Skin Care Archives - Rooted in Bloom

Your Hormones Are Talking—Is Your Skin Listening?

Cara B. — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:11:33 +0000

As a licensed esthetician, I'm always surprised by the frequency with which clients convey that they don't really understand the importance or benefits of a facial. And it's not a superiority complex thing, it's genuine surprise. In our society, we talk so much about self care and its importance, but we often lack the tools to truly understand not just the how, but also the why. How do i best take care of my skin? Why is it important and why is it self care rather than luxury? And then hormones? Their affect on skin is massive. So let's talk Hormone-Informed Skincare!

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Beauty after Baby, a Guide for New Mom Skin Troubles.

Cara B. — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 03:18:41 +0000

Believe it or not, I was once a new mom! Okay okay, I realize that technically, I’m still a new mom considering my kids are only 19 months old. However, my skin (and my body!) are very different now than they were during the postpartum period. So, in terms of skincare, I don’t fit into the new mom category anymore. New motherhood is tough. It’s tough on the body and the mind. While we’re talking about the body, let’s talk about skin too. Did you know that hormonal changes during the postpartum period can have catastrophic effects on the skin? If not, then boy are you in for a treat! Can you sense the sarcasm there? Postpartum Before we even talk about hormones and skin, let’s talk a little bit about what postpartum means. According to Merriam-Webster, the definitions of postpartum are: occurring in or being the period following childbirth— being in or used in the postpartum period Now, to complicate matters, the definition of the time frame of the postpartum period varies depending on the source. For example, About Kids Health states that “The postpartum period is commonly defined as the six weeks after childbirth.” However, according to this article in the Journal of Prenatal Medicine, the postpartum period is made of 3 distinct phases: “The initial or acute period involves the first 6–12 hours postpartum…” “The second phase is the subacute postpartum period, which lasts 2–6 weeks…” “The third phase is the delayed postpartum period, which can last up to 6 months..” Now, to make you really confused… I consider the postpartum period to be the entire year following birth! A lot of experts would probably argue that that is not accurate, and that’s okay! After experiencing my own postpartum period, I didn’t feel like myself until… well I still don’t feel quite like myself at 19 months postpartum, but it was really around 1 year that I started feeling a little bit better and more… Cara, if you will. Hormones Involved Taking into account that the postpartum period is defined so variably from source to source, let’s talk about the hormonal changes during the postpartum period; until one year post childbirth. First off, to review the hormones that are involved in (pregnancy), click here. After giving birth, a significant amount of hormonal changes take place, primarily the dramatic drop in Estrogen & Progesterone, but also the rapid increase in Prolactin, Cortisol, and Oxytocin, as demonstrated in the graphs below. Let’s break down each hormone in a little more detail, shall we? Progesterone I want to start with Progesterone because it is most prolific during pregnancy and then drops off dramatically after birth. As I described in my last post, Progesterone’s job is to maintain the uterine lining to keep it thick enough for embryo implantation. Once pregnancy occurs, progesterone continues to be produced to maintain the thickness of the uterus and support the growth of the embryo, while the placenta is growing and being established. It is produced by the ovaries prior to pregnancy, and then by the placenta during pregnancy. Estrogen Like Progesterone, Estrogen contributes to uterine lining thickness. It also helps with uterine growth, and triggering the development of the fetus’ organs. Estrogen is initially produced by the ovaries, but as pregnancy occurs, begins production within the placenta. Prolactin Unlike Progesterone and Estrogen, Prolactin is produced in the pituitary gland. The main purpose, or function, of Prolactin is to promote breast tissue growth and milk production in the breasts both during pregnancy and after birth. As you can see in the graph below, Prolactin levels are relatively low during pregnancy and then spike after birth. In the bottom graph, in more detail, you can see that Prolactin spikes and dips in coordination with breastfeeding. Each time the baby nurses, the level of Prolactin spikes immediately following, and then dips. Essentially, this spike and dip are the body producing breastmilk between nursing sessions so that it’s ready to release into the milk ducts the next time the baby latches. Cortisol Cortisol, better known as the stress hormone, is produced in the adrenal glands, though production is triggered by the pituitary gland. It slowly increases throughout pregnancy, and then surges just before and during labor and birth. According to yourhormones.info, this rise in Cortisol may help the fetal organs mature just before labour begins, and influence the timing of birth. Oxytocin Oxytocin is produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland. It is the primary hormone involved in childbirth. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, which triggers labor. After birth, Oxytocin plays an additional role in lactation, by moving milk into the breast. During breastfeeding, Oxytocin is released, causing the milk to eject out of the breast. When the baby stops the feeding, Oxytocin production stops until the next feeding. Maguire, Jamie. Postpartum Hormones Graph. ScienceDirect Chapter 12 – Hormonal and immunological factors in postpartum psychosis, Editor(s): Jennifer L. Payne, Lauren M. Osborne, Biomarkers of Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Academic Press, 2020, Pages 159-179, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815508-0.00012-6. Accessed 1/4/2021. St-Jacques, René. “Hormonal changes associated to pregnancy, childbirth, and return of the menstrual cycle.” MyHumanBody.ca http://www.corpshumain.ca/en/NouvelleVie_en.php Accessed 1/2/2021 Kohl, J., Autry, A.E. and Dulac, C. (2017), The neurobiology of parenting: A neural circuit perspective. BioEssays, 39: 1-11 e201600159. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201600159 Accessed 1/2/2021 Skin Troubles for Mamas Oxytocin: While there’s not a ton of information out there about how Oxytocin may affect skin, some studies conclude that the presence of Oxytocin may reduce inflammation and free radicals in the skin. Another interesting study shows that that oxytocin may be effective in the prevention of skin aging. Prolactin: There isn’t much research out there to show how Prolactin affects the skin during the postpartum period, however, there are some studies that prove that there is a connection between Prolactin and Epithelial cell proliferation. Cortisol: Ah, the evil stress hormone! Cortisol levels increase dramatically after giving birth. The extreme rise in Cortisol can wreak havoc on your skin and cause acne, redness, aging, and even

