At 39 years old, I’ve finally found the solution to my adult hormonal acne troubles, but it wasn’t an easy road. For more than 6 years, I sought help from conventional doctors, naturopaths, dermatologists, and countless other healthcare professionals, but nothing seemed to work. Even the “proven” prescriptions like tretinoin fell short. It was at the point of accepting my fate that a glimmer of hope appeared.

Over the past nine months, I’ve made gradual changes that have reduced my acne breakouts by about 90%. Join me in this video as I share my personal story of holistic health and healing for my acne-prone skin.

One crucial component of my holistic health journey has been therapeutic vitamin C supplementation.

Vitamin C is not only an essential nutrient but also a potent antioxidant that offers numerous benefits for acne and overall health. Discover how to determine your body’s individual vitamin C needs and learn about therapeutic dosages by researching “vitamin C bowel tolerance.” I personally use Nutribiotic Pure Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Powder and incorporate it into my daily water intake. Remember to use glass cups or jugs, as vitamin C doesn’t interact well with plastic or metal.

I’ve also found topical vitamin C serum to be highly effective.

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum, featuring sodium ascorbyl phosphate, has become a popular skincare product for addressing acne-related concerns. It not only inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria but also neutralizes free radicals and promotes collagen production, aiding in scar healing and achieving a more even skin tone.

Another fascinating element of my holistic approach is the use of colloidal silver.

This liquid suspension of tiny silver particles exhibits antimicrobial properties, combatting bacteria associated with acne breakouts. By reducing inflammation and preventing new acne lesions, colloidal silver helps maintain clearer skin. I personally apply a thin coat of colloidal silver on my face before the vitamin C serum in the morning, and again at night. It’s been a beneficial addition to my skincare routine, contributing to fewer breakouts and surface-level pore infections.

Additionally, I’ve explored orthomolecular therapy, which emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and supplementation.

After witnessing the positive impact of vitamin C on my skin, I realized that other nutrients might be missing from my diet. “The Vitamin Cure for Women’s Health Problems” book by Helen Saul Case became my guide, offering valuable insights into utilizing vitamins and minerals to address various health concerns specific to women. By following the recommended vitamin regimen for PMS (premenstrual syndrome), I experienced significant improvements in the clarity of my skin and relief from other PMS symptoms that had plagued me for years.

I use this vitamin organizer.

In this video, I also dive into the essential role of gut health in healing acne.

The connection between the gut and the skin is undeniable, as the gut microbiome influences immune response, inflammation levels, nutrient absorption, and toxin elimination. By maintaining a healthy gut through a balanced diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes, we can reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and optimize nutrient absorption and toxin elimination, ultimately benefiting acne healing.

Join me on this transformative journey of holistic health and holistic living as I share my personal experiences, recommendations, and the resources that have helped me achieve healthier, clearer skin.

Together, let’s embrace a holistic approach to health and skincare, unlocking the power of internal and external well-being for radiant skin and overall wellness. Don’t miss this eye-opening video that will change the way you think about acne treatment and empower you to take control of your health.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This video outlines my personal story of healing acne, including my successful experience with natural remedies. This is not meant to be medical advice.

The post Holistic Health Path to Clear Skin – Healing Adult Hormonal Acne appeared first on GR Healthy & Beauty.

Mad Hippie skincare has always piqued my interest. But I’ve been using a prescription retinol cream called Tretinoin for a few years. So, I’ve steered clear of over-the-counter face creams and serums for a while.

But I’ve decided to take a break from Tretinoin and pursue more natural alternatives. I finally decided to give Mad Hippie a try. I’ve tested out 5 of their products:

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin A Serum

AHA Exfoliating Peel

Hydrating Nutrient Mist

Eye Cream

Now, anytime I talk skincare, it’s always going to be in the context of acne-prone skin…

Because I have acne-prone skin.

I’ve gone through periods of time where my breakouts were really bad. There have also been periods of time when my skin’s been clear. But the fact is, I have acne-prone skin and I’m always working to avoid or heal breakouts.

