beauty

No matter what the season, my skin tends to be on the dry side. If you read my previous blog post (The Road to Soft Skin), then you know that the solution to dry skin requires more than just lathering on lotion. Dead skin cells have to be removed in order to expose the softer skin that's hiding underneath it. I was so sad last year when I found out that my favorite scrub was no longer being made by the manufacturer. It's so hard to find skincare products that are clean and don't have all of the unnecessary fillers and fragrances. I decided to take matters into my own hands and partner with Rene to make our very own Capri 5-in-1 Moisturizing Exfoliator. It has only 5 ingredients and the best part is that it can be used for more than just exfoliating. 

Here's how I use it:

1. Face Scrub

A few times a week, I use an overnight face peel to brighten my skin. The next morning, I always use Capri to scrub off anything that the peel worked to loosen up overnight. On these days, I find I don't have to use moisturizer on my face because the coconut oil in the exfoliator does that for me.

2. Body Scrub

I keep a jar of Capri in the shower and, just like the scrub, I use it a few times a week after cleansing. I focus on my arms and legs because those are the parts that get the driest. Again, I don't have to use lotion on the days I use the exfoliator. 

3. Shaving

Using this exfoliator to shave reduces razor burn and ingrown hairs. I find it especially helpful around my knees. 

4. Make-up Removal

I don't tend to wear a lot of waterproof or heavy makeup, but last week I went to a wedding and decided to wear a lot more makeup than I usually do. I didn't pack my makeup remover (I never do...eek!), but I did pack a jar of Capri. I was a bit hesitant to use it to remove my eye makeup, but it worked! And it didn't irritate my eyes. 

5. Lip Scrub

This is probably my favorite use. I am sort of addicted to chapstick because my lips used to get super dry when I was younger, so I am somewhat paranoid about it. I use a pea sized amount to scrub my lips morning and night at the sink and my lips have never been softer!

6. Paint Removal

This was a surprise! Last week, I did some DIY projects in the kitchen and I am convinced that I am the messiest painter in the world. My hands were covered with paint and nothing got it off (I even tried using my scrubbing glove and a scouring pad-- ouch!). I used Capri and the paint came right off-- bonus-- my hands were super moisturized after using it, which was amazing because they got so dry from washing them all week after painting. 

This moisturizing exfoliator has been such a great addition to my skincare routine. I hope you love it as much as I do-- it's perfect for getting your skin brighter and softer for summer!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably know that my mom had breast cancer. It was after she was diagnosed that she insisted I stop using my antiperspirant. I was hesitant, but I listened because I didn't want to get breast cancer, either. When I got married years later, I discovered that I had fertility problems and many doctors told me I would never have a baby. I sought the help of a NaPro technology doctor, who put me on a strict diet + bio-identical hormones and told me to stop using many of the skincare and beauty products in my medicine cabinet. I was confused-- the diet and the hormones made sense, but not latter.

She told me that what goes on your skin, goes into your body. 

I began to research the ingredients in my products and what I found was not good. Why are such harmful ingredients allowed to be used in things we put on our face and body? I ditched my products and started shopping for everything at Whole Foods. Yes, many of these items had cleaner ingredients but unfortunately they didn't work very well. I bounced around from brand to brand trying to find the best and when those didn't work, I went online without much more success.

Many years into my search (and 3 miracle babies later), I discovered Beautycounter. Clean products that actually do what they're supposed to do = win/win for me. 

Today, I challenge you to research the ingredients in your beauty products. You can use the Environmental Working Group database to search product names and/or specific ingredients. If you're looking to switch some of your products, I suggest taking the skincare quiz on this page or send me a message and we'll chat! BONUS: During the entire month of October, shipping at Beautycounter is free and new customers get 20% off.

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