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Everything you Need to Know to Best Care for Your Skin During Pregnancy

Cara B. — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 01:32:37 +0000

Pregnancy is a complicated time in a woman's life. First, her body is literally changing every single day. In addition, her body is growing another person inside of it, so that in itself is complicated! But, when you add in changes to the exterior of the body (the skin), it adds a whole mess of complications that can be very stressful. Hormonal skin changes during pregnancy are extremely common and are usually quite easy to treat.

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Disaster or Delight? How Skin is Affected by Infertility

Cara B. — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:02:45 +0000

How is skin affected by infertility? Well, that’s a complicated question, with a relatively complicated answer. However, when we break it all down into chunks, it actually makes a lot of sense. Before I jump into the specifics, I want to remind you that everyone’s skin is different and every person’s skin reacts differently to changes. But what changes, you ask? Well, everything from hormonal changes to environmental changes among others. So, when I talk about disaster or delight, I’m talking about the skin’s positive or negative reactions to internal changes (ie. hormonal changes) or external changes (ie. environmental). Confused? Don’t be! I’ve got some fascinating info to share in this post, so read on. How skin is affected by infertility Infertility Before I dive into hormones and how skin is affected by infertility, let’s talk about infertility and why it would have anything to do with skin anyway! First off, what exactly is infertility? The definition of infertility, according to dictionary.com is: The persistent inability to achieve conception and produce an offspring. However, when we talk about infertility in every day terms, it’s more specific. According to the CDC: In general, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. Because fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 years or older after 6 months of unprotected sex. So, infertility is an inability to conceive, but specifically within a certain timeframe. Age is used to define it even further. Infertility & Hormones Now that I’ve given you a general understanding of infertility, let’s talk a little bit about how hormones play a role. First, there are a variety of hormone disorders that can affect fertility. PCOS (polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome) Hyperthyroidism Hypothydroidism Anovulation (ovaries don’t release eggs) Endometriosis While there are plenty of other hormone disorders that can affect fertility, these are the most common. The common factor among these disorders, is the level of the hormone in the body. Too much, or not enough of a particular hormone causes the disorder and can affect fertility. Hormones & Skin But, how is skin affected by infertility? Let’s start with breaking down the hormones involved in the disorders mentioned above. Hormone disorders can wreak havoc on your skin, and that can cause stress, frustration, anxiety, and of course, general annoyance! The hormones from the disorders above that affect the skin the most are: Testosterone Insulin Thyroid Hormones (Thyroxine & Triiodothyronine) Estrogen Progesterone But, how do these hormones affect the skin? Well, each hormone has a different effect on the skin, but surprisingly, the effects aren’t always bad. It just depends on the person. The Hormones This is where I would normally give a skin anatomy 101 lesson. Luckily for you, I’ve already done that, so go check out this blog post to learn more about skin anatomy so you can understand my logic. Now that you’re a skin expert, let’s dive in and really find out how skin is affected by infertility! First and foremost, I want to talk about sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are located within the Dermis. They are attached to hair follicles and produce sebum. Sebum is a waxy oil made up of triglycerides, wax esters, cholesterol esters, squalene and other complex oils. Its main function is to coat, moisturize, and protect the skin from friction and excess moisture. Testosterone When Testosterone is released in excessive amounts, it triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. Too much sebum can clog the hair follicles, leaving the oily substance with nowhere to go. And what do you get when it has nowhere to go? Acne. Estrogen A decrease in Estrogen has an opposite effect to the increase in Testosterone I just talked about. Drops in Estrogen can cause thinning of the skin, wrinkles, and lack of moisture. This results in dry, flaky, and itchy skin. The decrease in Estrogen can also cause skin sensitivity. Thyroid Hormones The effect that the thyroid hormones have on the skin varies depending on whether there is too much or too little of them. Let me explain. Hypothyroidism is when the Thyroid gland is underactive, causing it to not secrete enough of the Thyroid hormones. On the other hand, Hyperthyroidism is when the Thyroid gland is overactive and causes it to create too much of the Thyroid hormones. So, an excess of the Thyroid hormones can cause skin thinning & red, swollen skin. While not enough of the Thyroid hormones can cause dry & coarse skin with a decrease in sweating. Progesterone Low Progesterone can cause acne, brittle nails and dry, cracked skin. Excess Progesterone, on the other hand, can have 2 different results. An increase in Progesterone causes the skin to swell. When the skin swells, it essentially closes off the pores. When the pores are closed sebum is prevented from escaping.. The resulting increase in sebum can have 2 very opposite effects: A nice glow to the skin Oil, oil, and more oil! Glowing skin is a nice side effect for sure, but that’s not going to be the case for everyone! The other group will experience very oily skin, and potentially… acne. *Like I said earlier: “The effects aren’t always bad. It just depends on the person. 📌 Pin me for later! Fertility Treatments & Skin When you’re dealing with a hormone disorder that could be causing infertility, then you are likely already dealing with some of these skin issues. But this is only part of how infertility affects the skin. The other part is fertility treatments. If you are doing fertility treatments or plan to, I think it’s helpful to know that some of these skin issues can be resolved. It’s also good to note that sometimes other skin issues can crop up. Either way, I feel strongly that it’s important to prepare for what could happen, so that it doesn’t surprise you. Let’s start with the different hormones that are often used in fertility treatments.