Please note that I do not believe any skincare product will cure acne.

While there are topical and environmental elements that cause breakouts, true chronic acne stems from internal issues. This includes stress and hormone imbalance, gut health, food sensitivities and the like. I’m not a doctor. I’ve just seen this in my own research and personal acne experience.

Even tretinoin, which is the gold standard topical acne treatment, never stopped my breakouts. It heals pimples and red spots fast so there’s less build-up of blemishes. But my skin still broke out regularly until I figured out what was going on internally.

All that said, we can absolutely take care of our skin topically while we heal acne from the inside out. Clean, conscious skincare is a great way to do that. So, I’m excited to be trying out Mad Hippie!

Mad Hippie skincare is a clean beauty line.

Clean beauty is so important to me. Opting for prescription Tretinoin was a last resort. But in all other cases, I look for clean, natural, non-toxic products. And I often use the EWG Healthy Living App to verify safety.

So, Mad Hippie skincare is a clean beauty brand. They built the company on the notion that “natural skincare can be every bit as effective as traditional”. They say, “Parabens, synthetic fragrance, dyes, petrochemicals, PEGs, SLS and other nasty additives aren’t necessities. In fact, they have no place in the products we, and those we love, put on our bodies.” 

This all sounds great and makes me eager to give Mad Hippie skincare products a try.

However, there are many natural, non-toxic products that my skin hasn’t reacted well to. In fact, I tend to be very minimalist in my skincare routine. I don’t like mainstream products that have harmful chemicals. And at the same time, many natural products also irritate my skin.

I was very curious to see how my skin would respond to Mad Hippie. Watch the video for a complete rundown of my experience testing out these 5 products.

Spoiler Alert: Mad Hippie skincare products have been very gentle on my skin.

In fact, they’re exceptionally soothing and calming. I’m always so excited to find a skincare line that’s safe, effective and non-irritating. The last product line I reviewed, Amazon Aware, is great in these ways, too. It’s currently my go-to beauty brand for face cleanser and face moisturizer.

OK, so let’s dive into each of the 5 Mad Hippie skincare products I tested out.

Vitamin C Serum

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is a powerful mix of antioxidants. It’s meant to help improve the overall appearance of your skin – including a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and skin discoloration.

It’s made with a stable form of vitamin C and is accompanied by Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid. That’s double the antioxidant protection. Other powerful ingredients in this serum are Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring substance that can help increase the plumped-up look of the skin – and Konjac Root Powder – which helps to soften and smooth the skin while forming a thin protective barrier.

This serum is perfect for acne prone skin because the ingredients are soothing and non-irritating. It’s intended for morning application, after you wash your face and before your moisturizer and make up. You may also apply it a second time at night if you’re not already using another serum.

Vitamin C Serum is great for daytime use because it’s full of antioxidants.

Vitamin A Serum

Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum contains a new form of vitamin A that is significantly more bioavailable than retinol. Other key ingredients include vegan sourced ceramides & sodium hyaluronate, oat beta glucan and aloe vera.

The Vitamin A Serum is jam packed with goodness for your skin and is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and discoloration. It helps to reveal more youthful looking skin. It also hydrates, soothes, nourishes and protects.

This serum is best after nighttime cleansing. Just apply a drop of serum into your hand and massage into the skin. A few minutes after the serum dries, you can apply your nighttime moisturizer.

AHA Exfoliating Peel

This AHA Exfoliating Peel is a brightening alpha hydroxy acid-based serum. It’s meant to help you shed dull skin and reduce the appearance of skin discoloration, blemishes and age spots, while smoothing texture & wrinkles. This exfoliating peel is full of antioxidants thanks to ingredients like goji berry and Apple stem cells. Other impressive ingredients include Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Gigawhite. (Gigawhite is a blend of organic alpine plants that are extremely effective for evening skin tone.)

The AHA Exfoliating Peel is an alternative to the Vitamin A Serum. You don’t want to layer these products. But you can use them on alternating nights before bed. Like the Vitamin A, nighttime is best for this serum.

