Glow Notes

Chronic low energy is a common, modern-day problem for many people. In good health, 3 pm would otherwise be a time of peak energy and performance but unfortunately for most, a nap is usually in order. When mid-day slumps replace youthful motivation, and strong coffee replaces your zest for life, you might be suffering from low thyroid. 

Something magnificent about the human body is that nothing serves one function. Everything in the body has multiple functions, mechanisms, and purposes. This is no exception to the various antioxidants produced by the body. For example, one of the most important antioxidants our body makes; glutathione, not only protects our cells from oxidative damage but is also key for proper thyroid function.

Lackluster hair and dull skin are some of the undesirable consequences of hormonal imbalance. If one of your goals is to reverse these visible signs of aging, then learning about your hormones is essential.

Estrogens are necessary hormones for normal physiological function and health. However, when even slightly elevated beyond normal ranges, their effects resemble that of a stress hormone. In fact, many toxic effects of estrogen were known by the early 1940s and more are continuing to be discovered. Everything from cancer, to abnormal blood clotting, hair loss, edema, hypothyroid, PCOS and infertility are known to be caused by excess estrogen.

Cases of malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, have been steadily increasing. According to conventional knowledge, the top risk factors for skin cancer are genetics, skin type (fairer skin), excessive sun exposure, and hereditary (family history of skin cancer). Most of these factors are short-sighted. At worst, they are fate-driven, meaning there isn’t much you can do to control them.

Oxidative stress is an important part of the biological aging process and plays a major role in skin aging. As we have touched on in previous articles, there are two major types of skin aging: intrinsic and extrinsic aging. These are both exacerbated by oxidative stress. 

Of the two forms of skin aging, extrinsic aging is most driven by oxidative stress. Extrinsic aging refers to the aging of the outermost skin layer (the epidermis), normally caused by external factors such as UV radiation, environmental toxins, and diet. 

Natural plant oils have been used for a variety of purposes throughout time, from incorporating them into diets to using them as pharmaceuticals. Today, they have gained recognition for their therapeutic, anti-aging, and restorative effects on the health of our skin. Thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, select plant oils are capable of preserving, regenerating and repairing the skin.

For a while, it seems we collectively forgot the medicinal and anti-aging abilities of food. Instead, our society has largely been focused on topical applications for skin hygiene and health. Although select topical agents such as honey, aloe, clay, and others do provide therapeutic value the truth is, beauty comes from the inside. The use of nutrition and other natural substances for improving skin health traces as far back as Egyptian times.

Did you know that asthma prevalence and severity is greater in women than in men? Yup, it’s true. In fact, there is mounting evidence that shows this is in a great deal related to female steroid sex hormones with estrogen being the primary subject of study.

Originally used only in hospitals, triclosan is a drug that has been adopted by manufacturers of conventional soaps. About 75% of liquid antibacterial soaps and 30% of antibiotic bar soap use triclosan as an active ingredient, which has resulted in an industry that is worth an estimated $1 billion. 

There are countless supplements on the market that promise improved physical beauty and “anti-aging” benefits. The question is, how can you know for sure what works, and what doesn’t for healthy skin? In order to truly know, it is helpful to know a bit about how the body works and what the skin needs to be healthy. So, before you head out to your nearest health food store, consider these few tips on selecting quality and effective supplements for the skin.

As a result of an increasingly stressful and toxic world, our bodies are aging more rapidly than what is natural. This has sparked an interest in “anti-aging” and the subsequent study and developmental research of methods for the revitalization of the skin from both extrinsic and intrinsic damage. Today, scientists are aware of the primary factor in skin damage and aging.  It is the initiation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), otherwise known as oxidative stress. 

We’ve all heard the term “beauty sleep”, and while we’ve all experienced the griefs of a sleepless night, not all of us know exactly why. Overall, there are a number of things that go wrong for the health and beauty of our skin from sleep deprivation. However, there is one primary culprit behind the eye bags, fine lines, and lackluster appearance and that is the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can be a helpful, adaptive hormone. But too much of it can lead to biological stress in the body, inflammation and the resulting decline in the health of the skin. This relationship between stress, sleep deprivation, and skin problems can be a vicious cycle, especially with conditions like acne and eczema, which can lead to new problems like potential scarring, scratching, and an increase in psychological stress – let’s be honest, it’s hard to feel good when your body shows otherwise!

 When it comes to skincare, there is a lot to consider: What topical treatments to use? What is the optimal diet? Should I use supplements or not? ... and so much more. While many are aware of the damaging effects of the more obvious poor choices – there is often an overlooked, underlying factor that determines whether something is “healthy” or not. That underlying factor is the hormonal effects of any given activity. Proper hormone balance is a dominant factor in determining health, especially the health of our skin and hair. There are various hormonal conditions that set the stage for skin diseases like chronic acne, eczema, dry skin, hair loss, and wrinkles. Some hormones are anti-aging, protective against inflammation and oxidation, while others contribute to disease. 

Many cosmetics and skin care products that are used all over the world have chemicals that contain carcinogens, which are known to cause cancer. Much like other conventional skincare products, typical deodorants and antiperspirants rely heavily on preservatives, fragrances, and...

In an earlier post, we talked all about the damaging effects of stress hormone cortisol. In this post, we will focus on the harmful beauty effects of estrogen, another stress hormone.

One of the golden rules to holistic skin care is “if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.” So just as you would carefully select your food, you might also consider doing the same for your skincare products.

The reason for favoring natural skincare is simple: the skin is a rather direct line to the bloodstream. In essence, any substance that comes into contact with the skin is to a degree absorbed into the body. Everything in the external environment that your body is interacting with has to be managed by the skin’s microbiome.

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 10% of the population. It is characterized by a reddish rash on the face and chest, more commonly affecting women. While rosacea generally develops a little bit later in life—in someone’s 30s-40s—rosacea is becoming increasingly prevalent in younger generations, developing as early as the teenage years.[

Little attention has been given to the importance of adequate levels of testosterone, known as the “male hormone”. In this blog post, we specifically dig into testosterone’s relation to skin aging. 

Truth be told, testosterone is not a gender-specific hormone. It is a necessary androgen steroid for optimal metabolic function and well-being. It has been well documented that this important hormone decreases with age in both men and women. When it comes to skin, lower testosterone levels correspond with a decrease in overall skin health, density, and elasticity.

Most of us are aware of the negative effects that chronic alcohol consumption can have on our health. Countless studies have verified that regular drinking is associated with a range of health problems including liver and pancreas diseases, hepatic encephalopathy,...

According to statistics over 80% of American’s struggle with acne. While the severity of the acne can differ, the fact of the matter is that a very large percentage of people today experience less than optimal skin. And despite the wide range of anti-acne protocols including dermatologist, mediations and over the counter ointments, the problems persist.