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Your One Stop Shop: The Best Gifts for Infertility Warriors

Cara B. — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 04:12:11 +0000

Infertility is a beast, one that many people have difficulty understanding or relating to, and that is OKAY! Infertility is a difficult subject and when someone you care about is going through it, it can be difficult to know what to say or what to do. That’s why I created this one stop shop to get the best gifts for infertility warriors, to take the guesswork out of it for you! Each gift on my list is carefully chosen to be not just a good gift, but to really be thoughtful and caring and help those dealing with infertility to feel less alone. Infertility takes a toll and getting a thoughtful gift can make a tremendous difference in their stress level. And now, may I present to you… Don’t have time to read the whole post? Click the image above for clickable links to each item in the post! Your One Stop Shop to Get the Best Gifts for Infertility Warriors *Best Gift for the Health Conscious Warrior Natural Fertility Shop – 21 Day Fertility Diet Ebook – $14.95 This 125 page ebook comes with 21 smoothie recipes, 21 juice recipes, 21 salad recipes, and 21 recipes for preparing dark leafy greens. The idea behind this 21 day challenge is to transition to a healthier lifestyle to help give fertility a boost. 84 delicious & healthy recipes, you can’t go wrong! The great thing about this ebook is that all of these recipes can still be used after her fertility journey and can be used by anyone who isn’t on a fertility journey. *Best Gift for the Jewelry Loving Warrior Rose Quartz & Moonstone Gemstone Necklace – $34.99 The great thing about gemstone jewelry is that not only is it beautiful, but gemstones, in a metaphysical sense, have healing properties. Rose Quartz & Moonstone both have healing properties related to infertility. Moonstone: Is said to bring reflective and calming energy by balancing emotions. These stones have an inner flow and range from white to grey, often with flashes of blue. They help promote a more regular menstrual cycle and boost female energy, which makes them perhaps the most used stone for fertility. Is said to aid in increasing overall fertility. This pale pink stone is also helpful with headaches, migraines, sexual dysfunction, depression, addictions, and weight loss. Emotionally, Rose Quartz brings forgiveness, compassion, as well as balancing one’s emotions. It helps with healing emotional wounds and traumas. Rose Quartz removes fears, resentments, and anger. Huge shout out to InJewels Healing Jewelry for her excellent breakdown of how various gemstones heal. She has a beautiful array of jewelry for healing, so check out her shop now! *Best Gift for Warriors on the IVF Path IVF Planner by Monica Bivas – $8.00 Monica Bivas is an amazing IVF coach who has been featured in The Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Dynamic Women Talk Radio, and more. As an infertility warrior herself, she brings her own experience to all of her amazing products and services. Her IVF Planner is designed for women going through IVF. It works as a planner, a journal, and an inspirational tool. I highly recommend it for any warrior going through the roller coaster ride of IVF. 📌Pin me for Later! *Best Gift for Quirky Warriors Pineapple T-Shirt – $13.96+ In the infertility community, pineapple plays a big role. Pineapple contains the enzyme, bromelain. Bromelain is a known anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant (blood thinner). Some studies have shown that bromelain can help with implantation by increasing blood flow to the uterus. So, for many women (me included!) pineapple is a symbol of fertility. *Side note, I ate so much pineapple during my fertility journey that I actually lost my taste for it for a while! While I recommend this shirt for the quirky warriors out there, it really is for anyone who wears clothes! *Best Gift for Warriors Who Love Subscriptions Baby Dust Subscription Box – $10.99+ First off, who doesn’t love a subscription box? Let’s just talk about the super smart concept of a subscription box. Subscription boxes come in all forms. This particular subscription box is BRILLIANT and very unique. Each box comes with: Ovulation Tests Pregnancy Tests Organic Snacks Self Care Items Beauty Products I think this is quite possibly the best gift you can give a woman going through the hell that is infertility. It’s unique, practical, thoughtful, and helpful! One of the hardest things about being a friend to a woman going through infertility is the inability to relate. Even after your journey, in whatever path it leads, it can still be hard to know what to say to someone who is currently going through infertility. But getting them a gift like this, speaks volumes. So, I highly recommend this gift! *Best Gift for Artsy Warriors Inspirational Wall Art – $5+ Okay, so I realize this may seem completely out of my wheelhouse, but it’s not! So, hear me out. Before I started The Hormonal Mama, I owned a different business: Cara B. Design Studio. Cara B. Design Studio is a design business. What kind of design? That all depends! Primarily I design and make women’s wallets, handbags, and cosmetic bags. In addition, I design wall art. I have other wall art options available, but this one is my personal favorite. As an infertility warrior, it’s helpful to be reminded that times won’t always feel so dark. This quote really spoke to me, and I think it’s a lovely gift to a friend. It’s a digital download PDF that can be printed and framed. And there you have it! So there you go! 6 unique gifts for a loved one going through infertility. When I was in the thick of my infertility journey, I wished every day that the people I love could understand what I was going through. Not because they weren’t supportive, because man, were they! But simply so that they wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed by what to say to me. The