With the exfoliating peel, you’re going to apply a small amount to your face and neck after cleansing. You can follow with a moisturizer once it dries – usually in 5-10 minutes. Keep it on overnight and then wash your face in the morning before you start your day.

Hydrating Nutrient Mist

This mist is full of antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to help you moisturize and minimize the appearance of skin discoloration. It’s meant for use on the face, arms, neck and chest.

Mad Hippie’s Hydrating Nutrient Mist is comprised of an impressive ingredients list including Gingko Biloba, Vitamin C, Green Tea, White Pine Bark and Pomegranate Seed Extract. All of these ingredients help your skin look and feel its best.

This mist is best applied immediately after cleansing while your skin is still damp. However, it can be reapplied throughout the day as needed.

Mad Hippie’s Hydrating Nutrient Mist works great as a toner and to reduce redness and irritation. It also works to reduce the appearance of undereye discoloration thanks to the ingredient Hesperidin.

Eye Cream

The Eye Cream combines peptides and antioxidants to care for the delicate skin under our eyes. Among the impressive list of natural ingredients are Vitamin C and Pomegranate.

This eye cream is best applied to under-eye skin by massaging in an upward, circular motion. Avoid tugging or pulling on the skin and make sure it absorbs completely.

Overall, I really like the Mad Hippie skincare products I’ve tested out!

They’re all so gentle on my sensitive skin and so far they’re doing a great job of nourishing and protecting my skin while I manage my acne without tretinoin.

If you have acne prone skin – remember, healing acne is an inside job. But topical skincare products can help heal breakouts faster and prevent some of the surface issues that only make acne worse. It’s only been a few weeks, so I don’t know if these Mad Hippie skincare products will replace the power of Tretinoin. Tretinoin is certainly a great acne management medicine, as long as you’re aware of and comfortable with the side effects. 

If you don’t have acne-prone skin, from what I can tell so far, these are probably some of the best skincare products on the market. We’ll see how they do managing breakouts in the longer term, because those kinds of results take a little time to kick in. But in terms of soothing, brightening and overall improving the appearance of skin, they’re pretty impressive products.

I would absolutely recommend checking out Mad Hippie skincare. I think this line is particularly good for women in their 30s and 40s who are starting to really think about maintaining bright, smooth, youthful looking skin as they mature through their prime.

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and check out the other posts on my health & beauty blog!

You can also follow me on social @grhealthbeauty!

The post Mad Hippie Skincare – Tretinoin Natural Alternative – Anti-aging Skincare for Your 40s appeared first on GR Healthy & Beauty.

If you’re looking for safer beauty products that are kinder to your health, your budget and the environment, look no further than the new Amazon Aware skincare line.

I know! It surprised me, too! I tend to associate conscious shopping with smaller, niche businesses like beautycounter. But Amazon seems to have come through on this one!

We’re going to look at 5 different Amazon Aware skincare products in this video:

Balancing Face Cleanser for Oily to Combination Skin

Balancing Face Moisturizer for Oily to Combination Skin

Daily Body Wash

Daily Body Lotion

Nourishing Body Cream

EWG-Verified Skincare

These skincare products are all EWG-Verified. EWG is the Environmental Working Group. This verification means EWG has reviewed the products to ensure they adhere to strict health standards and don’t contain known chemicals of concern.

Did you know there are ingredients in MANY mainstream health, beauty and personal care products that are harmful to our health? It’s definitely something we should all be paying more attention to, so we can make better choices for ourselves and our families. EWG helps us do that.

I’ve been using EWG’s Healthy Living App for a few years now.

The EWG Healthy Living App allows you to scan product barcodes to get a safety rating based on ingredients. All 5 of these products get very high ratings in the App. This gives me peace of mind as I think about swapping them into my current skincare routine.

The body wash and face cleanser do have flags in the allergy category. But, this is typical of more natural products because some people are sensitive to natural plant extracts.

Amazon Aware skincare products are dermatologist tested, vegan, not tested on animals, and formulated without fragrance. Some are also ophthalmologist-tested.

