Skin | Earth | Vitality

In this episode, Emily discusses essential oils and provides a balanced and informative discussion about their benefits and problems. She covers topics such as extraction methods, sustainability issues, and the effect of essential oils on the skin barrier. Emily also gives five things to look for when purchasing essential oils. Overall, she emphasizes the importance of using essential oils responsibly and at appropriate dilutions.

Emily’s Favorite Essential Oils, Eden Botanicals:

https://www.edenbotanicals.com/

Takeaways

* Essential oils are beneficial but should be used responsibly and at appropriate dilutions.

* Different extraction methods of essential oils have different impacts on the environment and the quality of the oil.

* The high concentration of essential oils can disrupt the skin barrier, so it's important to be aware of the potential effects.

* When purchasing essential oils, look for organic options, transparent extraction methods, country of origin, botanical names, and the specific part of the plant that was extracted.

* Hydrosols, which are byproducts of essential oil distillation, offer similar benefits without the potential disruption to the skin barrier.

Do you ever feel exhausted because you're in a constant state of trying to fix yourself or your skin? What if, instead, you enter into a space of becoming and embrace the concept of slow beauty? In this episode, Emily discusses the concept of slow beauty and the importance of shifting our mindset from fixing ourselves to becoming our true selves. She explores the influence of societal conditioning and beauty industry messaging on our perception of our skin. Emily shares practical steps for a slow beauty journey, including mindful skincare routines, changing our language, engaging in supportive lifestyle practices, and connecting with the natural world. She also emphasizes the benefits of digital detox, journaling, and meditation.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Gratitude

03:52The Energetic and Emotional Intentions of Skincare Practices

08:07The Detrimental Effects of Constantly Trying to Fix Ourselves

13:07Practical Steps for a Slow Beauty Journey

Facial massage is not a replacement for Botox; thinking it sets us up for disappointment might make us miss the magic of facial massage! I’ve spoken about the importance of facial massage in the past, but I want to lay it out there to share why it’s so important to add to your at-home skincare regimen. I also want to highlight why we shouldn't think of face massage as the second runner-up to Botox.

Check out my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY3I84QTWRiIMhsnxnd8Vmg

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Invitation to Subscribe

04:58 Understanding Botox: Paralyzing Muscles to Reduce Wrinkles

09:40 The Benefits of Facial Massage: Lymphatic Health and Blood Circulation

15:44 Emotional Release: Facial Massage as a Love Letter to Yourself

24:56 Timing and Considerations for Facial Massage After Botox

Summary

What is the impact of jaw tension on skin health? In this episode, Emily explains the causes of jaw tension, including stress, improper posture, teeth clenching, and TMJ dysfunction. Emily highlights the link between jaw tension and skin health, emphasizing the importance of circulation and lymphatic drainage for healthy skin. She also explores the impact of jaw tension on facial aging, including the appearance of jowls and dynamic wrinkles. Emily provides various approaches to relieving jaw tension, such as self-massage, stress management strategies, and herbs.

Takeaways

Jaw tension can negatively impact skin health, including inflammation, decreased circulation, and compromised lymphatic drainage.

Proper posture, ergonomics, and exercises and stretches can help alleviate jaw tension.

Self-massage techniques targeting the SCM, temporalis, and masseter muscles can relieve jaw tension.

Stress management strategies, such as breathing exercises, meditation, and using nervine and adaptogen herbs, can help reduce jaw tension.

Maintaining healthy lymphatic drainage is crucial for skin health and can be improved through self-massage and proper posture.

Jaw tension can contribute to facial aging, including the appearance of jowls and dynamic wrinkles.

Herbs like agrimony can help relax tense jaw muscles and reduce inflammation.

Breathing through the nose instead of mouth breathing can help alleviate jaw tension and improve overall well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:57 Background on Jaw Tension

03:22 Causes of Jaw Tension

07:00 Link Between Jaw Tension and Skin Health

08:23 Impact on Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage

12:01 Impact on Facial Aging

14:13 Relieving Jaw Tension: Self-Massage Techniques

20:55 Herbal Support for Jaw Tension

25:37 Posture and Ergonomics

25:44 Agrimony Tea: A Natural Remedy

27:34 The Role of Mouth Breathing

28:30 Conclusion

Summary

In this episode, Emily discusses the importance of skincare beyond products and the conventional beauty industry. She explores the meaning of SPF and the difference between chemical sunscreens and mineral sunblocks. Emily also highlights plants that provide elemental protection and shares her own thoughts and habits when it comes to the sun. She emphasizes the need for intuitive sun practices and a shift in the prevailing paradigm. The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming episode on jaw clenching.

Takeaways

Skincare goes beyond products and the conventional beauty industry.

Understanding SPF and the difference between chemical sunscreens and mineral sunblocks.

Plants like red raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil, cranberry seed oil, and jojoba seed oil offer natural sun protection.

Practicing intuitive sun habits and listening to your body's needs.

