I am LOVING the Gel Facial Cleanser with Superfruit and Chlorella Growth Complex. It’s NOT for dry skin – for that, Acure makes a really lovely Cream Cleanser with Olive & Mint- which is good, because my skin is oily. The gel has the frothiness and clean feeling that, being an oily-skinned lady, I like in my facewash. There are no sulfates or chemicals that can strip skin’s acid mantle leaving it dry and vulnerable. It takes off my mineral makeup and the daily grime and sweat that come with the sweltering summer days here in Sarasota, FL. It also smells fresh and invigorating- kind of an herbal citrus blend.

You’d think that would be enough, but it’s also packed with antioxidants (as are all the Acure products) thanks to their unique Curoxidant blend of herbs and superfruits. Organic Acai, Fair Trade Organic Olive Oil and Organic Chlorella Growth Factor boost cell turnover to keep your skin looking its best. I’ve been following this cleanser with Acure’s Rose and Red Tea Toner and Radical Resurfacing Lotion.

Acure is also incredibly devoted to sustainability and to people. From their certified organic and fair trade ingredients, to the philosophy behind the brand, to their dedication to helping to prevent and cure breast cancer, Acure makes it clear that their mission goes far, far beyond creating a wonderful, safe, effective product for women to love. Their mantra says it all: Acure for your skin, Acure for the planet, Acure for a cure. Works for me!

Republished with permission from Butterfly Effect Beauty Blog.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Acure Organics: What’s NOT to Love? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The energizing summer sun, the ocean breeze and the recent unfolding of a series of beautiful events – the things in life worth waiting for – inspired this list. So: many blessings to my ladies who inspire me every day as they manifest their dreams, blogs, businesses, families and relationships and to my amazing customers who help make my dream a reality every day. Enjoy the end of summer, and Namaste!

I’d love to know…what’s been worth the wait for you? Share your experience in the comments section and subscribe to Butterfly Effect’s monthly(ish) e-mails- the fave will receive a $20 gift certificate for Butterfly Effect! (be sure to note Modern Hippie Mag in the “referred by” section of the signup form.

1. Summer Stone Fruit: Every summer I eagerly (perhaps a bit greedily?) anticipate the arrival of these sweet, succulent summer fruits. From traditional nectarines, plums and peaches to the increasingly prevalent hybrids of pluots (my fave!), plumcots and apriclums (OK, I made that one up), the summer sun gives these gems the energy they need to ripen to sweet, juicy perfection and embody the essence of summer. While there’s nothing like a perfectly ripe nectarine – impossible to eat without the juice dribbling down your chin – these fruits are also perfect for starring in all kinds of recipes from sweet and savory salsas to pies to energizing breakfast parfaits (I LOVE this raw-vegan offering from from Natalia of Glowing Temple)!

2. Home Grown Tomatoes: Seriously, there is nothing else like them. They’re sweeter and more flavorful than anything you get at the store: the 2 small plants I started with gave me my first batch in 2-3 months and the second one barely a couple of weeks later. Once they get going they require only daily watering, lots of sun and some minor pruning to encourage abundant growth. Take it from someone who’s more of a brown thumb than a green one, these guys are quite easy to grow and maintain and can be grown just about year-round in Florida. No more going broke baying $4 a pint for organic tomatoes! Want to make it even easier? Try a Topsy Turvy!

3. Clear Glowing Skin. There’s more to this than just using the right product- truly great skin comes from inner health and doesn’t happen overnight. It can take a bit of patience- and willpower, especially if you’re prone to, erm, “manually” cleaning out your skin. TRUST ME when I tell you that keeping your products simple and your hands off congested skin makes all the difference in the world. What’s been working for me? Sanre Organic Skinfood Plantain Pure Mask (I use it up to 3x/week) and Acure Line Eraser Balm or 100% Pure Argan Oil.

Don’t be scared to use oil, even (especially) on oily skin. The right oil actually helps penetrate into pores and break up dead skin and sebum clogging them (oil dissolves oil). Argan is highly praised for its skin benefits – after only a few uses, I was hooked. In just a few days, little dry patches and places that had been healing from breakouts literally started to peel away, leaving smooth, healthy skin. Plus, all argan oil is fairly traded and Acure donates a portion of all sales to breast cancer research.

