.  I feel like I’m wearing a mask, even though it does provide nice accents that highlight my eyes and smile.

Yes,  I’m vain.  I’ll admit it, especially as I get older.  Makeup & moisturizers can help hide those flaws only we see in our own mirrors.  I know I’m my own worst critic of how I look.   And oh the grey hair!!!  Shush, don’t tell anyone but I color my grey. If I didn’t it would give away my age!  As if my taste in music doesn’t already!

Recently, I came to the realization that I’m going to have to consider other options for coverage of grey hair.  The last two times I got my hair colored, my scalp burned and itched through the entire process.  Not a good sign. And a day or two after the coloring process my scalp would break out in horrible acne as well. It looks like I’ll be pursuing other options for covering my grey that won’t cause these reactions.

Ahhh the price we pay for beauty. But should we really be paying that price?  I’ve asked myself that question throughout my journey of fixing my health over the past 13  years.  And in the past couple of years I’ve tried different things and embarked on changes in how I manage my skin, as it’s the largest organ in the human body.  Over the next couple of blogs I’ll highlight some of the changes I’ve made for myself and for my family.  I’ll also provide you links to resources that can help you figure out what’s in the products you’re using.   I’ll also give you my recommendations to products I love that have improved how I take care of my skin.

Gretchen