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Where to Find the best gifts for pregnant women

Cara B. — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 17:18:30 +0000

Finding gifts for pregnant women can be tricky, especially if you want to get her something really meaningful and thoughtful. Pregnancy is hard, and for many women it presents difficult challenges to navigate. I’ve taken it upon myself to give you a list of where to find the best gifts for pregnant women in your life. Do you know a pregnant woman who is sore and achy all the time and she can’t reach the achy spots to massage them? I’ve got a gift for that! Is your pregnant friend on bedrest or modified bedrest and running out of shows or movies to watch? I’ve got a solution! My list is carefully curated based on my own experience with pregnancy and all the things I wish I had during my pregnancy. So, read on and find out where to find the best gifts for pregnant women! You won’t be disappointed. Don’t have time to read the whole post? Click the image above for clickable links to each item described in the post! Where to Find the Best Gifts for Pregnant Women in Your Life *Best Gift for Active Moms-To-Be Tiosebon Walking Shoes – $31.99 When I was pregnant, my feet were so sore and SO swollen, I couldn’t fit into any of my regular shoes. One of my best friends got me these shoes, (and in this purple color!) and I still wear them to this day, 18 months after giving birth! These shoes are by far one of the best gifts anyone has ever gotten me and were extremely thoughtful. They are good and stretchy (check out the mesh!) so they’re great for swollen pregnant feet. These shoes are intended as walking shoes, so they’re perfect for any mamas-to-be who love to walk. However, they are excellent shoes for any woman who needs extra foot support, even if she doesn’t do too much walking. *Best Gift for Moms-To-Be on Bedrest Hulu Subscription – $5.99-$11.99/mo A lot of pregnant women deal with the unexpected (and sometimes expected) bedrest orders from their pregnancy provider. I was one of those! I had a lot of complications early in my pregnancy and then again late in my pregnancy, both of which required modified bedrest. Now, while I wasn’t on strict bedrest, I wasn’t allowed to go and do fun exciting things, so I had to find a lot of shows and movies to binge watch! At the time, I had a Netflix subscription, which was awesome, but there are a lot of shows I wanted to watch but were only available on Hulu, which I did not have a subscription to at the time. Hulu has so many fun shows, including current and old shows! A great gift to get someone who can’t go out and do exciting and fun things, is a Hulu subscription so she can sit back, queue up the shows (or movies!) and relax. *Best Gift for sore/achy Moms-To-Be Omni Massage Roller – $12.95 As a massage therapist specializing in prenatal massage for the past 12 years, one of the most common complaints from pregnant. women that I’ve heard over the years is that she is so sore and achy and her partner can’t give her enough pressure in the areas she needs massaged the most. I’ve had this exact omni roller since I was in massage therapy school is 2001, and I still use it regularly. It is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made, and I highly recommend gifting one to a mom-to-be in your life! You hold the bottom white part and then the top, green part rolls around on your muscles, loosening up tension and tightness, so you don’t have to use your fingers! It’s an excellent massage tool. 📌Pin me for later! *Best Gift for skin conscious Moms-To-Be Skin Script Raspberry Refining Scrub – $28 Speaking of specializing in prenatal massage, I am also a licensed esthetician, and I’ve specialized in pre & postnatal skincare for the majority of my 17 year skincare career. Skin Script is a company that I’ve used in my skincare studio for the past 5 years and it is amazing. They specialize in melasma, which is a skin condition that causes dark, patchy spots on the face. Melasma is common, and often occurs in pregnancy. Melasma is often treated with chemical peels like glycolic or lactic acid. Pregnancy makes your skin much more sensitive, and chemical peels can cause damage and sensitivity when used during pregnancy. So, we recommend against these treatments during pregnancy. Skin Script makes this amazing Raspberry Refining Scrub that is 100% safe for pregnant (and lactating!) women. With antioxidants from Raspberry & Marionberry, it brightens skin discolorations and soothes irritations, making it perfect for pregnant women with melasma. *Best Gift for organized Moms-To-Be The Hormonal Mama: Moms-To-Be Planner – $25 Pregnancy can be extremely stressful and cause a lot of women to feel out of sorts. That’s where The Hormonal Mama Planner for Moms-to-Be steps in. I don’t mean to boast, but I’m so proud of this planner! This planner is great for organized mamas-to-be who may be feeling like their organizational skill are on an endless vacation. I designed this planner because I needed some guidance in my pregnancy and something to just help with the chaotic nature of pregnancy. I’ve included pregnancy journal pages, blank monthly calendars, checklists for everything from baby registry to hospital bag, blank meal plans, and more. The Moms-To-Be-Planner is a great gift for any mama-to-be who wants to feel a little less out of control, and still enjoy her pregnancy. *Best Gift for all Moms-To-Be Irene Organics Mama-To-Be Gift Set Bundle – $59.99 (10% off with coupon code below) Gift sets are wonderful, and this particular gift set from Irene Organics is excellent and tailored to pregnant women! Includes: Stretch Mark Prevention Belly Balm Stretch Mark Prevention Belly Oil Soothing Nipple Balm All Irene Organics products are handmade with 100% certified organic ingredients and are unscented. Use

