Did you know that allergies, asthma and eczema all fall under the same AutoImmune Umbrella?

That’s right. If you have allergies, then you and your children have a higher propensity to develop asthma and eczema. 

I was 15 when I thought I was having an allergic reaction to an eye cream. I stopped using it and it when away; so I assumed it really was the eye cream. 

Eventually it came back. And it started to spread to my eyelid. So I stopped using the eyeshadow base. Must be that too, right? Nope. It was the beginning stages of eczema….. and truthfully the continuation of more autoimmune issues for me. I grew up with multiple allergies and bronchial asthma. .Although my asthma could be triggered by allergy, exercise, emotions, when it was under control, what I called those pesky allergic reactions would express themselves in other forms, like rashes, hives and eczema.

You see, Eczema starts in the GUT. It’s notarially a skin problem, it’s a gut problem. By the time a problem shows up on your skin, you’ve had an imbalance in your gut for a while. (Oh if I only knew then what I know now!)

Are you one who has “sensitive skin”? Then stay tuned for next Friday’s post to learn more on what you can do to get in front of it!

Shopping Stress

Definitely not enough staff in the stores these days, but the managers tell me that they cannot find people to hire so……who knows? I shop at three different stores for what is on sale, so I often make three trips, I can do that because I have a car.  If another store offers a special price on one of my staple items, I may need to make a fourth store visit. 

But when I shop for my cleaners, personal care items, vitamins supplements), I head to my online wholesale shopping club  as it has the best quality and  prices and I don’t have to drive. Plus, I now get my beef from this club too!  I order online and it is delivered right to my door.  

What do I get?
I get hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grass-fed, premium beef.. 
Non-toxic, safe, effective cleaners and high-quality personal care items.
Effective high-absorption supplements, snacks and superfoods.
All with amazing customer service.
Am I grateful? YES! YES! YES!

Do you want to join me? 

Solutions for those Bags & Sags around the Eyes

Yesterday we talked about what can cause eye bags. Now we know what causes them, here are some simple solutions to reduce those bags under our eyes:

Tea Bags: The caffeine in the tea contains powerful antioxidants and may increase blood flow to your skin. It’s also said to protect against UV rays and potentially slow the aging process.

Cold compresses: Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.

Hemorrhoid creams: Some people pat over-the-counter creams designed for hemorrhoid treatment under their eyes. Product ingredients such as phenylephrine narrow blood vessels to reduce swelling. But use these products with caution: They may cause irritation in this sensitive area. Also, it’s important to keep this medication from getting in your eyes.

Use a Neti Pot: A neti pot is a device you fill with a saltwater (normal saline) solution. You place the spout in your nose and irrigate your sinuses, removing mucus and other debris.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to under-eye bags. Upping your water intake should help.

Take an Antihistamine: Allergies can cause puffy, dark circles under your eyes. You may also experience redness or watery, itchy eyes. This reaction is caused by your immune system’s response to something that irritates it, or allergens.

Use an Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover: Using oil based eye makeup removers can create film in the eye and swelling underneath the eye.

Sleep with Your Head Elevated: Elevating your head helps to prevent the pooling of fluid in your lower eyelids that creates puffiness while you sleep.

Of course, not smoking, reducing your salt intake, taking antioxidants, etc all help to improve that area around our eyes!

Under Eye Bags…Oh No!

One of our members asked what do I recommend for under eye bags.

Well, before you rush and go purchase some expensive eye care product with a million claims, it’s always important to look at the root cause.

WHY do we get bags under our eyes?

SLEEP ISSUES: When you sleep, fluids settle in the tissue beneath your eyes. Getting too little sleep can cause your blood vessels to leak and mix with those fluids, leading to dark circles.

ALLERGIES/SINUS PROBLEMS: In addition to stuffing up your nose, allergies cause swelling in sinus tissue, which can appear as puffiness under your eyes.

TOBACCO USE: The nicotine in tobacco disrupts your natural sleep patterns, which can cause fluids to collect beneath your eyes. Smoking also produces substances that break down the elasticity of the skin and the collagen that helps keep skin firm.

ALCOHOL USE: Although alcohol is a liquid, it dehydrates the body. When you are dehydrated, the skin under your eyes becomes flabby and weak, causing bags to form.

AGING: As you age, muscles and tissues weaken, and the fat that naturally supports the eyes can sink to the area beneath your eyes, making them appear swollen. Fluids can also collect in the area.

EATING SALTY FOODS: Your body retains fluid when you eat salty foods. One of the places these fluids collect is beneath your eyes.

NOT REMOVING MAKEUP: If you don’t remove makeup before going to sleep, it can irritate the tissue beneath your eyes, causing it to swell.

TOO MUCH SUN: Sun exposure can damage skin cells and the collagen that keeps the skin beneath your eyes firm.

HEREDITY: Some people are simply prone to having under-eye bags because it runs in the family. If your mom or dad had them, chances are you will too.

Tomorrow, we will look at some solutions for bags under our eyes!

Sun Valley Hand Wash

After working on a particularly dirty job, or even when my hands feel dusty, I reach for my Sun Valley Hand soaps because I love the smell and the way they clean my hands,

Did you know that Sun Valley Hand Washes Powered by Sol-U-Guard Botanical Wash Away the Competition!

They are the only hand soaps in the world that use the power of Sol-U-Guard Botanical’s thyme oil and citric acid to effectively wash away dirt and germs. Unlike many other brands, these products have no parabens, no formaldehyde, and no phthalates. But that’s not where the difference ends…with glycerin and aloe, they also leave your hands feeling softer after every wash.

That’s why Sun Valley Hand Washes Powered by Sol-U-Guard Botanical are such great products for families and anyone who wants clean healthy hand cleaners.

Winter Skin

As winter kicks into high gear, we need to remember to keep our skin from withering under the harshest of elements. The dropping temperatures outside and rising thermostats inside sap the amount of moisture in the air—and our skin is first to notice the fluctuating temps and humidity.

Here are a few recommendations to help keep skin hydrated throughout the winter. When the chill sets in, avoid the temptation to take those long, luxurious, hot showers. The heat strips skin of its natural oils (called ceramides) and causes inflammation. The hot shower also causes the skin cells to swell, so, when they dry, they become loose and crack. Instead, take shorter, lukewarm showers and use gentle cleansers. Harsh soaps with surfactants and claims of pH balance can be harsh on the skin—and don’t scrub! Be tender and let the water and lather do the work.

If you have dry, cracked skin, look for a cream or ointment with light petrolatum, allantoin, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides – the natural fats that bind the skin cell tiles.

After bathing, pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Rubbing causes more irritation and inflammation. With the door closed to keep the humidity in, add a moisturizer. When dressing, wear layers. The closest layer should be made of natural fibers. Soft fabrics like flannel and cotton cause little to no irritation compared to synthetic materials. Layers also are more effective against cold weather.

Winter skin relief comes many forms. Our skin needs hydration at night, too. Adding humidity to the air with a cool mist humidifier will not only hydrate your skin but will also provide a more restful sleep.