Shifting paradigms and prioritizing feminine intuition in matters of well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Skincare Beyond Products

08:15 SPF as a Drug

10:42 Chemical Sunscreens vs Mineral Sunblocks

14:16 Plants with Elemental Protection

26:01 Shifting Paradigms

31:05 Supporting the Body in the Sun

32:04 Upcoming Episode: Jaw Clenching

Summary In this episode, Emily discusses the topic of eye cream and whether it is necessary. She approaches the topic from a holistic perspective, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the body and the importance of addressing underlying causes of eye concerns. She breaks down the five main concerns people have about their eyes: dark circles, puffiness, crow's feet, hooded eyes, and red, dry or rashy skin. For each concern, she discusses ingredients that can support and ingredients to look for in an eye cream, as well as the benefits of facial massage and lifestyle modifications. She also touches on the emotional component of appearance and encourages listeners to rewrite the stories they tell themselves about their appearance.

You can find Emily’s face cups here: https://stratumaesthetics.com/collections/facial-tools/products/skin-earth-vitality-stratum-aesthetics-facial-cups?variant=40797445881991

Takeaways

* Holistic skincare considers the whole system rather than just individual parts of the body.

* Eye cream may be beneficial for specific concerns, but it's important to address underlying causes.

* Ingredients like plant peptides, niacinamide, and caffeine can support dark circles and puffiness.

* Facial massage and lifestyle modifications can also help with eye concerns.

* Hooded eyes and red, dry or rashy skin around the eyes can be addressed with massage and topical support.

* Addressing the root cause of eye concerns is essential for proper healing.

* Listen to your intuition and have intention behind your skincare practices.

* Share the episode with someone who may benefit from the information.

* Next week's episode will discuss intuitive skincare and the fear of the sun.

Chapters

00:00Introduction

00:44Eye Cream: Do I Need One?

03:48Comprehensive Perspective on Eye Concerns

06:07Rewriting the Stories About Appearance

08:09Eye Cream: Personalized Approach

10:24Proper Application of Eye Cream

11:23Dark Circles: Causes and Ingredients

15:56Hyperpigmentation: Causes and Ingredients

16:56Puffy Eyes: Causes and Ingredients

20:10Chinese Medicine Perspective on Eye Concerns

21:36Stress and Blood Pressure Connection

22:59Crow's Feet: Causes and Ingredients

25:46Hooded Eyes: Causes and Massage Techniques

28:15Red, Dry, Rashy Skin: Causes and Topical Support

32:03Conclusion

Summary

In this episode, Emily Davis discusses facial oils and moisturizers. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the chemical composition of oils and how it can affect the skin. She explains the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats and their impact on the skin's barrier function. Emily also addresses the debate around polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and tallow in skincare. She recommends using a blend of oils rather than a single oil and discusses the benefits of moisturizers. Emily concludes by encouraging listeners to make informed choices for their skin and to stay curious.

Takeaways

* Understanding the chemical composition of oils can help in choosing the right oils for your skin.

* Saturated fats provide a protective barrier for the skin, while unsaturated fats are more easily absorbed and support the skin's natural barrier function.

* The debate around polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and tallow in skincare requires nuance and consideration of individual skin types and needs.

* Using a blend of oils and a hydrosol can be an alternative to creams that contain strong emulsifiers.

* Moisturizers are important for maintaining the skin's hydration and should be the last step in a skincare routine.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment

03:18 Remembering Danna Omari

04:02 Facial Oils and Moisturizers

08:19 The Practice of Oil Application

20:06 Saturated and Unsaturated Fats

24:14 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

29:23 Debate around PUFAs and Tallow

31:42 Exploring Tallow

38:01 Moisturizers and Creams

41:29 Using Oils in Skincare Routine

42:24 Conclusion and Next Episode

Links:

https://stratumaesthetics.com/

https://susanmparker.com/

Mountain Rose Herbs Affiliate Link

Join esthetician Emily Davis as she demystifies the world of skincare through her holistic lens.

You can find Emily’s curated skincare shop online at

https://stratumaesthetics.com/

You can find her membership community rootedWELL at: https://rootedwell.circle.so/home

* Discussion Highlights:

* Tonics/Toners/Mists:

* Serve as aqueous solutions post-cleansing.

* Prepare skin for absorption of subsequent skincare products.

* Offer various benefits like hydration, clarifying, and soothing.

* Can replace serums in minimalist skincare routines.

* Hydrosols:

* Natural aromatic plant waters produced through steam distillation of plants.

* Sustainable, gentle alternatives to essential oils in skincare.

* Easily made at home using fresh/dried plant materials and basic equipment.

* Serums:

* Contain higher concentrations of active ingredients.

* Various types including retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and mushrooms.

* Considerations for synthetic versus natural sources and their effects on skin health.

* Incorporating Tonics and Serums:

* Use toner in the morning post-cleansing, followed by serum and moisturizer.

* Experiment with different tonics and serums to find what suits individual skin needs.

* Layer serums based on consistency and allow time for absorption between layers.