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Discover the Best Gifts for First Time Moms

Cara B. — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 16:39:58 +0000

Are you looking for a gift for a first time mom in your life but you’re not quite sure where to start? As a first time mom, it can be extremely overwhelming and exhausting to do just about anything. Read on to discover the best gifts for first time moms. New moms often know that they need something but don’t always know exactly what it is that they need. Being able to read their mind would help so much! Since we can’t do that, I’ve taken it upon myself to look back at my time as a new mom and think of all of the things that helped me, that I think every new mama should have in their life. So, I’ve compiled a list to help you discover the best gifts for first time moms in your life, and at an affordable price, that will make them say, “Thank you! This will be so helpful!” And so, without further ado… Don’t have time to read the whole post? Click the image above for clickable links to each item in the post below! Discover the Best Gifts for New Moms *Best for Organized Mamas The Hormonal Mama Planner for New Moms – $25 This 161 page planner was designed with new moms in mind! It’s got everything from diaper changing trackers to daily schedules, naptime and bedtime routines to milk/formula intake trackers. Blank monthly calendars, monthly food menus and so much more are also included in this planner. This planner is guaranteed to make your life easier and less stressful when you’re navigating the world as a new mom. *Best for Alternative Health Mamas Plant Therapy Energy Synergy Roll On – $8.95 With essential oils of Blood Orange, Peppermint, Lemon, Ginger Root, Eucalyptus Globulus, and Egyptian Geranium, this energy boosting roll on oil (safely diluted in Fractionated Coconut Oil), will help give a boost of energy to the most tired of mamas! Roll on oils are easy to use. Just remove the cap, then roll directly onto your wrists, (or other pulse points) and you’re all set! *Word of warning, because of the energy boosting nature of this roll on oil, it is best to stay away from it at nighttime, and the few hours preceding sleep. *Best for Tired Mamas Cara B. Skin Care: Cucumber Herbal Eye Gel – $35 For sleepy mamas, anything with caffeine is sure to help perk her up! This Cucumber Herbal Eye Gel is no exception. With caffeine as one of its main ingredients, this eye gel will help soothe puffy, tired eyes. Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and cucumber round out the main ingredients and will help reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and provide deep hydration to the delicate eye area. A tiny little bit goes a long way, so this eye gel makes a perfect gift, as it will last her a long time! 📌Pin me for later! *Best for Creative Mamas Brookside Baby Newborn Photos – Pricing Varies Susannah of Brookside Baby is the most talented newborn photographer around. I mean that! She did my sweet kiddos’ newborn photos and they are among my favorite and most treasured items in the world. When you go to her site, you’ll see that one of the shots from my kiddos’ photoshoot is the very first image that appears! The dragonfly and the butterfly on the moss covered branch? Those are my babies! Not only is Susannah an extraordinarily talented and creative photographer, she will work with you to give you the most exceptional, beautiful and perfectly tailored to your needs photos that you can possibly ask for. She’s wonderful to work with. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! *Best for Breastfeeding Mamas Earth Mama Organics Nipple Butter – $12.99 You may be wondering if this gift is a little too personal, but I assure you, it’s not! For those breastfeeding mamas, Earth Mama Organics Nipple Butter is a life saver. But really, it’s a nipple saver! I highly recommend this as a gift for any breastfeeding mama out there. There are other wonderful nipple butters on the market, but this is the one I find to be the most soothing and it doesn’t hurt that it’s organic! They also have a Vegan Option available. She’ll greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness of this nipple butter. I promise. *Best for Working Mamas Every Plate Subscription – $4.99/serving Life as a new mama is very hard and stressful. Trying to figure out what you’re going to have for dinner every night is complicated enough, and then going to the supermarket with a list and going down each aisle to figure it out? It’s too much! Especially if you’re a working mama and you just don’t have the time. Every Plate makes it easy by giving you a choice of 11 different meals each week and then sending you a box with the ingredients and instructions included. Starting at $4.99 per serving, with your choice of 2-4 servings per meal and 3, 4, or 5 meals per week, you can’t go wrong! I highly recommend getting the new mamas in your life a subscription to Every Plate. It’s a unique and extremely practical gift! Now get to Gifting! I hope this list has helped you discover the best gifts for first time moms in your life. Mamas need support, and first time mamas need even more support. As a first time mom, it can be overwhelming to know what you need, and then trying to figure out how to get it when you’re dealing with a newborn (or 2, or 3, or more!) can just feel extremely chaotic. Treat your new mom friends and give them a thoughtful gift that will be sure to touch their heart. Favorite