Environmentally Friendly

These days, we know we must do a better job of caring for the environment. And shopping Amazon Aware is an easy way to do that.

According to Amazon, “All Amazon Aware products are certified as carbon neutral and feature certifications that are part of the Climate Pledge Friendly program.”

Also, the sleek, modern packaging is sustainably made from materials like 100% recycled aluminum, and all plastic pumps are reusable when you order your product refills.

OK, let’s dive into the 5 products I tested.

Note: there’s a lot of information in this blog post, but definitely watch the video for my complete review on each of these products, as well as the skincare line as a whole.

Amazon Aware Balancing Face Cleanser – Check Price on Amazon

This is a light, gentle cleanser made with arnica and calendula extracts, which are fabulous ingredients to help keep skin feeling clean, healthy and hydrated without stripping away natural oils.

This cleanser offers a nice lather and rinses off easily. It’s gentle on my sensitive skin, while still getting the job done to remove my makeup at night.

I love that there’s no scent, aside from a subtle hint of the extracts.

Amazon Aware Balancing Face Moisturizer – Check Price on Amazon

This one’s made with licorice root extract and vitamin C to balance, refresh, and brighten skin. It’s light weight, spreads easily and absorbs without leaving a greasy residue. It’s also quite gentle and calming on my sensitive skin.

I’ve been using this moisturizer in the morning before applying my makeup, and before bed. After a few weeks, it’s proving to be a great alternative to other moisturizers I’ve tried. I love that my skin doesn’t become as oily throughout the day and overnight. This means fewer clogged pores and fewer breakouts.

Amazon Aware Daily Body Wash – Check Price on Amazon

The Amazon Aware Daily Body Wash is a cleansing gel meant for everyday use. It has a perfect feel and consistency that glides on and rinses off easily. It’s a pretty run-of-the-mill liquid body soap, but it gets the job done without harmful chemicals. I keep a bottle on hand for when I run out of my Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap (still my favorite body wash, for myself and the kids).

Amazon Aware Daily Body Lotion – Check Price on Amazon

This is a nourishing body lotion with shea butter and vitamin E, both of which are great for your skin. I’ve been using this lotion for a few weeks now and it’s fantastic – a lighter alternative to the Body Cream.

The body lotion is immediately beneficial in terms of moisturizing skin. And like the other Amazon Aware products I’ve tested, it doesn’t leave a greasy residue – just apply and go about your day.

Because of the sleek, modern packaging, this is a nice one to keep on your desk at work or by the kitchen sink.

Amazon Aware Nourishing Body Cream – Check Price on Amazon

The Body Cream is very similar to the Body Lotion, but richer and thicker in texture. I’d go for this one in the dry, winter months when my skin needs some extra TLC.

It’s also formulated with shea butter and vitamin E.

Overall, these are solid conscious beauty products.

Amazon Aware is certainly not alone in the conscious beauty or safer skincare categories. But the EWG verification and ease of adding to my Amazon order definitely tips the scale in its favor.

I’ve already swapped out some of my current skincare products with Amazon Aware alternatives. In particular, the Balancing Face Cleanser and Balancing Face Moisturizer – both for oily to combination skin – are new favorites of mine. They make a noticeable difference in reducing the oil buildup on my skin throughout the day and at night. This means fewer clogged pores and fewer breakouts.

(Note that the face cleanser and moisturizer for dry to normal skin both contain oil, so if you’re prone to breakouts like me, you may want to avoid those skus.)

On top of all that, all of these products come in attractive packaging that looks great around my house – and they’re affordable. I wouldn’t say they’re cheap by any means, but certainly far more economical than some of the more boutique-y safer beauty products.

The Amazon Aware Safer Skincare products I’ve tried definitely get my seal of approval.

I’m happy to recommend giving these products a try if you’re looking for more conscious alternatives in your skincare arsenal.

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and check out the other posts on my health & beauty blog!

You can also follow on social @grhealthbeauty!

The post Amazon Aware – Conscious Beauty, EWG-verified Skincare appeared first on GR Healthy & Beauty.