Get your glow on (from the inside out)
Your microbiome and the gut skin connection
Welcome to a new week!
I call this newsletter ‘The LIFT’ as a tongue-in-cheek play on words. As a culture, we are so obsessed with maintaining our youth. We will do anything to ‘lift’ the sags, erase the wrinkles, tighten up, stay relevant and look younger. We are also a culture that spends a lot more time (and money) treating symptoms than addressing root causes.
I created The LIFT to hold space to examine some of that stuff in small, but meaningful ways. To hold up a mirror and get honest with ourselves about what we really need versus the constant hustle of chasing something outside of us to ‘fix’ us.
To remember - beauty starts from inside.
And, as it turns out - that saying is way more than a cliche.
Welcome to The LIFT
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SKIN DEEP
I recently started working with a holistic wellness brand that after 20 years in Europe has now launched in the U.S. In my training, I learned:
According to the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology nearly 50% of all people in Europe suffer from skin problems and skin diseases.
Apparently, that’s true here in the U.S. as well. It’s crazy, right?
Here are just a few statistics on skin conditions from the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology):
Acne: Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema): One in 10 people will develop it during their lifetime.
Hair loss: Affects an estimated 80 million Americans — 50 million men and 30 million women
Psoriasis: Approximately 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis. With 25-30% of those having psoriatic arthritis.
Rosacea: Affects 16 million Americans. And, women, especially during menopause
Skin cancer: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
It got me thinking about my own family. One daughter has psoriasis. The other has discoid lupus. I have rosacea. My husband seems to be the only one who has escaped skin issues. Though we did all four have acne at some point in our lives. I had eczema as a kid. My sister now in her 50s has psoriatic arthritis.
I could go on and on down the list of family and friends struggling with skin conditions. You probably could, too.
What is going on here? And, why does it seem to be getting worse, not better?
We are increasingly learning about the connection between the gut and skin and health.
The microbiome plays an important role in a wide variety of skin disorders. The microbiome is a key regulator for the immune system, as it aims to maintain homeostasis by communicating with tissues and organs in a bidirectional manner. Hence, dysbiosis in the skin and/or gut microbiome is associated with an altered immune response, promoting the development of skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, dandruff, and even skin cancer.
The skin is a first-line barrier from the outer environment, continuously interacting with it. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the largest interfaces (30 m2) between the host and its environment. The gut microbiome is the largest endocrine organ, producing at least 30 hormone-like compounds. (PubMed)
I grew up thinking issues of the skin were ‘outside’ of you. You applied an ointment or medication to treat it.
As a teen, I did take antibiotics for a while to manage my acne. And, even though that was an internal, it was all about killing the bacteria on my skin - not healing something from the inside.
Today, we know that the microbiome of the skin and the microbiome of the gut are connected and imbalances in our gut microbiome impact our overall health, our immunity…and our skin.
Research shows that a healthy balance of gut microbiota is required for optimal skin health, creating metabolic and immune homeostasis. And, compositional gut microbiota changes have been linked with exacerbating inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and more.
It’s so fascinating.
Ultimately, gut imbalances lead to inflammation in the body. And, inflammation is at the root of a host of health concerns.
WATERLESS BEAUTY
As women, we are trained early on to apply all kinds of things to our skin - lotions, fragrances, makeup, sparkles - you name it. We never question the connection these things might have to our health.
We aren’t trained how to read ingredient labels and that countless ingredients here in the U.S. are completely unregulated - especially in the personal care industry.
Today, we are beginning to learn about the connection between those ingredients and how they impact our microbiome, hormones and endocrine system. Our skin is our largest organ.
Here’s a fun fact:
Next time you’re in the bathroom, take a look at your shampoo, face cream, favorite serum or body lotion…what’s the first ingredient? I’ll bet it’s water.
Water. Aqua.
That should be a good thing, right? What’s the harm in that?
What you may not realize is that over 70% of that product is water!