4. Inspiration and Skill. Although sometimes the flashes of clarity we receive seem like they’ve arrived at the speed of light, art doesn’t happen overnight. Neither do projects, albums, books, (like Guy Kawasaki’s Enchantment), or the skill and practice it takes to create them. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Practice does make perfect, and sometimes it’s a hard road. But those moments when an idea grabs you and you have the gift of being able to get it from your mind into reality are worth waiting (and working) for – as are the fruits of the inspiration of others.

5. First Kisses. When you meet someone who makes you just want to “plant one” on them, the time spent leading up to that first kiss can feel like a (beautifully) torturous eternity fraught with questions, nerves, anxiety and dry-mouth. But on the other hand: have you ever heard someone say that a great first kiss wasn’t worth waiting for?

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Worth waiting for: True Love and Homegrown Tomatoes is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Ph.D and senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group David Andrews said “FDA’s action offers some noticeable improvements for consumer, such as limiting misleading claims, however, it is clear that the FDA caved to industry and weakened its safety standards. It’s earlier draft [first circulated back in 2007].”

According to Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research “FDA has evaluated the data and developed testing and labeling requirements for sunscreen products, so that manufacturers can modernize their product information and consumers can be well-informed on which products offer the greatest benefit. These changes to sunscreen labels are an important part of helping consumers have the information they need so they can choose the right sun protection for themselves and their families.” Apparently, helping consumers be “well informed” doesn’t include providing information regarding the potential.

Janet Woodcock also demonstrated the FDA’s continuing refusal to admit that chemicals within our products and sunscreen could be a contributing factor to the rise in skin cancer, saying “Most skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. FDA encourages consumers to protect themselves. Not only should consumers regularly apply and reapply sunscreens with Broad Spectrum and SPF of 15 or higher, they should also limit sun exposure.” Of course! The solution is just don’t go outside- why didn’t I think of that. Not to mention this is the same tune they’ve been singing for years. What they seem to be too scared to admit (and I can understand why- the potential legal ramifications are paralyzing) is the possibility that chemical based sunscreens (and personal care products in general) have contributed to an increase in cancer.

IT’S ABOUT TIME

• They’re eliminating SPF’s above 50 as they have not been shown to be any more effective
• They’re banning the use of the words sunblock, waterproof and sweatproof because “these claims overstate their effectiveness.” Only the term “water resistant” will be allowed in designations of either 40 or 80 minutes
• Broad Spectrum designation. They’re making an active distinction for the term “broad spectrum” and products must now (supposedly) pass a “test” before being labeled as such, thus indicating that they actually protect from both UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays.

If you’re going to be exposed to the sun for an extended period of time and you don’t use some sort of protection, you’re probably going to get burned. If you’re going to prevent sunburn with a product containing an SPF, you might as well be sure you’re getting broad spectrum (UVB and UVA) protection.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

FDA issues new sunscreen rules, but are they helpful? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Hours online, phone calls Goody and Conair, no one seemed to have a definitive answer regarding a) what metal bobby pins are made of and b) are they recyclable? How many are sold each year in the US?  No idea. I bet it’s a lot though. A few online sources (including some educational ones with experiments using a bobby pin to demonstrate the process of annealing and tempering steel) indicate that bobby pins are generally made out of steel but none of the companies I spoke with could confirm it. If, however this is the case then bobby pins should be recyclable.  I also found “The Bobby Pin Revealed“- I’ll let it speak for itself.

Brilliantly, however, Goody has just come out with something they call a “spin pin”. Made of nickel (at least the Goody rep on the phone said she “thinks” it’s nickel), this pin looks like a double helix, made to be twisted into your hair to hold it in place. They say it takes the place of 20 bobby pins- while that’s probably a subjective estimate, I can tell you that a single spin pin is all I need to hold my long hair in a bun all day. For more creative looks (or ladies with more hair), you can use the second pin and seriously lock yourhair in place. Seriously. While I doubt the “spin pin” is going to replace all my bobby pin needs, it’s certainly

Note: If you have shorter hair (above the shoulders) or your hair is exceptionally fine be sure to go with the smaller pins- this may not work the best for you without using a bit of texturizing product first.