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The Corner of Beauty & Foodie: A Skincare Regimen Reimagined as a 9-Course Meal

Cara B. — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:15:00 +0000

Today, we’re talking all about understanding how skincare products work with the skin! In other words, how do these products interact with the skin, and what do they do for the skin? Understanding the exact purpose of skincare products can be tricky, however, put it in food terms & suddenly we’re all experts! More on that in a few. If you read my last blog post or listened to Episode 11 of my podcast, then you should have a little bit clearer of an understanding of the anatomy of the skin. If you haven’t, I recommend you read this post! Now that you understand skin anatomy, let’s talk a bit about how skincare products work with the skin. First off, it’s good to have an idea of what skincare products are. There is a wide variety of types of skincare products, and below is a relatively inclusive list. Skincare Product Types Cleansers Toners Exfoliants Masques Serums Moisturizers Sunblocks Eye Creams Chemical Peels Treatments Beauty = Foodie! So now that you have a general idea of the basic product categories, let’s talk about how skincare products work with the skin. Obviously, this varies by product and what it’s purpose is. For example, a cleanser and a moisturizer are not going to react the same way with the skin, because they have different purposes. A cleanser’s job is to remove surface debris, where a moisturizer’s job is to attract and retain moisture in the skin. So, in order to understand how the products work with the skin, we need to figure out what the product’s purpose is. I’m not going to get into the chemistry behind it because, well… that’s too far above my head! So, let’s go in a more abstract direction. Pin for later! Skincare product ingredients are like recipe ingredients. In a recipe for a meal, each ingredient adds flavor and/or nutrients and/or texture. In skincare products, the ingredients add effect and/or scent and/or color. For example: Emollients smooth and soften the skin Emulsifiers stabilize the mixture Essential Oils add nutrients (or other effects) and add scent So essentially, a skincare product, like a cleanser or an exfoliant or a moisturizer, is a portion of a meal, and when you put them all together, it’s like a full 9 course meal! Example 9 course Meal: Hors ‘d’oeuvre – Cleanser Amuse-bouche – Toner Appetizer – Exfoliant Salad – Chemical Peel Cheese Plate – Masque Main Course – Serum Palate Cleanser – Moisturizer Dessert – Eye Cream Mignardise – Sunblock Now, this list just explains the order in which each product is used in comparison to the order in which each course is eaten. In the table below, I’m going to compare each product to its most equal food course in terms of what the product does. Skincare Products vs. 9-Course Meal Cleanses the skin of surface dirt and debris and prepares the skin for further products. Removes dead skin cells with either a textured exfoliant like ground walnut shells, jojoba beads, etc. or a chemical exfoliant such as an enzyme. Potent combination of ingredients that penetrate deeply into the pores to both deliver nutrients to the skin and also remove impurities. Emulsion of oil and water that attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in. Small finger foods to prepare your taste buds for more food to come. A platter of cheeses of varying textures and flavors with accompanying crackers, nuts, fruits, or even cured meats. Assortment of raw vegetables with a flavorful dressing. A small dish of food or a drink eaten before a meal or the main course of a meal to stimulate one’s appetite. Helps remove remaining dirt and debris and give skin a boost of hydration. The “main event”. A specific acid (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, etc) is applied to the skin which penetrates deeply and removes the outer layers of the skin. Designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin, but are very light and absorb quickly. Thicker formulation than moisturizer as it’s formulated for the delicate eye area. Neutral food or drink that removes any food residue (flavor) from your tongue, “resetting” your taste buds. Meat (or other protein), vegetables, and a grain to provide a hearty and filling course. Small, but flavorful taste of food that’s to come, translated to: “Amuse the mouth”. Delicate, bite sized dessert or pastry. The final step of the skincare regimen, that protects skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Sweet and Decadent course to close out the meal. How skincare products work with the skin Are you ready to eat now? I know I am! I hope this breakdown of skincare products told as a full 9-course meal was helpful for you! Bonus points to WebstaurantStore for this awesome article on Full Course meals! I knew a bunch about meal courses, but I certainly didn’t know all of this! Score! If you haven’t yet, check out my podcast episode below, where I go through all of this in a little more detail. Related: Favorite

