When your skin shines, there’s no need to cover it up. This is me at 47, no make up, no filters, just my natural skin after using Grace & Balance products for four months and I feel more confident in my skin than ever.
I started Grace and Balance Skincare for the same reasons I started Balance Health Products; for me. My body was overrun by chemicals and hormone disrupters in my skincare routine. All the natural skincare products I tried didn’t work as effectively as the chemically laden ones and I had just about given up. I had decided that if I was going to have one toxin in my life, it would be my skincare. But then it occurred to me, no one should have to compromise between health and beauty.
After experiencing how something natural like CBD could work as well or better for me than a pharmaceutical, I embarked on a journey to find a skincare with the cleanest, most effective ingredients possible. When I couldn’t find it, I founded Grace and Balance Skincare.
Skincare as Self-Care
Taking a couple of minutes out of your day to take care of your skin sends a message to yourself that you’re worth it. Whether it’s our products or someone else’s, take a moment to just relax while you go through your skincare routine. Enjoy the feeling of the products on your skin. Take a moment to massage the neglected areas of your face. Just take a breath. It’s the quickest and easiest way to carve out a moment for yourself. The more small acts of self-care you do, the more you will find yourself incorporating bigger acts of self-care into your daily life.
What’s in your skincare?
Your skin is your largest organ, and since its porous, it absorbs everything you put on it. This includes environmental impurities, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, dyes and other toxins. Because the skin on your face is even thinner it’s important to take extra care when choosing products.
Simply put, what you put on your body goes into your body.
I’m partial to our products because we have what most skincare products don’t; bioavailability. Our products use the best both science and nature have to offer to make sure they are absorbed and used by the body in the most efficient ways possible. Our bodies are not familiar with things like silicone, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, dyes and other toxins. Our bodies do their job and reject these types of ingredients because they’re not natural. Our bodies have evolved alongside nature since the dawn of humanity. It’s what’s enabled us to develop into the humans we are today. Our bodies have wisdom and they recognize natural ingredients and know how to utilized them. When you’re looking for the best skincare, check the ingredients.
How to Care for Your Skin
It seems obvious, but so often we’re tired and we go to bed without washing our faces. Big mistake. Even if you’re not wearing makeup, environmental toxins, dirt, sweat and oil have accumulated on your skin throughout the day which can cause oxidative damage and contribute to collagen breakdown and wrinkles. Your skin can’t do its natural reparative process while you’re sleeping if it’s not clean. Plus, washing your face at night is a great way to send a signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.
Hot water strips your skin of natural oils and valuable moisture, leading to dry skin and breakouts. When washing your skin, use warm water to loosen up dirt and oil, but don’t make it too hot. When you’re done washing, give your face a splash of cold water. Cold water closes pores, tightens skin and improves circulation. Plus it gives your skin a temporary glow, and who doesn’t want that?
The skin on your face, neck and chest renews itself more than any other part of the body. This daily loss of skin cells leaves these areas vulnerable to dryness and premature aging. Plus cold and hot weather, air conditioning, and indoor heat can all contribute to dry and aging skin. Moisturized skin is more supple and youthful looking and less likely to develop wrinkles.
When applying creams to your face, work in an upward massaging motion rather than a downward dragging motion.
Gravity is not your friend. Don’t help it. Applying eye creams incorrectly can damage the delicate skin around the eyes causing premature wrinkles and aging. Eye cream should be applied with the ring finger of your dominant hand in a gentle tapping motion rather than a dragging motion. Never rub eye cream in. Treat your skin like it’s delicate crepe paper, not a burlap bag.
Ultraviolet light and sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging, contributing to as much as 90% of the visible changes to your skin. Sunscreen should be part of your daily routine, not just in the summer on your way to the beach. The best sunscreens have an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher. But SPF is only part of the equation since it only measures UVB rays. The PA+ system measures the amount of UVA blockage which is just as important. The PA+ system uses plus signs to indicate the level of UVA protection, the more plus signs, the better, with a maximum plus sign possibility of 5 which indicates UVA blockage of approximately 95%.
When it comes to sunglasses, the bigger the better. Dark glasses aren’t just a fashion statement, they protect your delicate eye area from premature wrinkles. Make sure your sunglasses are rated 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Drinking water flushes out toxins from the skin and body and can improve not just your skin texture, but your overall health. Water helps skin maintain its elasticity and people who drink large amounts of water are less likely to have acne, scars, wrinkles and dark under-eye circles.
Simply walking, stretching or doing yoga will increase blood flow throughout your entire body, including your skin. Increasing circulation keeps pores open to maintain fresh and healthy skin, allowing your body to send vital nutrients to your cells and help collagen production. Plus, it just gives you that natural healthy glow.