Tip: When you’re placing the pin before spinning it into your hair, your goal is to get the two ends positioned with one in the bun and one in the hair at the base, so you’re “locking” the two together as you spin the pin. If you do this right where you’ve tucked the ends of your hair into the bun, you get the most hold.

Where to get ‘em: just about anywhere that sells Goody hair products- I got mine at Target.

Buh-Bye Bobby Pins republished with permission.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Buh-Bye Bobby Pins is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

A lovely customer of mine recently asked me when she should throw out makeup (I’m pretty sure she was in the midst of a “spring cleaning bug” as one has hit me recently as well.) So naturally I said “That’s a great question- I’m so glad you asked!”

As much as we hate to throw out cosmetics and skin care products we never got to use up, it’s even more important not to use something that’s “past its prime”. Open skincare and makeup can become contaminated with microbes, bacteria, etc over time and the result of using an old product can harm more than your wallet. Using expired or contaminated products can result in irritation, mild breakouts or even an infection.

Before I offer some good rules for keeping your makeup bag free of un-fresh products, keep in mind there are a lot of “guidelines” out there for how often to pitch things, but your main rule of thumb should be to always get rid of anything that now smells, looks or feels different from when it was new, no matter how old (or new) it is (rancid lipstick, for example, often smells a bit like crayons). There is an exception to this, however- some natural creams (Like Sanre Organic Skinfood) can separate a bit as they don’t use any chemical emulsifiers. In these cases, simply stir it back up with a clean utensil to reincorporate. I’ve listed the product types below in order from most frequently replaced to longest lasting.

Mascara: 3-6 months. If you’re using something with preservatives (like a department store brand) you can probably get away with closer to 6. For 100% natural ones (like Honeybee Gardens or Dr. Hauschka) better to play it safe and pitch after 3 months.

*TIP: You may already know this one, but it bears repeating- don’t pump your mascarawand, it simply incorporates air into the tube making it dry out faster and inviting bacteria in. To get more product on the wand, swipe it in a circular motion around  the inside of the tube.

Lip Gloss. 6-24 months. I’ve seen sources that say lip gloss is good for up to two years, which it probably is (if you use a clean applicator every time and never leave it in the sun or your car….). The germaphobe in me though, wants to replace my lip gloss every 2-3 months. If you use the same one or two colors every day, they probably won’t last you much longer than that anyway. So there you go, 3 months to two years (I know, not the written in stone answer you were looking for). This is one of those common sense things. If you’ve just battled a cold sore or the flu, probably best to get rid of whatever lip product you were using and get a new one. If you’ve been healthy and your lip gloss still smells, looks, tastes like new, gloss on!

Creams and Liquids: 3-12 months. These can be trickier, new types of packaging (like airless pumps) have greatly extended the shelf- life of some of these products to up to a year, but products in open jars/bottle still don’t usually hold up more than 3-6 months. Again, your everyday practices make a big difference as well. If you’re super strict about always using a clean, sanitized brush in your pot of gel eye liner, for example, it’s going to last a lot longer than if keeping you don’t. These include gel & liquid eye liner, cream concealer, liquid foundation, cream eye shadow, etc.

Pressed & Loose Powders: 1-2 years. Most powders keep for up to two years. Whether or not there are preservatives will make a difference here. If you see a paraben or phenoxyethanol in the ingredients and you keep your tools clean, it’ll probably be good through two years. Likewise, loose powders (like pure mineral foundation) that are free of all oils, waxes, additives and preservatives are also good for a few years. Keys to telling if they’re bad are if they have a change in consistency or color or don’t apply as smoothly as they once did or start to feel “chalky”. Pressed powders can also get what looks like a hard “film”-a sign that it’s time to throw it out. These include eye shadows, pressed foundation, face powder, pressed & loose blush, etc.

