Keratosis Pilaris (aka chicken skin) is something I have had since I was born. I have bumps all over my arms & the chicken skin look on my legs. Not to mention my face is not smooth, and I have the redness associated with it. While, it is adorable to have cute rosy cheeks as a child.... as an adult, not so much!!
I have tried sooooooooooo many things through the years, and most things are hit or miss. I am starting a new regimen, to see if this helps!! Here is what I am doing:
Dry Skin Brushing: I am doing this before showering... to help exfoliate the skin and increase circulation. You can use circular or long strokes. I prefer long brush strokes because I feel like I get more even coverage. I also start on my feet and work my way up to abdomen, then finish with the arms. I haven't tried dry brushing my face, as it is not recommended with the body dry brush.
Vivite Glycolic Acid Scrub: This facewash is great, because it is the perfect consistency for gritty exfoliation and it also has glycolic acid in it. I have used this in the past, and although it does help with the exfoliation, it hasn't helped with the redness. I usually use this in mornings.
Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid Face Wash: Another great glycolic facewash which is natural, and water activated. I usually use this in the mornings and absolutely love how silky it makes my skin feel!!
Body Scrub Gloves: In addition to the dry skin brushing, I am also exfoliating in the shower with gloves. Hopefully this doesn't over do it, but I try to just keep it gentle.
Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid Face Cream: I also love this so far! It is moisturizing, and leaves my skin feeling soft. Although it stings a little when putting it on, it is well worth it. Because I don't want to get it near my eyes, I usually use Argon Oil to remove my eye makeup and act as a moisturizer around the eyes BEFORE I put my glycolic acid cream on. I use airbrush makeup too, so this moisturizer acts as a good base.
Shikai Borage Therapy Skin Cream: This works wonders. It doesn't seem to help with the redness or bumpiness, however... it is amazing for moisturizing properties, and keeping down any irritation associated with dry skin or keratosis pilaris. My brother even started to get poison ivy and he said this helped to stop the itching.
Supplements!!:
Shakeoogy whole food shake: As I mentioned before this is packed with nutrients! The main ones that I focus on for skin are Vitamin A of 5,000 iu's & MSM of 150mg.
Vitamin D: I try to get out in the sun, but if not then I take a drop of Vitamin D supplement which is approx 2,000 iu's.
Magnesium: Approx 250mg a day. This is for more digestive help, and overall health. I take the CALM version which is a drink. My fave is the Raspberry Lemon flavor!!
L-Tyrosine: 1,000mg. I had my check up recently and bloodwork done. Everything was fine, except for my thyroid numbers were slightly elevated. So I am helping L-Tryosine should help!
I need to take Cod Liver Oil, but haven't started!! I have a bottle of cod liver oil pills I keep in the fridge to make sure the fish taste stays down after eating them. Its just a matter of going to the fridge and remembering to take them!!
Hopefully this all will help with some of my skin issues. If it works, I will post before and after pictures... If not, I will try something else!! I am determined... I would love to hear if anyone else has any success with a serious case of Keratosis Pilaris.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Is Shakeology too good to be true?
Before 3 weeks ago, I was the worst person at eating breakfast in the morning. I would always eat an early giant lunch and a giant dinner, and snack in between. Usually I would try to make something to eat for breakfast but once in a while I was just not hungry enough for food, and by the time I was I figured I'll just wait for lunch.
The food I would eat for breakfast was either, a natural gluten free cereal with almond milk, or some sort of eggs and potatoes. The cereal never filled me up, and the eggs/potatoes made me too full! Not to mention, I started eating gluten & cane sugar free (for the most part), because I have a sensitivity to them. So that's my breakfast history, exciting huh? (I wish there was a way to emphasize sarcasm via a specific punctuation mark!)
Recently I was invited to a Shakeology party with my mom. All I knew was that it was a supplemental meal replacement, whole food shake that people take in the morning. Me, I was wanting to go, but was immediately skeptical. It sounded too good to be true. There are so many health food drinks available, and a good many I have tried, but after further research usually made me realize the ingredients are not so good. Plus, so many of them have sugar in them, or are just protein only.
Because I was skeptical, I decided to do my own research about the product so I knew about it before the party. I went online first to look at the ingredients. The first thing I noticed is that it is gluten free, and free of refined sugars or artificial sugars, making it 'certified low' on the Glycemic Index. (It's sweetened with stevia & NON GMO fructose) The protein looked good to me, 15g of whey protein which I thought was good so far. They also have a vegan blend, made with brown rice protein.
Here is where I started to get impressed: While reading through the ingredients, I notice it was packed with vitamins & minerals... some more than others. For me the most important was vitamin A, vitamin D, and the B vitamins for my skin & energy. I then noticed they have probiotics and digestive enzymes included which is huge for me. Not many people know the value of keeping a good digestive system full of healthy bacteria, nor do they realize the importance of digestive enzymes. Lastly, its full of superfoods, and adaptogen herbs, and some super-greens. The supergreens include Chlorella & Spirulina, which if you are not familiar with is a single cell algae packed full of health benefits, and are considered a perfect food. I will elaborate more on the ingredients in another post... do not want to bore you too much here!!