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What even IS an Esthetician? Hint: It’s not an Anesthesiologist

Cara B. — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:34:08 +0000

If you’re like many people new to the beauty industry, you may have heard of an Esthetician and wondered, “well, what the heck is that?” Newsflash: It’s not an Anesthesiologist! This may seem extremely random to you, or you may be thinking, “I was so confused, because that’s what I thought an Esthetician was!” Either way, I always have to emphasize that an Esthetician is not an Anesthesiologist. I’ve been in the beauty industry as a licensed Esthetician for over 18 years and hundreds of times over the years when I’ve told someone that I’m an Esthetician, the response I’ve gotten is, “Like, you give people anesthesia?” No. I am not a doctor. Anesthesiologists are doctors, I am not. Have you heard of a Facialist? Or a Skin Care Specialist? These are both alternative names for an Esthetician. Let me break it down a little further for you. Estheticians focus on skin care, as a profession. We are trained in various areas dealing with caring for the skin, such as: Performing Facials Hair Removal (ie. waxing) Makeup Application (ie. Makup Artists) These are the 3 main areas that Estheticians are trained in, though depending on your school, and your state, the training may be more or less advanced. Estheticians complete a training program that is usually part of a Cosmetology school. What is Cosmetology? According to dictionary.com Cosmetology is: the professional skill or practice of beautifying the face, hair, and skin. Cosmetology encompasses skincare, hair care, and nail care. Esthetics is a sub specialty within the Cosmetology heading, and in most states is governed by the Cosmetology State Board, though each state has their own requirements for licensure. So, what exactly does an Esthetician do? Well, like I listed above, we perform facials (check out this post to find out the exact steps in a basic facial!), we remove hair from people’s faces and bodies, and we apply makeup. We are trained to perform these services in a sanitary, and educated manner so that it is as safe and healthy as possible. Now, when you hear facial, you might wonder why someone needs specialized training in this area, especially when you’re talking about a basic facial. Not only are there universal precautions you must take to protect your clients skin and health, but there are also specialized tools that we use that require training, such as the galvanic and high frequency currents, microdermabrasion machines, and so on. Maybe the most important part is understanding not only what skin care products do for the skin (read my next blog post!) but also what ingredients are in skincare products, and how they interact with the skin. It is a SCIENCE. Hair removal is the same concept. Most schools teaching waxing techniques, but some schools teaching sugaring instead or as well. Why do you need training for this? Easy! Because you need to learn proper sanitization and sterilization precautions so as to keep your client safe and healthy. It is very easy to cause any number of skin infections (or worse) by not being properly educated on how to use wax, how to prep the skin, what temperature is safe, etc. Makeup Application is a little different in terms of Esthetics training. Makeup Application is part of Cosmetology and Esthetics programs, but there are also training programs outside of Cosmetology schools that are focused simply on makeup application. Every state is different about what they legally allow when it comes to Makeup application. For example, in Pennsylvania, you are not allowed to apply makeup in a professional setting to people’s faces unless you are licensed under the Cosmetology state board to do so. But, again, all states have different requirements. In terms of training in Esthetics and Cosmetology programs, all schools are different as well. Some schools will spend 1 day teaching makeup application, where others will have a significantly longer makeup application portion of the program. My school provided us with 3 days out of the 300 hours of Esthetic training. So, like most things related to Esthetics, I learned most of what I know, on the job or through additional training and continuing education courses. So, to sum it all up, an Esthetician is a Skin Care Specialist with extensive training in caring for the skin. We are not anesthesiologists, dermatologists, or any other doctor for that matter (unless we have separate medical training, of course). I hope this helps! For more information, check out my YouTube video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWraVkpCO30&t=5s Favorite

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Let’s talk about skin bay-bee! AKA Skin Anatomy 101