First off, that seems wasteful, right? Why do we need to put that much water in a product? And, if we do need to add water, why can’t we buy the product in a concentrated form and add the water ourselves at home? Wouldn’t that mean less waste in packaging, transport, etc.? Of course, wouldn’t that also change how we as consumers value that product? If it’s smaller, we want to pay less, right?
We also don’t know what kind of water. Where the water comes from. Any of that. It leaves a lot of unknowns.
What we DO know is that water-based products require preservatives to help prevent the growth of or destroy mold, fungus and bacteria. We need them to ensure the product stays safe and stable while on the shelves.
Sadly, many preservatives are detrimental to our health. (Not all of them, but many.)
While companies are striving to find safer preservatives - they are problematic for our health. After all, their primary purpose is to ‘kill bacteria’. And, we just discussed above the importance of the microbiota on our skin and in our gut.
Preservatives do not benefit either of those - no matter how you slice it. In fact, quite the opposite.
While preservatives protect us from bacteria growing in our products, they wreak havoc on our microbiome and lead to inflammation.
It’s important to be aware that this applies to ALL conventional products - whether ‘clean’, drug store or high-end. This 70% water thing is how products are made across the board.
What’s really interesting to learn is that once you have the 70%+ water, the preservatives and the emulsifiers, that leaves only about 5-10% of the product for active ingredients…the ingredients you are paying good money for and trying to benefit from.
Pretty eye-opening, right? And here we thought we were doing something good for our skin!
Water-filled products are not good for our planet or for us. So, it’s time to start making some changes.
HYDROXYTYROSOL
What if you could replace the water with something that is 100% bio-active, good for your microbiome and doesn’t need water to work? Turns out, you can!
Hydroxytyrosol is my new favorite ingredient. It is perhaps the most potent anti-oxidant on the planet. You find it in the olive tree and in the same way it helps olive trees live up to 4,000 years - it helps our bodies on the cellular level.
The protective effects of hydroxytyrosol on skin cells can help in maintaining skin health and promoting a more vibrant appearance. And, check out a few of the other things it can help you with.
Skin:
Antioxidant properties help prevent premature aging signs like wrinkles and age spots.
Anti-inflammatory effects can reduce redness and irritation, benefiting conditions like acne and eczema.
Supports skin elasticity and hydration for a youthful complexion.
Gut:
Potential anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation in the gut.
Antioxidant effects could contribute to gut health by protecting against oxidative stress.
Heart:
Improves lipid profiles, potentially benefiting cardiovascular health.
Antioxidant properties may protect against heart disease by reducing oxidative stress.
Cells:
Antioxidant properties protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Anti-inflammatory effects help in maintaining cellular health and function.
Overall Health:
Supports brain health and may protect against cognitive decline.
Potential benefits for overall well-being by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body.
Take some time to learn more about ‘hydroxytyrosol’. You will find all sorts of studies in a quick Google search. It’s a powerhouse ingredient and one of the most powerful anti-oxidants on the planet. Once you learn about all of the benefits, you will want to find ways to get more of it into and onto your body.
I recently switched to a skincare line that uses hydroxytyrosol as a base (instead of water). I am also taking hydroxytyrosol internally as a supplement and have experienced some pretty mind-blowing results with both my skin and the inflammation in my menopausal body. I could not find ANYTHING to relieve the dryness I was experiencing. This stuff - did the trick. And fast.
If you’re interested in checking it out, let me know. I have great confidence in both the company and the products. You can learn more here. But, even better, I’m happy to connect with you and offer a couple of recommendations to try first. Just reach out to me. They have a 365-day return policy, so there’s really no risk in trying it out for youself.
When you start supporting your body to reduce inflammation and protect your microbiome, it’s a game-changer not only for your skin, but for your overall health.
There’s a glow that comes from the inside out.