* Some ingredients like retinoids and less stable vitamin C derivatives are recommended for nighttime use.

Listen in as holistic esthetician Emily Davis provides valuable insights into the art of exfoliation. Discover how to reframe your approach, support your skin's natural renewal process, and choose the right exfoliation methods for your unique needs. Gain a deeper understanding of skincare that balances science with intuition for glowing, healthy skin.

Find Emily’s online curated skin care shop: https://stratumaesthetics.com/

Join rootedWELL a community for people who want to reconnect with their vitality through lifestyle practice: https://rootedwell.circle.so/home

Purchase herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs: http://aspireiq.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=24&aff_id=10151

Key Takeaways:

* Reframing Exfoliation: Exfoliation is more than just scrubbing away dead skin; it's about maintaining skin balance and barrier function.

* Skin Renewal Process: Envision your skin's renewal as layers of bricks continually renewing, aided by enzymes.

* Factors Affecting Skin Sloughing: Aging, hormones, dehydration, and stress can slow skin shedding, necessitating gentle exfoliation.

* Supporting Skin Health: Hydrate internally and topically to support natural skin renewal.

* Types of Exfoliation: Explore manual and chemical methods with caution, considering their impact on skin health.

* Choosing the Right Approach: Consider your skin type, climate, and conditions to tailor exfoliation.

* Medications and Exfoliation: Exercise caution with medications like retinoids, corticosteroids, and antibiotics, as they may interact with exfoliants.

* Mindful Skincare: Cultivate a deep connection with your skin, focusing on intuitive care rather than rigid routines.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all of the skincare products or dependent on others to guide your choices, this series is just for you. I’m here to demystify purchasing skincare and help you to make informed decisions by deciphering ingredient decks – the key to unlocking your skincare journey.

Holistic Skincare 101: Getting Started with Cleansing

Today, the focus is on cleansing, the foundational step in any skincare routine. Cleansing isn't just about removing surface impurities; it's a vital process that primes your skin, setting the stage for optimal skincare absorption. Think of it as the first step towards fostering a deeper connection with your body's largest organ – your skin.

The Importance of Cleansing:

* Removes stagnant oils, pollution, makeup, and other impurities.

* Prepares the skin for subsequent skincare products, enhancing their effectiveness.

* Allows for tactile exploration of the skin's condition, fostering a deeper understanding of its needs.

During a facial, cleansing serves as a pivotal moment for skin analysis, guiding subsequent treatment decisions.

Dispelling Beauty Industry Notions:

The beauty industry has long perpetuated the notion that our bodies are inherently unclean, fostering a sense of disconnect and reliance on products for validation. However, skincare isn't merely about conforming to societal standards but rather about nurturing our skin's health (and our mental/emotional health).

The Ritual of Cleansing:

Cleansing isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Here's what your cleansing ritual should entail:

* Clean hands and mild water temperature are essential.

* Remove makeup before cleansing.

* Apply cleanser to dry skin and gently massage, avoiding aggressive scrubbing.

* Follow up with a soft cloth for removal.

* Opt for once-daily cleansing, preferably in the evening, adjusting based on your skin's needs.

Double Cleansing: Is It for You?

While some swear by double cleansing, it's not universally necessary. Experimentation is key to determining what works best for your skin type and lifestyle.

Exploring Cleanser Types and Ingredients:

Different cleansers cater to varying skin types:

* Oil Cleansing: Suitable for all skin types, effectively removes impurities while maintaining moisture balance.

* Cream Cleansing: Ideal for dry or sensitive skin, it offers nourishing properties without stripping the skin.

* Gel Cleanser: Best for oily and combination skin, provides a lightweight, foamy cleanse.

* Clay Cleanser: Suited for oily skin, it absorbs excess oil and impurities.

* Powder Cleanser: Versatile option for all skin types, activated with water for a gentle cleanse.

* Foaming Cleanser: Generally geared towards oily skin, though may be too harsh for some due to its foaming properties.

Navigating Ingredient Decks:

Understanding ingredient decks is crucial for informed skincare choices:

* Familiarize yourself with common skincare ingredients and their purposes.

* Prioritize transparency and seek brands with clear ingredient lists.

* MY red flag ingredients are: sulfates and multiple surfactants and emulsifiers, fragrances, harsh exfoliants, and harsh synthetic preservatives.

* Consider your skin type and concerns when scrutinizing ingredient decks.

Choosing the Right Ingredients:

Look for cleansers featuring:

* Hydrosols or plant waters for gentle cleansing.

* Ingredients like honey, enzymes, and herbal infusions for added benefits.

* Biodegradable emulsifiers and surfactants to support the skin barrier.

Empowering Your Skincare Journey:

Armed with knowledge, you're now equipped to navigate the vast landscape of skincare confidently. Embrace the journey, experiment with different products, and prioritize your skin's health above all else. Remember, skincare is not just about outward appearance but also about nurturing a deeper relationship with yourself. Let this series be your guide on this transformative journey towards radiant, healthy skin.