Cara B. — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 14:25:11 +0000

Pin for later! Understanding the skin is the first step to understanding how and why to take care of your skin. If you’d prefer a slideshow, scroll to the bottom of the page to view. The first step in understanding the skin, is understanding the anatomy of the skin, so let’s dive right in! The skin is made up of 3 main layers: Epidermis (outermost layer) Dermis (middle layer) Hypodermis (deepest layer) Within each of these layers, are sublayers. Let’s break it down layer by layer, shall we? Epidermis The Epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. This is the layer that you can see when you look at your skin. The purpose of the Epidermis is to give our bodies a barrier and protect us against UV (ultraviolet) radiation, harmful chemicals and pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.), and even protects us from water! The Epidermis has 4-5 layers, depending on where on the body we’re talking about. Most areas have 4 layers, but areas of thick skin, which include the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, contain a 5th layer. Even though this layer of skin has the most sublayers, it is also the thinnest of the 3 main layers, at around 0.1mm in thickness. Layers of the Epidermis Stratum Corneum Stratum Lucidum Stratum Granulosum Stratum Spinosum Stratum Basale Each layer has a different composition and a different function. Stratum Corneum The Stratum Corneum is the outermost layer of the Epidermis, made up of about 20-30 layers of mostly dead, flattened skin cells with no nuclei or cell organelles. The Stratum Corneum functions as the body’s first line of defense. The name, “corneum” is derived from cornification, also known as keratinization. Cornification occurs in this layer and is the process where living keratinocytes are transformed into dead corneocytes. The main function of the Stratum Corneum is to help prevent the penetration of of external toxins and bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. The Stratum Corneum also repels water, protects against mechanical stress, such as abrasions that would harm the more delicate, living lower layers of the Epidermis. Stratum Lucidum The Stratum Lucidum is only found in thicker skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This layer is clear, and consists of 2-3 layers of dead, flattened skin cells, similar to the cells in the Stratum Corneum. The main function of Stratum Lucidum is to give the skin the capability to stretch. The cells in this layer are filled with a protein called eleiden which gives the cells their transparent appearance. The presence of eleiden is what makes the skin waterproof. Stratum Granulosum The Stratum Granulosum is another relatively thin layer of the skin, with only 3-5 layers of skin cells. The cells in this layer aren’t completely flattened, but have started the flattening process, and therefore have a diamond-like shape to them. This layer has a granular appearance, hence the name “granulosum”, due to the changes that the keratinocytes are going through. The main function of the Stratum Granulosum is to act as both a barrier for harmful substances from entering the body, and also a transitional layer where keratinocytes begin to die, causing their nuclei and other organelles to disintegrate, before pushing up to the Stratum Lucidum and eventually the Stratum Corneum. Stratum Spinosum The Stratum Spinosum is a thicker layer, at 8-10 layers of cells. The cells in this layer have a polyhedral (3 dimensional) shape. Within the Stratum Spinosum is the beginning of the keratinization process. Keratinization is a process during which epithelial cells (cells that line various structures inside and outside the body, including the skin) become filled with keratin protein filaments. During this process, the cells die and become much tougher and resistant. The main function of this layer is to help with skin flexibility, and to help the epidermis to withstand the effects of friction and abrasion. Stratum Basale/Germinativum The Stratum Basale, also known as the Stratum Germinativum is the bottom layer of the Epidermis. This deepest layer contains stem cells that create keratinocytes, and also contains melanocytes. This layer is a single layer of cells that are either cuboidal or columnar. Melanocytes have 2 functions. First, it produces melanin, which gives skin its color. The second function is to protect the living cells in the skin from damage from UV radiation. Dermis The layer beneath the Epidermis is called the Dermis. While the Dermis is only made up of 2 layers rather than the 5 that the Epidermis is made up of, it is much thicker. Though it varies, it is between 1-4 mm. Within the Dermis are nerves, blood & lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures. Layers of the Dermis Papillary Dermis Reticular Dermis Papillary Dermis The Papillary Dermis is made up of loose connective tissue including Collagen & Elastin, as well as nerve fibers, touch receptors, phagocytes, and lymphatic capillaries. The Collagen and Elastin fibers in this layer form a loose “mesh.” The Papillary Layer is called this because it extends into the Stratum Basale creating finger like projections, known as Papillae. The Papillary Dermis has 2 main functions. To support the epidermis, which is avascular (meaning it has no blood vessels), by providing vital nutrients. To regulate body temperature through a process known as thermoregulation. Reticular Dermis The reticular layer of the dermis sits below the Papillary Dermis and is thicker. It consists of dense irregular connective tissue. This layer also contains the hair roots, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and blood vessels. The main function of the Reticular Dermis is to give the skin strength, elasticity, and structure. Hypodermis Lastly, the Hypodermis is the bottom layer of the skin, sitting below the Dermis. The Hypodermis is also known as the Subcutaneous Layer, Subcutaneous Tissue or the Subcutis. The Hypodermis consists of primarily Adiposde (fat) tissue. It also contains fibroblasts, macrophages, loose areolar connective tissue, larger nerves, and blood cells. The Hypodermis serves 2 main functions: Insulation, conserving

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