Pencils, Crayons and Sticks: 1-2 years. These guys can last a few years depending on the formulation and if you keep them clean and sharpen them frequently. But if the product seems drier, smells different or appears cracked or crumbly, it’s time to pitch it, no matter how old it is. This includes: lip pencils, eye liners, lip sticks, “crayons”,  blush sticks, etc.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Out with the old: When good makeup goes bad is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

When I mention blotting papers I usually get one of two response: “Oh my gosh- I LOVE blotting papers!” OR “What the heck is a blotting paper?” Either way, most people I know who have tried them, end up being hooked, and for good reason.

Essentially, blotting papers are just what they sound like: little sheets of “paper” used to absorb excess oil on the face or set makeup in place. They usually come in a little pack of some sort. Simply press a sheet (gently) against your skin and the fibers of the paper absorb oil and moisture, eliminating shine but leaving your makeup intact. They’re especially fantastic for oily and combo-skin as they help eliminate the excess oil without having to re-apply powders throughout the day. For the drier skin types, they can help with sweat and humidity. Even guys can use these!

Seems pretty basic, right? So what’s the “eco catch”?  While blotting papers are traditionally a natural product made from some sort of absorbent material (rice paper, silk, linen, and hemp to name a few) and sometimes have additional ingredients (like silk powder or botanicals) on or in them, some companies have managed to complicate this simple concept. They may use other ingredients, including dyes and perfumes in or on the papers and the papers themselves may not even be natural (Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control papers are a great example of this).

For me at least, the whole point of blotting papers is to help control oil without putting any chemicals or additional product on my skin. Additionally, as they are single-use and each sheet is thrown away after use, it’s ideal to find papers that are made from sustainable fibers and are also biodegradable.

ENTER TATCHA: ABURATORIGAMI JAPANESE BLOTTING PAPERS

Tatcha’s blotting papers are generously sized- larger than many other blotting papers. They’re also strong and absorbent enough to use both sides; one sheet was plenty to “de-shine” my oily complexion. In barely seconds they whisk away oil and you can see it on the paper so you really know it works!  It doesn’t hurt that the packaging is beautiful, too. When asked, “These papers are that special?” in a recent interview for the blog Beautylish, Tatcha’s founder, Victoria Tsai, answered “Absolutely. It’s unusual to find something truly historical. The further we get along in the future, we must realize that there’s wisdom in the past to look for. I think it’s a beautiful concept to perpetuate old rituals and secrets, and if people in Japan still use it after 300 years, it’s working.” I agree!

The origin of these papers comes from the heart of imperial Japan. Abura-tori-gami actually means “oil blotting paper” in Japanese and refers specifically to the papers that result from the production of gold-leaf. For centuries gold craftsman used the abaca leaf to protect the gold as they hammered it into whisper-thin gold-leaf which was then used to enrobe the majestic pavilions. What was left was sheets of natural, absorbent abaca paper. Aburatorigami are considered to be the “gold standard” (no pun intended) in blotting papers. It remains a mystery exactly when, but somewhere along the line, the geishas realized the benefit of using the discarded papers to keep their makeup flawless and their complexions oil-free. Aburatorigami have been a Japanese beauty staple ever since.

Because Tatcha papers are made from abaca leaf, not only are they strong, soft (no potentially irritating wood pulp) and absorbent, but they’re also environmentally friendly and sustainable. As blogger/professor/scientist Alastair Iles puts it, “artisans hammer away on old leaf and use the abaca leaf to protect the gold. As such, it’s a by-product from a tradition craft process that’s deeply rooted in Japanese culture, thus using material that might otherwise be thrown away. After the paper is used, it can be composted, as it degrades naturally back into the earth. No oil-based chemicals are used; the energy comes from human, not from fossil fuels. As a result, aburatorigami has relatively low environmental impact.”

TATCHA’S PHILANTHROPY

When the recent natural disaster hit Japan, founder Victoria didn’t hesitate to jump in to find a way to help. Donating all the profits from their March special Kokoroyori Aburatorigami gift set, Tatcha was able to donate $10,000 for disaster relief. They’re also an active supporter of Save the Children, a humanitarian organization that has been active in Japan for over 25 years. In response to this act, Victoria said “In times like these, our friends are our greatest resources. Amidst the tragedy in Japan, there is also astounding beauty in the spirit of the Japanese people working collectively to support survivors. [It was] In appreciation of a culture that inspires us so.” And, as Victoria and Tatcha Aburatorigami were inspired by the traditions of Japan and its people, I’m inspired by Victoria and by a product that demonstrates how green and gorgeous beauty can be.

Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese blotting papers are available at Butterfly Effect and Tatcha.com

The Japanese Secret For a Shine-Free Complexion republished with permission from the Butterfly Effect blog.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

The Japanese Secret For a Shine-Free Complexion is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Butterfly Effect

When you visit Butterfly Effect‘s flagship store in Sarasota, Florida, you begin a beauty experience. As you browse the modern, white shelves, you’ll find some of the best natural & organic beauty and skincare products. How do I know? Because I evaluate and try every product, read every ingredient, and get to know every company before I choose to offer them to you. My customers rely on me to give them honest, educated and effective skincare recommendations and I take that responsibility seriously. Years of struggling with my own oily, sensitive, breakout-prone skin has taught me the value of using natural ingredients to balance, purify, soothe, heal and strengthen skin. When it comes to natural makeup, performance is just as important as great ingredients, after all what good is a completely natural lip gloss if it doesn’t stay on/smells weird/has a strange color, etc?

As you look around the shop, you see a big white sink and plentiful testers so you can open, smell and try all the products; many customers stop in just to say hello and do a mini hand treatment with the sugar scrubs! I’m here to answer all your questions and I ask a lot of them as well in order to help you find just the right product for you.

I love to give samples, especially of the skincare, so you can be sure you love a product before you buy it and you always receive samples of products I think you’ll like with your purchase.

My goal with ShopButterflyEffect.com was to bring as much of the in-store experience to my online customer as I could. As you browse, you can call (or e-mail) with questions, for help choosing or to request a particular sample with your order. If you’re unsure or if you just prefer to try before you buy (I know I do!) for $7 you can request (or have help selecting) 5-7 custom samples. Every order is packed with care in a signature white box, comes with plenty of free samples and arrives via USPS priority mail (aka fast). I use as many recycled/recyclable/reusable shipping materials as possible.

In the future, ShopButterflyEffect.com customers will see even more product descriptions based on personal use, reviews by actual Butterfly Effect customers, ingredient and educational information, an expansion of the ways in which Butterfly Effect gives back and, of course, more product lines!

All the companies I work with value and take care of their employees and give back to their communities and the planet. They strive to be environmentally friendly with regard to their ingredients, their packaging and their business practices. So when you do something good for yourself at Butterfly Effect, you’re also doing good for the whole planet. That’s a pretty beautiful thing. And so are you.

Get 15% OFF your first online purchase with code: MHM15.  Valid thru 3/31/11.

Shayna

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Have a Butterfly Effect beauty experience….Online! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

At this point, I realized that you can’t take anything at face value, not what the sales people tell you and certainly not what a product’s packaging says- they want you to buy their product when you read its label. Then I found mineral makeup. When I started wearing i.d. bareMinerals (I now custom blend my own mineral makeup) around my junior year of college, my skin saw a HUGE improvement, and I knew there was something to this whole “natural thing”, that there was benefit in putting less on your skin rather than more, and certainly in putting less chemicals on your skin in general. I hate to say it, but other than my introduction to mineral makeup, the biggest improvements I’ve ever seen in my skin have come from my own research and using deduction to rule out triggers, NOT from salespeople or physicians. That’s why when I recommend skin care products to customers, I always ask lots of questions and encourage them to pay close attention to things like their diet, activity level, chemical/product exposure, and daily lifestyle when trying to determine the cause of a skin issue (very different from the approach of too many MDs: “Treat the symptoms. If they go away, what does it matter what the cause was?” Sorry if it seems harsh, but this has been my experience.) I’ve seen people with breakouts caused by cell phones, shampoo, skin cream, natural extracts, wheat, dairy, soy, chemicals, mineral oil, etc…all who went to the dermatologist, who simply wrote them a prescription. Breakouts aren’t always caused by what you think.