Long story short, I went to the Shakeology party, tasted some of the different flavors which are Chocolate, Greenberry & Tropical Strawberry (vegan). Beachbody is the company who makes Shakeology, and they offer a variety of work out programs, and other supplements associated with the work out programs. Some programs you would be familiar with such as p90x, insanity, turbo fire, and the one that I decided to give a shot... Brazil Butt Lift. With being slender, I am still flabby..... need to tone up, and lift my butt so I am slender and in shape... not just slender and frail! Another post will be about my Brazil Butt Lift experience so far, which I love!
I have been taking Shakeology every morning for the last 3 weeks, and so far I love it. The first few days you do have to get adjusted to the taste, which I absolutely love. (It's like trying any new food, or different brand of something... just a different type of chocolate for me.) And, since it is cleansing out your system, and flooding it with nutrients, you may go through a detox process and have some digestive adjusting to do for a few days. There are various recipes too for the shakes. I usually make mine with almond milk, and add a little almond butter and half a banana which is yummy for me. Today, mine has frozen cherries in it... so a frozen cherry chocolate drink for breakfast with no sugar.... yum!!
Three weeks in, and I can feel my energy is higher, my digestion has improved, and my skin is starting to feel softer which is huge!! As I am new to this Shakeology and Brazil Butt Lift I would love to find some of you to join me in my journey and try it with me. It would be great to keep each other motivated, answer questions and just give support!! When I ordered Shakeology and my Brazil Butt Lift though Beachbody, it automatically made me a "Coach", therefore, I have my own site if you decide in the future to get more information on anything, please visit my Beachbody Coach Page:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/jessicaallison
You can also order the programs directly from my page. I did the 'challenge pack', which includes a work out and the Shakeology. Just click on BE A COACH, and you automatically become coach status when you order a 'challenge pack'... so that's what I did!
Like I said, I am new to this... but, feel free to ask any questions you may have, and your own experiences are welcomed!!
The food I would eat for breakfast was either, a natural gluten free cereal with almond milk, or some sort of eggs and potatoes. The cereal never filled me up, and the eggs/potatoes made me too full! Not to mention, I started eating gluten & cane sugar free (for the most part), because I have a sensitivity to them. So that's my breakfast history, exciting huh? (I wish there was a way to emphasize sarcasm via a specific punctuation mark!)
Recently I was invited to a Shakeology party with my mom. All I knew was that it was a supplemental meal replacement, whole food shake that people take in the morning. Me, I was wanting to go, but was immediately skeptical. It sounded too good to be true. There are so many health food drinks available, and a good many I have tried, but after further research usually made me realize the ingredients are not so good. Plus, so many of them have sugar in them, or are just protein only.
Because I was skeptical, I decided to do my own research about the product so I knew about it before the party. I went online first to look at the ingredients. The first thing I noticed is that it is gluten free, and free of refined sugars or artificial sugars, making it 'certified low' on the Glycemic Index. (It's sweetened with stevia & NON GMO fructose) The protein looked good to me, 15g of whey protein which I thought was good so far. They also have a vegan blend, made with brown rice protein.
Here is where I started to get impressed: While reading through the ingredients, I notice it was packed with vitamins & minerals... some more than others. For me the most important was vitamin A, vitamin D, and the B vitamins for my skin & energy. I then noticed they have probiotics and digestive enzymes included which is huge for me. Not many people know the value of keeping a good digestive system full of healthy bacteria, nor do they realize the importance of digestive enzymes. Lastly, its full of superfoods, and adaptogen herbs, and some super-greens. The supergreens include Chlorella & Spirulina, which if you are not familiar with is a single cell algae packed full of health benefits, and are considered a perfect food. I will elaborate more on the ingredients in another post... do not want to bore you too much here!!
Long story short, I went to the Shakeology party, tasted some of the different flavors which are Chocolate, Greenberry & Tropical Strawberry (vegan). Beachbody is the company who makes Shakeology, and they offer a variety of work out programs, and other supplements associated with the work out programs. Some programs you would be familiar with such as p90x, insanity, turbo fire, and the one that I decided to give a shot... Brazil Butt Lift. With being slender, I am still flabby..... need to tone up, and lift my butt so I am slender and in shape... not just slender and frail! Another post will be about my Brazil Butt Lift experience so far, which I love!
I have been taking Shakeology every morning for the last 3 weeks, and so far I love it. The first few days you do have to get adjusted to the taste, which I absolutely love. (It's like trying any new food, or different brand of something... just a different type of chocolate for me.) And, since it is cleansing out your system, and flooding it with nutrients, you may go through a detox process and have some digestive adjusting to do for a few days. There are various recipes too for the shakes. I usually make mine with almond milk, and add a little almond butter and half a banana which is yummy for me. Today, mine has frozen cherries in it... so a frozen cherry chocolate drink for breakfast with no sugar.... yum!!
Three weeks in, and I can feel my energy is higher, my digestion has improved, and my skin is starting to feel softer which is huge!! As I am new to this Shakeology and Brazil Butt Lift I would love to find some of you to join me in my journey and try it with me. It would be great to keep each other motivated, answer questions and just give support!! When I ordered Shakeology and my Brazil Butt Lift though Beachbody, it automatically made me a "Coach", therefore, I have my own site if you decide in the future to get more information on anything, please visit my Beachbody Coach Page:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/jessicaallison
You can also order the programs directly from my page. I did the 'challenge pack', which includes a work out and the Shakeology. Just click on BE A COACH, and you automatically become coach status when you order a 'challenge pack'... so that's what I did!
Like I said, I am new to this... but, feel free to ask any questions you may have, and your own experiences are welcomed!!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A quick background...
Blogging about myself is sort of new to me, so I am giving it a shot. I have blogged in the past, but have blogged about things related to my business. As being an owner of a kitchen & bath design business, blogging about anything in the interior design world comes easy to me. Talking about myself, however, does not come easy!! Either way, I just wanted to give you a quick background, and explain why I am starting this blog.
If you read my 'about me' you will know that I have struggled with being too skinny, while also having Keratosis Pilaris aka "chicken skin". The Keratosis Pilaris I have had since I was born. I have a bad case on my arms, a little on my legs but mainly on my face. For those of you who are not familiar with KP it is a skin disorder which causes tiny red bumps on your skin. Most people have it, and I have a severe case of it. I also have the Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faceii too, which gives me very rosy cheeks, nose, chin and ears. As a little girl... I was really cute with rosy cheeks, but as I got older the redness got worse, so now I rarely go out without foundation. I have been trying so many creams, treatments, supplements for my KP over the years. I feel I have tried EVERYTHING, and nothing works!!! So, hopefully I can find something that can lessen my KP, so it is not so severe!
Lastly, I am naturally very thin. My metabolism is very fast, and do not put on weight no matter what I eat. This never bothered me until people would say comments. "Why are you so skinny?", "Go eat a cheeseburger", "I bet you never eat anything". Girls in college would call me anorexic. So, since I never watched what I ate, and ate pretty much anything, every time they said something it really offended me and bothered me. For a while, I would eat fast food, anything high in fat and calories so I could try to put on weight. It didn't work, and it ended up making my skin worse, and made me feel crappy. While I was putting calories and fat in my system, I wasn't nourishing my body. In addition, I also didn't work out for fear that it would make me loose more weight.
Luckily, I have come to accept my naturally slender figure, and rosy bumpy skin. Although I accept it, it doesn't mean I will give up completely on doing anything about it!! I have also started working out on a regular basis, and eating better with whole foods, and foods high in healthy fats. As I try more supplements, and go through my work outs, I will share the progress with you. I also LOVE trying new beauty products, especially to see what helps my KP. I will be sharing those as well!!
If you read my 'about me' you will know that I have struggled with being too skinny, while also having Keratosis Pilaris aka "chicken skin". The Keratosis Pilaris I have had since I was born. I have a bad case on my arms, a little on my legs but mainly on my face. For those of you who are not familiar with KP it is a skin disorder which causes tiny red bumps on your skin. Most people have it, and I have a severe case of it. I also have the Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Faceii too, which gives me very rosy cheeks, nose, chin and ears. As a little girl... I was really cute with rosy cheeks, but as I got older the redness got worse, so now I rarely go out without foundation. I have been trying so many creams, treatments, supplements for my KP over the years. I feel I have tried EVERYTHING, and nothing works!!! So, hopefully I can find something that can lessen my KP, so it is not so severe!
Lastly, I am naturally very thin. My metabolism is very fast, and do not put on weight no matter what I eat. This never bothered me until people would say comments. "Why are you so skinny?", "Go eat a cheeseburger", "I bet you never eat anything". Girls in college would call me anorexic. So, since I never watched what I ate, and ate pretty much anything, every time they said something it really offended me and bothered me. For a while, I would eat fast food, anything high in fat and calories so I could try to put on weight. It didn't work, and it ended up making my skin worse, and made me feel crappy. While I was putting calories and fat in my system, I wasn't nourishing my body. In addition, I also didn't work out for fear that it would make me loose more weight.
Luckily, I have come to accept my naturally slender figure, and rosy bumpy skin. Although I accept it, it doesn't mean I will give up completely on doing anything about it!! I have also started working out on a regular basis, and eating better with whole foods, and foods high in healthy fats. As I try more supplements, and go through my work outs, I will share the progress with you. I also LOVE trying new beauty products, especially to see what helps my KP. I will be sharing those as well!!
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