GLOW ON
If you’re struggling with any sort of skin condition (even if it’s just menopausal dryness), before you buy that next magic cream or serum, I recommend you think about your gut first. Take a break from water-filled products and add some hydroxytyrosol to your life (both internally and externally).
Olive Tree People and its brands have created an elixir from the olive leaf that is loaded with hydroxytyrosol. Rather than using water and emulsifiers as the base, they have swapped that out with this unique cell elixir and arbequina oil. And not from some mass produced olive oil, but from a huge grove of eco-certified mountain olive trees in Spain that have been grown for decades using regenerative farming.
This company and the products they make are centered on healing and regenerating cells. And they are arriving on the scene here in the U.S. just in time because we need a new approach to how we care for our largest organ and our gut health.
I can’t say enough good things about them.
If you’re on a quest to reduce inflammation, improve your gut health or simply to experience the results waterless beauty can give your skin, I hope you will check them out.
The nice thing is that you notice results straight away. So, you will know if it’s worth it. And, they have a 365-day return policy. (How is that for confidence?)
I was really surprised at HOW much of a difference it can make in such a short time. Less inflammation, more hydration, more plumpness and more glow.
For the last 10 years I have been learning about how to read labels and avoid harmful ingredients. Now, learning how to swap from 5-10% active ingredients to 100% bio-active…well, it just makes sense.
If I’ve peaked your interest at all, here are a couple internal products worth checking out:
i01 ORAC + Camu Camu: This pint-sized, drinkable cure, packs a powerful punch against many infectious viruses and harmful environmental influences. The fresh, green olive leaf cell elixir is packed full of an up to 3000-fold higher concentration of antioxidants than is found in olive oil; to battle free radicals and acting as veritable protective shield while it works to prevent premature skin aging.
i70 Beauty Molecule: This is drinkable skincare. Along with the hydroxytyrosol, this product has low-molecular and high-molecular hyaluronic acid as well as lavender, camu camu and turmeric. One shot of this stuff on a daily basis and you quickly see noticeable changes in your skin: finer-pores, firmer skin, plumpiness, stronger immunity, not to mention healthier and stronger fingernails.
If either of these is out of stock when you read this, let me know and I’ll get you on my waitlist so I can notify you when they come back in stock. The demand for these products is insane because they are so effective and word is out. Luckily, they have ramped up production so more is on its way.
If you’d like some recommendations for some of their other products, let me know. I can point you to a few that will best fit your skin type and concerns.
**Note: I will earn a commission if you shop using these links. I appreciate your support of my business and my writing! I am sharing these with you because I know how much they will help you. And, you can bet I will take incredible care of you as a client.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I challenge you to take a look at your favorite skin, body or hair care product. What is the first ingredient? If it is water, reach out and let me recommend a potential swap. When you run out of your current favorite, you can give waterless a try and see what a difference it makes.
RESOURCES:
WATCH or LISTEN: Master Class on How To Fix Your Digestive Issues & Gut Health (With a Renowned GI Doctor) | Mel Robbins
READ: Everything You Need To Know About Waterless Beauty | Forbes
READ: Everything you need to know about waterless beauty products | Cosmopolitan
READ: The Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin Health: Study on the Effect of Hydroxytyrosol, Tyrosol, and Oleocanthal on Human Fibroblasts | PubMed
READ: Skin Conditions by the Numbers | AAD
READ: Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions | PubMed
IN SUMMARY:
They say, trust your gut. And, there is wisdom in that. You can also trust your skin. It’s always trying to tell us what’s going on inside our bodies. Instead of trying to cover it up, take a moment to listen.
See you next week?
You can learn more on my website or follow along with me on Instagram @itMayBeMenopause
Meanwhile, reach out to me anytime!
Karen Friend Smith
Certified Health Coach & Environmental Health Specialist
Specializing in Perimenopause & Menopause
karen@itmaybemenopause.com
www.itMayBeMenopause.com
Instagram: @itmaybemenopause
Interesting reading Karen! Makes me rethink everything I thought I knew! ❤️