Part of my journey in dealing with breakout prone skin and switching to a more natural, organic diet has been cutting back on dairy, which in turn has resulted in my eating more soy (thank goodness for Purely Decadent soy ice cream- See? All my posts really do go together!). I noticed a significant difference in both the oiliness, and in the amount, size and severity of my breakouts when I cut back my dairy. I went from consuming probably 3-5 servings a day to 1-3. As I started eating more soy, the breakouts seemed to improve even further. When I went online to see if other people had had similar experiences, I was surprised to find lots of people on opposite sides- either switching from dairy to soy made their skin worse, or it improved it. There was little in between and I was having trouble finding a source to bridge the gap.

In his abstract “Pathogenesis of Acne”, Dr. Toyoda M. Morohashi (Japan) explains that “Acne results from hyperkeratinization and obstruction of the pilosebaceous follicles secondary to androgen-stimulated failure of normal desquamation of the follicular epithelium, androgen-stimulated sebum production, subsequent colonization of the follicles by Propionibacterium acnes and other organisms, and variably, inflammation.” Basically androgenic (male) hormones stimulate sebum production (the mix of oils and dead skin cells our skin produces), which prevents the normal process of the natural shedding of the outer layers of the skin and leads to hardening of those cells and blocking of the sebaceous follicles, leaving them prone to acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. This explains why traditional, over the counter acne remedies rely on exfoliation (salicylic acid) and anti-bacterial (benzoyl peroxide) action, or else hampering oil production all together (accutane). The key word in Dr. Morohashi’s explaination is ANDROGENS: a group of “steroid hormones that stimulate or control the development and maintenance of male characteristics”.

If androgens are a culprit behind acne, how are so many women (over 75% of girls age 16-18 experience acne) being exposed to them? It seems highly unlikely that such a substantial portion of the population would all suffer from an overproduction of the same hormone. More and more studies are pointing to milk and dairy.

In a talk at Harvard University, Ganmaa Davaasambee, “a Mongolia-trained medical doctor, a Japan-trained Ph.D in environmental health, a fellow [in 2006] at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and a working scientist in the Harvard School of Public Health,” discussed the link between cancer and dietary hormones, in particular the estrogenic hormones found in milk and dairy. “Among the routes of human exposure to estrogens, we are mostly concerned about cow’s milk, which contains considerable amounts of female sex hormones,” Ganmaa said. She also noted that dairy accounts for 60-80 percent of estrogens consumed. Where do all these hormones come from? In order for commercially bred cows to be most productive (for the nearly 300 days a year that they are milked!), they need to be kept pregnant. Those hormones that the cows produce are also in their milk, so when we drink that milk or eat dairy made from it, we are ingesting those hormones. While the high levels of estrogens in modern dairy may have a connection with cancer rates (the focus of Ganmaa’s study- which you can read about here), the same milk also contains androgens, progesterone (which breaks down into androgens), and androgen precursors. It’s the androgens (testosterone producing hormones) that are a trigger for acne, especially in women who are already biologically sensitive to male hormones.

Photo by Marijn van Braak

The level of hormones present in milk depends on how far along in the pregnancy the cow is. “Milk from the late stage of pregnancy contains up to 33 times more signature estrogen compound (estrone sulfate) than milk from a non-pregnant cow…” making “the milk we drink today quite unlike the milk our ancestors were drinking without apparent harm for 2,000 years.” Ganmaa isn’t declaring dairy itself a bad food, but she is questioning its safety when it’s produced using our modern techniques. “Milk is a food of great complexity, and contains high levels of beneficial nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D.” Even cows not treated with BGHs (bovine growth hormones) contain these hormones, because they’re still kept pregnant.

This would explain why many women experience improvement in their acne with the use of birth control- the estrogen hormones helps counterbalance the excess of testosterone/androgenic hormones. Unfortunately, this isn’t a cure, it’s just a band-aid.

In the experiences that people were sharing online, some people who tried switching from dairy to soy in an effort to improve their breakouts found that they were allergic to soy and that it actually made their breakouts much worse. Others found that switching to soy delivered an improvement- indicating not only that they may have been experiencing a dairy intolerance, but that the estrogenic compounds in the soy itself might be beneficial. Sheesh! The conclusion? While there may not be a definite answer, it’s relatively easy to use trial and error to find out if dairy and/or soy are behind your acne woes.

This would be my recommendation: If you currently consume dairy and soy, try cutting out only dairy for two weeks. You don’t even have to cut it all, just a significant amount; I just don’t want to give up my morning latte, but I’ve cut out all ice cream and yogurt, and most cheese. After two weeks, do you see any improvement? Then add it back and cut out soy for two weeks. What changes have you seen? I think many people will find right away that cutting out one or both of these food groups leads to improvement of acne symptoms. Note: many processed foods contain milk and soy ingredients, so if you eat a lot of those, be sure to check the ingredients labels to see if you’re getting dairy and soy in unexpected places. If you couldn’t see an improvement being either dairy-free or soy-free, then you have to try cutting out both.

For me, the experience of experimenting with my diet was well, WELL worth it. I learned that while I need to avoid dairy in excess, I can have a little, and soy (perhaps it’s the additional estrogenic compounds) seems to help, rather than hurt my situation. It’s also just another example of how where our food comes from and how it’s produced is just important, if not more so, than the food itself.

Have you had any skin revelations? Do you have experience dealing with dairy or soy reactions? Please share!

Resources:

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/original/acne/danby.html#2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11479771?dopt=Abstract

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,835434,00.html

Shayna Teicher

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Acne, Dairy and Soy: The Killer the Culprit and the Cure? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Mineralogie, the leader in mineral makeup, was launched in 2003.  Unlike many traditional cosmetics, Mineralogie uses minerals

Mineralogie

that are pure, free of talc, starch, perfumes, and other unhealthy substances.  They also use vitamins A & E in their foundation, because they work as natural antioxidants which help protect the skin from pollutants and keep the skin looking young and fresh.  Mineralogie is extremely light so it doesn’t clog pores, and at the same time nourishes and protects the skin.  Rated by the FDA as SPF 26 (the highest rating for a foundation in the industry), Mineralogie provides complete sun protection, using micronized Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, blocking all broad spectrum UVA and UVB rays.

Check out our video demo to learn more about Mineralogie and get tips to recreate my new look!

Live in Sarasota?  Be sure to visit Butterfly Effect for a free makeup consultation and mineral makeup custom blend with holistic beauty extraordinaire, Shayna Teicher.

Jaszy Glammed!

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. She is a self-taught jewelry designer featuring her eco-conscious jewelry designs at www.Jaszy.com. She is also a Green Guru for TheGreenGirls.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy. Read more articles by Jaszy.

Please VOTE for Jaszy to win her very own talk show in the Oprah OWN contest!

Want to have your company, product or service featured in a video or podcast? Contact us! Watch our video profiles and listen to our podcast interviews.

Get Glam with Mineral Makeup Video Demo! is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Mineralogie

With so many different brands of mineral makeup on the market today it makes you wonder what difference there is among them.  That’s exactly what I set out to learn when I spoke to Mineralogie owner and founder Mary Van during a recent visit to Butterfly Effect.

A 15 year mineral makeup veteran and professional makeup artist, Mary Van created Mineralogie mineral makeup to be the purest, healthiest, mineral makeup line in the world.  Her desire to create an all-natural makeup that could compliment any skin tone has made her a leader in the industry which has allowed her to work with high profile clients like George W. Bush, Jessica Simpson, Ross Perot, Jerry Jones, LeAnn Rimes, Mary Hart, Jane Seymour, Sugar Ray Leonard, Scott Stapp (lead singer of Creed) and many others.

Watch to learn more about Mary Van and Mineralogie!

And stay tuned for our special makeup application demo to see Mary give me a look that says, “Glam!”

Jaszy McAllister

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles. She is a self-taught jewelry designer featuring her eco-conscious jewelry designs at www.Jaszy.com. She is also a Green Guru for TheGreenGirls.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy. Read more articles by Jaszy.

Please VOTE for Jaszy to win her very own talk show in the Oprah OWN contest!

Want to have your company, product or service featured in a video or podcast? Contact us! Watch our video profiles and listen to our podcast interviews.

Are all mineral makeups the same? is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag